The details matter. It is inescapably true. In high-end home construction, they define how a space feels, functions, and fits into the rhythm of daily life. Custom design isn’t just about aesthetics; it must be equally about execution. It’s all in service of a home that supports your unique lifestyle, preferences, and aspirations. What's possible, popular, and practical when executing completely bespoke spaces?
SevernWoods’ role as a high-end general contractor ensures every element of your dream design appears in precise reality. Today, we’ll walk through some of our favourite ways in which thoughtful execution transforms curated designs into homes that embody their owners' personalities.
Functional Luxury: Tailoring Spaces to Daily Routines
When envisioning a custom home, it’s natural to start with the spaces that support your everyday life. Functional luxury isn’t just about utility—it’s about enhancing the tasks and routines that define your day.
Home Gyms: Elevating Wellness at Home
A thoughtfully designed home gym provides more than just a space for exercise—it enhances your commitment to health and wellness. As experts in executing these designs, we consider important details to ensure the fullest possible execution.
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Ceiling Heights: Ensuring adequate height for equipment like elliptical machines or weight racks may necessitate underpinning or lowering the basement floor. We've worked on targeted excavations for homes with limited basement height, digging down in gym areas while maintaining waterproofing and proper drainage.
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Flooring: Selecting materials like rubberized surfaces that provide durability and support.
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Lighting: Installing flexible lighting systems to suit activities ranging from yoga to weightlifting.
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Adjacent Amenities: Steam showers, saunas, or dedicated changing rooms are often part of these spaces, requiring meticulous plumbing and waterproofing planning.
Closet Organizers: More Than Storage
Bespoke closets are an opportunity to showcase your wardrobe in style. From integrated lighting to custom shelving that maximizes space, we collaborate with carpenters and designers to execute built-in solutions that combine luxury and practicality.
Home Offices: Productivity in a Personalised Space
As remote work continues influencing how people design their homes, the demand for thoughtfully constructed home offices is rising. Design should consider soundproofing to ensure a quiet workspace. Home offices are havens for custom millwork for built-in desks and shelving. Include strategic lighting for productivity, with layered options to adapt to natural light throughout the day.
Spaces for Wellness and Relaxation
Luxury living is as much about unwinding as it is about efficiency. Spaces designed for relaxation and rejuvenation have become integral to modern homes, offering clients a retreat from the demands of daily life.
Saunas and Steam Rooms: A Spa-Like Experience at Home
Imagine stepping into your private sauna after a long day—a tranquil space tailored to your preferences. From cedar panelling to precision climate control, these features demand exceptional craftsmanship. Whether it’s a stand-alone steam room or one paired with a home gym, the execution requires thoughtful coordination with HVAC and plumbing systems to ensure long-lasting comfort.
Wine Cellars: Craftsmanship Meets Preservation
A wine cellar is more than just a storage space; it’s a statement. These rooms balance form and function, keeping vintages perfectly preserved while creating an inviting ambiance for entertaining. A well-constructed wine cellar requires stellar design and execution.
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Insulation and humidity control to protect wine from fluctuations.
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Specialized lighting that avoids heat while showcasing collections.
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Features like built-in racks, tasting tables, or even integrated kitchenettes.
Entertainment at Its Best
Homeowners increasingly seek areas that make hosting seamless and experiences unforgettable. Entertainment spaces often feature one-of-a-kind elements that reflect a homeowner’s personality. From game rooms with bespoke finishes to stately libraries with custom shelving, we specialize in delivering the craftsmanship needed to bring these ideas to life.
Home Theatres
From intimate screening rooms to grand, tiered theatres, a dedicated cinema space brings entertainment to a new level. The execution of such rooms often involves:
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Strategic soundproofing to contain the rich surround sound experience.
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Custom HVAC systems that eliminate noise while maintaining comfort.
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Integrated lighting and automation for effortless control over screens, speakers, and ambient settings.
Custom Bars and Entertainment Spaces
For those who love to entertain, custom bars are non-negotiable. We work with designers to create built-in bars complete with shelving, sinks, wine refrigerators, and ample counter space for serving. Thoughtful touches like integrated lighting or a mirrored backsplash elevate the space, ensuring it’s as stylish as practical.
Future-Proofing Through Design
True luxury is a home that adapts gracefully to the future. Today’s discerning homeowners are building for their current needs and anticipating what lies ahead.
Home Elevators
Elevators have become a hallmark of future-proof design, particularly in homes over 5,000 square feet. Many clients include them in planning for aging in place, creating a home they can enjoy for decades. From compact models designed for daily convenience to larger lifts accommodating luggage or furniture, elevators create easy movement for every occasion.
Electric Vehicle Chargers
Electric vehicle chargers are another essential component of future-ready homes. As electric cars become more commonplace, designing a home with sufficient electrical capacity for one or more chargers is increasingly vital. By installing appropriate wiring and planning for the home’s power supply demands, we help clients prepare for a world where electric vehicles are the norm.
Automation
Smart home automation ties these elements together, offering effortless control over lighting, climate, and security. Collaborating with leading automation specialists, we ensure systems are intuitive and reliable, blending cutting-edge technology with timeless craftsmanship.
Making a Statement with Signature Features
Signature features transform a home from extraordinary to unforgettable, reflecting a homeowner’s personality while showcasing exceptional craftsmanship. Here are a few stand-out features that can elevate your Toronto custom home.
Two-Storey Great Rooms
The grandeur of a two-storey great room lies in its open space and the natural light streaming through towering windows. While these rooms offer dramatic visual appeal, they present specific construction challenges.
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HVAC systems must be designed to manage temperature disparities caused by the height.
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Cleaning solutions for high fixtures, such as motorized lifts for chandeliers, ensure long-term ease of maintenance.
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Finishing details, including crown moulding and custom window treatments, add warmth and character to the space.
Custom Glasswork
Artisan glass features such as skylights, stained glass windows, and glass partitions offer opportunities to personalize spaces. In areas like staircases or entryways, glass balustrades or custom panels create a striking focal point while maintaining a sense of openness. These installations demand precision to meet both aesthetic and structural needs.
Car Elevators and Lifts
Luxury garages often include car lifts or elevators designed to optimize vehicle storage and access. Sometimes, a car elevator can be added for basement-level parking without sacrificing above-ground space. High-ceiling garages with stacking lifts are another common solution.
Outdoor Features
The exterior of the home offers just as much opportunity for unique design elements as the interior. Your outdoor living space could include features such as:
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Heated driveways and walkways to simplify winter maintenance.
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Outdoor kitchens with custom cabinetry, stone counters, and integrated grills.
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Infinity pools with adjacent lounging areas for resort-style living.
Statement Lighting
Lighting serves both a functional and artistic purpose in a luxury home. From sculptural pendant lights over a dining table to integrated LED strips highlighting architectural features, well-placed lighting adds drama and ambiance. Motorized systems and smart controls ensure these elements remain as practical as they are beautiful.
The Dream 100 List: Helping You Plan Your Perfect Home
Luxury homes are all about personalization, and SevernWoods’ Dream 100 list is the ultimate starting point. We use this list of features as a conversation starter to ensure early designs include all the right elements, helping clients identify every feature, finish, and flourish they might want to include in their home.
Your Lifestyle, Your Toronto Home, Your Way
A truly custom home is more than just a place to live—it’s a statement about who you are and how you choose to spend your time. SevernWoods’ expertise in high-end construction ensures that your home is built to the highest standards, with meticulous attention to every design element. Whether starting from scratch or looking to elevate an existing space, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Ready to start your journey? Let’s build a home that’s as unique as you are. Contact us to learn how we can help you bring your Toronto area dream home to life.
