As a long-time client of Cantoni – having previously had her kitchen redone with Aster Cucine cabinetry – Marina Denisov always knew that she wanted Cantoni to furnish her home. So, when she decided that her home needed a stylish and contemporary update, she knew exactly who to turn to. With a list in hand of items she needed, Marina walked into Cantoni Dallas and met up with designer Jiji Aouji, detailing her desire to redo her kitchen, bathrooms, closets, and select all new furniture. “We have been coming to Cantoni for 20+ years and have always felt comfortable and welcomed,” said Marina. “Jiji has always been a professional and caring designer – she knows exactly what the client wants.”
A native to Russia, Marina and her husband split time living between her home country and in Dallas with their son. Not wanting to feel like a stranger in her Dallas home, Marina wanted to create a contemporary yet warm and inviting space that she could always come back to. “Our first priority was the kitchen,” said Jiji. “We brought in the warmth that Marina was looking for with charcoal grey cabinets, smoked glass and a rich wood-textured bar.” Creamy Cattelan Italia barstools offer a soft contrast and pair beautifully with the chairs in the dining space, also by the luxurious Italian line, and the statement-making dining table found in the breakfast nook.
Step into the family room and you can’t help but feel drawn to the sumptuous sectional, which looks towards the relaxed lounge chairs and the kitchen beyond. Against the side wall, the home’s stark white walls and floors are contrasted beautifully by an impressive wood wall TV unit that is layered with various décor pieces to showcase Marina’s style. And in the main dining room, the high-style comfort continues. Styles from Malerba are clean and refined, making them the perfect companion to the sleek oval-shaped dining table.
But the spaces that Jiji enjoyed designing the most were the bedrooms. “Marina really had each family member’s preference in mind,” she said. “She wanted to make sure everyone was pleased with their rooms.” In the master, Jiji opted for more Malerba and casegoods to complement the elegant statement chandelier. In the guest bedroom, Marina really wanted visitors to feel a sense of Zen, so Jiji paired a low-profile chair with the complementing accent tables to offer guests an additional spot for relaxation. For her son’s bedroom, Marina and Jiji chose a subtle yet chic low-profile leather bed to complement the bold custom street art wall.
As you walk through the finished home, it is apparent that each area exudes the comfort and warmth that Marina had envisioned. Each room stands out on its own but comes together as a cohesive whole that Marina and her family can call home. “That’s what I really like about this project, each room feels different,” says Jiji. “The entryway is symmetrical, the double ceiling height provides dimension, the big glass panels to the outdoor area create light, and the dropdown chandeliers are grand and inviting.”
