Ferris Rafauli: Inside The Toronto Home Of The Man Behind Drake’s Iconic Interiors
A contemporary classic masterpiece rooted in the finer details, world-renowned interior designer Ferris Rafauli’s Toronto home is a timeless fusion of fashion, art, design and luxury
Since his childhood years, Ferris Rafauli was mesmerised by the world of architecture and design, perpetually drawn to the finer details in life. Over the past two decades, the world-renowned Canadian architectural and interior designer’s career has seen him design the homes of several prestigious clients, with the most recent project, dubbed The Embassy, being multimillionaire rapper Drake’s home in Toronto.
Noting inspiration from high fashion and integrated designs, Rafauli seeks to marry all elements to create a single unity between fashion, design and art. “Every element of the design is connected and integrated into each other, achieving a harmonious visual unity with all the tasteful ingredients of high design and the ultimate in luxury,” he says.
Sitting area of an in-house library with furniture designed by Rafauli
Adopting a holistic approach to Drake’s home, Rafauli intertwined creativity with a timeless architectural design to achieve a harmonious blend and elevate the art and substance, personally catering to the rapper’s uber-luxury lifestyle.
“The amenities in this home range from state-of-the-art music studios, to a full indoor NBA basketball court, massive indoor and outdoor swimming pools and hammam spas equipped with tanning beds and a massage centre,” explains Rafauli. “It truly is an epic experience with multiple environments and lifestyle amenities under one roof.
Cosy and classy bedroom complete with Ferris Rafauli furniture, rugs, drapery and lighting
Drake’s house was a pleasure to design. Every element from the moment you pull into the driveway, to approaching the house and entering the driveway is high couture design integrated with real substance.”
In form, materials and execution, the home resembles a 19th century limestone mansion adorned with sumptuous couture interiors, a space which Rafauli describes, agreeably, as a “dream home.”
Monolithic marble suspended staircase lined with bronze metal detailing and polished bronze ‘sputnik spheres’ lighting designed by Rafauli
All the furniture in Drake’s grand home has been custom-designed by Rafauli, including a piano built by Boësndorfer (one of three to ever be produced), the Grand Vividus bed and a stove called Chateau Supreme, made in collaboration with La Cornue.
Rafauli’s own home in Toronto, evidently, is no short of the wow factor, with every element and layer a work of art that inspires him; from the marble and bronze inlay details to the fluted marble walls and skylights.
“It is all set within a modernised classic form and is a true reflection of myself,” he highlights, adding that nothing – from the furniture to the lighting, drapery and rugs – is purchased from a catalogue; it is all tailored to fit the space and realised through intricate craftsmanship.
An interior view of the 35-feet-high foyer with radius marble-fluted walls along with slab marble and bronze inlay flooring
“It is not a house, it is not a property,” says Rafauli. “It is art. All wall-to-wall art installation.” There are authentic bronze metal screens towering over two levels, fabric and suede walls and large, oversized glass walls welcoming an abundance of natural light to fill the home, emanating warmth and a sense of understated comfort. Most of the furniture has been custom-designed by Rafauli himself and is also featured in his FR furniture collection.
A firm believer in a holistic approach where the exterior and interior must be integrated, all the pieces within the home have been handcrafted to match. The designer perceives function and form as equally important; when the design is executed well, he believes they become one.
An interior view of the kitchen with Macassar Ebony portals leading into the Ferris Rafauli Design kitchen at Drake’s house. Piano-finished millworks and accents of polished nickel metal detailing with the La Cornue Chateau Supreme designed by Ferris Rafauli
“Work done by hand can never be replicated in a mass production assembly line or by the strict use of machinery,” he asserts. “There is also something about the authenticity of handcrafted workmanship that can’t be substituted. I also have a large integration of collection pieces from my travels worldwide. Art, lighting and eclectic furniture pieces infused into my interiors give the home personality.”
The designer takes hints from his surroundings; whether it’s nature, a good handbag, shoes, a scarf or even a sports car. “I have a great appreciation for all things of high design with high-quality detail and execution,” he admits. “For example, the curves on the exterior of an exotic car or the stitching and luxury detailing found inside that same car, are all things that I appreciate as I can relate to what it takes to design and realise such products.”
Noticeably, fashion plays an integral part in Rafauli’s material choices. Whether it’s the fabric on the walls or the furniture upholstery, the designer uses thousands of textiles in every project he works on. “It’s not unusual for me to use more than 5,000 textiles in a single project.”
Ferris sits in a lounge area of a library with furniture designed by himself. Photo by Brandon Barre
Luxuriously timeless, Rafauli’s abode is dotted with pieces and artworks which speak to how he lives. The library, a highlight of the home, is where the designer can be found on late evenings into the early morning; it is a personal hideaway where he can nurture creativity and conceive innovative designs. “It is my quiet time, it is my sanctuary,” he says.
“It is where I can think and be creative without anyone around. It allows me to be creative while the rest of the world sleeps.”
The Anti Foyer Room features a two-storey bronze screen layered in front of an antique mirror feature and lobby console designed by Rafauli
A formal space to unwind, the library is rich in layers and details with a black and gold colour scheme, a signature fireplace, sculptural design objects and artworks, yet the room still evokes simplicity through symmetry and balance. “It evokes an emotion of amazement, yet it calms the soul,” says Rafauli. “That dance is not an easy one to achieve, but an important one to master. I love the vintage infusion of materials and design. It speaks to my soul.”
The bedroom is also a special place for him, which features the fashionable statement Grand Vividus bed, crafted in collaboration with Swedish bed brand Hästens. Each furniture piece, designed with the same level of fine craftsmanship as for his clientele, embraces a special memory. Everything from the sofas to the dining and coffee tables is handcrafted under his own collection. “You can never substitute the authenticity of a truly handmade product to one made by machines.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has no doubt refocused our global understanding of a home, with people investing more and more in their personal space. Rafauli has noted an increasing trend in maximalist lifestyles during this time, with homeowners realising that a house is truly a reflection of themselves.
“People are realising that life is fragile and you live once and therefore, they seem more eager to invest into their lifestyle at home. Bringing all your lifestyle needs and amenities into your personal home is the new way of truly living.”
Rafauli’s dreamy Family Room designed with large glass walls that overlook his backyard oasis
So what makes a house a home? Well, for Rafauli, it’s not all about the high-end design and luxury; it is about the life we choose to design for ourselves. “Your day-to-day, your routine, your family and the people you choose to surround yourself with. These are all important elements of creating the true luxurious lifestyle.”
Rafauli’s core design philosophy always leads back to redefining the essence of luxury. What does the word truly entail? For him, authentic luxury blossoms when a space caters to the owner’s personal lifestyle needs while, simultaneously, merging all elements of the architecture and design in seamless agreement.
“It is not about flash, how much money you spend, or size,” he highlights, noting that the definition is subjective.
The dining room features suede ceilings and silk walls along with fully-lined millwork and wall treatment with a Baccarat chandelier centrepiece
“I am a firm believer that to achieve true luxury, you need to have a perfect balance of real substance, quality materials combined with high-end design, all the while meeting the requirements, needs and practicalities of the user. Luxury cannot only be about design or only about craftsmanship – the two are integrated.
Luxury is also about comfort, unapologetic lifestyle needs and desires. It is a sanctuary, a fantasy place to call home that integrates with the needs of the client and their dreams.” The master designer’s advice to those redecorating? “Make it a reflection of yourself. Make it for you,” he answers.
“Don’t follow trends because trends are ever-changing. The best trend to follow is your heart and desires. Don’t be afraid to do what everyone else is NOT doing. Often, working against the obvious design choices creates the most beautiful spaces. Remember, being original is what actually creates trends that others will begin to follow. You just have to be brave enough to make those choices. Finally, make it fun, enjoy the process and truly engage with your creative thoughts and desires.”
After all, a home is not just a property, it is a work of art.
Photography by Brandon Barré
From the Autumn 2020 issue of Harper’s BAZAAR Interiors