Inside a colour-drenched condo that's the epitome of 'restrained maximalism'

CBC

09-05-2025

Call to mind a condo and you may think of a modern blank canvas at best or a boxy space devoid of character at worst. Chad Burton's condominium in Toronto's Little Portugal neighbourhood couldn't be further from the stereotypes.
The separate living room makes the home where Burton lives with his husband, Burger, and their cat, Terrence, feel more like the main floor of a house to him. Curves also feature throughout the space. Burton added a pair of symmetrical archways off the living room, and a barrel archway between the entry and kitchen. He even created an archway for Terrance to pass through en route to his litter box.
Burton — a fashion, still life and interiors stylist — shares that his space is accentuated with stylish "tchotchkes" and souvenirs from worldwide travels.
Some of the ceramics on display are Burton and his husband's creations, including the custom handles on the secretary desk. "Burger created these beautiful little ceramic pulls based off our cat — including the little butthole," said Burton.
But perhaps the defining design detail of Burton's home is colour.
From walls to ceilings to desks to cabinets, virtually every surface has been painted, and each room in his space has a colour story.
I like to say I use restrained maximalism — bringing a lot of objects and ideas to the table but thoughtfully curating them and allowing for moments of calm and quiet.
Inspired by terracotta tiles, Burton painted the living room a warm shade of red. In the kitchen slash dining area, he took inspiration from the travertine table and selected creamy tones for the walls, cupboards and ceiling.
And for the sole bedroom, Burton used colour-drenching to its fullest extent: painting the walls, ceiling, custom cabinets and chair a powder blue, and bringing in linens and upholstery of the same shade. Powder blue curtains hang at the window, and Burton also hung a powder blue curtain in place of a bedroom door, which he loves for its ability to muffle sound.
Punctuating the wash of blue are small hits of red, including a red picture frame hanging on the wall. "There's like an 'unexpected red theory,' where a little pop of red works in every room," said Burton. "And it kind of does."
A Noguchi-style pendant lamp hangs above the bed. "It's kind of like a soft floating cloud in a sea of blue sky."
Watch this episode of On the Inside to see Burton's vibrant yet refined home, and read on to learn more about his approach to balanced decorating.
Chad Burton on home decor and design
(As told to CBC Life. These answers have been edited and condensed.)
I like to say I use restrained maximalism — bringing a lot of objects and ideas to the table but thoughtfully curating them and allowing for moments of calm and quiet.
Our place is a colourful and quirky version of Spanish revival meets English countryside meets '80s modernism.
We just surround ourselves with colours and objects that make us happy.
I feel like the arches we had installed really stand out [to guests] — especially the striped barrel arched tunnel leading from the entryway to the dining room. They're also drawn to the powder blue colour-drenched bedroom.
Colour choice can come very easily sometimes and work immediately, but other times can take a bit of work to get right. So swatches and sample tins, and seeing colours next to each other and at different times of day, is important when choosing.
I would say my home is saturated, cosy and full of joy.
We just surround ourselves with colours and objects that make us happy. Some items are trendy, but some are vintage and timeless, and it's that mix of high and low — and how they interact with each other — that makes the space our own.