In an era of maximalist trends, a newly unveiled residence in Kleinberg, Ontario, stands as a powerful testament to the enduring appeal of restraint and precision. Designed by Bahar Zaeem and Shima Radfar of RZ Interiors, The Kleinberg Residence, featured in January 2026, is a thoughtfully composed family home where luxury is defined not by opulence, but by disciplined balance, material harmony, and a profound sense of calm.
The Philosophy of Restrained Design
From its inception, the project was guided by a principle of deliberate calm. "We wanted the home to feel calm, cohesive, and deliberately balanced," explains Bahar Zaeem. "Restraint guided every decision." This foundational philosophy moved the focus away from decorative statements and toward the fundamental elements of architecture: proportion, material, and light. The result is a home that feels confident and composed, revealing its elegance gradually to the observant eye.
The designers established a monochromatic foundation, forgoing colour to instead play with texture, alignment, and contrast. Symmetry became a quiet, organizing force throughout the home, visible in the framing of doorways, the rhythm of custom millwork, and the careful alignment of elements from room to room. This creates an intuitive sense of order that is felt more than it is overtly seen.
Material Nuances and Architectural Rhythm
The interpretation of quiet luxury here is deeply tied to functionality and nuanced detail. "Luxury reveals itself in the nuance," notes Shima Radfar. These calibrated details are found throughout the residence. In the foyer and along primary pathways, subtle brass inlays are integrated into the wood flooring, acting as an elegant form of wayfinding and marking transitions between spaces.
Material choices reinforce the balanced aesthetic. Dark-toned millwork provides visual weight and architectural clarity, while white oak flooring introduces warmth. Veined porcelain slabs in the living room, kitchen, and home office serve as sculptural surfaces, their appearance shifting subtly with the daylight. Ribbed millwork adds depth and texture, particularly in the stairwell, where it replaces traditional ornamentation.
The Heart of the Home: Kitchen as Anchor
The kitchen perfectly exemplifies the dialogue between structure and softness. A large kitchen island, with a ribbed leg and brass base, was designed to counterbalance the strong vertical lines of the surrounding cabinetry. Positioned before a large window, the island becomes a dynamic focal point throughout the day, with light casting soft shadows across its textured surface. More than just a functional workspace, the island serves as both a practical and visual anchor for the entire space.
While a consistent design vocabulary flows through the house, individual rooms are allowed distinct atmospheres. The primary ensuite is a private retreat, its layout framed to highlight views of the backyard greenery, and features a bold mix of expressive veined floor tile and dark ribbed walls. In contrast, the library is a cocooning space enveloped in deeper tones, designed for reading and quiet contemplation, with large windows preventing it from feeling heavy.
Achieving Cohesion Through Precision
Realizing this level of seamless design required rigorous coordination at every stage. Maintaining consistent proportions across applied wall panelling, mixing cabinetry profiles without visual disruption, and designing ceilings that guide sightlines in open-concept areas were all critical. "Negative space was just as important as what we added," Radfar explains. "It allowed the architecture and materials to breathe."
The clients were integral to this process, arriving with a clear vision and a trust in the design team's expertise, which allowed for efficient refinement and confident execution. Ultimately, The Kleinberg Residence is defined by the discipline behind every detail. Materials are revisited in varied expressions, transitions are marked quietly, and light, texture, and proportion work in concert.
This home is a definitive study in quiet confidence, demonstrating that in the realm of design, enduring elegance often speaks in a whisper, not a shout.
