Mocha Mousse, Tuscan Style

For anyone who has experienced la dolce vita, living in Ontario, Canada may feel like a leap. Originally from Italy, the homeowners – a couple in their 30s with two young boys – found a remedy: Introduce a bit of their beloved country into their interiors in a subtle way. This is the brief that Samantha Brocca, founder of Studio Brocca, had to honour. 

Custom sofa and primary from Ferretti Furniture

The entry console features a black marble round table from CB2

Spread over three levels, the 325-square metre property designed by the architects of Organica Studio features a modern style with clean lines, combining understated luxury and warm minimalism. “One of the biggest challenges consisted of balancing the tall linear shapes of the windows and the millwork through small introductions of arches and curves to give it a playful but sophisticated feel,” says Brocca. Both the interior designer and the homeowners love marble and deep green tones, which were the starting point for the overall palette. “Green was one of the first things discussed in the home and featured mostly in the main ensuite for the couple to appreciate daily,” remembers Brocca, who then added rust hues, creams and oak browns – perfectly in tune with Pantone’s 2025 Colour of the Year, Mocha Mousse – as well as black and bronze accents for a delicate and sophisticated touch. “Greens are not only our favourite colour, but they are associated with the beauty of the Italian countryside, rolling hills and deep green cypress,” say the homeowners, who have family roots in the regions of Calabria and Veneto. “Seeing as the house is set in a matured green space, greens also complement the exterior feel.”

The green marble was the first item that Brocca selected for the home before they broke ground. “The fireplace design changed four to five times in all different shapes and materials,” the interior designer confesses. “In the end, the clients became pregnant with their second child and decided to simplify the design in fear of the fireplace obstructing the play area for the kids. The stone we selected has beautiful intense tones that accent every colour we introduced.” In the open concept closet in the bedroom, the green marble is also visible, “surrounded by black metalwork to frame the opening and create a feeling of a light partition and interest in materials,” as the homeowners describe.  Although the interior designer drew inspiration from Tuscan interiors and the Italian countryside for the different shades, she wanted to be sure to craft a contemporary home, avoiding rustic elements in favour of modern touches throughout. Thanks to the mellow brown hue with “delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort” – according to the Pantone Color Institute – the perfect level of indulgence and harmony is achieved.

Both the interior designer and the homeowners love marble and deep green tones, which were the starting point for the overall palette

“The overall feeling of the home relates to the multiple regions of Italy we have been so lucky to enjoy and keeps the grey months of Canada richer with warmth and colour,” the homeowners conclude. 

Photography by Lauren Miller