Why this is designer Asli Tusavul’s favourite room

In her native Istanbul, Asli Tusavul worked with designers and architects for her family's construction business, experience that came in handy when designing CHALK, a chic children's clothing store that opened in Toronto in the fall. The interior is stark, almost industrial, with poured concrete floors and metal rods affixed to the walls to showcase clothes by edgy Euro brands like Denmark's Petit Nord and Italy's Ai Riders On The Storm. The shop's clean design is intended to encourage children to explore the space without feeling overwhelmed. A similar sense of relaxation permeates the uptown home that she and her husband and business partner, Ali, have been renting since moving to Canada in 2013. The bungalow, which they share with their two young sons, is a precursor to buying a home in the neighbourhood. In anticipation, Tusavul has decorated her temporary abode with furnishings purchased locally and long-term comfort in mind. The property came with a fireplace, a highlight of the living room, and Tusavul, enamoured of heat, spends most of her time in front of it. "Fire and candles are my favourite things," she says. "They relax me and bring me peace."

The photographs

"Two of these remind me of Istanbul; they have a sea effect. One of them shows a pier on the sea. Another shows a lion; his mouth is open wide. He looks so greedy and competitive. Every morning when I look at it, I think that if you want something, you have to work hard. I got them all at YellowKorner in Toronto."

The ottoman

"It's from Restoration Hardware. It's really practical. When we invite friends over, we need extra seating, and this works. The colour is good, too. It matches everything. I like natural colours. They give off a good feeling."

The flowers

"I buy flowers every Monday. They are for myself, my gift for the week. I believe that the week will be nice for me because of their freshness. I like having them around. They make me feel good."

The sofa

"It's really soft. I got it at IKEA. It was a quick pick. I just liked the fabric. It has a linen look. There are also some interesting details that caught my eye. IKEA has very good sofas for decorating a temporary space."

The lamps

"They are from Restoration Hardware, too. I like the transparent look of the base. They raise up the living area. If they were short, the room would look depressed. At night, I don't like too much light. These give off a soft glow. It relaxes me."

The candles

"My dining table is very long and sits between 10 and 12 people. I put the candles at the centre, to create a sense of separation. I got them at Pottery Barn in Toronto, the Yorkdale store. They have a rough look, as if handmade. I like that type of thing."