Every home buyer has, firmly engrained in his or her brain, a wish list of elements – some “nice to have” and some “can’t live without.” The challenge is finding that elusive home that fits both the budget and the list. My clients, a fashion editor and a scholar, were searching for a first home in a west end Toronto neighbourhood that would give them a bit more breathing room than the cramped rental condominium they were used to. A spacious master bedroom with walk-in closet and a single decent-sized bathroom with separate tub and shower didn’t seem like too much to ask … until they went house hunting.
Pare Down
The enemy of small-space living is clutter. Your bedroom should be a restful and relaxing area. It should not be junked up with bills, paperwork or any unnecessary items that might impede relaxation and sleep. When moving into a new space or redecorating an existing one, consider the old William Morris adage I try to live by: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” If you don’t love it, and you don’t need it, why make space for it?
Expect More From Everything
Another theme of small-space living is that every piece of furniture needs to have something that makes it better than the average. Instead of a bed that just allows your mattress to sit on top, while inviting dust bunnies to move in below, why not invest in a bed base that both supports the mattress and offers four oversized storage drawers (because no matter how much you know you should purge it, I’m pretty sure you’re looking for a place to store more stuff than you have space for). Instead of just settling for a bedside table with a single top surface, choose one that features a second shelf (it’s a great place to keep all the books you’re hoping to get to).
Be Coolly Neutral
It’s a well-known fact that only one colour is always in style – black! When faced with the task of designing a retreat for an au courant fashion client, it seemed the only safe approach was to steer clear of my habitual love of colour in favour of a neutral greyscale approach. There’s no need to perceive neutrals as dull or lacklustre. A monochromatic palette can still be energetic and interesting if you rely on pattern for impact. Black-and-cream fauxbois wallpaper adds texture to the walls (and hide decades of cracks in the less than perfect plaster), while crisp black-and-white striped sheets keep the room from looking dorm-room basic. A few yards of richly patterned European linen becomes a custom bedspread.
Take the Edge off Your Black
To some, black can seem severe and cold, but the interpretation is all in the way you embrace it. Instead of all black, high-gloss and hard edges, why not opt for pieces with a softer expression? Bedside task lights that blend retro form with antiqued brass accents help create a warmer vibe, a vintage pendant light with an orb-like shape infuses a groovy vintage nod, and black twill tape on white wood slat window blinds makes an otherwise average window covering stand out.
Conquer Your Closet
The best option for a client who envisioned more than a simple hanging bar in their closet used to be a costly fully customized cabinetry solution. But the need to make the most of every small space has led to the introduction of some really clever component storage systems that allow you to configure your closet to suit your lifestyle, with a variety of elements that attach to an easy to install framework. This industrial loft-inspired system is comprised of vertical posts that run from floor to ceiling and can be filled in with your desired combination of drawers, hooks, hanging bars, open shelves, and of course … the oh so desirable slanted shoe shelf that allows you to elevate your expensive shoe-collecting habit into eye-level art, on display to be enjoyed every time you enter your closet.
Source Guide:
Bathroom
Times shower glass system with sliding door & Merit 5ft bathtub, 519.884.5290. Caml - Tomlin | Ravin series: shower system, wall mounted tub filler & sink faucet Hexis series: towel bars, robe hooks & toilet paper holder, 10 Corstate Ave., Concord, ON, 905.851.6781, The Rubinet Faucet Company | wall tiles, shower jambs & floor tiles, 115 Tycos Dr., Toronto, ON, 416.441.2224, Saltillo Imports | shower floor tile, 1000 Lawrence Ave., W., Toronto, ON, 416.785.6666, Olympia Tile International Inc. | Linden vanity, basin & countertop, 416.335.4906, Tidal Canada | toilet & shower basket, 1020 Lawrence Ave. W, Toronto, ON, 416.785.0224, Taps Bath Centre | wood slat blind, Blinds To Go | window supply & installation, 8985 Woodbine Ave., Unionville, ON, 416.533.0999, Fieldstone Windows & Doors Ltd. | black and white photograph & framing, 533 Richmond St. W., suite 204, Toronto, ON, 416.305.5430, Tony Koukos | pair of sconces, 6 Curity Ave., unit 4, Toronto, ON, 416.548.9238, Ridgely Studio Works | light fixture, 416.934.1021, 1156 Yonge St., Toronto, ON, 416.934.1021, Chair Table Lamp | mirror, glass soap dish, glass jar & vintage keys in frames, 150 Lesmill Rd., Toronto, ON, 416.546.1760, Around the Block | linen towels & white shadow box frames, IKEA | Nuheat heated floor, 1020 Lawrence Ave. W., Toronto, ON, 416.785.8080, Ciot Toronto Inc. | vanity hardware, Lee Valley Tools | smoke glass vase & collection of glass perfume bottles, 249 Gerrard St. E, Toronto, ON., 416 934-9009Eclectisaurus | white coral & white towels, Homesense | round soap, 95 Ronald Ave., Toronto, ON, 416.787.1787, Ginger's | waste basket, West Elm | shower products, Shoppers Drug Mart | flowers, Jong Young Flowers, 128 Avenue Rd., Toronto, ON, 416.922.4421
Bedroom
broadloom, 103 Miranda Ave., Toronto, ON, 416.787.1707, Allan Rug Company | side tables, bed frame, mattress, pillows, duvet & black shadow box frames, IKEA | wood slat blind, Blinds To Go | wallpaper (Wood Grain - Black & White 92/5028 CS) & pillow fabric on chair (Confetti -Cream GWF-2810-18), Lee Jofa Fabrics | pillow fabric (Park Avenue Python - Dove 175060) & coverlet fabric (Chanter - 19465 981), 326 Davenport Rd., Toronto, ON, 416.960.1611, Bilbrough & Co. Ltd. | pillow and coverlet sewing & pillow inserts, 215 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON, 416.596.8489, Dreams | window supply & installation, 8985 Woodbine Ave., Unionville, ON, 416.533.0999, Fieldstone Windows & Doors Ltd. | black and white photograph & framing, 533 Richmond St. W., suite 204, Toronto, ON, 416.305.5430Tony Koukos | occasional table, Urban Barn | sheet sets & duvet cover, Homesense | pair of task lamps, West Elm | chair, 1156 Yonge St., Toronto, ON, 416.934.1021, Chair Table Lamp | collection of woven baskets, 388 Carlaw Ave., Toronto, ON, 416.778.8778, Snob | light fixture, smoke glass vase, smoke glass bowl, brass & pewter boxes, 249 Gerrard St. E., Toronto, ON, 416 934-9009, Eclectisaurus | black and white marble paperweight & wooden box, 328 Queen St. E., Toronto, ON, 416.686.5614, Vintage Fine Objects | rattan bowl, 323 Queen St. E., unit 1a, Toronto, ON, 416.533.9959, Kiondo African Imports Inc. | white patterned vase & paperweight, 150 Lesmill Rd., Toronto, ON, 416.546.1760, Around the Block | flowers, Jong Young Flowers, 128 Avenue Rd., Toronto, ON, 416.922.4421
Closet
closet system, pivoting mirror, shelving, brackets, storage boxes, rattan bowl & hangers, IKEA | broadloom, 103 Miranda Ave., Toronto, ON, 416.787.1707, Allan Rug Company | window supply & installation, 8985 Woodbine Ave., Unionville, ON, 416.533.0999, Fieldstone Windows & Doors Ltd. | track light, 121 Cartwright Ave., Toronto, ON, 416.787.8900, Universal Lamp | black geometric mirror, Homesense | clothing, purses, shoes, hat & step stool, Client's own | woven basket, 388 Carlaw Ave., Toronto, ON, 416.778.8778, Snob
Trades
contractor, 200 Edgeley Blvd., unit 10, Concord, ON, 416.708-4089, JAV Contracting Inc. | closet installation, IKEA Installation Services | electrician, Spindel Electric Inc., 416.225.0212 | installation of shower glass doors, 519.884.5290, Caml - Tomlin | installation of wallpaper, 416.994.8348, Russell Painting Inc.
Paint Colours
bedroom walls - Swiss Coffee (OC-45), Benjamin Moore Paints | bedroom ceiling - Snowfall White (2144-70), Benjamin Moore Paints | bathroom walls - Fog Mist (OC-31), Benjamin Moore Paints | bathroom ceiling - Snowfall White (2144-70), Benjamin Moore Paints | closet walls & ceiling - Snowfall White (2144-70), Benjamin Moore Paints | hallway walls & ceiling - Snowfall White (2144-70), Benjamin Moore Paints | trim & radiators - Chantilly Lace (OC-65), Benjamin Moore Paints