Condos
September 28, 2020
This Bold & Graphic Home Is Condo Goals!
Indecision drove designer Clare Forndran to dub herself “the worst client” after decorating the one-bedroom condo she shares with her longtime boyfriend, Lucas Fegaras. “I spend my days looking at beautiful things,” says Clare, who works at Ali Budd Interiors in Toronto. “Because of that, I want to take my home in a different direction every five minutes.” One thing Clare never wavered on, however, was living in her Yorkville neighborhood. “I’ll choose location over size any day,” she says of the boutique-lined locale she’s called home for the past decade.
Determination is part of Clare’s decorating DNA. “My coworkers call me ‘the FBI of interior design,’ ” she jokes. “If something exists, you can count on me to find it.” Sleuthing out the best flourishes paid off big time in her 750-square-foot abode. “When you need to move mountains to get your hands on that last critical piece, it makes for a great story,” says Clare. Her biggest (and boldest) decorating move was the black and white scheme, which ensures the entire condo will look chic for years to come.
Scroll down to tour this sleek and modern condo!
An artful wallpaper in a custom colorway makes an impact in the petite front hall.
“When you can’t think out, think up,” says Clare, pictured in the storage-savvy kitchen with Lucas. “Play with scale on walls and ceilings to visually expand rooms.”
A slim light fixture over the kitchen island doesn’t pull focus from the gallery wall.
The couple’s nine-foot-high gallery wall adds visual oomph without imposing on a single inch of floor space. “The scheme for our whole apartment started with that,” says Clare of the impressive display. “Every time Lucas and I move, I tell myself that I won’t do another gallery wall, but I have a large collection of art and each piece brings me joy, so it’s inevitable.” The art ranges from paintings by the designer’s nana to a piece her brother trekked home from North Korea.
Clare chose a roomy sectional with a movable ottoman for her living room. “Large, purposeful pieces make spaces feel bigger,” she says.
“Be purposeful in what you bring in, and be honest about the way you live,” says Clare. “You may love the look of a curved sofa and artful chairs, but if your typical night involves bingeing Netflix, go with a big, cozy sectional.”
A sleek mirrored medicine cabinet and open shelving keep the bathroom counter clutter free.
A mix of patterns makes a big statement in the bedroom. Clare found discounted Kelly Wearstler fabric on eBay in the U.K. and transformed into a bolster pillow.
Clare Forndran
House & Home September 2020
Clare Forndran, Ali Budd Interiors