Decorating & Design
August 22, 2018
Explore The Best Small Spaces From House & Home
Every year, we celebrate diminutive digs in our Small Spaces issues. These standouts are recent favorites for their bold decorating moves and are reminders that style isn’t constrained by square footage. Take a virtual tour of our best compact quarters below, and see more stunning small spaces in our August 2018 issue.
White works wonders in small spaces, so it’s no surprise that designer and ceramic artist Trudy Crane maxed out every opportunity to use the hue in her Old Montreal apartment.
White shelves against exposed brick make the white ceramic pieces Trudy made herself stand out even more. “Editing is key,” says Trudy, “keep only what you really use and love.”
Trudy invests in the power of glass to throw sparkle around her 1,200-square-foot apartment, as evidenced by an antique mirror, glass cloche and the lantern fixture over the bed.
Tour this space on H&H TV.
Jennifer and David Wright of Toronto weren’t ready to give up their bold style when they downsized to their 1,200-square-foot space. Saturated hues — like the cobalt walls in their living room — make a statement.
A deep recess in the island (which doubles as the kitchen table) makes it easy to tuck low-back stools out of the way.
In the bathroom, three deep drawers in the vanity provide ample storage space, but the standout feature has to be the red bamboo-frame mirror that reflects the doorway, giving the space extra visual depth.
Boho elements seem especially suited to small spaces — think of attic artist’s lofts and L.A. bungalows. Jennifer Scott’s 1,200-square-foot Vancouver home is lavished with thrift shop finds and Moroccan rugs.
Amp up the sparkle with loads of sequins. These Moroccan wedding blankets (on the bed and wall) create a ton of impact, and the plush rug injects a hit of texture.
Small bathrooms are perfect candidates for a statement wallpaper. This version of a deconstructed damask is vinyl so it holds up to moisture. Long drapes in a raw canvas are an unexpectedly luxe touch.
Montreal blogger Gabrielle Savoie of Savvy Home makes her home in a tiny 515-square-foot rental apartment by finding inspiration in yacht cabins, leaning towards warm woods and hits of blue. Sailboat artwork underscores the nautical theme in the living room.
Copper-plated stools make a modern focal point in a basic white kitchen and add a hit of shine. Open shelves on the front of the island are a clever use of dead space.
Gabrielle uses a large tray to camouflage the air conditioning unit. Serving pieces, out-of-season clothes and sports equipment are stored in the sideboard.
This 1,140-square-foot Toronto loft feels much larger thanks to custom furniture that maxes out every inch of space. Erika Floysvik designed the 10 foot-long velvet sectional to seat up to eight.
Some designers advise small-scale wallpaper prints in tight spaces, but Erika went another way. This large mural wraps around the corners to create an atmospheric, dynamic envelope in the bedroom.
Floating vanities are easier to clean around, but the benefit in Erika’s bathroom is how the horizontal lines meld with the graphic stripes on the wall.
Designer Sabrina Albanese is a huge fan of color and pattern, so she certainly wasn’t going to shy away from using it in her own 774-square-foot condo. In the living room, an oversized pendant is the focal point, and a mix of prints repeats the black accents to tie everything together.
A lush, unexpected palm-print Christian Lacroix wallpaper pulls major focus in the kitchen, and makes it feel completely glam.
To make the ceiling feel higher, Sabrina designed a low-profile sofa and added black trim to the drapes to draw the eye up.
Alessia De Gasperis-Brigante, the singer-songwriter known as Kai, uses her two-bedroom, 1,200-square-foot condo as a refuge. Papering the foyer with a showstopping wallpaper defines it next to the living room, making the space seem larger.
In the bedroom, faux-wood wallpaper mimics the look of walls in converted lofts. The pendant has a lot of impact, but the openwork weave makes it feel airy, not heavy.
A darker print like this jade and navy blue-palm wallpaper makes the bathroom walls recede, creating a sense of grandeur in the small bathroom.
Tour this space on H&H TV.
If Sara Shafran’s Vancouver loft feels a little like an art gallery, there’s a reason for that. A contemporary artist and art dealer, Sara worked with Erica Schmidt and Ivan Quintana of Median Design House to transform her home to house seasonal exhibitions and events.
The main living area was renovated to combine the kitchen, dining area and living room into one open-concept space. The kitchen was enlarged by two feet into the adjoining dining space to accommodate an expansive island with seating for three.
A hutch done in millennial pink — a Winners score that Sara had painted — anchors the dining area and hints at her artist’s sense of color. Iconic Martinique wallpaper, as seen in the Beverly Hills Hotel, and woven end chairs instil a tropical holiday-at-home vibe.
Jonathan Litchfield is dedicated to creating a sanctuary-like space with spare decor, but don’t mistake his edited approach for minimal. “There aren’t a lot of big statements in my home,” Jonathan says. “I like to leave enough space so the items have a chance to speak.”
Jonathan’s living room has a modern lodge vibe, showcasing carefully selected pieces that blend Danish and Japanese aesthetics.
“I can’t be in a space that feels cluttered; it affects my mood and productivity,” Jonathan says. In his gallery kitchen, a Martha Sturdy table doubles as a dining surface and desk.
Not many homeowners would consider removing an addition to make a home feel roomier. But that’s exactly what designer Tatiana Velasevic did to her three-storey row house. “We gained more natural light and improved the flow of the ground floor,” she says of the decision.
An icy blue coverlet and raw wood bench lend Scandinavian flavor to daughter, Gala’s bedroom. “We learned to put things away rather than down. It requires a certain amount of discipline,” says Tatiana.
The downsized second-floor bathroom is inspired by Art Deco spaces of the 1930s. “This much smaller bathroom is more comfortable and functional than the former one,” Tatiana says.
Whitney Keeley’s inspiration for the apartment was classic spaces with a hit of quirk — an aesthetic that also reflects her personal style.
With a few quick modifications, the living and dining room easily morphs into a photography studio. A roll of paper showcases Whitney’s art collection and serves as a backdrop for product photoshoots. A vintage wallpapering table offers plenty of display space but is slim enough to fit behind the seating area.
A mod chrome bar cart sits beneath a lithograph by surrealist Ernest Trova. “Bar carts are ideal for a small space, as they have many different applications, such as a bedside table, a side table or bathroom storage. And they can be moved around with ease,” says Whitney.