Barbara Barry pendant lights add elegance to a custom kitchen.

Designer Brian Gluckstein chose dark Macassar ebony for the cabinetry, with a clean black “frame” that sets off the rich wood. White counters and backsplash help keep the room light and airy. The 9′ x 4′ island houses the sink, dishwasher and a wine fridge. Stainless steel appliances and cabinetry break up the expanse of dark wood, keeping the look fresh.

Dark tones, luxe textiles and handsome details turn a ho-hum living room into an elegant space reminiscent of a Gentleman’s Club.

Deep charcoal walls draw the eye to the concrete ceiling and contrast beautifully with the crisp white slipcovered sofa and pop-art pillows. One statement piece of art, rather than a gallery wall, keeps the look simple and high-end. A white tray provides visual relief on the dark coffee table and becomes an ever-changing display space.

See more stylish condo spaces in our Luxe Condo Decorating Ideas gallery.

Old world touches soften an industrial loft.

With expansive windows and 19′ ceilings, this loft called for generously proportioned pieces. The 5-1/2′ x 4-1/2′ chandelier, which required scaffolding to be assembled and hung, provides a dramatic focal point in the room. Classic silhouettes, like the overstuffed tufted sofa and wing chair, and a luxe palette of white, black, silver and grey create a chic contrast with the industrial elements in the loft.

See more stylish condo spaces in our Luxe Condo Decorating Ideas gallery.

Glamorous touches make this room serene yet dramatic.

Raw brick painted airy white, tone-on-tone bedding and luxuriously full drapes wrap this Montreal bedroom in elegance. Topped by twinkling crystals, this mostly white space gets its interest from a palette of textures and dramatic gold and black accents.

An area rug defines a room in an open-concept space.

Inexpensive moulding was applied on top of the drywall and painted glossy black in this open-concept kitchen, living and dining room, grounding the otherwise bright space. Concrete ceilings and hits of gold and crystal complete the mix.

Floor to ceiling windows and a light colour palette keep this charming living room bright and flooded with plenty of natural light.

Open shelving is a natural room divider and also the perfect place to display a beautiful collection of silver and crystal.

Dark cabinetry creates a dramatic, moody space.

Metallic trim on the kitchen drawers, oversized hardware and a gorgeous glass lamp on the island add sparkle and contrast to the dark wood cabinets and countertops in this sleek kitchen. The stainless steel range hood provides a showstopping focal point to the room.

See more stylish condo spaces in our Luxe Condo Decorating Ideas gallery.

Or browse the Brian Gluckstein Interiors gallery for more of his style.

A glossy glass backsplash adds punch to this space.

Custom-made Parson-style chairs are slightly lower than the average dining chair, so they can be used as extra seating in the adjacent living room. An oversized 3-1/2′ x 8-1/2′ island separates the kitchen from the dining and living areas. The display shelf running the length of the main wall keeps the look open, while hits of bright colour look crisp against a white background.

See more stylish condo spaces in our Luxe Condo Decorating Ideas gallery.

Exotic wood cabinets set the tone of this design.

In this sleek space designed by designer Sarah Richardson, host of HGTV’s Sarah’s House and Sarah’s Cottage, a multi-level island hides a wine fridge, steamer and cappuccino maker. Upholstered bar stools pick up on the soft grey tones in the mosaic tile backsplash and pendants with mother-of-pearl accents add sparkle.

See more of Sarah’s designs in our photo gallery.

In this 520-square-foot condo, glass walls delineate the living area and bedroom while allowing light to infiltrate the entire space.

A streamlined sofa, sheer drapes, white washed brick walls and glossy flooring combine to create a sleek and modern loft space.

Good design is confident and surprising.

This bathroom with an open shower looks fresh and unexpected decorated with a white leather lounge chair and classic Eames walnut stool.

Top interior designer Philip Mitchell transformed a dated penthouse into a timeless, elegant home with high-end finishes and architectural details.

A faux fireplace wall flanked by built-in shelving creates a focal point in the living room. Philip added extensive panel mouldings, deep cornices and high baseboards throughout the space to create architectural interest. The parquet flooring was stained a dark walnut for a more sophisticated look. A mix of artwork styles and quirky treasures keeps the space from appearing too stuffy.

View more photos of this home in our August 2009 issue. Plus, see more incredible spaces from 2009 in our photo gallery.