It’s no surprise we love small spaces at House & Home — we dedicate the entire September to this topic. “There’s something about the efficiency of a well-designed small space that’s so appealing,” says Emma Reddington, H&H’s deputy editor. “Everything is where you need it, and your movements and actions are minimized. It’s like a well-choreographed dance — so satisfying.” Everyday dishes within reach, sufficient space to prep food, easy access to baste the roast in the oven and plenty of hidden storage. These compact kitchens don’t sacrifice stylish, bold design. Below, see hardworking kitchens that do more with less!

The post Step Aside Big Kitchens, These Small Spaces Do More With Less appeared first on House & Home.

Toronto jewelry designer Dean Davidson and his partner, Fernando Fontineles, tapped designer Nicholas Ancerl to revamp their 1,600-square-foot loft in Wonder Condos, a former bread factory. Nicholas’s trademark clean lines and contemporary warmth resonated with Dean’s jewelry designs, which have a similar aesthetic and are inspired by the couple’s travels.

The post Clean Lines and A Warm Aesthetic Define Jewellery Designer Dean Davidson’s Loft appeared first on House & Home.

Empty-nesters Amy and Scott Jackson were ready to downsize their Toronto home, but they weren’t looking for a white box in the sky. After finding a 1,245-square-foot, two-bedroom condo nearby, they hired designer Cindy McKay to tackle the interiors — she had worked on their country house in Prince Edward County, Ont. With a Parisian-style apartment serving as inspiration, their condo is a place to comfortably work from home, and host their kids when they’re in town.

The post A Condo Is Renovated With Moody Hues and Vibrant Patterns appeared first on House & Home.

Designer Linda Lam wanted a new home that worked a bit harder than the laneway house she had lived in previously: it had to be a place that sparked her creativity. She found the perfect setting in a boutique live-work development in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. Linda’s been steadily building her design business for 15 years, and she now runs her firm, Quintessential Living, full time from her airy, art-filled, 855-square-foot loft.

The post Linda Lam’s Vancouver Loft Doubles As A Happy Work From Home Space appeared first on House & Home.

See how Lisa Kooistra, principal of LK Designs, gave this dated Burlington, Ont., condo a much-needed makeover with a new neutral colour palette, textural design elements and clever integrated storage. “This was an older condo, and it really just needed a lot of love,” she says. Inspired by the space’s serene waterfront views, Lisa incorporated intentional pops of blue to balance out the condo’s muted tones in areas like the walk-up bar, laundry room and principal ensuite. Don’t miss the hidden coffee bar in the kitchen, and find out how Lisa navigated the tricky design challenge of mounting a TV in the living room — without blocking the condo’s prized Lake Ontario panoramas.

The post This Quaint Condo Has A Timeless Coastal Vibe And Sprawling Lakeside Vistas appeared first on House & Home.

When David Owen, a marketing and advertising professional, decided to purchase a 650-square-foot condo in Toronto’s Liberty Village, just steps from his office, he hired interior designer Jacquelyn Clark of Lark & Linen to customize it. “David’s main residence is in Uxbridge, Ont., so he would sometimes have to commute up to two hours at the end of the day,” says Jacquelyn.

The original unit had lots to love, including floor-to-ceiling windows, a corner balcony and soaring 12-foot-high ceilings. But the finishes were basic; it had laminate floors, a drab color palette and zero personality. David wanted a place that was elevated but cozy enough for decompressing after a long day. He also needed better storage and room for his three teenagers to crash in the city for a weekend.

Working in a condo didn’t come without challenges. “It took us almost a year just to get approval from the building for the project,” says Jacquelyn, which stretched the timeline to two years. To help the process along, she left most of the plumbing in its original location and hired a great team of trades with condo experience. “The first thing we did was measure the elevator, so nothing was built until we were sure it would fit!”

So far, condo life suits David. In the summer, he and his kids spent the weekend watching the air show from his balcony. “For David, this space is somewhere he can come to relax,” says Jacquelyn. “It’s like taking a deep breath.”

The post Jacquelyn Clark Transforms A Basic Condo Into A Cozy Enclave With Tailored Appeal appeared first on House & Home.

While a coveted fireplace was definitely one draw to purchasing her downtown Toronto condo, Seema Shah was also looking for a change. “I wanted a fresh start,” says the advertising professional. Born in Kenya, Seema emigrated from the U.K. to Canada more than a decade ago and wanted her new place to reflect her cultural heritage. “My initial vision was French Art Deco, with lots of black, white and grey, but then I thought, how do I bring in my Kenyan influence?”

The post A Basic Condo Is Upgraded With Custom Furniture, Color And Kenyan Flavor appeared first on House & Home.

Three years ago, before tech VP Ziad Slim purchased his two-bedroom condo in downtown Montreal, he assumed the developer would allow him to tweak and customize the builder-basic design. He was wrong. The main sticking points were the odd, two-tier island with a built-in dining table and the bland white palette throughout.

To reconcile his vision, Ziad called on designer Luke Havekes for a three-month-long renovation. “For Ziad, it was less about style and more about function,” says Luke. “Smaller spaces mean every inch counts; you have to be strategic. We made a lot of practical changes so he could host a dinner party for six or lay a buffet on the island.”

Scroll down for a look inside this high-rise condo in Montreal!

The post A Tech Exec’s High-Rise Condo Is Awash In Icy Blues appeared first on House & Home.

“The art of making the most of limited square footage is a vital skill,” says H&H Deputy Editor Emma Reddington. Scroll down for eight design moves that prove petite spaces can be still be stylish and functional.

The post 8 Design Moves That Prove Petite Spaces Can Be Stylish And Functional appeared first on House & Home.

Upgrade your small space with eco-friendly furniture and finds. Scroll down and get shopping!

The post The Healthy Home: 5+ Sustainable Finds For Compact Spaces appeared first on House & Home.