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.

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Philip Mitchell and his husband, Mark Narsansky, live primarily in Lunenburg, N.S., and they also have a beach house in Kingsburg, N.S. When they found this modern, 600-square-foot box in the sky in Toronto’s Yorkville neighborhood, Philip decided to tackle the new pied-à-terre with his usual maximalist approach. The result is an apartment chock-full of fabulous pieces from his personal collection that manages to look airy and inviting, with plenty of visual glamor.

Take a lesson from the master of the mix and scroll down for Philip Mitchell’s design advice!

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Lyndon Cormack is inclined toward whimsy. When the co-founder and managing director of Herschel Supply Co. and his partner, Tori Quarles, renovated their Woodlands house in North Vancouver, they kept the upside-down canoe in the kitchen rafters with pot lights in the paddles and added hundreds of Bocci pendants throughout the house. At night, the glowing glass balls make it feel like you’re standing underneath a bloom of jellyfish.

When it was time to add a guest retreat and office on the property, Lyndon knew the new spaces would need to live up to the playful spirit of the house. Lyndon’s design style can be described as fun but not flashy — classic with a twist. “My properties are lived-in, shoes-on kind of places,” he says. “I’m not into big, glossy and new. I like patina and things that have a story to tell.”

They wanted a separate guest space for friends, away from the busy mornings with Lyndon’s two daughters at the main house. It also needed to be memorable and worlds away from a hotel experience. A shiny, 31-foot-long, 1953 Spartan Spartanette camper in South Carolina caught Lyndon’s eye on an auction site. He won it, and the camper journeyed west, navigating the hairpin turns on switchback roads that led to the family property.

The post Lyndon Cormack And Tori Quarles’ B.C. Retreat Is Complete With The Addition Of A Vintage Camper appeared first on House & Home.

In this Ask A Designer column, Gillian Atkins shares advice for getting the most out of a small eat-in kitchen.

Keep scrolling to shop the look!

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“The house was very dark with small windows and the rooms were disconnected. It was a challenging environment for people to live in.” says Chris Lischkoff of Salt Design Group. Adding a tiny addition to the back of the house allowed him to relocate the staircase, remove interior walls and create a cohesive layout. Don’t miss the new cantilevered box window off the dining room and the clever cat room under the staircase. Step inside this peaceful retreat for a full tour!

Presented by Scotties®

The post Before & After: A Tiny Addition Turns A Dark & Dated House Into A Light-Filled Haven appeared first on House & Home.

Farah Altoumah designed every inch of her clients’s 960-square-foot apartment with purpose. A sleek, moody kitchen with integrated appliances and a hidden butler’s pantry blends seamlessly into the open-concept space. “The whole unit was designed with the city in mind,” says Farah. The designer selected the living room furniture to mimic the unique buildings along the Toronto skyline, from the Bubble Sofa to the Origami Chair. Get inspired by this cool and collected condo. Watch now!

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The greatest spaces tell a story, says Jessica McGouran of Jessica Leigh Interiors. “More than simply good aesthetics, I want every home to reflect the personality of its owners. This was top of mind when Jessica was hired to reimagine the interiors of a newly built semi in Toronto’s east end. The homeowners are a couple who love to entertain, watch movies and host viewing parties, so ample space for gatherings was a must. “My clients are fun,” says Jessica. “They appreciate good art and design, and wanted a bold look with rich, vibrant colors.”

Previously a poky bungalow, the new 2,000-square-foot, four-bedroom semi was an infill development by Toronto architect Vanessa Fong for Sierra Custom Homes. The minimalist, white-painted brick exterior draws inspiration from classic London mews–style houses. “I was born in London, so I have a soft spot for British residential architecture,” says Vanessa. “Mews houses, like semis, tend to be similar to the neighboring houses but also have distinct features that make them unique.”

The architect’s floor plan balanced the needs of everyday life with places to entertain. “The mudroom is easily accessible from both the front and back doors, and the laundry room is on the third floor, close to the bedrooms,” says Vanessa. For entertaining, the dining area is next to the kitchen, which opens out to an adjoining living room — a cozy spot for after-dinner conversation.

Keep reading!

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Located in a former Cuban embassy, this 740-square-foot condo has decidedly European overtones, with 21-inch-thick limestone walls and multiple sets of French doors. These details are what spoke to owners Elisabeth Lekhtman, an equity research analyst, and Gary Berdowski, a venture capital principal. The circa-1914 building was converted to residences about 20 years ago. In 2021, the couple viewed the place, fell in love with it and made an offer the next day. “I grew up nearby and always admired the architecture,” says Elisabeth. “This smaller unit was exactly what we were looking for. We love living in the city, and we didn’t need a second bedroom — we’re not planning to have kids for a few years. Plus, the outdoor area doubles our living space in the summer.”

Designer Michael Godmer was soon hired to renovate the living room, kitchen and bathroom. “We tried to keep the original character,” he says. “We played off the natural stone on the exterior by using travertine in the bathroom and quartzite in the kitchen.” In the entry, a wall of white oak panelling and vertical reeded moulding accentuate the lofty 10 foot-high ceilings and add texture. The existing closet was bumped out to create a deeper built-in unit for seasonal storage.

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When Lisa Bigioniwas looking for a modestly sized condo in Toronto in 2004, she was underwhelmed. “Everything looked the same,” she says. While out for a walk, she spied the Glebe Lofts, a 116-year-old Gothic Revival church conversion. “I loved the location and the charm of the space, and a small condo was a perfect fit for my busy lifestyle.” She bought a storey-and-a-half, 1,048-square-foot unit and, in 2006, her partner, Brian Stuart, moved in. Today, the couple also operates their business, Stok’d Cannabis, from the loft.

Unlike many church conversions, the space didn’t have the typical tells (stained glass, arched doors, brickwork). Instead, it was filled with builder-grade finishes. “Lisa loves character, but the original design was bland and tired-looking,” says designer Nicci Harrison of Studio Cajole, who revamped the space in 2022.

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“When you’re working with small space design, every inch counts.” In this must-see makeover, designer Meghan Carter brings clever and functional solutions to a young couple’s urban home — without changing the footprint. See how she transformed the cramped 350-square-foot main floor into an open-concept oasis that packs in plenty of storage, color and natural light. Get the full tour here!

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