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.

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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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“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!

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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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“Our clients live in the beaches neighborhood of Toronto and wanted a modern farmhouse-meets-beachy vibe at home”, says Maggie Burley, Interior Designer at Two Birds Design. To achieve an open and airy ambience, they removed interior walls and designed an open-concept kitchen in the centre of the house. Kid-friendly design elements like shiplap walls and wood-look slate are ideal for the young family. Plus, don’t miss the clever kitchen banquette and the luxe ensuite upstairs. Watch the full tour here!

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Design consultant Ashley Kleiman wanted a home that would give her kids a place to run around without sacrificing her dream kitchen. She knocked down three walls and picked durable finishes like crayon-proof engineered oak floors and luxe Arabescato-look porcelain in the kitchen. The result is a home that’s both refined and functional. Get a tour of this open-concept family home here!

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Designer Emilia Wisniewski of Studio 1NINE1 doesn’t think small spaces need to be white and bright. One rule she does follow? Customize as much as you can. The design brief for her client’s downtown Toronto townhouse was to create a “goth apothecary vibe” that maximizes every inch of space. Get the full tour here!

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For this makeover, Svetlana Tryaskina’s goal was to create a refined, modern look that respected the heritage of the house. The designer added functionality throughout and updated rooms with color and wallpaper to help keep the project on budget. When a total kitchen renovation was out of the question, Svetlana decided to work with the existing base cabinets and countertops, and brought in a new, understated backsplash and custom uppers painted in a fresh green. Get the full tour here!

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