Modern neutrals meet feminine chic in a petite pad that's truly en vogue.

A well-tailored condo feels almost par for the course for a fashion-forward product manager of a prominent golf apparel line. But when she moved into her 800-square-foot new-build in downtown Toronto, it felt small, cold and in desperate need of a designer's eye. Enter Jessica Kelly, who runs her own design firm and has a penchant for putting together modern yet livable bachelor and bachelorette pads.

Fashioning an affordable kitchen

Jessica and the homeowner worked together to pick out the new Toronto condo's finishes, fittings and fixtures. The backsplash and Corian countertops are actually builder's grade, but the homeowner upgraded to the mauve cabinetry, which was replicated in the living room's floating media unit.

Defining a living space

Jessica subtly separated the living and dining areas with a custom rug. The rug's neutral colour picks up on the tone of the sofa and walls, defining the space without becoming the focal point. "I didn't want to distract the eye," Jessica says.

Texturizing the bedroom

Layering white bed linens in different textures provides visual interest and enhances the bedroom's serene ambience. The sunburst mirrors are a sharp contrast to the pretty wallpaper.

Contrasting materials

The bedroom's jute-upholstered headboard, edged in an antiqued nailhead trim, offers a textural, masculine contrast to the feminine-patterned wallpaper.

A blank bathroom canvas

The bathroom's white walls and fixtures, as well as the contemporary floating glass shelves, allow the homeowner to easily switch up towels and accessories in different colours and patterns for a whole new look.