A 550-square-foot studio apartment is transformed into the perfect transitional pied-a-terre thanks to a few key fixes.
TV producer, designer and single mom Barbara Milner reclaimed this 550-square-foot studio from a rental property she owned in Toronto. With a few key fixes, she transformed it into the perfect transitional pied-à-terre.
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Apartment tour: Colourful studio renovation
Kitchen renovation goals
The goal in the new kitchen was to create a bistro-style kitchen with a pure, ultra-clean look. "I really wanted this room to breathe - to be a tranquil place where I could cook in peace," says homeowner and designer Barbara Milner.
Apartment tour: Colourful studio renovation
Kitchen renovation
The dated kitchen was gutted and cabinetry, countertop and appliances from IKEA were installed. Upper cabinets were omitted to maintain a light, airy feel, but a floor-to-ceiling cupboard was added at one end of the room to store dishes. The space wasn't big enough for a kitchen island, so Barbara had a peninsula put in to house the sink.
Apartment tour: Colourful studio renovation
Kitchen decor
Barbara wanted to complete to open, breezy feel with a white backsplash, but she didn't want it to be boring, so she opted for oversized handmade subway tiles. "The artisanal quality is a subtle rustic element that adds warmth, while the glossy reflective finish is contemporary. I love their imperfections," she says.
Apartment tour: Colourful studio renovation
Design elements
A white oven, stovetop and HanStone quartz countertop in Aurora Snow blend seamlessly with the low-profile cabinets (all installed through IKEA Installation Services), creating the illusion of a much larger kitchen in this studio apartment owned by designer Barbara Milner. Since the overall effect is minimalistic, heftier hardware was called for. Pretty glass task lighting illuminates without blocking the view.
Apartment tour: Colourful studio renovation
Living room renovation
To create a statement room suitable for meeting with design clients during the day and entertaining friends in the evenings. "I love colour, and it was always in my mind to make this space a big, rich, bold blue," says Barbara. "But," she adds, "I didn't want it to feel like a Smurf village." The living room was opened up to the kitchen by removing a dividing wall. The panelling adds elegance and at the same time makes the contemporary bright blue colour feel more formal. "I like taking something traditional and turning it transitional in an unexpected way," says Barbara.
Apartment tour: Colourful studio renovation
Decorating the living room
The intense wall colour needed relief, and Barbara wanted to provide it in a large-scale capacity without breaking the bank. She found an abstract wallpaper mural from Wallquest designed by Carl Robinson that was bold enough to suit the space. "It was also a lot more affordable than investing in a big piece of artwork."
Apartment tour: Colourful studio renovation
Designing the bedroom
The goal in renovating the bedroom was the carve out a space that acts as both a cheerful cozy bedroom and a fun spacious playroom that reflects the personality of Barbara's son, Marshall.
Apartment tour: Colourful studio renovation
Renovating the bedroom
Barbara had a door frame built where the studio apartment splits with a step. "Defining the room actually made the whole space feel bigger," she says, adding that, "When you sit there and look out the window, you feel hidden." A space-saving IKEA daybed with storage drawers underneath adds to the airy effect.
Apartment tour: Colourful studio renovation
Monochromatic palette
Barbara wanted the new room to have as much enery as the living room, but to set a contrasting mood. A remarkable custom-designed patterned wallpaper captures the eye and creates an entirely different atmosphere using a basic monochromatic palette.
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