Transforming a Dated Condo: A Vibrant Interior Design Journey
Injecting color and texture into a previously bland space can significantly enhance its character. Priya Mitrovic of Studio P Interiors embraced this challenge when tasked with redesigning a nineties-era suite located in the vibrant St. Clair-Yonge neighborhood of Toronto. The clients, a couple returning from a twelve-year stint in New York, were eager to make their new condo feel like home. Despite its outstanding feature of floor-to-ceiling windows illuminating the stunning views of a leafy ravine, the condo was hindered by an uninspired layout and limited storage.
Reimagining the Entryway
The transformation commenced in the front entryway. A newly constructed ceiling-height closet paired with a walnut-framed console table featuring dusty rose insets serves as an inviting space for coats and shoes. The addition of a teal-blue upholstered stool further brightens the entry, creating a functional and stylish welcome.
Harmonizing Living Areas
To breathe new life into the main living area, Mitrovic prioritized opening the space to enhance natural light. She removed walls surrounding the original galley-style kitchen, integrating it into the living area. A newly designed, generously sized island offers utility storage and a dishwasher on the inside, along with seating for four on the outer edge.
The first bold visual statement appeared in the kitchen, where a rich matte blue-purple paint drenches everything from the tray ceiling to the kickplates. This striking hue draws inspiration from an eye-catching slab of quartzite featuring dramatic purple and grey veining, which also became the kitchen’s countertop and backsplash. To balance out these vivid colors, soft white quartz was used for the island counter, complemented by simple stools adorned with woven rush seats.
Balancing Color and Function
A side wall of shelves, above a trio of grooved panels (disguising the air system), provides a neutral visual break between the vibrant kitchen and the dining area. “Strong colors need careful balance,” Mitrovic explains, ensuring the space feels harmonious rather than chaotic.
In this relatively compact area, meeting the couple’s entertaining needs for dinners of up to ten guests posed a challenge. Instead of squeezing in a conventional dining table, Mitrovic designed a comfortable built-in banquette upholstered in terracotta leather within the bay window. This seating arrangement surrounds a custom white oak dining table with a reeded base, allowing ample light and unimpeded views of the greenery outside.
Creating a Cozy Bedroom Retreat
In the primary suite, Mitrovic aimed to address the limited storage and cumbersome slanted entry. After squaring off the entrance and reallocating space from the bedroom, she developed a hallway leading to an ensuite. This new layout incorporates generous floor-to-ceiling closets, surpassing the couple’s storage requirements.
The bedroom color scheme remains restful, featuring a soft red velvet headboard extending wall-to-wall, flanked by sky-blue curtains. Accents of sky-blue reappear in the woodwork around the ensuite entrance, where fluted royal-blue ceramic tiles and light blue faucet handles, created by Canadian maker Vogt, enhance the space.
Strategic Lighting and Finishing Touches
Highlighting the importance of lighting, Mitrovic explained the existing limitations due to concrete ceilings typical of older condos. With no overhead receptacles, she creatively utilized wall sconces and hanging pendants. Directional lights installed within the kitchen’s bulkhead illuminate mint green display shelves, while a slatted wood pendant above the dining table completes the look.
The ensuite features an improved layout that accommodates a double sink and increased storage in a dusty rose vanity, enlivened by cobalt shower tiles and sky-blue accents.
Conclusion: Reflecting Personal Style
“Our primary goal was for the couple to wake up happy and feel at home,” Mitrovic states. She successfully transformed a dated and dysfunctional layout into a cohesive space that echoes the couple’s vibrant personalities. With a fresh approach that merges artistic flair and practical functionality, this condo now perfectly encapsulates its inhabitants.
If you’re looking to transform your living space, explore more tips and ideas at ChatbiHouse for inspiring insights into interior design. For example, you can check out our article on Creative Ways to Incorporate Art into Home Decor.
