Name: Nathan
Location: Gastown — Vancouver, British Columbia
I live in a 650 square feet condominium built in 2009. One side is flanked by a 250 square feet deck bordered by common area gardens giving the feeling of being in small house. I removed sliding glass doors that separated the bedroom to give a more open feeling. I painted the entire condominium the same colour to unify the space but put in a clear cedar tongue in groove ceiling in the bedroom to define that room.
The furniture is a mix of new and used — the used found mostly at second hand stores and on craigslist. Typical for my approach would be to buy a chest of drawers for $150 at a second hand store but spend $100 for new hardware. Or I have bought a $40 lamp and then had a $150 custom shade made. I also bought two IKEA Tolga kids bed frames, made queen-width cedar slats, laid a good queen mattress on top and completed it with linen / hemp vintage sheets bought from an eBay seller in France.
I like to use natural neutral materials (leather, wood, wool, linen) and accent with colour from books and artwork.
Thanks Nathan!
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The wall colouring and the lighting make it feel really warm and inviting. I love what you did to the ceiling in the bedroom :)
who agrees with me when i say "HT, please"?
This is just beautiful
definitely a house tour, please. I really, really like your ideas, such as the two kids' beds into one queen-size bed.
Cozy and unpretentious!
Very nice; I second the motion for a house tour. I especially like your bedroom.
Nathan, love the bedroom area. I'm a big fan of an open plan as well, and you have enough separation between zones to make it work. Very cozy and warm. I'm drooling over the large windows and terrace/garden. It must feel like an oasis!
Yes, HT. It's a small space, but we'd love to get the floor plan, and specifics!
The outdoor space looks wonderful!
Very warm-looking place; seems perfect for Vancouver.
Nice... (invest in a bedskirt though)
I always love the combo of leather, persian rugs, wood, and a splash of brass and chrome. Recipe for success!
I like the understated classicism of this apartment. Without the giveaway of the Macbook, the apartment could be from any period over the last 30 years. That's the essence of style over fashion.
Great lighting. That sofa needs to be taken behind the barn and put out of its misery.
love the desk - how did you make it?
I'd like my own home to look more like this.
Cool - what is the material for the kitchen backsplash?
I like how warm your place looks. I think it is actually very difficult to do that in our gray and rainy city. Here in Vancouver, it's all cool blues and grays with some winter green thrown in.
oh.. this is beautiful.. house tour please... please..
I love it. Looks very warm and inviting .... and cozy!
I would really appreciate HT as well!
P.S. Nathan, would you please share with us what was the wall paint?
Oh Man, I love that cedar on your ceiling! It really makes the place for me. Love your sofa too....was it a lucky find or did you purchase it somewhere in Vancouver? Do tell please.
Definitely worthy of a house tour. I love the look of the wood ceiling in the bedroom area!
Thanks for all the comments - I appreciate it. In answer to the questions...
1) The desk was made by buying one tall set of IKEA kitchen cabinets and one set of counter-height drawers which matched the cabinets that came with the condo. For the desk top I bought a pre-cut IKEA Lagan wood counter.
2) The kitchen backsplash is a grey high gloss rectangular ceramic tile.
3) The wall paint throughout is Benjamin Moore Yellow Squash (flat). Every place I've lived I've painted the walls the colour of a brown egg. Its neutral, natural, and oddly fleshy tone makes a really soothing room.
4) The sofa was bought about 8 years ago by my brother at Sellution in Vancouver on Main Street for $500. It was in perfect condition and is very comfortable. I think Roche-Bobois late 80s / early 90s sofas are the epitome of sofa-ness and this one reminded me of that style. But I'd recommend spending up to $1500 on a good used sofa... $7500 should be spent on an investment in art and never on a couch.
This space is kind of a yawn, but I do congratulate the owner on having the restraint not to overstuff 650sqft. It actually makes the place look quite spacious (and look at the dining table he fit in there).
I may be reacting badly because I can't stand it when a place looks too yellow...
this makes me happy. A fellow Vancouverite with style!
really like this place. has a lot of 70's glamor. there's nothing "yawny" about it.