Cool space, and congrats on the new start:-)

Deal breaker for me is the apparent lack of A/C, (which is unbearable in old buildings in TO in August)... yikes!!!

I'm moving to Toronto in Aug, id love to know the name of the building and if thet are taking new tenets! This place is amazing.

Is it just me, or do we need an AT Canada?

What loft living was like when the first inventive people thought of turning them into living spaces!

I love how you created your living area. The furniture is adorable and looks really comfy.

The bathtub is so luxurious. I wouldn't mind that setup.

Huh. It's a cool, artsy kind of space, but I'm *really* not diggin' the bathtub. There's just something about hair products and soap in the middle of a kitchen... Am I the only one that's sort of disturbed by this?

Some editing would polish it up a bit and make it look less like a garage sale, e.g. I'd get rid of that white kitchen cabinet with the glass doors, it looks like it's from Zellers and doesn't work in this style of home. Overall there's just too many little cabinets and storage pieces. Yes, I note you've only been here 6 months and yes, I know not everyone wants to have a polished home.
love that tub-it's fab. You have a great apt. - lovely wood-slat ceilings, exposed pipes, the floors are lovely. I wouldn't paint anything except the walls. Enjoy your home

I'm assuming the toilet is behind the curtain?

If you live alone and never entertain, this could work...I guess.

The windows and the acorns are nice

I can see that you have put some effort into it and you obviously love it. To me it looks alot like a used furniture store, but more towards the Salvation Army kind of store. That's only my opinion and who cares what I think anyway, right. Maybe it just needs some throws over those couches.

Heather, I love every little cabinet and storage piece! Well done!!!

I love this- it reminds me of my childhood. I used to spend a lot of time at my alcoholic war veteran uncle's house in Bakersfield.

I'm not feeling this. At first I didn't even think I was on the AT website...maybe the photos are just not doing it justice?

Sometimes people make pretty with what is available,
not what they wish they had.
Compromises have to be made in life.

That said I would add this;
Clean it, paint it white, organize and store the clutter,
then it could be a more pleasant place to the eye.

This seems to be one of those cases in which the decor doesn't make sense without the real live owner in it. Heather sounds fascinating, vibrant and exciting... but she's clearly no decorator. Without her no doubt larger-tha-life presence, this is just a rundown space full of junk furniture, arranged without any particular eye for balance or harmony.

Some people are just way cool, even if they can't decorate :)

Maybe it's the crazed student in me, but I really love this. It looks like such a fun place to live. My first apartment (and probably the next 2 or 3) is of the beige walls, beige carpeted sort, and I would give anything to live in a place with this much personality.

Though I wouldn't be able to handle not being able to sit up in bed...but that's an issue of claustrophobia, not taste.

Yes, we need AT Canada!

I really like this. I think its envy. Its the sort of thing that screams "really cool person I'd like to know". Unfortunately, if I tried it, it would scream "junk shop".

Heather DOES NOT DESERVE the sleek brown striped sofa.

I like the loft bed and curtained toilet stall... but I don't know, it does sort of look like a whole bunch of stuff thrown together.

ChellyT, I like it when it's all together! It makes it less confusing. But maybe a "Toronto" link is in order?

Now this is a real loft.

As a choreographer I spent years with little income, dumpster diving furniture, and no money to paint or rent a place that was well maintained. Still, I was able to bring a greater sense of cohesion than the furniture thrown together here.

I like a tub in the middle of a space just as much as the next person, but right next to the dish rack? No thanks. I don't want dirty bathwater splashing onto my drinking glasses. Unsanitary. If I had this unit, I'd not ad the extra piece on to the kitchen counter, and put a curtain between the kitchen and tub, dividing the space and making the tub part of the living room, not so much part of the kitchen.

Interesting--- brings back memories of Canada and TO! And makes me feel a tad old!
#24 pic made me smile --nice arrangement.
Thanks for sharing.

*scratching head* I don't get it...

I don't get why this is on the AT website either. This place just looks like a really grotty student dive. A clean of the filthy floorboards before the photos were taken wouldn't have gone astray.

And before Kate Winslet, Edward Albert, Jr. had a bathtub/dining table in the living room in Butterflies are Free. Boho then and boho now.

The space has great bones, light and potential. I like the windows, old wood and hide away bed.

The peeling paint, unorthodox plumbing and busy clutter remind me of University days when you took whatever furniture or decor anyone threw your way. If you want to live young and carefree, I guess this really captures that feeling.

P.S. I love that AT posts a variety of homes; that's one of its strengths that really sets it apart from other glossy picture perfect home inspiration sites.

To each their own, but I don' get it. I'd recommended floor-to-ceiling curtains on both sides of the tub which would hide the tub and toiletries as well as divide the space.

The raw space has potential, even with the old elements. But personally this doesn't seem all that creative, just a hodgepodge. And more than a little scruffy for anyone other than a college student (but even many of them have spaces that are a lot less grungy!).

As for the tub...it could easily be hidden in so many different ways. I'm not sure it's a sign of self-confidence to have it just sitting there as it does dominate the visual space. (Who wants a tub out in the open to be what you notice the most about any space, other than a bathroom?)

Truly don't understand how this is something to single out on Apartment Therapy.

keeping it real in the T dot

"The scruffy walls, windows, and floors have a raw beauty to them reminiscent of an Anthropologie catalogue."

Well, okay, but no one lives in a catalogue. I think there's some imagination here, but editing and organization would help as well. I'm not squicked by the tub in the kitchen, but getting a hinged lid for it makes it much more useful as well as easier to clean.

And lack of closets means "Yay! No roomies"? I think most commenters wouldn't react so strongly if this post wasn't over-written and straining for cute things to say.

It is indeed cute! I can see why it's a happy place to live. And the tub in the kitchen doesn't bother me at all, I think it's kind of quirky.

I do agree, though, that the place is very cluttered and there is no unified "look" to it. Tons of stuff everywhere, and many different patterns and types of wood with no cohesion. I'd recommend hanging orderly, framed art; finding some boxes and closed shelves to hide the clutter; and painting a your mis-matched wood furniture (i.e., the table, chairs, shelves) white.

"*scratching head* I don't get it..."

Me neither -
At the very least it desperately needs a fresh coat of paint and a serious de-cluttering.

To hell with the naysayers! This place is great!

Ps. Please take the suggestions from the above posts with a grain of salt lest your apt become as derivative as the others we see routinely see on this site. Just forge onward!

This looks like a set piece for a quirky indie comedy staring Zooey Deschanel.

Hmmmm. I think it needs painted and decluttered. Do like the windows and hardwood floors. I understand you can't move the tub - but couldn't you screen it some how?

I kind of get what she is going for, however I think the execution is where it goes wrong. I really do like the space, but like other commenters I believe it needs a great deal of editing, fresh coat of paint and some organization. The pipes and ductwork at the top of the space might not be so noticeable if these things were done.

All things said, not really the kind of space I would expect on Apartment Therapy.

while i can appreciate some of the detail, i just dont think this is anywhere near A/T worthy

I'm impressed with the DIY layout that defies convention. Build and furnish the way YOU wanna do it, the way it gives you comfort and independence. We're all so damn afraid to offend someone else that we never move "out of the box."

I think it more than speaks for AT! I'm w/you jef613.

AT is a place where people want to look and dream about living in such nice places (even if they are small and cheap)... this place makes me glad I am no longer in college! Ugh, ugh, ugh.

where oh where does the drawing on the wall (the two-headed girl) come from?!?! i have to have it!

Hello! Lots of potential for fun & creativity. Here's what I would do for easy, cheap, attainable improvement:

Ruthlessly ditch 80% of the smalls ($ sell $) & get LARGE scale vertical storage, create some walls with said casegoods (more metro shelving?), get an "L" sectional, make a large cinderblock coffee table & group smaller art together. Paint white. Cafe fairy lights, huge pots of huge plants. Scale is everything, in this case.

WAIT! I got it, i know what this reminds me of now. The apartment that Ugly Betty gets in Manhattan: http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/6/61259/43_2008/0a150294d5fcd0c0_113438_0266_pre.preview.jpg

I couldn't find an after photo...

i !love! this place, but then my very first apartment was a loft space that was a part of an artist cooperative that had been renovated (using that term loosely) from a bakery built in early 1900's. the apartments didn't have numbers on them, rather, pictures painted on the doors and i had 'apartment tomato'. ahh the nastalgia....

i agree with the idea of a floor to ceiling curtain to separate the wonderful tub from the kitchen itself and give some semblance of privacy, while honoring the quirkiness of its location. also, maybe a hunt for an old wooden door to hang in place of the toilet closet curtain? even better if you could find an old door with fogged glass and labeled 'library'.
ultimately, fun fun fun place!

This is the only AT post that I've seen w/a sleeping loft. Not that I've seen them all, but... I love my sleeping loft, and am always curious to see places w/sleeping lofts and/or unusual layouts, which this certainly has.

For those curious to see another place w/a sleeping loft and unusual layout that might be less indie-flick set-worthy, check this out:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/boston/house-tours/ardens-attic-abode-house-call-109548

http://larakimmerer.typepad.com/lk_weblog/2010/03/ardens-place.html

There's just one thing missing...a really cool black cat. :-)

I never thought I'd ever see another apartment like my husband and I used to live in back in 1969. It was so much fun being newly weds and figuring out what we liked had in common and even the off beat became something we found fascinating to decorate to accomadate our way of living(we've both changed with age and divorce) but we always have the best stories to share with our family and friends. Our big claw foot tub was just out the door from our kitchen in the hallway coming up the stairs which we covered up with wall hangings and lots of fabric. Gosh that was a lot of fun memories.

my least favorite tour so far. too drab and that tub in the middle of the room is horrible.

I guess it's good to see what other people think is "cool". Just looks like a dirty old hippy house to me.

Whoa! Cool place, but I could not live here. However, it does have charm and is definately bohemian. The loft bed gives me college dorm flashbacks.

While I agree that this could use some editing, I think the tub is kind of sexy. Plus, add some ice and you've got a great place to put booze for a party (and, after it melts, you can take a public bubble bath!)

Just not feeling this. Seems to hav e good bones though.

I'm really pleased to see this kind of space on AT. Yes, it is a bit unpolished compared with most of the spaces routinely highlighted on AT. But not everyone wants to live in a Midcentury fantasy and, just as important, not everyone can afford to. I love AT, but the apartments often skew a bit too rich for both my blood and my wallet (not all of us can afford Eames etc.). I do have one practical - and aesthetic - suggestion for the bathtub, having lived in several New York City tenements (such tubs were once very common in the pre-gentrified Lower East Side). You might want to consider making a hinged cover for the tub, something that can cover the tub and function as a work space when you're not taking a soak.

I'm with jef613 & KateInHawaii. I think this place is so worthy of AT. AT is not necessarily about "a place you'd dream about living in" but rather a source for inspiration and diversity. This place is why I enjoy surfing At. It's not always the same thing. I think you did a great job, and I wouldn't listen to any of the negative jerks. It's just not their style. And that's fine; to each his own. Also, I'd classify this as more Urban Outfitters than Anthropologie.
And i'm in total agreement with getting a cool black cat (and more plants too!) The one thing I didn't like for sure was that red thing next to the couch. What is it?

Not my cup of tea, but if it makes you happy great. I liked the two headed girl and monkey's.

A true old school loft. No stainless steel, granite surfaces or subway tiles in sight. Thanks AT for reminding us what a loft is.

I kept trying to like this as I perused the slideshow. I just knew I wasn't hip because I don't like it all. Honestly, it's just too rebellious. A director of a non-profit need to respect her place more.

C'mon girl. Clean it up. Declutter. Cover the sofas. Paint the walls. Curtain off that tub. Then show us the afters of design at its best - solving problems. This communicates to me depression and someone still suffering from a broken heart.

The best way to assert your freedom is to make your place beautiful. Then please show us the after pictures.

Hated it!

to the comments :
'A director of a non-profit need to respect her place more.' and 'The best way to assert your freedom is to make your place beautiful. Then please show us the after pictures.'

upon what basis did you make the assumption that she DOESN'T respect her place? there is nary a dirty sock laying about the floor, or dirty dishes in the sink or grime on the walls. if you don't care for the raw, funky and unusual (to AT) asthetic shown in this home, fair enough, to each his own. but to make a statement proclaiming that she needs to respect her home more seems pompous and unfair. she posted her home for all to see. to me, this shows pride and joy. not 'help me sort out my life'.

further, the best way to assert your freedom is to make your place beautiful? i have to respectfully disagree. the best way to assert your freedom is to do as you very well please.

I can't believe this. Paint is not that expensive, and How can
she live with another person's "messy dirty walls" Accckkk! Please
read and take the advice of hunter who posted on May 4th. Your place could actually look like a home, instead of a dirty junk shop.

Sorry about the spelling above. I meant, read hunted, not hunter...

and further, i do find this beautiful. it's imperfect, unpolished, creative and unique. it begs you to want to know the person living here. love it!

Killer! What a polarizing space! Having grown up in the 70s with a hippie artist mom, this place has a cozy eclectic vibe that I can relate to. As long as a space is clean, I love quirky and clunky. I feel like the sleeping loft is the weakest link in that it's a "claustrophobe's dilemma". Another foot of head room would be better. Or better yet, use the space as a storage ledge and get a pull out sleeper sofa. Then you can bathe, and then hop right over into bed.

Other than that, where's the easel? Let's pop open some red wine and paint!

The artist of the two-headed woman piece is named Zanette Singh, and she works out of Toronto (I happen to have a beautiful piece by her of my very own)...feel free to contact her at zanettesingh@gmail.com if you'd like to see more of her work.

Erm... I just feel like this is off. Paint and cleaning supplies are pretty cheap. I like the apartment itself but agree with other posters about editing, execution, etc...

Heather, This is what Soho lofts used to look like when I was a kid. It's a fun bohemian space, and I'll bet you're fun and bohemian too. Don't let the minimalist haters get you down.

To me, this space says "lets date!" I'm all for the awkward first date bathroom situation (if you're comfortable, I'm comfortable), I'd love to pass out on the couch that looks like it has seen one too many visitors, and I would most definitely like to test out the tub. My only turn off was booze and lack of separation of the tub from the kitchen.

But then again, who wouldn't want to get into an impromptu bubble bath/dish soap fight?

Thanks for all the comments. I am very happy in this space, and have never been one to really notice the particulars. I enjoy the great light and the great tub. But since this profile, I've decided to paint (Benjamin Moore tequila lime and orange burst) and cover the couches. As for curtaining off the bathtub - never! I recommend everyone experience a decadent bath in the middle of the room.

way to go heather. i'm a complete neat freak, over organizer and i love that your place is so free-spirited and organic, not manicured and restrained like 99% of AT's (also lovely) home tours. i can feel that there is a lot of energy and spirit in your place and that's what is so special about it.

i also think that i might work near your co-op and if the one i'm thinking of, it is indeed beautiful.

congrats from a fellow torontonian!

oh & ps:

be very careful of what you dumpster dive- it's a great way to get bedbugs these days in toronto.