As soon as Jill and Warren stepped into their new loft, they were sold! Moving from a newer condo in the downtown core, this space – with a good story and some history behind it – really appealed to them. Initially from the West End, Jill knew the charm of the neighborhood and has now introduced Warren to a new part of the city.

The building is a former ball bearing factory that was converted into a residential loft complex in the ’90s. Located in Toronto’s West End, the building is steps away from Sorauren Park, which has tennis courts, an outdoor rink and a farmer’s market that runs year-round. The ceilings stretch upwards of 15 feet giving the space an infinite feeling. Jill and Warren decided to start off by trying to have their bedroom in the loft area. Though they do admit that it can be a challenge to climb the ladder after a party or on a particularly sleepy evening, they feel that it’s the best way to fully utilize the entire space.

Hands down a favorite aspect of the loft is the swing— enjoyed by kids of all ages! A DIY project, the couple built the swing using materials (chain, bolts, rope and wood) purchased from a local hardware store.

Our Style: Rustic, industrial, eclectic, warm. Our space is a true reflection of who we are.

Inspiration: Ever changing. We think you can find inspiration anywhere you are — whether that is your favourite online site, a restaurant, coffee shop, a tailgate or an antique market — there are always ideas and inspiration that can be pulled.

Favorite Element: Sleeping in the lofted area above, or our how we refer to it: our treehouse. This space was originally used as an office but we found it was a much better use of space to hoist our bed up there and leave the bedroom as storage for our clothes.

Biggest Challenge: It’s difficult renting a place while wanting to make certain changes. You have to remember to be mindful of the space and to leave it in the same condition as when you found it.

What Friends Say: They fight over the swing! It is arguably our cheapest DIY coming in at less than $40, but it makes the biggest impact in our space. At times, we’ve even had to resort to moving furniture in order for more under doggies.

Biggest Embarrassment: We do not have green thumbs and unfortunately, as hard as we try, some of our plants haven’t lasted. We currently have a plant graveyard on our balcony: where plants go to die.

Proudest DIY: Our wooden print picture frame. After learning it would cost more than a small fortune to frame our 44′ x 60′ print, we were determined to find a different method to hang it. We were able to secure the print to the wall with two pieces of old trim and use a scrap piece of rope coming in at less than $12.

Biggest Indulgence: Our couch. Before we moved in, after a long day of shopping we found ourselves taking a break on the Urban couch at West Elm. When we couldn’t bring ourselves to leave our comfy throne, we knew it needed to come home with us. We have had many a nap on the couch thus far and have zero regrets.

Best Advice: You do you. Make your house your home.

Dream Sources: Anywhere on our travels. We both love to travel and bring home as many local finds as we can in our small suitcases.

ENTRY
Refurbished fridge — Thrifted
Golf club coat hanger — The Barn
Mirror — The Barn

LIVING ROOM
Swing — DIY’d materials from Home Hardware, Sheepskin from IKEA
Couch — Urban, West Elm
Wooden print — Minted
Coffee table — thrifted
Bench — thrifted
Book shelf — purchased off our landlords
Trunk — The Barn
Plant — Stamen and pistil Botanicals
Horse pillows — took photos in Iceland and printed them onto pillow cases

DINING ROOM
Table — The Bay
Chairs — craigslist
Plants — Stamen and pistil Botanicals
Barshelf — The Barn
Chair — Yardigans Estate Liquidation (in London, ON)
Antlers — Craigslist
Pillow — Walmart
Copper drinking vessels — Costco
Cage lights — Walmart

KITCHEN
Kitchen pot rack — left by the landlords
Clear Vase — antique (my grandpa use to use it to make wine)
Copper pots — thrifted from Value Village

BEDROOM
Headboard — Craigslist
Window — left by the landlords
Green lamp- antique
Ladder — left by the landlords

DEN
Couch — The Barn
Blue dresser — garage sale
Brown dresser — The Barn
Shelf & Copper hat rack — DIY’d materials from Home Hardware
Rug — Antique store at Queen and Bathurst

BATHROOM
Plant — Stamen and pistil Botanicals
Wooden plank — DIY’d materials from Home Hardware

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