You’d Never Guess This Small, Chic Condo Was Decorated in Part Thanks to Rentable Furniture

Name: Léa Beaulieu Prpick
Location: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Type of home: Condo
Size: 695 square feet
Years lived in: 6 months, renting

Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: My apartment is in a historic building right in the heart of our city’s downtown. Since I am on the fifth floor, I have a great view of the skyline and a large park. I have east-facing windows, so I get to see the sunrise every morning and get the most beautiful light in the first half of the day. I love all of the special touches, like the arched doorways and original molding. I found this place through searching “one bedroom downtown” on Kijiji and it was the first search result, so I am very lucky that it was available! I moved in on the same weekend that I started a new job, which was hectic but so serendipitous, since I had been wanting a change in both of those areas for a long time.

My new office is only a few blocks away, but because of COVID-19 I am working from home for the foreseeable future. I don’t have a dedicated WFH space, so I set up my computer at my dining table along with ergonomic chair cushions (since I don’t have room for a separate office chair). It was important to me to have a desk that doesn’t face a wall, so I like that I have a window view! I make sure to put everything away on weekends so it feels like I have some separation from home/work.

I have purchased very few new things for my apartment. Well, I guess they are new to me! I was lucky that the owner left some of the big-ticket items for me, including the couch, the bed frame, the media stand, and the kitchen island. For the rest, I was able to score some amazing deals on Marketplace, snag items from my parents’ home, or rent through a company called Pivot, where you pay a monthly subscription fee for your furniture — my entire dining set, leather chairs, and kitchen chairs are rented. Renting has not only saved me money upfront on on bigger purchases, but I was able to select pieces that would work specifically for this space, without the hassle of transporting or selling them whenever I move.

I am slowly building my original art collection. I am lucky to have a few great pieces that bring originality to the space. I get the most comments on my Saskatchewan prints! The one in the living room makes such a statement, and the one in the kitchen (“Saskatchewan vs. the World”) is cool because it shows the relative size of the province compared to countries around the world. As a travel lover, I love having trinkets around that remind me of my travels. I am so excited to be able to travel again, once restrictions are lifted! I also have many treasured items that were passed down through my family. The gold mirror in the kitchen was my great-grandmother’s and the white wicker chairs were my grandmother’s. These items used to live at my parents’, but I am so happy that they fit perfectly in my space now. These are items that I know will go with me wherever I live.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Eclectic, cozy, and bright.

What is your favorite room and why? The living room is where I spend most of my time since it’s both my “office” and living space, all-in-one! It’s even my “guest room” since the couch folds out into a bed. I like how light and bright this space is, while also being cozy. I also have such a pretty view of downtown whenever I look outside my windows. I also love my coffee “nook” in the kitchen for this reason, since I can look out at the view whenever I make my daily cup.

Any advice for creating a home you love? Add a personal touch to every room. Display the sentimental items the are unique to you and bring a smile to your face whenever you look at them. Also, good lighting is key! There is nothing is worse than fluorescents or harsh overhead lighting if you want a cozy and relaxing atmosphere.

This submission’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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