Patterns Mingle Spiritedly in a Toronto Condo
Tim Lam enjoys a good design challenge. As an interior designer, he has made them his livelihood. His first residence, a 30-year-old condominium overlooking Lake Ontario at Toronto, presented quite a few hurdles too. For one, mirrored walls screamed “I love the ’80s,” while an equally outdated kitchen and bathroom lacked color and texture. Lam injected the 750-square-foot area with layers of picture patterns and added budget-friendly storage options that saved distance. He oversaw all of the renovations, learning how to take care of new design challenges along the way.
at a Glance
Who lives here: Tim Lam
Location: Harbour Front, Toronto
Size: 750 square feet; 1 bedroom, 1 bath
That’s intriguing: Lam located the home with the Assistance of Sandra Rinomato and the HGTV series Property Virgins.
Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors
Lam selected neutral colors for the significant pieces in the living room. A spoonful of red comes in the vintage Saarinen Womb Chair. He made the curtains and a few of the throw pillows with fabric from Tonic Living. He credits his style into his late mother, who appreciated everything classic, classy and elegant.
Floral cushions: Mint Fleur Chinoise, Caitlin Wilson Textiles; carpeting: Facet, DwellStudio; coffee table: Caban (currently closed); white side table: Style Garage; wall paint: Wedding White, ICI; trim paint: White Husky, ICI
Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors
A blue characteristic wall enhances light pouring in from the west windows. Lam and Paul Duguay Restoration reupholstered the couch, a Salvation Army locate, and also the chair, from Queen Street Antiques, with material from Designer Fabrics.
Blue paint: Vista, Para; artwork on blue wall: Suzanne Ernst
Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors
“It took me a couple of years to figure out what I wanted to do with my closetless bedroom,” Lam says. “Clearly, storage is a key concern in a 750-square-foot condominium, and that I did not need a huge piece of furniture sitting in my bedroom” He made this custom made walnut wall unit and added Ikea pieces.
Pillows, curtains, headboard: Tonic Living; wood device installment: Paul Duguay Restoration
Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors
Organic-looking wallpaper covers the wall opposite the bed.
Dresser: Style Garage
Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors
Lam darkened the palette at the dining area to create an intimate and elegant area. Classic midcentury pieces in rich wood tones create balance.
Background: Maharani, Sariskar, Osborne & Little; carpeting: Alvine Rand, Ikea; chairs: vintage Cherner, eBay
Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors
A large floor mirror doubles the visual area.
Mirror: HomeSense
Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors
Lam painted the existing cabinetry. The flooring, countertops, backsplash and appliances are all new.
Cabinet door paint: Silver Cloud, ICI; cabinet frame paint: Cielo Blanc, ICI; custom spray: Tim Welsby, Beresford; knobs: Quatrafoil, Rocky Mountain Hardware; carpeting: HomeSense
Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors
To add another area to his home, Lam maximized his outdoor balcony area. He found the coffee table around the side of the road. Tim Welsby of Beresford spray its own foundation.
Love chair: Loblaws, reupholstered by Wesley Seto Design; fabric: Designer Fabrics; floral pillow fabric: Crystal Lake at Midnight, Robert Allen
Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors
Lam replaced the vanity, mirror, shower and flooring tile in the bath.
Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors
A number of those leftover ’80s design remains celebrated. A mirror wall at the entrance reflects a combination of classic and midcentury pieces.
Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors
Tim Lam, shown here, says that his second design challenge is sourcing wallpaper because of his hallway.
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