Big Little Spaces
FOUR INTERIOR DESIGNERS SHARE CREATIVE INSIGHTS FOR MAKING THE MOST OUT OF TIGHT SPOTS.
Every home, regardless of size, has at least one of those spots that seems too small to do anything with. Maybe you’ve considered putting in a table habillée with a vase of flowers and calling it a day. But there are big opportunities in small places — just ask anyone who’s joined the tiny house movement. And while it’s unlikely that downsizing to that point will have broad appeal, there’s a lesson to be learned in looking to those who live in more constrained square footage, which is that small spaces can be the ideal spot for big design ideas. “Small spaces are often underutilized, particularly in Canada and the U.S.,” says Nicci Harrison, co-principal designer at Studio Cajole, who suggests casting your eyes overseas for inspiration. “In contrast, European design tends to make the most of compact spaces by incorporating multiple functions in a smart, efficient way. A mudroom that is also an office or a hallway that functions as a closet or library.” By treating every room, nook and cranny in your home with purpose, you’ll reap not only the rewards of maximizing your space, but also of realizing your biggest creative ambitions. Because if there’s one rule to follow, it’s that the smaller the space, the bigger the impact. Before embarking on your next diminutive do-over, follow these designer-approved tips and take your little space to big heights.
CLOSET CAPER
Hallways are often functional zones that link rooms — at their most decorative, they’re places to hang photos. But sometimes, with the right design strategy, they can transform into walk-in closets. This shipshape hisand- hers area designed by Studio Cajole is sandwiched on both sides of a short hallway leading to the homeowners’ third-floor principal bedroom. Roomy drawers as well as a vertical wardrobe offer storage galore, while bronze T-pulls from CB2 add oomph. In an oddly shaped space, opt for custom cabinetry, say Harrison and her partner Meagan Prôt, who enlisted One Plus Kitchens to do the millwork for this project. “That’s essential to maximize every nook and cranny,” says Harrison. Standard-size cabinets from big-box stores don’t offer such curation, which is a problem when it comes to older homes with their quirky architectural features (read: slanted ceilings). “Going bespoke gave us the flexibility to utilize the entire space,” she says. As far as the palette goes, in an open-plan closet monochromatic is best. “We painted the MDF cabinetry Classic Grey by Benjamin Moore, our tried-and-true white. We used the same colour on the walls, so the area feels seamless and not imposing or dark,” says Prôt. “It helps make it feel larger. Choosing flat cabinetry over Shaker style is another way to ensure the closet is not visually busy.”
HALF-BATH BEAUTY
Think of it this way: the tighter the space, the greater the leeway. You might have reconsidered an outrageous paint colour or bold wallpaper in your dining room, but as principal designer Samantha Sacks of Sam Sacks Design says, in a small space like a powder room, “there are limited square feet in which to mess things up. Have fun here.” Case in point: this miniscule meets maximalist half-bath located in an impressive century-old house. “The bones of the home are decidedly masculine — meaning the architecture is strong with lots of wood and beefy mouldings. My goal was to inject a dose of pretty,” she says. “This was done in soft pastel colours, and a pattern that draws a connection to the natural world outside.” For stellar coordination, Sacks matched the wallpaper and fabric sconces, installed brass fixtures and a scalloped Kast Concrete Basins sink. “It’s contrasted by a deeply industrial faucet and exposed pipe underneath the sink that all look very utilitarian. It’s flouncy and pared back all in one,” she says.
PUNCHY POWDER ROOM
If there’s one place where you should be a drama queen, it’s in the powder room. It’s small and not on show all the time, so why not? And the reward is huge. When the door is closed, it transforms into a capsule of thrilling gorgeousness, as seen in this scintillating beauty by Ashley Montgomery, principal designer and owner of Ashley Montgomery Design. Located in a new-build, Montgomery wanted to inject old-world finishes and colour into the home. “We used an antique desk that we turned into a vanity, which adds character to the space,” she says, noting the sconces and mirror are vintage. (Pro tip: hit up secondhand shops for scores you won’t find anywhere else.) Montgomery also points out the eye-catching shape and colour of the countertop: “The scalloped backsplash is unexpected in a vibrant blue marble.” Montgomery also used wallpaper, which is a decorator’s best friend when it comes to elevating a small space — and don’t be shy about it. “The scale of the House of Hackney wallpaper in this room is very impactful. Sometimes we get stuck on this idea that small prints should go in a smaller room, but in this space the scale of the birds is powerful.” Another Montgomery-ism: step away from the white paint. “I like to go a little dark and moody — powder rooms are great spaces to use bold colours.” Note the brown tones in the paper, the yellow ceiling moulding and the blue door and trim.
MAGIC MUDROOM
It may be the size of a Parisian elevator, but this mudroom off the garage is big on sass. Colourful ceramic floors, minty green cabinetry, baskets and dynamic artwork energize the small space. “It was inspired by social clubs in London, like the rest of the townhouse,” says designer Christelle Tomkins of Sabrina Albanese Interiors. Tomkins suggests opting for a mix of storage in a mudroom — baskets, hooks and closed cabinetry — to stow those heaps of outdoor gear. Concealed storage keeps a small space uncluttered, and it’s good to have easy to access baskets that tidily tuck away. And pay attention to the floors. A teeny mudroom is an ideal spot to make a big statement by experimenting with fun flooring, like this mosaic arrangement in shades of green, grey and ochre. Since it’s a high-traffic area, Tomkins says to ensure the material you choose can withstand moisture, like ceramic, and it’s even better if it’s textured, “to avoid slippage,” which is why she eschews anything highgloss, including marble. “Besides, salt would damage the stone or age it prematurely,” she says.
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