She describes her home's style as eclectic, modern, antique, elegant, and cozy. She reports she's made some minor updates to the home since she's moved in. Credit: Marnie SalmonCredit: Marnie Salmon
"I removed the existing white venetian blinds from the windows and replaced them with an antiqued leaded glass-looking window film," Marnie writes. "I chose the style and pattern to complement the character of the building." Credit: Marnie SalmonCredit: Marnie Salmon
"I wanted to create a Parisian-curated aesthetic and achieved this by mixing modern and traditional pieces that had a mix of structure along with curved lines and bold patterns," Marnie describes. Credit: Marnie SalmonCredit: Marnie Salmon
"My favorite area of the studio is the living area," Marnie writes, explaining that there was actually only one real spot that the TV could go, thanks to the location of the cable outlet. Credit: Marnie SalmonCredit: Marnie Salmon
"It worked out perfectly that my grandmother’s antique cedar chest was just the right size for that spot and became a space for the TV to exist without being seen when you first enter the room." Credit: Marnie SalmonCredit: Marnie Salmon
"Placing the sofa on an angle created this wonderful separation between the living room, kitchen, and bedroom that really helped to define the space," Marnie continues. Credit: Marnie SalmonCredit: Marnie Salmon
"I found a unique Art Deco-style rug, and from there it all came together. My existing artwork, gold gilded mirror, and modern coffee and side table pulled everything together to create that curated Parisian style I was after." Credit: Marnie SalmonCredit: Marnie Salmon
"The original countertops were a muted grey laminate, and the backsplash was a gray faux marble tile. No matter how clean the kitchen was it always seemed to look dull and dingy," Marnie explains. Credit: Marnie SalmonCredit: Marnie Salmon
"I used butcher block contact paper on the counters and the white terrazzo paper on the backsplash, which created a much more cohesive feel with the rest of the space." Credit: Marnie SalmonCredit: Marnie Salmon
"Now the butcher block counters complement the natural oak floors, and the white terrazzo brightens up the backsplash to liven up the space." Credit: Marnie SalmonCredit: Marnie Salmon
"The last thing I bought were two area rugs. One is a rug for the bedroom area, and the other a modern Art Deco style with an abstract line motif," Marnie writes. Credit: Marnie SalmonCredit: Marnie Salmon
"They are so different yet work well together in the space. The traditional rug is in the perfect shade of green to complement the sage green walls and has just enough hits of black and cream to tie in with the modern Art Deco rug and the black headboard." Credit: Marnie SalmonCredit: Marnie Salmon
"Originally, I was trying to sell my existing headboard on Facebook Marketplace, but without success I decided to re-upholster it. I had been eyeing a new modern black bedframe and felt I could recreate the look with the existing pieces I already had," Marnie begins. Credit: Marnie SalmonCredit: Marnie Salmon
"I ditched the metal box spring frame and put the box spring directly on the floor and covered it in a black fitted sheet. Next, I made a trip to my local fabric store and lucked out in finding a remnant piece of black stretch velvet that was just the right size to recover the headboard. A little help from my handy-dandy staple gun and voila! A new black modern bed for under $75!" Credit: Marnie SalmonCredit: Marnie Salmon
"The new black headboard now matched the existing black tufted bench I already had. I decided to use the IKEA wicker ottomans as bedside tables, as they would provide storage and extra seating if ever needed." Credit: Marnie SalmonCredit: Marnie Salmon
"Now that I had a new black bed, my existing white IKEA Hemnes dresser needed an update. I primed and repainted it in a satin black (Behr's "Limousine Leather") and swapped out the knobs for some antique-looking burnished gold knobs I found on Amazon." Credit: Marnie SalmonCredit: Marnie Salmon
"I decided on a large round gold framed mirror – as this is my area to do makeup and hair. The top drawer serves as storage for all my hair and makeup needs." Credit: Marnie SalmonCredit: Marnie Salmon
"With the lovely natural light that streams in from the large windows this was the perfect spot to create a little eating area," Marnie describes. Credit: Marnie SalmonCredit: Marnie Salmon
"I chose a transitional marble bistro table to blend in with my grandmother's antique dining chairs. I added the draperies to soften the space." Credit: Marnie SalmonCredit: Marnie Salmon
"This window was tricky. It had constraints due to the radiator below and a bulkhead on one side." Credit: Marnie SalmonCredit: Marnie Salmon
"After months of deliberation I chose to do an extended version of a café curtain. This way I could use a tension rod and not have to drill any holes into the frame, and hanging the rod below the upper section of windows still allowed lots of natural light into the room." Credit: Marnie SalmonCredit: Marnie Salmon
"Because the curtains couldn't extend to the floor, the inside mount café curtain style worked well as a compromise." Credit: Marnie SalmonCredit: Marnie Salmon
"In a studio space one of the best things you can do is a purge occasionally. Over the pandemic with lots of time at home, I systematically went through every cabinet, drawer, and closet and donated all the things that were no longer serving me. It’s very gratifying and therapeutic. I wish I had done it sooner." Credit: Marnie SalmonCredit: Marnie Salmon
"I chose to play up the natural travertine look of the tile, and added some plants, dried eucalyptus, a bamboo bath tray, and a large seagrass basket to store towels to create that luxurious spa feel," Marnie describes of the bathroom. Credit: Marnie SalmonCredit: Marnie Salmon
Interior designer Marnie Salmon, who works for a firm specializing in workplace design, moved to Toronto from Calgary seven years ago for a new job and “very quickly needed to find a place to live,” explaining she got lucky when she stumbled on this place: a 450-square-foot studio apartment she rents for $1560 a month.
Marnie explains that the space looked a bit dated, decor-wise, in the listing photos, but says that it “did look like it had some good bones to work with, and it included parking (which in Toronto is hard to come by). When I came to view the apartment I quickly realized I wasn’t being shown the one from the ad, which was a one-bedroom. This was a studio, but it was better!”
"My best piece of advice for creating that curated look is to stop buying things on a whim and then trying to find a spot for them. Start with a mood board. Let things sit and ruminate. You may love an item but then come to realize it really doesn’t tie in with the look you are trying to achieve. Make purchases thoughtfully," Marnie advises. Credit: Marnie SalmonCredit: Marnie Salmon
Marnie’s ground-floor studio apartment comes with “its own entrance with some exposed brick, beautiful high 10.5-foot ceilings, large almost floor-to-ceiling windows in the front, and a small front room that would make an excellent office or eating nook. I immediately fell in love with this place and signed the lease that day. This was the first and only place that I looked at.”
Over the past seven years that Marnie has rented this unit, she’s made small but impactful updates to the space. “I switched out some of the light fixtures, removed the existing white venetian blinds, installed window film and draperies, and used contact paper to change the countertops and backsplash. I thoughtfully made my selections of finishes, lighting, and color, so they felt intentional and reflected the character of the building.”
"Area rugs especially in a studio are a wonderful tool to define spaces. Don’t be afraid to use bold patterns and different styles mixed in the same space. They just need to have some elements in common, so they tie together. Similar colors but opposing patterns or textures can create a unique juxtaposition that brings character to a space," Marnie advises. Credit: Marnie SalmonCredit: Marnie Salmon
“I would say that I identify as creative, introverted, adventurous, and reserved, and I would say my home reflects those qualities. I have a variety of the different styles living harmoniously in this small studio. It’s no wonder that I have gravitated towards the eclectic Parisian design style,” Marnie writes. “I also love to travel and have incorporated some of the photography I have taken on my overseas adventures mixed in with some of my favorite artists. I like to mix bold patterns and textures to create a layered depth within the space. I feel like the color and finish choices I have made create an understated or reserved elegance that mirrors that aspect of my personality.”
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