We have found ourselves wandering the aisles of a selection of design stores in the past few weekends and it got us realizing that properly furnishing a YP pad is an art in itself. Thankfully, there are quite a few options for young professionals in Toronto, hidden gems and well-known stores alike of great style and varying price points. For most YPs, gone are the days of the one-stop Ikea shop where you’d leave with your entire apartment furnished after an afternoon with the hope that it would all last for at least a few years.
At a certain point, whether it’s your first purchased condo, first family home or first time renting without roommates, YPs start to take more pride in their home and make it personal so that it truly reflects who they are. Young professionals want their place to be a haven from their otherwise hectic life, where time spent is quality and comfortable.
There are a few common factors for the YP to consider. First of all, you likely aren’t going to be living in your new place forever. Furthermore, you are likely working within small spaces. A fellow YP – a Toronto Bay Street professional – is almost done furnishing his two-story penthouse with the help of designer Colleen Lynch of Dovetail Decor, who has been working for the past five months to meticulously design the space to reflect his individual tastes, incorporate new and existing art and make it feel warm and inviting, yet refined. We love the way it has all come together and caught up with Lynch for some YP advice.
Lynch had a few tips for young professionals who can read all the design and décor magazines they want but may find themselves overwhelmed as where to start on their own places. Much like savvy YPs do with their wardrobe, she suggests mixing high and lower end pieces, especially when you don’t plan on staying in a place forever. Invest more in key pieces that will be coming with you to your future home like sofas and area rugs. You can save money by spending less money on things like office furniture, end tables and in-closet sets of drawers and shoe racks.
An affordable option is the newly opened CB2, a Crate and Barrel line, that features unique and well-designed fresh options at prices that won’t break the bank. The store offers fresh finds for all parts of your home with furniture, lighting, bed/bath, accessories, dining, pillows/rugs, office/storage and an assortment of unique and useful creatively-designed knick-knacks.
Many Toronto YPs understand the importance of making the most out of tiny spaces, and thus space planning in essential. Lynch suggests thoroughly studying the floor plan to be as strategic as possible and to make the most you can with the space. She suggests “double duty” pieces that are compact and multi-functional. This can include coffee tables and desks that double as storage units. She directs many young professionals to Liberty Village stores West Elm and Casa Life, which cater to limited space condo and loft living. West Elm has been a favourite of ours for the past few years; highlights include the ability to design your space in-store with their space planner to preview how furniture will look in your home.
Lynch says that just because you don’t have the space to feature it all at once, doesn’t mean you should limit your collection of furniture, art and carpets. Odds are, you’ll be moving into a larger place eventually and it’s never too early to start your collection. “Don’t be afraid to store things and rotate and mix up collections,” says Lynch. “Not only will it make things roomier and uncluttered, it will keep your place feeling fresh and prevent you from getting bored with the pieces you have.”
Lynch has noticed a large number of YPs increasingly opting for antique and refurbished pieces, which tend to round things out in the typical modern young professional condo. A good place to buy antiques or refurbished pieces is Metropolis Living at the Junction at Dundas and Keele, for example. Unique finds at Metropolis Living include tables from salvaged bowling alley floors, workbenches, metal chairs and stools, antique dressmaker dummies and an assortment of signs. Lynch also suggests taking a walk down Queen Street East and to check out the antique stores like Hardware.
“I notice a lot of creativity in today’s young professionals and a particular interest and knowledge in art and re-using things, as well as mixing salvaged and reclaimed pieces into the look,” said Lynch. “They are finding ways to keep family pieces, like their grandmother’s vanities and old sofas, by giving them a unique spin.”
Our advice to you, whether trying to incorporate existing pieces with new finds or working with a blank canvass, is be patient and don’t try to rush it. Don’t make shopping for pieces a daunting experience and allow yourself time when browsing stores. Personally, we like to incorporate it into a relaxed Sunday funday, somewhere between brunch and a late afternoon espresso.
Here are some great spots to get started:
CB2, 651 Queen Street West
Ital Interiors, 359 King Street East
Metropolis Living, 2989 Dundas Street West
Mjolk, 2959 Dundas Street West
Design Within Reach, 435 King Street West
Fiber Living, 58 Berkeley Street
Design Republic, 639 Queen St. West
Decorium, 363 Supertest Road
Andrew Richards Designs, 571 Adelaide Street East
West Elm, 109 Atlantic Ave.
Casa Life, 171 East Liberty Street
Hardware, 760 Queen Street East
Photo courtesy Mjolk.