PROJECT PROFILE: The Blushing Bachelorette Pad
It was the day after my birthday, May 3rd when I first met D to look at her place. A true girls girl, she'd just moved from Yaletown to the neighbouring Crosstown—a relatively newly named neighbourhood sandwiched between Yaletown, Gastown and up-and-coming Chinatown. The small area housed old factories turned lofts, a small mall/theatre and a handful of amazing foodie staples. The building, old. The space, a true hard loft—wide open, filled with brick, beams and grit. I swooned. The downside? Not a closet in sight.
Before the space lacked storage and warmth.
A little overwhelmed from lack of storage and fresh off a move, D toured me thru the space. She explained her love of make-up and clothes and told me what wasn't working and why. Having seen the space prior to her purchase, I knew what I was getting into. The lack of storage and the unique shape of the space meant this project would be all about thinking outside the box. Since this was inevitably going to have to be custom I knew just who to call...Mario Sabljak. We had previously partnered for the incredible walnut millwork on this project, so I knew he would be the perfect fit here as well.
The entrance was narrow, opening to the bedroom, bath and what naturally struck me as an office area. Up a few steps, the living room, kitchen and windows. Angles here, pipes and beams there, not a square wall in sight.
After my visit with D, I went to the drawing board with a thought. What if we used the entire wall, all 30+ feet of it? Ambitious? Sure. Did it solve every conceivable need and then some? You bet! I played around for a while with storage requirements, depths, spacial planning and finally settled on a few layouts that I felt covered all bases. Now off to sell it to D.
The winning design features two hidden storage compartments along the counter perfect for keys, mail, laptops and make-up..
After a few revisions and the odd walk-thru here and there, we were off to the races. It was big and bold. I'm sure to her it was a leap of faith, to me it would unequivocally make the space. I called Mario, he was stoked, and not long after things were underway. Admittedly, construction took longer than everyone anticipated. Those old warehouse walls and ever so slight angles meant measuring, templating and more templating.
With the built-ins well underway we moved on to finishes and decor. D loves to shop and she has a great eye for detail. After bouncing around options she settled on a few beautiful rugs that would set the scene for the rest of the space. Her initial idea of rose gold was slowly giving way to a story filled with big, bold, brass. I loved it, but deep down I still kinda knew she had a soft spot for pink...and secretly so did I.
I'll admit, pink isn't always a colour that is welcomed with open arms and that intrigued me. Taking a note from D's bedspread and those gorgeous rugs I added subtle elements of blush. That beautiful tone somewhere between baby pink and peach was the perfect unexpected balance to the tough grit of the brick, pipes and beams. Add in some soft textures, sparkle and flowers et voila! A space, grown-up, feminine and harmonious--a Blushing Bachelorette Pad if you will.
Design high-five!
