Not long ago, I was at a small dinner party where each of the other guests was the owner of a $1 million-plus property. And there I was moving into a one-bedroom rental apartment. I felt ashamed of my place on the ladder of life, albeit cognizant that there are loads of miserable rich people.
I also happen to be a regular reader of blogs like Midwestern Malaise, If The Lampshade Fits and Arren Williams Design Lab, where the owners are presently engaged in swish and expensive renovations of beautiful homes. And here I am trying to settle into a 624-sq. ft. box with zero architectural interest.
I was feeling so blue after that dinner that I thought I’d throw in the styleNorth towel. And then I revisted my blog’s mandate to offer tips to home decorators with “great taste and limited means . . . Most of us don’t have mammoth spaces and limitless budgets, we have to rely on ingenuity and flare.” And that’s exactly what I’ve been doing since my June 1 move.
There isn’t much that’s “new” here, in fact, I lost half of the good stuff when Mike and I parted. But I’m going to blog about it anyway, damn it, because I know there are lots of other folks trying to live big in small spaces with miniscule budgets. Heck, compared to some of the teensy weensy condos on the market, 624 sq. ft. is practically palatial.
It’s taken me awhile to learn not to compare my progress to others’; it’s a fool’s game because there will always be someone with a bigger house, a faster car and a sexier husband. I am where I am and it’s up to me to make the most of it. So let’s decorate . . .
July 2nd, 2010 at 12:11 pm
And there are many $1M+ palatial homes that don’t have an ounce of the style oozing out of your photo above. Your living room is a stunner. Can’t wait to see the rest of the space.
July 2nd, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Ya’ got that right, kid. And to think that most people never figure it out in their entire lifetimes. An inviting home is what you make it. It looks like you’ve got yourself a home.
July 2nd, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Years ago I was sitting at a bar next to a local designer and we got to talking about lamps. He said invariably his favorite ones came from estate sales, followed by “It’s always about style, never about money.” I’ve lived by those words ever since, mostly because I’ve had to.
I’m flattered that you might describe the renovation of Chez Malaise as swish and expensive, but truthfully, it’s really about taking our time and finding the deals. From auctions and estate sales, to craftsmen who’ll take on side jobs at reduced rates, you really can do a lot for a little. (And thank God for that, otherwise we’d be living in squalor!)
So, no feeling bad for you. I’ll take 624 sq. feet decorated with joy and passion over a million dollar monster anyday. I suspect most people would agree.
July 2nd, 2010 at 1:01 pm
It was thanks to you that I found Tonic Living and bought fabric that makes me smile each time I see it as a curtain to a closet in my little girl’s room. Canada needs design blogs, simple and lovely and helpful! Keep it up!
July 2nd, 2010 at 1:35 pm
You may not be living large in terms of square footage but you are when it comes to style. I have seen dozens (hundreds?) of 3000 sq’+ homes with not one ounce of personality or charm.
Oh, and yes have learned about some cool retailers and thrift stores through you, so thanks!
July 2nd, 2010 at 1:59 pm
I love your website and look forward to your posts.
The thrill of the hunt is the most fun for me when I shop. Your site provides inspiration too! My design philosophy is work with what you have.. I never get excited over things I would never buy or afford.
A craigslist find, a 90% off deal or dumpster pick up is more thrilling to me than a No Holds barred shopping at any of the high-end stores!
Houses with no character are snooze villes for me. It’s just a house not a home.
July 2nd, 2010 at 2:06 pm
WOW a nice place to come home to, much more important than size, a small home with personality is so much more inviting than a large home missing the style gene.
Your site has been so helpful to me, every time I visit Toronto I track down the stores mentioned in your blog.
Thanks.
July 2nd, 2010 at 3:22 pm
You have such a nice place Chris. I love reading your posts and I look forward to reading them every week. Keep up the good work!
July 2nd, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Good afternoon, ANYBODY can decorate with money, that’s easy, a no brainer and most of the end products look exactly like that…
I’ve tried to teach the daughter the importance of no money and fabulous look. I’m a devotee of the Re Store *read Habitat for Humanity* anything that you need for the house is there *four outlets in Toronto* alone, at a l/4 of the price. Whether I can afford big money decorators or not, doesn’t matter, I prefer the bargains, lots of stories with each piece. Chris you are an inspiration…
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:15 pm
So glad that you’re keeping it going!
FYI – You were ‘the’ first blog that I read daily and out of habit, even though I’m a subscriber, I still check in daily (very OCish I know).
xox
July 2nd, 2010 at 9:28 pm
I’m sooooo glad you have decided not to throw in the towel/sofa/etc….
When I’m feeling “inadequate”, I try to remember:
Best to be yourself – afterall, no one else can do it for you! Stick to the/your knitting, and always remember that opinions are like asses – everybody’s got one (and m-a-n-y are much much worse!)
Soooo…..Keep chirping ! Stay calm and carry on! – Best – Cat
July 3rd, 2010 at 10:53 am
OMG, I have finally found my 624 sq. ft. apartment layout on line!
The layout is identical but on opposite sides, aka my kitchen is on the right, bedroom on the left, etc.
I await with baited breath to see how and what your wonderful creativity will produce in your new canvas.
Thank you from this transit-riding, over 50, living on student-loans-budget, one-bedroom apartment living, just outside of Toronto fan.
hk
July 3rd, 2010 at 5:20 pm
Thank you, one and all.
xo
July 4th, 2010 at 7:15 am
Chris,
July 4th, 2010 at 9:03 am
wow! that’s almost the identical layout to my first apartment in Toronto – from *gulp* 26 years ago!
July 5th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
I’m so very glad you’ve decided to perservere with your blog, Chris, especially considering I’ve only recently been introduced to you! (and thank you, by the way, for providing the link to your site – it’s truly fabulous and I’m very enjoying reading all your older posts and catching up on the design news …)
We are currently renovating a very architectually bland 1950′s suburban bungalow, and I am constantly struggling with the age-old challenge of champagne taste on a beer budget. I’m discovering a huge cache of amazing tips, store suggestions and inspiration on your blog, and look forward to using it now and in future as one of my design aides, so please keep it up!
On a final note, the orange ceramic lamp I purchased from you looks – as expected – absolutely fabulous in our living room. I’m totally in love with it and once we’ve hung the curtains (which are currently down to replace the windows), I’ll forward you some pics.
Thanks for everything!
July 12th, 2010 at 3:41 am
love the “box”,and love your post…..
July 27th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
Hi Chris I stumbled on your blog was I searched for moveline.ca.
I am moving into our 1st home in Canada(we arrived on June 7) and the house that we bought in Brampton will be totally empty.
See here http://febeth.blogspot.com/2010/07/house-hunting.html
What can u suggest I buy and where(craigs list?) .I have limited budget.
Thanks for any help.U can email to me at the email I provided. Thanks in advance