Small space interior: Bachelorette pad

Owner Tania Sarracini wasn't even house hunting when she accompanied a realtor friend to see this loft in a historic building. "He wanted my opinion," she says. But one look at the exposed brick wall and 11' ceilings, and Tania was sold on the place. Despite its authentic character and fab location in Toronto's trendy King West district, the 730 sq. ft. loft had its quirks. The main space, which was dimly lit by three small windows, had bowling-alley-like dimensions (20'x10'). "I didn't think I could decorate it myself," she says. A friend recommended Jessia Kelly Design. Again, Tania was sold, this time on Jessica's sophisticated urban style and experience with small spaces. Together they transformed the loft into a serene, pretty retreat that Tania could escape to at the end of a busy day.

Living room "The jumping-off point for the scheme was homeowner Tania Sarracini's rug, which she'd already purchased. It tied nicely into the brick wall," says designer Jessica Kelly, who added cranberry accents to the neutral palette. The single-arm chaise saves space; a custom unit hides all the electronics.