Small space interior: Lofty ideas

You've got to accentuate the positive - that's what the old song says, and it must have been the tune that designer Erin Feasby was humming when she and design partner Cindy Bleeks of Feasby & Bleeks decorated this west-end Toronto loft. Not that there wasn't plenty of "positive" to work with - soaring 11-1/2 ft. high ceilings, exposed brick and ductwork, and tons of natural light - but at 800 sq. ft., the two-bedroom unit was small and its layout a little quirky.

"Trying to eke out a sitting area in the living room was challenging, and there was no room for an eating area," says Erin. So she and Cindy decided an unconventional layout required unconventional solutions. "We opted for eating at the bar to retain more living space," says Erin.

Though the loft was tight on space, they decided against an apartment-size sofa; instead, the designers chose a daybed for the living room. "With no back, it's visually less choppy," says Erin. "You're not always going to be in a loft, so you want pieces that will work later on." It's better to buy fewer pieces at higher quality, she says.


Den Midcentury modern Eames stools and a traditional tufted sofa: mixing styles adds a punch of personality.