Pay Chen is a TV host and food writer. Her 500 sq. ft., new build condo is situated in downtown Toronto.“ I often work from home and do food prep for TV segments. I need storage and surface space for cooking.” As for her home’ s style, Pay was adamant her home not look like a hotel lobby or show home.
To coordinate the condo’ s design, Pay sought Designer Melissa Davis’ guidance.“ She really understood what my style is— a mix of vintage, retro and new pieces. I needed her expertise to tie it together. Melissa was great.”
The condo’ s entry welcomes guests with humor. Brocade wallpaper on the right hand wall is made up of a‘ quadrille’ of dancing lobsters.“ I’ m from Nova Scotia so I fell in love with the idea of lobsters on my wall,” Pay comments.
From the entry way visitors enter the living room. Melissa notes,“ I decided to add wall-mounted storage in the living room as there wasn’ t any floor area to spare. The wall unit is practical storage.” Balancing the sofa’ s masculine lines and the concrete walls Melissa used an existing secretary desk in the space.“ It added a sweet, feminine touch.”
In the condo, Melissa notes,“ white was used as a contrast to the colorful accessories and cool concrete.” White functions in the condo as one of the unifying colors in the rooms.“ I advise to try to keep the larger pieces neutral and [ keep ] the trends to things that are easy to change out like pillows and accessories.”
Styles are juxtaposed in the dining area where Pay’ s retro style dining table adds chrome sheen with a snap of blue while the
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