This open plan 1 bedroom apartment is part of a 32-unit co-housing project. My clients were down-sizing from a space with almost twice as much square footage so every square inch of the approximately 700 sq. ft. space needed to be carefully considered for opportunities for extra storage and for multi-function. Additionally, one of the homeowners is in a wheelchair, so layout and furniture selection were even more important than usual.

We had worked together on the floor plan for this unit in the project design phase, so were able to incorporate many features of universal design. That said, the brief included making sure these features were not obvious.

With a very neutral backdrop and lots of light, the clients were able to fulfill their desire for a no-holds-barred approach to colour when it came to the furnishings. A combination of ready-made and custom pieces help spread the colour throughout. And let's face it, it's hard not to smile when one of the items of decor that must be worked in is a pint-sized giraffe.