Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Pint-Size Playfulness in Vancouver
An interior designer mixes handmade art with creative touches to give his small downtown Vancouver home a fresh look
When Daniel Meloche downsized from a 900-square-foot apartment to a 530-square-foot space of his own, he knew it was time to get creative. "I really wanted something different and this layout stood out to me," he says. "The plan is quite unique and makes the square footage appear much larger."
The apartment was in good shape when he moved in, but it just was not to his taste. Meloche updated many of the finishes and painted the walls crisp white as a background for his eclectic art collection. Custom modern furniture and clever DIY touches helped transform this tiny apartment into a beautiful and efficient home.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Daniel Meloche
Location: Downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Size: 530 square feet; one bedroom; one bathroom; balcony
That's interesting: Daniel transformed a kitchen storage area into a dining room.
The apartment was in good shape when he moved in, but it just was not to his taste. Meloche updated many of the finishes and painted the walls crisp white as a background for his eclectic art collection. Custom modern furniture and clever DIY touches helped transform this tiny apartment into a beautiful and efficient home.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Daniel Meloche
Location: Downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Size: 530 square feet; one bedroom; one bathroom; balcony
That's interesting: Daniel transformed a kitchen storage area into a dining room.
Meloche made many of the accessories in his living space, including the typography and throw pillows. The art pieces were made with stencils and spray paint, and the pillows with assorted Maharam fabrics.
HM: What was your biggest design splurge?
DM: Hands down it was the mirrored glass entry light. I broke the first one and had to replace it. Even after chopping off the top of my front door to make it fit, I am still so happy I bought it — totally worth all the heartache.
Entry light: Notte, Prandina
HM: What was your biggest design splurge?
DM: Hands down it was the mirrored glass entry light. I broke the first one and had to replace it. Even after chopping off the top of my front door to make it fit, I am still so happy I bought it — totally worth all the heartache.
Entry light: Notte, Prandina
HM: Your favorite design piece?
DM: My favorite design piece is the lit "M" sign that I bought on Etsy. It really stands out in the apartment. I am huge on incorporating conversation pieces that evoke a story or an emotion.
Lounge chair: Barcelona style from Eternity Modern; throw: 'Exaggerated Plaid' fabric, Maharam; rabbit lamp: Moooi
DM: My favorite design piece is the lit "M" sign that I bought on Etsy. It really stands out in the apartment. I am huge on incorporating conversation pieces that evoke a story or an emotion.
Lounge chair: Barcelona style from Eternity Modern; throw: 'Exaggerated Plaid' fabric, Maharam; rabbit lamp: Moooi
HM: Tell me about these shadowboxes.
DM: I had so many personal items in boxes and decided it was time to display some of these meaningful keepsakes. The artwork display by the front hall includes an original photo of my late grandfather when he was in the Air Force, his vintage pocket watch and a small toy block — the letter "D" for Daniel, saved from my childhood.
DM: I had so many personal items in boxes and decided it was time to display some of these meaningful keepsakes. The artwork display by the front hall includes an original photo of my late grandfather when he was in the Air Force, his vintage pocket watch and a small toy block — the letter "D" for Daniel, saved from my childhood.
Meloche found the polished chrome coffee table frame at Metropolitan Furniture and got a marble slab from 18 Karat to fit the frame.
HM: What are you working on now?
DM: Working for Northland Properties, there are many exciting projects, from renovations to new builds from the ground up. I am very lucky to work with such a talented team where we conceptualize and plan hotels and restaurants from start to finish. We have some great new Moxie’s, Chop, Shark Club and Sandman Hotels going up all over Canada.
HM: What are you working on now?
DM: Working for Northland Properties, there are many exciting projects, from renovations to new builds from the ground up. I am very lucky to work with such a talented team where we conceptualize and plan hotels and restaurants from start to finish. We have some great new Moxie’s, Chop, Shark Club and Sandman Hotels going up all over Canada.
This creative keyholder from J-me Design is located in the entry hall so Meloche never misplaces his keys.
HM: Any amazing deals you found along the way?
DM: For almost everything I buy for my home, I try and source a great deal. The Wassily-style side chair in the living room, which I found for under $300, was definitely one of the best so far.
Keyholder: Room In Order
HM: Any amazing deals you found along the way?
DM: For almost everything I buy for my home, I try and source a great deal. The Wassily-style side chair in the living room, which I found for under $300, was definitely one of the best so far.
Keyholder: Room In Order
HM: Where is your favorite spot in your house?
DM: I love the small patio. It has an open-air, private terrace feel. It is my little city escape, featuring peekaboo mountain views and faux grass flooring.
Chair: Kartell Bubble Club Chair by Philippe Starck; gnome statue: Canadian Tire (painted yellow)
DM: I love the small patio. It has an open-air, private terrace feel. It is my little city escape, featuring peekaboo mountain views and faux grass flooring.
Chair: Kartell Bubble Club Chair by Philippe Starck; gnome statue: Canadian Tire (painted yellow)
Meloche repurposed a kitchen storage room as a formal dining area. The oversize pendant adds drama, and the transparent Kartell La Marie dining chairs by Philippe Starck reduce visual space.
Gun vase: Generate Design (spray painted black); pendant light: Moooi Random; dining table: Docksta, Ikea
Gun vase: Generate Design (spray painted black); pendant light: Moooi Random; dining table: Docksta, Ikea
HM: Who is your favorite designer?
DM: My favorite designer is Philippe Starck. He is extremely talented not only in his interior designs, but also in the products and furniture he creates. He’s the whole package when it comes to design, and that is an inspiration.
Faux taxidermy: HomeSense
DM: My favorite designer is Philippe Starck. He is extremely talented not only in his interior designs, but also in the products and furniture he creates. He’s the whole package when it comes to design, and that is an inspiration.
Faux taxidermy: HomeSense
HM: What do you want to do with your house next?
DM: The next project will be the kitchen. I feel the appliances are quite large in scale to the apartment and I would like to size them down. Also, I would like new marble countertops, a new undermount sink and new cupboard fronts in a darker finish to contrast off the white walls.
DM: The next project will be the kitchen. I feel the appliances are quite large in scale to the apartment and I would like to size them down. Also, I would like new marble countertops, a new undermount sink and new cupboard fronts in a darker finish to contrast off the white walls.
HM: Any DIY projects?
DM: I am very proud I was able to tile the bathroom and do the plumbing. I have seen it done so many times on television — you never think you can do it yourself, but it was not bad at all. I am happy I did it on my own!
Wallpaper: Velvet Collectibles III edition, Metro Wallcoverings
DM: I am very proud I was able to tile the bathroom and do the plumbing. I have seen it done so many times on television — you never think you can do it yourself, but it was not bad at all. I am happy I did it on my own!
Wallpaper: Velvet Collectibles III edition, Metro Wallcoverings
HM: What did you do to make the space yours?
DM: I painted all the walls white, added feature wallpaper to the washroom and dining room, and added marble tile to the fireplace, entry and bathroom while incorporating heated floors. I replaced the vanity, sink and toilet with more modern fixtures and added all new lighting throughout the apartment. In the bedroom, I added custom closet organizers to maximize storage space. All this took about two months.
Shelves: Enudden, Ikea; flip clock: Torre & Tagus; wood candles: Jysk Home; clear tissue box: Caban (now closed)
DM: I painted all the walls white, added feature wallpaper to the washroom and dining room, and added marble tile to the fireplace, entry and bathroom while incorporating heated floors. I replaced the vanity, sink and toilet with more modern fixtures and added all new lighting throughout the apartment. In the bedroom, I added custom closet organizers to maximize storage space. All this took about two months.
Shelves: Enudden, Ikea; flip clock: Torre & Tagus; wood candles: Jysk Home; clear tissue box: Caban (now closed)
The tufted, upholstered bed frame features a space-saving storage system. The design allows the bed to pop up on hydraulics for access to items from below. It was custom designed and manufactured at Stylus Sofas.
Wood-stamped art: HomeSense; pendant lamps: custom; fur throw and pillows: 18 Karat
Wood-stamped art: HomeSense; pendant lamps: custom; fur throw and pillows: 18 Karat
HM: What has been your biggest design dilemma?
DM: Lack of storage. I moved from a 900-square-foot apartment with numerous closets down to 530 square feet and only a closet in the bedroom and front hall. Keeping only the items you actually need and finding a home for everything really posed a challenge.
Bedside lamps: Torre & Tagus; duvet/shams: made in a quilted fabric from Westport Manufacturing
Houzz call: Do you live in a creative, small apartment? Share it with us!
DM: Lack of storage. I moved from a 900-square-foot apartment with numerous closets down to 530 square feet and only a closet in the bedroom and front hall. Keeping only the items you actually need and finding a home for everything really posed a challenge.
Bedside lamps: Torre & Tagus; duvet/shams: made in a quilted fabric from Westport Manufacturing
Houzz call: Do you live in a creative, small apartment? Share it with us!
Daniel Meloche: Everything around me is inspiring, from architecture to nature to textiles to other designers' works of art.
HM: Do you have a decorating philosophy?
DM: I truly believe your home should always start with a neutral palette on the walls and with major furniture pieces. You can build color through your art and accessories. Color trends come and go so fast, and the easiest way to refresh your space is changing your accents. No one wants to be stuck with a green couch or a purple wall, as people naturally like different colors and shades as time passes.
Sofa: Made to order at Stylus Sofas; chair: Wassily style, HomeSense; floor lamp: Moda, Torre & Tagus; pig statue: Design House (painted black); carpet: 18 Karat