The Queensway Residence

2-bedroom, 2-bath condo · Furniture & Styling · Etobicoke, Toronto

The moment of change:

Queensway Residence is a two-bedroom, two-bath condo in Etobicoke, Toronto. The clients, a couple of working professionals, had recently bought their first home and knew they wanted it to feel calm, warm, and grown-up. They came to Kavyam Studio for Furniture & Styling to help them plan the layout, clarify zones in the open-plan area, and make considered decisions around storage, seating, and mood.

Before moving-in, the open-concept kitchen, living, and dining space felt more like an empty shell than a home. They struggled to decide where the sofa should sit, how to separate the dining area from the living room, and how to handle storage without crowding the rooms. The kitchen lacked usable bench top space for two people, the second bedroom was an undefined “spare” room, and the entry offered nowhere practical to land bags and shoes. They could see the potential of the condo, but they needed a clear plan to make the rooms support the way they actually live and work.

Design psychology approach:

We began by understanding how the couple moved through the condo during a typical workday and weekend: where they liked to sit, how often they hosted, how they used screens, and how frequently they worked from home. The brief called for seating for eight in the main space, a kitchen island that worked hard but felt refined, a second bedroom that could comfortably hold both a guest bed and a proper two-monitor work set-up, and an entry that absorbed daily clutter. Our focus was on creating clear zones in the open-plan area, introducing enough closed storage that everyday objects could disappear, and building a soft, light palette with green and rust accents so the rooms felt relaxed rather than busy.

Key moves:

1. Defined two clear zones in the open-plan space by placing a proportionate sofa and ottoman to anchor the living area, allowing generous circulation around it and keeping sight lines open to the balcony.

2. Selected a media console with sliding doors instead of hinged ones so storage could be maximised without blocking circulation, and the TV wall could feel calm and intentional rather than dominant.

3. Designed a compact but hard-working kitchen island with additional closed storage and an extension panel that unfolds to provide extra benchtop when needed, then tucks away to keep the space feeling open.

4. Layered functional lighting over the island with a linear pendant to give focused task light for cooking and entertaining, balanced by softer lighting elsewhere in the room.

5. Kept the main palette light and neutral, introducing rust-toned dining chairs, accent cushions, and artwork to add warmth without visually overwhelming the space. Fabrics for the sofa, rug, and upholstery were chosen specifically for ease of maintenance.

6. Created a dining area with a round table and slim hutch, the table breaking up the strong linear lines of the room and the glass-fronted hutch providing generous storage while still feeling light.

7. Planned the second bedroom as a true guest-and-study room, pairing a compact bed with a full-sized desk that comfortably accommodates two monitors. Lighting was chosen to serve both as a reading light and as focused task lighting, with a neutral palette to keep the room calm for work and sleep.

8. Gave the entryway a practical landing zone with two slim shoe cabinets and a bench, paired with a runner and mirror so bags, shoes, and keys have obvious homes the moment they arrive.

9. Introduced greenery throughout the condo to soften edges, bring life to corners, and reinforce the connection between the indoor space and the expansive views.

Outcome: The condo now reads as one coherent home rather than a collection of separate decisions. The main living space comfortably seats eight without feeling crowded, circulation from entry to balcony is clear, and storage works quietly in the background so surfaces stay relatively clear. The kitchen island supports both everyday cooking and informal gatherings, the dining and living areas each have a clear role, and the second bedroom now functions smoothly as both a guest room and a three-day-a-week home office. Overall, the home feels calm, warm, and easy to live in, which is exactly what the clients were hoping for in their first owned space.