Fast forward two years, and Ellen is happily settled in a Connaught condo that serves as a cosy hometown base, while providing a little creative inspiration. The Savoy building is nestled in familiar territory, mere blocks from the house where Ellen grew up; it also happens to feature a distinctive layout, a great view and soaring 12-foot ceilings.

Facing south from the fifth floor, the condo’s twin juliette balconies overlook The Devenish building and trendy 17th Avenue S.W. The location—in one of Calgary’s most vibrant neighbourhoods—was an obvious plus, close to the river path, amenities, city bike pathways, and the graphic design company where Ellen works. As she puts it, “Everything I need is within a block of where I live.”

However, it was the interior that really caught Ellen’s attention. “I especially liked the kitchen—the layout and the cabinets. The appliances had all been redone. I liked the finishings—the granite countertops, the slate and hardwood, the fireplace.” High ceilings give the condo an open, airy feel, and Ellen says the tall walls provide extra storage space. “You just have to be a little clever with it.”

The condo also boasts two full baths, a walk-in closet, under-floor heating, kitchen skylight, in-suite washer and dryer, a dishwasher and gas stove, as well as an eye-catching, wall-mounted slate water feature. At more than 1000-square-feet, it’s an unusually spacious one-bedroom unit. In fact, it was originally a two-bedroom unit when The Savoy was constructed in 1998. “There would have been a wall where we’re sitting right now,” Ellen says of the large living room, “and the bedroom would have been smaller. Also, the kitchen probably used to be a galley kitchen.” Ellen loves the open plan, confessing, “I move things around a lot.” The updated kitchen has a triangular layout with a substantial island and bar, which is not only more eye-catching than the traditional galley kitchen, but also works better for entertaining. Says Ellen, “I like all the little touches that make it not a standard floor plan condo.”

Currently enrolled in photography courses at the Alberta College of Art and Design, Ellen is keenly aware of the effect light has on a space. With south-facing windows and large skylight, her condo has doubled as an emergency photo shoot venue—an unexpected bonus. Abundant natural light also keeps the condo warm, although Ellen admits, “A bit too warm in summer.” During Calgary’s long winter, however, it’s a real money saver. “I hardly ever need to turn the heat on, although sometimes it’s nice to get out of bed to a warm floor.” The efficiency of the under floor heating system was one of the first things Ellen learned about her condo when she moved in on one of the coldest days in December. “I’d cranked the heat all the way up because I’d been freezing in a U-Haul all day. I was standing on the slate floor to unpack the kitchen, and I became aware that my feet were getting really, uncomfortably hot. I actually had to leave the room for a while and wait for it to cool down!”

The walls of Ellen’s condo serve as a gallery for her collection of art photos and paintings. “I only buy pieces I love,” she says, pointing out her most prized, a Walter J. Phillips original. “It gets its own wall!” Surprisingly, few of her personal photos are on display. “My photos are a reflection of how I see the world, and when I’m at home, I like to be exposed to other people’s perspectives.”

Instead, Ellen has used colour to make her mark. “I changed the paint, which really helped to make the place my own.” She selected colours that complemented the hues in the slate floor and features, and softened what was previously a glaringly red feature wall. Her major decorating challenge has been balancing the condo’s modern interior with her taste in décor, which tends toward antiques. The balance of colours—cool, modern blue warmed by rich brown—suits Ellen’s balance of contemporary and classic decorative elements. In several places she has juxtaposed elegant pieces with funky ones; for example, a firework-shaped Eurofase chandelier illuminates an antique wooden bar.

The Savoy has other charms. “There are families in this building. I like seeing that.” But Ellen’s favourite element of the condo, she saves for last: it’s pet-friendly, which means she can share it with her adorable schnoodle dog, Lucy. “That was an absolute must.”