It was one of those ‘instant likes’.  I didn’t want to look at anything else after I saw this one.”  The clean lines, accented with dark brickwork and a portico at the entrance are very welcoming and “modern”, she adds. “I liked the mustard colour,” describing the stucco exterior of the The Paradigm, the thirty-six unit, three and a half year old building located in Connaught.  “It stands out.”

When she first viewed the condo, the stained glass windows in the ninety-four year old sandstone Grace Presbyterian Church caught her eye as she entered the unit and looked through French doors.  There was no turning back.  The magnificent view of the church sold Deborah on her third floor condo.  “There’s nothing like waking up to the church bells at 10:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning!” she chuckles.

Deborah enjoys her deck. “I am able to lean out and look at the church and watch people go by.  And they are always looking up here!”  The French doors are surrounded by additional windows on the top and to the side bringing in generous amounts of natural light.

“I would have chosen a unit on the fourth floor”, having previously lived at the Lewis Lofts “as I really like loft living”, but nothing was available when Deborah was in the market for a new home.  The fourth floor loft/split level units have direct access to the rooftop patio.  Residents on the first through third floors can easily take the elevator up to use this common area located on the roof.

“Every unit in The Paradigm is different.  Mine is nice because of the hardwood flooring.”  Deborah has owned her 780 square foot one bedroom condo for about two years.  It has a U-shaped kitchen featuring black appliances and laminate countertops. Two bar stools, stained and finished by Deborah, abut the breakfast bar. The living spaces and bedroom hold family heirlooms including two bubbleback chairs, a side table, and four footed oval wooden table.  The many framed mirrors located throughout the condo are also antiques.  Deborah explains their origins:  “They used to hold needlework and tapestries made by my grandmother.”  The unit also has modern and personal touches: an ultra suede couch and Deborah’s photography.  She has two pieces on the wall – one entitled “Beach Cruiser in the Snow”, the other featuring a guitar interwoven with sheet music.  Both were created by Deborah.  She hopes to produce additional pieces as part of a series.  Other attractive laminated posters enhance her décor.

“I try to do well with the small space.  I have to maximize it, I guess.”  And maximize it she does.  Her mountain bike, golf clubs, triathlon road bike, snowboard, yoga mat, exercise ball and other equipment adorn her condo.  They all have their dedicated space, are part of Deborah’s interior decoration and stand as a testament to her love of sports.

“One of my favourite things to do is to go the neighbourhood school yard to the swing set and swing,” says Deborah. “It’s cathartic.  I unwind after my day.”  Sometimes she brings her basketball to shoot a few hoops.  Soccer balls and footballs are located in her living room, ready to be used at a moment’s notice.  A polo mallet is waiting its turn – something Deborah has yet to try.

Deborah is an independent pharmaceutical rep which means working from home, traveling throughout the city, the province, as well as to Toronto.  Her computer/work station is located in a corner of her bedroom, right beside the window where she can look out upon the church across the street.  “At night, the stained glass windows are lit up and they look beautiful,” says Deborah.

Being an owner of two horses keeps Deborah busy many hours a week.  The mare and foal will soon be relocated to the Springbank area, only a fifteen minute drive from The Paradigm. The remainder of Deborah’s active schedule is filled with working out at the gym everyday, running every second day, biking, and socializing with friends and colleagues.  Throw in working as a groom at Stampede Park on the weekends and Deborah is the epitome of today’s modern working woman.

She finds condo living very comfortable.  “It is safe and peaceful, yet upbeat and trendy.  There are many young professionals that live in the building.”  Living at The Paradigm “allows me to walk anywhere within minutes.”  She did not want the worry associated with house ownership, commonly being yard maintenance and things breaking down.

“I have a great relationship with my neighbours.”  She knows many of the people in the building, with each taking responsibility for other’s units while one is away, for example.  They also socialize from time to time.  Deborah is one of the directors on the building’s condo board.  “If you want to protect your investment and know what is going on, participating on the condo board is necessary.”

“The bedroom closet is one thing that could be altered or improved. I am a minimalist.  I like things neat,” but the closet is an open concept walk-in, making neatness in that area difficult to maintain.

“I have to optimize my space, as there isn’t any extra storage” in the building.  Fortunately, her in-suite laundry room is quite deep and she is able to store additional items there.

An athletic and independent individual, Deborah’s essence, heart, and spirit are found her homey, personal space.  Her condo in The Paradigm has become the embodiment of many of Deborah’s interests and central to her dynamic lifestyle alongside the calming nature of the historic church across the street.CL