This was the case for Rory. As a co-owner of The Ginger Group, a leading downtown hair salon, he definitely has good visual sense and was able to see what his 17 Avenue loft could become.

“I looked at about 50 places but I kept coming back to this one,” he says. “It’s smaller than I wanted, but when it came down to it this was the place.”

He was shopping for something modern, a condo that stood out, and although this particular loft was very traditional, with maple cabinets and flooring, ornate trim and a pantry, he was able to look past that and see what the flat would become. The location of the building played a notable part in the decision, given its proximity to the salon as well as the surrounding social hub of 17 Avenue.

In the four years since he purchased the 900-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bathroom home, he has worked with Miller Projects to update it, and together they have definitely succeeded in making it stand out.

Every piece in the home is carefully thought out, from the black rubber flooring (like that you might find in the weights area of a gym) to the chandeliers throughout and simple and sleek kitchen. Some choices are primarily functional, some are to create focal points, and still others have actually aimed to play down certain features. The resulting look meshes well with the exposed ductwork on the ceiling as well as the open, modern layout of the loft.

Since Rory entertains often, this was a key concern in the design. The rubber floors do not stain, and also wipe clean easily—and the bouncy texture means a dropped wine glass won’t shatter. Similarly, the black leather couches are easy to clean. The spare bedroom is multi-functional, serving an office, as well as thanks to the modern futon both an entertaining space and a place for friends to crash.

There is no traditional dining area and Rory specifically designed the kitchen to disappear. Since he rarely cooks, but instead takes advantage of the extensive restaurant selection in the area, he didn’t feel the need for an elaborate kitchen. However, he also knew that a portion of his condo’s resale value depended on having a functional culinary component. The compromise was to place the sleek, modern kitchen against the wall. The result? A very functional, stylish kitchen that fits in perfectly with the design yet does not stand out on its own.

The areas in the home that pop are meant to do just that. A large contemporary painting hanging on the wall features some of the few colours in the condo, while the three exterior walls of the second bedroom are made into feature walls with black and white damask wallpaper. A red chandelier in the powder room is chic but whimsical, like the shiny chrome four-poster bed in the master bedroom. The master bedroom is Rory’s favourite room. “I spend all of my time in there,” he says.

It’s understandable why; what used to be two separate rooms—a bedroom and an ensuite bathroom—became one large suite with a glass shower. With plenty of lighting, the inviting bath and shower and bright, white linens, the feeling is comfortable and clean.

The building in which Rory lives, the 17th Avenue Lofts, was built in 1979 and is made of concrete, which, due to its sound attenuation, is perfect for his social lifestyle. “I can get up to 30 people in here at a time, and they’re lovely neighbours, nobody has never said anything.”

Though his condo is located above the parkade and he sometimes could hear sounds of cars below, the rubber flooring solved that pro­-blem as well. As for street noise, double-paned glass and his condo’s location at the back of the building means he doesn’t hear a thing unless he wants to.

A highlight of the condo is the large patio. Officially, it’s common space, which means it’s not taxed, yet it is still private and accessible to only Rory’s condo. The patio space is next on his makeover list.

Other than the patio, the lack of outdoor space is actually welcome with Rory, as it is with many condo owners.

“I travel a lot; I’m never home,” he says. “I just want something com­-pletely turn-key. I don’t want anything in here that breathes but me.”

Many of us dream of having a condo as chic as Rory’s, but don’t know where to start or think it’s impossible. His advice? First, “follow your heart. I think you know the minute you see it. And if you’re not a visual person, get some help.” Another set of eyes may be better able to spot the potential in a space.

As for decorating, Rory’s decision to use combinations of black and white for all the main elements of his home has meant that he can easily switch out less costly elements such as cushions, bedding, artwork and other accent pieces, changing the entire look without a large cash output.

The design has obviously been successful, and achieved the goals Rory set out. “Any time there’s a birthday or any kind of celebration, it’s the first place people think of to come.”