This Colorful Vancouver Studio Is Definitely Not Maximalist

Melissa Verdicchio has been renting this studio apartment in Vancouver for two-and-a-half years, and pays $1390 a month in rent: My studio apartment is quaint and cozy, with vintage accents throughout, like the colorful tile in the kitchen and bathroom, as well as built-in wall accents and wall-mounted radiators. It is the perfect size for someone who lives alone, and it’s my happy place — I love coming home to the space!

When I moved in I made sure I took my time with furnishing and decorating, as I wanted to love every single piece I had in my home. I find the space I am in affects my mood, so I always make sure my spaces are comfortable and pleasing to look at.

I am located only a couple of blocks from the forest, as well as the ocean, so the location is perfect for me. I am also within walking distance to grocery stores, restaurants, and shopping, which makes the location that much better. I work in PR and my office is downtown, so I wanted to make sure my commute into downtown was easy from wherever I was living.

My identity seems to evolve every so often, but at the moment I am loving color and simplicity. I love bringing fun colors and shapes into my space, but in a contemporary and sophisticated way. I am not into maximalism, so my space definitely reflects that. I also have a lot of personal touches sprinkled around my apartment — photos of family and friends, novelty items, etc. I’m not one for too many accessories or trinkets; I have a few decorations without a purpose, but because my space is small I like to try and use decor that also has a purpose (candles, bowl, books, etc.).

Describe your home’s style in five words or fewer: Cozy, classic, fun, personal.

What is your favorite room and why? I live in a studio, so technically it’s all one room, but I would say my main living space that encompasses my bed and living area. I’ve made it so cozy and comfy, bringing in calming colours and textures that really make the space feel relaxing.

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? The last thing I bought for my home was a new duvet set! I had my previous ones for a while and felt I needed to switch the color and texture up on my bed, as well as add in a couple of new decorative pillows. It really changed the whole vibe of the space and made it extra cozy as we head into fall.

Any advice for creating a home you love? Take your time! Don’t rush to fill the space or else you’ll find yourself spending additional time and money changing things. A lot of great items can be found secondhand as well, so it’s worth taking a trip to a secondhand store or checking Facebook Marketplace.

This submission’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.