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Abhishek Dekate found his Toronto apartment by pure luck—but he was in desperate need of that. “With just two weeks left on my lease, I was scrambling for a place to live. My best friend dragged me along to pick up a coffee table she found on [classifieds website] Kijiji,” he recalls. “As soon as I walked into this Art Deco–inspired building, I knew this was it. It felt like the kind of space I’d always imagined living in.”
That same day, he toured two available units and fell in love with a 700-square-foot, north-facing apartment on the 10th floor. “The natural light, Fort York views, and the energy—it all felt perfect. I put in an offer that afternoon and moved in a month later,” he shares.
Over the past decade, Dekate’s one-bedroom space has come to reflect his life’s many “eras.” From his days as a culinary student to now, as a full-time content creator, the space has grown alongside him. When the pandemic hit, Dekate decided to gut the apartment and renovate it to adapt to his shifting needs—for living, working, entertaining, and everything in between. Born in India, with memories spanning Muscat, Oman, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Calgary, and summers at his grandparents’ home in Bhilai, his aesthetic has been shaped by the diverse places of his upbringing.
“This chapter of my life is all about reconnecting with the warmth and nostalgia of my childhood and the places I’ve called home,” he reflects. “That’s the feeling I set out to capture with this renovation.” Ahead, in his own words, Dekate takes us on a tour.
When I moved in, the apartment had these half-walls between the entryway and the kitchen, and they just made the whole place feel dark and closed off. So I swapped them out for an industrial windowpane wall, which completely changed the vibe. Now the light flows through so much better, and it’s got this sleek, modern look—kind of like a faux window that extends the real ones. I’d always dreamed of sitting at a desk overlooking an inspiring New York–esque skyline, and now my entryway-turned-study is exactly that. | Desk, Article; Desk Lamp, IKEA.I think a lot of people rush to get everything set up as soon as they move in, but I wanted to take my time and find pieces I love. Like these urns I snagged from Bettencourt Manor—I’ve layered them with books and lamps, and it all just came together naturally. I stumbled across the IKEA [Varmblixt] doughnut lamp during one of my hauls, and it was too good to pass up. Another favorite is the three-leg milking stool from a random antiques store. Someone in the early 1900s probably had this on their farm, and now it sits between my living room and the entryway serving as a stand/drinks table. | Bookshelf, CB2; Floor Light, Gantri; Lamp (on shelf), IKEA; Rug, Simons.One of the most transformative upgrades in this apartment was raising the ceiling. Before, the kitchen felt cramped, so my dad and I got creative. We used a broomstick to tap on the walls and find unused space. Once we found it, we raised the ceiling and extended the cabinets. It really opened up the kitchen and made it feel so much airier. I also decided to relocate the cooktop to the island, which really transformed the space. Now I can cook and entertain at the same time without feeling confined. The island has become the heart of the home—it’s perfect for a cozy solo night, hosting birthdays, or even just sharing a glass of wine over an intimate dinner with friends. I knew the countertop had to be the star, the focal point of the space. I’m drawn to natural materials—pieces with patina, character, and a story—qualities that manufactured options often lack. | Countertop, Stone Tile; Pan, Our Place.The loft-style layout originally had no door to the bedroom, but after eight years, I knew I needed more privacy. We raised the door height and recessed it into the wall, making sure everything was flush to maximize every inch. In a small space, even tiny adjustments—like gaining an extra inch or two—can have a huge impact. | Vase and Wood Plinth, H&M Home. While curating my vision board for [the living area], I found myself drawn to Scandinavian and mid-century modern styles. But more than that, I kept returning to the nostalgia of growing up in cozy, warm homes that always felt inviting. The leather couch was a core piece I knew I had to have from the start. The armchairs, though, were more of a work in progress until I found these cane chairs. They really remind me of the iconic Kangaroo chairs you see in Indian homes. I also layered some Noguchi-esque paper lamps and small tables that double as drink tables and extra seating. It’s great because this setup lets me play with the layout, whether I’m shooting in the morning or entertaining at night. | Sofa and Side Table, Article.I’ve got this light, airy glass-topped coffee table that really anchors the living room, styled with pieces I’ve carefully collected over time. The marble board is actually a special gift from a follower’s small business—it was the first piece of decor I added. Then came the coasters from Stoned Amsterdam, which helped tie everything together. | Coffee Table, Must Societe; Tray, Stoned; Incense; Aesop.My bedroom is sacred—my sanctuary. It’s the one place where, when I close the door, I’ve completely unplugged. I designed the bedroom to be all about relaxation. The serene limewash walls create a calm vibe, and the ‘built-in’ aesthetic is brought to life with this Article bed that has integrated nightstands. I kept everything soft and cozy with velvety textiles in natural hues. I stumbled upon the metal wall sconces on Pinterest and became obsessed. After going down a rabbit hole, I finally tracked down the retailer and ordered a pair for my bedroom. The shape and finish were perfect, and despite the E.U. plug, I had an electrician install them—a true Pinterest-to-reality moment! | Bench and Bed Frame, Article; Sconce, AGO Lighting.I love staring out the window, and the nook is the perfect spot for that. Instead of adding another piece of furniture, I decided to carve out a reading nook in the closet. It meant giving up some closet space, but honestly, it was so worth it for that cozy little corner. The footprint stayed the same, but with a little extra height and some clever design choices, the bathroom feels so much more spacious. I added a see-through shower panel, a built-in medicine cabinet, and concealed storage to keep everything sleek and streamlined. I’ve got an elaborate skin-care routine, so it’s nice to have all my products and fragrances neatly tucked away. My main goal when redesigning the bathroom was to capture a spalike essence. I focused on ambient lighting and cove details to really highlight the soft colors and textures.
