This “Basic” Toronto High-Rise Turned “Parisian Chic With Shanghai Vibe”
Sheryl Song moved into this apartment when she relocated to Toronto from Shanghai at age 25. “After a decade of hustling and bouncing between cities for school and work, I was craving a place to call my own — a real home and a solid foundation,” Sheryl explains. “So I took a leap of faith, emptied my bank account, and bought a one-bedroom condo in the heart of the city, just before the real estate market took off. That same month, I brought home a tiny mini dachshund named Tink, and together we began a brand-new chapter.”
“At the time, I could only afford a few simple IKEA pieces, and I painted the entire place myself out of necessity,” Sheryl continues. “Slowly, over the next ten years, I transformed this apartment into a reflection of who I am — one chair, one corner, one layer at a time. Now, coming home feels like being wrapped in a warm hug, like an old friend waiting for you with a cup of tea, ready to hold space for every version of you.”
Sheryl describes her home’s style after 10 years as “Parisian chic with Shanghai vibe.” She admits that her dream one day is to own an apartment in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. “I’ve always been drawn to that Parisian chic aesthetic. As a history major, I have a deep love for vintage pieces. I believe every piece of furniture carries its own story. My marble coffee table, for example, is older than I am. Every time I set down a cup of coffee, I find myself imagining the lives it’s touched before me — and the ones it will witness after.”
“As a Shanghainese woman, I also love weaving my cultural identity into my home,” Sheryl admits. “I often do this through wallpaper — floral patterns inspired by traditional Chinese prints that bring a subtle sense of nostalgia and heritage to the space. My home is a blend of all the places and identities that have shaped me: Parisian elegance, vintage storytelling, and the soul of Shanghai.”
Resources
- Living Room Furniture — Facebook Marketplace
- Dining Table — Facebook Marketplace
- Dining Chairs — Alibaba
- Chandelier — Wayfair
- Wallpaper — Etsy
- Everything else was sourced from Facebook Marketplace
Thanks Sheryl!
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
Share Your Style: House Tour & House Call Submission Form