Living above the shop

Brett Meech owns Conifer Shop in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, and lives in the circa-1860 apartment upstairs. He rotates vintage pieces from buying trips into his home.

The building spoke to him

Brett didn't have a specific town in mind when he bought the place. The building was in great condition, so he didn't need to spend much on renovations.

Minimal renovation required

For the apartment, Brett only had to paint and add a ceiling-mounted shower fixture in the bathroom. The quick turnaround made move-in easy.

A one-burner kitchen

Brett's tiny Parisian-style kitchen has just a mini fridge, microwave, toaster and single burner on a rolling cart. He supports local restaurants instead of cooking elaborate meals.

Splurging on the details

Brett spent money on furniture and accessories like nice drapes. He believes the details make a space feel elevated and special, even when it's small.

A revolving door for decor

Being a store owner means Brett can swap out accessories whenever he wants. When he finds something he likes better, he just rotates pieces between home and shop.

“That's the beauty of antiques, they're timeless.”

Skylights create Parisian vibes

The skylights above the stairwell and in the bedroom are Brett's favorite feature. They make him feel like he's living in a Parisian apartment.

Clever storage solutions

Brett uses antique pieces for storage, like a rolling cobbler rack from a shoe factory and stacked apothecary drawers on a Hungarian table as a secretary.

Prioritize your lifestyle

Brett needed a guest room for his parents, but says others might prefer a den or office. Tailor your small space to what actually matters to you.