A Toronto apartment above a store, full of skylights

Sara and her husband Patrick have lived above a store in Toronto for three years, with their dogs Murphy and Norman. Their two-bedroom has about six skylights. The landlord works in film, Sara says, and he put a lot of work into the place. He left some surprises, like a kitchen backsplash made of PVC pipe. The main bedroom has a big shower and a soaker tub.

Sara makes things. She built bookshelves into the old fireplace from scrap wood. A hollowed-out TV she found on the street now holds DVDs and a lamp. After a honeymoon in Amsterdam, she made flower boxes for the bay window. She also built a bench from free Marketplace blocks, sanding and staining them outside in the Canadian winter.

Most of the art means something to the couple, and she keeps adding to the gallery wall. A globe bar cart from Marketplace holds vintage decanters. Patrick's records fill an IKEA cabinet, and their record player is covered in stickers from places they love. Guests sign a chalkboard wall before they leave.

Out back, a large patio gets a lot of use in summer. Curtains give them privacy, and a pizza oven from their wedding is still a work in progress.