> Colour Key From the entryway to the kitchen to the bedroom, the entire condo is decorated in black, white and grey, with the only colour coming from dramatic lighting that provides pops of purple and pink. Elegant toile wallpaper in the dining room is reflected in the mirrored backsplash behind the range, lending a playful contrast to the masculine black counters, black cabinets and white subway tile in the kitchen.

> Behind Closed Doors Bills mulled over several design configurations, including a work peninsula, but settled on an island, which offers two exits-perfect for a small space. He eschewed bar stools around the island, meaning storage can be accessed from both sides. When storage is only accessible on one side of an island, the result tends to be too-deep cabinets with clutter buried in the back.

> Light Bright "You’d think someone with my collection of cookbooks would actually cook something," laughs Bills. Aware that he’d rarely be home during the day, Bills had the freedom to light the space for nighttime entertaining. Pink lights give the black and white kitchen a rosy glow, while under-counter illumination provides task lighting when the focus shifts to the chef-or guests-at work.

> Cabinet Shuffle "Hiding" the refrigerator behind cabinetry only works if it’s truly hidden-and Bills thinks two telltale vertical handles are a dead giveaway. He kept the cabinetry look seamless by orienting four stainless-steel handles horizontally on the lacquer-clad Sub-Zero (not shown), creating the illusion of cabinet drawers.