Clinical psychologist Dr. Matthew Bailly’s affection for Winnipeg runs deep. Originally from Fargo, Bailly fell in love with the city as a kid during weekend trips to Canada. A full-time resident since 2005, Bailly’s condo in the Wellington Crescent neighbourhood is a kind of love letter to the city. With a Salisbury House dining area, a Can-D-Man mural and bus shelter closet, Bailly has created a living space that’s also a genuine work of art.

 “I purchased the place in 2009, and the renovations took two years,” Bailly explains. “When I came in, it was nasty. There’d been nothing done to it since the mid-‘70s. There was carpet in the kitchen.”

 Bailly’s design comes from very specific aesthetic interests. 

“I think environments have an impact on people’s well-being. They reflect the place that we live and the purpose of the space. Instead of drawing from vast, mass-produced types of designs, I draw from the local and look at history,” says Bailly. “I’m interested in the commodification of public space, how those spaces are being governed by corporations. At the same time, people are bringing public spaces into their homes, like the home theatre. I want to flip it completely on its head. I want a home bus shelter, a public wastebasket, and stuff that makes fun of that whole idea.”

1) “Street” entrance

“When you come into the apartment, the idea is to be completely disoriented, to not understand if it’s public or private space. You’ve got the neon, the posters, Can-D-Man in the background.”

2) Panoramic photo of the Exchange

“I made the frame out of steel because so much of the Exchange is there because of advances in steel. The photo catches places I cherish that aren’t there anymore.”

3) Can-D-Man

“I painted him myself.”

4) Harpsichord

“It’s an electronic harpsichord made by Roland. There are only three in Winnipeg, I think. One at each university, and here. It’s a high-end piece, it doesn’t sound like the Casio harpsichord setting. It’s super portable and you don’t have to tune it.”

5) “Turkish bath” washroom

“I spent some time in Turkey and I really admired the baths there. I wanted to bring those tiles into my home. When I found out they were going to tear down the Shanghai, I decided to take a picture of the mosaic tiling and replicate it over the tub.”

6) “Treehouse” area

“This is the ‘Voyageur’ area. This was previously a cement balcony, but I wanted to turn it into a treehouse because we’re right at the level of the trees. It’s supposed to feel like a place out of the rest of the apartment.”

7) Fireplace

“I built all this, there was nothing here before. It’s connected to the ceiling, but don’t start a real fire in there.”

8) Sal’s dining room

“We’re both vegans, and we’ve considered trying to veganize all the menu items on the Sal’s poster. The liver and onions would be difficult, though.”

Published in Volume 69, Number 18 of The Uniter (January 28, 2015)