It was March of 2013 when I received the call from a young couple, referred to us by a great client. They had just purchased a semi-detached home in mid-town Toronto that was in urgent need of a renovation. Urgent, you see, because their baby was due around July 26th, and they wanted to move in at least two weeks before the little one was born. That meant, that we had to be done the renovation within about four months, and we hadn’t even met yet!
Paint above: Benjamin Moore
Welcome to the new age of design. As the new generation starts to move into their new homes, condos, apartments and swanky lofts, they long for something different than what they grew up with. They want to spread their fashion wings, and let their individuality shine. We spent most of the 80s and 90s saturating homes in greens and burgundies. One of my first jobs, as a designer, was to help a client who spent a fortune on a turquoise leather sofa in the late 80s. Yes, you just read that.
Any designer will tell you, they have a secret obsession with the accent chair. Accent chairs offer us easy and fun ways to fill little empty spaces, create punch in an otherwise boring room, use our favourite fabrics, indulge in a sculptural piece, or repurpose the cutest, sweetest, possibly not even usable, old chair that we can live without. But the insistence that every chair in your house must serve as seating holds us back. As does the misconception that your chairs must “match” your sofa, or your entire dining set. Think of it this way. An accent chair can be purposeful or just visual, funky or vintage, cheap and cheerful or expensive and luxurious. Here are some of my top picks for this season!
The sun has finally decided to rear its beautiful head. The snow is GONE (if you live here in Toronto, this might be the happiest day of your life)!! And, I don’t know about you, but my deck has been torn apart! It came with the house. It’s rotting. Not very safe. Not our style. So, my husband and I are getting the back yard ‘decked out’ for a summer of fun. And what better time than to start right now? Before the warmest part of our year starts, so we haven’t wasted any precious summer time?
Often, as the sun FINALLY emerges after the long winter months, it blares its rays into our homes. Aside from the obviously wonderful emotional benefits, there are a few drawbacks to its intrusive behaviour. Rooms warm up, more than we want them to and watching our televisions with the intense glare becomes impossible. We worry about our wood floors fading, our silk drapery rotting and our precious early hours of sleep. While sheers can act as a barrier, true control is measured by the hard working blind. And all the while, we really don’t want that pesky blind interrupting our hard laboured décor. Here are some different blind options, and the pros and cons related to their functions.
Newport style defined: classic design that lends its origins to Newport, Rhode Island, a seaside city along the east coast of the United States. The city boasts beautiful sunsets over the Atlantic Ocean, and is well known as a summer resort destination. Not as beachy as Cape Cod, or neon as Miami, Newport has its own niche style. A style that has been coveted by today’s homeowner. But it’s not super easy to create a space, in Canada, that reflects the vibe of this lovely city, while not looking like you’re trying too hard. Design that looks too conspired never truly feels like a comfy home. And if nothing else, Newport style is comfy, calm, organic and natural. Maybe even a little, teensy bit, Ralph Lauren.
It’s back! It’s been back for quite a while, and although most of us associate wallpaper with the 1970s velvet flocked granny papers, modern times have propelled wallpapers into the future. No matter your design ethic, wallpaper can add anything from some simple texture, a splash of colour or an artistic element. Use it to complete your design, add sophistication or even frame it as an inexpensive, yet unique, piece of art.
What’s your personality? Laid-back? Super-charged? Fun and vibrant? Zen?
Are you sure? Is that how others would describe you, or is it what you wish to be?
It’s just like your clothing. You know, how some people always look so perfectly styled? And it’s never the typical stuff that we all shop for. It’s always bohemian chic, or classic tailored or the like. Those people have already figured out what their story is, or at least, what they want you to believe it is.
