‘What is a bookshelf other than a treasure chest for a curious mind’  ~ Unknown

Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing a series of tips and techniques that reflect a courageous approach to design.  The series, Is Your Space Too Safe, will explore five interior design options that require boldness.  The payoff? Unique, personality-filled interiors that dare to leave “safe” behind.  

Tip One:  INCREASE YOUR SHELF LIFE

Homes require maximum functionality for daily living.  Custom built-ins maximize wall space and provide much-needed storage.  With careful consideration of the surrounding architecture and furnishings, beautiful cabinetry can meld seamlessly with the rest of a room, enhancing homeowners’ books and prized possessions.

The back surface of a cabinet or built-in offers a unique opportunity to introduce colour or texture. There are endless paint and wallpaper options out there, offering colour, pattern, texture and flair. This technique can be applied during the manufacturing phase or, for the do-it-yourselfer, once the cabinetry is in place. Such additions can make a bold and sophisticated design statement that goes beyond the traditional plain and matching look. You can also use this technique to reinforce a colour scheme or theme by incorporating an accent colour or motif. 

Books and accessories look fabulous when placed in front of such a treatment.  It creates depth and interest by drawing the eye to the architectural details as well as the objects themselves.

The trick is choosing a combination of accessories that contrast against the background and complement the built-ins. To achieve a balanced and dynamic effect, remember to consider scale and proportion when choosing your objects.

 

‘We have got to get ourselves back to the garden’ ~ Joni Mitchell

Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing a series of tips and techniques that reflect a courageous approach to design. The series, Is Your Space Too Safe, will explore five interior design options that require boldness. The payoff? Unique, personality-filled interiors that dare to leave “safe” behind.

Tip Two:  PLANT BASED INTERIORS

Studies show that nature has a significant impact on our wellbeing, so it’s no surprise Canadians increasingly want plants inside their homes. An interior space with an abundance of foliage is a big trend in 2020. And now, with most of us in self-isolation, caring for plants gives us a meaningful activity to include in our days. 

Here are some tips when planning your own garden space. Both solutions for nature inspired rooms will provide a relaxing space for reflection and contemplation. 

If you are fortunate to have lots of natural light, the trick will be to select plants of varied sizes, colours and textures in order to create a dynamic look and suit the unique light conditions in an environment. Play around with scale in a smaller space by including plants with large leaves. Be sure to include some flowering plants that bloom throughout the year so you will have ongoing pops of colour. Varying plant placement using pedestals, stands and woven plant hangers will help to create a sense of depth, while an assortment of pots in interesting colours and textures, will enhance the decorative effect.

The juxtaposition of the natural world with the real world is enchanting and layering lush jungle wallpaper and large scaled botanicals in your garden refuge will be mysterious and magical. These patterns have been reinterpreted in a modern, expressive format with bold sweeps of colour and large luscious leaves and blooms.  A wall or two covered in a dynamic jungle or sophisticated botanical, paired with inviting seating and dynamic accessories will envelope you with vines and exotic blossoms. 

Having a ‘garden space’ gives us a sanctuary to step into, away from the distractions of home offices and media rooms.  In anticipation of socializing again, now is a great time to be planning your own garden retreat.   Creating a nature inspired living space is the perfect Spring project as we prepare for the welcoming of family and friends back into our homes.   

 

‘Live in rooms filled with light’  ~ Gregory Kay

Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing a series of tips and techniques that reflect a courageous approach to design. The series, Is Your Space Too Safe, will explore five interior design options that require boldness. The payoff? Unique, personality-filled interiors that dare to leave “safe” behind.

Tip Three:  LIVING LIGHT

When it comes to creating atmospheric effects, lighting is the ultimate design element. Layers of light not only assist with the various functions of daily living, but can change the very mood of a space. 

There is a vast selection of luminaires to choose from in multiple styles, finishes and budgets. Making bold choices can add drama, whimsy and interest. Pendants are the preferred choice over an island, but who says they have to match? Why not try multiple shapes and colours. And, If you are blessed  with high ceilings, why not hang the pendants at different heights or space them unevenly. Complementary colours will play up this adventurous detail while giving your space flair.

If you have lots of vertical space, a dropped ceiling with recessed lighting is another way to illuminate an island. This is a bold statement that can provide visual interest and impart a more human scale on a large room. 

In bedrooms, a soft diffused solution always feels right. For example, Marset’s Ginger, https://www.marset.com/usa/lamps/wall/https://  is a wall light that indirectly illuminates spaces. Made of wood and metal, it projects a soft halo of indirect light from a curved plane of laminated wood. In a grouping of various finishes and sizes, the effect is striking and bold. Consider a grouping of three positioned on a feature wall for an unconventional approach. And let’s not forget dimmers to heighten the experience.

I hope these ideas will inspire you to consider a more dynamic approach when lighting  your next interior space.

 

The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt  ~ Sylvia Path

Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing a series of tips and techniques that reflect a courageous approach to design. The series, Is Your Space Too Safe, will explore five interior design options that require boldness. The payoff? Unique, personality-filled interiors that dare to leave “safe” behind.

Tip Two:  EMBRACE THE DARKNESS

Black is both on-trend and timeless. It draws the eye within a space and provides a striking contrast when paired with timber, stone and other finishes. On its own, it evokes drama, minimalism, sophistication and elegance.  For an upscale look, it can be partnered with shades of white.  

Never before has there been such an abundance of black finishes and fixtures in the marketplace. Expect to see lots of black fittings and appliances for kitchens and bathrooms in 2020 and the years ahead. For exteriors, black will remain popular for windows, shingles and accents. Some of my favourite ways to incorporate black include cabinet hardware, light fixtures, tiles, metal surfaces, millwork and upholstery.

Used sparingly, it will elevate your interior. On larger surfaces, such as walls and millwork, it can envelope a space with high drama and luxury. Even pops of black can have a lot of impact, creating a bold and dynamic statement. I urge you start with a few dark elements and, as you become more courageous, add a few more

Creativity takes courage  ~ Henri Matisse

Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing a series of tips and techniques that reflect a courageous approach to design.  The series, Is Your Space Too Safe, will explore five interior design options that require boldness.  The payoff? Unique, personality-filled interiors that dare to leave “safe” behind.  

Tip One:  PAINTING TRIM & WALLS TO MATCH

While it’s traditional to paint trim and walls in different shades, using the same colour can create a striking, signature look. 

You can deploy this seamless look in your own home, for a variety of different effects. 

  • In formal areas such as Living Rooms, Dining Rooms & Libraries, mouldings and trim are an integral design element. Matching the trim and walls can enhance the inviting atmosphere and make a lasting impression.  When all surfaces are painted in rich hues, not only do walls appear more elongated, the whole room seems more dramatic. Using a gloss finish on trim can accentuate the significance of these architectural details, add texture and create definition.
  • In rooms with ceilings lower than eight feet, a continuous line of colour eliminates horizontal breaks, creating the illusion of more height. Why make the ceiling seem lower with different coloured trim? Matching the walls and trim makes spaces feel larger, which is great for small to mid-size areas. It can also be an effective way to disguise ordinary trim rather than highlight it.   

In rooms both large and small, this unconventional technique is worth trying at home.