Design that Reveals
Design that Reveals
Creativity is my love, interior design is my focus. Whether it be full service interior design, re-decoration or even online design through Design in a Box, I am passionate about all things creative. Here, I will share insights into projects, inspirations and what's going on in the world of design from Calgary and beyond. Would love to have you follow along.
my bedroom reveal May 10, 2011
exciting news! Jul 13, 2011
design: arbour lake house final reveal Nov 29, 2010
It’s here! and it’s FAB! Issue #2 of Dabble Mag is hot off the virtual presses with bright, bold and beautiful images, full of stories and inspirations. I’ve highlighted a few of my favorite parts and a sneak peak but there’s plenty more inside so pop on over. It won’t disappoint!
Also, be sure to check out the Dabble website. There is design • travel • food content updated daily.
Who could resist this cover image on the beach of Santa Monica? If this was in print and on newsstands it would sell like hotcakes and fly off the shelves. Hint Hint Dabble!
I love this flea market chic living space with mismatched chairs and vintage finds. Casual, comfortable furniture in a modern environment. See more of this home on page 36.
So happy to see my friend Lori Andrews on the pages of Dabble with her bright and sunny bathroom. Check it out on pages 56.
I love the colour and architecture of these buildings in Porto Rico. Learn more about this spectacular Caribbean island on page 116.
And lastly, be sure to get some insider tips on choosing bedding. My latest Reality Check column begins on page 64.
I hope you can find time for yourself this weekend to sit back and relax with a cup of coffee, tea or even a glass of wine and take in all the goodness of Dabble Mag issue 2. Enjoy!
I consider myself to be a fairly patient person but I’ve got to be honest, I’m about ready to lose my mind. We’ve had the longest winter EVER and I’m sooooooo ready for some life. One would think I’d be happy that our snow is gone, and don’t get me wrong, I most certainly am. But I want flowers and green grass like, yesterday! Our sunny blue skies aren’t enough for me anymore and unfortunately I have about another month before any floral lovelies begin to wake up from their winter nap and the ground surely is not thawed enough to plant anything new. So in the meantime, because I’m desperate, I may fill my house and self with flowers. I often find therapy in blogging so in an effort to make myself feel better I’m finding inspiration in these lovely floral images. I hope they inspire you too, wherever you are.
I have always loved the Mademoiselle chair from Kartell and with this floral fabric I’m thinking I could have flowers all year long in my kitchen nook. Great idea, don’t you think?
For more floral goodness, pick up a copy of the latest issue of Martha Stewart Living. It’s chock full of colour and life. There….I’m starting to feel better already.
Images: pillow, glass canisters, market flowers (personal photo from the San Fransisco market), ring, necklace, flowers on window sill, floral desktop, hair accessory.
If you love fabrics as much as I do then you’re sure to enjoy the eye candy below. As a designer we get the inside scoop on new introductions and products. One of my favorite things to do is attend ‘fabric shows’. They are like fashion shows without the runway. Large, beautiful pieces of fabric draped in front of us to touch, feel and gawk at the feast of colour and texture before us.
Last week I attended a showing of the JAB/Chivasso Spring 2011 Collection so naturally I wanted to share. JAB is a leader in the fabric industry and one of the largest fabric houses in the world. Their repertoire consists of everything from traditional to modern, while covering a wide range of price points to meet every budget. Here’s a peak at what I saw……
Grandezza Collection Vol. V is a stunning mix of silks and sheers with hand stitched intricate details.
The white passion collection, one of my favorites of the show is a stunning mix of textures, patterns, sheers and 3-dimensional details.
Fabulous heavy duty linens fit for upholstery and drapery in a rainbow of beautiful colours.
Matlasse Collection is reversible and washable. Perfect for bedding and interesting drapery applications.
Blueprint Collection was by far my favorite, in particular the metallic printed frames on a natural linen background. Stunning!
Well there you have it. An array of fabric fabulousness in the JAB/Chivasso Spring 2011 Collection.
A benefit of working with a designer is the access to fabrics such as the above that are only available to the trade, so if there is anything here that piques your interest, let me know!
When designing, part of my thought process is seeing a room for what it’s not. I know this sounds odd, however I think you can create interesting spaces in areas that are unexpected. Much like the image below of an upper floor hallway. More than a way to get from point A to point B, there’s another element of living here that can happen along the way.
Thinking outside the box and using a space in a different way than you may have first thought can add just the right amount of interest to your home. Do you have a typical space in your home that you could use in an unexpected way?
Would love for you to share!
Image via Google Images: Original Source unknown
Here’s a little colour story and idea board I’ve got on the go for a fabulous young girl and her new bedroom that we’re working on. Just like her, it’s bright and cheery, so I thought I’d leave you with this as I head out for a long weekend. Happy Easter everyone! I hope you have a lovely, relaxing weekend filled with lots of love and chocolate :) See you back here on Monday.
Flower pom poms, bedding, floral fabric, area rug via Layers and Layers
I was recently introduced to Kate Schutz‘ art when I purchased a piece for a Calgary client’s bathroom after their renovation was complete. I had the pleasure of meeting her in person at an event at Domaine and was thrilled to learn more about her artwork. Naturally I wanted to introduce you as well! I love Kate’s passionate description of her art and where she finds her inspiration so please take a moment to say hello.
“My work is about memory. I am fascinated by the bittersweet aspect of nostalgia that is neither entirely happy nor sad, but is a universal experience that humanizes us. The past is a deeply personal and resonant place for people and I am always looking at ways to capture these feelings on canvas; immortalize them and make them big. My paintings are usually larger than life size which makes the subject hard to pull away from. There is both a sense of comfort and awkwardness in my work. I find it easier to represent the universality of these nostalgic subjects if I remain detached a little bit, so I often work from memories that are not my own. My source images come from snapshots from other people’s photo albums and most recently from strangers via requests on the Internet. I am especially drawn to photos that are blurry, disintegrating or over-exposed because visually they look so much like our foggy, fading memories. Recent series have included Birthday Parties, Cities at Night and now a call for submissions for Summer Vacation images. And sometimes, when I need a break from other people’s memories, I go into the woods and paint trees, just to remind myself about the joy of this everyday life!”
Do you have a childhood summertime memory captured in a photo? One that perhaps epitomizes a time where you were free as a bird and thought time could stand still? Kate has a call out for Summer Vacation photos with a contest to boot. Take a moment to dig through the archives or your old summer memories and send it off to Kate. The winner will receive a collection of all the images in postcard form. How lovely to have one of those arrive in your mailbox?
Here is the one I’m going to submit. It’s a photo of my husband and his sister at the beach, circa 1978. Aren’t they cute? One definitely looks happier than the other LOL!
So what are you waiting for? If you don’t submit, I of course have a better chance of winning but I think it would be great to support Kate and help spread the word, don’t you?
Pop on over to Kate’s blog to see what the submission guidelines are and good luck!
You can find more of Kate’s work at Domaine Fine Furnishings in Calgary and also at her Etsy shop.
They say accessories can make all the difference to an outfit and the same can be true in interiors. LOVE this red and white striped handbag. It can take an outfit to a whole new level in no time flat.
Now if you were to apply this same enthusiasm to your decor (and no I’m not just talking about adding a pillow), look at the impact red and white striped wallpaper has in this room. It takes a traditional space and completely transforms it into a playful room with bold stripes and a colourful contrast.
Don’t get me wrong, without the wallpaper this space would still be nice, but try imagining it without and I think you’ll agree that the red and white stripes really make this room sing.
Images: kate spade kennywood small sidney handbag, elledecor
Today’s notes are on a more modern and minimal space. Despite the simplicity it still feels quite comfortable and inviting to me. Whether it be the open shelving housing kids books and toys or the warm grey wall in the background, I can relate to this photo very well as it reminds me of the house we lived in when we had our first daughter. White walls, maple floors, a charcoal accent wall with floating shelves and a large colourful painting were all a part of our decor at the time.
What do you think of the space? Any thoughts of your own to add?
Image Source: Design Wagon
There are certain pieces of furniture that go beyond function and can truly be called works of art. A collaboration between Murray Duncan and Hardware Interiors has become just that. Focused on unique, vintage and salvage findings in an effort to create one of a kind furniture, lighting and art, each piece is a conversation starter in it’s own way. Not limited by conventional applications, Murray’s art is incorporated into the faces of such pieces as sideboards, credenzas and armoire’s creating a statement in any room. Subtle yet dramatic, I adore the graffiti like quality in the hand written text with a message of contemplation.
“the end of monday” 2011 mixed media under resin 48″ x 60″
A collage of both furniture and traditional artwork.
Two armoires with Murray’s artwork incorporated into the doors. Each piece is custom built so whatever your space, size or function needs are, the team at Hardware Interiors are sure to create that special piece and truly a work of art.
You can see more of Murray’s art at Hardware Interiors and Rouge Concept in Toronto or online at www.murrayduncan.com.
Inspired by a new pair of shoes and our bright and beautiful Alberta blue skies, I can’t help but be drawn to the intensity of this classic colour showing up in everything from fashion to home accessories. If you’re shy of colour, blue is an easy one to add and most would gravitate towards the lighter shades. This year, take it up a notch by adding cobalt. It’s like a breath of fresh air.
1. Circa Lighting 2. Moma Store 3. BM Paddington Blue 791 via House Beautiful 4. Marimekko via Finn Style 5. Hammocks and High Tea 6. Anthropologie 7. Prada via Polyvore 8. Crate & Barrel 9. Tory Burch
Image Source: House and Home
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