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
publications: my home in avenue magazine Jun 14, 2012
exciting news! Jul 13, 2011
My husband was actually the one who got me thinking about this trend or *potential* trend. He has been gawking over an Audi TT which he informed me was matte black in colour. Then he went on the hunt for black rimmed eye glasses in a matte finish. He didn’t have any luck, however what he did find was a pair of sunglasses that he then popped the lenses and replaced with his prescription lenses for everyday wear. I started to wonder if he was on to something….
A while ago I blogged about my obsession with black patent, which by the way I am still in love with. I am purely investigating the possibility of another black finish taking the stage and in more of a masculine way.
1. Absolute black honed granite has a smooth, non-reflective surface. It has a softer, warmer appearance and I recently installed it in a cottage that I worked on. 2. I love this Capiza Pendant in Matte Black available at CSN Lighting 3. How gorgeous is this Elizabeth and James matte black onyx ring? Available at Bloomingdales. 4. Moooi Smoke Chair in burnt wood finished with epoxy resin, colour black. 5. Almoco matte black flatware from Design Within Reach. Gorgeous! 6. Ray Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses 2140 matte black ~ the ones my husband bought and turned into eye glasses by changing the lenses. They look really cool :) 7. One of my favorite furniture lines, Oly’s Priscilla, a pretty little side table in a matte black cast resin. I recently purchased this for a client and it’s beautiful! 8. Kohler Torq deck mount bridge kitchen faucet in matte black. 9. Kitchen Aid Artisan Series in imperial black. Would look great sitting on a kitchen counter. 10. The Audi TT in matte black that hubs is coveting. Swoon!
I thought this image did a great job of depicting matte black in a space with the lamp shades, fireplace surround, artwork and even the sofa offering a rich darkness to the space. It’s a room that feels warm and inviting. The black is not harsh by any means, but rather gives a smokey elegance to the space. I think I like it!
So tell me, what do you think about matte black?
Elephants seem to be in a category all their own. They fit into any type of decor from a traditional living room to a young child’s bedroom. Elephants are exotic. They exude both sophistication and whimsy. Symbolizing wisdom, they also add a sense of mystery and character to a space. Regardless of their placement, an elephant of any kind or style will bring strength to your decor or even fashion. Go ahead! Indulge in some exotic flavor for your space.
1. John Derian 12″ decoupage square tray. 2. Elizabeth and James black sapphire, diamond & sterling silver elephant ring available at Saks Fifth Avenue. 3. Jonathan Adler ceramic elephant. 4. Banana Republic cotton elephant tote. 5. Paperweights by iomoi. 6. Birthday greeting from Cartolina Cards available at Modern Paper Goods. 7. Hand blocked linen pillow by Sue Fisher King. 8. Acrylic elephant book ends available at Neiman Marcus. 9. Vitra elephant stool. 10. Dwell Studio elephant bookshelf. 11. Ink & Wit elephant safari tea towel or wall hanging. 12. Personalized ‘peek-a-boo’ bin from Smidgebox. 13. ‘Recycled’ mixed media on panel painting by Michael Cutlip, represented by Jacana Gallery.
Left: GT House by Studio Guilherme Torres via Amy at abcddesign. Right: Anthroplogie Sept. 2010 catalogue.
Ralph Lauren’s Chic Retreat. Image via Elle Decor.
I hesitate even calling this a ‘mini-trend’ as elephants can be a classic and timeless addition to any room.
It doesn’t take a lot of convincing to get me into a sweater and this Fall, how lovely to see this idea transfer into interiors. Adding that extra texture and knit quality may be just what your room needs to give it a warm and cozy feeling as the days start to cool off.
1. I love this knitted pouf that has the look of a big ball of yarn. 2. Throw this over sized ‘snood’ scarf around your neck for instant warmth. 3. A sweater dress is the perfect go to piece when the weather gets cool. Tights, boots and voila! 4. A cable knit sweater for your ottoman…why not? 5. Cozy up underneath one of these chunky knit blankets. 6. Switch your area rug and add one that is thick and chunky. Your bare feet will thank you! 7. A woven rope knob can add texture and warmth to an otherwise simple piece of furniture. 8. These Emu Australia boots are like a cardigan for your feet. Need I say more? 9. Cable knit floor pillow, perfect for any room.
This is just a small sampling of chunky knit items that are in stores now so it’s easy to add this mini trend into your decor (or wardrobe!). One simple item can make a significant difference to your space for Fall.
Don’t these rooms make you want to curl up under a blanket with a magazine and a cup of tea?
Whether in fashion, interiors or architecture, ‘cutouts’ are becoming a high rising trend. Offering a lightness and airy feel, these holes embrace the negative space of an object and create a captivating design and a statement all their own.
1. John Galliano’s first eye wear collection ~ Cutout Arm Sunglasses from Neiman Marcus. 2. Robert Lee Morris Flat Lace Ring available at Neiman Marcus. 3. Normally we strive to keep our clothes free of holes, however Vince makes it a fashion statement with this Linen Torn Sweater available at Nordstrom. 4. Oly Studio’s Pipa Cocktail Table would bring life to several styles of decor. 5. Franco Sarto Crest Shoes in stone. 6. Constantine Pewter 3″ x 3″ Tile from Metal Focus. 7. Eighteen Karat Ramen Vase available at Home Evolution. 8. Bev Hisey takes cutting edge to a new level with her die cut 100% Wool Felt River Rock Carpet. 9. This Dipped Abalone Bowl from Anthropologie has an organic quality to it as if it just come out of the ocean.
Mandarin Oriental in Barcelona Spain. Image via The Coolist*.
Mikimoto Building in Tokyo Japan. Image via ARCHizon.
It’s as simple as a pencil and a piece of paper. Preferably, black on white or white on black. A series of lines that move across a page and become something ~ something beautiful. The idea of a sketch can often be interpreted as preliminary, the beginning of a creative process, however these designers (and several others) have chosen to make the concept of a sketch their finished product. Never underestimate the power of a simple line, and what it can develop into when creativity has it’s way.
1. Love the lines of this sofa/ settee and the simple sketched tulip: Cyrilla Banquette ~ Pure by Ami McKay 2. The very classic Woods Wallpaper from Cole & Sons 3. Blossoms headboard by Holley & Gill adds such a simple yet impressive statement to an upholstered headboard 4. Fabric by Addison House Design 5. Pencils Storage Bag by Jenna Rose 6. To me, this art offers such emotion through the movement of it’s line Daniel Schneider ~ Chandelier Series, 2001. ink on vellum 7. I have owned and loved bedding from Dwell Studio for years. Sketch (pictured) was my latest purchase for our guest room. 8. I love the bold quality of this rug, like artwork for your floor. ‘Swirl’ by Izzy Camilleri for Source UK Fashion Series.
Perhaps this is cliche as I’m sure this type of blog has been done before. This is also very close to the colour of the year announced by Pantone and I have to say I resisted it at first, however this is a colour that has been sought after since the dawn of Tiffany’s in 1837 in the form of the prized ‘little blue box’. The actual colour itself is not made available to the public, however designers are doing a great job of coming very close. We are not only seeing it in large scale forms, but in fashion, small accessories ~ even vacuum cleaners! Everyone seems to be catching on to the colour that most girls dream about, appropriately called Tiffany Blue.
1. Tiffany’s anticipated blue box 2. Kristen leather satchel from Coach 3. Knob from Anthropologie 4. Mosaic tile from Ann Sacks 5. Miele vacuum cleaner 6. Storage boxes from See Jane Work 7. Accent table from Somerset Bay 8. Watelet fabric from Designers Guild 9. DIY painted glass bottles ~ see April issue of House and Home magazine page 36 for the how to. *not available online
I love how this colour has been used to highlight the front entry door of this home. It’s cheery and bright and it says ~ “welcome, come on in!” From the archives of Domino magazine.
So if getting the infamous “blue box” from Tiffany’s is not in your future, don’t despair! Grab a can of paint, a new handbag or a few accessories and add a pop of colour to your room. Maybe, just maybe it’ll even make you want to vacuum!
I’m a huge fan of typography. Letters are a popular accent in home decor and have been for some time. However one thing I’ve started to notice more of is numbers, and I’m loving this mini trend!
Numbers have a sense of organization and a feeling of purpose. They are graphic and they are bold. They can be personal ~ representing an age, number of family members, where you live or time of day. And of course, they can be lucky or unlucky!
Top row: Cast iron fishing weights from Restoration Hardware , Numbered earthenware vessels “digit spice jars” from Anthropologie, Numbered mason jars from Pottery Barn (sadly sold out), Middle: Time piece knob from Anthropologie, Bottom row: Pillows hand screened with numbers and dictionary definition from Pottery Barn, Banker box storage mimicking the look of vintage safe deposit boxes from Pottery Barn, Oval numbers – vinyl graphic wall decals from Etsy.
There’s a certain feeling you get when you’re in a room with antiques and treasures. This trend of ‘well lived’ inspires us to embrace pieces that have been passed down from generations. If they don’t fit into your current decor, change them. Re-upholster in a modern fabric, add a new coat of paint, re-frame or re-finish. If you don’t have any precious family heirlooms, try vintage and antique stores, flea markets, even ebay or kijiji are great resources for finding interesting pieces that will add that “not so perfect” feel to a room.
These days with so much focus on reduce, reuse, recycle, why not opt to hunt for that great find and “one of a kind” piece for your room that’s sure to get a conversation going.
Some of these items may be new however they pay homage to a life well lived and are certainly worthy of being enjoyed for many, many years to come.
1. A school house light fixture – always a classic piece whether modern, vintage, country or retro is your style. Available at Rejuvenation. 2. Vintage frames and mirrors are a great way to add interest to a wall, frame an interesting piece of art or even turn into a chalkboard. Check out House and Home TV for a DIY approach to these lovely frames. 3. You can’t get much more classic and well lived than Eva Zeisel. At 103, she is still designing furniture, glass and ceramic objects. This coffee table, available at Design Within Reach or Maria Tomas, is an example of timeless beauty. 4. A vintage chest against a backdrop of traditional wallpaper with a modern spot of colour. 5. Add a little whimsy to your room with this hand embroidered Jonathan Adler pillow in a geometric pattern and fun colour. 6. White Wash Co. is leading the way in furniture design and manufacturing in Canada. With a strong consideration for the environment in mind there is no lack of style to the many pieces offered in the lineup. This ‘Cory’ chair celebrates a marriage of old and new and a piece I would see working in a space for several years. I feel the need to find a special home for it! 7. Even though these Bacchus DemiJohn Bottles are new from Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams, they give a feeling that they’ve been around for centuries. 8. Hardwood flooring or furniture accents that are made from salvaged wood from barns or torn down buildings are a great way to add a piece of history to your room. 9. A few treasures found from ebay or kijiji. Don’t forget about local flea markets and antique sales. You just never know what special keepsakes you might find!
Below a room featuring a classic camel back sofa, a vintage light fixture with modern shelving below and accent pillows to add pattern and interest creates a feeling of well lived style. Image from the galleries of House and Home.
I have to admit I am smitten with this one. I don’t know what’s gotten into me but I’ve got a hankering to paint my walls black! 2010 could be the year for me to add some deep dark colour to my – cough-sputter-gasp…. – white walls. The richness and warmth is something I’m instantly drawn to. This palette of dark navy/ black and caramel tones has almost a gentleman, club-like sort of vibe that feels sophisticated, yet still comfortable. Now to convince my husband!
1. I love the textured caramel shade and smokey charcoal glass on this Van Teal Lamp from Brand Lighting. 2. An embroidered pillow adds a feminine flare to a more masculine setting, Sotto le Lune Jungle Flower Charcoal pillow. 3. A natural jute area rug adds texture and an unexpected dimension to the floor. Layer it with another rug or leave it on it’s own. 4. I found this piece on Etsy by Eloise Kerr. The title is “Dancing Darkness” and I was drawn to it’s simple movement. 5. The Liam Sofa by Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams combines a modern frame style with a rich navy ultrasuede and antique gold nail head detail. 6. If you’re feeling bold, paint your walls with Benjamin Moore 2131-10 Black Satin. 7. The Collector’s Classics Accordian Table from Ethan Allen is a great accent and compliments the feel of the table lamp. 8. An image from the archives of House and Home magazine showing how stunning a dark wall can be against lighter furniture and rich textures. 9. Another piece from Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams, the Wyatt Chair in a caramel velvet – oh so lovely! 10. Oly Studio rarely disappoints with it’s interesting pieces and attention to detail. They are the extras that help to finish off a room and make it feel special. I love this candle wall sconce with art deco shapes and mirrored inserts.
Ask 10 Designers their advice and you’ll end up with several different answers to your question. That’s because we all have our own unique look and style, as do you. I believe the same applies to trends. There are so many out there. Many of which are dictated by country, climate and fashion trends. I really agree with Linda Reeves of House and Home when she says, “I can’t get excited about a new trend unless I can see it working with what I already have.” New trends are not about starting from scratch and creating a brand new look for your space (although if you are in the market for furniture or are starting a renovation they can help direct you towards the look you are after).
Approach trends with the idea of “what can I add to my current space to update it?” It may be a change of pillows, re-upholstering a chair, adding new lighting or simply changing the paint colour. Or if you’re really feeling bold, dive right in and embrace the trend with several items that will ‘WOW’ your guests.
Over the next few days you’ll see my take on 2010 trends. Often when we see new trends, somewhat like fashion, we love the idea, but we just can’t see them in our own spaces and we can’t relate to them. My goal with these trends is to offer you accessible ways to liven up your space. Items that are easy to integrate because let’s face it, we don’t buy a whole new wardrobe every time the trends change, we add new pieces to work with the classics that we already have.
So let’s get started!
1: Gold-Bronze-Brass-Mustard Yellow
Add a little or add a lot, these metallic colours are sure to warm your space. Living in Canada we have long winters and I welcome any added warmth I can bring into my home. That’s why I’m loving these brassy hues and warm yellow accents.
1. This wood end table from Shine, accented with lovely gold hardware is an easy add if you are looking for a piece for more storage or a place to put your coffee down. 2. If you’re ready for a bigger change, why not add a dose of mustard yellow paint? It’s eye popping and works well with many other colours that you may already have in your room. Farrow and Ball India Yellow #66. 3. This Murray Feiss 2-light Remy pendant light is one of my new favorites. I love the warm colours and the architectural lines of soft curves mixed with a modern square. 4. Wallpaper is still very popular and a new trend is adding it to your ceiling if you feel so inclined. This Florence Broadhurst Signature Print wallpaper will add a warm glitz that will play on light and add a wow factor to one wall or many! 5. This season West Elm is loving yellow, so you’ll have no problem finding a few accents to add to your decor. I love the bold pattern of the Andalusia Rug and brassy hue squares of the Etched Square Silk Pillow Cover. 6. Everyone needs places to hide things so why not make them beautiful? These stylish yet functional boxes are from West Elm. 7. Martha Sturdy, a Canadian classic offers stunning art pieces in metal and resin. These brass lanterns would be a welcome to almost any decor. 8. Make a stand alone piece of furniture feel extra special with a rich and luxurious yellow fabric. Photo from the archives of House and Home magazine. 9. Artwork can be an investment so make sure you love the piece. It’s hard to go wrong with art from Calgary based Marjan Eggermont. Her steel etchings are multi-faceted and rich in texture. Marjan’s work is represented at Herringer Kiss Gallery in Calgary.
A room example below where adding in small amounts of gold, bronze and rich muted yellow adds warmth to an existing neutral palette. Photo from the archives of Style at Home magazine.
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