Design of the Week: Pretty Pastels

The neutral backdrop has allowed the pastel accents to truly pop! Shades of coral, blue and yellow give a bright and cheerful atmosphere and the black, zebra area rug anchors the space and brings it all together. A great design tip - if you are not ready to commit fully to a wallpaper, adhere the paper to canvases and create the perfect wall art!

Bright Basement Design

Who says basements are cold, dark and uninviting? None of these can be said about this bright, warm walk out basement. By selecting light finishes, such as flooring and wall colour, and a comfortable linen sectional with a pop of blue/ green accents, I have created a welcoming entertainment area that guests will flock to.

DESIGN OF THE WEEK...

New York City residential apartments tend to feature very little square footage but showcase beautiful traditional architecture. This stunning multifunctional space has a modern, vintage feel with warm woods, a crystal chandelier, gold and neutral accents and modern clean lined furniture. A perfect room for entertaining!

Design of the Week...

A masculine retreat featuring dark, suede walls, a cow hyde area rug and an oversized sectional in suiting grey fabric. The unique two sided fireplace adds warmth and a cozy element to the space. I think we would lose our men for hours in this room!

Top Nursery Designs

Having a baby is one of the most joyous occasions and designing the perfect nursery can be a daunting task! Here are some beautifully designed spaces that can transition through the years of newborn to toddler without having to create a brand new look.

Think playful and whimsical and forget the matching furniture sets! This amazing rug brings texture to the floors in soft pink and neutral hues.

Use bold coloured accessories with soft neutrals. Spend your money on versatile furniture that can be used for the years to come and does not scream baby nursery!

White subtle walls with accents of warm wood tones allows this transitional nursery to sooth any newborn.

How stunning is this soft, billowing fabric lining the ceiling and draping onto the wall? Do not be afraid to create a bold feature wall. This design is so successful due to its soft neutral and unisex pallet.

Light fixtures are another easy way to add style and flair to your nursery. I love seeing the baby's name in lights!

Design of the Week...

This contemporary great room brilliantly displays the perfect combination of neutral tones and subtle golden hues. The space is quite compact but utilizes scaled furniture that maximizes seating for family and friends. The modern club chairs are absolutely divine!

DESIGN OF THE WEEK...

ASPEN RETREAT

This stunning Aspen chalet has the ideal mixture of soft and hard finishes to create a relaxing neutral space. The focal wall features a wood burning fireplace surrounded by concrete and mosaic tile with a balance of wood cabinetry flanking on either side. 

DESIGN OF THE WEEK...

Contemporary, West Vancouver residence has succeeded in creating a stunningly designed entry way that is able to lead the eye through the space to the wooded backyard. From unique, round hanging pendants to exposed stone walls and glass railings, this open concept home has a rustic modern edge that suites the trendy Vancouver atmosphere.

Pretty In Pink!

 

Talk about a pop of colour! This stunning contemporary design, by a Chicago designer, chose a striking shade of pink to stand out against the neutral background. 

DESIGN OF THE WEEK...

ELLE DECOR

This fashion blogger has a striking eye on layering textures and creating a warm welcoming space with a minimal approach. The animal hide layered on top of the chunky knitted area rug is one of my favorite looks and she has done it so well!

DESIGN OF THE WEEK...

A Traditional Hampton's Estate

Traditional designs do not have to consist of floral fabric, antiques and oversized moldings! This chic great room design complete with a three toned kitchen, two islands, a dinette and a living space with a beautiful view of the country. The warm neutral tones of the furnishings make the space inviting and bring the outdoors in. A bit of glitz and shine in the chandeliers are also an absolute must!

Warmth in Colour

Cool pallets such as grey, white and cool blues are very much on trend this year but we should not overlook warm colour combinations to incorporate into our interior design.

This modern kitchen design is a perfect example of adding a dose of coffee and cream with warm, stained cabinetry, creamy dining furniture pieces and oak and iron stools. The marble countertop and backsplash is used as a great way to balance the warm and cool tones throughout this kitchen.

Peach, coral and orange accents pop throughout this great room to create a stunning, warm colour combination. If you are afraid to pull the trigger and paint an entire room bright peach then choose a warm neutral, such as Benjamin Moore's Shaker Beige, and add accents of orange and coral in pillows  or a fabulous rug to achieve the same look!

Here are some of my favorite, go-to warm neutrals from Benjamin Moore!

DESIGN OF THE WEEK...

This stunning, eclectic foyer gives a sense of casual chic. A clear cascading glass console table with a large Chicago cityscape anchoring the space and surrounded by warm neutrals makes for an interesting foyer.

San Fran Charm

 

 

This San Francisco transitional residence, designed by Angela Free, sports a unique charm of warm neutral tones and metallic finishes. A mix of ultra modern and traditional furnishings with a hint of geometric patterns makes this home absolutely stunning.

Houzz.com

Decorating with yellow!

Adding a pop of vibrant citrus yellow to any space is one of my favorite designer musts! Yellow accessories featured in a backdrop of neutral tones, especially gray tones, create a perfect contrast.

Here is how you can create this look...

Mother's Day Must!

Mother's Day is quickly approaching and what mother doesn't love to have a relaxing pampered day at the spa?
This beautifully designed boutique day spa is located in Mumbai, India and was inspired by asian and european design elements, as well as the Turkish Baths, to create an atmosphere of tranquility and relaxation.
The designer states, "the layout of the spa has been simply segregated with the more public functions like waiting, gallery and meditation spaces on the lower level with the individual massage therapy rooms located at the upper level. Focus on texture and lighting helps to create an environment which appeals to the six senses and accentuates the feeling of getting pampered; the essence of visiting a day spa!" KdnD Studio

http://pursuitist.com

DESIGN OF THE WEEK...

A masculine contemporary design, with warm neutral tones, is a soothing place to lay your head. This bedroom features an ikat/ chevron pattern with upholstered wall panels and a stunning chandelier to add sparkle.

Kitchens...

Kitchens are one of the most loved places in our homes and therefore so much attention and detail go into their designs. Houzz recently surveyed people on everything kitchens and some very interested research came from this.

Cambria Quartz, Galloway

1. Most people absolutely hate laminate and tile countertops and 50 percent of people polled actually choose granite for their favorite tops. Quartz was a close second with 36 percent. My personal opinion is that although granite is beautiful it does have some maintenance and upkeep that comes along with having the natural stone, such as properly sealing your granite every five years and watch out for red wine spills because it will stain! Quartz is my go to top and there are so many stunning patterns and colors now to choose from.





2. 75 percent of pollers said they would like their kitchen to have soft neutral colors throughout. This is no surprise to me as a neutral color palette is a classic look that will stand the test of time. A kitchen renovation is one of the most expensive projects in your home and it is just not feasible to redesign it when a new trend appears!

3. Most people also like the idea of having an open concept kitchen with a large island for guest to congregate.

There are so many great design & storage ideas when you are starting your kitchen renovation. It is always a good idea to consult a designer to focus your design because it can be an overwhelming process and trying to incorporate too many ideas may create a chaotic end product.