/Design Within Reach

Getting Sexy + Bold with Black and Gold : How to Infuse Some Glamour Into Your Interior

Confession time. I have found myself increasingly drawn to the bold and sexy palette of black and gold of late, and here’s my theory: Knowing that I am about to have a second boy and will thus be officially outnumbered for the rest of my life, I’ve been craving ways to infuse more femininity into our home. Not the typical pink and frills, though. No, the kind of femininity that is strong and sexy and holds its own when married with masculine details as well. The kind of feminine that makes both men and women feel strong and safe in its context. So, I thought I’d pull together a little inspiration board of a living room concept that has all the elements I’m looking for.

First, the art. Art does so much to set the stage. It is really the soul of the space in so many ways, and I’m in love with these pieces I found at Art Interiors, especially the dramatic flowers on the black canvas by Madeleine Lamont.

{Painting by Madeleine Lamont}
{Painting by Maya Foltyn}
{Painting by Lindsay Chambers}
{Painting by Lindsay Chambers}

There are so many amazing pieces in this inspiration board! Take for instance this stunning Matis armchair from Brabbu.

There are so many details about this piece that have me swooning – the curvaceous lines, the tufted outside back, the Macassar Ebony deck and legs, the dramatic reptile print velvet. To my eye it marries masculinity and femininity in one sexy statement piece. Spectacular!
I’m also completely head-over-heels in love with the organic yet utterly dramatic Sequoia Center Table, also from Brabbu. Like any strong woman, this piece is a force of nature and glamour.

Inspired by the largest and tallest tree in the world, the wood veneer top and brass “bark” are nothing short of drool-worthy.
Next, the Cobblehill Sofa from ABC Home – it is both soft and modern with its clean lines and decadent velvet upholstery and the soft gold offers the perfect feminine contrast to the dramatic black chairs.
Toss on a couple of black Mongolian lamb fur pillows, add a hit of studded leather for good measure and then create a custom cushion with this stunning Kelly Wearstler gold serpent linen from Groundworks to finish the bold and sexy look.
{Mark my words, I will be working this Kelly Wearstler print into my home in the coming days!}
For side tables, I love the bold yet simple Martini Side Table from West Elm…
…offset by the tribal Abaidoo Stool from Pfeiffer Studio.
Throw in a hit of animal magnetism with sexy legs with a pair of Neta Benches from Oly Studio:
Light it up with the organic, edgy and glamorous Linden Chandelier by Charles de Lisle {already on my wish list}…
…and then ground it all with a classic Moroccan Ben Ourain rug
…and I’d say you’ve got yourself a pretty darn sexy, feminine and fabulous space!
What do you think? Are you into the high-contrast and drama of a black and gold palette? What are your favourite ways to infuse femininity into your space without going all pink and frills?
Hope my musings have left you inspired and thinking about what it means to be a strong, sexy and feminine woman. 
xo
s.
By |October 15th, 2013|2 Comments

Oh Baby! | Jessica Gils Goes Nautical

Happy Thursday! I’m delighted to introduce you to my friend Jessica Gils today – a lovely young interior designer who is also a new mom herself! Jessica has pulled together a very charming, nautically-inspired nursery that has me feeling like I’m tucked away in a sweet cottage retreat. I love the calm and neutral colour palette, don’t you?

Curtains // Mirror // Wall Décor // Crib // Pillows // Bedding // Dresser/Change Table // Rug // Eames Rocking Chair // Floor Lamp

Of course, as always, I’ve done a little interview with Jessica so you can get to know a bit about the woman behind the design scheme!

How long have you been an interior designer and what do you love most about the industry?

I studied Interior Design at Sheridan College and Graduated in 2011. Since then I have lived my dream! It is an amazing feeling to go from a quick concept sketch to wiping clean your finished creation, standing back and then shaking the hand of your happy client.

How long have you been a mama and what do you love most about that new and exciting job?

I was just promoted seven months ago to the highest paying job of a lifetime – Owen’s Mom. The best part of being a mom is being able to have the opportunity to have a small glimpse of how God loves us unconditionally. His smiles and giggles are like food to me, but I wouldn’t recommend them as your main source of nutrition (speaking from experience).

Where do you find your inspiration for interior design?

I find the best inspiration comes from the client – their family, travels, compassion and hobbies. Finding the rich history behind these passions and displaying them for a better appreciation tells a deeper story in design. I love to pull inspiration from the midcentury modern era in combination with eclectic antiquities and add a dash of modern graphic. I also look to many Scandinavian designers for their simplistic style and family friendly living.  My favourite blog (besides The Curated House) is The Style Files by Danielle de Lange.

How has motherhood changed your perspective on work/life balance?

Being a mom has changed me completely! To paint you a picture, I had barely graduated from school, was just married, and had just started into my career. But after peeing on 6 pregnancy test sticks – and after 9 months of prayer – I knew when I looked into those new blue eyes that God’s plan is so perfect and wayyyy better than my “5 year career-focused plan.” As a dear friend said to me while at a Houzz conference, my feet swollen and only days before I was due, “Your most important project in your life is your children.” That really put things into perspective and put my priorities into check. With that said, being a mom makes you look closely at your own life and the things you wish to emanate to your children. Habits had to change in both my husband and I such as our relationship with our bodies in food and exercise, as well as inspiring creativity, compassion, and balance. I have also become an expert in time management and optimizing every moment spared to me (like writing this post while nursing – haha!).

What are your baby-mama “must haves”?

My mommy must haves are:
1. Family & Friends
2. Hydra Sense snot sucker
3. Kawaii cloth diapers
4. Coffee

How do you recharge and refuel to bring such positive energy to motherhood and design?

…Coffee

Describe your dream design project.

My dream design project would have to be my future house. Actually no…scratch that. That would probably be one of the hardest design projects of my lifetime. A very rewarding design project for me might be a community centre project like a recreation centre or a healing centre.  

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Thank you so much for sharing your ideas and your heart with us today, Jess! I have no doubt you will figure out just the right balance in your life as a mom and interior designer as you make your way through this adventure. Kiss Owen’s sweet cheeks for me!
xo
s.
By |August 8th, 2013|0 Comments

Making Summer Last | Outdoor Fire Pits

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the days have started to get shorter. As this terrestrial ball takes yet another spin around the sun, the glorious season of freckles and flip flops is starting to bend her knee in a gentle curtsey. The endless days of summer have started their slow-motion run straight into the awaiting arms of Autumn.

I love the Fall for all it’s splendor. The colours, the crispness of the air, the cozy sweaters, the Fall harvest and the heart-warming meals. But I’m not ready to go there just yet. Summer and I have a few more memories to make together first.

For me, one of my favourite memories is snuggling up by the fire on a summer’s evening under the stars. So for today’s inspiration, I’m featuring two of my favourite fire pits along with a couple of campfire essentials to go with.

As Leonardo DaVinci said, “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” I think that sums these two different yet sculptural simple fire pits quite nicely. Both from Design Within Reach, they have distinctly different personalities. The fire pit above has a more casual air about it, and given its handles could easily be transported in the back of the car for impromptu beach bonfires. The fire pit below has a stronger, more architectural presence to it with it’s very angular, crisp lines. I love that it also metamorphoses into a coffee table when not ablaze.

No childhood campfire would be complete without s’mores! Let’s face it, most grown-ups love them too. I don’t eat sugar so I can’t partake, but I’ve still fallen head over heals for the design of this marshmallow roaster from Terrain.

Organic, elegant and reasonably priced, it adds a designer’s touch to the experience of roasting those white fluffy orbs to golden perfection. Speaking of which, why not have designer marshmallows while we’re at it? Cinnamon Sugar, square and handmade in LA, these are perfect for the foodies in our midst.

Last but not least, why not get designer with your chocolate, too? Artisinal chocolate purveyor Antidote has a banana chili chocolate that will no doubt make campfire conversations much spicier!

However you plan to spend your last few weeks of summer, I hope they are filled with the stuff that memories are made of. If you’re like me, you’ll definitely make time to snuggle up and watch for shooting stars.

xo
s.

By |August 24th, 2012|0 Comments