Tricks of the Trade

This is somewhat of a departure from my usual blogs.  I would like to take the opportunity to point out what design traps not to fall into and to show you that to change and improve the look and feel of a room, you often don’t have to do much!

I went to an AMAZING restaurant last week for my anniversary in Porte Maillot.  The food was beyond perfect, wine unbelievable, and service and chef attentive.  The only thing that bothered me was the décor!

(Apologies for the poor quality of the photos, they were taken quite quickly on my Iphone)

The chairs were beautiful, comfortable and probably cost a small fortune, the curtain sheers worked lovely with the chairs, the curtain poles and finials added a different layer with their shiny chrome finish and cost I would think upwards of 500 euros each.

The thing that DID affect my appreciation of this expensively decorated room was the colour of the wood work.  It was that horrible dark honey coloured wood that you see in cheap condominium kitchen cabinets and was used CONSTANTLY in the 80’s and up to the mid 90’s.

The wood on the chairs is a lovely mahogany coloured stain, the curtains have flecks of the SAME dark brown, so why oh why would they not sand and re-stain all of the wood work in that colour as well!  It would TRANSFORM the room. Take it from in my opinion a disjointed ill-flowing space into a chic, modern and elegant dining room.

The only thing that I could possibly think of is whoever was making the decision may have thought it would be TOO dark.  Of course that would not be the case with the light colour of the wallpaper and curtains.  However; I have come across this MANY times with clients.  They are too scared to create either too dark or too light a space.  And many times the reason is because “Oh well if I use that red or dark brown, my room won’t look right in the summer”.  If you have that mindset, you might as well just use beige throughout your entire house and be done with it.

Yes certain colours and shades are related to the seasons.   Reds and browns are great for a cold room in winter because it warms it up.  Lavender and blue is perfect for a room in the summer because it cools it down.  But, you just can’t be so white and black about colours like that or you would be painting your room a different colour every season!  If you are VERY concerned about this “colour problem” let me assure you – it is so easy to transform a room with the seasons simply by changing window treatments, accessories, cushions and throws - All things that do not have to be expensive and that you can store away.  For example, if you wanted a cozy red room in the winter, all you would have to do to make your room summery is to take down your heavy winter curtains and replace them with flowy, cotton sheers.  You could also put some light linen throws and cushions on your sofas.  Add lots of white and cream in your accessories with candles and flowers and voila!  Not hard and it doesn’t have to be expensive (hint – IKEA has great cheap white and cream cotton sheers).  As long as you’re creative you don’t have to be SO restrained by this never ending question of colour.  Redoing a room can be expensive, so if you’re going to do it, DO IT RIGHT!  Don’t be scared by the unknown, let yourself go and don’t be restrained by these “RULES” I hear so much about.  Yes as I designer there are rules in terms of design theory, but these other colour  “RULES” are just hogwash!  Probably a rumour started by the woman on your street WHO’S HOUSE IS BEIGE!

Illumination à la française

Sick of sifting through the endless aisles of brass, tacky faux finishes and cheap ‘crystal’ chandeliers at your local lighting store?  In Europe, innovative lighting options are MAINSTREAM.  There are endless ideas to illuminate your space in the most innovative and daring ways.  Here are a few ideas:

These two lights from Roche Bobois grabbed my attention because of what they were made of. 

This table lamp’s shade was sculpted into the form of a male torso and is made not from a hard metal but is actually a malleable vinyl!  Showing that it doesn’t only have to be the shape of a design that can grab your interest but it can also be the use of an unexpected material. 

The floor lamp above was also made using the same vinyl and was constructed in a way that reminds me of oriental lanterns stacked atop one another.  In my opinion; a very beautiful departure from the typical, boring floor lamp. 

 This adjustable floor lamp by the French company CINNA is some what of a technical design fascination for me.  It is covered in a moveable, flimsy netting.  Do you remember those tubes you used to play with as a kid where you could trap your finger in it and no matter how hard you pulled you wouldn’t be able to release your finger unless you released the tension? (Actually I think parents use them now to keep their kids in tow!)  The base and arm of the lamp are sheathed in it and you can actually move the sheath around the lamp creating different lumps and shapes. 

I have to admit I stood their playing with it for five minutes before I even checked who the designer was.  (I think the sales lady thought I was a bit of a looneytune)

A great reading lamp and finished again with a very unexpected material.

These are not just ways to illuminate a space but are also an innovative addition to your design scheme.  For my readers back home, take your time when trying to find lights for your space.  Don’t just get fed up and trek over to IKEA.  Look for a light that can provide the dual purpose of illumination and beauty of design.  You won’t be disappointed.

Making Les Vieux Styles........NEW Followup

Just found this SELETTI commode this past weekend and had to share.  This nouveau style for commodes has become somewhat of an obsession for me.  Absolutely love the randomness and subtlety of the one yellow handle.  Enjoy!

Le Recyclage

Instead of using this month’s new trendy paint colour (that everyone else will have) why not do something creative with that feature wall?  Like using vintage posters to create a collage?

When you recycle materials or furniture – whether it’s using them as is or giving them new life with a sand, paint or creative touch you are giving your room not only a more cozy, personal feel, but you’re also giving yourself a more original space -  Something that is one of a kind.  Here are a few more ideas to inspire you.

 I am CRAZY for old reclaimed ceiling tiles.  Here they are used as a finish for a bar in a restaurant found on the rue de Mezieres one block from Saint-Sulpice. 

You can find them in so many interesting colours and in a huge variety of intricate designs.  Historically they were used in Victorian style homes as a cheaper alternative to the intricate plaster work used throughout Europe.  These tiles were usually made of tin and were not only favourable for their look but also because they were fireproof.  Reclaiming used materials such as these tiles is a great environmentally friendly way to decorate your home.

 If you are currently trying to refurbish existing ceiling tiles in your home, you may have some problems finding matching designs.  This may happen if your tile is made with a historical pattern that is no longer in production.  However, don’t despair – you may likely be able to take one of your tiles that is in good condition and create a mould to produce new tiles.

 This is actually my own creation.  I purchased an unfinished wood bar table, painted it white, and then found old post cards from the early 1900`s at Les Puces de St-Ouen, an antique flea market in the north of Paris (these are ACTUALLY used post cards with their notes to friends and families still visible).  I also found a few other cards that were actually part of a display in a clothing store`s window.  When they were done with the display I just asked them if I could have some!  Once I had my full collection of cards I arranged them on the table and used decoupage to adhere them. 

This is something that adds so much fun to my apartment.  It is original and is a GREAT conversation piece when friends visit!

This selection I found on a very quiet street in Le Marais.  The designer has used old drink and vegetable cans to cover the commodes, lamps and mirrors.  This gives these items such character and is also more environmentally friendly than just finishing them in paint.  More items like this can be found at C.S.A.O on Rue Elzevir in the 3rd arondissement or you can check out their website at http://www.csao.fr/

Interior design doesn’t always have to be about having the new fabric collection adorning your living room, or having that new fantastic wallpaper that everyone is raving about.  If you take a little time, get creative, and recycle old materials, you can produce an interior space that I guarantee people will be more impressed by than if you just dropped a fortune recovering all of your furniture.  Happy scrounging!

Is there a particular area of Parisian design that you would like to know more about?  Let me know – leave a comment!

Live Your Life With Colour & Spice & All Things Nice

Have you ever looked at your kitchen and thought  ‘a little colour and fun in here wouldn’t be so bad?’   Well here are a few ideas to do just that.

For that next dreaded coffee date with your horribly boring neighbour where you KNOW the conversation will die out with in the first 5 minutes, and you’ll be left there with that awful, awkward silence wishing you’d said you had to get a cavity filled today – well here’s the solution.  Winged espresso cups!  These just may give you something to talk about, and if not, at least you’ll be left with a bit of a laugh due to that ‘you’re crazy’ look on your neighbour’s face. 

In all honesty, they really are fantastic!  - So creative, and a simple solution to the boring old espresso set.

I absolutely love when a designer comes up with an ingenious way to make an appliance or piece of domestic equipment more attractive yet still completely functional. 

The perfect souvenir from the city of lights!  Especially since it isn’t a souvenir that will sit on a shelf for 10 years collecting dust.

Fromage rapé anyone?  Yes please!

                                                    

Ever wanted something more substantial for drinks at a laid back affair like a picnic or barbecue?  Try these CERAMIC cups made to imitate crushed plastic ones!  First released by REVOL France, they are becoming hugely popular in Europe - so much so that high end McDonalds across Europe are snatching them up for service ware as a way to decrease their pile up of garbage.  A fantastic cute idea that is not only fun but also a more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic!

So next time you’re at a kitchen supply store, think outside the box a little bit.  Instead of getting the boring white square plate or coffee mug – try something different!  Add a little fun to your kitchen!

For more great ideas for the kitchen check out PYLONES and LA VAISELLERIE at the following websites:

 www.pylones.com

http://www.lavaisellerie.fr/

Making Les Vieux Styles....NEW!

One of my favourite current trends is taking old styles (especially from a few centuries ago!) and adding a new element to make them funky, hot and modern.  After a little stroll through Le Marais the other day (an awesome area in the 4^th arrondissement of Paris) I realized that this trend is not just one of the passing fancies – it is EVERYWHERE!  And they do it best in Paris.  Here are a few of my favourite ideas:

A French bombe commode finished in a white gloss and decorated with polka dots

This is an idea that you can take with you – you don’t have to be in Paris!  So if you ever catch yourself looking at an ad for an auction in the paper – why not check it out?  You may not find exactly what you’re looking for, but you’re sure to find a beautiful old piece that you can give new life to.  No matter what your style!

This to me is just SO much fun maybe because I LOVE Toile de Jouy, but maybe also because I love hot pink!  For those of you who aren’t familiar with Toile de Jouy fabrics, it was a style of fabric design and printing which became popular in the 18^th century and was manufactured in the small town of Jouy near Versailles.  It was typically printed on a cream or white cotton with one other colour being printed on it.  These colours usually were black, reds or blues and more recently purple or green.  Above is a typical Toile pictorial in black with the addition of a hot pink chair – random and amazing!  If you want to try this at home to one of your existing cushions just head to a craft store and pick up some fabric paint!  Try Tulip® Fashion Graffiti™ Fabric Paint

(Just as a side note, many fabric designers are becoming more liberal with their toile designs - Check out Manual Canovas or Timorous Beasties)

LOVE THIS – what better way to make your kitchen and table layout young and funky!  They have taken old china patterns and just added a stripe of pink – SO simple yet genius.   If you want to try your hand at modernizing that amazing garage find of yours try using pebeo’s Porcelaine 150.

Fun elements like this add an unexpected whimsy to a room.  If this is too out there for you, you can always add a bright and crazy accent colour in a typical cushion design, throw or other accessory. 

For more fun and funky Parisian inspirations check out FLEUX at 39 & 52 rue Sainte Croix de la Bretonnerie if you’re ever in Paris or just visit their website!  www.fleux.com

After deciding to take some time off work to discover Paris, I have to admit I was pretty scared at first.  This is the first time in my life that I wouldn’t have school or a job to wake up for in the morning.   I was worried that I would become one of those ridiculous housewives that wakes up only to drink the day’s first martini and put on a pink juicy sweatsuit.  Then I realized that I wasn’t in Rosedale…..I was in Paris!! 

Paris is at the centre of the interior design world!  I can wander all day looking for new design ideas, soaking up French inspiration and I can do it all while eating a baguette!  And so with the fear now faded and gone I will focus on just that.  Discovering the new, and loading up on inspiration to take home with me.  I hope this blog will inspire you too.