Designer Profile: Nobilis

Nobilis has always been a favorite of mine to work with.  Their collections are gorgeous, diverse and very, very special.  Recently I went to their Paris showroom on the Rue de Bonaparte in the 6^th arrondissement to reacquaint myself with an old friend.

This lovely little vignette shows off two gorgeous fabrics that I fell in love with as soon as I laid eyes on them.  Classic, timeless and elegant.

The Sofa is in a grey hued fabric from Nobilis’ Villandry collection and the curtain fabric is a fantastic contemporary and subtle spin on a heavy damask print.

 This next pair from the Cote Sud collection display a daring print that would pop any bed or living room to life with their vibrant shapes and contrasts

 

 This woven fabric is amazing and would be great as Swedish blinds or even a basic roman blind.  It is actually Asian script on paper woven together – fantastically graphic!

 This is probably my favorite trim I have ever come across and I would use it on every cushion, curtain or bedspread if I could.  It is such a sweet little embellishment and would benefit anything you wanted to add it to!

Nobilis also designs furniture.  Here’s a couple that I adore

This sofa is a beautie!  The curves, lowered armrests and studs would make this a glamorous addition to any sitting room.

These chairs are adorable – their lacquered frames and monochromatic upholstery would be so lovely in a small office or in a bedroom for a dressing or writing table.

 I hope you all enjoyed this little romp around Nobilis.  Hopefully it inspired you to check out more of what they have to offer!

Parisian Mini-Space Living

There has been a lot of global press lately about how people are improving their ultra mini urban apartments into functional, livable spaces.  So I thought it was about time I show you some Parisian ideas from a company I have been intrigued with for quite a while – Espace Loggia.

When you live in a very small space, the only way to live functionally is to increase your square footage.  The only way to do that is to build UP.  Increase the levels in your space where possible.  Espace Loggia has created a number of stylish solutions to the main problem of the studio dweller.  They create separate spaces while improving your storage and increasing your square footage.

Here are a bunch of those ideas for all of my mini-space readers.

This option shows a sweet and styled room that by day is a living room, and by night is your bedroom.  It  even has the built in shelves for your night table!

 Here we have a chic idea for your living room with added storage on the sides as end tables.

And it unknowingly is also the bedroom!  The best part about this is you are replacing the typical hideous pull out couches (that are always horrifically uncomfortable), for a stylish solution that adds comfort and storage to your space (and look, built in bedside tables again!)

 This is one of my favorites - it's SO sweet!  A small office by day, with your bed hovering just under the ceiling waiting for night.

Chic chic chic.  If someone told me I had to live here, I would say great when is move in day!  Lovely and contemporary, this monochromatic design is stylish, Parisian and functional.  The stairs up to the bed even double as loads of storage!

For those of you who need to separate your working space from you living space this is a great solution for you.  A beautiful mock 'wall' that is actually storage space for your office.

I love all of these ideas because it just goes to show that functional does not have to mean UGLY!  Get creative and even a studio can become your own designer palace.

Style à la Canadian in Paris

Throughout my time in Paris, I have been trying to expose my readers to innovative, European design and styles that are either not available or not easy to find in North America.  I wanted to get my readers to think outside the box and begin to open their minds to something different.  Do I actually like many of the things I write about?  Yes, I do.  I find that they give me a design jolt.  They wake me up and I take bits from them and implement them in my own designs.  It opens my eyes to what is out there and forces me to consider and appreciate their attributes.  This is a necessary quality for a designer as you always have to be ready for the rare clients who only want the newest, greatest and boldest designs for their space. 

That being said, I thought I would give you a taste of my own personal style.  The style I use in my home.  You will likely think it tame and subdued, but that is what I love about it.  I don’t like loud, bold colours in my space because I crave the peace and calm solitude that comes from soft, gentle colours, fabrics and shapes.

You might also think it strange that I don’t lean towards the ultra modern and contemporary – styles I often write about!  I love to use them when designing spaces for clients (if that’s what they love), but I am a modern traditionalist at heart.  I truly admire and adore the designs of the past. 

I’ve put together a brief little montage of accessories and spaces that will give you a look into my own personal contemporary-traditional style.  Enjoy!

A gorgeous little cushion I found at Roche Bobois in Lelievre fabric

Les Lampes Plus Chic

With the weather so sunny and warm over the last couple of months I have been racking up a LOAD of photos for you taken during my wandering design walks through Paris.  Today let’s focus on the new lamp collections!

I have a thing with lighting, mainly I think because really it is an accessory.  You can do so much with a room just by adding an amazing light fixture.  It can add interest, fun and in some cases a bit of GLAM.

Here are a few for you to consider found on Boulevard St. Germain in the 5^th arrondissement.

This Roche Bobois lamp of a winding lacquered stair case is very dramatic and would add a lot to any space.  It instantly adds a unique flavor to any blandly decorated beige/grey room.  It’s with pieces like these that help you get away with a very neutral palette without crossing over into the land of boredom.

I love this sweet little side table lamp.  It would be perfect for a bedroom as would add a little sparkle to a lovely, contemporary boudoir.

This lamp is tres cool and the only change in design that takes it from a boring chrome floor lamp with a white shade to a contemporary piece of interest is the SHAPE of the shade.  Funky and modern, it is also a bit practical if you think about it as the shade removes all direct glare from the bulb.

We have all seen a lot of crystal ball, and glass lamp stands over the last few years and though not new still has its appeal.  However, change of shape to the glass stand creates a new look. 

 

Next time you’re out looking for new light pieces, try thinking of them as an accessory and not just as a necessity to light a space.  

Design Shop Profile: Merci

While wandering around Place Republique in the 3^rd Arrondissement yesterday I came across an amazing find.  I walked through an underpass and into a little court yard and stumbled upon a funny old little Fiat with a tree growing out of it.  What does this have to do with Interior Design you ask?  Well I`ll tell you.  Beyond that little Fiat was a massive expanse of design wonder.  A new design concept shop called MERCI.  It was created as a charity project in which 100% of the profits are donated to a charity association that helps women and children in Madagascar.  The space is incredible as it has a strong industrial feel to it with steel stair cases, a vast open space, loads of skylights and old brick walls.  The building itself even dates back to the 18^th century!

The merchandise is a wonderful blend of antiques and new designs.  I am in love with their floor displays which match beautiful, old flea market finds with new, spectacularly designed pieces.  Here are a few for you to peruse through.

This ancient looking dining table mixed with these very contemporary steel chairs is fantastic!  A great pairing of the antique farm look with chic industrial flavor.  I particularly enjoy the addition of the pewter rimmed china.  

 A similar look with antique Chippendale chairs.  I really love the look of the striking white painted on JUST the leg!

 

These tiles are GENIUS.  Each white square tile is fitted with either a little pot, hook for a tea towel or hanging ledge.  There is no destruction of your existing backsplash tiles for clunky storage shelves or hooks - Everything is neat and tidy and in its place.  Fabulous!

With lofts becoming THE number one location for young professionals seeking real estate have you ever wondered what to do with those massive walls?  I think this is unbelievably creative and a fantastic solution.  Imaginary windows painted onto your 20-something foot wall creates a new area for a makeshift garden!  I don`t know if you have seen these new `pots` but they are perfect for those of you who don`t have a backyard.  They are technically bags made out of recycled plastic and are perfect for a mini vegetable garden or just another window box for flowers!  In any case, they are perfect for us urbanites wishing we had more green.

 And with that I will leave you with a few more great images from my new go-to design shop!

The Look of the Alps - Part 2

I acquired so many photos of amazing styles I wanted to share with you from the Alps that I couldn’t cover it in just one blog or you would be scrolling down forever!

Here’s the last of the looks I want to share with you, a mix of interiors AND architecture from Val D’Isère.

These cushions are just perfect for the après ski look.  I particularly enjoy the local maps of surrounding ski resorts.  Cozy, cute and ski lodge chic, they would be perfect to comfy up a bay window or would be great as fire place cushions to help you warm up after a cold day.

This next piece might not be very different from furniture you would find in the Rockies, but I still love it.  The cow hide top and whittled down timber frame is just the perfect finishing touch next to a fire or used as an impromptu side table next to a comfy chair.

With these next few I would like to show you the different style of architecture that you find in the French Alps versus the North American Rockies.  While similar in some ways, I know you will definitely be able to see the added element of history and European flare.

 

I think my favorite look there had to be the slate and stone roves!  They are STUNNING!  Chiseled away to create beautiful, almost spear like tiles they create a unique look that is used everywhere in the town.

Another charming characteristic of European Alp lodges are the beautiful wood carving influences of the Alsace and Swiss regions with hearts, and curves it always reminds me of a beautiful gingerbread house. 

 If you haven’t seen it yet, I know with the next few you will.  The old, European history really stands out at me.  It adds this beautiful, ungraspable quality that you just can’t replicate in the new building styles of the Rockies.  The swaying foundations, centuries old stone exteriors and there tradition of carving the year they were built takes you back.

 

Whenever I go traveling I find that most of the pictures I take are of the extraordinary architecture and styles I pass (much to the dismay of my fiancé who would rather have pictures of us).  These different styles that are so different to what I grew up around influence me in ways that surely I’m not even aware of.  An interesting material, an intricate carving or even a new colour will most definitely get stuck in my head and come out in my designs in a way I probably won’t expect.  Be aware of your surroundings.  Take a second to look up and around – even if you’re just walking to work.  You’d be surprised by the beautiful things you’re missing out on.

The Look of The Alps - Part 1

I believe that the main reason I love design so much is based solely on all of the amazing experiences in travel and exploring I’ve had throughout my life.  When you travel and discover new things it opens your eyes to new styles that you have never encountered before.  Every single one of my travels has definitely influenced my personal style today.  One of these travel experiences was growing up skiing in Park City, Utah - Undoubtedly my second favorite place in the world (the first being my cottage).  The country, ski chalet look has always been a favorite of mine.  I recently went skiing in the French Alps, (a first for me!) and while it has similarities to the Rockie's style, it definitely has it’s own look influenced by Swiss architecture, its VERY long history (we found a building that looked just like many of the new buildings but was from 1759!), and the laid back yet chic French lifestyle. 

Here’s a mix of interior styles that I would like to share with you.

This graphic, which I found on dishes and bedding, has to be my favorite.  The skier jumping, the altitude, temperature and the little Swiss crosses is just PERFECT for a ski lodge.  It is simple, yet different and fun!  A great little addition for your après ski space.

 I found quite a bit of plaid in the forms of curtains, duvets and cushions, and while not atypical of Rocky Mountain style, is still beautiful and compliments that warm and cozy feel you want to create after a cold day on the slopes.

This cushion was probably my favorite find – mainly because it is completely different to anything you would find in North American lodge designs because it is strictly European.  The little Swiss lodge with the crest (something you find fastened to lodge facades everywhere here) is really part of the unique style you find all over the Alps.  There is just so much more history over here.  The history and traditions is what makes it that much different to the Lodge look I grew up with back in Park City.