March 28, 2014

Love this cozy library/dining room featuring black walls (Elle Decor).

Painting your walls black might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you're looking at paint colours. But, this is a very powerful tool in your paint selection toolbox and technically, black isn't even a color, so it deserves special attention. Sometimes when designing a home we want to have an area that's cozy and warm, and holds us in. Perhaps you live in a cold climate and you want to have an enveloping atmosphere when you come home at night. For this scenario, I suggest painting a cozy study, small family or living room black. Or if you want to create drama, say in your powder room, black is for you. In my own office powder room, a previously uninspired space was given high drama by painting the walls and ceiling glossy black in combination with a white vintage porcelain sink, antique brass faucets and a gold leaf mirror. The white sink gives some relief to the surrounding black, while the brass adds warmth and glamour. If the thought of black terrifies you, you can almost go there by using a deep eggplant purple paint like Farrow and Ball Mahogany #36. It's very warm and cozy, and you get all the effects of black paint without going as far. Another way to use black would be to paint an accent wall black or the inside of an archway. My point is that color, paint and atmosphere are very personal and all very achievable with a can of paint, so experiment a little and try something a little out of your comfort zone. See below some of the effects you can create with a simple can of black paint. 

Black accents really create a wonderful, graphic bathroom (Paloma).

Living room, cozy heaven. Love the portraits! (Elle Decor).

See the drama and richness of these black kitchen cabinets (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood).

See the drama and richness of these black kitchen cabinets (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood).

Living room: love the black walls, contrasted with the wife sofas and fantastic, patterned coffee table (Elle Decor).

The deep eggplant walls have a similar effect to the black walls, but is a softer and warmer paint selection (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood).


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AuthorTheresa Casey

February 14, 2014

This geometric screen holds the dining room in while still keeping an openness to the space. (Folder of Ideas)

Screens are a versatile design element I like to use as much as possible because of their multiple functions. They are a versatile tool that delineate rooms, create zones for privacy, add texture and often have a decorative quality. They originated in ancient China, eventually spreading to East Asia and Europe, and were first used primarily to help prevent drafts. In classical times they were used as dressing screens in ladies change rooms (think Downton Abbey). Today they can be purely functional, solely decorative or both. Here are some of my favourites. Enjoy!    

Jaw dropping Art Nouveau door to the former C.D. Peacock jewelry store on State Street at Monroe in Downtown Chicago, Illinois. Divine! (Flickr)

Contemporary space that I would love to work or live in with textured wooden screen very effectively adds richness, separation and filtering of light. (Flashdecor)

These Art Deco bronze screens were salvaged from the original Toronto Eaton's department store for my own home.  A great find, especially since the cabinetry had all ready been built and they fit perfectly! (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by ted Yarwood)

I found this door image with a grill pattern very similar to the ones I used above for my cabinets.  Someday I will have my own doors created for a similar affect (this is when a small home becomes a challenge!) (HomeDSGN)

Walk in closet screen nicely divides space and adds richness and texture. (Studio Annetta)

Screen with De gourney wallpaper can be used in the corner of a living room for height and drama, a master bedroom for private dressing or in a  ladies' private sitting room. I would love to feature this in an ultra contemporary white interior. (Belgian Pearls)

For a different take on screens, here I used vintage letter press storage boxes for this dining room buffet. (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc - Photos by Michael Graydon)


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AuthorTheresa Casey
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October 29, 2013

Blue Velvet Banquette (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Colour is the single most powerful tool in the interior designer’s toolbox that makes the most impact for the least amount of money. For the cost of a can of paint, you can transform the atmosphere of your space, and if you hate it, it’s only another can of paint. Hopefully though, you get it right by doing large samples on the wall -  something I do on all my projects.

The biggest key to picking a successful colour is to ask yourself what kind of atmosphere you want the space to have. A good way to figure this out is to ask yourself what spaces that you have been in that  have made you feel invigorated. You may want different moods for different spaces, i.e. you may want a cozy feeling dining room or restorative spa atmosphere for your bathroom. You may be someone who loves fresh pure colours, or soft neutrals, or jewel box gem colours. Whatever your preferences, start with some images that you can use as your visual reference and pick your colours with these images in mind. I love the variety and scope that can be achieved with a simple can of paint. See some examples of the spaces I have designed with these ideas in mind.

Green "Old World" Library (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Bold Blue Dinning Room (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Red Reading Room (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Rich Russet Red Cabinets with Green Countertop (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Raw Linen Red and Orange Wallpaper (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Michael Graydon)

Exuberant Turquoise for the Curved Paneling (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Pretty in Pink Bedroom (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Green with Envy Living Room (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Luxurious Light Yellow Dining (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Warm and Dramatic Purple Painted Office (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Bedroom with Rich and Playful Palette (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Bright and Brilliant Baking Centre (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Multi-colour Master Bedroom (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Perfectly Purple Dining Room Accents (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Dynamically Colored Drapery (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)