A Touch of Brass

September 19th, 2014

Chrome and stainless steel finishes have dominated the interior design industry in recent years  on kitchen appliances, faucets, accessories and furniture.  This finish, while practical in some applications, has become very common and so, as interior designers we are always looking to change things up.   I therefore love the new trend that is emerging that favours brass finishes.   In fact,  brass has been a mainstay of my aesthetic since I began my Interior Design practice.  It's wonderfully warm,  for example,  in a cool contemporary white interior or vintage and quirky in a more transitional space.   Here are some inspiring images of unlacquered brass. What do you think about the new brass movement? Would you use brass in your home?

View fullsize

The combination of the Arabescato marble and the unlacquered brass provides plenty of glamour and drama in this master ensuite. (Maddux Creative - photograph by Ricardo Labougle)

We love how striking this touch of brass is in this kitchen sink adding character and drama (Restart.it)

View fullsize

The bamboo inspired brass bedposts, unlacquered brass handles and small brass accessories tie the look together, and add a level of luxury to this white master bedroom for a young couple.  (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - photograph by Donna Griffiths)

View fullsize

This bold brass desk,  stark white walls and  textured graphic-patterned rug work so well together because of their inherent differences.  Dissonance can be a strong tool for successful rooms. (James Dixon Architects - photograph by Michael Stavaridis)

View fullsize

From the original vintage ship light fixtures that I sourced in New York, down to the pots and pans, this traditional kitchen (part of a large addition to this  historic house  in downtown Toronto) glows with brass and metallic finishes. Even the the hardware and the pot rail is  brass.  It's the heart of the home and we loved heading up this project  from the ground up to these important finishing  details.   (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc - photograph by Ted Yarwood)

View fullsize

White and wood  allow the brass faucet and gorgeous wall mural to shine in this master ensuite. (Casey Design / Planning Group Inc. - photograph by Donna Griffiths)

Closet Envy

September 12th, 2014

While it may not even be considered a "room", a closet is a very important aspect to making a home functional. Storage, order and organization will help create accessible, efficient and functional spaces. That's why we have shown some closets we designed, as well as some other space saving solutions that we find exciting!

View fullsize

When spaces allow, an island in a master closet creates plenty of storage space for accessories and jewellery. We love the brass hardware against the white millwork. So crisp and fresh! (Casey Design / Planning Group Inc. - photograph by Donna Griffith)

View fullsize

Open clothing racks above drawers makes this closet feel like a retail space. It allows key pieces to be displayed, while still allowing for plenty of storage and organization. (West Coast Capri)

View fullsize

A floor to ceiling mirror is very useful in a walk-in closet. It also makes the space feel larger and more open. Bright task lighting allows our client to effectively use her closet space. (Casey Design / Planning Group Inc.- photograph by Ted Yarwood)

View fullsize

Open shelving in all areas of the closet allows for easy access to a wardrobe. Yellow details such as the ottoman and hardware create a sense of playfulness and character in the space. (Nate Berkus Designs)

Rich, medium toned wood surrounds this master closet, to create a sense of unity. A large island centres and acts as a functional working area for our clients. (Casey Design / Planning Group Inc. - photograph by Ted Yarwood)

The . . . Bed . . . Room

September 4th, 2014

Bedroom design, whether it's for a master, child or guest room, is always based upon one thing - the bed! The bed is the largest piece of furniture in the room and the place where we rest and re-energize. Designing a bedroom is therefore heavily reliant on the design of the bed itself. Everything from the headboard to the sheets and pillow help to communicate the design aesthetic. We've included some of our favourite bedrooms, to help inspire you!

View fullsize

Love the Hastings Bed we used here combined with bold blue textured wallpaper and a lime coloured headboard  and  the white accents- together, they create a crisp and contemporary master bedroom. (Casey Design / Planning Group Inc. - photograph by Donna Griffith

View fullsize

This simple wood stained bed frame in the med-century modern bedroom by West Elm is full of texture, pattern and colour. What a relaxing and intriguing haven to come home to after a long day! (West Elm)

View fullsize

This antique Biedermeier Headboard along with the pattern, texture and value in this bedroom create a luxurious and glamorous retreat.  (Casey Design / Planning Group Inc- photograph by Angus Fergusson)

View fullsize

This bed, inspired by the Case House Study projects in Los Angeles - experiments in residential architecture  from the 1950's,  and the textured lighting fixture, bold colour from some throw pillows and a floral grey wallpaper make this contemporary bedroom inviting, while also acting as a place of serenity for our clients (Casey Design / Planning Group Inc.- photograph by Michael Graydon)

View fullsize

Using a curtain to separate a closet from the upholstered bed is a simple and inexpensive way to work with small spaces. We love the use of light and dark values in this open concept space to make it feel cohesive and organized. (ikea)

View fullsize

A brass bamboo-inspired 4-poster bed anchors the space and complements the surrounding pastel and creme accents. (Casey Design / Planning Group Inc. - photograph by Donna Griffith)

Home Office Style

August 29th, 2014

With many employers providing options to work from home to obtain a work-life balance, we're finding that many of our clients now require a home office as a part of their design programming. Whether it's simple correspondence or working late into the night to meet a deadline, the capabilities and requirements of a home office are often straightforward: desk space, capabilities for a computer / laptop and peripherals, and plenty of storage. However, the design of an at-home office is another opportunity to allow the client's personality and aesthetic to shine through. Here, we've shown some of our favourite at home office designs to help inspire you.

View fullsize

Industrial antiques create a unique sense of character to this space. Juxtaposed with colourful accessories, this home office is playful and inviting. (Casey Design / Planning Group Inc. - photograph by Ted Yarwood)

View fullsize

A painted red brick wall adds some colour to the black and white home office. A wall of picture frames and a striped area rug creates a sense of character in the space. (Casey Design / Planning Group Inc. - photograph by Angus Fergusson)

View fullsize

This small home office is an efficient use of space in a master suite. Keeping furniture and accessories neutral allows the office to be tucked away from view when needed (Harper's Bazaar)

View fullsize

The dark wood built-ins provide ample storage while hiding unsightly ductwork. White chairs and draperies contrast to create a sense of formality in this home office. (Casey Design / Planning Group Inc. - photograph by Ted Yardwood)

View fullsize

An antique industrial sign and desk provide character to this home office for our client and their family. (Casey Design / Planning Group Inc. - photograph by Michael Graydon)

View fullsize

Custom-designed millwork makes this office feel like it's been in this space forever. Open shelving and glass doors make the space inviting. (Casey Design / Planning Group Inc. - photograph by Ted Yarwood)

How Do You Place Furniture in a Room?

August 22nd, 2014

One of the things that many of my clients struggle with is how they should place their furniture in a room. This is often a difficult thing to plan, with so many variables that make each space unique. I consider the following factors essential when creating a functional furniture plan. 

First, I consider the flow and size of the room. Is it a closed, a transitional or an open space? Is there enough space in the room to have different "zones"? These factors will help determine how you place your furniture.

View fullsize

In an open concept kitchen, the dining and living areas required the use of different "zones" to distinguish between the functional requirements of each. Repeating the rectangular shape of the couch, dining table and kitchen island helped to create a sense of structure and rhythm in the space. (Casey Design / Planning Group Inc. - photograph by Ted Yarwood)

Second, I determine what the focal point of the room will be. Is it a stunning fireplace in your living room, or a beautiful view through to the backyard? These are elements that we want users to see first when they enter a room, and furniture placement will be driven by the location of this focal point.

View fullsize

The green walls and fireplace act as the focal point to this room. Aligning furniture in a way that directs the eye to the focal point creates a sense of hierarchy and balance in this room. (Casey Design / Planning Group Inc. - photograph by Michael Graydon)

Finally, I consider the ultimate function of the space. Is it a family room for watching TV? Is it a living room for entertaining? These functions will naturally direct where furniture is best placed.

View fullsize

An at-home library requires space for reading and working. Based on the clients' common activities, this dual purpose space has two zones, a table for work / study, and a seating area for relaxing. (Casey Design / Planning Group Inc.- photograph by Donna Griffiths)