May 13, 2016

Who doesn’t love a walk-in-closet! It is one of the rooms that is a must for the well organized home. We are all in our closet at least twice a day so first and foremost it should be extremely functional for maximum efficiency. Aesthetically, I always work with my clients to create a space that is in sync with their client’s personality, organizational style and what makes them feel good about stepping out into the world.

Here are some recent projects:

This smart masculine closet features white oak cabinetry and brass hardware.

This closet for a young bride is one of my all time favourites. Everyone who sees it swoons with the romance and glamour of this room. I paired a 1930's brass fixture with creme coloured traditional moulding built-ins and left ample display for vintage inspired accessories.

This makeup desk is a every girl's dream. I created architectural interest with the panelled archways with hidden storage behind. 1930's sconces give the room a unique, one of a kind quality and the custom upholstered stool is a nice foil for the cabinetry.

I am passionate about details and here I used vintage brass knobs.

I designed this walk in closet as part of a large renovation for a 1920's Tudor mansion in Toronto. Featuring etched glass windows and an island with a leather top, this room is all set for the happy couple to start to unpack.

This "girly" closet for my client's teenage daughter combines raspberry coloured damask wallpaper and quirky porcelain flower knobs.

May 6, 2016

When I see the number of amazing buildings in Toronto that have beautiful line quality I am reminded of my first years of design and art school. Those were my early days of learning about the importance of varying line weights in drawing and proportion in architecture. I find myself intuitively being drawn to the spaces that get it right. Check out the images below for exquisite examples:

The Financial District looking up.

Royal Ontario Museum

OCAD

Brookfield Place

Marilyn Monroe Towers

April 28, 2016

I am never disappointed to step outside my office at Yonge/Summerhill to take a look at the beautiful architecture Toronto offers. In particular, The University of Toronto which stretches wide across the city and it holds several architectural landmarks. The majority of the buildings throughout University of Toronto exemplify Romanesque or Gothic Revival in style but you will also find Tudor architecture as well as Modernist examples.

The main building's south entrance of University College at the University of Toronto

Look at the details of this decorative arch over the entrance of this University of Toronto building. It was built somewhere between 1856 and 1859 by architects Frederic Cumberland and William Storm. The design of this building portrays the Romanesque-Revival style beautifully.

The Convocation Hall in The University of Toronto

The circular shape of this building is certainly inspired by Greek and Roman Classical Architecture. One of its most pronounced features are the exterior columns seen above. These columns are a cross between Doric and Ionic columns, ancient Greek architectural styles.

The Andrews Building in the University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus — The Andrews Building in the University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus

This sculptural stairwell in the interior of one of University of Toronto's buildings was designed by architect John Andrews. He constructed this GTA landmark in 1965 before going on to design the CN Tower! It very well exemplifies the Brutalist architecture era in its style.

Trinity College at the University of Toronto, chapel ceiling

The Gothic architectual design of this beautiful chapel on the University of Toronto campus was designed by architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott who is known for his designs of Liverpool Cathedral and the famous British red telephone boxes.

Max Gluskin House on St. George Street at the University of Toronto

This photo showcases University of Toronto's modern expansion of a Victorian and Georgian building on campus. The $15-million dollar renovation was recently done to expand the department's period building with a contemporary glass-enclosed hallway and three-storey addition.

These are just a few of the beautifully crafted buildings at the University of Toronto - I suggest heading to the campus for a very worthwhile architectural tour!

April 21, 2016

This April my fellow Cosentino Trendspotters and I had one of our new patterns featured in Metropolis Magazine. The Trendspotters: Cheryl Kees Clendenon, Interior Designer Pensacola, Fla., Christopher Kennedy, Architect Palm Springs, Calif., Denise McGaha, Interior Designer Dallas, Drew McGukin, Interior Designer New York City and Steffany Hollingsworth, Interior Designer Santa Fe, N.M. and I met in Spain last fall to brainstorm ideas which resulted in the Etchings Series.

#15 is the new products that we created called Etchings "Ink".

As an invited member of the 2015 Silestone Trendspotter program, we came up with our own design and colour for the Silestone “Influencer Series” that was debuted at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas. We met in January 2016 and our trip to the show included a panel discussion moderated by Elle Décor’s Carisha Swanson.

With our goal of bringing something new, exciting and versatile to the market we developed this unique colour by combining two of Cosentino’s products – manufactured from shards of Dekton cast in Silestone. The design is offered in two colours, Aquatint (soft light-blue) and Ink (black), featured in Metropolis above.

These two materials combined in a single product (Silestone quartz surfacing & Dekton ultra-compact-surfacing) are extremely durable and they are a beautiful graphic pattern fit for a range of kitchen and bath surfaces.

Also, see below a bedroom I designed with fabric walls similar to our Etchings Ink and one of my inspirations.

For newest trends and insight from the Silestone Trendspotters you can follow along on Twitter and Instagram using #SilestoneTrends.

April 15, 2016

Barovier Toso is a company that specializes in Venetian glass light fixtures and one of my favourite suppliers for projects that need an injection of glamour and sophistication. I typically do not purchase new ones, but rather I am drawn to the vintage 1930’s era pieces, such as the bold, brass and glass styles shown below:

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Here’s a bit of history: The company is one of the oldest family businesses in the world, founded in 1295 as simply Barovier. The history of the Barovier family derives from the XIIIth century, when the Barovier family is mentioned for the first time in an official Venetian document. The company headquarters is currently based in the Palazzo Contarini in Murano, a small island in the archipelago. It was not until 1936, that the Barovier family merged with the Toso family's Fratelli Toso Glassworks, to form Barovier & Toso, with the newly formed company specializing in crystalline glass, mother-of-pearl glass, and gold-free cornelian red glass.

The dynasty has continued and developed over the centuries, through generation after generation, and has become one of the leading international manufacturers of specialty glass, producing beautiful and original glass lighting fixtures and decorative vases.

Finally, here is the beautiful Barovier Tosso Pendant fixture that I come home to every night.

Spring Cleaning!

May 13, 2016

The Fine Lines of Toronto

May 6, 2016

Toronto's Architectural Gems at University of Toronto

April 28, 2016

Cosentino Etchings: Ink & Aquatint

April 21, 2016

Barovier Toso - Lighting

April 15, 2016