Meade Design Group - The Blog - Interior Design Victoria BC

TOP 10 DIY HEADBOARDS

2013-06-12T17:02:00.001-07:00

Is your bedroom looking a little lackluster lately? Not excited about where you rest your head? Looking for a boudoir spruce-up on a budget? Look no further, this entry is full of simple and inexpensive solutions to make your dreams that much sweeter.

1. - A designer’s best friend, paint. Long known to be one of the easiest, most impactful ways to change up a room’s atmosphere, it is also one of the least expensive. But don’t go to the trouble of painting the whole space, use a treatment that gives emphasis to your bed by using a colour blocking technique, or if you’re artsy, you could change your headboard on the daily by taking advantage of chalkboard paint. This is also a great space-saving solution.

Try using these images for a little inspiration:

(Above) Create a headboard look by masking off the area around the bed.

(Above) Or, if you already have headboards you’re not crazy about, try extruding the width of the bed with a full-height band of colour, accentuating (or faking) high ceilings.

(Above) We love this retro example that takes it one step further by wrapping the colour onto the ceiling and encasing it in glossy, simple trim.

(Above) A modern, less conventional approach embracing the hexagon trend. We love the pop of colour being in one portion only.

(Above) For those truly talented with chalk, this looks amazing.

2. - If this is all just a little too simple for you and you had something in mind that looks more like a conventional headboard, try adding some intricacy with a vinyl cut-out which can be made at your local signage shop or purchased online through multiple outlets. You still get all the space-saving power of paint too!

(Above) A modern take on a more traditional iron headboard.

(Above) You can even add low-maintenance pets to your headboard like this birdcage/colonnade inspired example (great for kids!).

(Above) A simple outline makes a bold statement in a bright colour.

(Above) You can also print imagery on vinyl to get a Warhol-inspired look.

3. - Another great option for our artistically inclined readers is to overscale your artwork and use it as your headboard… if you don’t have the design gene – you can always just paint a canvas a solid colour!

(Above) The texture in this piece is a amazing in this otherwise simple bedroom.

(Above) A yellow canvas is just the pop of sunshine this space needed to finish it off.

4. - Drapery is another very good friend of designers. It softens a room and adds colour, texture, pattern, and ambiance. A very romantic look, this is a particularly great option if you have a windowless room (creating the illusion that it’s not), or have to place the bed under the window.

(Above) Very clean and ethereal, the empty frame hanging on top gives an interesting layered effect to this otherwise basic install.

(Above) Like a wing chair does for your reading, this concept of returning the rods creates privacy, insulation and will help block light and sound… plus, it looks great!

(Above) Or, go all-out and create your own canopy-style bed for the ultimate in romanticism.

5. - Or maybe you like your DIY projects to be more recognizably repurposed? This is the option for you. Shipping pallets are readily available and affordable. This can be as simple as placing one behind your bed, or you can get a little more inventive…

(Above) This weathered reclaimed piece looks unbelievable in the right space. Very anthropologie.

(Above) You can also feel free to personalize it… it was probably free anyways and you can always flip it over or replace it if you change your mind!

(Above) Multiply the impact by wrapping it up the wall and ceiling. Here they have taken advantage of the space between to hide their cords… very clever!

(Above) Or, go all-out and make a whole bed from your found pallets!

6. – Bolsters or pillows add comfort and style is one fell swoop. It’s easier for some to inject bold colour or pattern in small doses so this is a fun way to test the waters. Plus, unlike some of the above options, they can easily go with you when you move, or be used in another room. It’s all about versatility, people!

(Above) This example pairs nicely with a framed collection, minimal and unobtrusive, letting these treasured pieces shine.

(Above) This is a perfect example of small injections of bold colour and pattern – it’s details like these though that can really make a space.

(Above) A subdued, comfortable space making use of a bolster and artwork – are they trying to get bonus points?

7. - Who doesn’t love a well organized bookcase? No one, that’s who. These examples combine storage and beauty. Perfect for our bookworm followers.

(Above) This simple solution allows the inhabitant to display all of their treasures while grounding the space (so the bed doesn’t just appear to be floating in the room) using modular, readily available shelving units.

(Above) This option utilized units with doors at the base of the cabinetry and proportions that are just oh-so perfect with the width of the bed, providing a more custom feel and easier access – a very rich appeal.

(Above) This solution is perfect for siblings who have to share a room but need their own personal space too.

8. - If you are an expert at scavenging salvage yards, than this option will bring you great joy. Repurposing an older fireplace mantle creates a wonderful focal point and could even bring back some of the original character of your home.

(Above) Using a mantle with an overmantle allows you to elongate the headboard and incorporate mirrors and/or artwork above the headboard in a compartmentalized and beautifully cohesive manner (for those of us who suffer from minor OCD about everything having its place!).

(Above) One lucky person found this beautifully overscaled piece complete with a stunning patina.

(Above) You could even take it one step further by upholstering the area where the firebox would be for extra comfort.

9. Who said rugs had to go on the floor? They can also do double-duty as artwork/plush headboard when you hang them on the wall…

(Above) This carpet adds to the sleek black and white colour scheme, contributing both pattern and texture.

(Above) Methinks this rug was the inspiration for this whole room. But if not, it sure pulls it all together seamlessly!

(Above) Apparently Sassani’s are the way to go for this look!! But really, don’t feel limited in your pattern options. This example shows the rug extended onto the ceiling for added presence and solidified the bed as the focal point.

10. And lastly, another architectural salvage find being put to good use, the shutter. They may not be as popular on exteriors anymore, but are still very well loved in a shabby-chic interior. Probably one of the most unexpectedly versatile options…

(Above) Shutters laid flat against the wall in a typical headboard size and painted to match has a wonderful way of disguising itself as a piece of a furniture suite.

(Above) Mismatched sized and alternating colours make for a more relaxed and playful option.

(Above) Talk about a nautical dream space! Despite its footprint, this wall-to-wall, full-height option looks stunning contrasted against the navy walls, letting just a hint of it peek through the slats.

(Above) Another great use of elongating a double-dose of narrow beds for a strong sense of symmetry.

(Above) And lastly – there doesn’t always need to be a rhyme or reason to how you place your shutters, this asymmetrical mix of frames and shutters is textural, interesting and functional all at the same time! (It looks like they added a corkboard and are hanging some jewelry here… if not – imagine if they did!… you can always make it happen!)

And there you have it! If you’re not inspired by now, I’m afraid you are very hard to please!!

5 TIPS TO BRING A SUMMER VIBE INTO YOUR HOME

2013-06-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

As Seen in SNAP June 2013

Summer officially begins on June 21^st. After having a not-so-great spring, I believe my fellow Victorians and I are looking to bring some happiness and vibrancy to our homes. With longer and (hopefully) warmer days we will be inclined to have more people over to enjoy the best that this season has to offer. Something I have learned is that the summers in Victoria are not the longest. So, we have to maximize the best use of the sunshine-filled time we do get in the upcoming months.

Here are a couple of tips that will bring joy to your home every day, and you don’t need to invest much money to get these great results.

1. My first tip is to have natural flowers (never artificial or silk) in your home – They can be in the form of a plant, even a bowl of fruit or just a really nice flower arrangement. Don’t wait for a special occasion, every day is a reason to celebrate. I have found that flowers are always eye-catching and they are a small investment that will really improve your everyday life. For a local florist, I would recommend Tara McHugh Flora, Poppies, Ramsey & Ramsey or Flowers on Top. These florists offer weekly maintenance/delivery programs, so your place always will look at its best.

Flowers by Tara McHugh Flora

2. Investing in a couple of bright and happy pillows and a lightweight blanket. This combo is perfect for a nice siesta in the afternoon. Nowadays you can even get Sunbrella fabrics which will not fade with the sun and they will last you many seasons to come. To look at Sunbrella fabric offerings, contact your favourite interior designer.

Jonathan Adler Outdoor Fabrics available at MEADE DESIGN GROUP

3. A cheerful set of napkins, chargers and a new tablecloth to dine Al Fresco. Again, you can always find really happy alternatives in places like Target, Canadian Super Store, The Bay and Capital Iron without breaking the bank. Colourful paper napkins can add also an unexpected touch.

Lilly Pulitzer Fabrics available at MEADE DESIGN GROUP

4. If you like to go for picnics at the beach or just sun-bathe at your home, why not pick-up really bold and fun beach towels?

5. For the adventurous ones, try painting an accent wall in a vibrant colour. Another way to introduce an accent colour is to just paint some large canvases in solid colours or stripes. Maybe you have an artist trapped inside, just waiting to get out! Explore you artistic and hidden talents by painting a nice picture to decorate your home.

In the end, summer is all about finding ways to enjoy and spend time with family and friends. Colour is just a way to showcase that we are happy without saying a thing. Be bold, be colorful and enjoy your Summer.

IN CONVERSATION WITH ASHLEY HICKS

2013-05-23T15:06:00.001-07:00

Ashley Hicks

Ashley Hicks has become one of the strongest voices and most recognized names in the design world today. He has done so by his own right, and not by just reinterpreting his father’s legacy. The only son of legendary interior designer David Hicks and Lady Pamela Mountbatten is today one of the most respected designers in the United Kingdom.

Influenced by his father, Hicks studied painting and fine art, graduating from the Bath School of Art and Design and trained at the Architectural Association School of Architecture, in London.He also worked briefly for his father's interior design house, before establishing his own architectural firm, which also designs interiors and furniture.

Creating a name for himself with his own endeavours, Ashley Hicks designed his first furniture collection, named Jantar Mantar, in 1997, starting with his interpretation of an ancient Greek Klismos chair in. In 2002 he entered the world of publishing; Design Alchemy, a review of interiors and products designed by him and then-wife Allegra (they married in 1990 but divorced in 2011; they have two daughters.) as well as a personal memoir of his father, David Hicks: Designer, with a foreword by Tom Ford. The following year he went back to creating tangible products for his admirers, creating the David Hicks by Ashley Hicks collections of fabrics and carpet for Groundworks, before reprising his role as author with a definitive review of his father’s career and life, David Hicks: A Life of Design in 2009.

Ashley has designed architecture and interiors in Europe, the USA and the UK, mixing private residential projects with occasional commercial work. He divides his time between London and Oxfordshire.

Iván Meade – This may be an obvious question - as you were born into design royalty with your design superstar father the late David Hicks - but, What was your first experience with design?

Ashley Hicks – My father missed my birth as he wasn't dressed for it. He was at a dinner party and had to go home to change from black tie to a more suitable outfit for the hospital. So there's a design decision right there! When I was 6, he did a bedding collection for JP Stevens, and used its chic, striped sheets to line my attic bedroom, forming an Empire-style campaign tent, with bed and chairs covered in khaki tweed with scarlet edging, like a British army officer's uniform.

Interiors by Ashley Hicks

Iván Meade – What was the first piece or space that you designed?

Ashley Hicks – At 16, I was allowed to design my new bedroom when we moved out of Britwell to a smaller house nearby. Given a small attic room with awkward shapes, I painted walls, ceiling and woodwork black, with a black velvet carpet and all white furniture which seemed to float in space. Not a scrap of colour was permitted apart from the view of lush, green countryside framed by the circular window. I painted some big pseudo-Warhols in black and white, had one pattern in the room (my father's Clinch in – you guessed it – black and white) and made the inevitable tablescapes of objects suitably monochromatic. Always immaculate, it was ruthlessly chic, but very cold and hard: not somewhere I would feel happy now!

Interiors by Ashley Hicks

Iván Meade – It is clear in your body of work that your design influences are completely different than your father’s – How do you find your own inspiration to create your own design dialogue?

Ashley Hicks – A lot of my inspiration does come from growing up with him and constantly looking at books, museums and houses together, although I later became fascinated by tribal art and natural organic forms, both of which were very alien to his aesthetic. I rather love age and accident, whereas he was all about freshness and precision.

Trepad by Ashley Hicks

Iván Meade - How would you describe your style?

Ashley Hicks – I'm never very good at that! Modern eccentric with classical ideas?

Interiors by Ashley Hicks

Iván Meade – Your furniture line is exquisite and also very memorable. I love how you have played with the concept of visual weight by making the legs of your pieces soft, curved and delicate against the heavier look of the work surface. This change, in my opinion, clearly demonstrates your own language or interpretation of your design vision – How did you come up with this concept?

Ashley Hicks – Thank you! I am fascinated by Roman household furniture, of which only the metal legs usually survive, and I thought what a practical way this was of making things. You can put a table together in 5 minutes! I love to make things myself, so I make a wooden pattern for my legs with sexy curves which I can perfect and then have cast, just as the Romans did. A little less fussy detail, no Bacchus heads or anything, but it's an old idea.

Sabre 56 Table by Ashley Hicks

Iván Meade – Do you like to sketch or work directly with the computer?

Ashley Hicks – Sketch! I draw everything by hand, making terribly amateurish coloured sketches of finished rooms that I find have a bit more personality than those astonishingly realistic renderings people make now on computer. They also give a less precise and more flattering impression, I find, as well as being happier-feeling somehow. Where the computer is fabulous is in architectural drawing – being able to repeat details and take off dimensions so easily, etc – which means that I can do all the necessary CAD drawing myself as it's so quick. For fabric designs, I draw or paint everything by hand but then use Photoshop for colours and effects, which is invaluable. Again, the speed! And the efficiency of being able to email files to the printers for everything from kitchen splash backs to special wallpapers.

Sketches by Ashley Hicks

Iván Meade – How do you bring your ideas to life?

Ashley Hicks – What I love is to keep them looking like ideas. I like things that aren't too polished or perfect, like a fabric that's drawn slightly roughly, as if it's still a little sketchy, still becoming something, still growing. I'm also a crazy do-it-myself person, so much so that I'm about to start carving the 10-foot high wooden columns for my clients' bay window, which I will then faux-bronze myself with my own very crude recipe, before painting a huge pattern of random geometry in parchment colours on their walls.

Thar & Sheaf Dining Chairs by Ashley Hicks

Iván Meade – Your hardware pieces are very organic in shape but you can also see that there is a lot of work in conceiving them. What was that process like?

Ashley Hicks – I discovered marvellous stuff called Super Sculpey used by animation studios and other modellers. I get a bit of wire and twist it into a shape I find interesting, often suggesting the forms of coral that I find on my sister India's beach in the Bahamas, and then mould the Sculpey as feels natural before popping it in the oven, and then sending it off to be cast in bronze. I love it. It's tremendously tactile and fun.

Hardware Design by Ashley Hicks

Iván Meade – What was the best lesson you learned from your father as a son and as a designer?

Ashley Hicks – As a son, I'm afraid I'm not sure how helpful most of his lessons were. He was enormous fun, charming and hilarious, and we did have great times together, but... As a designer, he taught me the vital importance of symmetry and harmony, and how to look at and enjoy old things. Since his death, through doing books on him and working with his archive, I've learned a great deal more, both from what he did, and from what he did not do.

Interiors by Ashley Hicks

Iván Meade - What is the best advice you could give to someone who is new in the world of design?

Ashley Hicks – Enjoy it! And do your own thing.

Interiors by Ashley Hicks

Iván Meade – I really admire your eye to reinterpret the design patterns of your father, the late David Hicks, in different manifestations. What has been your favourite re-interpretation?

Ashley Hicks – I'm never one to choose a favourite. I love each of them differently. I'm very excited about the new, third collection of fabrics, some of them outdoor ones, that are about to launch with Groundworks/Lee Jofa.

Interiors by Ashley Hicks

Iván Meade - Lastly, you have already created a stunning body of work with many mediums and styles. What would you like your legacy to be?

Ashley Hicks – You're kind, but a bit exaggerated! To be honest, I've never thought of myself as having any legacy – I spent so much of my life surrounded by the glories of my grandfather's and my father's achievements, that it's only quite recently that I've been able to think of myself as doing anything of any real interest, but I am still not capable of thinking of any legacy of my own. Perhaps it will come…

Interios by Ashley Hicks

I invite you to vist Ashley’s stunning body of work at his website

LIVING WITH FABRICS

2013-05-01T13:45:00.001-07:00

As seen in SNAP – May 2013

Fabrics can give a room its character as well as reveal as much about your personality as the clothes you wear. Fabrics can be used in interiors in so many different ways – They can be your drapes, the upholstery in your furniture, pillows, table linens, sheets, blankets and even the towels you use every day are a type of fabric (terrycloth).

Iván Meade & Echo Eaton checking fabrics at Meade Design Group Studio

As you can see, we are surrounded by fabrics every day. It seems that using fabrics in interiors should be a very important element in any home, but often this is underestimated. Aesthetically, fabrics add texture, interest, and beauty; but they can also add functionality to your home. For instance there are many reasons to dress up a window: Privacy is usually the first need, to keep out sunlight, to disguise the window’s unattractiveness or an unattractive view, and to add more colour and decorative interest to the room.

Echo graciously carrying fabrics available at Meade Design Group

On the other hand; cushions, pillows and trims come in various styles and can be used to reinforce the lines and style of your upholstered piece. It is also important to select the right fabric for your lifestyle. Something that will be durable, yet comfortable to the touch. People are generally spending more time on their sofas than before, they eat while watching TV, have naps or socialize with friends and pets. For linens in the 90’s a 300 thread count was the minimum requirement for a nice set of sheets, nowadays you can find higher thread counts, but take this with a grain of salt because fiber quality, yarn size, finishing and construction can also affect the quality of a pair of sheets regardless of the thread count. After all, we spend around a third of hour lives in our bed.

Barbara Barry Fabrics at Meade Design Group

If you have kids or pets at home are you choosing the right fabric for your needs? If you have a window facing east or west where the sun hits the strongest – Have you selected the right fabric for your window treatments? – Do you have the softest sheets in your bed? A fabric is defined by four qualities: its hand, which is the way it feels – rough, smooth, thick, or thin; its textural quality – tufts, nubs, bumps, and reliefs, it’s fibres – natural, synthetic, or blends; and its pattering – interwoven or imprinted designs. As a broad generalization, rough, nubby fibers and bold geometrical patterns tend to be more contemporary and masculine in style; smooth, glossy cottons, silks, and pictorial patterns tend to be more traditional and feminine in style.

Window Treatments at Meade Design Group

Fabrics definitely make our life more comfortable and enjoyable. We often forget we are surrounded by them so why not give them the attention they deserve and choose fabrics that are really going to improve our lifestyle?

THE PALAIS LIECHTENSTEIN

2013-04-25T10:00:00.001-07:00

The Palais Liechtenstein, one of Vienna’s and Europe’s most beautiful privately owned palaces has been fully restored and will be open for public tours this spring for the first time. This palace is considered one of the best examples of Baroque architecture and was once the residence of the royal family of Liechtenstein.

Garden Palace Delsenbach etching © LIECHTENSTEIN. The Princely Collections

In the final days of World War II the palace suffered extensive damage from direct hits in a bombing raid and an aircraft crashing into the roof. The ceiling of the stairway on the second floor was completely destroyed, and there was considerable damage to the adjacent state rooms. In the years immediately following the war work was carried out to secure the fabric and repair the worst damage, but due to the financial losses sustained by the family as a result of and after the war, the palace was not restored until 1974/76.

City Palace west facade © LIECHTENSTEIN. The Princely Collections, Vaduz-Vienna

City Palace west facade destroyed © LIECHTENSTEIN. The Princely Collections

Liechtenstein City Palace facade © Palais Liechtenstein GmbH_Fotomanufaktur Grünwald

At a cost of $135 million and four years of hard work by over 500 artisans the palace has restored the place to its pre-war beauty revamping the building for the family’s private apartments, while visitors will finally get a peek at many of its gilded Rococo interiors, not to mention the prince’s neo-classical art and furnishings collection.

City Palace mirror detail © LIECHTENSTEIN. The Princely Collections, Vaduz-Vienna

City Palace Bouquet room before completion © Palais Liechtenstein

SP Prunktreppe mit Teppich © LIECHTENSTEIN. The Princely Collections, Vaduz-Vienna

Square room © Palais Liechtenstein GmbH_Alexandra Matzner

Deeply rooted in Vienna’s history for over 300 years, the palaces of the princely family of Liechtenstein are notable for their superb state of restoration, original interiors and their stunning symbiosis of nature, architecture and masterpieces of art history.

The project was overseen by Hans-Adam II, the reigning prince of one of the smallest and richest principalities in the world.

HSH Prince Hans-Adam II von und zu Liechtenstein

“It was very important to us to renovate the CITY PALACE, which has belonged to our family since 1694. I feel that we have a certain obligation to preserve it for posterity. Elaborate detailed work has been carried out to bring the palace up to modern standards, whilst preserving all of its historic charm. Now we are delighted to be able to hire the house out for wonderful events and to bring it back to life with guided tours,” explains the owner, HSH Prince Hans-Adam II von und zu
Liechtenstein.

With a dramatic palatial staircase, silk wall hangings, and intricate parquet floors the palace has been restored to its full glory.

Garden Palace Prohaska Garden © LIECHTENSTEIN. The Princely Collections

Garden Palace aerial view 2 © LIECHTENSTEIN. The Princely Collections, Vaduz-Vienna

I invite you to visit the website and the video tours of the palace at:

LIVING WITH Art

2013-04-04T09:54:00.001-07:00

As seen in SNAP – April 2013

Often I think that the associations with the word “Art” are too strong and misunderstood. Art does not only belong in museums, public buildings or city landscapes. Art also belongs in your home, your bedroom, your bathroom, and your garden.

Recently while working on a project with a client in some part of the process I mentioned that we needed to consider some art pieces for the focal point of the room and other walls. My client looked hesitant " But I can't afford art in my space, art is so expensive! " Well I said. "Art doesn’t need to be expensive; It only needs to speak to you and your surroundings".

You can find really interesting pieces even in second hand stores. When you bring art to a living environment you bring interest and a more sophisticated feel. Art impacts space in a very personal way. One's art selections can reflect one's mood, vibrancy, culture, and even one's sense of humour in some cases. Art is for me a "stamp in your letter" (Spanish saying) or the icing on the cake for you Canadian people.

I have always been fortunate to be surrounded by art. I always thought that having art in your home was as common as having a dish washer or an iron. But this thought started changing when I realized that people often get intimidated by the word and by the art itself. Art can be found in so many ways – Paintings, Sketches, Photographs, Etchings, Sculptures, Masks, Object d’Art, or even an item of nostalgic value. Art can be expensive – yes! , but also art can be inexpensive; a simple framed napkin with a sketch on it can be art in itself. I wish I could have a sketch by Frank Gehry for example. Why not frame the latest cover of Rolling Stone Magazine or a black and white photograph from a Magazine - Art can be social and art can be political, but the most important thing is that art can be everywhere you are - just need to find it and make it yours.

Sketch by Frank Gehry

Here are some examples of Meade Design Group projects where we have use art.

African Masks + Engravings – Shoal Point Residence

Hand Sketch and Bust – Sherman Oaks

"Man and the Bird" by Artist Cony Valdes - Marifield Project

Black & White Photography – The Village

IN CONVERSATION WITH THOMAS PHEASANT

2013-03-11T11:33:00.001-07:00

Thomas Pheasant

Internationally acclaimed designer Thomas Pheasant is praised for his work in interior design (including his own furniture lines with Baker and McGuire – in addition to his studio collection) for good reason. A master of the effortlessly chic style which is not only comfortable to live in, but also timelessly elegant. His projects almost always include a nod to classical architecture – however subtle, which help to achieve his signature ageless aesthetic.

Thomas is no rookie either. His studio was established in 1980 and is still bustling with beautiful designs in his home state of Washington. He still personally attends to every design decision of his carefully selected projects making each project uniquely his.

Mr. Pheasant’s accolades are endless; from the magazines his projects have graced (Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, Veranda and Traditional Homes to name a few), to books (9 and counting!), and the assortment of awards that have been bestowed upon him (countless from Architectural Digest, as well as House beautiful, among others).

I am so looking forward to sharing his responses with you – keep reading to get in on the conversation…

Iván Meade - What was your first experience with design?

Thomas Pheasant – My first experience was when I was nine years old and I decided to redecorate my bedroom. I painted one wall black, pulled up my blue shag wall to wall carpeting to reveal raw wood floors and made a mobile of record album covers that hung from the center of my ceiling via wire coat hangers. It was my first exercise in turning ideas into reality. From that day on my room became a constantly evolving space until I left for college. It taught me not to be afraid of trying new ideas and that rooms should not stand still.

Interiors by Thomas Pheasant

Iván Meade – How would you describe your style?

Thomas Pheasant – Modern classicism with an eye toward simplicity.

Interiors by Thomas Pheasant

Iván Meade – Why do you think the general public is very fond of your style?

Thomas Pheasant – I think people are attracted to the ease and serenity of my interiors. I believe in rooms that allow one space to breathe, so my interiors speak to a large audience. This direction is not exclusive to either modern or traditional spaces.

Interiors by Thomas Pheasant

Iván Meade – You have a gorgeous furniture collection with Baker Furniture - Do you have a piece from any of your collections that is your favorite and why?

Thomas Pheasant – My latest collection for Baker is a great representation of the direction I am taking in my interiors studio. The collection is inspired by the past but presented as a modern take on luxury. Perhaps my favorite piece is the Athens Chair. It is inspired by the classic klismos form but translated to a unique and modern silhouette. Not only is it beautiful, it is a feat of amazing engineering.

Room scene by Thomas Pheasant (Baker Furniture)

Iván Meade - The selection of your furniture pieces is always exquisite - What inspired you to include pieces in your projects that are no longer commonly used in today’s homes?

Thomas Pheasant – I love that my clients bring diversity to my work through their interests and collections. I enjoy building interiors that are inclusive of furnishings or objects that may not reflect the trend of the moment but are reflective of who my clients are. I think that my own furniture designs have evolved into forms that, while distinctive, are easy to mix with a variety of styles.

Room scene by Thomas Pheasant (Baker Furniture)

Iván Meade – Are you working on any new collections?

Thomas Pheasant - I am currently working on a new collection of limited edition pieces for my own Thomas Pheasant Studio. This new collection will be an active and evolving process of presenting special pieces as objects of art for the home. I am also working on a collection of tabletop items including crystal, silver and china, which will be debuting later this year.

Interiors by Thomas Pheasant

Iván Meade – You have a home in Washington DC and a Pied-a-Terre in Paris – With strong differences with American and European Design how do you translate your own sensibility to create a space that is truly yours, but also a reflection of where is located and your lifestyle?

Thomas Pheasant – I am always true to my ideals of creating spaces that reflect the uniqueness of the location. My Paris apartment was totally rebuilt architecturally in the style of 19th century Paris. I infused the space with my furniture and modern art that reflect my own personal interests. In Washington, my home is a study of classical architecture and my same love for modern furniture and art. The two homes reflect my serene style but they offer me two totally different experiences that connect me to my two favourite cities.

Interiors by Thomas Pheasant

Iván Meade - What would be your dream project?

Thomas Pheasant – I would love to create a luxury hotel that would express a totally new look in modern classical style. The idea of creating a new look in over the top classicism, from interiors to uniforms, would be exciting.

Interiors by Thomas Pheasant

Iván Meade – What do you enjoy about being a designer?

Thomas Pheasant – The constant challenge to evolve through the support and trust of a diverse clientele. It keeps you young and motivated.

Interiors by Thomas Pheasant

Iván Meade – What is the best advice you have received as designer?

Thomas Pheasant – Don’t be afraid of taking your own road.

Room scene by Thomas Pheasant (Baker Furniture)

Iván Meade - What is the best advice you could give to somebody who is new in the world of design?

Thomas Pheasant – Be patient, find your own voice and give yourself time to build your vocabulary.

Interiors by Thomas Pheasant

Iván Meade - Lastly, you have already created a stunning body of work with many mediums and styles. What would you like your legacy to be?

Thomas Pheasant –Elegance through understanding the past while looking to the future

I invite you to visit Thomas Pheasant’s stunning body of work at his website:

BEIGE VS. TAUPE

2013-03-02T11:38:00.001-08:00

As seen in SNAP magazine

The other day I had a very interesting question posted on my Facebook page – What is more chic, beige or taupe?

My answer was “beige is for contractors, taupe is for designers, but I personally prefer creams –which is a neutral option as well”. No offense to Contractors, they do great work; but they have overused the same beige palette for so many years that unfortunately, it has become a very standard and boring colour. On the other hand, beige is a comfortable colour for the majority of people. It can add warmth to a space, and it usually looks good with other colour combinations and many light conditions, so it is a no-brainer.

Taupes & Creams – Interiors by Meade Design Group

I don’t want to advertise that beige is a bad colour, as a designer I think any colour can be a great colour - it all depends on how you are using it and the application of the colour itself. However, many designers prefer taupes & grays as they are more current and sophisticated thanks to their gray/brown/white base. Grays & taupes are soft and their colour value reads well with our West Coast light conditions as they are usually inspired by nature itself. Because we are closer to the North Pole, the light in Victoria is whiter than if you were looking at the same colour in Central America where the natural light has an amber tone. This is one of the reasons bright colours look so good in the exterior of many Mexican homes but not so much here.

Creams with Mauve/Taupe accents – Interiors by Meade Design Group

Light plays a very important role when choosing colour. Light has colour, and white is a colour. You can live in a room without furniture but you can’t live in a room without colour. And since a colour can shape a room as much as any furniture arrangement, your choice of colour is crucial. If you are in the process of selecting a colour scheme, think about the quality of the light and the direction of your window exposure – East facing windows get a lot of light in the morning so the sunlight will be warm and yellowy before noon. West facing windows have a warm orangy-red sunlight after noon, and South facing windows have a warm orangy-yellow light all day. North facing windows have no direct sunlight, resulting in a cool bluish light all day. Using this knowledge, a beige (for instance) can look great in an East facing window and rather green in a North facing window or under fluorescent light. Always check a colour in the morning, afternoon and at night before committing to live with it. A colour will change during the day and will be affected by the light.

Are you a beige or a taupe person?

TOP 25 INTERIOR DESIGN BLOGS IN THE WORLD

2013-02-27T11:30:00.001-08:00

We are so excited to rank number 12 on "The Top 25 Interior Design Blogs in the World". What an honour and privilege to share this list with some of our favourite blogs as well!!!

Thank-you so much to Designs-n-Deal. for selecting our blog.

DIGGIT A new favourite BUSINESS TOOL

2013-02-22T11:03:00.001-08:00

Choosing the right piece is far more important than where you get it from. More and more, clients are looking for a unique look for their homes and are drawn to vintage, antique or up-cycled pieces. This means designers have to be resourceful with both procuring and selling off excess goods. Dealers, auctions and showrooms aside, you’ve got your estate sales, yard sales and - yes, the sometimes dreaded online classifieds. Though free and relatively simple to do, posting on Craigslist or Kijiji can feel a bit daunting. Searching these sites can be hit and miss and you often waste time fending off spammers and scammers. Plus, neither of them are particularly elegant looking and when you’re putting your name out there, you want your online presence to look professional. This is where a new online marketplace called DiggitVictoria comes in.

DiggitVictoria offers some pretty powerful tools for business owners. You can create a free profile and brand it nicely using a full suite of photo editing tools. If you’re selling, you can posts ads (also for free) with descriptions and multiple photos. Basically, you can create a gallery of photos and edit them to look good and add editorial. And because social tools are built into each ad, you can share your ads easily on Facebook, Twitter and through email.

If you’re the one doing the shopping, the search functions are exceptional. Also, Diggit’s tightly moderated, meaning fewer scams and an overall more pleasant online experience. You can also create lists of favourite items, so you can keep track of what you're looking for and watch items to see if the price fluctuates.

Born and bred here in Victoria, BC, DiggitVictoria is poised to to do very well in a market known for its interested mix of demographics. For designers or independent business owners, it’s a great tool to advertise, shop and sell on a safe, secure and stylish platform. If you don’t have the good fortune to live on beautiful Vancouver Island, take a look at Diggit.ca for hints as to where they’re heading next.

We just started using Diggit.ca to sell our excess of finds and we have gotten incredible results.

Let’s buy local – Let’s support local

VIC 42–A SPECIAL Feature

2013-02-07T14:28:00.001-08:00

Today I was included in a great feature that I would like to share with all our blog readers. VIC 42 – A local website that celebrates the unique and interesting people in Victoria - invited me to be part of their collection of personalities. I feel very honoured to be selected and to share virtual space with some of the most influential people in my own community.

I have always said that Victoria has great talent and that we should embrace it – Now we have an opportunity to discover our locals thanks to VIC 42.

Teresa Lindsay & Al Smith are the geniuses behind the VIC 42 concept. A very innovative and progressive platform to showcase talent.

I had the pleasure of meeting Teresa many years ago and thanks to VIC 42, we have rekindled our friendship. Teresa took the time to learn about me and who I am and I could not be more pleased with her write-up. Al’s photography is outstanding – it can be appreciated not only in my own photo, but in the rest of the pictures you can see on their site. Working with Al was a pleasure. He made me feel comfortable during the whole process and now I even have a photo of myself that I like – lol -

I invite you to check this great website and support out amazing local talent in Victoria.

WORKING WITH AN INTERIOR DESIGNER

2013-01-30T16:09:00.001-08:00

As seen in SNAP magazine

Victoria has an extraordinary collection of great designers that can help you to improve your surroundings, while accommodating your needs and personal lifestyle. For the size of our city, Victoria has an extraordinary design industry that is an integral part of your community. With Spring around the corner, you may be considering hiring an interior designer to help you improve a specific room in your home. When you need medical advice, you call a doctor. When you need legal advice, you call a lawyer. Remember, your neighbor is usually “not” a designer and what worked in their place, may not be functional or needed in your own space. There is a big difference in getting the right professional advice, personalized for your home.

Meade Design Group at work

People often think that a designer is an expensive luxury, but designers can actually help you save money. At the end of your project, a designer’s cost in fees is actually close to those of a couple good quality appliances. Hiring a designer will give you the advantage to omit mistakes in your project. A designer will be guiding you in what you need and what you don’t need in your home. Interior designers truly understand your space and what you have to work with and can efficiently translate your wishes and desires into a reality. For example, material selections are often about the choices made and how they are put together for a cohesive material/colour scheme, not about how expensive the choices actually are. Designers provide you with the knowledge, experience and taste to bring your project to another level, and come together more smoothly. Designers can always work with a realistic budget to give you what you want. With a complete vision of your project they can correct things to help keep you in shape with your numbers. Hiring an interior designer who can understand your needs and knows how to maximize the use of your space is priceless. By engaging a designer, you keep everything coordinated. They have strong relationships with contractors, trades and they know how to communicate their ideas and plans with them and get you what you want.

Ivan Meade & Echo Eaton

Interior designers usually work on an hourly or percentage basis. Some important things to consider when hiring a designer are to evaluate their portfolio to see if their aesthetic is similar to yours, to check their years of experience in the business and their references, as well as a contract that spells out what the designer will do for you and what you will pay the designer is a must. As with anyone involved in your project, you need to check that the designer has liability insurance to protect your investment in them. Always make sure your designer has your interests at heart. And don't hire a designer who won't listen to you when you talk. Always be open to their new ideas and suggestions, if you work together you will be pleasantly surprised with how much an interior designer can improve your life.

Au Revoir, to the ‘Grand Dame of French Design’

2013-01-24T12:31:00.001-08:00

Andrée Putman (23 December 1925 – 19 January 2013)

Meade Design Group was saddened by the recent passing of design legend, Andrée Putman. We wanted to include a tribute of her life and work in memoriam.

Andrée was one of the most recognizable names in interior design; her firm has conquered several projects globally from hotels, showrooms, museums, to offices, and some of the most memorable interior design projects around, including the first boutique hotel in the world, The Morgans Hotel in New York (once in 1984 - with the signature checkerboard tile, and again in 2008), and clientele such as Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent and the one and only Karl Lagerfeld. She has also designed products for Christophle (Crystal), Montblanc (fountain pen), and Bisazza (Italian furnishings) and many others.

Interiors by Andrée Putman, Paris 2008

Her parents appreciated the arts and ensured she experienced art in all forms; music, museums and culture - it clearly paid off! Her formal education began with an education in piano and musical composition, however after being told that she would never be a concert pianist (like her mom), she decided to try another career.

After a brief stint as a messenger, where she worked with top magazines in her native France, exposing her to the world of design. Ever the proper lady, Mrs. Putman’s signature proper posture actually wasn’t a result of etiquette classes – she suffered a terrible bike accident as a young woman which sparked her zest for living life to the fullest.

Louis Vuitton Scenography, Paris, 2007

In her early 30s, Andrée Aynard became (as we know her today) Andrée Putman when she married Jacques Putman. Jacques was an art collector and critic as well as a publisher. He further exposed Andrée to the arts with his connections to the art industry (including Pablo Picasso!). Her career began pointing more and more toward design as she worked as the Art Director for the home department if the retail chain Prisunic where she would “design beautiful things for nothing”. Here she collaborated with Jacques on bringing great art to the masses by offering affordable lithographs by famous artists. Before long she was asked to be a part of a new textile industry company, Créateurs & Industriels, where she aided in the discovery of top designers. By her early 50s, Créateurs & Industriels went bankrupt and her marriage to Jacques ended. It was time to follow her true calling.

Morgans Hotel, New York, 1984

Morgans Hotel, New York, 2008

Andrée began working in interior design with her first studio, Ecart, showing a definite appreciation for the 1930s mixed with minimalism. “I loathe pompous luxury. I take interest in the essential, the framework, the basic elements of things.”

Ecart specialized in reissuing modernist French furniture. It was now the late 70s, but Ms. Putman’s big break didn’t come until 1984 when she took on a big project with a small budget: Morgans Hotel in New York. The hotel established her place in the design world and allowed her to show creativity with her famous checkerboard bathroom – using the most inexpensive tiles she could find to create a bold and graphic space which became the Hotel’s aesthetic launching point. She continued to break the rules, opening spaces and thinking outside of the box – she was one of the first people in France to choose loft living. After Morgans Hotel, Andrée Putman was in high demand. …And 24 years later she was welcome back to update the Morgans Hotel with her signature look.

Anne Fontaine by Andrée Putman, New York, 2008

The Andrée Putman Studio was established in 1997 where she opened herself up to many aspects of design: interiors, products and scenography. She continued to make a name and style for herself and took on a variety of unique projects, each with a unique take and sense of humour.

Ten years later Andrée’s dream for her studio came to fruition when her daughter, Olivia Putman, was announced as the new Art Director. They continued to work together on a series of projects for Plevel (piano), Emeco (chair), RAC Paric (sunglasses), Toulemonde Bochart (carpets), Nespresso (coffee accessories) and many others. The firm also secured big scenography projects such as concerts and the Madeleine Vionnet exhibition. A monograph showcasing Andrée’s career was published in 2009 and the city hall of Paris hoted an exhibition in her honour in 2010 which received over 250,000 visitors.

Luminatore, Studio Putman Edition

Nespresso Collection, 2010

Sofa by Andrée Putman

Préparation Parfumée by Andrée Putman

Andrée Putman passed away in her apartment in the very city she lived all her vibrant days at the age of 87 this past weekend. She will be sorely missed.

Au Revoir, Madame Putman!

IN CONVERSATION WITH LORENZO CASTILLO

2013-01-07T13:03:00.001-08:00

Lorenzo Castillo

What a great way to start 2013! – This conversation has been one of my favourites as it originally happened in Spanish (my native tongue), and what better way to introduce the best of the best in Spanish design to North America?

Lorenzo Castillo is definitely the strongest presence in Spanish design nowadays. Castillo’s design aesthetic has defined a unique voice not only in Spain but in France, Shanghai, Hong Kong, U.S.A. and many other places around the globe where he has worked on projects – When you see a project by Lorenzo Castillo you know immediately that his unique vision and talent is behind it – Whether it is a residence, a wedding for the princes of Spain, a yacht, a five star hotel or one of the exclusive Loewe shops by LVH group. Castillo always brings an element of unexpected elegance while creating each of his memorable spaces. His work has been published in Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Marie Claire, Hola!, House and Garden, Attitude, Telva, Nuevo Estilo, and The New York Times.

Recently he has launched his own fabric line under the Gastón and Daniela brand. A fresh take on design with one of the most sophisticated colour palettes I have seen in a long time.

Castillo’s appreciation for the past is evident in all his work. He holds a degree in Art History and has owned an antique shop since the 90’s. His signature style is a mix of antiques with contemporary pieces. Places and spaces that are timeless, but have a current vibe.

I can’t wait to get Lorenzo’s input on design’. please read on to get in on the conversation…

Iván Meade – What was your first experience with design?

Lorenzo Castillo – I used to design for my own pleasure since my youth. Design has always given me a very unique pleasure. Perhaps my first experience with relevance was the design of the LOEWE shops for the LVMH group.

Interiors by Lorenzo Castillo

Iván Meade – What is the story behind Lorenzo Castillo – How and when did you start working in the interior design industry?

Lorenzo Castillo – I started in a very natural way. I used to be really involved in the antique world, the use of antiques had a boom in Spain giving a really decorative feel to the spaces they were used in. My clients started asking me to decorate their homes and the rest is history.

Interiors by Lorenzo Castillo

Iván Meade – What tip would you give to someone who is just starting in the profession?

Lorenzo Castillo – Open your eyes and see your surroundings very carefully and rediscover that hidden beauty. Discover that unique moment that everybody misses and use it to your advantage.

Interiors by Lorenzo Castillo

Iván Meade – What has been the best piece of advice you have received?

Lorenzo Castillo – I remember the kind advice of an old decorator friend that told me to dedicate myself to something else, but I didn’t follow his advice – lol – Now being serious, the best advice I have received was to always be professional and always over deliver, as the new work will always come from that initial work.

Interiors by Lorenzo Castillo

Iván Meade – One of the qualities I really admire in your residential work is the mix of antiques with contemporary pieces. This is a very European design aesthetic in which you respect the past to make the present valid. This is perhaps a parameter that identifies your style and the memorability of your projects. How did you conceive this unique mix and how do you imprint your signature style in your projects?

Lorenzo Castillo – The mix is always about intuition, it is quite difficult to establish rules for a successful interior. There are mixes that work and others that look awful and don’t work. This is part of a trained eye and the way you can balance harmony.

Interiors by Lorenzo Castillo

Iván Meade – How do you achieve a balanced harmony? – I can see symmetry and classic lines in your projects but how do you give them a contemporary feel?

Lorenzo Castillo – Not all my work is symmetrical, actually I prefer asymmetry or the balance of different volumes. I know that Greek or Roman classicism is based on order and balance. I always base my designs on a classic root and I reinterpret this base from a more contemporary point of view. Using a more up-to-date colour palette, and including the architecture of the space and as always, playing with light.

Interiors by Lorenzo Castillo

Iván Meade – Your use of colour is always very sophisticated which makes your projects really resonate with me. How do you create your colour palette?

Lorenzo Castillo - My colour selections are definitely the influence of the world around me. I am always very attentive to see how a specific colour interacts with others. Again, a visual harmony that you could see on landscapes, book covers, paintings or museums.

Interiors by Lorenzo Castillo

Iván Meade – How do you define luxury?

Lorenzo Castillo – Having your dream and perfect home. Your home is a refuge for your taste and needs.

Interiors by Lorenzo Castillo

Iván Meade – What is your main luxury?

Lorenzo Castillo – Having the freedom to live in the way I want to live and being fortunate to have the perfect home for myself.

Interiors by Lorenzo Castillo

Iván Meade – What is the project that has given you the most satisfaction and why?

Lorenzo Castillo – Usually the last one, why? Because I really enjoyed my clients reaction and to see that I have created the perfect space for them.

Interiors by Lorenzo Castillo

Iván Meade – What is next for Lorenzo Castillo?

Lorenzo Castillo – Being grateful for the work I have received and continue working. Spain is in a difficult economic time so I really feel blessed to have good projects on the horizon.

Interiors by Lorenzo Castillo

Iván Meade – Lorenzo, lastly, you have already created a stunning body of work with many mediums and styles. What would you like your legacy to be?

Lorenzo Castillo – I would like to leave a legacy as a person, not so much as a designer. But I also understand that the legacy of a person always disappears and what is left is the ideas. I think my legacy should be to leave an understanding that design is a constant search of harmony and balance; always inspired by colour, volume, and style - but adapting this to a modern and clean sensibility to create that special oasis for the individual who lives in that space.

I invite you to visit Lorenzo Castillo’s website at:

a CHRISTMAS WISH

2012-12-21T12:30:00.001-08:00

Today is our last day at the studio before the Christmas break and we are as you can imagine very, VERY excited. This morning I had the team for breakfast at my place, we enjoyed sharing some holiday cheer with Panetone French Toast and other tasty treats. Santa also came a bit early this year and left some nice regalitos (little presents) for my girls.

The decorations are up and the Xmas cards all delivered. So, we are ready to start enjoying the holiday season. This year we each wanted to share a very special Christmas WISH to all of our clients, colleagues, trades and friends of Meade Design Group in our Christmas Card. So, we decided to share our fondest wishes and favourite things in life to all the recipients.

This year, we digitally printed our wishes in beautiful linen paper by our patient friends at Metropol. A big Thank you to Andy, Alex and everybody who was involved in the project. Also Sabrinita did a wonderful job coordinating the printing of the card.

Every year the number of cards keep increasing so we have to create an assembly line to prepare the cards and send them to all of our friends. This year we sent 320 cards!

And here are our wishes:

I wish you health…

And pastelitos [little cakes].

- Ivan –

I wish for everyone to have joy…

And unicorns.

- Echo –

I wish you gifts of time, love

And visions of sugar plums dancing.

- Sabrina –

I wish prosperity for all…

And at least one snow day.

- Jeff –

And on the back:

Happy Holidays

May all of your wishes come true!

This year also we made some personalized stickers with our MDG wax monogram to close the envelopes.

We hope you enjoyed our holiday card this year – thank you so much to everyone, including our blog readers for making this such a special year for us!

CHRISTMAS AT THE STUDIO

2012-12-12T15:22:00.001-08:00

It’s the moooost wonderful time of the year!! Here at Meade Design Group we love to get out studio into the holiday spirit with an abundance of sparkle (both of the silver and gold variety – mixing it up a little this year with our metals being the trendsetter we are), tartan and festive shades of rich red.

Looking for a little inspiration for your own holiday decorating? Look no further – here are a few ideas you could incorporate into your own home, many of these ideas would look great in multiple colour palettes as well, so you can bring your own flavour into it!!

A custom square wreath by Tara McHugh Flora greets our guests with both the look and scent of Christmas cheer!

These three little wise musicians come bearing gifts of shimmering festive décor.

Our tree was fortunate to be the star (well, only second to the adorable Lupa, who always manages to steal the show) of Y.A.M.’s Holiday Issue.

A couple of close ups of some of our favourite ornaments – new this year is the golden laurel leaf garden which adds extra sparkle and warmth.

Tara McHugh Flora also created this fun base for our paper-whites with a combination of mosses, natural pinecones, ornaments and mini pinecones which were spray-painted a golden hue.

Our tartan teddy got to come out of hiding once again, he sits proudly in the studio’s meeting room.

And of course, these little chubby pajaritos are back too – dispersed throughout the arms of our chandelier.

It's only animal cruelty if they are alive right? The Silver reindeer are perfectly content in their apothecary encasement.

Even our Frances Semple horse sculpture is feeling festive with it’s tartan bow with long curly tails.

As you can see, now it fits right into the rest of the studio’s holiday décor!

And finally, this repetition of three of Tara McHugh Flora’s wreaths is stunning both from inside the studio and the lookie-loos doing their holiday shopping along Government Street.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!

We hope you are able to enjoy them with your loved ones, hopefully in a space that feels as festive as ours… you know who to call if you need a little help in that department!

IN CONVERSATION WITH JEFF SMITH

2012-11-29T16:58:00.000-08:00

Jeff Smith

Jeff Smith is the owner of Smith Designs, a reputable and innovative architectural and interior design firm in Victoria BC. I admire Jeff’s attention to detail and his ability to tackle any style of project while continuing to find new solutions that are both functional and beautiful. Smith Designs has also not only worked on a range of styles, but also project types (residential to commercial) and locations (local and international).

In business since 1987 and the recipient of multiple CHBA CARE Awards, and Georgie nominations, Smith Designs is known for the words that Jeff lives by “Clean, focused and finished”. The company is also renowned for the customer service and personal attention given to each project.

I can’t wait to get Jeff’s input on design (locally and globally), please read on to get in on the conversation…

Iván Meade - What was your first experience with design?

Jeff Smith -My mother loved wallpapering, so I had to learn to survive.... my childhood daydreaming was renovation.

Interiors by Jeff Smith

Iván Meade - What is your favorite local find? Where did you get this item?

Jeff Smith – A teachers 'learning' to read book with Janet and Jack and Lucky the dog and Puff the kitten from the 30's, It makes me smile and think of innocence and unbridled joy. I bought it in a thrift store twenty odd years ago. I thought I'd use it in a child's room one day but have yet been able to give it up.

Interiors by Jeff Smith

Iván Meade – Why is important to you? How does this item reflect upon your personal design philosophy?

Jeff Smith – To embrace new technology, be open to discovery and never be afraid to try something new. Design is an organic process that sometimes can take you by the hand and lead you to something innovative and fresh.

Interiors by Jeff Smith

Iván Meade – What is unique to contemporary west coast design? I believe you are breaking the mold and showcasing your work in a new and more up to date interpretation of west coast design – how do you achieve this?

Jeff Smith - I think we have come to a point in time that we no longer have to apologize for our love affair with nature and our more laid back west coast lifestyle. That doesn't have to mean driftwood railings and beer can art, it simply means we've found the balance where contemporary living incorporates a new sensitivity to nature and quality of life style. Our homes and offices should support our personalities and not cause us to stumble throughout the day. I try to be honest to the space and incorporate new elements that reflect light and offer up a fresh attitude.

Interiors by Jeff Smith

Iván Meade – I noticed that in your projects you like to use chrome, I actually should say a custom use of chrome; which definitely adds a sense of uniqueness to each of your projects. How do you sell the idea of custom to your clients?

Jeff Smith - Custom work is like a fingerprint , uniquely yours. It expresses an individuality that I feel is important in almost every project...and it often is the only way to resolve design issues when they come up. We always have said there are no problems, only solutions. Not all solutions are in a tidy box at your local supply store. So if custom is where you end up, just make it beautiful .

Interiors by Jeff Smith

Iván Meade - Space nowadays is at a premium – As a designer, it is clear that the adequate use of space is really important to you, but how do you incorporate these principles into your personal home?

Jeff Smith -For me, the truth in design lays in the act of reduction. Its easy to fill a space with a lot of beautiful objects but that doesn't make the room beautiful. Again, balance is the operative word. finding that place where anything less isn't enough and anything more is, well, too much. Let the space breathe, give it light and let the elements have their 15 minutes of fame...and all that other stuff, get rid of it. Enjoy what you have.

Interiors by Jeff Smith

Iván Meade - What is the most practical thing that you own and what is the most rare?

Jeff Smith - My sense of humour is a practical aspect in my work. This industry involves a lot of on the spot decision making, mix in some handholding of nervous (never renovated before) clients, trades people, and shipping and handling of products and equipment, neither of which tend to show up when you really, really want them and you better have a healthy sense of humour. The most rare is a tough question. I love art, each one different and each with something that makes me love it everyday. I find I don't covet one over the next, a piece from 300 years ago can hold the same value to me as something I picked up yesterday. Put them close in the same environment, and see the dialogue they have have together, its that juxtaposition, that playful contrast, that is rare.

Interiors by Jeff Smith

Iván Meade - If you could design a home for anyone, who would it be?

Jeff Smith – I loved this question. We all have our heroes. In history and in contemporary life. If I had to pick one, Marcel Duchamp. I think as a client, he'd be amazing and his input would be engaging and challenging. I'd get to explore all aspects of positive and negative space, review preconceptions and journey down a new path of discovery. My design wouldn't necessarily involve a uninal in the living room.

Interiors by Jeff Smith

Iván Meade - What are you excited about right now in the world of design?

Jeff Smith – New technology integrating into environment. I love the idea of seamless living where all the bells and whistles are there but not visible. Remember those ginormous speakers you had in University, or the television to had to get up to turn a knob to change channels?

Interiors by Jeff Smith

Iván Meade - What project has given you the most satisfaction?

Jeff Smith - I've been blessed with amazing projects and clients who have been open to wonder and change. I couldn't possibly compare one from the next because each one is different and special. Having said that, the projects that have spanned a couple decades, where we staged out the renovations in five year increments, and I've watched their families grow up, and their homes evolve, fulfilling their wish lists...they are my warm cuppa on a chilly windy day.

Interiors by Jeff Smith

Iván Meade – Lastly, you have already created a stunning body of work with many mediums and styles. What would you like your legacy to be?

Jeff Smith - That people would say 'He helped us to see more, find a softer, kinder way of living'

I invite you visit Jeff Smith’s stunning body of work at:

FAVOURITE PINS

2012-11-26T12:23:00.001-08:00

Our Eye Candies of the Week are quickly becoming Pinterest pins – It is really hard to just choose one great thing per week when we have so many things to appreciate on Pinterest every day.

Yes, I am a self proclaimed Pinssesed – I just love to be able to see beautiful things everyday and organize them and be able to look them again and again. As a designer I am a very visual person, and playing with Pinterest has given me a tool to be inspired constantly. Also Pinterest has allowed me to re-discover what I really like and what really moves me as a designer. I only pin things and images that fulfill my design needs. In this way, Pinterest is a true window to my preferences as a designer.

Here are some of my favourite pins. Images that have also become inspiration for the work we are doing at Meade Design Group.

From the Board – MEADE STYLE

Holger Lippmann

From the Board – DETAILS

Door Detail

From the Board – ART

Antoni Tapies

From the board – OBJECT D’ART

Takayuki Sakiyama

From the board – VIVA MËXICO!

Dolores del Río

From the board – BEAUTIFUL TILE

Herringbone

From the board - DREAM MACHINES

Cape Cod Collegiate

From the Board – ADVERTS

Hermés 1954

From the board – WALLPAPERS

Malaga Schumacher Wallcovering

From the board – GETTING GRAPHIC

Helvetica

From the board – BEAUTIFUL BITES

I invite you to follow us on PINTEREST and check out our great lifestyle boards and every day pins.

ORIGINAL ART AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

2012-11-13T11:13:00.001-08:00

GUEST ENTRY

Not too long ago I received a very kind email from Renee Crawford about the amazing service that the ART Gallery of Greater Victoria offers. A brilliant service that I have used in the past, it’s a great way to bring original art to any project at an affordable price point while supporting our local ART Gallery and our ART community.

My name is Renee Crawford, and I run the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria’s Art Rental and Sales program. What is that, you ask? Well, it’s the city’s largest inventory of rentable and buyable contemporary local art, with hundreds of pieces of original work.

With low monthly rental fees (starting at $20 per month) and no commitment to purchase, original art work has never been more accessible! Perfect for decorating and staging homes and businesses, contemporary art work easily transforms a room into an unforgettable experience. Contemporary art can provide colour, ambience, a focal point, and can considerably increase the “cool” quotient. It can help sell a home, increase a business profile, and complete the look and feel of any space.

Who uses the program? A vast array of people, from homeowners and renters to interior designers, home stagers, film companies, offices, corporations; anyone who has wall space could benefit from hanging a piece of amazing local art. For those who decide they can’t live without the work, we offer up to six months of rental fees towards purchase.

What kinds of art do we have to offer? We have the most comprehensive cross-section of local work in the city, with work in almost every genre, and limitless sizes and shapes. From watercolour to oil and acrylic paintings, printmaking pieces, mixed media and more, we have something for everyone. Need to fill a really big space? We have large scale works and can bring in works on demand as well. All of our work is stored here at the Art Rental and Sales office at the Art Gallery (1040 Moss St.), ready to be viewed by appointment.

Not sure what kind of art to hang? No problem! We offer professional consultations, delivery and installation services. We also offer an online archive that you can browse from the comfort of your own home or office.

Make an appointment today to come in and view our inventory, and browse our online archive for inspiration:

For more information call 250. 384. 4171 ext. 222 or email rcrawford@aggv.ca.

IN CONVERSATION WITH AMANDA FORREST

2012-11-01T15:03:00.000-07:00

Amanda Forrest

Amanda Forrest is a local designer who is making a big name for herself. You may have already seen her work in the book Spectacular Homes of Western Canada, Spa Life Magazine, Y.A.M., or on the Marilyn Denis show as the Westcoast Design Expert on CTV. She was even a speaker at this year’s IDSWest.

She and her team have a flair for designs that are fun, and she strives to create spaces that are modern and vibrant, yet classic enough to last a lifetime. Browsing her portfolio, she has a range of styles, palettes and project types to adapt to her client’s unique aesthetics and needs. She even offers e-decorating to clients looking to achieve the designer look on a lower budget, or if they are far from her Victoria studio, or Amanda’s satellite offices in Vancouver, British Columbia or Cambridge, Ontario.

Amanda balances it all, a blog, TV appearances, publications, a family and her design business all at once. We’re looking forward to seeing what’s next for this designer. Please read on to get in on the conversation…

Iván Meade - What is your first experience with design?

Amanda Forrest - I don't recall a time that design, in some aspect was not a part of my life. My parents renovated a historical home when I was a young child, it seemed as though I had years of wallpaper stripping, staining, painting and construction in my blood by the time I was 6 years old. By about 12 years my mother was asking for my decorating advice while planning her new home construction. By 15 years I designed my own room scheme using purple and turquoise.

Interiors by Amanda Forrest

Iván Meade - What is your favorite local find? Where did you get this item?

Amanda Forrest - Hands down my pieces of driftwood collected by my son are my favorite. I found it so interesting that he would walk the Vancouver island beaches and pay particular attention to the common shape of the pieces, narrow down the nicest for me. They sit proudly displayed in an oversized glass vase on my open kitchen shelves. They have been used as props many times!

Interiors by Amanda Forrest

Iván Meade - Why is it important to you?

Amanda Forrest - It has a story, I love pieces with a soul attached to them.

Interiors by Amanda Forrest

Iván Meade - How does this item reflect upon your personal design philosophy?

Amanda Forrest - The driftwood pieces are a simple but effective lesson in design: natural, local, inexpensive, timeless, sentimental.

Interiors by Amanda Forrest

Iván Meade - What is your design philosophy?

Amanda Forrest - To maintain a down to earth demeanor and an upbeat style. To create an exceptional space that reflects my clients character and lifestyle.

Interiors by Amanda Forrest

Iván Meade - What do you consider to be your greatest strength and weakness?

Amanda Forrest - My strength is the ability to read people's character. It allows me to navigate through what the client is trying to say even if they don't have the ability to put their feelings about the space in to proper design terms. My weakness is the fact that I work too much, it is common for me to put the kids to bed and go back to returning emails until late at night as I know clients are counting on me, great for work, bad for my health.

IDSWest Booth by Amanda Forrest

Iván Meade - Who are your design idols?

Amanda Forrest - Kelly Wearstler and Canadian Christiane Lemieux

IDSWest Booth by Amanda Forrest

Iván Meade - If you could design a home for anyone, who would it be?

Amanda Forrest - Oprah Winfrey, she has so many stories, I would love to help showcase her life experiences in her personal space.

Amanda Forrest interviewing Tommy Smythe

Iván Meade - What was it like to be published in SHOWC?

Amanda Forrest - It was a great feeling to see how excited my clients where to see their homes shown in the book. The book sits proudly displayed in my office.

Amanda Forrest at IDSWest

Iván Meade - MDS and television media..

Amanda Forrest - I'm currently the west coast design expert for the Marilyn Denis Show. My role in the show is to showcase new design trends and ideas from the world of design on the coast! Doesn't all have to be interior design, we feature products, hip destinations and trendy fashion. I was fortunate to be awarded this role after participating in a design contest earlier this year. Television media plays an important role in bringing together various design ideas, cultures and artistic values. It allows us all to learn and draw inspiration from each others visions.

Amanda Forrest at the Marilyn Denis Show

Iván Meade - What are you excited about in the world of design?

Amanda Forrest - Eco products, colour, whimsy. Farmhouse Glam is an interesting concept, rugged barn beams paired with chandeliers..love.

Interiors by Amanda Forrest

Iván Meade - What's next for Amanda Forrest?

Amanda Forrest - I have several projects on the go, the MDS Show, I am on a colour forecasting panel working on 2014 paint colour trends, a panel to redesign moulding and millwork profiles, styles. I'm trying to enjoy this design moment..if I look ahead it's to a vacation with my family in the new year.

I invite you to visit Amanda Forrest’s website at:

IN CONVERSATION WITH JEAN-LOUIS DENIOT

2012-10-25T10:38:00.000-07:00

Jean-Louis Deniot

I am so excited to have an interview with my current favourite designer, Jean-Louis Deniot. The Parisian design star’s work has graced the pages of Elle Décor, Vogue, House Beautiful, House & Garden, and several different countries’ editions of Architectural Digest. His style has a strong emphasis on symmetry and is effortlessly comfortable, neoclassically inspired, soft and neutral yet never boring due to the right mix of eclecticism - juxtaposed eras and materials. Says Jean Louis himself: “I don’t do pure contemporary as to me, it has no soul. I need history in my work!”.

After receiving his diploma from the Ecole Comondo in 2000, Jean opened his own namesake firm (later joined by his sister Virginie) in Paris, France. Since then, the firm has grown to have 15 employees, a spot on the New AD 100, it’s own furniture lines, and a collection of antiques for sale. He’s had the opportunity to work not only throughout France, but in far off places such as Dubai, Russia, America, and even the Himalayas!

…Alas, he is living my dream!

I can’t wait to pick Jean-Louis Deniot’s brain for his take on the current design scene, please read on to get in on the conversation…

Iván Meade - What was your first experience with design?

Jean-Louis Deniot - My first experiences with design came very early on. I started drawing and painting at the age of three and progressed to making models of miniature architecture structures and interior decors by the age of ten. I experimented with many different styles such colonial, art deco, French country, contemporary Californian, Indian, Parisian… My parents have saved some of them. At the age of twelve, I understood that I was destined to do interior design and architecture for a living. It was very clear to me. Today, each project that I do is a like a first time design experience.

Interior Design by Jean-Louis Deniot

Iván Meade - You have had projects in various locations around the world including New Delhi, Moscow, United States, and Dubai. When designing for international clients what were some of the differences in culture or possibly climate that you had to be mindful of?

Jean-Louis Deniot - Each destination is a breath of fresh air; it keeps the creative juices flowing and the mind wide open. I embrace each culture and location by very discretely injecting their local influences into my projects. For the most part, my clients contact me as they want something French. My job is then to deliver a French style but with a subtle dose of local flair. You cannot design an apartment in Paris the same way you would one in London, New York, Moscow, Istanbul or New Delhi. It is crucial that the result feels appropriate to the country where the apartment is located. My decors are a backdrop for each person, each personality, each nationality. My decors are elaborated to make them look like the great, smart, sophisticated, and worldly personalities that they are, all while completely respecting their local traditions.