Luxury Interior Design Journal » Interior Design

Interior Designers of Alberta industry Christmas party

Laura Bielecki — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 22:25:24 +0000

Joy TU the World!

Its been a long time coming and now its here. The IDA is putting on its first annual Edmonton industry Christmas party. If you are an Interior Designer, Architect, Technologist, Product rep or Contractor we want you to join in! Great prizes, food, wine and music.

The party is being held at TU Gallery (10718-124th Street) on Tuesday November 30th. Please contact the IDA office to purchase tickets by credit card by November 22nd (780-413-0013).

Please contact the IDA office or myself if you have any questions or wish to donate a door prize.

2010 IDA Christmas Party Invite

Top Canadian Interior Design Firms

Laura Bielecki — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:25:15 +0000

Happy Canada Day 2010!

As an ode to my great country I would love to share with you some of the raw design talent that this country produces.

Design Giants & Greats:

YabuPushelberg is a global design icon out of Toronto which specialize in luxury Commercial, Residential, Retail and Hospitality Interiors on a global scale with great projects such as the W hotel in New York, Fin Restaurant Las Vegas, One Restaurant Toronto, Louis Vuitton Hong Kong, Tiffany New York and Trump Residences Hollywood.
Yabu Pushelberg
Andres Escobar & Associates out of Montreal does luxury Commercial, Multi tenant residential and Hospitality on a global scale from Montreal, New York, New Delhi and Abu Dhabi to Las Vegas. Some of his prestigious projects include Chelsea Club Residences in New York, The Clock Tower Hotel in New York, Siddharth Hotel in New Delhi, Guess Flagship Store Toronto and the Point Zero Head Office Montreal. I had the pleasure of working with Escobar for 3 great years including a 4 month internship.
Andres Escobar
Cecconi Simone from Toronto also do Luxury Residential, Hospitality, Corporate, Exhibit and Retail. Most of their work is in Canada and includes XIS Stratford Hotel, Indigo Retail, Alfred Sung, Club Monaco, Sub-Zero Wolf Showroom. They are also well known for their TV show and have been featured in many magazines.
Cecconi Simone
Patricia Gray focuses on living and working environments and has had great success in Canada, the US, Japan, Singapore and Africa. She has designed celebrity homes and has a very impressive educational background in all aspects of Interior Design. She is also very well known for her blog.
Patricia Gray
Jerilyn Wright is an Interior Designer in Calgary. Her firm has been around for 25 years and she has successfully taken over the higher end market with gorgeous projects such as Astoria on 10th and La Caille on 4th.
Jerilyn Wright
Kasian is a well know Canadian Interiors, Architecture and Urban Planning Giant. Originally started up in Edmonton they now have offices around the world. They specialize in academic, civic, interiors, healthcare, transportation, urban development, facilities planning and master planning. Some of my favorite Kasian projects include the Calgary Children’s Hospital, Edmonton Federal Building, Bennett Jones Edmonton, Vancouver International Airport station and Epcor Tower Edmonton. I have has the pleasure of working with Kasian since February 2009.
Kasian
Stantec with its headquarters in Edmonton now has offices across Canada and the US. They specialize in planning, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, surveying and environmental sciences. Some of their best known projects are the Confederation Bridge, Ottawa and Vancouver International Airport, Whistler Sliding Center, Harley Davidson Edmonton, Westin Times Square New York, RCMP Forensics Laboratory and the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Stantec

Please feel free to comment and let me know of any other Notable Canadian Design Firms!

Versace Home Collection

Laura Bielecki — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 04:49:55 +0000

Gianni Versace had a vision to expand the horizons of fashion. His fashion empire has taken top rung among luxury brands and has now broadened its horizons to jewelry and perfume, home furnishings and porcelain table services. Expanding from smaller objects the Versace signature now also captures luxury resorts, helicopters and limited edition supercars.

The Versace Home Collection team must have been working away feverishly to have created some of its latest items that may in fact end up in a museum some day. The label has a way about it in creating a mix of regal elegance and high fashion. The branding is flawless between the Atelier collections and home line with a seamless concept for creativity and opulence. Known for the Medusa print and Greek key this line truly is a signature. The Versace Label truly emits sexy, fierce and chic.

Versace Home Collection

Versace is the master of gold and strong metallics. With Madonna as the latest Donatella fashion muse the line is showcasing star qualities with shocking details.

Versace Home Collection

To offset the loud and grandiose Versace is also able to bring a simple and bold approach with minimal colors and fine details. Here we see bold graphics handled in a very simple and classic way. Versace nearly invented the black and white combination and uses it whole-heartedly through their collections.

Versace Home Collection

As if pulled from a summer scarf each of these pieces evokes a youthful but experienced fun and flair. On the left are a new collection of luxury mattresses that i could picture on the floor in my bedroom or out in a field for a warm summers day. The combinations of yellow and pink make for vibrant decor items that catch their viewers by surprise and bring back a youth to stuffy or outdated rooms. One element that every homeowner can learn from Donatella Versace is to explore color and use it is often as possible and in unexpected ways.

Versace Home Collection

Regal purple is back hard in 2010 with fun and rich combinations of hot pink, yellow and gold. Freshen this beautiful feminine color up with white and your home will simply be stunning!!

Versace Home Collection

Kudos to Versace for coming up with such a fun palette and unexpected pieces. I love the purple chair with distorted proportions as it would make an excellent throne in my future shoe closet. The scarf chair ‘Tappeto Volante” looks like a great piece to curl up in with a book.

For more great Versace Home Collection items be sure to visit www.verim-homecollection.com and www.versacehome.it

Luxury Bathrooms

Laura Bielecki — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 03:17:14 +0000

: Luxury Bathroom

In this Luxury Bathroom Collage:

Towel rod- Brizo RSVP B-Crystal Finial Chrome finish $102.40 US List Price
Swarovski Bathroom need I say more!
Mirror and wall sconce by Eurolegno
Custom backlit washroom mirror design by Wonderwall for the French confectionery Pierre Herme Paris.
I’m not quite sure where I found this baroque sink in black marble but I love it!
Bathtub by Milldue from the Majestic luxury collection
Kohler Sink
Sink Drain by Murano House

Bathrooms have always captivated me in being small rooms with drama and presence. They are often the first thing people renovate in a home as a “small” renovation. Bathrooms are often the gems of a home next to the Kitchen and increase the resale value exponentially. If you can make a buyer feel like lighting some candles and hopping in for a bubble bath you have checked off a big item on their list.

To me a bathroom is just as much about texture and sparkle as a bedroom is. Playing with the texture of floor tiles and reflection of counter tops as well as ornate qualities in a one of a kind mirror can look astonishing next to snuggly towels and slippers. Treat your bathroom like a spa with scented candles, texture, the sound of running water and the heat of a nice warm towel. Spare no expense in the luxury of the bathroom and you will surely start your day off on the right foot.

See below for more images from the Milldue Luxury bathroom line.

Milldue Majestic Luxury Bathroom

Milldue in all white

Milldue White Bathroom

Milldue Four Seasons Bathroom

Milldue Red Majestic

Milldue Majestic Bathroom

Milldue Majestic Vanity detail

20 Headboards to Inspire your Bedroom Makeover

Laura Bielecki — Mon, 31 May 2010 02:48:54 +0000

Every Bedrooms statement piece comes from the Bed itself. The best investment you can make in the bedroom for aesthetics is the headboard. Styling your headboard can show more of your personality and can create a statement of your individuality. From Rod Iron to Stainless to wood to fabric headboards are nearly as diverse as the average womens closet and finding one that truly represents who you are can be like finding the perfect prom dress.

I myself am personally on a mission to find my perfect headboard and I will explore every avenue before making my final decision. And when I find it…. I will know.

Below are some amazing headboards for inspiration. Let me know which one you like best!

1. orange, black and comfy

2. Kelly Wearstler can always make a headboard chic and unique

3. Modern and sleek graphic lines

4. Black, White and Bold

5. Swirl Headboard

6. Bold Hotel Room Rendering

7. Padded Walls!

8. French Blue Headboard

9. Double Wingback Headboards

10. Pointy Chinoisery

11. Unique and Shapely

12. Rich Padding

13. Katie Ridder Headboard

14. Ornate and Shapely

15. Padded Luxurious Walls

16. Ornate and Pretty

17. Velvet Tufted

18. Tall and Tufted

19. Wrap Around and Comfy

20. Pretty Tall

Teal Interior Decor

Laura Bielecki — Sat, 15 May 2010 01:54:15 +0000

Every woman wants a beautiful home that captures their spirit and personality. In a teal and white scheme like this you can picture a well poised young woman who irons her sheets, bakes cupcakes and whistles while she vacuums. She has a bounce in her step and loves all the flowers of spring. I like to call this Interior Design for her!

In this graceful color scheme:

A beautiful Manhattan front door. Add your favorite color to your front door in high gloss so that your guests always get a very personal first impression.
muranohouse.com Murano House watch drain. This is such a beautiful jewel for any home. Count the minutes to wash your teeth or ensure you stay fashionably late for the evening with this watch drain.
zgallerie.com Wall decor panel in “french blue”
downtown20.net custom upholstered bench with elegant lines
instyle-decor.com drum stool $495.00
insideavenue.com the sleek and graceful guard dog
zgallerie.com Oh so pretty and elegant dinnerware
zgallerie.com Puccini silver glassware
mosaicopiu.it Italian glass tile
instyle-decor.com geometric pillow $265.00
bobbyberkehome.com fun and ornate pillow
kushcarpets.com gorgeous lush residential area rug
Teal bedroom design. A room like this is successful because of how clean the details and lines are and yet their are still many details and intricate patterns keeping interest in the vignette. Mixing solid color with dense pattern and and accent of white texture is a great way to play with depth and tactile qualities. Bedrooms should be soft and soothing so blue and teal colors are the perfect choice to feel refreshed when you wake in the morning.
lightingforum.com

Interior Design Bold Stripes

Laura Bielecki — Tue, 11 May 2010 05:29:22 +0000

There are a million ways to fake the shape, size, form and flaws in a room. One of the best visual distractions is using stripes. As today was a pretty grey day in Edmonton I thought it would be lovely to bring in some color. Candy cane stripes are a bold statement that can add a lot of visual texture without necessarily adding cost or the need for many accessories. The stripe can weave you through a room or tell you where to look. It can make fat look thin and short look tall and can even throw off your depth perception. Stripes can be achieved with Paint, wall covering, fabric and a collage of other materials for any kind of DIY project.

Show your stripes with finishes and furnishings

Have fun with your furniture!

Furniture with an impact

cappellini.it
Paul Smith fabric from Maharam on an Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair
Philippe Stark mademoiselle chair from Kartell
Paul Smith fabric from Maharam
cappellini.it
creativando.nu

Add drama!

Design with Stripes

Holt Renfrew Calgary

Laura C. Bielecki — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:05:35 +0000

Holt Renfrew Calgary menswear department

The new Holt Renfrew flagship store opened its doors last month captivating the attention of the luxury brand crowd but also of the Interior Design and Architecture crowd. Designed by Janson Goldstein (www.jansongoldstein.com) out of New York who in 2007 unveiled the Vancouver Holt Renfrew department store. The 40 foot tall facade of glass, marble and steel is a captivating entry to the sleek white interior within. Already making headlines across the news world design magazines have also been capturing the fuss such as Design Quarterly magazine, an Alberta based publication dedicated to Architects and Designers in the province. At first I was disappointed that a Canadian firm was not chosen to carry the new design direction for the distinctly Canadian couture giant but with a firm like Janson Goldstein at the helm I knew only good things could come. I am glad that the design brings a distinctly New York touch with zebra wood, marble, white back painted glass and chrome. The great thing about hiring a designer from another country and culture is the ability to give a city a new outlook on the style and approach they could take. In a city like Calgary that is trying to push itself to a global scale it is time that they step away from the heavily warm tones, granite and slate to explore the potential of new materials, sleeker style and international flavor. At 151,000 square feet this 3 story shopping paradise will house brands like Gucci, Prada, Jil Sander, Fendi, Coach, Jimmy Choo, Giorgio Armani, Versace, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Cavalli, Tiffany & Co. and Dolce & Gabbana, to name a few.

Holt Renfrew Calgary Exterior Architecture and Entryway

“We are very proud to invite Calgarians into Holt Renfrew’s new store in this great city”, said Caryn Lerner, President and CEO of Holt Renfrew. “Our gorgeous new flagship has a rich selection of the world’s best fashions. We are excited to introduce over 60 new brands to the market.” This project will truly revitalize a raise the bar for downtown Calgary’s Core shopping center.

Holt Renfrew Calgary Louis Vuitton

Holt Renfrew Calgary Shoe Department

I had the priviledge at Andres Escobar and Associates to work on the interior design renovation of Saks 5th Avenue in New York which opened up my eyes to the world of department store design, politics and couture style. Both luxury goods giants are playing with the likes of other big boys like Neiman Marcus, Macy’s and Bloomingdales and finding that it takes big money, sharp design and a lot of bold move to pull off a stunning showpiece that provides the perfect museum quality backdrop for some of the worlds leaders in fashion.

I hope this massive new store sparks Edmonton’s Holt Renfrew to step up to the plate and update its sadly aged appearance and small scale. I would hope that it is on the top of Holt Renfrew Canada’s “To Do” list. Holts Montreal is aging but it at the very least has its size and location up to par. Holts Edmonton could do with a new facade, larger space and entirely new interior.

Holt Renfrew Edmonton - In need of some TLC

Another Canadian Luxury brand store the one and only Oglivys in Montreal is also in need of a well deserved facelift. Any Interior Designer would gasp with delight to have their hands in transforming that delight of a department store that dates back all the way to 1866 as a linen shop.

The famous Ogilvy's Christmas window display

Ogilvy’s Montreal

Have you been to the new Calgary Holt Renfrew yet? Tell me about your experience! How did the space make you feel? Do you think it has made a big impact on the downtown core? Do you think it will inspire a more International design flavor? Will New York ever be envious of Calgary?

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Fall Home Decor Colour Scheme

Laura C. Bielecki — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:31:59 +0000

Warm Interior Color Scheme

Read below to find out where I found all of my fall products and how I recommend you pick and use them.

All the great products:

www.halfpriceddrapes.com -Consider a tick velvety butternut colored drape with a large textured tassel to bring warmth and depth to your windows. Great for living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms velvet can add an extra texture that is commonly missed in a formal room. Use a beautiful and raw wrought iron drapery rod to pull out the natural fall rustic charm
www.adrianahoyos.com -A great piece for fall is one that you feel could look just as charming and casual outdoors as indoors. wood slats and loose pillows keep this piece delightful and detailed without being fussy.
www.vgnewtrend.it -warm bright colors are always in season, but the right oranges and yellows contrasting the last of summers green can make any Thanksgiving table scape come to life. Without the addition of bright colors and pops of another season fall can look a little dead. Make sure to let green pop as an accent and dark brown or black ground the room with accents or even floor color. The VG New Trend website has floral inspiration that can revamp your entire perspective on home decor and making your space feel more modern and upbeat. Say goodbye to the grocery store bouquet and spoil yourself a little with some foliage fashion!
www.insideavenue.com -Brighten up your Adriana Hoyos (#2) couch with some fun glittery pillows like this one from Inside Avenue. Pillows will change your furniture through the seasons and keep you from getting board of your spaces. Bring out color, pattern, texture and excitement with whichever pillow you choose and remember their is no such thing as too many pillows!
www.lorinmarsh.com -The Staccato Vase from Lorin Marsh is a treasured favorite of mine. The thick iridescent amber murano glass make the light color compete with the structures weight forming an elegant and heavy focal point to any fireplace mantle or tablescape.
www.kylebunting.com -A sure fire staple that can instantly bring texture and a conversation piece to any room is a Kyle Bunting area rug. Personally I would hate to put it in the floor and cover it up with furniture and feet, so imagine it hung on a wall as the piece of art it is? You could get a great frame for one of these and it would do wonders acoustically and visually for a vaulted room with a large wall surface or in an entryway. I personally see these rugs as great investment pieces for a Hotel Lobby or a Commercial space.
www.chihuly.com -The God of glass always impresses me with the natural beauty of his creations. His collections are far more artistic and sculptural that functional but that is part of why they are so coveted. Make sure to put your Chihuly creation is an openly visible and childproof spot with great dramatic lighting. Consider having a wall niche or mantle with MR16 fixtures illuminating it from an angle. This will provide great drama and reflection. Having it located in a niche will provide a frame around the piece to draw the viewers attention to the sculpture regardless of size.
www.crateandbarrel.com -Small little vases of all different shapes and sizes are a great thing to have stored in your cupboards. For each and ever holiday or special occasion you can mix and match them across your table or through your home filled with anything your heart and occasion concept desire. Flowers, candles, glass beads, sand, seashells, moss, twiggs etc. Have fun and get creative, this can be the least expensive way to add drama and color to a table.

Taiping Custom Carpets

Laura C. Bielecki — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 08:00:08 +0000

Alright, I seem to be on a roll with my carpet and rug blogs so I really cannot forget to show you my all time favorite carpet and rug company. Taiping Carpets is ideal for any high end area where the floors are to be high profile. Their product is most used in boutique hospitality and casino applications due to its nature. I could also see it in restaurants, high end residential, yachts and maybe even private jet liners. As always I am most captivated by a company who can carve a carpet like is a sculpture or 3D canvas. Taiping Carpets seams color theory effortlessly with form, proporation, pattern and play of light.

View more at Taiping Carpets

Plush Garden

Snowflake

Gracious Carving

Blue & White in Paris

A taste of Dubai

Carpet Waves

Polk a Spot

Timeless

Showstopper