Cloud 9

Perched high above the city, this expansive master suite is a peaceful sanctuary of tranquility.  We Selected luxurious materials and custom designed almost all of the furniture, to visually and literally quiet the space.  Hard surfaces are kept to a minimum, casegoods have leather wrapped drawer fronts, a tailored wool carpet covers the floor, and the entire room (at the touch of a button) is surrounded by voluminous silk drapery.  Both the drapery and custom bed dressings are fabricated in Jim Thompson silks.  Desaturated neutrals create a tonal cocoon that is soothing to the eye and mandated to be soft to the touch.  Free standing lighting by Maison Liaigre  and Porta Romana.  Cashmere throws from, Holland + Sherry.

Cocoon; "Something that envelops or surrounds in a protective or comforting way."

Contextual

the scene

Inspiration came from many sources, for our design of a home in Palm Springs.  The desert landscape and context, furnished us with an exuberant array of colours and textures to draw from.  Cactus blooms, lavender mountains at sunset, a diversity of palm trees and crystal blue skies, all (+ so much more) influenced the colour and patterns we selected. Fabric sources include, Schumacher, Designers Guild, Pollack and Donghia.  Once completed these materials will transform our vintage treasures (found in situ) and our client's oasis in the desert will perfectly suit it's unique setting.  We're looking forward to a fun installation in June!

fabric + paint selections

Purposeful Embellishment

Beautifully curated accessories can transform a room, they add detail, scale and personality. The stuff that surrounds us is an expression of our point of view.  One of the most remarkable sources for artisan created, home embellishments and accessories is Provide Home. Robert and David, owners and editors of the collections, have changed the face of home decor in Vancouver.  They continually seek out new and fresh innovators, to compliment their solid collections of contemporary home wares. 

Recently Provide has added bathroom accessories to their collections. These beautiful forms in marble, porcelain and lacquer,  perfectly befit the luxurious rooms they were designed to function in.  
Follow Provide's blog Edit, to see their latest finds from around the globe and right here at home.

Translation

The language of design, is decidedly not spoken by everyone.  When we're presenting a design concept to clients one of the most effective means of crossing this language barrier is to prepare a sketch rendering.  This tried and true visual tool, conveys our intentions while also helping us determine them (through the drawing process).  Saving both time and design loops for all concerned.  

Renovating a residence for a new client, required moving the kitchen to a different location in the home.  This sketch with collage elements enabled us to get consensus, moving the detailed construction drawings forward with confidence, that we were all on the same page.  

Design after all is a visual discourse.

Deep Roots

When I was studying interior design in the late 1970s, one of the most influential designers of the time was Ward Bennett.  His pared down furniture and interiors relied on strength of form, and the intrinsic beauty of materials.  He presented a view of minimalism that was comfortable and luxurious.  I've always naturally gravitated to his work, as much now as I did over 30 years ago.  We used his Sled chair (1963) in this dressing area for it's quiet honest elegance.  Just classic, no twist.

Scissor Chair 1980s

 A number of his furniture pieces remain in production, and are manufactured by Geiger International. 

Home Fires

The Fireplace has long been a central organizing feature of home design, originally out of necessity and more recently out of desire. Currently the kitchen maybe seen as the heart of most homes, but historically it was the hearth. Even the most modern of homes celebrate the fireplace as a dominant  focal point and gathering place. Fire is one of the classic elements of the earth, and we relate to it on a primal level.

Todays hearths come in all manner of style and fuel type.  In these projects we've incorporated a variety of fire boxes, from traditional wood burning to alternative fuel units ( which do not require venting).   We've also designed custom gas burner units to better suit our design intentions when standard product would not.  Working often with Vancouver Gas Fireplace to provide both depth of product and industry expertise.  The variety of great fireplace options available make designing any room around this archetypal symbol of home, all the more accessible and diverse.

Much Appreciated

A big thank you to Kim at Desire to Inspire, for her recent post highlighting the work of our office.  I enjoy checking out her blog often; especially Pets on Furniture.  Where my own little Pierre got some love. 

Let There Be Light

Lighting is perhaps the single most important factor in creating and experiencing interior spaces.   Both materials and form are enhanced with a well considered lighting design.  In successfully illuminated spaces, light needs to be emitted in a variety of ways, and from multiple directions / levels.  Anticipating how a room will be used, and designing for these functions creates space that is both flexible and rich in content.  

Using two tables in this large dining room provided a more intimate setting for entertaining smaller groups, but our client wanted to have the option of dining at a single large table for special occasions.   We worked in conjunction with Joel Berman Glass Studio, to create a feature light fixture that would allow for both these (+ other) options. The sculptural glass panels are lit by small LEDs  while the table surfaces are perfectly illuminated by recessed down lights.  Margot Richards was the lighting consultant for the entire project, and certainly cast her bright knowledgeable light.  The penthouse was recently featured at Home DSGN.

Ever Green

A client of ours recently purchased a home in Palm Springs and asked us to undertake design of the interiors.  What's unusual about this project is that we decided to source most of the furniture from the, (not so secret) wealth of vintage furniture in the region.  Our design direction is a glamorous 70's / 80's vibe and a little bit Hollywood.  As designers we are accustomed to planning well in advance, ordering furniture and installing a preconceived vision.  For this home the design process has been much more organic, and a great rush! Finding remarkable pieces, by notable designers like, Milo Baughman, Warren Platner and Steven Chase  to name a few.  We've also found wonderful high quality items by top furniture and accessory manufacturers of the time.  One unseen benefit of shopping the secondary furniture market is the green aspect, reuse and shop local. Assembled above are a few of our finds.  The house will be complete for the fall season.  Special thanks go out to our wonderful client, who has inspired us and the decor. 

Opposites Attract

Renovating this traditional home, entailed gutting all three floors, reconfiguring rooms and refreshing the interior to better suit a contemporary lifestyle. From the outset our clients asked us to only respect the classic detailing, to a point.  Kitchen, bathrooms, and millwork were to be modern, and not mimic a bygone time.  With this direction we selected to unify the home's shell throughout with modest details, quietly reflecting it's origins and designed crisp modern cabinetry in counterpoint.  

These photos were taken during our substantial completion walk through (there's still stuff to be done).   Wide plank European oak flooring is used throughout.  In the custom lacquer kitchen all appliances are by Miele.  A frame-less Spark fireplace insert is surrounded by book matched callacata marble for the sitting room feature wall.

This elegant marriage of past and present  is now a relaxed back drop for a young family to create their own life and times.

Media Savvy

There is a kind of fear factor that can happen with the mere mention of integrated home technologies.   Working with a firm that can alleviate this fear of the unknown, is critical in the development of a fully functional residence.  One firm we've enlisted to demystify home operating systems for our clients, is Millson Technologies.  For us all technologies have to be seamlessly united with the interior design, plus controls need to be simple and intuitive for our clients.  A well designed infrastructure to operate, lighting, window coverings, audio and visual components, creates the invisible luxury of uncomplicated living.  Millson provided this expertise for a recent project we designed.  Pictured here, the family room (home cinema), is flanked on one side by custom walnut millwork built by Soma Furniture.  It incorporates both audio and visual components.  One touch multiple functions now playing!

Survival Of The Fittest

As designers we are faced daily with the proposition of selecting furniture, from a seemingly endless offering.  Accessible technologies have facilitated the rapid 'concept to market' proliferation of new product,  feeding our design hungry culture.  Only time will tell if these 'current' designs have visual and functional endurance.  A chair that has maintained it's position via natural selection, is Eero Saarinen's executive chair.  Getting full marks in both comfort and beauty, as much today as when it was introduced in 1957.  We paired these enduring sculptural chairs with a bronze based artisan table, in this light filled breakfast room. 

Saarinen executive chair 1957

Dog's Life

Man's best friend plays a central role in so my of our lives, it's only natural that the well considered home also account for their comfort and well being.  When designing to include pets in the occupant mix, we select forgiving finishes to minimize stress; for these treasured family members and their guardians.  My own pampered pooch (Pierre) regards our sofa, as his domain, (hence the drool proof velvet).  In some cases specific features can be included to facilitate their care.   A favourite example is the dog shower we designed tucked around the corner, in this modern laundry / mud room.

The cabinets provide ample storage, food, leashes, toys, and extra towels, are all hidden away.  A quartz counter and utility sink make for easy clean up and the standing shower is perfect (warm) after a run on the beach.  Then it's cookies and a lazy nap in front of the fire. It's a very good life.

Plus Three

KINGHORNE

We've added three new private residence portfolios to our web site. Each project is as unique as the clients they were designed for. Photography is by Josh Dunford.

MARINASIDE

DEEP COVE

Reflection

With the start of a new year, it seems apropos to reflect on the past before we address what's next.  There have been several absorbing projects this past year.  Some coming to rewarding actualization and some great new seeds. Two notable works our office is about to undertake (on the immediate horizon) are, an extensive renovation to an alpine home in Whistler BC and a new restaurant for Opus Hotel Vancouver.  Both will allow us to expand our design vocabulary. Looking differently and re-thinking, what has come before. 

In the walnut lined study (2005) pictured here, an Anish Kapoor sculpture reflects + alters it's surroundings, including the large standing painting by Chris Ofili, and classic Eames lounge.  Welcome the new + twenty eleven.