A Touch of Brass

September 19th, 2014

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Closet Envy

September 12th, 2014

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

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

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

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

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

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

The . . . Bed . . . Room

September 4th, 2014

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

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

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

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

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

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

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