October 29, 2013

Blue Velvet Banquette (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood) — Blue Velvet Banquette (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Colour is the single most powerful tool in the interior designer’s toolbox that makes the most impact for the least amount of money. For the cost of a can of paint, you can transform the atmosphere of your space, and if you hate it, it’s only another can of paint. Hopefully though, you get it right by doing large samples on the wall - something I do on all my projects.

The biggest key to picking a successful colour is to ask yourself what kind of atmosphere you want the space to have. A good way to figure this out is to ask yourself what spaces that you have been in that have made you feel invigorated. You may want different moods for different spaces, i.e. you may want a cozy feeling dining room or restorative spa atmosphere for your bathroom. You may be someone who loves fresh pure colours, or soft neutrals, or jewel box gem colours. Whatever your preferences, start with some images that you can use as your visual reference and pick your colours with these images in mind. I love the variety and scope that can be achieved with a simple can of paint. See some examples of the spaces I have designed with these ideas in mind.

Green "Old World" Library (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood) — Green "Old World" Library (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Bold Blue Dinning Room (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood) — Bold Blue Dinning Room (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Red Reading Room (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood) — Red Reading Room (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Rich Russet Red Cabinets with Green Countertop (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood) — Rich Russet Red Cabinets with Green Countertop (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Raw Linen Red and Orange Wallpaper (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Michael Graydon) — Raw Linen Red and Orange Wallpaper (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Michael Graydon)

Exuberant Turquoise for the Curved Paneling (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood) — Exuberant Turquoise for the Curved Paneling (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Pretty in Pink Bedroom (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood) — Pretty in Pink Bedroom (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Green with Envy Living Room (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood) — Green with Envy Living Room (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Luxurious Light Yellow Dining (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood) — Luxurious Light Yellow Dining (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Warm and Dramatic Purple Painted Office (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood) — Warm and Dramatic Purple Painted Office (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Bedroom with Rich and Playful Palette (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood) — Bedroom with Rich and Playful Palette (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Bright and Brilliant Baking Centre (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood) — Bright and Brilliant Baking Centre (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Multi-colour Master Bedroom (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood) — Multi-colour Master Bedroom (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Perfectly Purple Dining Room Accents (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood) — Perfectly Purple Dining Room Accents (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Dynamically Colored Drapery (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood) — Dynamically Colored Drapery (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

October 22, 2013

Onyx Walls and Custom Vanity for Master Ensuite (Photo by Ted Yarwood)

I love designing bathrooms. It is an opportunity to create whatever is your heart's desire, whether it be a rich jewel box, a soothing spa retreat, a traditional, handsome, Tudor historical style or a funky, vintage, quirky bit of fun. You’re only limited by your imagination. Here are a few ideas about how I approach the design of one of the most important rooms in your home.

When designing bathrooms I use a multi-pronged approach. The first thing is to get the layout of the interior design right: the adjacencies, storage, the bathroom fixtures and all the required functions that need to be addressed. Next, we ask what kind of atmosphere, style, period, mood do you want to achieve? For instance, in the many bathrooms that I have designed there is usually a defining element that anchors the bathroom. Examples include the gold leaf cherry blossom mural in an oriental inspired bathroom for a young couple, or the toile wallpaper in a client’s French inspired condo, or the intricate, mosaic floor tiles and vintage open sink in another client’s powder room. These elements, as different as they are, make each of these bathrooms distinctive and original. Bathrooms, especially powder rooms, are a great opportunity to have fun and make a statement. I’ve designed very traditional ones and simple minimalist ones but the key to success is to address the functions and target a mood or atmosphere that you want to achieve.

Master Spa Retreat (Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Teenage Girl's Bathroom (Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Hand Carved Custom Vanity (Photo by Ted Yarwood)

White Oak Double Vanity (Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Gold Leaf Cherry Blossom Mural (Photo by Donna Griffith)

Toile Wallpaper in French-inspired Bathroom (Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Mosaic Tiles and Vintage Open Sink Powder Room (Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Colour and Money

October 29, 2013

Powder Rooms and Master Bathrooms

October 22, 2013