Why you should photograph your home

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I bet you have stacks of photos in albums or boxes  (if you are of a certain generation) or stored on external hard drives, on online sites like Flickr or in the cloud.  When you sort through all of them you may be surprised how few of them actually reference  the physical attributes of your home through the years.    I went looking for photos to do an entirely different post,  and ended up writing this one instead because I didn't find what I was looking for.

Whenever I see panelling I am instantly brought back to my teenage years.  I don't need a photo of my siblings at that time.  That one decorating trend conjures up all sorts of memories, and is as powerful to me as a photo of my family.

Add orange and avocado chintz fabric on a sofa and the memories are complete.  That's the power of our physical environment, the power of place.   And who can forget avocado green and harvest gold if you lived in the 60s and 70s? It was the backdrop for my post secondary education, my first job, and my marriage.

Later it was  the red shag carpet and flocked wallpaper in our  first house.  I know I'm dating myself terribly just to make a point.  NO, I didn't choose it, I inherited it and removed it eventually.  That was a difficult room to sleep in for someone who needs a calm environment.   I certainly didn't like the space, but I remember it for a totally different reason; it was the room I brought my first child home to.  A good thing she was a great sleeper with that wild wallpaper. 

 For my daughter this colour scheme will be her instant playback of her teenage years.   I hate to admit it, but we had lovely peach walls in our living room and cream, blue and peach wallpaper  in our dining room - with borders!  I had the perfect flow going from  light peach  to navy blue wallpaper and European cabinets in our kitchen.

 I'm sorry now I didn't put more effort into charting my "built environment"- colour choices, furniture, artifacts, and art work.   I actually had to go searching for images online to illustrate this post.

If I had more of my own interior shots,  I would lay them all out in a timeline and test my theory of embedded memories.

Is it just me or do you think your home is as important in your memories as the events that happened there?

Accessorizing: Learning from a pro - Vicente Wolf

Part 4 of 4 Accessorizing your home

I am intrigued by the designs of Vicente Wolf.   I've studied them as I study compositions by famous artists  in an effort to dissect  the lines of design, and the thought processes he engages in as he creates beautiful spaces.  In my opinion a good  design never looks too put together, too matched, but has  an effortless, collected feel. His always do.

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Pale backdrops  and a mix of antiques and cultural artifacts are his trademarks, but there is so much more to his designs.  When you observe his work closely you find that there are design features he is drawn to that get repeated in variations in different spaces.  While each space is unique, you can see similarities in  his choice and arrangement of objects.

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His background in photography obviously informs  his interior design aesthetic or maybe it's the other way around.  When I look at any space he has created, I see so many compositions within compositions, layers that cause you to look throughout his spaces.  I am  also sure they are photographed  to make you do just that.


The artist in me is attracted to how he organizes random objects into vignettes (object compositions).  So after much viewing, thought, and reading, here's what I've learned from this brilliant, self-taught, New York designer.

Repeat  still life elements

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Wolf  often uses a painting to inform a vignette created near it.  Elements are repeated from the artwork as in the tree and scrubby plants  in the tray.The three candles mimic the strong vertical in the left of the painting and there's really three table tops- one in the art, the table itself, and the tray on the table.

Layer furniture

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Not only is layering furniture a way to deal with limited space and provide versatility to meet various entertaining needs, it is also an effective strategy  to  provide visual interest and a focal point in an otherwise simple space. I like how the  large ottoman (often a signature piece for Wolf) is the only pattern in the room.  It is also a way to move  circular shapes around  an otherwise rectangular space.

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Another idea for layering a table and an ottoman. Circular motifs play in this space too.  Have you noticed the use of higher tables? 

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Circular motifs and layering under a bedside table.  The textural and geometric  elements of  pieced or woven wooden elements are also prominent as you can see below. 

Use texture and geometry in wood

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Sometimes these effects are used over mirror to create intricacy and depth. 

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Suspend mirrors/art  in space

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 Frame  compositions in compositions 

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This vignette illustrates  how to organize objects and frame them with what lies behind.  In this case the fireplace frames the vignette in front of it.  I also love how the mirror acts as an additional backdrop element in this vignette.

I'll finish with an important observation.  While I have highlighted some of the common themes I see in Wolf's designs I do not feel that his spaces are all the same.  He obviously feels it's important to work with clients to create personal spaces for them.  When you look at the slideshows on his website this is very apparent.  As he notes in Lifting the Curtain on Design (one of my favourite design books of all time)  page 128, " I know how to paddle a canoe.  But I approach each river in a different way"



If you're intrigued check out this interview done by Canadian House and Home.

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And here's a great read  if you like the glimpse I've given you of this designer's work.  

Floating shelves, mixed chair styles,  limited patterns, repeating shapes and so much more not covered here.  I am limiting myself severely on this topic because I would break my self imposed post length rule. 

Feel free to add your comments to keep the conversation going. 

At Home: Finishing touches for a contemporary home

Accepting a visitor/decorator into your home to deconstruct it in words and pictures is not for the faint of heart.  There's  an element of trust in this endeavour, trust that I will represent the home in a truthful and pleasing way. Knowing this, I am always so pleased when homeowners accept my proposal to highlight their home and discuss elements of their decor that I am interested in writing about.  Once again I have willing participants in my At Home series.  

Come along to see what the Erls have been up to for the last six months since they moved into their new home in the east end of St. John's, NL.

WELCOME

The entrance to this home provides a pleasing welcome with it's bold colour scheme and inviting landscaping.  As you move inside you soon realize that the exterior is an extension of the overall feel and colour schemes utilized inside. 

A neutral background

It is very obvious that Gail and Gary are  detail oriented people because  great attention is given to  both the  permanent fixtures  in their home as well as the smaller details. This is a warm home even though the majority of rooms are painted  Benjamin Moore CC40 cloud white, a tried and true warmish white.   Thankfully I don't have to try to put a positive spin on a cool white (e.g.,  Benjamin Moore decorator's white) which I am not in the least attracted to.  Thanks for making my job easier!

High contrast

One of the most striking aspects of this home is the high contrast between the  darker wood finishes

( hardwood, doors, stairways), and the light tile, walls and windows.  The stained glass transoms created by Don Ryall were designed to parallel the one in the entry.  Two additional transoms over the entries to the kitchen carry this patterning and contrast into the centre of the house.

Vibrant accent colours

Gail has broken up the neutral framework with her love of vibrant colours liberally employed in her accents.  With each room having a different accent colour ranging from blues to orange and red you are kept interested as you move from room to room.  There is definitely an up beat feel to the space.   Knowing that Gail is a gardener, I would describe her accent colours as a garden palette.

Function and form

When you choose basic colours you can move things around to see where they look best. Gail's accessories for the most part are functional objects: pillows, clocks, baskets, vases, candles, trays, throws etc., which are easily interchanged.  While I was photographing, I had the urge to do just that to show the versatility in her collection of objects, but that might be another post. 

Use what you have

One of the struggles many people have in a move to a different style and size of home is carry over.  Often what looked great in one space, just doesn't work in another even when you keep much of the same furniture.  When I questioned Gail about this she estimated she reused about 80% of her things.  She believes  her interest in certain colours remains constant, and much of what she purchases can be used in a variety of settings.   Pillows are quickly updated with new covers, while vases, a particular favourite, alway work in a space for flowers/greenery, or to add a sculptural element to the simplest arrangement of objects.    Re-using accessories is a responsible approach to decorating, and it also provides the much needed time to find the final finishing touches.

Wood tones as a backdrop

Since the vibrancy of her accent colours are reminiscent of a riot of colourful flowers,  a range of wood tones in furniture and accessories  provide  a great foil this the bold intrusion of colour. Mixing wood tones throughout a space creates warmth and carries hints of nature throughout  a home.  While some people get carried away with efforts to perfectly match wood tones,  a more eclectic approach provides greater interest.  Choose one to dominate and be flexible with the rest.  For more on  how to integrate wood tones like a pro check out this post.

Inspiration

When asked about sources of inspiration, Gail admitted she has a  weakness for decorating magazines, and also watches  certain decorating shows.  But there is no doubt in my mind that she takes much of her inspiration from nature because it is referenced repeatedly in her home.

A good example of this is the art work over the bed in the master bedroom.  Not only does it bring us into a relaxing day by the sea it also relates to the lake that is visible through the windows.  As you can see, window treatments are minimal and frame the great views.  

European travels  have obviously had an impact on how The Erls' choose to organize and furnish their home from the single European duvets to the  clean lined aesthetic evident in every room.

The soft cream accents from the bedroom are darkened to a soft gold in the ensuite. Again, you can see nature references in the grain of the storage boxes and the content of artwork.

Seasonal decorating

If you choose the right accessories there isn't much you need to do when special events roll around. Gail and I  have the same decorating philosophy about seasonal decor!  The answer to all her seasonal decorating is colour specific to the season supported by what else - flowers and greenery.  Pop in a few orange flowers in the tray you saw in an earlier pic  and you're ready to go. That's where her vase collection comes in. She  also liberally uses fruit and vegetables in her arrangements.

Vignettes

Chuckle, chuckle... decorating speak for arranged objects.  It's the perfect word in my book, but I've gotten some strange looks from clients when I use it.   There is definitely an art to arranging objects in a pleasing way.  In essence, you are creating a 3 dimensional composition.  Check out this post for lots of tips on the various lines of design you can use when composing  arrangements.  In addition, the top three things to remember are: 1) odd numbers of objects; 2) varying heights; and 3) variety in colour and texture. Then there's: repetition, balance (symmetrical and asymmetrical) and overlapping. I see all of these elements/ principles used in Gail's arrangements.

For many people decor decisions are usually made at the  instinctual level.  Each of us is attracted to various colours, shapes/forms, textures, etc., and how  they can be organized.  Often we may not be aware of our biases.  I told Gail I would seek hers out for the post.  As you can see in the collage of kitchen shots above, she has a definite attraction to vibrant colours, repetition of form and threes.

Notice the repetition of rectangles above in the art, tray and the counter, as well as a strong vertical orientation in the vase and flowers. The curves in the apples, vase and flowers help to  counteract the straight lines.

Of course, you have to completely ignore the electrical collage behind the interesting one! Wouldn't we love a house where all the functional elements could disappear into the walls?

A fresh apple green is repeated throughout her powder room.  Here there are threes again and a strong vertical orientation in the daisy art work.  I've made my own vignette/collage and added the bottle and branches from her stairs. It really does work better on the stairs, but you get the idea about moving objects from room to room when you have accent colours that work well together.  See the hint of orange in the tissue box and the the centre of the flower.... ah, the possibilities with this green and that dark wood.

Sightlines

Sightlines are often forgotten elements in home decor.  Looking through into another room or down a hallway and having an anchoring element/focal point to tease your eye is a way of providing interest.

When you enter the foyer in the Erls' home and open the door to the living area you are greeted by this eye catching photograph of  their daughter, Karen taken by J. Reid Studios.  Not only does it provide a focal point from the entry, it continues to have a strong visual pull in the living room and dining room. 

Arranging things below such a striking piece  takes restraint because the portrait  has to shine.  You can see that the majority of  objects are darker, simple forms of varying heights.  Adding colourful things to this vignette would not have worked  half as well. The plant provides softness and connects well with the other plants/flowers in the room.   Also notice how the objects form a zig zag effect as they are arranged across the long expanse of table top - one of the best strategies for console tables. Balance is created without symmetry.

When you walk out of the guest bedroom or up the main stairway this vignette greets you.

The red is carried forward into the guest room and ....

...the orange from the kimono is used as an accent in the main bath.

There's so much more I didn't write about, but I've generously sampled the finishing touches in this home.  Thanks so much to the Erls for graciously agreeing to have us tour their home.

 Perhaps you have a favourite element or room or you  would like to share your ideas in the comments.

Accessories: A decorator's perspective

Part 2 of 5

Accessorizing a client's home

I'm often asked what is the most difficult job I do as a decorator.  Truthfully it is to accessorize a home.  Not because I can't create beautiful vignettes or select interesting objects, it's because I have a belief in individual expression in a home, and it is so difficult to feel this, and then try to create a look for someone else. The one thing I have as a decorator is an unbiased eye for someone else's space. That is helpful, and I often see new life in their discarded items.

How I do it 

With clients I spend a lot of time chatting and gathering information.  I ask them to pull out all kinds of objects they already have, even ones they think they don't want anymore, and look for things to integrate with newly purchased objects.  Check out this post to see one client's vignette.  I find out about their interests, travels, background etc.  I consider if they have children and what their interests are.  It is also worthwhile to look at children's art work for inspiration.  Another telling activity is to look at what is currently in a home and ask questions about its origins, etc.  When I ask how they want people to  feel/think when they come into their home, I usually get guidance for the overall look clients are going for.   Then I  put all the information together to come up with meaningful accessories that work for a particular  family.

Client inspiration board - organic references 

This inspiration board was created for clients who were interested in finishing their space with additional accessories to add to objects they purchased during their travels.  When I looked at what they already had, I could see strong contrasts,  elongated textural sculptures, and several vibrant colours.  I chose an earthy green, nature references and rounder shapes to work with the more elongated ones they already had.  I wanted to warm up the predominant " blackness" of their space and play into their obvious interest in geometric motifs and texture.  With the inspiration board in hand the clients chose to shop themselves over time to complete their space.  The flowers of course never happened!  Twigs were more their style.

A long term activity

Adding the final touches to your home can take a long time.  You many have certain things in mind and can't find them; you many have budget restraints after purchasing big ticket items; you may be just plain exhausted doing everything else, and have no energy left to deal with little things. Or you can be bored with what you have and want to start over.   No matter where you are on the accessorizing continuum, you need to have a plan in place to create an interesting, personal space.

Two ways to do it

Of course the easiest way is to hire a decorator!  An inspiration board like the one above is a very affordable solution, and you can purchase all the objects referenced online, or you can use it to shop your area.  When people want to purchase locally, the inspiration board would contain objects/furniture available in the city.  Most decorators also have rates for personal shopping for clients.

If you want to do it all yourself, I suggest the following:

• Look online (Pinterest, Houzz) and collect inspiration images looking for patterns,  objects, colours, textures that  resonate with you; look at how they are displayed/arranged;

I keep way too many files on Houzz and Pinterest to use as inspiration and reference when talking to clients about concepts. 

• Make a list of possible items for accessorizing from your inspiration images; have headings (e.g. art, table top vignette, pillow arrangements and styles etc. )
• Remove all the accessories in the space you are working on and put them in another room; 
• Check your storage areas  and other rooms to see  if you have things that might have a new life in a different space;
• Look at your collection and choose anything  that you love and think could work in the space;
• Bring them to the room you want to accessorize and place any that work; 

I went to my own storage area to see what extras I didn't have in use. Then I integrated some of them with arrangements I already had in my dining room to show you how many things can work and be changed around.  Obviously I care about these objects or they would have made their way to charity. 

 These two items on the right get used for all sorts of things.  The top is image shows a Boblen  vase that I wrote about here, and the plate is part of a set of 8 that I use for entertaining.  It also works as a candle holder or propped up on a small plate holder it becomes a graphic piece of art.

 The black mesh square tray was the base for a gift  I received last Christmas.  Black and square are two of my loves, when you add texture how could I let it go?  Anything hand made is alway a keeper especially when it has the beautiful form this vase does.  A few colourful berry branches the colour of the season can change the look completely.  Use your imagination about what additional seasonal objects you place in the basket/tray.

And on to the stone eggs my sister gave me years ago.  This hand crafted white  bowl has a beautiful irregular form and can be filled with all sorts of goodies. 

You get the idea.  Once you've found homes for the objects you love,  you can...

• Make a list of what else you will need;
• Record needs and the size/height/colour of objects; 
• Take pictures of the areas you want to accessorize;
• Go shopping (with your phone)! Don't forget to look in second hand stores, antique stores, dollar stores, craft studios, and on line second hand sales sites.  

Oh yes, trade with your friends and/or siblings!

Check back for Part 3 of my accessories posts where I visit a local home to explore how the owners went about adding the final touches to their new home.

Thoughts on seasonal accessorizing

Do you constantly change up your accessories seasonally, or do you stick to basics collected over time and add a few seasonal  things to spice  up your space?  Perhaps you are a minimalist and don't think seasonal accessories are an important part of a space or you dislike "clutter".  Obviously all types of homes and interests exist, and there is no right way to decorate your home, there are only personal tastes.

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Maximum accessorizing

 I read a variety of blogs and am constantly amazed by the number of people who go "whole hog" for the seasons and holidays.  They are constantly changing it up, creating mantles and table displays for every special event.  The continual "hunt and gather" shopping and creating  that these looks require tire me out just thinking about it.  I could never manage it with my schedule (or pocketbook).  I always wonder where all these objects are stored in someone's home.   Perhaps we  become too practical with age.  When  talking to friends we all seem to have the same ideas about  retiring objects not acquiring them.  I am wondering if maximum decorating is age related!

Minimal accessorizing

Then there's the other side of the coin,  minimalist advocates  who are simplifying their lives as much as possible and that means eliminating "stuff"  and embracing function and clean lined beauty. That doesn't mean they ignore the holidays;  they will often add subtle, simple and often natural seasonal touches.  I  understand this desire to have a quiet, unadorned space.

My personal taste

 I am a middle of the road kind of gal  when it comes  to the final layers in decorating.  I create variety by moving around my favourite things; you never know what will be where.  I also like to live with things that mean something to me, with  that meaning coming from various associations.  However, I do give a nod to holidays and seasons by adding in a few special touches to celebrate.

Quilt block by Sharon Griffin

As an artist, I am interested in objects that are original, hand crafted, and have beautiful shapes.   My current love is this quilt block (it takes the idea of a quilt block to another level) created by a friend of mine.  You can see how she makes her own home unique here. The gerber daisies are my nod to fall, and the colours in the quilt block will work year around with reds and purples prominent.  So one container, one piece of art and lots of options.

Kubus 4 Candle holder

Many of the iconic designs of  the mid century modern period continue to resonate with me and over time I am adding my favourites to my decor. I love my Kubus 4 with its square, open base that allows you to place small objects within its frame.  You can also change candle colours if you are so inclined.

Then there are subject matter preferences or design elements that catch my attention - perhaps too much at times. Leaves, twigs, birds, squares and circles/spheres are favourite motifs that keep appearing in various ways throughout my home.

Circle motifs

You can go too far when you love something! The stylized sea urchins sculptures - a Target special- relate well to the black spotted bowl.   They remind me of my lazy summer days beachcombing,  and in the midst of winter, I need all the positive reminders of better times I can get.

I went back three times before I purchased this bowl at Bowrings - a local store. When I realized the circles are transparent I knew it was a keeper.  If you add coloured tissue paper inside it you have a quick change seasonal object.  Multipurpose is the name of the game when you want simple seasonal decor.

Can you see my interest in nature creeping into my space in different ways?

Plants and twigs and a nestled bird

Bird bowl by Erin McArthur

Flowers are always a part of  my decor no matter where I am.   Sometimes I make  arrangements from my gardens,  sometimes they are purchased, and sometimes a good fake is thrown in to mix it up a bit.  Another bird in hiding.

Every home needs a lucky bamboo 

Hello squares.  Repetition in shape is a powerful design principle that can lead your eye around a space and provide interest.   And no style is more beautiful than cleaned lined mid century modern, especially when the chairs are free and you just need to recover them.  There are lots of mixed wood tones in my home too, but they never get darker than this  walnut table. I'm still embracing my golden oak - a great backdrop for plants.

A fragile nest in a nature inspired vignette  

You may see a bird's nest propped on a window ledge looking very out of place in a contemporary space, but very in place with my interests.  Thanks Anita Sing for the sea urchin and print!

 Your likes are usually repeated multiple times though out your home, many homeowners are quite surprised when I comment on this during an initial consultation.

Fall leading to Halloween

I guess it is safe to say I celebrate  seasonal changes all year long by including nature references in various ways. Now isn't that an easy way out!

What's you take on seasonal decorating?  Where does your style fit on the continuum?