Hacienda state of mind...

We are almost a month into summer, and in Vancouver I don't think we have seen a week of sunshine.  On the one hand, I like to brag that Vancouverites look younger than our years (thanks to our dewy complexions), and on the flip side I am so thankful this summer for my California projects bringing me 80 degree temperatures and blue skies daily.

Between the heat and the hacienda I am reminded of last summer's three week holiday to Tuscany.  Although my time is split between Vancouver and San Diego, and I am working long hours, it is easy to draw a parallel between the two locations.  The home I am working on has me thinking of an architecture style that crosses between Old California, Spanish Colonial and Tuscan - while considering the client's European antiques, cleanlined upholstery and contemporary art collection.

Here are some inspiring villa's from around the world!




San Paolo - Italy



San Paolo - Italy

Casa Crystal - California

Costa Rica

Italy

Florence Italy

Mexico

Costa Rica

Florence Italy

Costa Rica

Villa Marchesa - Italy

Not a villa...but a very inspiring sight on Lake Como

Rancho Santa Fe

I have just started a new project with one of my favourite clients in California.  I am excited about this for many reasons (not just the weather).  My client has purchased a large hacienda style rancher with tons of potential.  Here are a couple of photos to get started!

These pictures were taken when my client purchased the house.  Over the years previous owners have eliminated the character of this home by painting out all the details in shades of beige.

 I can't wait to add character and life back to these rooms!

Stay tuned for updated pictures over the next few months!

Painted Floors

Lately, I have been thinking about freshening up my home by painting the floors in the kitchen, living room and dining room.  I have done some online research, and the general consensus seems to be that with proper preparation and patience in the execution, the finished results can be great. 

Before beginning,  I will definitely talk to my painting and hardwood finishing trades to get their opinions.  My lifestyle involves casual entertaining with friends that always includes their dogs coming to visit mine, and this might prove to be a little hard on a painted finish.  Then there are the high heel shoes....

Here are some great examples:

This is a geometric pattern using stain on hardwood from Elle Decor

Also from Elle Decor, this is a stained terracotta tiled floor

 This is fun, rustic and modern at the same time.  Pet friendly??

Wide Open Spaces

Another great pattern stained into a hardwood floor.  I love it with the stair runner.

Nancy Bozhardt Inc.

 

Unknown

Grace Wood Design

Cottage & Bungalow

House Beautiful

Mary McDonald

The Nate Show

Outdoor Dining

Although I was very excited (and bragging to my East Coast friends) about the early spring blossoms here in Vancouver, I must admit, I am really tired of all the rain!  I have found myself longing  for a warm summer night to dine al fresco.  It will be awhile here, nothing a quick trip to Mexico can't solve!  Here are some of my favourites.

Vibia Light

Love Love Love this new addition to Vibia Light's exterior line.  Called Halley, this is available in a few different forms and designed to take apart and transport.  This is a must have for my patio this summer.

Vibia Light

Vibia Light

AD April 2010

At a full city block in length, this New York penthouse has multiple terraces, including one devoted to outdoor dining.  Interiors by MAC II.

Alexis Victoria Blog

If this is what camping looks like...I am in!

To do: Buy new notebook for meetings

On todays " To Do" list was to stop at 18Karat and pick up a couple more notebooks.  For the past few years I have been using their suede unlined notebooks to take with me to all my meetings.  Unfortunately they no longer seem to have them.  I was however easily distracted by their gorgeous South Granville store.  I absolutely love this vase and need to find a home for it...maybe mine.



Amorpha Bowl

So, then I started to think about where I could find a nice leather notebook - maybe refillable would make sense.  Hermes came to mind....

These notebooks look really cute too.  This is a set of 10 individual books presented in an archival box that when layed together in the right order create a beautiful Hermes scarf pattern. 

Not that I was procrastinating today, but once I started to think about Hermes my mind wandered to the colour ORANGE in general.  I have always been a fan although must admit, I have not introduced it to many client's homes.  I love the use of orange in this Jeffrey Bilhuber interior.  The paint colour and the drapery fabric look beautiful with the touches of brown and cream.



Coordinating the paint with the leather banquette looks great in Steven Shortridge's Venice home.

These headboards were the inspiration for a client's vacation home.  I like the way single beds have designed to definitely be "grown up" in this bedroom.

For the less daring, orange can easily be added in small touches like this Brooklyn brownstone by Brandon Coburn .

Or in a bold showstopping way like this stair case as seen on Design Sponge.

Picture walls

I am always drawn to designs with great picture walls.  Be it a living room, stairway or kitchen - the eclectic use of art and photography really give a room personality.  The choice of art is always a discussion point and the photos give you a window into a more private part of peoples lives.  Here are some of my favourites:

Marlene Birger

Christine Ralph

India Hicks

David Jimnez



Marlene Briger

Canadian House & Home

Feeling Blue?

Blue is FINALLY back and in a modern way.  Over the past couple of years we have seen light blues with brown, teal blues and grey blues.  This spring we are seeing true dark blues in fabrics, tiles, paint colours and accessories.  Companies like Kravet are presenting exciting fabric collections from designers like Barclay Butera featuring some great blues! 



Barclay Butera





Architectural Digest

I love the high gloss walls featured in the Architectural Digest home below. In order to successfully achieve this look you need perfectly flat walls - preferably new drywall. Benjamin Moore is making it a little easier with their Advance line which you can clean up with soap and water.





Cole and Son Wallpaper



Trish Knight - West Vancouver Residence

Trish Knight - West Vancouver Residence

Sneak Peak of what's to come this Spring at Parliament Interiors.



Spring is coming early to TKD...

In spite of yesterday's rain, hail, and snow it is a beautiful spring day in Vancouver today.  Makes me thankful for all the colour we are seeing this year!  These are Kravet fabrics I am using to inject some spring fun into a client's otherwise elegant neutral home.  For other great PINKS check out my Inspiration Board.

Custom Faux Finished Walls

This is the powder room in a West Vancouver home I have been working on.  The client was looking for WOW factor in the transitional home she had purchased last summer.  The vanity, originally a cherry stained maple, has been painted metallic silver to blend with the walls which have a strie of golds, bronzes, and silvers together with a clear shimmery beading.