Spicing Up the Kitchen

Allegro Interiors — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 19:33:33 +0000

With careful planning in a kitchen renovation, you can utilize every inch of available space. A few awkward inches of space in this kitchen were transformed into a spice rack. The clients love the convenience!

The Power of Fabric

Allegro Interiors — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000

I love the transforming power of fabric in a room, especially in draperies, which always add warmth, texture, and beauty to a space. In the dining room below, new silk draperies soften the clients’ existing leather chairs and wood table; inverted pleats and the subtly-striped fabric keep the look tailored and clean but luxurious.

In contrast, the floral linen draperies in this family room add a riot of colour and personality to a previously non-descript room; the homeowner finds the effect uplifting and joyous. Whatever mood you want to create in a space, fabric can make a difference.

Creative Problem-solving

Allegro Interiors — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:20:30 +0000

When additions are put onto houses, the new rooms can sometimes end up with some challenging features. In this bathroom we turned what was once an outside window into a medicine cabinet. For the door I designed a divided light window with mirrors rather than glass panes; I fitted it to the original opening. The new door echoes the French country style of the room and reflects light from a large bedroom window into the bathroom.

Master of Disguise

Allegro Interiors — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:18:48 +0000

The heating units in a condo can often bring down the overall look of your rooms. With a little creativity you can disguise units to integrate better into the rest of the room. In the photo below, the heating unit in this living room was a plain metal box, but had an interesting base. I painted the unit white to match the trim in the room, added surface mouldings, and a black marble top. The knobs are actually decorative magnets! It now looks like a piece of furniture and blends in with the style of the room.

Fantasy Baths

Allegro Interiors — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:07:18 +0000

Why not indulge your fantasies when renovating your master bath? At the request of the homeowner I transformed a bland and basic bathroom (see the “before” photo below) into a French Country dream by adding an elegant claw-foot soaker tub, traditional fixtures, wainscoting, and whimsical wallpaper. The result- fun, functional, and fabulous!

Transitions: First Condo

Allegro Interiors — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:04:42 +0000

First-time homeowners with tight budgets can still create stylish spaces by adding a few well-chosen pieces to their existing furnishings. In this “first condo” I worked with the young homeowner’s existing sofa and added a sleek glass and steel coffee table, a modern lamp, and a classic rug. For artwork, I had an oversized poster printed on canvas; this cost-effective artwork added an explosion of colour to the long empty wall and created a focal point and conversation piece. Her condo now feels bright, pulled-together, and homey.

Radiator Challenges

Allegro Interiors — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:00:19 +0000

Radiators don’t have to be an eyesore; they speak to the heritage of a house and can contribute to the architectural interest of a space. If the radiators themselves are not attractive, a cover in a style appropriate to the house can add visual appeal as well as functionality. Here I designed a simple radiator cover with built-in bookshelves for a Craftsman-style house. By painting the radiator itself a dark colour it disappears visually, enhancing the clean lines of the radiator cover design.

Life Transitions

Allegro Interiors — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 17:51:03 +0000

Transitions in life can be challenging; quite often after a major life change your home doesn’t function as well as it once did, or somehow doesn’t feel right anymore. I strongly believe that your physical environment affects how you feel. A change in your home decor can acknowledge the life change, and help you move comfortably forward into the new phase.

I had a lovely client who was suffering from “empty-nest” syndrome; a beloved grown daughter had moved out and her old bedroom was a painful reminder of the gap in the house. We redesigned the room as a much-needed home office for my client, with a restful wall colour, a new rug, and an antique table of her mother’s; the room was transformed into a private, practical haven and a base for moving forward rather than looking back.

Another client, recently widowed, was struggling to make her new condo a meaningful home that was a personal expression in this new phase of life. We discussed what made her happy, what she loved; the answer, quite simply, was “Paris”. We redid her condo in “Paris apartment” style, utilizing much from my client’s considerable collection of art and furniture, while incorporating soft paint colours and some new items. While the overall redesign was elegant and restrained, we decided to have some fun with the powder room and “go over the top” with an oversized chandelier and bold wallpaper. The results always bring a smile to the face and truly reflect the spirit of this warm, lively client.