Some Inspiring Images

As an interior designer, I am constantly looking for things that inspire my designs. Often times it’s a fabric or a painting. Sometimes it is a homeowner’s treasure or a colorful area rug. I also travel a lot to get inspired and take in different cultures, styles and architecture when I am there. Visiting design centers in other cities has been a great source of ideas too. But over the past year, I have found a completely different source for my inspiration. The internet! I follow a lot of different blogs and read many magazines on-line that feature incredible work by other designers from across the world. These projects are a great source of ideas for interior design renovations and custom furniture for our Calgary clients. Here are a few images that have recently caught my eye and may become the inspiration for some up and coming projects.

Kitchen design by Matthew Quinn photo via Things That Inspire

Recently this kitchen photograph was posted by Things That Inspire. It is in designer’s showhouse in Atlanta, and not something that I would have ever seen if it wasn’t for the brilliant writer of this blog. I find that the kitchens she features in particular are stunning. This kitchen has some incredibly beautiful details, like the curved paneled doors on the cabinets, double islands, sculptural metal hood fan, rich wood island countertops and simple but dramatic marble backsplash. When I saw this kitchen it took my breath away. Perhaps a design element featured in this kitchen will make its way into a future project of ours. There are so many lovely details featured!

Interior design by Warner Massucco Miller via House Beautiful Magazine

The work of the up and coming design team Warner Massucco Miller based in California was recently showcased on the cover of House Beautiful Magazine. I was completely taken with the above living room. The light palette, and combination of pale blue and bright coral really caught my attention. This room is youthful, fresh and still sophisticated. If I were to suggest this color scheme to a client they might not fully be able to picture the final outcome. Showing this photograph would help them visualize how a small bit of bright color and light walls still feels warm and inviting.

Interior design by Tobi Fairley Interior Design

One of my favorite blogs to follow is by the very talented interior designer Tobi Fairley. Often I have featured photographs of her work because I find her style to be very appealing, current and inspiring. What I like so much about this room is the pop of yellow accents and the fabulous geometric pattern on the furniture. Normally, I would select a solid or a textured fabric for a large upholstered piece like this and leave the pattern for the pillow. I adore how she has done the exact opposite, and it looks incredible. It reminds me to think outside of the box and that going bold usually results in an amazing space!

Interior design by Amanda Nisbet

Another interior designer whose work I find irresistible is Amanda Nisbet. If memory serves me correctly, I first learned about her work from the first blog I started to follow, All The Best which happens to be an incredible source of information on the design scene. This lovely little bathroom is high on style even though it is short on space. The shelf hung above the tiny sink is the perfect solution providing a place for display or storage and the damask wallpaper is a show stopper! I am currently working on a renovation in Calgary where the powder room is miniscule, and this photograph helped my client to visualize the design I was suggesting. Now, I think it is important to note that although I often show these photographs to our clients, we NEVER copy what is in the photograph! For instance, the bathroom I am working on will have a different sink and faucet, instead of wallpaper we will use vertically laid, large-scale marble subway tile, the shelf will be painted white with a glass countertop, and the lights and mirrors are completely different. The only thing that is the same is the idea of a shelf mounted above a wall hung sink. This photo enabled my client to understand what that could look like.

Interior design by Victoria Hagan via the blog Habitually Chic

This incredibly gorgeous bathroom is simple and serene. I can picture it in a Victorian house in Elbow Park or Mount Royal – two very picturesque neighborhoods in Calgary. The small-scale hex tile on the floor has lovely texture, the narrow cabinets flanking the tub are ingenious for storage and the vanities are simple and that chrome adds a touch of sparkle. Then there’s that glorious tub with lots of space around it. This bathroom was featured on the blog Habitually Chic written by the fabulous Heather Clawson of NYC. She always showcases the most elegant rooms and her blog is a constant source of information and inspiration.

I constantly find myself studying architectural and design details everywhere I go. I think of it as part of my job – keeping current on what is happening on the design scene and analysing what works and what doesn’t.  Having incredible images like these from blogs and magazines readily available for me to examine and learn from has been a wonderful resource for our projects at Corea Sotropa Interior Design. If you are considering renovating or remodeling, I highly suggest that you check out these blogs and designers or some of the other incredible images available on the internet so that you can compile some ideas and concepts. It’s inspiring seeing what is happening in interiors today!

Cheers!

Jacqueline

Practical and Pretty Tips for Powder Rooms

Bathroom design by David Powel photograph via Canadian House and Home

Powder rooms are diminutive spaces that need to have big impact while still balancing  practicality. These tiny rooms offer the perfect opportunity to create a precious jewel box showcasing your home’s personality and wowing your guests. However, the powder room is frequently the only bathroom on the main floor of your home, and therefore needs to be functional if you have a young family. It can be tricky balancing the required durability with an elegant style. Key areas where you may want to add some pizzazz are the walls, lighting, mirror, sink, and the cabinetry.

Bathroom design by Corea Sotropa Interior Design

Wallpaper or a bold wall color is the easiest way of making your powder room a statement piece. In this bathroom, we used washable wallpaper from Crown Wallpaper. So many gorgeous wallpapers are made to be washed or made of vinyl which makes them an obvious choice for a bathroom if you have children. Also, there are many commercial grade wallpapers that can stand up to a real beating and still look stylish.

Bathroom design by Corea Sotropa Interior Design

Tile wainscoting is durable but also looks smart. This powder room was directly connected to a mud room and needed to be very family friendly. This particular oversized subway tile from Stone Tile West in Calgary has a few accent tiles embossed with words like “soap”, “flush”, and “towel” subtly sprinkled amongst the other tiles. It’s a cheeky and whimsical choice but fitting for a family powder room!

Photograph via Kitchen and Bath Ideas

Another way to add interest to your walls is to tile the entire wall behind the sink in an incredible accent tile like this stunning glass mosaic. It’s easy to clean and a smashing focal point to your bathroom!

Bathroom design by Jessica Helgerson photo via Design Sponge

Painted or wood wainscoting is also a great choice for a powder room. It adds architectural interest and a durable surface to the walls. Here’s another tip about wainscoting – if you have ceilings over 8’ high in your powder room wainscoting helps to bring the proportion of the room to a more comfortable scale. Powder rooms that feel like elevator shafts are not comfortable spaces to be in! Wainscoting is the perfect remedy for small, tall spaces.

Bathroom design by Corea Sotropa Interior Design

Beautiful light fixtures are a must in powder rooms. Sconces on either side of the mirror are a very elegant alternative to one vanity light above the sink if there is enough room to accommodate them. These particular light fixtures are from Fine Art Lamps and have a beautiful silver and gold patina finish. In Calgary, you can find light fixtures from Fine Art Lamps at Robinson’s Lighting. In addition to great lighting, this bathroom features a lovely countertop detail. Typically powder room countertops are not as abused as other bathroom countertops so don’t be too worried about a delicate material like marble, wood or glass options.

Bathroom design by Brown Design Inc

Now back to lighting. If there is not enough room for sconces on either side, try hanging a pretty pendant over the sink. Powder rooms do not need to be as brightly lit as other rooms in your house. Your light fixtures should help create a mood and flatter those gazing on their image in the mirror, not terrify them! This bathroom was designed by Ryan Brown the designer on the Bravo channel show “Flipping Out”. This chandelier makes this bathroom sparkle!

Bathroom design by John Saladino photo via Velvet and Linen

Mirrors in powder rooms are most charming when they unique. This bathroom is so unusual and charming.

Bathroom design by Kristen Buckingham photograph via Point Click Home

Antiques or mirrors with beautiful frames look stunning in powder rooms. Think outside of the box and choose something unexpected for your mirror.

Vessel sinks are a popular choice for bathrooms and there are a multitude of styles and materials to choose from. One word of warning though – this type of sink can splash water around more then a basin. If you have children and don’t want to be constantly cleaning up, think twice about the vessel sink! This unique sink carved from stone is a statement! The Art of Hardware in Calgary carries this line of sinks from Stone Forest.

Photograph via Kitchen and Bath Ideas

Cabinets in powder rooms need to hold a minimal amount of supplies. This creates an opportunity to create a centerpiece for the room. Often a vanity is created to look like furniture or a piece of furniture is converted to contain the sink. Some plumbing companies like Kohler also manufacture bathroom furniture as well as pedestal sinks and vessels.

Bathroom design by Corea Sotropa Interior Design

The vanity in this bathroom is a piece of furniture that our client found and fell in love with. We had it repurposed to accommodate the sink and a piece of marble cut to fit on to the top. The mirror is an antique that the client had hanging in another area of the home which we snagged to finish off this exquisite powder room!

Powder rooms are the smallest room of your home but need not be bland and boring! Try these tips to keep the room practical and pretty at the same time!

Cheers!