Tempted to Touch

My most recent design endeavor was to remodel a lobby area for a mid-town Toronto residential building that would reflect the hip demographic of its residents. I have re-done a few lobbies over the years, but wanted to make this one special. Since the building recently underwent renovations to it's exterior with a modern approach, I wanted to create a space that would mirror the contemporary touches, yet staying with classic finishes. The result included an astonishing detailed art-wall crafted by my finest carpenter and artisan. The natural walnut wall not only adds warmth to the space - its installed in an enveloping parabola - but also gives the space an edge to the formerly insipid lobby. The geometric forms really pop against the circular patterns, which immediately draws the eye, and invites you to stay a while. And if you get a chance to touch the piece of art, you'll relish how smooth each square is - like a fine French polish.

 

Before: The paneling had been white washed which damaged the integrity of the finish

 

 

Lounging updated

In many of my commercial projects I'm updating a space that maybe hasn't been touched for a decade or two - the spaces are thus under-utilized and an eyesore. The transformation of these two lounges, in twin buildings in mid-town Toronto, caused great excitement, in a good way...Now the spaces are being used by many who never knew it existed in their building(s) before.



Before l.to r.: Lounge 1 - seating for 5 maximum, Lounge 1 - the library was an essential to work into the new design, Lounge 2 - left over furniture

My aim was to make the spaces warm and cozy, using quality finishes the residents expect. I gave each lounge the same elements in finishes and furniture pieces, but in different scales since the size of the rooms were not the same. The wall units were custom built by my master carpenter using walnut - the continuous grains on the cabinet doors is the detail you appreciate of his work. The sofas have a luxurious feel of velvet, yet are of commercial grade and can stand up to wear - they're over 9' long, taking full advantage of the space, and making sure there's room for everyone. With large scale carpet tiles the floor never needs to look tired from stains - just pick it up and exchange it for a new one!



Lounge 1: The library of books are now hidden inside the cabinet

Lounge 1: Seating for at least eight

Lounge 1: Love the juxtaposition of the driftwood lamp against the refined fabrics



Lounge 2: Smaller in scale, but just as inviting to lounge in

Guest suites in Forest Hill

What do you do when one of the most desired areas of Toronto needs hotel space, but there isn't one in sight? Well, the owners of these twin buildings asked if I could transform a few under utilized spaces into their own version of a boutique hotel. What started off as six suites turned into five - we merged two rooms to create a large family suite, enough to sleep six.

One of the asks was to allow changing of the bedding per season, so I had custom cushions made to suit any mood - the fabrics allow for mixing and matching in a few combinations. Hotel quality light fixtures were used to accommodate the work traveler that may need to power up at the desk or by the bedside, and each room had space for a bistro table and two chairs, sometimes a desk and sometimes both.

The result is a comfortable and fresh feel for all the spaces.

 

 

 

Still loving NYC



Does two years in a row make for an 'Annual Jaunt'?...Well, I'm surely going to try to make a tradition of it if I can.

 

This trip was more business than pleasure however. With only one night and two days in the big city, I had a full agenda. First stop was the Boutique Design show at the Javits Centre, where I was hoping to be inspired and of course wanted to see the latest in hospitality furniture and finishes. The booths were filled with exotic finishes, statement pieces paired together with other statement pieces, details upon details, yet it all worked wonderfully - a feast for the eyes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are a few shots of things I found interesting.









 

Tartan tiles!...amazing micro tiles

 

Modern interpretation with sass!

 

Looks like iron fretwork but it's a wood composite - laser cut

Again, interesting things can happen when you can laser a material - this is Corian



Love the graphic punch of this headboard

Addicted to colour - a retail display

 

Budget friendly spaces

I've just completed a 2-bedroom model suite in a modest multi-residential building outside of Toronto. Asked by the client to keep costs down, again I utilized some of existing pieces of furniture from their previous show suite - it just needed some updating.

By injecting some new accessories and pops of colour into each room, the space now feels fresh and inviting.

My favourite is the children's room. I had a blank canvas to work with, and transformed it into a fun, and happy room.

Be my guest



Before



Deep in the heart of one of Toronto's most coveted and older neighbourhoods were two residential buildings with guest suites that needed an overhaul.

The larger of the two was a 2-bedroom suite. I utilized a few existing furniture pieces (in the bedrooms) to keep the budget in check - and hey, if they're still in working condition, why not save the environment? But for the Living and Dining spaces I started from scratch, taking inspiration from some fabulous art pieces. The space is now updated, sophisticated and ready for guests!




After



Before - Master Bedroom



Before - 2nd Bedroom



After - Master Bedroom



After - 2nd Bedroom

After - 2nd Bedroom work space

Here are some shots of the Bachelor suite. I worked with the existing wall colour that was recently painted and gave the space sleeping, working and lounging zones - all with a hit of glam!

I ♥ NY too!

I've wanted to write this post since November 2011, but got caught up with the Christmas rush, and then a rush of projects...but New York city has yet to escape my mind.

I didn't expect my jaunt to the Big Apple would've left such an impressionable stamp on my mind - I thought of it just as a shopping weekend mixed with a little sightseeing. It had been some time since I last visited New York, somewhere in the 80's - albeit that too was quite memorable as Richard Gere was in the queue immediately infront of me waiting to be drilled by customs officers. He's just as handsome in person btw. I suppose the buxom beauty on his arm thought so too.

Anyhow, I digress. I set an itinerary for myself as always, to explore the city and managed to check off a few items from my lifetime To-Do list - have an early run in Central Park, and ride the city's infamous subway lines. I even had the opportunity to visit ground zero, eat at Mario Batali's Eataly, spent 30 minutes inside MOMA's gift shop, felt the rush of Times Square at midnight and had yet another celebrity encounter, this time it was Kimora Lee Simmons - we shared an elevator ride at the hotel. She's got mile high legs, probably doubling my entire height.

Truth be told, I did get a lot of shopping in. I was duly impressed with Uniqlo's gigantic flagship store on

5th Avenue and their Jil Sander collaboration collection, +J, as I was of the sheer imagination and glamour of Bergdorf Goodman's general displays and their holiday windows - for the latter, I peeked one late night as they were being prepped for the Christmas unvieling. But here's a picture of one window in all of it's glory.

The charisma and energy of the city was truly inspiring. There's just so many interesting things to see, and the importance of design is prevelant everywhere you turn. I didn't get a chance to capture all I wanted on this trip, so I think I'll just have to visit again soon. I understand New York in the spring is supposed to be equally as fabulous....ok, maybe I'll make it back in the fall. Inbetween I've got more pictures to share with you on what inspired me and why I love NY too!