Ottawa At Home presents Designers Walk at the Ottawa Fall Home Show from September 28th through to October 1st at the EY Centre. This prestigious feature offers the opportunity to get to know some of Ottawa’s most esteemed designers.
Designers Walk kicks off on Thursday Sept 28th on stage at the Ottawa Fall Home show with a panel of eight decorating experts readyto tackle your design and décor dilemmas. Bring your questions, floor plans and photos to the panel presentation between 2-3 p.m. And join eight of Ottawa’s premiere designers all weekend long at Designers Walk.
Dean Large Astro Design
STYLE
Established contemporary. Space that’s layered with pieces from different eras, with a wide array of colours and textures.
INSPIRATION
The clients; how they act and portray themselves, their interests and pastimes. A home is the ultimate extension of the client.
TOP TREND PICKS
• Painted tiles are huge. People are flocking to the brightly-coloured patterns commonly seen in Spain and Portugal.
• Black is the new white! Painting out windows, doors, trim etc. all in black is stunning.
• Pink is coming in strong. Pale blush pink is what we are calling Millennial Pink is going to be popping up everywhere.
GO-TO COLOUR SCHEME
Autumn is my go-to scheme. I love deep murky greens, browns, ochre and pale grey. This palette has the perfect amount of coolness, yet still feels warm.
HIGH IMPACT SPACE
The kitchen is really the room that sets the stage. If you get the kitchen right it becomes a space that is easy to change up just cycling out the curiosities.
Catherine Pulcine CPI Interiors
STYLE
Functional with colour. It’s important to create a comfortable and inviting environment that is easy to live in. While we all want our spaces to be beautiful, making sure it works for your family and reflects the house, is key.
INSPIRATION
Inspiration comes from objects in the space. A painting, an area rug, an interesting accessory, or even the smallest of loved items can provide a springboard to a whole look.
TOP TREND PICKS
• Wallpaper for feature walls, inspiring bathrooms and distinctive entries are great solutions.
• Rustic, warm woods introduced into more formal areas. Live-edge dining tables paired with traditional seating.
• White kitchens and baths with faux-marble look floors, backsplash and counters. Not just stark white, but soft whites or greys for cabinets. Pops of colour or black to inject the wow factor.
GO-TO COLOUR SCHEME
I am inspired by the colour preferences of my client. Greys with blues, greens, taupe, fuchsia and orange all have their place today.
HIGH IMPACT SPACE
The kitchen is the life centre of the home. Kitchens are my passion, and to create an environment there that is reflective of the home is my goal.
Sarah Kidder Sarah Kidder Design
STYLE
A mix. Blending old with new and adding colour.
INSPIRATION
The clients and their inspiration files. Fabrics and artwork all inspire the décor.
TOP TREND PICKS
• Painted cabinets. From white to blues, grey, charcoal, navy and teal.
• Wood floors with oiled finish. Log’s End Ottawa River birch, in natural oil has been my go-to all year.
• Black used in many aspects of home décor.
GO-TO COLOUR SCHEME
Smokey blue-greys on walls. Blue-greys are basically the jeans of the design world.
HIGH IMPACT SPACE
The living and family rooms offer opportunity to make bold finishing choices from fabrics to furnishings.
Lisa Poirier Westyle Interior Design
STYLE
Classic contemporary. A mix of modern and traditional with shiny metal paired with rustic wood and clean, crisp white cabinetry with warm walnut accents and a pop of colour, often turquoise.
INSPIRATION
Everywhere! Textiles are often a jumping point and fashion has a lot of influence as well.
TOP TREND PICKS
• Navy blue and other jewel tones.
• Metal finishes in gold and black.
• Painted furniture. Chalk-paint refurbished pieces in every style of décor and in any colour.
GO-TO COLOUR SCHEME
Current neutrals in various tones and hues injected with a client’s favourite colour(s).
HIGH IMPACT SPACE
The kitchen is the hub of the home. It is also the one room that typically has the most fixed elements. If the kitchen is traditional, the rest of the home should follow suit.
Sonya Kinkade Sonya Kinkade Design
STYLE
Layered and classic to depict timeless, elegant design with a sense of calm.
INSPIRATION
Travel. The history, culture and architecture in European travel tell so many stories and open your mind to new things. Instagram and Pinterest encourage new ideas.
TOP TREND PICKS
• Colour in shades of green, smokey-grey, soft petal pinks and blue in every shade.
• Artisanal, hand-crafted raw materials with natural imperfections.
• Large graphic prints in fabric and wallpaper.
GO-TO COLOUR SCHEME
Walls painted in a neutral shade to allow for changing fabrics and a pop of colour at any given time.
HIGH IMPACT SPACE
The kitchen is the most sought after space from clients. It really sets the stage for the design style in the rest of the house.
Susan Bryson Susan Bryson Interior Design
STYLE
Classic with an edge in the form of new traditional that says “stylish elegance.”
INSPIRATION
Travel. Exploring hotels and restaurants with a wow factor, or some design feature that is impressive such as rich, luxurious materials, dramatic sculptural lighting, wall details and fabulous flooring.
TOP TREND PICKS
• Burnished brass fixtures and hardware along with mixing metals.
• Wall tiles, open shelving in the kitchen and fully tiled walls.
• Black iron-framed showers, windows and doors for graphic contrast in neutral design schemes.
GO-TO COLOUR SCHEME
High contrast colour schemes such as dark gunmetal-grey panelled walls with white or cream, and a pop of saturated colour from artwork or textiles.
HIGH IMPACT SPACE
The living room. Textiles, patterns, artwork, wall treatments, drapery and beautiful flooring add great dramatic effect. The room often tells a story reflecting the people living there.
Jennifer McGahan Jennifer McGahan Interiors
STYLE
Understated elegance. A look achieved by strict adherence to simplicity without pretense. Order and serenity allow for a quiet mind.
INSPIRATION
Anything from moss on an old tree – to the patina on an antique silver teapot. New restaurants and hotels, peeking at the work of other designers.
TOP TREND PICKS
• White, white and more white.
• Clean, fresh spaces and lots of marble.
GO-TO COLOUR SCHEME
The design concept and colour scheme should be reflective of the individual client, their lifestyle, and their home. I hope I don’t have a “go-to” colour scheme. That said, I tend to stay in the light neutral tones, and avoid too much pattern, to achieve a timeless look that reflects a client’s home and lifestyle.
HIGH IMPACT SPACE
Every room deserves to have its own star quality. I don’t discriminate!