I listen to the overall scale and proportion of the room and architecture. Then, with the client, we sat on several pieces, and I listened to their comfort feedback. I translate that into a luxury experience by combining comfort and design.
All the elements should complement the environment so we capture what the client is looking for. Are we sitting up with our champagne, or are we flopping about watching a movie?
Function first and then – how can we make those functions beautiful?
One of the great things about travelling is that we can fuse grey and beige together without question. Knowing this is one thing, living it is another, and in this home, we used beautiful neutrals with warmer brown and taupe undertones, along with occasional grey contrasts, butterscotch, and teal.
Since I knew the house was on a park, we played with teal—leaning a bit green in the Primary and bluer in the front Office. Colour is fun!!
Definitely, working off plan without seeing the space is my challenge but also my expertise. I’ve done houses in Dublin, Ireland, and Victoria, British Columbia, without ever seeing the spaces and only working from plans. Experience helps to overcome these challenges.
Everything needs to harmonize. Once you have a showpiece or a statement piece, we look for pieces that relate in scale, design, and proportion. Once a client picks one piece, I can take the lead and decorate an entire house. We do want a few contrasting elements but overall, we are trying to achieve harmony and calm. Comfort and ease are elegant and essential.
Lighting is one of the most critical aspects of any design.
In my own home, I spent time observing the natural light—watching the water, sun, and movement of nature—before deciding on the home’s orientation. Light truly defines a space, but it’s essential to determine whether the light is being captured effectively or merely reflected. Proper lighting is fundamental because it’s how you perceive both the mood and the space itself.
We were working off-plan, and I knew the fireplace wall was concrete! I wanted to contrast it with the gorgeous butterscotch Italian leather, which paired beautifully with the charcoal concrete. While the concrete wall is a strong architectural feature, I aimed to make the space feel inviting and enjoyable. Additionally, since the house is on a park, the greens from the leaves and blues from the sky became important natural elements to incorporate into the design. It’s challenging to ignore these elements, so you need to embrace them.
I always tell almost every client – function first. What’s the objective and how do we live in the space? If a room isn’t functional, no matter how beautiful it is, it will never be a space you truly love or want to spend time in.
Function first and then let’s make it stunning and gorgeous.
Looking for a designer to help bring your dream home to life? Our expert team at Cottswood Interiors is ready to transform your space with personalized design solutions that blend function and beauty.
