Gotta love mid-century modern architecture!

I had to laugh at this one - soooo true!

exterior design by raleigh architect Coffee with an Architect

Have you heard the exciting news about IKEA?

I simply cannot tell you how excited I am about this!  Don't we all love IKEA???

 New coloured glass GAVIK table lights. (all glass, 8” high) $14.99 each

IKEA Canada, announced today that its new 334,000 sq ft Richmond store will open on April 25, 2012. The new store will offer over 9,000 products and will showcase 51 inspirational room settings. In addition, the store will include a 600 plus seat restaurant, over 1,400 parking spaces and100 bicycle racks. The new store is located on Jacombs Road, adjacent to the current location which will be closing its doors on April 22.

New SOLKULLEN pendant light $59.99 with built-in LED, made of acrylic, aluminium wire and paper

In line with IKEA's policy to have a positive impact on people and the environment, the new store will incorporate many sustainable and environmental features such as geothermal installation to heat and cool part of the building, an edible rooftop garden for co-workers, as well as water storage and filtration systems that will reduce the storm water flows and volume. The iconic IKEA navigation tower will also include rain water storage capabilities and solar panels that will be used to generate electricity to light the parking lot. A separate solar thermal installation on the roof will be used to generate warm water for the restaurant.

New MULIG valet stand $12.99 with MALIN STEN fabric as curtains, $6.99 per metre

Won't you join in the excitement and experience Canada's newest IKEA at the Grand Opening?  The ceremony, starting at 7:00 a.m. April 25/12 will feature fun family entertainment and great giveaways, I hope to see you there!

For more information on IKEA, please visit: www.IKEA.ca.

How high do I hang my Chandelier?

In our last series 15 steps to designing your dream home, we covered all aspects of home design.  In this series we're looking at different aspects of lighting. Today we'll focus on hanging chandeliers, like this beautiful $9,000+ chandelier available at Robinson Lighting. $9,000 ? Wow!

Lighting affects our moods drastically. Imagine a dimly lit dining room filled with good food, great company and perhaps a little champagne? Yummy.

Now imagine that same room with bright, glaring lights - yup, fully lit. Quite a difference isn't it? Sometimes we need a room with strong lighting and sometimes soft, diffused light is what's needed. Dining room chandeliers that throw bright light straight down onto a person’s face while they are eating, will cast harsh shadows and create glare and also heat up a dining area.

For the best results use a chandelier with 200-400 total wattage spread among the light bulbs. This works well for a medium to generous dining room.

Overhead lighting can also be put on a dimmer switch (also known as a rheostat), which allows you to control the brightness. Changing the wall switch should done only by a licensed electrician. (If you change the wall switch yourself and it's done improperly, it might start a fire, and your home owner's insurance will probably not cover the loss.)

Schonbek

If a dining room is less than 10 feet high, I like to hang my chandeliers from between 30" - 34" above the dining room table. If your room is more than 10 feet high, such as this beautiful room below, just add a few extra inches.


To determine the width of the chandelier over a dining table, the minimum width of the light should be 1/2 the width of the dining room table.  The maximum width of the light should be 12" less that the width of the dining table.

traditional dining room design by chicago general contractor Oakley Home Builders

contemporary dining room design by chicago interior designer Michael Abrams Limited

Did you know you can also light your chandelier itself? Often people add recessed lighting with an adjustable pivot head and direct the light towards both the chandelier and the table itself. The effect can be quite dramatic, especially on a crystal light fixture, as it allows the reflected light to bounce around the room.

In general most chandeliers have open lights with several bulbs, this is great to light up the room (referred to as ambient lighting). If you find there is too much glare, simply select a light with diffused lighting, such as this beautiful fixture below, the shade will help to filter the light and reduce glare.

"Up lights" (you guessed it, - lights shining up towards the ceiling) are a great idea as they provide diffused lighting.  This way the light doesn't shine straight down on your guests, but instead it will bounce off the ceiling or upper walls, thereby diffusing it and giving a warm glow to the room.  Toronto interior designer Kimberley Seldon often says "you don't need a facelift, you just need better lighting!"

In our next post we will discuss the 3 aspects of lighting that every room must have. 



Questions?  Check out our blog at www.reflectionsinteriordesigns.com or email jil.reflections@gmail.com

Well, isn’t this a busy time of year for interior designers?

  I’m really looking forward to the Interior Design Show – West coming Sept 29 - Oct. 2, 2011.

 This is the local interior design show to end all shows, hosting top independent designers, retailers and manufacturers from around the world. Join us at the Trade and Convention Centre in Vancouver for 4 days of fun and excitement!

Thursday night starts off with a VIP invite only party sponsored by Floform a countertop supplier featuring, amoungst other materials - gorgeous engineered quartz - check out the new colours of gorgeous Cambria, yum. 

Floform countertops

 Be prepared to party with, lots of dancing, cocktails and a superb fashion show to boot.

Friday is GE Monogram Trade Day ,

 featuring speakers Ross Lovegrove,

New Zealand artisan Jeremy Cole

  creative director Omer Arbel

and Richard Millson,

 president and CEO for Millson TecWell.

Guess who’s sponsoring Saturdays agenda – none other than world famous IKEA

 (don't you just LOVE their furniture?) 

 and House and Home magazine ! Can you believe H&H will be 25? Mark Challen will speak on "WHAT MAKES A ROOM MEMORABLE?"

Shhh… don’t tell anyone but Cutey putootey, Suzanne Dimma,

  Editor-In-Chief, House and Home Media ,  will be speaking at 1:30 PM.  She'll be  letting us in on her secret Designer Tips and Tricks.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday, brings sponsor General paint to head up our last day.

 

Kelly Deck, Vancouver, Canada - Founder & Director of Kelly Deck Design, encourages us to break out of our mold and try something new. 

Who doesn’t like art?    Let’s listen to three industry experts - art gallery owner Jennifer Kostuik, wood sculpture Brent Comber and fireplace creator Brad Carpenter .  They will offer their expertise in what’s new and exciting in Interior Design. It’s all about the details.

Lastly who doesn’t like something free? Check out What’s Your Design Dilemma?

The Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) will be offering attendees a free 10-minute consultations with an IDIBC Registered Interior Designer, how cool is that?

Be sure to click on http://idswest.com for all the juicy details.

Here’s a secret - Get $2 off tickets by visiting idswest.com and entering the promotional

code, HOUSE.

  I look forward to seeing you there!

Vintage Market in Abbotsford Sept 24, 2011

Have you heard?  There's a really great Vintage Market coming to town!   Fieldstone Vintage Market, created by Lily and Rachel of Birch + Bird and Helinda and Tanya of the Bakerview EcoDairy  are bringing an outdoor, tented,  European-style market to the Valley.   Check out Birch + Bird's last Vintage Market below, it was a HUGE success...


What's going on there, you ask?  Well amoungst the vintage sellers, will be the children’s corner complete with a petting zoo, lunchtime BBQ and picnic options, (Bakerview has a yummy deli department), there will be  entertainment and more!
All the items offered for sale will be local, handmade and vintage wares.  Please remember to bring your cash - as this market is open air - we won't have debit or credit availability.

Photo courtesy of Birch and Bird.

Reflections Interior Designs is offering free interior design consultations - so bring your photos, fabric samples and paint chips (or just your questions!) to  Fieldstone Vintage Market on Saturday, September 24th between 9am until 6pm at the Bakerview EcoDairy, 1356 Sumas Way, Abbotsford, BC.  We can't wait to see you there!

One of my favorite grays Kendall Charcoal HC 166

Last September, I embarked on something new.  A colour course taught by Colour Queen Maria Killam.

From Left to Right; Jennifer Duchene, Natalie Peterson, Mary Jo Gallagher, Jil McDonald, Maria Killam, Christina Joe, Gloria Hansen, Laurie Shelsby and Terreeia Rauffman.

  She is the author of the blog Colour me happy ( doesn't the name just make you smile?).  Her 3 day course covered every single thing you need to know about colour.  Maria took us through mixing the physical paint - to really understand the concepts of how pigments can  appear to change, to creating colour flow and how to select the correct paint colour.  My favourite part of the course was where she helped us determine the undertones of colour - such an integral part of interior design.

Another benefit is that after taking Maria's course, is that you can belong to a secret group on Facebook.
 (isn't anything secret cool?)

  Really this group focuses on supporting each other - most of us have a passion for colour.  It's a safe place to ask questions or just bounce ideas off each other.  Here's a secret I can share, from what I understand, Maria might be hosting colour webinars later this year! Stay tuned for more info. about that.

Since most designers find we are specifying so many variations of gray lately, Maria was asking us which grays we like.  Well, one of my favourite grays is Benjamin Moore's Kendall Charcoal HC- 166.

Benjamin Moores Kendall Charcoal HC-166

It is a deep, rich charcoal which I adore with a crisp, clean white.  In searching online to find a photo that shows just how beautiful it looks, I found this beautiful bedroom by Jennifer Holmes.  This is a blog you simply must check out, she is talented beyond words.

source

  Why this colour gray works is, of course, the attention to details, but primarily the stunning, crisp white linens and pillows, and... don't cha just love the mirrored side tables?  Jennifer even gives a tutorial on how to make the cute ruffled lampshades shown below.

Now what do you think about the dark charcoal with pops of yellow and white?  I say 'yummy'.

source

 

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Yes, Kendall Charcoal is a gutsy colour to place on a wall, but when well co-ordinated with white, yellow or even pink.  I think it's a colour you can have fun with, and isn't having fun what it's all about?  Come on, I dare you, try this luscious dark charcoal - you're gonna love it.

Colour, colour, colour!

Last week I met Sharon Grech of City Line TV.

Sharon Grech

She was hosting a seminar about upcoming colour trends in 2011. I’ve seen her for years and have always wanted to meet this little fireball!  She is a Benjamin Moore expert and focuses on updating clients lives with fantastic and inspirational paint colours.

She had mentioned a poll was done where clients were asked which was the most difficult area of design --in projects ranging from $1,000 to $100,000.  80% of the respondents stated CHOOSING THE WALL COLOUR was the most difficult aspect of interior design.  The reason is, it is very difficult to imagine or visualize colour!

Dog house diaries.com show the difference between men and women’s thinking.  This graph shows the names of colour in women’s minds and in men’s minds.

doghousediaries.com

The chart above kind of makes sense doesn’t it?    Unfortunately.

Sharon explained many things impact colour forecasting such as:

Trends in society

Nature

The economy

Fashion

Pop culture

Technology

Sharon had mentioned a good place to start finding your style is to look at the trend forecasts then narrow it down to what you find pleasing.

In other words if dark grey is trendy, but you are unsure if you like it, perhaps just use it as an accent wall or in slate grey vases etc.

Gray vase

It’s amazing how fashion can change your perception of colour.  I didn’t formerly like Fuchsia as a colour. Several years ago when it was in style -as a clothing colour- I started wearing fuchsia and quite enjoyed it. Now that the grey trend is here I find fuchsia a colourful accent to liven up the grey tones.

Spring wreath

More and more I find people are not filling up their homes; but are now filling up their lives.  Excess is gone and  a more balanced and thought provoking lifestyle is prevailing. Let’s only keep items in our homes that we truly love or truly need. 

At Reflections Interior Designs, we'd love to help make your house a home!

15 Essential Steps when designing your dream home. Part 5 of 5

So, let’s review our 15 essential steps when designing your dream home, we’ve looked at steps 1-12 so far:

Steps 1-3

1. Selecting your perfect structure

2. Floor plans and elevations

3. Function

Steps 4-6

4. Budget

5. Mood and Style

6. Overall design

Steps 7-9

7. Bathroom and Kitchen design

8. Furniture Plan

9. Lighting plan

Steps 10-12

10. Window covering

11. Fabric

12. Wall colour

Now... we move on to the last 3 steps 13, 14 and 15 !

13. Styling: 

Now that you have a complete plan, you can shop! Now it's time for accessories. For rhythm, you need objects that repeat. Instead of one candlestick on your sideboard in your dining room, what about 3 of the same?  This way our accessories have more of an impact.

traditional dining room design by San Francisco architect Robin McCarthy, AIA

Ask yourself repeatedly through this process -- are my choices consistent with my commitment to the desired ambiance?  If not go back through a few steps.  You cannot compromise here and get the room of your dreams.

traditional dining room design by Los Angeles architect William Hefner Architecture Interiors & Landscape

Continuously keep the mood of your room in mind.  Try to do all of your accessorizing and styling within a short period of time in order to keep to one style.  Note: 80 percent of the design of a room should be in one focused style and 20 percent can vary.  This 20 percent will certainly stand out.

Every room needs some bling!  Fully complete one room, before moving onto the next.

traditional bedroom design by phoenix home staging The ReStyle Group

14.  Edit your choices: 

 Keep the concepts of harmony and balance in mind when editing your ideas. I find this stage often takes the most time.  Your final choices should please your eye, feel balanced, and create your desired mood.  Our eyes need to rest so don't be afraid to have a little bare space, that helps make everything else pop.

modern dining room design by photographer Elad Gonen & Zeev Beech

15. Finally - Relax: 
Designing  a home is not easy.  There are important choices to be made and made quickly.  Having a game plan and following it does ease the stress.

Now we're all done, kick back, relax and enjoy your beautiful new home!

traditional bedroom design by Houston interior designer A Waters

OK, are we ready?  Questions?  I'd love to help. Check out our interior design website!  http://www.reflectionsinteriordesigns.com/

15 Essential Steps when designing your dream home. Part 4 of 5

So, let’s review, we’ve looked at steps 1-9 so far:

1. Selecting your perfect structure.

2. Floor plans and elevations.

3. Function

4. Budget

5. Mood and Style

6. Overall design

7. Bathroom and Kitchen design

8. Furniture Plan

9. Lighting plan

Now... we move on to steps 10, 11 and 12 !

10.  Window coverings:

When designing your dream home be aware of odd shaped windows. For some reasons architects love to add them in!  Notice the angle at the top of the window below.

contemporary living room design by San Francisco architect John Lum Architecture, Inc. AIA

These windows are very difficult to cover. If you like horizontal blinds these can usually be used in some of the more difficult, or odd shaped windows, however not everyone likes  horizontal blinds. Many clients prefer window coverings that can be slid to the sides so that all of the glass is showing. Transom windows (especially if they are arched), although beautiful, are especially difficult to cover. (Please do not cover windows with furniture as in this photo below!)

contemporary bedroom design by Boston architect LDa Architecture & Interiors

Determine what kind of light coverage do you need.  Do you sleep in - then curse the sunlight in the morning; or do you embrace it? You may need room darkening, or light filtering blinds. Do you have a window needing privacy?  A window with lots of glare?  Many solutions are available.

traditional bedroom design by portland interior designer Garrison Hullinger Interior Design Inc.

Discuss your drapery needs with an interior designer or window coverings specialist.   Note these can be a little pricey,  30% of your room's budget usually goes towards window coverings.

11. Fabric:

OK, so we are really getting to the styling part here.  We know the mood we want to achieve.  But where do we go from here?  One idea is to start with a ‘signature fabric’, this is a fabric that sets a style or creates your desired mood. Determine the placement of your signature fabric. This can be an expensive fabric - perhaps use it just for the front of a small pillow. Confirm your signature fabric suits the ambiance you desire. Use this fabric to set the colour tone of your room.

source

Now select complementary fabrics, but allow in general, no more than three different patterns in one room!  Determine placement of all fabrics i.e:
- patterned drapery fabrics for the windows - like the example above
- perhaps a cream and raspberry stripe for an ottoman,
- teal polka dots for the chair backs.

Finally select trim to customize draperies or throw cushions. Then use your signature fabric to pick colours for the rest of the room.

12.  Wall colour:

Now you can finally pick a wall colour!  Can you believe we had to wait until step 12 for this? Wall color is not usually picked until near the end of the design, as there are so many different colours of paint to choose from.  Kimberley Seldon says " picking a wall colour first is like buying a lipstick, then look all over trying to find a dress to match." 

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Remember to keep the room’s atmosphere in mind. What is your light level?  Resist the urge to paint a dark room in a light colour.   Donald Kaufman says "Light wall colours never come to life in a dark room..."   If the room is sunny, play that up - don't use a dark colour for the walls. Look at your signature fabric for wall color ideas. 

I can go on and on about colour but really  colour expert Maria says it best when she says "Painting a dark room in pale colours simply accentuates the shadows in a space." 

Other questions to ask when selecting a colour 'theme' : Are you drawn to warm, neutral or cool colours? Do you prefer many colors or a monochromatic look? 

Personally I throw out the colour theory I was taught in design school. I don't understand how someone can look at a room and say "do I want a complementary colour scheme? What about the split - complementary colour scheme or maybe an  analogous colour scheme?" 

source

Maybe, just maybe those theories come into play when looking at how to spice up a room with accessories or accents, but in general the main points to remember are: ensure the colour flows from room to room, keep either a clean, (or conversely), a muted or a dirty colour scheme throughout, and remember to consider the undertones - more about that in a later post.

Finding all this confusing? E-mail me to find out how you can have the home of your dreams!   Stay tuned for our last 3 steps!