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Interior Diversity

Summerplay 2011 Designing your home to celebrate a love of a culture can inspire you on a daily basis,taking you back to some fond memories of your homeland or to an unforgettable destination vacation. Perhaps you’re a world traveler that has acquired a large number of artifacts and souvenirs, but because of limited living space many of the cherished trinkets sit wrapped up in boxes and inaccessible. Condos specifically, present a challenge to many homeowners, as the very nature of the environment is to pare down and live with only what is necessary, so how do you make room for your basic needs along side those of your soul?

Making an investment in your home means taking the time to create a space that makes you feel special—that is the true meaning of comfort. Material possessions shouldn’t be taken for granted, especially those that have deep sentimental value to you. Surround yourself with those objects that affect you on a personal level, use them so that they are not only an integral part of your daily life, but can brighten your day when reality gets a little stressful. Your home will always evolve as you do and introducing new elements into your décor is a constant process. In my professional opinion, start your design with something that makes you happy and don’t worry about it matching with anything you already have. A good design means YOU are the element that everything else goes with.

Urban Spaces - Sensual Boudoir - Summerplay 2010

Boudoir, the very nature of the word conjures up images of sensuality and sexuality, but where does it come from and what exactly does it mean for you? The dictionary claims the word originates from the French verb “bouder”, which means to pout or sulk, and commonly associated with women during the French Revolution, who would retreat to their boudoir— or sulking room—until they were in a better mood. I imagine removing the heavy wig and binding corset would be the equivalent to de-dragging, and from personal experience, I can tell you that freeing yourself from restrictive undergarments and taking a pound of makeup off your face would make anyone feel a lot better not to mention, ten pounds lighter. The room was traditionally located just off the bedroom and was considered to be a place of privacy, sometimes used as a dressing room, sitting room or for entertaining intimate acquaintances. Over the years, the legacy of the boudoir has left a mark on many cultures and thus interpreted in many incarnations as either private bathrooms, walk-in closets, vanities and even dens. However the predominate assumption is that it remains a place of intimacy and sexuality.

Urban Spaces - Growing Up Geek - Springplay 2010

When did we stop having fun with our living spaces? Remember back in the day, when plastering our bedroom walls with images of our heroes and idols seemed like the natural thing to do? We didn’t even think twice about displaying the objects that inspired us or made us laugh. Our bedrooms were the biggest representation of the people we were becoming. Fastforward to the present and we don’t have time to play anymore. Life gets in the way of the things we loved, and we are told to put our toys away in favour of something more serious, such as a career. For many, the idea of growing up a geek spawns images of underachieving fan boys (or girls) living at home under a pile of comics, posters and memorabilia. In fact, the opposite is true. These very same “quiet types” are the ones leading the entertainment industry today with amazing sci-fi movies such as Avatar, and charging ahead with exciting technologies such as Apple’s new iPad.

Urban Spaces - Divine Design - Winterplay 2009

Lets just lay it out on the table: it's winter and the below-zero temperatures are anything but pleasing. For as long as I can remember, winter has always been the bane of my Canadian existence. I hibernate. Slaloms and slushing are not part of my vocabulary, and most of my time is spent indoors. Therefore, I want to ensure that these long winter months are not only cozy but stimulating and comfortably invigorating.

Good décor starts off with a solid foundation that includes a strong layout defining the different zones of your home, such as a living area, dining space, den or office and, most importantly, bedroom. Creating a balance in your home through a well considered design can help to bring the sense of harmony and warmth needed to get over the winter blues. When decorating your home, always start with a plan.

Urban Spaces - Goth Style - Autumnplay 2009

Most of us aren't lucky enough to live in a Gothic rich structure, so instead we can draw inspiration for our homes from the thousands of references and resources available, and with a little tinkering, can turn just about any big box or in stock item into something magical and medieval.

Goth, or Gothic Revival as it's formally known, stems from a rich history of dramatic architecture that dates as far back as the 12th Century. A common misconception about the style is that it is dark and moody when it in fact it is light, bright and inspired by nature. Gothic architecture was the turning point in the middle ages, when innovation allowed people to start letting light into their homes and public buildings, commonly with stained glass. Textiles and colors of the period evoked warmth and coziness amidst mainly stone structures crafted by talented artisans and masons; their structural supports dominated the architectural features, like peaked arches, along with stone and mortar construction ensuring these buildings would last, and some still do.