Term 5 Final Project: Advanced Residential / Piano Mansion

Do you all remember me talking about my major studio project for the fall, and then basically disappearing off the face of the blogging earth? Well, let's just say that this project consumed and challenged me more than any project to date, but that the satisfaction of completing it (and getting a great mark) was well worth the long hours, piles of discarded ideas, and even tears.

If you recall, my original concept for the house was the piano (as the client is a family of musicians), but as I developed the project further, I moved away from such a literal shape and idea into a larger concept of the stage and performance, into a liveable concert hall idea. I kept some of my original concept, such as the pitched roof, but basically, I wanted the home to capture and reflect the feeling of grandeur associated with attending a night at the theatre, as well as creating a liveable environment that was simultaneously conducive to entertaining, parties and performance. Here is the final result (click on photos to see them in larger format):

I was basically architect, structural engineer, landscaper and interior designer for this project and I also had to consider barrier free elements as one family member is in a wheelchair...did I mention the plot of land we were given was on a cliff like hill? That's a lot of hats to wear in ten short weeks, but I am so happy I pulled it off and proud of myself for not giving up!

Here's to a new term! xo

Project Pimp my Dollhouse & Some Big News

Happy Monday everyone! Is it weird that I love Mondays? (Probably because it is my only day each week with no school or work...does it even count?)
 Today I'm so excited to be over at Kim's fabulous blog, The Green Room Interiors, participating in her fun series, 'Pimp my Dollhouse'. Basically Kim asked a few of us here in blogland to each create a design board for the living/dining room in her own place, which she calls the dollhouse. Today is my day to share what I've created! The main guideline was that we had to incorporate the following elements:

 I mean with these as starting points, you can already tell the room is going to be amazing!
To see what I designed, head on over to Kim's Blog!

 I also have some very exciting news to share with all of you!
 On Saturday I found out that I got a new part time position as a KITCHEN DESIGNER for a particular hardware store that we bloggers absolutely adore. I have worked with this company for the past 8 months in the flooring and decor department, but this new position is much more in line with my career aspirations.
I couldn't be more thrilled, it is an excellent opportunity for me while I complete my degree and I can't wait to take on some clients and start designing!

Lastly, it's time to pick a winner for the $50 Minted Giveaway!
Congratulations to another Kim, who said "If I won, I would spend the money on one of the beautiful art prints, like The Peony Bottle! :)".

Hope you all have a great week! xox

The Tale of Two Sittings: Double Seating Areas

FYI The English major in me loves the cheesy title of today's post...
I love the idea of having a living room with more than one seating area.Obviously you need a lot of room to achieve this, but it feels so refined and charming. One for lounging, one for having intimate conversations by the fire...the combinations are endless really!

David Jimenez via Architectural Digest

Sarah Ruffin via Domino Book of Decorating

Sarah Richardson via

Nate Berkus via The Things that Matter (only electronic image I could find...excuse the numbers!)

Windsor Smith

Windsor Smith

I love the top two images with the chaise or bench dividing the space, they have my heart. It's a clever furniture choise because the chaise can be used for either sitting area as it is open on both sides. Windsor Smith's use of the back to back sofa is pretty neat too. What do you all think?

Pink Couches

I have pink couches on my mind. In my opinion, they are the ultimate girly luxury when it comes to furniture. Most of our men might let us get away with a pink throw pillow or decorative accessories...but a entire pink couch? Pinch me...I'm dreaming.

When I have my own interior design studio you can bet your bottom dollar that I will have a pink couch in the office! 

Now the question is do I go pale pink?:

 ^Smitten with this pale pink couch and that bird pillow! So sweet.

Or hot pink?:

via

^CaitlinWilson's hubby agreed to a corally pink couch. It is such a bright and cheery addition to this gorgeous living room!

Which do YOU prefer? I'll take one of each please.
xo

My First Floor Plan

So, this assignment was a doozy.
It was for my Fundamentals of Space Planning class. We were required to draft a living room/ dining room combo, transferring a given room outline from a 1/4" scale to a 1/2" scale.
Then we had to provide a living room area with seating for 8 (Realistically speaking...whose living room readily seats 8 at all times?) and a dining table for six.
The fun part was inventing our clients (and budget woo).

The hard part? We have not yet learned how to do floor plans in my drafting class yet. We are still on lettering...
Awkward for all of us.
I spent all of last week figuring out my way through this drafting process with no knowledge!
I'm sure there are technical errors, but my prof is aware of our lack of experience with floor plans and hopefully will go easy on us. And I really like what I did. Any space with a cowhide rug, a sputnik chandelier and an  Eames Lounge Chair is pretty sweet in my books!

Right after we submitted this one, we got assigned another one! A kitchen this time.
We also need to do elevations (which we also have not learned yet eeek).
Wish me luck guys! This program is more intense than I expected.
xo

Design that Stands the Test of Time

 Trends are inescapable. As a social media driven society, we have consistent exposure to these fads that are pretty, fun, popular, and well received. But for me, really good design is about incorporating those trends in a timeless way... in a way that won't need to be revisited or redecorated in a few months, or even a few years.

When I was browsing the current fall decorating issue of Style at Home Magazine, I was stopped in my tracks by this home:

So beautiful, and SO current. The zebra print, the lucite and butterfly artwork, the grasscloth wall coverings, the use of the color coral, the chippendale chairs, the polka dotted seat cushions - All of it embodies the major design trends of today.

And yet, when I read the article, I couldn't believe that this room was designed 30 years ago and has been unaltered since. That is the talent of the late and iconic designer Ray Staples, who decorated this room in the eighties.

The timeless beauty of this space and the careful and imaginative forethought and talent of Staples has left me truly awe inspired.  Her legacy lives on through her works that withstand the test of time.

Pillows for Brown Couches

Is it just me, or do a lot of people seem to have brown couches?
I think that for some the first instinct is to partner brown with more neutral earthy tones: beiges, taupes, tans, creams, etc.
BUT some of the best inspiration I've seen of brown couches feature bold florals in bright colours. Paired with geometrics it really makes the perfect combination.

First fabric up is Schumaker's Hot House in Spark:

via 6th Street Design School

Pillow 1 / Pillow 2

Next is the Chiang Mai Dragon Fabric:

via The Hunted Interior

Pillow 1 / Pillow 2

All pillows I've sourced here are from AriannaBelle's gorgeous Etsy shop!
So don't shy away from bold patterns and colours for you brown couch, or it might start to feel a bit too basic!
Be fun and be you!
xo
 

Baby Bedrooms on the Brain

No Mom, I'm not pregnant.
But a dear friend of the family is! I couldn't be more thrilled.
It has me thinking a lot about nurseries and how to avoid the mistake of making them too theme-y or childish. Babies grow up into little people after all.
One solution that I've come up with is to take a different type of room (say a living room) and use it as the inspiration for the nursery.

It's simple really.

First, start with a space that you are smitten with.

via Style at Home

(I've been drooling over this image since I saw it in the June 2012 issue of Style at Home Magazine. I love the combo of patterns and the colour play).

Next, focus on the things you love about the room:
-Cowhide rug

-Round orange mirror

-Boldly patterned blue and white sofa
-Midtone Hardwoods

Now, reimagine those same items in a nursery setting.

Here is how I envision them:

click HERE for sources

I love how almost everything in this room (save for the crib and some accessories) can grow with the child. You know each piece will work well in a more grown up setting because that's where they were drawn from!

What do you think of this little trick?  My pregnant friend is a bit obsessed with butterflies, so maybe we should hope for a girl?
 
ALSO I'm guest blogging over at Illusive Print today for Ashleigh while she helps out at the Olympics, how cool is that?! In honour of that, I've put together some Gold, Silver and Bronze room inspiration!  CHECK IT OUT and show her some love!

The Charm, The Mix and The Art.

With today's social networking sites, we are bombarded by images of beautiful homes and spaces. It's natural that some just get lost in the shuffle. But have you ever seen a space that you legit could not get off your mind? That is exactly what happened to me when I saw this post over on Little Green Notebook. Anne's space was designed via e-design by Lauren.

I saw it first thing in the morning, and spent the whole day at work dreaming of it...The second I got home, I pinned it all.

Here is what I love:

The Charm. This space oozes charm. The archway, the leaded windows, the old rad...Amazing bones.

The Mix. The room is the perfect blend of masculine and feminine. A little him in the gray suit inspired couches and the antlers. A little her in the sparkly lucite details and the floral pillow.

The Art. The gallery walls in this space are quite literally picture perfect. Each piece is interesting and conversational, nothing generic or overdone. 

I know many of you are readers of Little Green Notebook, (one of my fave daily reads), and I'm curious to know if you were as mesmerized by this home as me! If you haven't done so yet, check out more gorgeous pictures of the space HERE.  

xox
Tiffany Leigh

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to all of my dear followers. Just like on Valentine's Day when I left you an inspirational pink room, today I'll leave you with the most perfect pastel room that you ever did see, dressed in all the tones of spring and Easter. It's the living room of Ana Antunes, and I'm a little bit obsessed with it.

via

Have a blessed day.
xox Tiffany Leigh

Chess Board Coffee Table

I've had this picture saved for awhile now, and I just can't seem to get this coffee table out of my head. It looks like a giant chess board almost...only way more chic. I love it, do you?

via

No Pop of Colour: Neutral Rooms

Usually, I am all about a bright pop of colour as an accent in any room. Lately, however, I have been noticing a lot of stunning rooms that lack that pop and make their statements all in a neutral scheme. 

 

 

^From Micheal Buble's Home!

 1/2/3/4/5/6

I find many people in my life are afraid of incorporating bold colour into their space, and these inspirational images have taught me that neutral does not have to be boring. 

The key is to mix patterns, tones, styles and textures to create interest!

My favourites are the first and the last one. That glass garden stool is a-maze-ing. I'm drooling. 

What do you think of neutral decor?

xox, Tiffany Leigh