Residential & Corporate Office Interior Design Blog

LOOK UP!

Peter Brooks — Thu, 02 May 2013 16:43:28 +0000

For thousands of years, ceilings have brought architectural and artistic interest to buildings and homes. They’ve told stories, but now they are mostly simply blank and forgotten. Add character to your ceiling to draw the eye up! By doing so, this will create a visually appealing space from top to bottom (literally).

There are countless ways to enhance your ceiling. A simple fresh coat of paint with a hint of colour, or even a bold hue, creates instant drama! If you’re slightly more adventurous, using wallpaper on the ceiling will definitely add drama to any room. With high ceilings there is an endless opportunity for adding architectural features!

Don’t be scared to jazz up your ceiling. Any of these ideas will enhance the look of your room from drab to fab!

Never Forgetting the Moments!

Peter Brooks — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:27:34 +0000

Photography is perfect for capturing those special moments in life. With today’s technology it’s easy to transform those moments into works of art for your home. A constant reminder of the good times and beautiful things on earth. Get inspired from some of these cool photo displays!

A Grand Statement

Peter Brooks — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 20:44:33 +0000

I always say, “If you are planning on making a statement, it better be grand!” There’s nothing better than hearing someone say “WOW” after having their breath taken away. Enjoy these graphic rooms with their fabulously impactful statements! (it doesn’t always have to be in green, it just happened to be a green moment!)

Tim Syrianos, Broker of Record, Re/Max Ultimate Realty Inc.

Bedford Brooks — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 20:20:40 +0000

Unbelievable reveal! Thank you Peter for surpassing my expectations. Every agent is excited about our office make over and every client is impressed. I wanted to thank you for delivering on your promise of a luxurious design, impeccable quality, all while staying on budget and within the timing we discussed. The office operated without a hitch. I have already referred you to everyone I know. Keep up the great work! BedfordBrooks Design completed our office renovations on time, and on budget!

Every Inch Matters

Peter Brooks — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 20:15:47 +0000

Every time I purchase a new book or accessory, I always think about how I will display the item or worse, where the heck I will store it?! There always seems to be little space left in drawers or on shelves. It’s a constant challenge, so it’s time to think out of the box and get some inspiration! Whether it’s a custom piece or a little DIY project, these solutions are absolutely terrific!

Emerald isn’t just for Oz anymore…

Peter Brooks — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 21:14:40 +0000

Emerald isn’t just for Oz anymore. Hot off the runways, emerald green is deemed the next big colour trend for 2013. Its vibrancy adds depth to any room whether a focal colour or an accent. Below, the velvet chairs create an elegant yet fun dining setting without feeling too stuck up. The emerald greens walls in conjunction with black and white accents create a sophisticated and timeless space. Being such a versatile colour, emerald green can transform any room into a beautiful and trendy space.

Country Retreat

Peter Brooks — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 15:51:17 +0000

Sometimes city life can get the best of us. A country retreat is the perfect getaway that reconnects us with nature and peace of mind. It’s a change of pace and lifestyle…at least for a few days. There’s something warm and cozy in the use of natural materials (stone, wood, sand, etc.) that makes a rustic home very appealing. It’s the one of a kind vintage pieces mixed and matched with new fixtures that makes each rustic space uniquely sensational.

Christmas Tree Lighting

Peter Brooks — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 18:38:23 +0000

I will admit, I thought I had this technique down pat, and I still might as far as the impact of the lighting display goes. I will find out once I try this “pro-tested” technique.

Our tree turns out beautifully every year; however the light wires are always a challenge to remove and untangle without losing my patience, or my mind for that matter.

So what’s the trick to keep orderly wires and have a dramatic light display on your tree?

Work one section at a time by dividing the tree vertically into 3 sections. Weave each string of lights, beginning from the bottom and working your way up, and down again. Keep your string of lights as tight to the trunk as possible and slowly work your way out to the branch tips, continue this method on the remaining 2 sections of your tree.

Our tree went up yesterday and I’m thinking of taking it all down and re-doing the lighting using this technique, or maybe not!

Next Year’s HOT Trends!

Peter Brooks — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 06:01:49 +0000

With a new year just around the corner, leading designer Jamie Alexander is predicting the following trends in the near future:

1. Mixing finishes. “Like with jewelry, we are beginning to see a mix of finishes.” Gold and silver working together to create the perfect combination of warm and cool metal tones. Also expect to see more brushed finishes rather than polished shiny reflections.

2. Patterns will be taking a back seat next year. Neutral fabrics will highlight the new forms and curves of furniture. Pay attention to the shape and subtle details in a piece before making your purchase.

3. Try to go for more neutral colours on larger furniture pieces and have fun with colour through the many new accessories hitting the shelves in a matter of days.

4. The 60s Eames chair dominates todays contemporary dining chair, as with each month’s new magazine, I flip and see the Eames dining chair used for the kitchen, dining and office table. But the 60s are now making an even greater comeback with walnut finishes. Goodbye espresso and good ridden! It was always a major dust collector.

5. The cottage is not the only place for those older rustic furniture pieces, their making their way into our everyday living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms and so forth. Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn are notorious for recreating the rustic characteristic within new furniture.

Keep an eye out for the New and Wonderful!

Outdoor Living

Peter Brooks — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 19:26:41 +0000

With the arrival of fall comes new pleasures. As the evenings become cooler its time to huddle around the fire pit with a warm blanket and cup of hot chocolate. Transforming a patio into a second living room is a great way to enjoy the cool fall air. Gain some inspiration from these fabulously cozy outdoor spaces.