Showing posts with label designer of the week. Show all posts
Showing posts with label designer of the week. Show all posts

Designer of the Week: Michael Penney...

Michael Penney is an accomplished decorator, stylist, blogger and magazine editor who's talent is beyond words. He is an online television star and his DIY projects are regularly featured in House and Home magazine.

As an interior designer, Michael shows incredible range,  his designs go from modern to traditional and he can design a country chic space like it's nobody's business!

Aside from being super jealous of his talent, I am totally in awe of his work.  His newly renovated house in Oshawa, Ontario was featured on House & Home's website  this week and the images are S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G.

Here's a sneak peak!































To see more rooms and the before & after pics make sure to go on the House & Home website!

Brilliant photography by Donna Griffith

Designer of the Week: Kelly Hoppen ...

Kelly Hoppen is an incredibly talented British interior designer who's work is permeated across the globe. She has designed restaurants, hotels, offices, gardens, yachts, aircraft interiors and of course countless homes, lofts and apartments worldwide. Although Kelly's approach to design is quite simple and linear, she always seems to incorporate the right fabrics and accessories which leave her spaces feeling rich and opulent.  I first discovered Kelly Hoppen a few years ago when I fell upon one of her books "Kelly Hoppen: Home" in the design section at Chapters. As I glanced through the pages, each one left me wanting more... Since then, Kelly has launched an eponymous line of furniture, paint, carpets, fabrics and ceramics. Kelly's portfolio, books and full product line are available at www.kellyhoppenretail.com 


















Designer of the Week: Tommy Smythe...

Tommy Smythe is an unspeakably talented interior designer who's creations regularly grace the pages of House & Home, Style at Home and countless other design publications. He has worked alongside one of Canada's biggest talents Sarah Richardson for numerous years and together, they have become a design powerhouse to be reckoned with. Just like the rest of Canada, I have gotten to know and love Tommy by watching him on shows such as Design Inc, Sarah's House, Sarah's Cottage and most recently, Sarah 101. While watching Tommy in the aforementioned shows I've come to realize 2 things; 1- he has beautiful, lighthearted and hilarious personality and 2- he is the embodiment of interior design. What I mean by that is, Tommy truly and genuinely lives, breathes and eats interior design. No matter how many funny jokes or puns he makes, his respect, admiration and thorough knowledge of his domain always shines brighter. What fascinates me most about him is while his on screen personality is upbeat, colorful and bubbly his designs are moody, dark and slightly more on the traditional side. Like Sarah, he has mastered the art of combining bold patterns and soft textures, old and new, traditional and contemporary... I guess my only criticism is that I'd love to see more of Tommy's individual creative process. Here's my plea to HGTV: can someone please get him his own show already??? Or better yet, how about a show called Sarah vs. Tommy which would allow the viewer to witness both designers' different approaches manifest from A to Z. Hey, just throwing it out there!

Here are some of Tommy's masterpieces courtesy of House & Home and Style at Home
















Follow Tommy on Facebook here
Follow Tommy on Twitter here
Into fashion? Check out his sis! here

Designer of the Week: Erin Gates...

Being a proud Montrealer, I was a little hesitant showcasing this week’s designer... We are currently in playoff season which makes it increasingly difficult for me to say anything positive about Boston right now!!! Given that we are currently 2-0 in the series, I think I can make an exception and admit that Boston is actually one of my (very! very!) favorite cities and it is also home to one of my (very! very!) favorite designers.

Erin Gates is an interior designer, event stylist, renowned blogger and seasoned fashionista. She is the owner and creative force behind Element Interiors (www.element-interiors.com) and her blog (www.elementsofstyleblog.com) was voted one of the 6 best style blogs of 2010 by Fox News/iMag. Having been a loyal reader for over 2 years, I can attest to that accomplishment. Erin’s blog is not only fun to read and pretty to skim through, it also sets itself apart by providing readers with high quality content... something that can’t be said about most blogs. Elements of Style is my online resource for all things relating to design/fashion and it has allowed me to learn a lot about interior design.

Erin’s greatest strength as an interior designer is her ability to create jaw-dropping spaces on any budget. She knows where to splurge and where to save. She invests in classic basics and accessorizes with a variety of high and low-end, vintage and new, modern and traditional pieces. I admire the fact that Erin never shies away from using bold patterns, bright paint colors and funky fabrics. Her body of work is exceptionally unique and very difficult to label which, in an industry where ideas are recycled and mimicked, is probably the best compliment I can give her!













Designer of the week: Elsa Soyars...

I spend a substantial  amount of time surfing the net on what feels like an endless quest for  inspiring spaces. When I land on a picture I love, I immediately find out the designer’s name and check out their website. My hope is that their portfolio is as captivating and seamless as the initial image I fell in love with.  Although most of the time I’m totally disappointed, once in a blue moon I discover a designer whose body of work  is absolutely flawless. A few months ago, I fell upon one of these designers and it is my pleasure to highlight her career this week.

 Elsa Soyars has designed countless homes in the Hamptons and looking through her portfolio is like being granted access into the lavish summer homes of New York’s elite. The spaces she designs are elegant, cozy, classic and functional. Her use of sumptuous fabrics,  rich textures and bold patterns gives a signature look to every room she transforms.  

For any of you who enjoy the “beach chic” look as much as I do, I would like to point out that no one does it better than Elsa Soyars. 

I strongly encourage you to check out her website: www.elsasoyars.com 

But for the time being, here is a little taste of what you’ll see!























Designer of the week: Sarah Richardson...

In my opinion, there aren't many interior designers who come close to being as talented as our fellow Canadian Sarah Richardson. I started following her career years ago when she was virtually unknown and am blown away at how much she’s accomplished in such a short period of time.  Sarah, who started her career behind the scenes (literally) as a set decorator, is in the process of building an empire. 
Mark my words: She will become the Canadian equivalent of Martha Stewart. 
Sarah’s portfolio is too big to summarize in a blog such as this one but here are a few career highlights:   
  • Host of Room Service, Design Inc., Sarah's House, Sarah's Cottage and most recently, Sarah 101
  • Owner and Creative Director of Sarah Richardson Design (residential and commercial design firm based out of Toronto)
  • Recently launched paint collection with Para paints: Sarah Richardson’s Designer Palette
  • Indoor/Outdoor Furniture Collection
  • Featured columnist for the Globe & Mail
  • Awarded Canada’s Top 40 under 40 in 2007
  • Youngest designer named Canada's foremost "stylemakers" by Canadian House and Home magazine

To say that I am a big Sarah Richardson fan is an understatement. I have watched every single one of her shows and have come to the conclusion that she can do no wrong. 


Sarah is a master of spacial conception and organization, she creates the most original color schemes and is the only person who can make 25 different fabrics work cohesively together. 


Sarah if you're reading this, a magazine is obviously the next step in your career... Please make it happen!!!  


Enough said, I’ll let Sarah’s work speak for itself. 























In order to access Sarah's full portfolio, visit:  www.sarahrichardsondesign.com  


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