Article
November 01, 2011
Designing small spaces
The cross-over appeal of multi-family designs
I was asked by Brookfield homes recently to help decorate their five new show suites for their latest development, Mosaic Lakeside in Auburn Bay. I was excited to take this project on and my team and I started planning right away. My thought process at the beginning was to look at the palettes that each of the homes had; flooring, wall colour, cabinetry, etc.
This really led us into what style each of the units was going to have. We decided to give each one a name and create the type of lifestyle that each unit owner would have if they lived there, we almost created a make believe client, one that has no opinions and loves everything we do! We also wanted to breath some new life into suburban show homes and set them apart from all other show homes that people are used to seeing. With the buyer in mind, we shopped to accommodate budget-friendly design and to show people that good design doesn’t have to come at a high price. It can be achieved by any one. These design ideas translate as well to single-family homes where space is a premium.
Modern Glam - Crimson
The look is all about high-end glamour, a palette of blues, whites, silvery golds, and a touch of black to ground the space. The interiors are sophisticated and refined with modern accents through out to keep it current and on trend. A perfect space for those that like a traditional feel but not the stuffiness that it sometimes comes with. Mirrored accents, luxurious silks, and high-end fabrics are introduced through out the home to create that glam feel.
Mid Century - Drop Indigo
A throwback to the 60’s vintage style with a modern edge. Bold colours, patterns and graphics are introduced to create a fun and vibrant space. It is not the same wallpaper or shag carpeting that you saw in your grandma’s house, but an updated version. We mixed new and vintage pieces scouring the city for some amazing finds. This look is perfect for the collector or the weekend antique shopper that looks for those one-of-a-kind pieces to incorporate in their home.
Ethnic - Lower stacked
Dark tones and rich cabinetry really lend themselves to an ethnic inspired space. Incorporating pieces from your travels is so important to make a space your own, and this does just that. Global inspirations from wallpaper, bedding, fabrics and accessories all work together to create a unique and one of a kind space, perfect for the world traveler.
Industrial - Crimson
A big trend in design at the moment and one that takes its cue from loft living. Think New York City loft meets urban Calgary style. A mix of metals, wood tones, and lots of rustic touches makes this space a perfect fit for those that want loft living but without the price. It is all about being casual and having an artistic sensibility, a space that is warm and inviting but also modern and shows character.
City Chic – Upper stacked
Downtown style is the inspiration for this unit with a bold colour choice of yellow that really makes a statement as you enter the all white space. Modern, clean-lined furniture is minimal and chic. Sheer curtains that span wall-to-wall, and floor to ceiling add airiness and softness to the space. It just screams fabulous dinner and cocktails parties!
Editor’s Note:
New Home Living design columnist Aly Velji is everywhere these days it seems. He was just recently in the last My RONA Homes competition where his Blue Team took the grand prize, and he was last seen presenting at the Calgary Home + Design Show. Now our intrepid trendsetter has teamed-up with Brookfield Homes to design the show suite interiors for Mosaic Lakeside in Auburn Bay, and he takes us on a step-by-step look at how he came up with his designs for this unique project and how they can apply to single-family homes, as well.