8 ideas for bold and fearless interiors
Design, Stacey Cohen. Photo, Sian Richards.
Bold and Fearless
Choose animated wallpaper
Toronto designer Stacey Cohen was thrilled when her client presented her with this wild wallpaper. To pull it all together, she made it the key design element in the room and repeated the cobalt-blue colour throughout the space.rnrnTip: Place a console table behind a sofa. It only takes up a few inches of space, but gives you an extra place to store books, display art and rest a drink.rnrnDesign, Stacey Cohen. Sofa, Jonathan Adler. Coffee table, sculptures, Elte.
Bring life to your walls
We asked Stacey how she workds with busy wallpaper. "You need to make it the key element in the design. This doesn’t mean you can’t introduce other patterns and textures, but they should complement the wallpaper, not compete with it. I find that working with tones of one colour, rather than several different colours, helps achieve a feeling of coherency."rnrnMarimekko II Iltavilli wallpaper, $199 per roll, Modern Karibou.
Look to nature for patterns
Find a jumping off point that will help guide your design. It can be anything you like, such as a favourite fabric, a piece of artwork or even wallpaper.rnrnStarglint wallpaper, $150 per roll, Flavor Paper.
Make a statement with geometric motifs
"Even the busiest walls need a bit of artwork," Stacey assures.rnrnEnigma White and Prussian Blue wallpaper by Kelly Hoppen, $85 per roll, Graham & Brown.
Put the emphasis on floors with patterns
Committing to a graphic floor tile takes guts, but the payoff is huge. The designer of this room, Jessica Helgerson, chose a Morocco-inspired cement floor tile for this kitchen. “The bold decision in this space was to embrace high contrast, both in the dark cabinets playing against the pale ceiling and in the highly patterned floor tiles,” says Jessica. Accented with brass, the look is timeless and elegant.rnrnDesign, Jessica Helgerson.
Make what's underfoot a focal point
“It makes me happy when I see spaces that are not generic or safe but courageously reflect the inhabitants’ story, their interests, their life," says Jessica Helgerson.rnrnFez tile, $7, Granada Tile. Big Dane tile, $12 per square foot, Clé Tile. Maison tile, $28 per square foot, Mosaic House.
Create instant drama with inky walls
The quickest way to transform a room is with paint. Going dark reduces visible shadows and makes everything you put against it more vibrant and luxurious. Opt for a dark paint that has a few subtle undertones in it to stop it from appearing too flat.rnrnTip: Add a dynamic light fixture to complement a striking design scheme.
Add depth with dark colours
Stacey Cohen suggests, "For a monochromatic look, paint the trim the same colour as the wall. To make it pop, paint it a contrasting colour."rnrnMidnight Velvet, $50 for 4L, Home Hardware. Ebony Slate, $48 for 4L, Benjamin Moore. Studio Green, $95 per gallon, Farrow & Ball.rnrnGet more: How to coordinate a show-stopping sofa.
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