{"id":17198,"date":"2021-11-19T11:31:27","date_gmt":"2021-11-19T16:31:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sothebysrealty.ca\/insightblog\/?p=17198"},"modified":"2022-02-08T23:45:05","modified_gmt":"2022-02-09T04:45:05","slug":"how-to-bring-interiors-to-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sothebysrealty.ca\/insightblog\/en\/2021\/11\/19\/how-to-bring-interiors-to-life\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Bring Interiors to Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

A piece of art. A colour palette. A potted succulent. For Valerie Stafford, Partner and a Lead Designer at Rumor Designs, the smallest detail can be the thread that weaves together her whole vision and concept for a room. Her practice is focused on the quality of the materials in a space, from surface finishes and wall colours to lighting and fabrics.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the best part,\u201d she says. \u201cStarting a design is so much fun, and then following the path as it winds is the second best part.\u201d Here\u2019s how Valerie Stafford approaches a room and achieves the perfect balance of modern luxury.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

1. Start With a Sense of Purpose<\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"Greater Victoria, Victoria<\/a><\/div>\n

The thematic vision for a room might come from a single detail\u2014but regardless of d\u00e9cor, it\u2019s important to remember what exactly a space needs to achieve. \u201cEach room should have a primary purpose,\u201d explains Stafford, \u201cand the furniture and lighting should support those functions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

And while a room has a functional purpose, its visual style also plays an active role in shaping how the space feels for you and your visitors. \u201cOur surroundings, whether we are aware of it or not, set the tone or mood for our experiences,\u201d explains Stafford. \u201cSo at work or in the home, a beautifully designed space can create purpose, inspiration, energy, or peace.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2. Look High and Low<\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"450 Timbertop Drive, West Vancouver, BC<\/a><\/div>\n

One thing Stafford points out is that a room doesn\u2019t necessarily have to have four walls in order to be a unique and functional space. When faced with an open-concept space, she finds alternative ways to create distinctions without any need for conventional barriers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stafford notes that homeowners tend to underestimate the significance of lighting. There are three types she considers whenever she designs a room: task, for lighting up specific spaces for specific activities; ambient, for illuminating the room as a whole; and decorative, in which the light fixture itself is a unique, aesthetically-compelling unit worthy of display.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the most common requests during a remodel is to add more light,\u201d she notes. \u201cYou can never have too much, and you can always dim if needed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

3. Take Care of the In-Between Spaces<\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"2389 Sovereign St, Oakville, ON<\/a><\/div>\n

Whether it\u2019s demarcated by walls or not, Stafford focuses on conscientious space planning when organizing a room, arranging furniture pieces that create a sense of cohesiveness and individual character. The self-contained look is important for setting a room apart from its neighbouring spaces, and Stafford advises homeowners to invest in custom fixtures if they have glaring gaps they can\u2019t seem to fill.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

4. Pay Attention to Entrances<\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"242 Dunvegan Road, Toronto, ON<\/a><\/div>\n

On the topic of inviting spaces, Stafford emphasizes the importance of first impressions. Homeowners should take time to think through the experience of coming into a space \u2014 or of coming into the home.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAn entryway helps get your entertaining off on the right foot and makes your guests feel welcomed,\u201d she says. \u201cWhether it is as simple as a small table and a mirror to check yourself on the way out, or as grand as a water feature and chandeliers, you can\u2019t go wrong keeping the design elevated in this area.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

5. Don\u2019t Let Setbacks Set You Back<\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"210228 102 Street W, Rural Foothills County, AB<\/a><\/div>\n

If there\u2019s one thing Stafford wants you to know, it\u2019s that homeowners need to be problem solvers and should never get deflated when the unexpected happens. \u201cI have rarely seen a project where every element goes as planned. Building a home is a creative endeavour, and there are always things that pop up, no matter how much planning you do. If you anticipate this, you can embrace it and find the opportunities in the hurdles.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At the end of the day, creative design is the work of many, not just one. \u201cThere are a thousand and one details and it takes a village,\u201d says Stafford of the design process. \u201cHire a designer you connect with, a builder who is good with both communication and numbers, and an architect who inspires you.\u201d With the right team in place and the patience to wait out complications, every home project can become a realized work of art.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

This article was published on December 17, 2020 and updated on November 19, 2021. <\/em>This article was originally published on Sotheby\u2019s International Realty\u2019s <\/span><\/i>Extraordinary Living Blog<\/span><\/i><\/a> and has been adapted for Sotheby\u2019s International Realty Canada\u2019s INSIGHT Blog. <\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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A piece of art. A colour palette. A potted succulent. 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