Displaying posts labeled "Black"

I can’t remember how I first came across the Instagram account of designer Elle Patille (@leydi_milagros_design), though I do recall being instantly smitten with her style. In a really profound way. Her Victorian heritage home is located outside of Toronto and I fell in love with every inch of it. And once I saw the before photos I was even more enthralled with her home and her talent as a designer. Her home was very very white not long ago (as seen in this House & Home feature), and I have to applaud her for deciding to do a 180 and go mostly dark. The drama the home now exudes is magical, and the dark backdrop is exactly what was needed to showcase her collection of curiosities. (Yes, there is quite a bit of taxidermy in her home – if you aren’t a fan please move on to the next post and comments on this subject will be removed). Her aesthetic is what she calls modern ‘horror vacui’ (“fear of empty space”) and it’s breathtaking. Also, her and her husband share this home with a slew of dogs and cats so she gets major bonus points for that.

For me, home is a place that understands how you’re feeling and how to comfort you at any given moment.  I knew there was a lot of potential when we purchased our home but I didn’t go into it with a vision. I did however go into it with a lot of emotion which allowed it to take shape without questioning it. In order to achieve this, I needed spaces that were healing and that tapped on every emotion… Spaces that were pretty but at the same time can give you the chills… rooms soft and romantic yet strong and masculine …  dark busy rooms that are thought provoking and bright clean areas that allow for a clear and creative mind. In turn, it became a sort of therapy – a release, psychological turned physical and ultimately it became not just a home for me but rather a refuge.

As of late I have been spending every bit of free time I have working on backyard projects with my husband. We finally received our shipment of plants (all evergreens – I realized I should embrace our crappy climate and plant things that look alive all year long) so the space is finally coming together. I am not big on flowers. I mean, I love a bouquet every now and then or picking some weeds out of the yard and sticking them in a vase but that’s about it. And that is why I love this townhouse garden project by Sawyer | Berson. It’s just deep greens and black. I love the simplicity yet how lush it is. Can’t really go wrong with classics like boxwoods and English ivy and staghorn ferns.

I absolutely love this Park Avenue prewar apartment architected and designed by MKCA. It has a contemporary art deco feel to it and has some exuberant touches that keep it young and fresh. Located in a distinguished Carnegie Hill co-op building, the 2,800 sf apartment has been reimagined for contemporary family life while retaining its original gracious formality. The renovation concentrated on maximizing the already well-proportioned formal spaces, including a generous entrance gallery, formal living room and dining room; while converting the dark and crowded storage and service areas into functional contemporary living elements.

Photos: Brooke Holm

There is so much drama when using dark colours in a space. Add in some touches of bold shades of mustard and blue and it’s a feast for the eyes. It has been a while since we featured the work or Parisian interior designer Marianne Evennou and I’m delighted to share more of her unique take on interiors.

It’s all about balance. A balance between crisp and modern and rustic and weathered. Rough versus smooth. A hint of scandi with a dose of Aussie. Light versus dark. Formally structured and sensuous and tactile. A fine balancing act indeed. Hunters Hill House by Handelsmann + Khaw.

Photography by Felix Forest