“Love It or List It” host Hilary Farr provides insight on what well-thoughtout design can do for the home.
Inspired by her mother, “Love It or List It” host Hilary Farr started designing in Toronto in the '90s, and hasn’t stopped since.
What about a career in home design first caught your interest? Hilary Farr: I didn’t plan on having this career. Although, when I think about my background, it seems almost inevitable that this is my career. My mother was creative, curious about different cultures, a collector. She had an eye for design, and wonderful flare. She’d often take me when she was shopping for our home. I’d see the results of what she had chosen and loved how she could transform a room with new wallpaper, or by reupholstering a piece of furniture. I inherited that same love of creating beautiful spaces for myself and friends, but I didn't consider it a career until I left Los Angeles for Toronto in the ‘90s. Beautiful old homes were going for a song. My husband and I bought one and I created one of my favorite places I’ve ever lived. Some of the Toronto houses were grand, with no updates whatsoever. Many had become rooming houses when the owners fell on hard times. I couldn’t resist the chance to renovate, hoping they’d be appreciated as family homes again. My designs mixed British and LA styles, which turned out to be just what buyers wanted. That was the start of my career: renovating and beautifying homes for resale. I always furnished them as I would want to live. That staging became a business, leading to clients and realtors wanting my services, leading to my career in home design. A very long answer, which boils down to this: I have always loved creating beauty and design where none exists or has been lost, which I was lucky enough to be able to turn into a successful business.
If you could go back in time, what is one piece of advice you would have given yourself on the first few projects which you worked on?
HF: To chill. Accept that everything cannot be perfect.
What steps do you take during the planning phase of any project to ensure success later on? HF:
dreams I review of the homeowners. the wishes Then and I work on the design from a purely functional point of view. Finally, there’s the budget. With those three elements, I come up with a list of priorities suggesting where we must pull back and where we can splurge. It's a fine balance, but it works — most of the time.
Is there one common obstacle/challenge which presents itself in each project you work on? If so, how do you overcome it? HF:
Communication. I need to be sure I let the homeowners understand the constraints of the project, and they need to let me know their expectations. There are so many moving parts to a design project dependent on others. And homeowners often change their minds once things are in motion, which can cause delays and increase costs.
What is one trend in home design which you believe is going to make a big impact in 2018? HF:
I honestly don't follow trends, so I don't know exactly. But I think that with our current sense of uncertainty and turmoil we want our homes to be sanctuaries. This should bring about softer, more user- friendly design aesthetics. I see a lot of floral prints from a bygone era made modern with scale and color palettes. I think a longing for green spaces and nature resonates with us, whether or not we are aware. I think surfaces will be softer, warmer and more matte, rather than cold and sleek like stainless steel. I could be totally wrong. Let's see what happens!
What are some essential steps that every homeowner can take to design their home in a more sustainable manner? HF:
This is a bewildering area. There are so many options out there, some of which are very costly and some of which don't necessarily meet true sustainability standards. There are many companies, designers and architects who are very committed to building and designing with the least amount of impact on our planet. Look at your lifestyle to see where you can conserve precious water and energy. Change lightbulbs throughout your home there with are some LED very where good possible; choices with softer light, rather than blindingly white. Don't leave taps running while brushing your teeth or rinsing dishes in the sink — think of all those gallons of drinkable water going down the drain. Cut down energy use with a ceiling fan to cool off a room instead of running the AC all the time. Make sure windows and doors are weather-proofed. Gradually replace old appliances — like dishwashers, washing machines and fridges — with new, energy-efficient ones. Consider replacing an old furnace with a new, direct vent, energy-efficient model. In general, stop using cleaning or garden products that are harmful to the environment — they are likely to be harmful to humans as well. If you're building a new home, look for a LEED-approved builder. These are all costs that will pay you back over time as your energy bills are reduced. What would you say to a homeowner who is hesitant to make their home more green-friendly because he or she believes it will be too costly? HF: I would agree that's a valid concern. Then I'd want to know how much they spend on their energy bills, and start from there to show how much those costs could be reduced by spending money upfront by investing in energy-efficient appliances, heating, insulation, etc. And then I'd move on to a guilt trip and ask if they care about leaving a healthy planet for their children and grandchildren. ■