IN VOGUE
Featuring trends both fresh and timeless, this luxe West Coast sitting room strikes a stylish confident pose.
Featuring trends both fresh and timeless, a luxe West Coast sitting room strikes a stylish and confident pose
The secret to living large in a 150-square-foot room lies in selective style. Lacking the luxury of lots of space in this Vancouver home, designer Ami McKay and spouseslash-construction manager Don Thomas of Pure Design had to employ an exacting eye and choose elements for the sitting room that were nothing short of perfection: inviting and comfy, high quality and über-functional, timeless and on-trend. The pieces work together to add modern character to the home’s vintage 1930s envelope, delivering that quintessential of-the-moment decor mix that lends personality and charm to any space. Here are the highlights.
1. Arc On
Sculptural arc lamps are nothing new, but these long-necked adjustable beauties are so versatile they never seem to go out of style. “They’re great for lighting intimate spaces in lieu of a ceiling mount,” explains Ami.
2. Heart of Glass
Move over, French doors. In more modern spaces like this, a wall of black-framed warehousestyle windows is stealing your spotlight. Here, they add industrial drama and echo the geometry of the open-framed furnishings, as well as the hits of black that pepper the room.
3. Colour Code
If you’re investing in big-ticket items, keep longevity top of mind and opt for neutral hues. Add interest with texture, and choose a colourful hero like this fun energetic rug. Should the homeowners ever crave a fresh accent shade, they can simply switch out this one piece.
4. Tanned Hide
With its graphic square frame and caramelcoloured cushions, the sidechair is masculine to the eye but feminine to the touch. The Pure Design team loves its supple, slightly worn leather for its ultra-luxe feel. “It goes with every look and adds warmth to any space,” says Ami.
5. Photo Finish
A classic style move that never gets stale, adding personal travel photos lends character. When matted and framed, a trio of black and white architecture shots (another trend we’re seeing lots of) looks gallery-worthy...but comes at a fraction of the cost.
6. Bar Star
“These days, we’re adding built-in bars to most of the houses we’re designing,” says Ami of the 1950s trend that has returned to living rooms of late. Perfect for preventing kitchen congestion during get-togethers, this one maximizes every square inch and boasts storage for everything from wine and spirits to serveware.