LESSONS IN LUXURY
Designer Alyssa Colagiacomo reveals how she harnessed the power of black and added layers of elegance to transform a condo.
Designer Alyssa Colagiacomo reveals how she harnessed the power of black and added layers of elegance to transform a builder-basic, 800-square-foot Toronto condo into a sophisticated yet serene sanctuary.
“When deciding on a colour palette for a room, focus on how you want that space to make you feel. For living rooms, I gravitate to calming tonal palettes over stark white – creamy ivories and greys that have lilac undertones are a favourite combination.”
“Choose the right-sized furniture. I chose a sofa with ample scale, which, strangely, makes the room feel bigger, while its sculptural curves break up all the straight lines. I echoed the curves in the tables and armchair because continuity feels elegant.”
“Texture is another easy way to impart elegance. Velvet sofas are wonderful. as I find the pile absorbs light, adding dimension and shadow. This faux shagreen side table has a lively pebble surface that guests almost always want to touch.”
“I love bell-base tables in different sizes and heights, and I used them as coffee tables in the living area. They look amazing and are functional for moving around the room easily.”
“I wanted to introduce a saturated colour. This deep-blue chair looks so lovely against the brass lamp and bone-inlay of the side table. Its sculptural element is a nice juxtaposition to their more delicate profiles, and the dark blue is a tonal link to the condo’s black kitchen.”
“Styling, to me, is just as essential as well-made furniture. It’s the finishing touch that uses design principles, such as scale and proportion, to make every accessory look intentional. I love groupings in odd numbers, one of the oldest tricks, but it works, especially when objects are of varying heights and sizes.”
“Use black all over if you have a smaller kitchen. It makes the kitchen feel grand and custom, while not overpowering it.”
“Just as a living room needs a sofa and a bedroom needs a bed, every room needs black. It complements any palette. When used in a bright, colourful room, black emphasizes a palette’s zingy punch. In a space with soft colours, like the living room, black visually guides you through a space and keeps the room from feeling flat.”
“The black quartz has gorgeous light veining. Each accessory on the countertop was thoughtfully chosen with that in mind, and to bring in the finishes found throughout the condo – plaster white, brass, wood grain and black.”
“By painting the entryway black, it actually makes the space feel bigger. Black blurs the restrictions and corners of a confined space so your gaze keeps moving before landing on the gorgeous view of the neutral living room.”