Thrifts & Colours 👒

Is anyone else done with the snow? It is May 1st and it is snowing here in Calgary. It feels like winter is never going to end. The good news is I have SO many collabs and projects coming up, I know I’ve said it a million times and I’ll say it again - I cannot wait for the summer. 

The warm breeze, the evenings on the patio sipping cold beer and everything is GREEN. Some people think colours don’t affect our moods, but it’s just not true. 

Studies show colours make you feel, such as White represents purity, blue makes us feel calm, pink is kindness, purple represents wealth and yellow = energy.

This is why I use so much colour in my designs, I tend to gravitate towards mostly masculine vibes for interiors and feminine for exteriors.

As you probably already know, I use a ton of green, blue and natural hues in my designs, I like to reflect the outdoors, and the feeling of serenity, calm and beauty in my designs.

I have always believed that GOOD design makes you FEEL something, and that is my goal with my designs, when people walk into the spaces I have designed, I want them to FEEL at peace, elevated, calm, and collected, in other words, connected to the earth. 

I LOVE that we are flowing into a more natural movement for interiors. Exposed brick, natural stone and impurities are not being hidden. Natural fibres and linens that speak for themselves. Light natural wood tones in furniture and very calm light beiges with favourite (dark) colours that tell a story. I 100% believe that your home should reflect you and your family, that’s why it is ever-changing, because you are always changing, growing, evolving. 

I am so tired of seeing white, black and greys. Don’t get me wrong, I love simplistic, minimalism for some people because some folks are simplistic and minimalists. But not everyone, not every home, townhome and apartment should be playing it THIS safe. I had a client ask me a couple of months ago, where is the CHARACTER in homes nowadays?

This is exactly what I’m talking about, for our homes to reflect ourselves we need to add art that speaks to us, plants, mixed wood tones and colours that have feelings associated with them, decor and accessories that we love. 

This is why I love thrift shopping for my clients, I have found the most amazing pieces for each project so far...

• I found an old Empire State Building Statue that I used as a piece of decor in a city-focused Airbnb. 

• I found a small swan jewellery holder from 1912 that a couple had handmade in a pottery class together. 

• I found 5-year-old hockey skates that I ended up hanging on the wall of a Hockey inspired bedroom for a young boy, they were his favourite thing. 

• I found an old suitcase for $15 that matched the colour of the sofa I chose for another Airbnb which brought the vintage aesthetic to another level.

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You never know what you are going to find, and yes there are cheesy, dusty, broken pieces that you have to filter through but it’s good for the environment to reuse and you will have pieces that no one else does, it’s that an amazing fact?

This is one of the reasons I love living in the city, there are countless thrift and vintage stores, and you may be paying a bit more than new pieces (sometimes) but I think it is definitely worth it. When you mix metals, layer textures, colours and decor it makes a space feel more warm and homey, not so cold and bland.

Let me know what you think, do you love thrifting or would you rather have a home full of all brand-new pieces? There is no wrong answer, it is just personal preference but again, your home should reflect you.