Catching Up with…Vanessa Sicotte

Hello there!

Vanessa from Damask & Dentelle is one of my newer blog sponsors so I thought it would be fun to get her take on my “10 Quick Questions.”  She is an interior decorator, blogger, mom to three young children and host of a new TV show in Quebec! One busy lady!  I have had the pleasure of meeting her on a couple of occasions and she is formidable! (hope that’s the correct use of the word Vanessa!)


1) Tell us a bit about your background and education. When did you begin your career in design?
Oh boy, are you sure? It might take a while… I have a bachelor degree in industrial psychology, one in marketing, a master in international business, a diploma in real estate… and finally I did a decorator’s course 3 years ago!
(Note: all interior shots are of Vanessa’s belle maison in Montreal.)


2) What is Damask & Dentelle?
Damask & Dentelle’s website was launched in October 2009 and is now recognized as one of Québec’s leading design blogs & web directory with a devoted following. As the curator of the site I am also a design blogger and trends observer. I created Damask & Dentelle as a way to reach out and share finds of Québec’s design boutiques, artisans and professionals to the consumers as well as people from the design industry.

3) Tell us a bit about your latest venture – Sauvez Les Meubles.
Sauvez les Meubles is a new TV show that will air on Québec’s Canal Vie as of September. It’s concept is adorable (hey I am a little biased)! My mandate is to decorate a room in a couple’s home using their existing vintage furniture, hand-me-downs from family members and thrift finds… all for less than $500. I try to propose as many cool DIY ideas as I can find to give people the most bang for their buck and so far we’ve had some awesome reveals.



Myself, Nancy, Gabby, Vanessa and Barbara at Aberfoyle Antique Market back in May where Vanessa sourced some great finds for the show.



4) Who inspires you?
My children are a huge source of inspiration for their mere no hold back use of color. In the design world I admire the work of Albert Hadley & David Hicks as the forefathers of pattern and the timelessness of their designs. Kelly Wearstler for her interpretations of Hollywood Regency, Canada’s Tommy Smythe for his use of black, Thom Filicia for his business sense, Darryl Carter for embracing all things white, Amy Lau for her Mid Century revival decors and India Hicks for her beach je ne sais quoi!

5) Name something about yourself that readers may be surprised to learn?
I have 3 children under 7 years of age, 8 tattoos, 0 pet, and way too many pairs of shoes!



6) How would you describe your decorating style?
With a lot of qualifiers! I would say my style is somewhere on the median between bohemian, eclectic and Hollywood Regency with a massive vintage twist.



7) What is the most common mistake people make when decorating?
Not trusting their instincts and buying everything at once, from the same place. It is better to have a void in the room than to pack it up with things that are just fillers. The perfect piece of furniture will eventually find its way and fill that void as if it belonged there. Also, I often recommend to people to be mindful of the craftsmanship and provenance of the products they buy. Cheap (and I don’t mean inexpensive here) will always be just that… cheap.

Love the floral fabric on her 400 year old chair.

8) What does every room need?
A touch of black! (Navy counts too)

9) What are three simple changes someone can make to their home right now for maximum impact?
Look up! Add interest to a room by using the ceiling as a fifth wall and paint it, add mouldings, or wallpaper to make it come alive.
Use your china and crystal glasses everyday! These are life’s small luxuries that I love to indulge in. Not only do they look so pretty at the breakfast table but they also have mood uplifting capacities.
Go green! I find people have less and less plants in their homes for some reason. Let’s change that shall we? Right now I am infatuated with ficus trees for their large leaves and their architectural features that add oomph to any room.
 

10) What’s next for you?
Some time off maybe?? I have not had a day off in what seems to be forever. So my family and I will be taking 3 weeks off this summer and I am already counting the days until then. Woopidoo!
On the Damask & Dentelle front, I am very excited to see the Toronto directory come out this fall. It’s been a long process but it is now ready.
Otherwise, I am entertaining the wild dream of one day writing a book and having a a signature bedding line. Hey a girl can dream right?
                                          ***************************

Thanks Vanessa!  Enjoy your well deserved vacation! I have no doubt that your dreams will become a reality soon! 

Be sure to head on over to Damask & Dentelle to get inspired. Also check out Vanessa’s blog here.

Catching Up With…Samantha Pynn

Did you catch the premiere back-to-back episodes of the second season of  Summer Home with Samantha Pynn last night? I was so looking forward to watching and it didn’t disappoint.

Samantha, her darling contractor and her talented design team work their magic on dated cottages that have seen better days.  The end results are spaces that are casual, inviting and family friendly.

Whether you own a cottage or not, you will be sure to learn from Samantha’s fresh and simple design tips.
In the premiere episode, Sam and her team tackle a Muskoka cottage that has become too small for the family who have owned it for over 13 years.  This is the Before of the cottage: 

(Photo credit:  John Queenan)

And this is the After:

Photo Credit:  Virginia MacDonald

Paint, new flooring and lighting, slipcovered furniture and a stone fireplace transform the dark and dated space.  Moving the wall in the living area back into the bedroom makes the small space feel large. This is classic Samantha – fresh, not fussy, simple and pretty!

For those of you who don’t know Samantha, she is a decorator, stylist, former host of Pure Design,  former contributing design editor for Style at Home, a columnist for the National Post, a regular guest expert on CityLine and Chatelaine’s new design expert.  She can also be seen on the HGTV.ca web series The Switch and the Mix.  Phew, that’s quite the schedule!

Sam did manage to fit in some time to answer these questions. 

1) Tell us a bit about your background and education. When/how did you begin your career in design and/or TV?
I have an English Specialist degree from UofT (I considered being an Eng. Prof.) I worked as a location scout for music videos and commercials while taking magazine journalism at Ryerson, but I was hired at Style at Home magazine and didn’t finish at Ryerson. I was originally on the writing side of Style at Home, but the design department was so lean that within a day I had been transferred. I loved it and stayed. My training ground was really at Style at Home for 8 years. Probably during my second year, a CityLine producer asked me to come on the show with Marilyn Denis (I think she is the most amazing woman in broadcasting) and from there my television career began.

2) Who has been your greatest mentor in your career and what did you learn from them?
There are so many. David Overholt is my design mentor. He taught me how to design a space from scratch. In fact, one of his columns in Style at Home was called From Scratch. Margot Austin formerly the senior design editor at Style at Home taught me how to pull together a story. Gail Johnston Habs my editor in chief at Style at Home taught me to keep a cool head about work even when you feel passionately about something and you want to explode. And of course my parents, my dad is a real motivator – everything is achievable in his eyes- and my mom puts her heart into everything she does.

3) Name one thing about yourself that readers may be surprised to learn?
Behind the scenes, I don’t have an edit button. People know what I am thinking. You don’t ever have to guess. Mostly, it’s a good thing because I’m a happy person.


4) How would you describe your decorating style?
My personal style is fresh, bright, and feminine. But when I’m working for others I really channel their style.

5) What is the most common mistake people make when decorating?
People don’t follow their heart. They don’t look at their inspiration pictures closely enough to see the recurring themes. And sometimes when they do, they don’t execute what makes them happy because they are worried it will make too much of a statement.
    
6) What does every room need?
To make a statement. The statement can be I love stripes, or colour, or I like to keep everything beige and cream, but it’s still a statement.

7) What are three simple changes someone can make to their home right now for maximum impact?
Paint the walls or paint the furniture to unify colour and finishes.

8) What are your favourite shops/markets for unique decorating finds?
Teatro Verde, South Hill Home, Elegant Garage Sale and Boj Décor

9) Having watched the premier of Summer Home, it looks like you were having the time of your life filming and that there were definite benefits! What were some of the challenges of working on the series? Will you be doing another season?
I would love to do another season. It was so much fun and the fun you see on camera is real. The only challenge is that I’m a family girl and I only get 48 hours in the city every week and 16 of those are supposed to be spent sleeping!

10) What are you currently working on? What’s next for you?
I’m currently working on my column for the National Post, stories for Chatelaine magazine, appearances on CityLine and a loft and a kitchen.

                                            *************************
Thanks Sam and congrats on your new role as a design expert with Chatelaine!
Be sure to tune in to HGTV Canada Monday nights at 8 pm EST for two episodes of Summer Home.  If you have a cottage that needs an update, Summer home is looking for homes to decorate/renovate this summer.  Read all the details here.

What did you think? Did you watch?

Catching Up With…Bob and Cortney Novogratz

I’m happy to be starting the year off with an interview with none other than Bob and Cortney Novogratz.

Bob and Cortney are a husband and wife team with seven children (including two sets of twins) who have been creating vibrant and hip spaces for 16 years.



They began their career in renovating and design by purchasing a condemned townhouse  in Chelsea, NY in 1996.  “They gutted and rebuilt it, and discovered they were not only skilled at doing so, but also that they enjoyed the process. “We liked the chaos, and we grew as a couple,” Ms. Novogratz said.”  {Excerpt from here.}  That was the beginning of a series of real estate purchases and renovations some of which are chronicled in their book Downtown Chic.

Their recent design show, Home by Novogratz, premieres in Canada tonight.  Viewers of each half-hour episode will witness their unique design talent  as they transform spaces, be it residential or commercial, from concept to completion.  It’s just what Canadian design TV viewers have been waiting for!

You can watch a short clip (love this scene which comes across as unscripted) from one of the episodes airing tonight and also get a tour of their Brazil home here.

 
This was their recent holiday card  -  adorable!  The Times of London called them the “Coolest Family in the World.”

What do you think sets Home by Novogratz apart from other design TV shows?
On Home by Novogratz, we attempt to show new, edgy decor ideas you might not have seen before.  We always want to be different and original.  We urge our audience to step outside their comfort zone and try something new.

 

Before of  the Living Room featured in the first episode of Home by Novogratz.

I have to ask this question! Do you have a nanny or someone (a team?) help you out with the kids or at home?  
We are very lucky to have help.  We are appreciative for every bit of it.

Who inspires you (each of you)?  
We are both inspired by people who take risks, who innovate; individuals who are unique in their outlook.

Name one thing about yourself that readers may be surprised to learn? 
Even though we are both so identified with New York City, we both have southern roots.


I love that one of your design mantras is “There are no rules.”  Do you have a design element that you always try to incorporate into your designs?
Each project is different but if you wanted to know things we do consistently – we love pops of colour, we use interesting art to enhance every project, we love a mix of vintage and modern, high and low.  But having said all that, we love to approach each space with fresh eyes and do what that environment calls for, as well as the needs and lifestyle of the people who will be using the space.  So we’re open to anything and try to come up with new ideas all the time, challenge ourselves and push the envelope a little bit (or sometimes, a lot!)

 

This is the After of the first episode airing tonight.  The young, urban clients wanted “industrial cozy” and the Novogratzes delivered.

What is the most common mistake people make when decorating?
Scale is often a big problem for a lot of people.  They tend to have too many furnishings and pieces that are too big for the space they are decorating.

What does every room need?
Art – anything from your kids’ creations to collectibles, family photos, flea market finds, gallery pieces.  Mix it up, but putting art in a room can change the whole dynamic of the environment immediately and with great impact.

What are three simple changes someone can make to their home right now for maximum impact?   
Clean out your clutter and make your room spacious.  Go for a fresh coat of paint, maybe with a focal wall in a bright hue you had never considered.  Hang a cool piece of art on your wall (see above.)

Note: The Novogratz’ have a line of low VOC paints with Stark and the colours are gorgeous!

What’s next for you? When can we expect to see your collection for the home?
We have a lot of new, cool things coming in 2012—including a home decor collection and a new season of Home by Novogratz.  Stay tuned!

Thank you Bob and Cortney for taking time out of your schedule to answer my questions!

Be sure to tune in to HGTV Canada at 8:00 pm EST today (Monday, January 2nd) for back to back episodes of Home by Novogratz.

I screened the first two episodes and what I loved about the show is how Bob and Cortney work together as a couple – blending their differing design points of view to come up with a stellar result.  They make life with seven children and their design projects seem easy, cool and fun!

Will you be watching? 

Catching Up With…Karen Sealy

If you live in Canada and watch Cityline, you probably are familiar with guest expert and designer Karen Sealy.  You may have caught her on HGTV Canada’s Summer Home where she renovated and decorated dated but loved cottages.  I remember watching her on HGTV Designer SuperStar Challenge and thinking “this girl is going places.”  And has she ever!

I recently caught up with her to ask her some questions about her background and design in general.  She is just as personable,  charismatic and vibrant as she appears.

  

Tell us a bit about your background and education.

I apparently love school because even after my Psychology at Brock University and Commerce at Queens I still went back yet again to do my Interior Design at International Academy of Design.  It was after buying my first house and taking holiday time to renovate it with my (very handy) Dad that I fell in love with design and had my epiphany that I had to become an Interior Designer.

I took on clients three months into school, since I had a mortgage and had to support myself.  I told all these supportive folks that I would honour my rates with them forever since they were helping me make my dream a reality. When I graduated design school a few years later I had a full client roster and a full fledge design business.  Starting a business just naturally happened for me and has been growing ever since.  Of course HGTV Designer SuperStar challenge and then a year later starting on CityLine has propelled me and I am incredibly grateful for both.

With your TV appearances, filming Summer Home and working on special projects like the TIFF media lounge, how much of your time is spent on the design end of the business working with clients?

I still oversee all designs that go through the Sealy Design doors.  Interior design is my passion and I love our clients so I will always make time for this side of my business.  I am very lucky to have a strong team of talented designers who support me and all our efforts to make this possible.  {Note: Karen has a team of 12.)

Who inspires you?

The list is long! I would say in life it’s people who have a positive outlook and see problems as challenges and go after their dreams without making excuses. I’m drawn to people who are grateful and spread positive energy and inspire me to do more of the same.  These people range from my Father to Oprah to Louise Hay to Alice Pyne and more.  My design inspiration is taken from everywhere and everything- fashion, to art to multimedia to concept car design to… this diversity keeps our ideas fresh and allows us to bring this to our own projects.

Name one thing about yourself that readers may be surprised to learn?

I am a black belt in judo.

How would you describe your decorating style?

Decorating to me is the final step on a much longer road. Everyone needs to start with functionally what they’re trying to achieve and then consider the aesthetics of the space.  Decorating is to design what the icing is to a cake, no amount of frosting can cover up poor initial decisions. So I would say my overall style is practical, creative, engaging and personal; based on the needs and wants of the people who live in that space.

What is the most common mistake people make when decorating?

Making one off decisions so that the room either never gets done because people run out of money and/or energy or the space never has cohesion since it was done piecemeal. 

What does every room need?

Laughter.

What are three simple changes someone can make to their home right now for maximum impact?

  “declutter and organize- it’s cheap and can have incredible  impact.”

“paint- again inexpensive and something most of us can do ourselves but has an immediate effect.”

“finish the space with art, drapes, area rugs, accessories.  It can take a nice space to a WOW space.”

What are your favourite shops/markets for unique decorating finds?

I love etsy.com since I can shop whenever I have a few minutes to myself.  I’m also a big fan of the Leslieville area in Toronto, from the eclectic salvage shops to the mid-century modern ones; I can always find some hidden gem.

All photos courtesy of Sealy Design Inc.

What’s next for you and Sealy Design Inc.?  Will there be Season 2 of Summer Home?

There are so many exciting things happening at Sealy, from a design book to a youth shelter makeover charity project in time for Christmas to a guest appearance on a travel TV show called “Ship to Shore.”  Summer Home will continue but I’ve handed the reigns over to Samantha Pynn, a talented stylist and a well-known HGTV host.  There was a decision to move away from the renovating and design of Summer Home Season 1 to quicker decorating solutions for Season 2.  So I decided this wasn’t as good a fit for me and what I love and believe in so it made sense to decline Season 2.  I’m sure Sam will dazzle everyone with her cottage makeovers.

Thanks Karen for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer these questions.  I loved your thoughtful answers and look forward to following what’s next for you!

Catching up with…Margot Austin

Margot Austin is the talented and witty Senior Design Editor of Style at Home magazine, who also blogs here.  Style at Home brings design within reach for readers showcasing stylish yet liveable homes.   Decor shops and finds, decorating advice and sinfully delicious recipes from Donna Hay all make for an inspirational read.  

Her husband Kevin has a column in the magazine and owns the shop Chair, Table, Lamp (don’t you love that name?)  

Margot kindly agreed to be interviewed and her unabridged responses are both thoughtful and informative.  Enjoy.

 

How did you end up working at Style at Home? 

MA:  It’s a long winding story.  Growing up I always wanted to work at a fashion magazine. Early in my career I had a chance to work on fashion and décor stories and learned that I liked both. Later I worked at IMAGES, a fashion and beauty mag. I loved it, and it was there that I had my first chance to style and produce beauty photo shoots. Not long after, my husband and I bought our first house and he opened his own antiques and home décor shop. Fixing up our first house together was when decorating started to eclipse fashion in my mind. Then the STYLE AT HOME opportunity came up. I started in Oct 2002 as a senior editor, handling stories and editing copy. A year later, then-editor Gail Johnston Habs gave me the opportunity to move away from the “words” dept and over to the styling side, leading the design department – scouting homes, styling shoots, dabbling in design. (phewf, and that’s the short version of the story!)

Do you also have your own decorating/styling clients?

MA:  Right now I don’t have the time to devote to clients, but it’s something I’m open to doing in the future.



What gets you up every morning?
 
MA:  My husband, Kevin – and I mean that literally and figuratively. Literally because I’m a night owl and stay up super late puttering, planning, drawing, blogging and writing, so I need him to get me up, since I can sleep through any alarm! And figuratively because he’s my best friend and my partner in everything this life has to offer. We are a great team!



Who inspires you?

MA:  Wow, so many people! For each of my interests I have a different set of people who inspire me. Take your pick!

I love Barbara Barry for her commitment to living elegantly, her business acumen and the singularity and clarity of her creative vision.

I am inspired by other magazine journalists who create gorgeous content such as Stephen Drucker (formerly of House Beautiful, now editor of Town & Country – can’t wait to see what he does there!), Newell Turner of House Beautiful, Margaret Russell and Anita Sarsidi at Elle Décor. Everyone at UK Homes & Gardens and Vogue Living Australia!

Stylists whose work I study include Carlos Mota, Atlanta Bartlett, Randi Brookman Harris, Rebecca Thuss, Jen Gotch.

When it comes to design writing, I swoon when I read sentences written by Dominique Browning or Mayer Rus.

As for designers, I always turn to The Greats for the best inspiration: Elsie DeWolfe, Billy Baldwin, John Fowler, Dorothy Draper. Among today’s talents I love the work of Gil Schafer, Tom Scheerer, Thomas O’Brien, Darryl Carter, Tricia Foley, Amanda Nisbet, Celerie Kemble, Steven Gambrel….and so many more.

And yes, without a doubt I worship at the altar of Martha!



Click here to read Margot’s hilarious account of meeting up with Martha.

What dream do you still want to fulfill?

MA:  So many, but if I told you they might not come true (I’m superstitious that way).



Tell us about your homes in Toronto and Tweed, ON?

MA:  In Toronto, we live in a petite bungalow that’s so charming – the bungalow really is such a wonderful house design. The décor is light and airy with all white walls and fabrics in a mix of greens, greys and natural linen with touches of yellow. It’s a happy but not hyper palette. The wood-burning fireplace sold me on the house from the minute I first saw it – and it’s still my favourite feature.

The Tweed house is a hundred-year old Edwardian with some Italianate details. The kitchen and bathroom are renovated and decorated, and now I’m finally in the thick of decorating the rest of the house. You’ll see it in future issues of STYLE AT HOME. I’m going for a relaxed new traditional vibe. We have some lovely antiques, thanks to my husband’s sourcing. I like the idea of tempering the formality of antiques by mixing them with humble natural materials like hemp, linen, cotton, jute, tumbled stone, painted wood panelling.



How would you describe your decorating style?


MA:  Hmmm, I’m struggling to come up with one of those pithy two-word hybrids that say it all and I just can’t. I’m so very fickle. It’s an occupational hazard from learning to appreciate so many different styles. I like a Saarinen tulip table just as much as a Georgian double pedestal mahogany table. One thing I’ve learned is that the answer in most matters of design is “It depends.” This is one of those instances.




What is the most common mistake people make when decorating?

MA:  I think many people don’t decorate at all, they merely furnish. To decorate – even for a modernist or minimalist – you need a plan (the furniture is only one part of that plan). To decorate is to create a whole environment – the walls, the floor, the ceiling, the art, the accessories, the windows etc etc etc. I compare it to eating a meal: Meal A is steak frites, Meal B is a 5-course bistro meal with aperitif, appetizer, entre, cheese course etc etc. Both satisfy your body’s need for fuel (and can cost the same amount) but the 5-course meal is a complete and complex experience. Most people opt for the Meal A of interiors. It’s a missed opportunity.



What does every room need?

MA:  Something that’s worth nothing in monetary terms but is priceless to you personally. I also think every room needs a touch of black – learned that one from The Greats and wholeheartedly agree.

      

What design rule do you often break?

MA:  Ugh, I hate rules. People are freaked out enough about making a “mistake” without having to worry about rules. But if I had to choose one I’d say that many designers advise you not to be swayed by a paint colour name and instead focus on the colour itself and make sure it works with your light conditions blah blah blah. I disagree and have very often chosen a paint MAINLY for its name – and with great success I might add. I painted the kitchen in our first house Georgian Green and I swear our real estate value went up immediately thanks to the stately name of our kitchen paint!

     

What are your favourite design stores to shop (Canada, US even)?

MA:  Here goes:

Canada: ChairTableLamp (my husband’s shop), IKEA, Crate & Barrel, West Elm, Hardware, Angus & Co, Absolutely North, InVU (I’m a fabric nut), Aberfoyle Antique Market, Dollarama
New York: Muji (my all-time fave store), ABC Home, Pearl River Mart, John Derian, Aero Studios.

What sets Style at Home apart from other decorating magazines?

MA:  We are proud to be Canadian. We are proud to feature interiors that you can dream about AND some day actually have!



How do you go about selecting homes to appear in the magazine?

MA:  It’s an ongoing process -- we never ever stop looking. Some homes are submitted by homeowners or designers, some we visit to take our own scouting shots. As for what makes the final cut – that’s very hard to pin down in a few words. It always comes down to the story. What is the story of the home, the people, the designer, the design process, the setting? The story must be compelling.

What can readers expect in the months ahead?

MA:  A super fun DIY project story in the Aug issue, a bunch of gorgeous kitchens and some lovely before and after home features. In other exciting news, the first STYLE AT HOME paint colour collection is being launched this spring. It’s a partnership with Beauti-Tone paint and will be hitting Home Hardware stores across Canada over the next couple of weeks. Working on that collection was a career dream come true – lots of fun! Oh yes, and my Tweed house will be coming up in STYLE AT HOME in 2011. Must get back to work on that…



Thank you so much Margot for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer these questions.   Click here to read more about Margot including her favourite restaurant (Le Reminet, Paris), favourite movie interior (Gosford Park) and favourite space that she designed (her Tweed kitchen, pictured above with her French bulldog and the gorgeous  lantern.)

All images from Margot’s blog and Style at Home.