Diamond Matelasse Shower Curtain A tactile diamond matelasse pattern evokes a serene spa-like environment for your bathroom with this 100% cotton shower curtain.Asoudeh NovinHello Chris, Thank you very much for providing the curtains and blinds in our living room at 150 Leacrest Road.Over the last few weeks, I've been lucky to get to spend some time with two notable design experts. Along with a few other bloggers, I enjoyed tea with Sarah at the Sarah Richardson Design offices and last week, I had a tour of the latest Princess Margaret Lottery Show Home designed by Brian Gluckstein. Its fun to get all fan girl and hear Sarah and Brian talk, but what I most enjoy is poking around these spaces and picking up a few design tricks. Here are some ideas you can use in your own home: 1. Create Something Out of Nothing This was the upstairs hallway in the Show Home. It could have been left plain and undecorated as most hallways are, but Brian turned it into a showstopper. A table piled with artfully arranged terrariums, lanterns and books and a vibrant gallery wall of photographs invite one to linger a while.

You could do the same in your own home and create an unexpected moment out of an underutilized space. 2.  Mix It Up Sarah is a master at mixing fabrics and this little vignette using her new fabric line for Kravet shows off her skill. purple plum ottoman ribbed shower curtainHere, a lush feminine floral on the chair is paired with a simple stripe throw and contemporary floral pillow. malta rod pocket 84-inch curtain panelIn fact, you can see that most of the fabrics on the pillows in the background would work together. curtains and blinds anzac highwayWhy do they work? inserting grommets in curtains

The variation in pattern scale (large, small), type (geometric, floral, stripe) and a low contrast palette creates harmony and allows for easy mixing. 3. Or Don't Mix It Up Brian is well known for his subtle use of colour (he is the King of Greige after all). The monotone gray-lavender palette in this dining room creates a feeling of peacefulness and makes the room feel large and airy. I can almost hear the wine glasses tinkling! 4. Use Mirrors Wisely 5. Add Moments of Luxury A simple shower becomes stunning when you use hand glazed tiles instead of standard white ceramic tiles. Wood herringbone floors elevate the upstairs hallway and give it a sense of grandeur. A petite vanity feels more luxe with the addition of a furniture-like details and painted in an elegant lilac. By splurging in small moments throughout the home, the entire space feels more well thought out, detailed, and opulent. 6. Add Character With Vintage Pieces How to make your home unique and original?

By incorporating one of a kind, vintage pieces. Sarah's office is a workspace but also a place to showcase her furniture line and fabrics. To make it feel more welcoming, she's added interest by incorporating objects that catch the eye and spark conversation. This vintage wheat sheaf table is a stunner as is the grand mirror. Who says office furniture needs to be sterile? And just in case you think the office veers too much on the side of femininity and frills, here's a peek at the other side of the room (with Sarah and I and the other lucky bloggers). All of the "office" furniture is very sleek Ikea cabinetry, proving that modern and vintage do mix. Photo via The Happy Space Project At her BlogPodium keynote, Sarah said "Design memorable spaces. If its all too perfect then maybe there's nothing to talk about". This area at the front of the office is just that - memorable. I love the boldly patterned drapes taken right up to the ceiling, adding drama and weight to this corner of the room.

The brassy chandelier, delicate side table and assortment of seating make you feel as though you've walked into someone's living room. When you're able to elicit an emotional response, as Sarah's office clearly does, then I think you've done your job as a designer. What do you think? Could you incorporate any of these tips into your own home? P.S. Want a chance to win the gorgeous Show Home and help support the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre? Purchase a ticket here. © 2007-2013 Jennifer Flores. Blog Design By Brittany DouglasLearn tips to capture his style. This spacious entryway opens up views from the front door through to the family room and gardens beyond. Symmetry is one of the hallmarks of classic Georgian design, and Matthew Sapera Fine Homes designed this foyer with facing living and dining rooms. Wide archways framed with stately mouldings open up the main floor rooms to each other. “When the rooms are lined up, you get beautiful sight lines,” explains interior designer Brian Gluckstein.

To break up the space, he added a vignette with an antique Empire table and lantern-style pendant lights. Browse the Brian Gluckstein Interiors gallery for more of his style. Stylish Yet Practical Kitchen A black and white palette and pendant lights create a tailored look. Designer Brian Gluckstein advises homeowners to keep it simple when it comes to cupboards, flooring and countertops, since those materials are expensive to replace if you get bored of them. “Don’t go over the top on anything that can’t be changed easily. If you order electric blue cabinets, you better really like the colour — you’ll be stuck with it for a while,” he says. In this family-friendly kitchen, he chose practical honed granite countertops to hide fingerprints, and installed brackets under the breakfast bar to help define spaces for stools. The panelling-covered fridge is a luxe touch. Modern art and a sisal rug keep the look contemporary. This dining room, designed by Brian Gluckstein, features a calm monochromatic scheme and a fireplace as its focal point.

The room’s generous proportions, full-length silk drapes, and linen- and velvet-upholstered chairs with French damask backs introduce drama and elegance. Although formal, the homeowners wanted to keep the home “livable” for their two young boys. “Nothing in the house is off-limits to the kids,” they say. In this room, pillows have been piled into forts under the extra-long Georgian dining table. Double up on key furniture pieces to create a symmetrical layout. English bureaus flank the fireplace, corralling clutter in this formal yet cosy space. Timeless silhouettes upholstered in family-friendly fabrics meet the demands of everyday use. For more designer style secrets, see our photo gallery. Or browse the Brian Gluckstein Interiors gallery for more of his style. Add eclectic finds to personalize a space. Buddha sculptures create a calming effect in the living room. In every room, Gluckstein balanced the architectural formality with a youthful mix of styles.

Adding travel finds or vintage treasures injects a personal touch to a new home. Maximize space in unexpected areas by adding a small sofa for a reading nook. This upstairs landing, albeit spacious, makes the perfect spot to pause and unwind without the distractions of the kitchen or TV room. Tables with concealed storage hide clutter away in high-traffic areas. A soft palette injects warmth. This welcoming bedroom, by Toronto designer Brian Gluckstein, incorporates a mix of textures. A dramatic worsted-wool headboard adds a modern note, while the bedding, sofa fabric, and drapery are quite traditional. A sofa and tray table at the foot of a bed creates an inviting place to read before retiring. Ensuite Dressing Room & Bathroom Customize storage to make full use of space. Designer Brian Gluckstein added plenty of storage to this principal dressing room and bathroom. To the left, desk drawers conceal hair products, makeup and accessories. Overhead storage is perfect for out of season clothing or guest linens, and closet shelves were designed to store shoes and bags.

In the bathroom, quiet artwork and a blue Fortuny light transform the space into an elegant retreat. Symmetrical floor-to-ceiling cabinets on either side of the tub balance the room and add even more linen storage. Luxe & Lean Kitchen Symmetrical shelves make a glam kitchen practical. Designer Brian Gluckstein used ebony cabinets, brushed metal accents and warm white Calacatta marble for the counters and backsplash in this kitchen. Refusing to give up function for form, he also installed smart shelving on either side of the range for commonly-used bottles and books. View more photos of this kitchen in our October 2008 issue. Plus, see more industrial spaces in our Industrial Interiors photo gallery. Dark cabinetry creates a dramatic, moody space. Metallic trim on the kitchen drawers, oversized hardware and a gorgeous glass lamp on the island add sparkle and contrast to the dark wood cabinets and countertops in this sleek kitchen. The stainless steel range hood provides a showstopping focal point to the room.

See more stylish condo spaces in our Luxe Condo Decorating Ideas gallery. Soft Palette Living Room Velvet upholstered walls and cushions add glam. Brian Gluckstein designed this 1930s-inspired concept space for the 2008 Interior Design Show. The velvet walls define the reading nook without taking the focus away from the striking marble fireplace and three-dimensional carved plaster relief. For the same plaster look on the cheap, try Asian-inspired wallpaper above a fireplace or on an accent wall. Gluckstein also experimented with warm colours like lavender, brown, cream and taupe. Balanced with shades of grey, the palette stays fresh and not too feminine. Open up views to two-storey spaces. This 2008 Interior Design Show concept space, designed by Brian Gluckstein, puts the two-storey living room on display with extra-high windows. “I love the volume of space and height in two-storey libraries. It’s a real luxury,” Gluckstein says. “But people can get the same illusion of height by painting their baseboards, walls and crown moulding all the same colour.