| Princess Margaret Showhome is big, luxurious and full of glorious design
Show homes — more accurately called dream homes — are usually big, always luxurious and come with no shortage of design tips. In two bedrooms, where Celli has introduced colour — tangerine and celery, no less — the grey walls recede, allowing the beds and linens to pop without overpowering everything else. When a neutral palette is combined with furniture of a consistent scale and proportion, the overall effect is soothing. This also works in the lower level, where Celli has designed a home spa with a wet sauna, shower, indoor lap pool, exercise room and a juice bar in a warm neutral grey and brown envelope. Thanks to a bank of large windows, the family room is linked to the outdoors and has tons of light and beautiful views. Celli used many different greys, creams and browns as a calming backdrop to the medley of patterns and texture. Although drapery has pattern — brown and white chain-link linen, textured silk, heavy cotton crewel — the tones are subdued. Once the foundational neutrals are laid down, you can incorporate an all in addition colour, such as red, or teal, or citrine, but in very limited amounts, like the green vase in family room. In the same room, a large single painting on one wall is balanced by two pieces of art on the opposite wall. Or the two-fabric wingback chair with the leather and chrome ottomans in the living room. To avoid the visual blandness that a sea of neutrals can present, furnishings and artwork should be different weights and sizes. The tall headboard, for example, is upholstered in soft grey linen, the carpet is cream and beige shag, the linen drapes are billowy and full, and the hardwood floor is a soft pale greige. Large bedrooms, like this master, can sometimes feel cavernous. Calm, soothing neutrals are the best canvas for a symmetrical layout because it gives a property an idea of order: a row of parsons chairs lined up perfectly on either side of the dining table, two leather and chrome ottomans arranged on the living room carpet in a row with the glass coffee table and mirrored cabinet. A neutral palette is an important way to connect unrelated elements while allowing them to stand out, such as the wall niches and sculpture in the front entry with the wood pedestals and stainless topiary balls. Whatever pattern you choose, balance the parts of the room — that is one side of the room must weigh about the same as another — by spacing patterns out. When choosing neutrals, pick two or three main hues for each room (it's also best to have that same choice run through at least the main floor). Decor with neutrals is more challenging than you'd think. Fortunately, in Celli's hands, the house never elicits a yawn. Used sparingly, black accents — another neutral — can ground a room. Princess Margaret Showhome is big, luxurious and full of glorious design |
Saturday 3 March 2012
Princess Margaret Showhome is big, luxurious and full of glorious design
