As an artist as well as an interior designer, it has always been a focus of mine to create spaces where every piece can stand on its own, while at the same time work as a cohesive ensemble. Each piece, whether functional or decorative, should serve a purpose so that the final composition is a joy to be in, without hindering the true functionality of the space. This is not always easy to achieve so when I come across the “perfect” pieces for a client I get really excited.

I always try to find items for my client’s homes in the area where they live; this way I support the local businesses and therefore the local economy. If I draw a blank I will venture further afield but surprisingly this does not happen very often. Since my husband is a journeyman joiner, a large part of my business is designing and creating custom woodwork.  The second most popular request is colour consultations and new paint jobs, but usually after any renovation, my clients will then look to me for help with the finishing touches. Over the past year, I have had a great deal of enjoyment sourcing out those “perfect” finishing touches and I thought I would share with you my top two finds from three different Vancouver Island locations.

Bottom Pic: Dining spaces are not the easiest places to add personal touches. Once the table and chairs are in place there is not much room left for anything else. The chair fabric (if there is any) is always a good jumping off point for any other decorative elements. Once the fabric is established, then the placemats and napkins can be sourced out for complimentary colours and pattern. I prefer to use solid placemats since they will be hidden under plates, and add the pizzazz with the napkins. This set was purchased at Gourmet Essentials, but I had to peruse their catalogues to find it. It took about six weeks for the napkins to arrive at the store, but when they did, they did not disappoint.

Courtenay
Top Pic: I redid a master bedroom for a Campbell River client, complete with new heaters, windows, carpeting, trim, wall colour, crown moulding, lighting and bed linens. I had the perfect square accent pillow for the bed, but it needed one more pillow and I couldn’t find it. Then, on a shopping trip in Courtney I found the perfect one. Rattan Plus had this fabulous rectangular grey pillow with horizontal strips of a deep cobalt blue hue staggering down the centre. The room was now complete.

Bottom Pic: After installing a new fireplace surround in a customer’s home, I went shopping for a piece of furniture that could hold their cable box and Blu-ray machine. When I stumbled across this piece in Tab Imports, I knew I could stop looking. The distressed wood with the aged iron handles and base were the perfect foil for the cool grey walls and large flat screen TV mounted over the fireplace.

Nanaimo
Top Pic: Over the past few years, I have been going room by room updating a client’s home and this year we took on the dining and living space. We went for a taupe tone on the walls and I opted for simple updated accessories to work with her pre-existing furnishings. This plug-in swag light at Pier 1 Imports was just right with its simple silhouette, while at the same time introducing a little bit of glam with the gold leaf motif. I had the electrician refit the fixture for a ceiling mount, kept the brass ceiling plate from the old fixture and what a show stopper!

Bottom Pic: I had previously sourced a glass and chrome laptop station for a customer and was looking for something to hang above it. This Gastown Clock at Urban Barn with its multi toned weatherworn face was the perfect foil for the sleek and polished desk. The various colours in the clock will allow the homeowner to add new pieces without being boxed in by a specific colour palette.

Evelyn M
Associate of Interior Design
250-204-4417
www.EvelynM.com
Evelyn M Interiors / Design House BC
Evelyn M Fine Art

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