Inside design: Mary McDonald

(Continued) Inspiration is everywhere. My imagination is constantly being engaged, which naturally leads to new, fresh approaches that are, by definition, contemporary. The colour and velvety texture of mould on a lemon, for instance, inspired a powdery paint finish I created. It can be that weird.

But I think you can also stay current by being open to other people's work. No one is good at everything. For example, I have a friend who’s a production designer, and I’ve learned so much from him about furniture placement—how to use pieces as architecture, like floating walls.

S@H: What advice do you have for nonprofessionals, or armchair designers?
MM: Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Instead, learn from them. We all want perfection, but the road to perfection is paved with failed attempts. You make adjustments until you get it right. I've made my share of blunders. I know there are designers out there who, after measuring and remeasuring, have made sofas that don’t fit up the stairs. I've done that too.

S@H: You don't seem like a typical dyed-in-the-wool designer.
MM: I'm more of an Annie Get Your Gun type in a ball gown; I'm not afraid to try different things and get my hands dirty. Life is full of rich experiences.

S@H: What would you be doing if you weren’t designing houses and hotels?
MM: Daydreaming. Or maybe gardening. No, seriously? I'd be a great paramedic; I'm really calm in emergencies. Or I'd open an orphanage in Africa, where lots of kids don’t have houses, never mind beautifully designed ones.  

Something about Mary
Here’s how to take home the look created by Los Angeles designer Mary McDonald.

Incorporate drama. According to Mary, no room is complete without it. So enclose a bed in floor-to-ceiling draperies or throw a zebra-skin rug on the floor.

Enjoy colour. Introduce bold hues into a neutral room to add punch.

Do the unexpected. Mix a Chinese armoire with your modern furnishings, match the wallpaper to your beloved teacup collection, frame magazine covers you love. "The point is, have a sense of humour, take risks and break some rules," says Mary.

Be inspired by life. Whether it's a nail polish shade or the flush on a child's cheek, possibility presents itself everywhere: for example, Mary hired contractors to create a prototype filing cabinet using wallpaper she loved.

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