Interior design can be so personal. Everyone has a preference; everyone has an opinion. Stacey Cohen takes this to heart, focusing on improving her clients' overall lifestyle through design. Beyond form and beauty, unique pieces and the newest gadgets, Stacey works closely with her clients to ensure she properly marries function and enjoyment in each space she creates. After all, if the client's happy, the designer's happy!

After designing and styling interiors for a Toronto condominium developer, Stacey decided to start her own firm - Interiors by Stacey Cohen. Like any good design junkie, she also has a fabulous blog where she shares simple, stylish ideas, design resources, and good old inspiration. Between her firm and blog, we were fortunate enough to chat with this young talent to find out where her design passion comes from!

Photography by Ryan Cohen

1 If you could shadow any designer for a day, who would it be?
Stacey Cohen Kelly Wearstler, without a doubt. I admire her boldness and willingness to take risks in design as well as the way she uses colour, pattern and texture in such unexpected ways. She has accomplished a lot in her career and as a designer, has always been an inspiration to me.

2 Where do you look for an obscure source of inspiration?
SC Everywhere and anywhere. I am inspired by my travels abroad, nature, art, people and, of course, the talent of other designers. I think the most important thing is to be able take your inspiration and think outside of the box when applying it to avoid repetition.

3 Favourite restaurant?
SC Asuka (Japanese). The food is simply amazing and I feel at home there.

4 What’s your favourite room to decorate?
SC The family room. In general, people are always happy when they have a great space to hang out with family and friends.

Photography by Ryan Cohen

5 What’s your current paint colour obsession?
SC I don’t really have one. I don’t like repeating things from one client to the next. The last great colour that I used was Sherwin-Williams Naval in a powder room - very sharp.  

6 If one song could be the soundtrack to your life, what would it be?
SC I have never really thought about it but the first song that comes to mind is Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow by Fleetwood Mac. I try to see the bright side of things and am always looking to move forward - the future excites me. It's the kind of song that makes me want to break out into a dance party. Any song that makes you want to do that is a great song.

7 What’s the one store you could spend hours browsing?
SC ABC in New York. The merchandising and product displays are very inspirational. I am especially a fan of the Madeline Weinrib rugs -  the black and white endless rug to be exact. I will be the owner of that rug one day!

8 London, Paris or New York?
SC Paris baby! I love the historical component to the city and the architecture is so unique and inspiring. The people there really take the time to seize the moment and enjoy life - something that I think we lack here in the fast pace of North America.
Photography by Melinda Sue Gordon ( scene from It's Complicated)

9 If money were no object, what one thing would you buy?
I would buy homes for all of the families who are suffering from the economic down turn and are being forced to live in vehicles. It breaks my heart.

10 What do you consider to be the most iconic design piece of the past century?
The barcelona chair, it's a true classic.

11 Favourite movie?
Grease. It reminds me of my childhood. 

12 What’s your favourite movie interior?
The bakery in It's Complicated -  I pause it every time I see it.
Photography by Ryan Cohen

13 What do you think is the easiest way to update a room?
SC It depends on the room but decor accessories and a coat of paint can usually make a large impact on any space.
     
14 Best coffee table book?
SC Home Rules by Nate Berkus. I like it because it is not just a book with beautiful pictures inside, it gives you the tools to decorate your home room by room -  something that a lot of people find overwhelming. Another great one is It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want to Be. It's not really a coffee table book per se but everybody should read it.       

15 What’s your favourite way to spend a lazy Sunday?
SC In the corner seat of my sofa, with a throw blanket, a homemade latte and my laptop surfing through blogs and Pinterest, listening to music (the coffee house station to be exact).

16 Do you like to be the entertainer or be entertained?
SC Entertainer for sure! I love having friends over and try to do it as often as I can.
Photography by Ryan Cohen

17 What do you think is the best renovation you can do to your home?
SC A kitchen renovation. It's the place where people generally gather. I think it's a very valuable thing to have a home that reflects you and your lifestyle and that you take pride in.

18 What is your favourite space that you’ve designed?
SC I would have to say my condo because I was not given any creative direction from anyone and it is a total reflection of me. It was also the most challenging space to design - I was my worst client!

19 What’s the biggest design faux pas?
SC Leather sofas! They are very passe, not cozy, and make a terrible noise when you sit on them.

20 Marilyn, Audrey or Jackie?
SC Audrey, she was a glamorous women, with great talent and she handled her success with modesty, which is very admirable.