10 ways to live in style

Sylvie Masse is no stranger to good design. She's the co-owner of Zig & Zag Design, a Montreal-based firm she runs with business partner Nathalie Paulin; their striking furniture and home accessories are featured in boutiques and well-known retailers across the country. Not surprising, the same eye for detail that she utilizes in her profession shows up in her personal life, too. Using her home as an example, Sylvie shares her basic principles of living in style.

1 Mix form and family
You don't have to forfeit style if you have children -- you can have both. Sylvie's suggestion: "Focus on function." To ensure that a living room is both fashionable and family-friendly, she advises decorating with "indestructible" materials: cover sofas with long-wearing upholstery fabric (linen, twill and canvas) and walls with washable paint, and forgo expensive rugs.

2 Create focal points
For Sylvie, "Awkward spaces cry out to be focal points," so take advantage of unusual areas. Highlight a space with a signature chair or create a vignette with an unused occasional table and a few overlooked accessories. Above all else, "Play with furniture, play with ideas and play with proportion," says Sylvie.

3 Keep kitchens neat
In the kitchen, Sylvie cooks up style by keeping clutter to a minimum. "In North America, we tend to collect things we don't need," she says. She prefers what she terms "a more European kitchen design" - clean, simple and clutter-free.

4 Make formal casual
Sylvie believes that all rooms should be used all the time, and is a big proponent of playing down formal spaces. In fact, in her home, it's not uncommon to find her children painting at the dining room table. Her motto: "Make it light and playful." Just add a few casual touches, like an area rug or a cosy place to sit.

5 Find your inspiration
If you're looking for creative inspiration, think big, says Sylvie. "Try displaying something totally out of context -- play with proportion, play with colour, play around."