Style News: Everything We're Inspired By Right Now

Just Add Colour

Gray Benko – photographer turned designer, style maven and TV personality – has used her passion for vibrant colour in a new collaboration with rug maker Annie Selke. “I think my photographer’s eye plays a big part in informing my eye for design,” says Gray (shown top right). “I believe that colour greatly affects your mood, so I love to fill my surroundings with beautiful, happy colour!”

The new collection features rugs with evocative names like Mary Caroline and Hilda (named after Gray’s grand- mothers), as well as Rainbow Road (named for a famous area in Charles- ton, where Gray lives). We asked the designer for tips on how to transform your space with colour.

1. A new rug in a vibrant colour is, of course, one of Gray’s favourite and easiest ways to add instant zing. 

2. Paint, says Gray, is another transformative way to add colour. “It makes a huge difference, is relatively inexpensive, and it’s just paint – not a huge commitment if you decide you hate it in a month,” she says.

3. Another of Gray’s favourite tricks for changing up a room with colour is to give it what she calls a “full dip.” She explains, “Painting the ceiling the same colour as the walls and trim creates a mood like you wouldn’t believe.”

4. If you aren’t ready for paint, add fun, colourful accessories. “I love a weird object and love to bring in as many as possible to my spaces,” she says. “Antique shops are my favourite places to source them!”

5. If you are a believer in “white walls only” (or you rent), there are plenty of no-commitment ways to add pops of colour: hang colourful art; buy armfuls of cushions in bright colours and patterns; or paint thrift- store furniture in vibrant colours. 

annieselke.com

Let this sink in

The Italian-designed Ibiza Glass Rinsing Work-station Sink from Ruvati features a built-in glass rinser with dynamic jets to effortlessly get your glassware, mugs and even fine crystal spotless. The sink’s patent-pending design is perfect for a bar or small kitchen, or for anyone who does a lot of entertaining. It’s also gorgeous: available in drop-in or undermount models, it’s constructed of sturdy 16-gauge stainless steel and features a movable wood cutting board. 

Ibiza Glass Rinsing Workstation SINK, $1,074

Power showers

If a bathroom redo is in your future, take the opportunity to turn your daily shower into a stylish, sybaritic experience. Shower fixture specialist Grohe Canada has a few suggestions.

1. Opt for “smart” fixtures for a refresh- ing, immersive shower. The SmartControl system from Grohe lets you customize water temperature, spray mode and even the size of the water droplets – from fat, lazy droplets to a brisk, invigorating spray – at the push (or turn) of a button.

2. Look for fixtures with technology that saves water without reducing water pressure, like Grohe’s ECOjoy collection, a flow-limiting system that trims water use by 30 percent while retaining shower power.

3. Don’t skimp on lighting: think spot- lights for a touch of drama, LED strips in the ceiling, or minimalist flush mounts.

4. Instead of adding clunky shelves or (worse!) flimsy wire caddies for shampoo and body lotion, build in a niche or add a bench finished in the same material and style as the shower walls for a smooth, seamless aesthetic.

5. One of the best ways to express your personal taste is to choose bold, artistic fixtures in a dramatic finish like matte black or bronze. We’re especially taken with Brushed Cool Sunrise, a gorgeous gold that’s one of the new finishes in Grohe’s SmartActive Collection. 

Grohe SmartControl SHOWER SYSTEM, from $1,890

SmartActive COLLECTION, from $370

Build for the future

Gianpiero Pugliese, founder of the Toronto architecture firm Audax, has long been a proponent of building and renovating sustainably. True sustainability is an investment in the future, says Gianpiero – not just for our own families, but for the planet, too. We asked for his top recommendations for building and renovating with sustainability in mind.

1. Gianpiero’s number 1 principle is to try to preserve as much of the original structure as possible. He’s a huge advocate of making every effort to respect, rehabilitate and renovate older houses, rather than simply tear- ing them down to build from scratch.

2. If restoring a house is impractical or simply too costly, the second- best option is to build using high-quality materials and methods that will stand the test of time.

3. Whether building anew or renovating, one of the smartest ways to lower your carbon footprint is to shop locally – just like the 100-mile rule for buying food. It’s hardly a sacrifice: Canada is a world leader in hard- wood flooring, timber and natural stone, as well as high-quality finishing materials of all kinds.

4. Don’t cut corners on energy efficiency: top-quality insulation, energy-efficient services, good-quality windows and water-saving fixtures will soon pay for themselves and will benefit the planet for years to come. 

Audax, audax.ca

Hardwood comes home

An important part of renovating sustainably includes choosing products that are made locally, rather than overseas. Canadian hardwood and luxury vinyl flooring manufacturer PurParket recently moved its engineered hardwood manufacturing to a new state-of-the-art facil- ity in Toronto, reducing the products’ carbon footprint significantly.

Another reason to opt for engineered flooring prod- ucts is that they’re low VOC and may last longer than other types of wood flooring. PurParket also makes high-quality vinyl flooring, which works well in wet areas. Especially on trend is its new Meridian Luxury Vinyl Herringbone Collection, available in six natural-looking colours.

Meridian Luxury Vinyl Herringbone Collection FLOORING, $7 per sq. ft., PurParket, purparket.com