Photo by Cynthia Ferguson Designs

I can feel it! Summer is here! With the first day of June upon us, the “official” green light to kick-off outdoor entertaining season in Toronto has arrived and I could not be more thrilled! I have been patiently waiting for what feels like forever to break out the linens, tea lights, and gas-lit lanterns to throw a garden party bonanza en plein air. 

So without further ado, let’s dive in! Headfirst or feet first, it doesn’t matter because these backyard oases are swimming with brilliant ideas for your summertime goals!

Cool by the Pool

Photo by Kim Jeffrey

Nothing says “SUMMAH” more than a cool pool moment. I love making a splash when it comes to backyard design. I always opt for clean edges, but I can never resist a Maximalist moment with levels and layers. Consider your pool “sea level” and create elevation changes with raised beds, waterfalls, and concrete surrounds. They make the perfect platforms to cannonball into summer! No bellyflops here.

Throw Shade

Photo by Kim Jeffrey

I’m all about the SPF, but sometimes a reprieve from the sun is a welcome change of pace. Planting trees that surround your oasis is my go-to way of adding the perfect amount of shade and light. But if you have the space, I love how pergolas, gazebos, and arbours cast a perfect shadow for a shady cocktail and mocktail tipple with friends!

Urban Oasis

Photo by Donna Griffith

Being in the city doesn’t mean you need a ton of real estate to go big with your backyard design! Staying close to home can be the ultimate escape when you have a spot to lounge, relax, and unwind. My tip for yards, patios, decks, and even condo balconies? Create a lounging area with texture, colour, pattern, and greenery with wild abandon. It doesn’t take much to create an urban escape…even if it’s the size of a postage stamp!

Dining Al Fresco

Photo by Donna Griffith

Is there anything better than dining under the stars? I long for romantic summer suppers out on the patio stones. Bringing it all together is as easy as setting up a simple folding table, grabbing a couple of dining chairs from inside, and draping things with a tablecloth. To add a bit of fun, I edged this Lee Jofa fabric tablecloth with black grosgrain ribbon and set it with flowers picked right from my garden!

Bring the Outside In

Photo by Donna Griffith

If the outdoors aren’t your speed, create a summer room! We had the pleasure of designing this indoor-outdoor living room for dear friends out in Haliburton. It’s the absolute winner for extending the “outdoor living” lifestyle well beyond the summer months. Layered in fabulous seating opinions and accesses, it’s the best “seat in the house” come cocktail time and the best defence system come allergy season! 

So what are you waiting for!? Ready for your own slice of heaven? We love collaborating on outdoor spaces. Reach out if we can help you plan your outdoor oasis. Summer is waiting! 

XO,

Cynthia

Photo by Donna Griffith

Bored of your own four walls? No surprise if you’re only thinking within four walls! Here’s the deal and I want you to help me scream this from the rooftops: “The ceiling is your fifth wall!”

Once you see some of these ideas, you’ll understand why I live for a creative ceiling. From wallpaper to trim to paint to pattern, things instantly look up when there’s some fun above!

So let’s raise the roof. Here are some of my tried and true tips for taking your ceiling from so-so to so-so stunning.

All the Trimmings

Photo by Donna Griffith

I absolutely adore a well-trimmed moment! At Project Cheltenham, we ended up finding this gorgeous starburst light fixture by Visual Comfort that served as our North Star. With its brass rays and celestial vibe, we created an octagonal trim pattern that drew the eye upward as if towards the stars! Painted in all white, I loved how it was an understated, yet impactful detail that took the room to new heights!

It’s Getting Hot (Pink) In Here

Photo by Donna Griffith

As a Maximalist, I love drama. I love layers. I love impact. At Project Cranbrooke, there are so many quiet corners to get lost in, but the loudest part of the room was definitely the hot pink ceiling! We covered it in this beautifully textured Philip Jeffries wallpaper called Manila Hemp in Honeysuckle. It was a dramatic contrast against the blue hue on the walls and is quite literally the crowning glory of the room.

Matchy, Matchy!

Photo by Cynthia Ferguson Designs

On the opposite side of the spectrum is playing the matching game. I love a paired-up, pared-down moment where the painted colour bleeds beyond the trim and pools onto the ceiling. It brings a whole new meaning to breaking the 4th wall and putting a lid on things!

Pattern Play

Photo by Donna Griffith

Solid colours are a solid decision, but I can never conceal my passion for pattern! Whether it’s plumes in the dining room or stripes in the bedroom, pattern always finds a happy home on the ceiling for me. I also find it’s the perfect way for people to play with wallpaper if they’re a bit timid of splashing pattern on all the walls. As the 5th wall, feel free to consider it your accent wall!

Whether it’s textured or flat, patterned or solid, in or out, the amount of creativity and beautiful layering you can have with a statement ceiling is endless, so I say go for it! The sky's the limit, after all!

XO,

Cynthia

Photo by Donna Griffith

I love a moment! I love a grouping! I love a gaggle of treasured finds and sentimental gems! Cooly curated and considered, a brief moment of respite filled with artistic excess is right up my alley. And as a self-proclaimed maximalist, you bet layers and layers of more is more is my go-to recipe for styling the perfect vignettes.

Whether its a #shelfie moment or an over-the-top coffee table display, I am here for the textured layers, colourful patterns, and curated collections to show off all the things that I love. My tried and true tips though? I’m glad you asked!

When in doubt, layer up!

Photo by Donna Griffith

I have no rules when it comes to what to put in a vignette (if I love it, it’s in), but I tend to be more disciplined when it comes to how things are grouped. My favourite budget-friendly hack is believing you don’t need an entire collection to create something meaningful - just a few of the same objects…and always in odd numbers (5 horn cups, not 6!)...and always varying sizes and scale for visual interest! I’m also a big believer in layers, stacks, nests and piles to ensure that items are at varying depths and heights. For me, it’s all about engaging the eye. Whether it’s a vase with leggy branches or stacks of books, I like to draw the eye upwards and then ground it with something weighty like a tray or treasured object.

Embrace Art

Photo by Donna Griffith

This little vignette is from my living room. I love to hang little works inside a bookcase, on drapery panels behind a bed, or even just lean a piece against a pile of books. This piece here is by Toronto artist, Kaitlin Mason who captures fabric as an art form. Using coloured pencils. On plywood. Its modern and dainty scale against this stately gold gilded mirror is unexpected, but it works. Art is versatile.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Photo by Kim Jeffries

Bold and loud, I love when a vignette is amplified by a reflecting mirror behind it. Mirrors bring on depth and perspective by magnifying colour and light. The corner of our Design Studio is an ever-revolving vignette featuring the pieces we have available for sale on our shop, and when set against this high-gloss leaf mirror, they positively pop!

Flower Power

Photo by Donna Griffith

Can you smell that? It’s spring! With budding season just around the corner, I am itching to add a little floral drama to my home. Blooms literally turn up the volume on the quiet corners of my home with the life they add. From hydrangeas to hyacinths, the beauty of maximalist decor lies in sensory overload, and nothing says “honey, I’m home!” like a bouquet of fresh-cut, sensationally scented flowers.

Switch it up!

Photo by Donna Griffith

If I earned a penny for every time my husband or boys asked, “you’re changing it…again?!”, I wouldn’t have to penny-pinch my decor budget by rearranging things, but I love it! I love moving things around, arranging and rearranging things. I love playing with new ways to layer and group things. I love the thrill of creating something new out of the familiar and known. And that’s the fun of vignettes! Just because you figured out the “perfect” vignette doesn’t mean it can’t change with the season or your own whimsies!

So, please! No more rooms with just furniture. Your home is not a showroom. It should reflect your travels, your passions, your interests. Add art to the walls, books to the tables, and little “objet” in between. The thrill of the hunt is the most fun part and displaying your “spoils” is the icing on the cake! 

XO,

Cynthia

Photo by Cynthia Ferguson Designs

There is nothing more exciting to me than receiving the call from a potential client at the very beginning of a project! Knowing who to hire though can be a very difficult process fraught with hurdles and a great deal of trust in people you barely know.

When assembling your team — the builder/contractor, the architect, and the designer — how do you know if you have asked the right questions before you hire the team to handle such a large investment?

If you’re looking to kick off a project, let’s play a game of “20 Questions You Should be Asking Your Contractor!” 

Ready? Set. Go!

If there’s anything I’ve learned designing and building dream homes across North America, it’s that the time you take to hire the right contractor will pay for itself in safety, repairs, and peace of mind. 

If you’re looking for the right team, we would love to discuss your next project! Give us a call! We always love to hear from you.

XO,

Cynthia

Photo by Donna Griffith

I have never met a lampshade I didn’t love! Pleated, trimmed, coloured, or patterned — I love a beautiful, bold, statement shade. It’s become a bit of a style hallmark of mine to accent a room with a layered lighting moment.

Ever since House & Home shared my 1930s, jewel-box of a home, I have had so many requests for more pictures (which I love!) and I thought I’d delve into a particular room I’ve received so many questions about: the principal bedroom!

Photo by Donna Griffith

Measuring in at a mere teeny tiny 11’ x 10’, it is cozy! I took a leap of faith at painting the walls in Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore. Its dark and moody vibe reminded me of my favourite haunts in NYC. I wanted to integrate my love of lampshades in my black box of a bedroom and took inspiration from my favourite neighbourhood restaurant in Paris, Bistrot Francois Felix.

Photo by Bistrot Francois Felix

This quaint and quiet restaurant beside the hotel I love to stay at has the most adorable lampshades on their bar and I became a little obsessed. Dark and dim with low-level lighting, I couldn’t tell if they were blood red or hot pink! When I returned home to Canada and began designing our bedroom retreat, I took Paris home with me.

Photo by Donna Griffith

To complement the black walls and trim all over, I gave a French kiss to the room with these raspberry silk shades atop Matchstick sconces by The Urban Electric Company. Its pretty-in-pink hue popped against the dark dramatic wall nicely and worked beautifully with the incredible Brunschwig & Fils fabric I knew would be the “wow” in the room.

Photo by Cynthia Ferguson Designs

Our creative bend on lampshades does not always need to be limited by using fabric. I came across this incredible lampshade in NYC made entirely of different colours of purple string ​​— all woven by hand to be the crowning glory on a crystal lamp base. 

Or how about pattern? In Stockholm, I nearly fell over when I discovered this wall of colour and pattern by the creative geniuses of Svenskt Tenn. There was gasping. Also...complete decision fatigue. I would have loved to have said “I’ll take them all!”

Photo by Cynthia Ferguson Designs

So I say...don’t just pick one shade - all puns intended!! Pinch those pleats! Call on color! And light up your life with a fabulous lampshade...or ten! 

XO,

Cynthia

I am so excited to share a peek into our Design Studio! It’s been a labour of love for quite some time, but because of the pandemic, we haven’t been able to throw open our doors and welcome everyone as graciously as we had hoped to...yet!

It’s a fabulous space. When we had found our office space on Avenue Road, it was originally a children’s clothing store but I had a vision that the main floor space would be an incredible “working studio” or a sample room on steroids!  I wanted my team to walk into the space every day and be inspired!  Think racks of fabrics. Scatters of paint samples. Walls of pillows. Stacks of wallpapers. Collections of knick-knacks. Curated furniture pieces. Essentially, an inspiring space for dreaming and design to take shape!

It was really important to me that it also be a space where local and international artists, designers, and brands had representation. 

Speaking of…ready to meet some of them? Let me introduce you!

Jill Seal Design Studio 

Photo from Jill Seale Design Studio

Jill is an icon in the gift and home industry. She has such an amazing skill for translating her unique creativity into stunning home fashions. I love her marbled fabrics, wallcoverings, home accents, furniture, rugs, gifts, greeting cards (....the list goes on).

Cotton & Quill

Photo from Cotton and Quill

As a self-proclaimed Maximalist, I’ve always been obsessed with Mary Catherine Folmar’s ability to mix classic and timeless design of Southern living with contemporary patterns, colors, and textures. Her bold and beautiful designs at Cotton & Quill make me want to dive into a pile of her hand-illustrated textiles, wall coverings and trim.

Design Legacy

Photo by Cynthia Ferguson Design

I love a beautiful mural, wallcovering, textile and wall art as much as the next designer, but I LOVE when those things come from Kelly O’Neal! Rich colours and expressive prints, his pieces are like art for living. I’m totally obsessed!

Kate Medlicott

Photo from Kate Medlicotte’s Instagram

Colour is at the heart of Kate Medlicott's textiles, which is why I’m head over heels for her fabrics! Inspired by her trips to the Far East, her fabrics dazzle and mesmerize with trailing prints and patterns of exotic birds and geometric shapes. She really knows how to tell a story with textiles!

Scot Meacham Wood

Photo from Scot Meachham Wood’s Instagram

As Scot says, “Tartan is the new black” (!!!) But looking at Scot’s collection, he’s more than just plaids and stripes. From Highland tartans to chinoiserie prints, it’s obvious that Scot and I share a love for big, bold, colorful prints with sartorial influences. Plaid is THE pattern this year and we are seeing it in wallcoverings and fabrics everywhere! Scot has always been ahead of the curve and now he is THE source for all things plaid!!

Photo (top and above) by Kim Jeffery.

I could sit here all day and try to paint with words all the wow-worthy things I love about our Studio, but you really have to come and see it for yourself! 

We hope to have intimate gatherings, big soirees, open houses, and exclusive events here very soon, but until then, we invite you to subscribe to our newsletter and book a private appointment through our Connect page — we’d love to see and dream with you! 

XO,

Cynthia

I’ve always said maximalism isn’t just for interiors — the outdoors are fair game too! If you’re spending more time outside these days (as you should!), I hope you’ve created a space where you can entertain and soak up the rays. If you haven’t, then pull up a lawn chair and let’s talk! First off, it doesn’t have to be fancy — it just needs to survive neglect (if you know, you know!). Whether you’re looking to have some fun with your outdoor living space or simply tidy things up, here are some tips and tricks to help you curate your very own backyard oasis. 

Gravel Garden

If you’re living in the city, have a go at using pea gravel or classic pavers. They require so much less maintenance than grass, and I love how it gives the space a clean and manicured feel like the parks and gardens of Paris!

Shade and Dappled Light 

Planting trees that surround your oasis is my go-to way of adding the perfect amount of shade and light to an outdoor space. I love when speckles of sunlight peer through the branches and leaves — it’s an added touch of warmth and romance for those bright summer afternoons! 

Sofa Under the Sun

Maximizing the comfort of your backyard is always a good idea! I love the idea of creating an outdoor living room with a sofa and some comfy cushions. When it comes to fabrics, I am absolutely obsessed with Serena Duggan’s new line of outdoor textiles right now — her performance prints are perfect for sofas, chairs and pillows galore!

Mirror, Mirror

Mirrors can do wonders to a backyard! I love to use them to reflect light throughout the day or have it pick up different corners of the yard from different views. I’ve hung one on my garage which allows the pink petals from my weigela bush to reflect off the surface — it’s simply magical!

Blooms of High-Impact Contrast

Whether they’re hung or in planter boxes, I love finding flowers that pop against the exterior paint colours. I always add the strongest colours in my seasonal baskets — the contrast can be so impactful and totally unexpected! 

Dining Al Fresco

Is there anything better than dining under the stars? I long for romantic summer suppers out on the patio stones. Bringing it all together is as easy as setting up a simple folding table, grabbing a couple of dining chairs from inside, and draping things with a tablecloth. To add a bit of fun, I edged this Lee Jofa fabric tablecloth with black grosgrain ribbon and set it with flowers picked right from my garden! 

So, see? Your backyard oasis awaits! For more tips on how to max out your city garden this summer, grab the June issue of Style at Home. My dear friend, Christy Wright, wrote a piece about yours truly in her “Scents & Sensibility” article. I shared a thing or two about garden glory that might be some nice afternoon reading while sunbathing on the patio. 

XO, 

Cynthia

I’ve been reveling in this gorgeous weather we’ve been getting! From dining en plein air to exercising my green thumb, I’ve been spending loads of time out on my patio this season. I don’t know if it’s the sunshine or the blooms, but it’s made me reminisce on the time I designed an outdoor living space for High Point Showhouse.

In the fall of 2019, myself and 20 other extraordinary designers had the honour of working with the High Point Preservation Society and the Junior League of High Point to help with the restoration costs of a stunning Craftsman-style home by designing a charity showhouse. Each designer was given a separate space of the home to design. Full independence! Full autonomy! Full fun!

Living in Toronto, we don’t get to spend a ton of time on our patios, so when I learned I would be designing an outdoor living space that could be used through October and November, I was thrilled! The weather, however, was still something I kept in mind, as the last installation I did at High Point (which happened to be the same time of year!) got soaked by Hurricane Michael. You can bet this played into my decision making when I chose the pieces for the space!

My inspiration for the room was simple outdoor living. I wanted to create a chic yet casual space that would be perfect for cocktails and conversations. With that in mind, I had three pieces that I wanted to use as soon as I learned I was creating an outdoor “living room.” The cabana striped drapery panels were an immediate go-to for keeping the hot daytime sun off and helping keep it warmer in the evenings. In a nod to the gorgeous outdoor setting, I used natural materials like cane and rattan, while layering in pops of green and pink for play and texture. And at the end of the porch, an oversized painting of blooms by Canadian artist, Laura Dick, brought it all together! 

After completing the porch and strolling the rest of the home, I have to say...this was the first showhouse that I have been a part of where all the individual rooms really felt like they were actually designed collaboratively — such a spectacular surprise to all of us designers! It was truly an amazing team to be a part of and no matter how challenging it was designing from Toronto and organizing in North Carolina, all my sponsors and supporters made it feel incredibly easy. I couldn't have done it without them! A huge thank you to Summer Classics, Gabby Decor, Kravet Inc., Red Egg Furniture and Laura Dick Art. And to my fellow designers of the house...let’s hope 2022 is our year to get back to High Point!

XO,

Cynthia 

If you follow me here or on social media, you know how much I love High Point Market – it’s the highlight of my spring and fall!! If you’ve always thought about attending High Point but felt overwhelmed at the idea, or if you’re a first-time attendee, let me help you navigate the Market by signing up for my tour! I will break it down, help guide you through Market and hold your hand all day Saturday, April 25, as a tour guide for the fabulous High Point Market Insider’s Tour for Spring 2020! Keep reading to find out how YOU can be a part of this fun tour with me….

First, the tour is for new buyers. High Point Market can be overwhelming for someone who has never been – or who hasn’t been in a long time. It’s so much better when you have someone to show you the ropes AND to give you inside tips! And I’m ready to spill the secrets!

We’ll visit some of my favorite showrooms and resources – the places where I really do buy for my clients! I’ll show you where I go to spot the up-and-coming trends and – this is my favorite part – I’ll introduce you to some of my favorite people at market, too!

So how can you be a part of this tour with me?! Here are the details:

• High Point Market Insider's Tour - Spring 2020 is free for new buyers. You just have to meet the qualifications for a buyer pass and you can’t have attended more than one of the previous four Markets (Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Spring 2019, and Fall 2019). 

• The deadline to apply is April 3, but you should definitely apply as soon as you can so you’ll be able to make your travel arrangements! 

• You can apply here to be approved to participate on the Tour.

• A maximum of 2 people from the same company can be on the Tour.

• The Buyer/Applicant is ineligible if he or she participated in a previous Insider's Tour.

• Buyers are responsible for their hotel and travel arrangements to High Point. High Point Market will provide a concierge to help in their travel arrangements and will contact the applicant after they have been qualified to attend as a Buyer for the Insider's Tour.

• Buyers must be available to attend High Point Market on Saturday, April 25, from 8:30am until 6pm and that includes a mandatory orientation breakfast.

That’s it! Come learn how I do High Point Market – it’s the greatest show on Earth!

Until next time,

-Cynthia

I am so excited to head to High Point Market next week as an official Style Spotter for the show! The Market is like Fashion Week for the home business, with gorgeous new furniture, lamps, accessories, rugs, and more! I’ve always loved going to this huge trade show because it’s inspiring and exciting, but this year is going to be even better since I’m now an official tastemaker for High Point Market. I’ll be spotting the best trends, colours, and ideas at this 11-million-square-foot show. That’s a lot of ground to cover, right?!

Pearson Furniture

A couple of weeks ago, I gave you a very early sneak peek at new products that will debut at High Point Market next week. And if you follow along on Instagram with me, you’ll get to see what I’m loving in real time as I walk the show! I love spotting trends before they actually make it into homes - like the incredible array of pink I saw everywhere at last October’s event!

Highland House

I’m also giving other designers a tour of my favourite showrooms at market, and our first stop is definitely going to be Highland House! They create the most gorgeous furniture, and their colour story is always ahead of the curve.

Denise McGaha table for Replacements

As if that wasn’t enough to do, I’m also thrilled to be creating a custom tablescape for Replacements, an incredible resource for new and vintage tabletop. I’ll share the big reveal of my design next week on Instagram - but I had to show you this amazing creation by Denise McGaha from last year’s table design event. How incredible is that floral arrangement, too?!

Antique Curiosities

One of my favourite things about High Point Market is finding new resources for my clients’ homes! I was so charmed by these framed prints from Antique Curiosities - perfect for a child’s room I designed for one of my clients!

Highland House

Time to start packing, especially those comfortable shoes! It’s going to be a great week - stay tuned as I share my favorite new products and inspirations from High Point Market!

Until next time,

-Cynthia

I am so lucky to be able to work around the world - and one of my favorite design destinations is in the Bahamas! I’ve recently been working with clients on Eleuthera, which is a gorgeous island known for pink sand beaches like French Leave Beach. It is incredible to have fabulous views wherever you look while you’re designing - there’s no better inspiration!

If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you’ve seen how obsessed I’ve become with island architecture. There are specific details about the design that I love - let’s take a look!

Photo by Cynthia Ferguson

Gingerbread Trim

Traditional Colonial homes in the islands showcase a lot of gingerbread trim! I love the scrolls and pierced pieces that you see on these fabulous cottages - it gives them a one-of-a-kind look! And how charming is it with that white picket fence, too?! Sage House is one of my favorite gems on the island!

Photo by Cynthia Ferguson

Working Shutters

So many houses today have shutters that are just decorative and don’t actually cover the windows. In the islands, working shutters are a necessity! And I love the character that they create as a design detail, too! Shutters can either open out in a traditional way, or by opening from the bottom like in the cottage above. I’m also in love with the stone wall and that cedar shake roof!

Photo by Cynthia Ferguson

Colour!

The homes in the Bahamas are known around the world for their use of colour, so of course I would feel at home here! The pastels are breathtaking, like the peach dream above that was my “office” recently. But you’ll also see bright spots of color that grab your attention - even on churches!

Photo by Cynthia Ferguson

Verandas and Gardens

The porches and verandas are designed for outdoor living - after all, it’s why we’re in the islands!! I’m drawn to these fabulous outdoor destinations, surrounded by an incredible array of plants, flowers, and palms!

Painting by Amos Ferguson

See why I love the island architecture?? It’s such an iconic look in the Bahamas that it’s even featured in a painting I recently saw by celebrated Bahamas artist Amos Ferguson. I am fortunate enough to have learned about this brilliant man when I saw two of his original paintings hanging on a client’s wall.

Photo by Cynthia Ferguson

And I had to show you the gorgeous St. Andrew’s Church in Wemyss settlement! All the Anglican churches on the island are painted white and red. And there are A LOT of churches for 3000 people! How incredible is that colour?!

With a gorgeous island office like this, I may not head back to Toronto until summer!

Until next time,

-Cynthia

I’m in the midst of planning a gorgeous tablescape for Dining by Design, a great event hosted by Replacements that will be held at the upcoming High Point Market. I’m sifting through thousands of inspiration photos and ideas, but I know that there are 5 things my table setting will definitely have! Let’s take a look!!

Modern Geometrics

Jill Rosenwald

Bright, colourful patterns that combine fluid and geometric designs are fashion-forward in tabletop right now! I am SO inspired by designer and potter Jill Rosenwald from Boston - her pattern play is like no other!! And look at those colours! She definitely speaks my language.

Layering Old and New

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

It’s all in the mix when it comes to table settings today. Replacements is the perfect partner for this trend-forward look because they offer an incredible selection of new and vintage pieces - 11 million to be precise!!

Textural Designs

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

Texture is nothing new on a table, but usually it’s found in the linens and flatware. Textural plates are a fresh look for tables today, adding a lot of interest and dimension.

Dressed-Up Casual

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

Overly formal looks are a thing of the past - today it’s all about a relaxed look that’s still a bit dressy! I love a mix-and-match approach that gives you that laid-back look, while still setting a proper place at the table!

Fresh Flowers

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

I cannot even imagine a table without fresh flowers and greenery!! It can be a central bouquet, a collection of tiny vases that each hold one bud, or a centerpiece of vines and branches - but definitely be sure to set your table with blooms and stems!

I can’t wait to show you more of my inspiration for the table I’m designing at High Point Market - stay tuned!!

Until next time,

-Cynthia

I love creating spaces that welcome guests and family for parties, dinners, and celebrations! A living room or family room in your home should invite people to gather, to sit and talk, and to feel comfortable. I have 5 can’t-fail tips that make your living spaces so enticing that your guests won’t want to leave!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs - see the full project here.

Don’t Make a TV the Focal Point

When a television is the first thing you see in a living space, it can be off-putting! Especially when it’s switched off and is just a big black box. I like to use art as the focal point of a room - it tells a story about who you are and what you like. Art can be a great conversation starter, and it makes a room feel much more welcoming!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs - see the full project here.

Offer Plenty of Seating

No matter what size room you have, it’s great to offer a lot of seating for your guests. In the rooms I design, I’ll add ottomans that can double as stools, or accent chairs that can be pulled over to conversation areas. The more the merrier is the rule in this room!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs - see full project here.

Light It Up

Layered lighting is fantastic in an entertaining space! You want the option to have a bright room for a celebration, but softer lighting for conversation. I always plan overhead lighting, natural light, and plenty of lamps in my projects. Be sure you have enough tables for drinks and plates, too!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs - see full project here.

Soften the Look

Extra comfort and texture are key to a welcoming space, so be sure you add plenty of pillows and throws. That way your guests will be able to settle in and feel right at home!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs - see the full project here.

The Final Touches

Fresh flowers are the perfect way to create a celebratory look! I love to have fresh flowers in my spaces even for a night in with my family! Other great touches include accessories and books. They’ll give your guests clues about who you are and what you like - and they give you plenty to talk about!

Use these ideas to create welcoming spaces that are perfect for entertaining! And invite me, too!!

Until next time,

-Cynthia

I was thrilled to be selected as a 2019 Style Spotter for the High Point Market - it’s Fashion Week for home furnishings! As a Style Spotter, I look for trends and fabulous new products that I think are noteworthy and on the cutting edge. I had the chance to get an early look at what’s coming for the April Market, and I chose 5 amazing new products that I think will be showstoppers! Let’s take a look…

Modshop

Known for my use of colour and moments of eye candy in each room I design, I have now fallen head-over-heels in love with textures. Adding another component to my designs means that this incredible tufted green couch by Modshop ticks all the boxes. Traditional in its shape, colourful in the perfect shade of green to balance the sophisticated lines of the furniture. The eye candy is a tie between the textural tufting and the killer brass kick plate. This piece is the perfect foundation for a phenomenal living room!

Streamline Art

Art is a big part of the finishing touches for any room design. Abstract art is a favourite of mine because it can be many things to many people. You can also find abstract art more readily from up-and-coming artists, which means you might be able to purchase more pieces! This piece by Streamline Art is fantastic because of the use of colour and scale. Perfect as the statement piece in a hallway or hanging over a couch or bed.....I might even be tempted to hang it vertically to mix things up!!

vanCollier

The art work of Wendy Concannon has always been a favourite of mine for obvious reasons....colour!! Now available as tables from vanCollier? I mean, come on!! In my mind, no design concept is complete without a small cocktail table that is more art than anything else. The accent, the fun, the eye candy these tables would bring to any room are a home run and definitely the piece that will start conversations! 

Robert James Collection

I am having a love affair with natural wood at the moment. Always one to build a dining room centred around a wooden table, the textural elements of the rough-sawn or quarter-cut tables on the market today have me swooning! This design by Robert James Collection is the perfect table in my opinion. The simplicity of the design allows the transition from modern to transitional depending on the chair selection. It is a statement piece to itself and the warmth of the wood colour is fabulous in any setting!

Robert James Collection

With my obsession for draping curtains on beds, the potential for this incredible four-poster bed is what caught my eye. Needless to say, the beautiful wood treatment, the square posts, the incredible brass details.....this bed by Robert James Collection is one serious bed! Drape sheer white panels around the edges, drape it in colourful sheets, and I am never getting out of bed!!

What do you think of my 5 picks to preview from Market? You can see it all in a video I’ve created for High Point Market on my Instagram account here! And stay tuned - I’ll have more fabulous looks from Market Week April 6-10!

Until next time,

-Cynthia

One of my favorite things about traveling is to find artists and artisans in each of the destinations I visit! I love discovering new products and gorgeous accessories that I can use in my projects to add a unique touch. And I truly want to support amazing designers and artists who create special items! Here are a few of my favourite pieces that I’ve found this year on my travels!

South African crafts and beads are one of my favourite finds from the High Point Market last October. The blues and greens are gorgeous, and the craftsmanship is perfection!

I was thrilled when I walked into this new store in Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera. I can neither confirm nor deny there may have been screams followed by a frenzy of fabric being unrolled. This is the real deal: beautiful screen-printed fabric made in the Bahamas! Originally started in 1966, some of the vintage patterns are being run again and various artists are now rounding out the fabric offering. Printed on a multitude of base cloths from poplin to European linen to outdoor fabric, creating endless possibilities for your projects! They have kaftans, pants, little sundresses, beach bags and clutches. Literally heaven! 

Sophie Anderson is clearly a woman after my own heart. First of all, how stunning is this bag?! I’m crazy about the colour, the scale, the handwork - all of it! But most of all, I love that Sophie Anderson sells only bags handmade by indigenous communities of artisan women.

My favourite discovery at the recent Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville was by far the ingenious creations of Museum Bees. These little wall hangers are created from cuts of antique frames and decorated with little pieces ....either bees, or antique coins, or acorns, or a multitude of possibilities. Each one is unique and fabulous!! Some of these may have gone home with me!!

When you travel, keep your eyes open for those small shops and unique products. You never know what incredible finds you may discover!

Until next time,

-Cynthia

This week the largest trade show for kitchen and bath design, KBIS, takes place in Las Vegas. Those two rooms are the top-requested renovations for people’s homes. They also happen to be two of my favorite rooms to design! So here are my picks for the top 5 bathroom cabinet trends for 2019:

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

The Furniture Look

Bathroom cabinets used to be completely built in, making almost every bathroom look exactly the same. I love cabinets made from furniture or designed to look like standalone pieces! It adds a unique and custom look to the room.

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

Floating Cabinets

I love the look of floating cabinets in the bathroom! It’s a modern style that also opens up the room, giving the appearance of more space.

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

Bold Colour

The days of all-white bathrooms are over! It’s time for colour to shine, and you know I’m all about this trend! Every colour can be found on cabinetry today - which is perfect for a customized look that’s all your own.

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

Unique Moulding Details

Rather than the usual cabinet doors with either inset or raised panels, bathroom cabinets now are all about custom details, like this moulding pattern I designed above. We’re finally moving beyond that cookie-cutter approach and into gorgeous unique designs!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

Drawers Instead of Doors

This has been a trend in the kitchen for a while now, and it’s one that’s moving into the bathroom. Drawers give you the advantage of not only using every square inch of storage, but also actually being able to reach it!! Drawers are great for people who are getting older and can’t lean into a cabinet to reach the back, and it’s just more efficient storage!

What do you think of these bathroom cabinet trends? Which are your favorites?

Until next time,

-Cynthia

Next week is Valentine’s Day - the day for hearts and love! Maybe that’s why I have such an obsession with the colour pink lately - but it’s definitely one of the things that I love right now. I’m so lucky as a designer to be surrounded by what I enjoy every single day. So I thought that, in honour of the holiday, I’d give you an inside look at a few of my favorite things right now!

Dining room designed by Martyn Lawrence Bullard, styled by Lauren Howell, photo by Douglas Friedman for Architectural Digest

Fashion-Forward Design

Damien Hirst is one of my all-time favorite artists, so I was completely blown away by this gorgeous dining room by the iconic Martyn Lawrence Bullard! But then - those ombre chairs took the room to an entirely new level!

Phillip Jeffries

Wow-Worthy Wallpaper

Speaking of pink, how gorgeous are these stunning wallpapers from Phillip Jeffries? I’m in love with the depth of the jewel-toned colour and the patterns. This is hot off the presses, so I’m looking forward to finding the perfect room for these designs!

New York Now

Bud Vases

I came across this wall of bud vases in every shape, size, and colour - and it stopped me in my tracks! I can’t wait to line up a variety of these beauties down the centre of my table with a single flower in each one to create a fabulous display for my dinner guests!

Cloth & Co.

Sustainable Style

What’s not to love about these soft and sustainable linens from Cloth & Co.?! They’re available in napkins, tablecloths and hand towels in all these colours - and made of all-natural fibres.

Botanica Trading

Pink, Of Course!

I wrote an entire blog post on how much I love pink right now (click here to see it), so how could I NOT include it in my list of favorite things? This custom block-printed fabric from Botanica Trading is definitely near the top of the list!

So what do YOU love? Let me know in the comments section below!

Until next time,

-Cynthia

Given how cold and snowy this winter has been, I’m excited about the trend toward big bold floral patterns on walls and fabrics! It’s the perfect design for spring - and beyond! I’ve always loved a pattern of flowers, but there’s something about an overscaled look that just takes my breath away.

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

I fell in love with the Thibaut wallpaper above, with its classic navy-and-white palette. A powder room is the perfect place to experiment with a more dramatic look like this one!

Rollout Wallpaper

I literally stopped in my tracks when I saw this huge realistic wall of flowers at a home furnishings show here in Toronto! How stunning is this wallpaper from Rollout? It is absolutely gorgeous when you see it in person!!

Victoria Larson

Victoria Larson took more of a painterly approach for her floral pattern on a grasscloth. It’s got a lovely dreamy quality to it!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

I’m so in love with these big blooms that I’m offering the look on pillows on my online shop! This combination of navy, light blue, and lavender is a great colour mix! Click here to get this pillow for your own home.

What do you think about this floral trend? Does it have you dreaming of warmer weather? Me too!!!

Until next time,

-Cynthia

There are two things I love most about interior design: colour and pattern. You’ll see plenty of both in my designs! But there are tricks to working with patterns so you don’t overwhelm a room. Balance is really the key and there’s an art to that. Try my top 3 tips for layering patterns in a room and you’ll never go wrong!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

Vary the Scale

You want to use several pattern scales in the room to achieve balance. For example, in the bedroom above I used a very large-scale pattern on the headboard. Then I have a medium-scale pattern on the bed covering. And there’s even a very subtle pattern in the wall covering that comes from the texture. But it’s small and discreet. Layering the size of patterns keeps everything from being too jumbled and overwhelming for the eye.

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

Let One Pattern Be the Star

One pattern should be the “star” in the room - attracting the most attention. In the living room I designed above, that star is definitely on the draperies. It’s bold and dramatic and really draws the eye! Notice how the other patterns - in the chair backs, the rug, and the pillows - are all more like supporting players. That keeps a focal point in the room, which is key for any successful interior.

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

Colour Is Key

Colour is the perfect unifier that helps bring it all together. In the room above, you can see that orange is in every pattern, even in the rug! That helps tie everything together and gives it a cohesive look. You can also add in one pattern that’s a contrasting colour for a little added punch.

Experiment with patterns in your own home, but keep these 3 tips in mind! They’ll help you pull of a layered look with a professional touch!

Until next time,

-Cynthia

I don’t know if it’s the fact that Valentine’s Day is around the corner, or if I’m just having a bit of spring fever, but I’m definitely feeling “in the pink!” The colour has always been a favourite of mine, but lately it’s really inspiring me.

Highland House

My most recent obsession with pink was fired up during last fall’s High Point Market - it’s the Fashion Week for home furnishings. All shades of pink were found on furniture, accessories, and walls! I love the almost mauve-looking rose colour in the photo above from Highland House!

Pearson Furniture

And the deep pink in the sofa and ottoman above were swoon-worthy! They look fabulous with the floral wallpaper and paler pink pillows in the Pearson showroom.

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

I had already settled on pink for my space at Rooms with a View in Connecticut before High Point Market, but I knew I’d made the right decision when I saw it all put together with this gorgeous fabric from Kravet and the sweet plates from Replacements!

Photo by Cynthia Ferguson

The colour inspiration continued with gorgeous pinks turning up in my beach finds from my recent island vacation!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

Choosing pink obviously isn’t a new thing for me - I’ve always loved the colour, as you can see in one of my kitchen projects above! Pink represents optimism and caring, and maybe that’s what I’ve been feeling over the last few months.

Photo by Cynthia Ferguson

So here’s to feeling “in the pink” for 2019! And if you’d like to keep up with my latest inspirations, be sure to follow me on Instagram here!

Until next time,

-Cynthia