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 

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 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

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

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

I have had so much amazing feedback about the room I designed that was recently featured in The Globe and Mail! It was part of a condo that I designed for an favourite client who certainly was not afraid of colour!

I design a lot of condos here in Toronto, and that market is under great pressure, especially in urban centres like mine. With real estate prices at all-time highs, condos are the solution for first-time homeowners as freestanding homes are out of reach. At the same time, we have the start of the baby boomers moving out of the family homes and downsizing into condos. It is a unique situation where two age groups are after the same real estate product. I’m often downsizing clients from homes that are over 4,000 square feet to 1,500 square feet! Downsizing is a puzzle only the brave take on, but here are my top tips for making that move seamlessly and in style!!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

Recognize the emotion of the move

Most people who are downsizing and moving into condos are seniors, and this can be an emotional change for them. Selling the family home is always a difficult decision to make. Sometimes an illness of one of the parents forces the timing of the move. Sometimes the family home doesn't make sense because it is a lot to keep up. Editing the family's furniture collection can also be very difficult as there are so many memories attached to each piece. That is where we come in! Our firm is a great sounding board for practicality. We start with explaining the limitations of a condo and some of the issues that might arise. The more informed a client is, the more their expectations are managed, the easier the transition is for them.

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

Edit, edit, edit.

This is really THE key to making a downsizing move work. The first step is to learn which pieces are non-negotiable. We always keep the key pieces that our clients simply could not part with to start and then we offer other pieces that will not fit to family members first, followed by vintage shops for resale. We always hang on to the pieces that are emotionally most important for the client or the family. It is about emotional attachment, not practicality when downsizing. We find our clients like to keep their dining sets and to us, keeping the table that creates family memories is imperative, so then we need to deal with how that effects the living spaces.

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

Learn to mix it up.

The next step is to start mixing in newer pieces. They should stand out and make a statement amongst the antiques and older items. Antiques or vintage pieces give a space credibility. They show history. They share memories. New pieces liven up the space by providing contrast. Use them for a pop of colour, or to add a new softer edge on a table or to act like art in a space - like Tommy Mitchell's accent table with butterflies under Lucite!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

Colour your world.

Often our clients like to add new pieces into their new space and we find they are more apt to select lots and lots of colour! As our clients age, their eyesight starts to fade, so we always layer in lots of lighting and lots of bright colours. We have used hot pink grasscloth wallpaper, bright orange velvet trim, and bright green lampshades!  Colour makes a big impact in smaller spaces, so go for it!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

Use these tips to help downsize your space while updating your style quotient!

Until next time,

-Cynthia

Metals and metallic looks are key to fabulous interiors - I think they’re just as important as the other colours in the room! Metals can be used to enhance the palette, or as a great counterpoint. Let’s take a look at how I use metals in my designs!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

Enhance and Coordinate

I like to use metallic finishes to coordinate with the decor, like you see above. The gold frame brings out the gorgeous colour in the chair’s fabric, and even adds more warmth to the walls.

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

In the cool white kitchen above, I used silver nickel looks to almost blend into the background. It keeps the look calm and collected!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

Bold Statements

Sometimes you want a bolder look, and that’s when I use a metallic finish to add some drama! In the bedroom above, the gold colour in the light fixture really pops against the blue wall covering. It’s a gorgeous counterpoint!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

I got the same effect above when I placed the gold leaf mirror on a metallic finished wallpaper. The contrast between the two draws the eye to the mirror and adds a little wow factor to this small space!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

Mixing It Up

Can you mix metals? YES! I love combining finishes for a fresh look, like in the bathroom I designed above. The nickel fixture is a great complement for the marble, while the gold-colored hardware really pops on the navy cabinetry. Together, it creates a unique and polished design!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

Speaking of mixing things up, don’t forget about matte black finishes - they’re going to be HOT in 2019! And look at the drama this bold black chandelier brings in a bathroom I designed - love that piece from Kelly Wearstler!

Ring in a shiny new year by experimenting with the metal finishes in your home!

Happy New Year!

-Cynthia

Every year, paint companies and colour trend forecasters make their predictions for what the Colour of the Year will be in the coming months. Behr says it will be an “uplifiting blue,” Benjamin Moore selected a neutral gray, Sherwin-Williams says it will be a terra cotta colour, and Pantone went bold with a bright coral. But I’m leaning toward the selection by PPG called Night Watch.

PPG’s Night Watch

This is a rich and classic green that I think more people will want to use in their homes. In times of uncertainty, a calming colour always becomes more popular. Plus, green is always listed as the second most popular colour for people, just behind blue. I’ve noticed that I’ve been using it more in my own projects, too!

Selections for one of my projects

Interior designers are always the first to use the latest colours or to spot new ideas before they become trends. As you can see above, I was already starting to gravitate toward deep greens all the way back in July.

A green door in Nantucket

In fact, looking back through my travel photos from 2018, I can see how inspired I was by this deep green colour - in art, in fashion, and even on a door!

I was stopped in my tracks by the incredible green-glazed pottery in Sarah Bartholomew’s Nashville store!

I started specifying even more than usual from this part of the colour chart, as you can see above. So many gorgeous greens to choose from!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs for Alden Parkes

As an early adopter, I’m using these green hues more and more now, like I did above for Alden Parkes. How gorgeous is that Kelly Wearstler fabric for Kravet??

Designers are always early adopters, and working as much as I do with colour I know I’m on the write track. I’m looking forward to 2019 being the Year of Green!

Until next time,

-Cynthia

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

If you pay attention to trends in the home, you’ve probably noticed the movement away from all-white kitchens to more colour in the kitchen! I love colour, so this is a trend that I embrace completely! But I also understand that some people are nervous about using bright hues in their home, so here are steps to help you get into the colour groove!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

If you’re not sure about making a big commitment to colour, try adding just a touch of something bright, like these bold red stools I used in a condo kitchen. It’s a great pop of colour, but can easily be changed out as your taste changes!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

If you’re feeling a little bolder, start with a cream colour rather than white and complement it with lovely purpley shades! This creamy colour is warm and inviting, and much less stark than white. It’s the perfect palette for cooking up something delicious!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

If you’re ready to embrace the rainbow, it’s best to start with a colour you love. Blue is regularly rated as the world’s favourite colour, and for good reason. It’s a calming, soothing tone that has been proven to spark creativity! It’s easier to be surrounded by colour if it’s one that makes you happy, so keep that in mind as you choose your kitchen palette.

So are YOU ready to embrace colour in the kitchen?! Tell me why (or why not) in the comments!

Until next time,

-Cynthia

When I was asked to design a vignette for Rooms with a View at Southport Congregational Church in Connecticut, I was thrilled! It’s a showcase for charity and for the interior designers who are invited to participate - and it isn’t as easy as it sounds. We each had a 6’ x 8’ room - a small box really - that we needed to transform into a WOW moment!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

I treated it like any room I design, and started with a sketch. I wanted a cozy breakfast room that would be perfect for gathering with family during the upcoming holidays! To create the coziness, I wanted to use warm colours and fabulous textures!

As you can see above, we really did start with a box. That tiny-looking space needed to be transformed - and quickly - into a showstopper!

The gorgeous Farrow & Ball colours were the first thing we put into our space - where I used a deep moody hue on the walls and a lovely blush-like colour on the ceiling! You can also see that the sconces are in place and the furniture has all been delivered at this point!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs for Rooms with a View

Finally, the big reveal - and I couldn’t have been happier with how it turned out! The warm colours, fabulous fabrics, and layered accessories definitely created that cozy effect that I was going for!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

The glow in the room is enhanced by this gorgeous fixture from Circa Lighting and the light reflected off of that lacquered ceiling featuring a colour from Farrow & Ball that’s never been used in a showhouse before!

I was lucky enough to travel to North Carolina as I was planning my vignette, visiting Replacements Ltd. to select the tabletop I wanted to use!

You can see my final selections of stunning tableware from Replacements here on the breakfast table. I can’t tell you how much it means to have partners and sponsors for events like this! I also worked with Lee Jofa, Acquisitions, and Kravet to create this space.

So what do you think about my cozy little breakfast nook and the design process? Let me know in the comments section!

Until next time,

-Cynthia

Collections are a part of our family history. They are a part of our history as a society. I love to collect vintage pressed, for example! I also have a lot of clients who have gathered collections, but they’re often at a loss for how to show them off in their homes. So here are some tips you can use to artfully display what you love:

First, don’t hide them! There’s nothing worse than seeing a group of favorite things hiding in the back of a cupboard or a closet, just because you didn’t know what to do with them. Collections help show your personality - so bring them out front-and-center, like these sweet owls in a Nantucket store window! I love how some are facing in and those near the window are looking out!

Second, see if you can create a pattern with your collections. That makes it easier to display them on a wall or table, like the gorgeous pottery group I saw on a wall in Sarah Bartholomew’s Nashville design store! This is a great way to showcase a collection of plates, bowls, baskets, hats, and so many other cool things!

Third, whenever possible, group similar things together for greater impact. I like to put my collections of pressed glass in small groups by colour or shape - it looks more organized and artful!

Finally, the holidays are the perfect time to pull out your collections - they’re full of memories and nostalgia, which we all love this time of year. These little knitted guys always make me smile!

No matter what you collect, use these tips to create vignettes that will tell a story in your home of who you are!

Until next time,

-Cynthia

I have been traveling almost non-stop for weeks, and while I’m thrilled to be home this weekend, I also love staying in unique and gorgeous boutique hotels around the world! I get so much inspiration from the design of the lobby, the rooms, and even the outdoor areas!

An original installation in a hotel in the Bahamas

A colour combination like the purples and blues in the hotel above can spark a new idea for a client’s home, too!

Firmdale Hotel, London

Kit Kemp is a designer who knows her way around patterns and bold colour, so when a client sent me the photo above of the Kemp-designed Firmdale Hotel as an inspiration shot for her home, I knew we were going to get along famously!

Chicago hotel

This incredible historic hotel in Chicago had me looking up - WAY up - for a gorgeous classic design. The timeless details here are endlessly fascinating to me!

Beverly Hills Hilton

When I stayed at the Beverly Hills Hilton earlier this year, I was obsessed with the living garden wall in the Wilshire Garden! I want to create one like this for my clients - or maybe just for me!

The Plymouth Miami

And I am DYING to create outdoor cabanas for a client’s pool area! There’s nothing chicer than a hidden spot with fabrics blowing in the breeze!

Really, inspiration like this is one of the biggest reasons that I love to travel! What are some of your favorite destinations? Let me know!

Until next time,

-Cynthia

Next week is Halloween! If you want to celebrate the fun of the day but you don’t have little kiddos, there are still so many options for getting a little spooky while staying on the more chic side of the spectrum! Here are some of my faves:

Table design by Cynthia Fergusion

I found these amazing skull plates at TJX, the flatware at Crate & Barrel, and the platter at Home Sense, proving you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a gorgeous look! The black-and-gold palette gives this outdoor table a lot of drama, without a lot of kitsch.

Hudson Grace

This feather art from Hudson Grace adds intrigue and a tiny bit of spookiness, but looks incredibly chic!

Pumpkin by Hot Skwash (isn’t that the best name?!)

I was at a jewelry store when I saw this fab silky pumpkin. It reminds me of one of my favorite companies, Hot Skwash! They offer beautiful pumpkins like this that will give you a luxe look for your Halloween decor.

Table design by Cynthia Ferguson

And here’s a look at a dinner party I had last year at Halloween. With lots of candles, a spooky palette, and just a touch of faux webs, I created a Halloween mood that was hip and haute. 

Try these ideas to take your decor from silly to seriously sophisticated!

Until next time,

-Cynthia

I was so excited to be asked to participate in a HUGE project at High Point Market this week! The Market is like Fashion Week for home furnishings – it’s the largest trade show in the world for furniture. Alden Parkes, one of the exhibitors, asked 7 design teams (including me!) to create an actual showhouse in their showroom at Market. Each of us was assigned several rooms and a theme – mine was Modern Glamour.

My moodboard for one of the spaces in the Showhouse in a Showroom

Using Alden Parkes’ furniture, we were tasked to create any look we wanted! We also were able to choose products from major sponsors like Replacements, Eastern Accents, and Capa Rugs. You can see my mood board above, and an initial sketch below!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

I was also SOOO lucky to have sponsors in my own spaces, including Lee Jofa, Hot Skwash, Kravet, Kayce Hughes, Hot Skwash, and Circa Lighting.

Cynthia Ferguson for Alden Parkes

The final result was a colorful and sophisticated space that was so much fun to put together! I think it says Modern Glamour, don’t you? And wait until I show you the rooms by the other interior designers!

Cynthia Ferguson for Alden Parkes

Thank you SO much to Alden Parkes for giving me such an amazing opportunity – I had a blast!

Until next time,

-Cynthia

Whether you have a lot of overnight guests, or you just want to create a better oasis in your own bedroom, there is an art to creating a bedroom that will send you off to dreamland! I’ve designed literally hundreds of bedrooms, and here are my 4 tips that work every time:

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

1. Create Calm.

Did you know that your blood pressure will actually go down by looking at the colour blue?! It’s true, and that’s why it’s such a fabulous colour to use in a bedroom, like the one I designed above. Use the most calming colours you can, like white, gray, pale green. And create a little oasis by adding flowers, books, and maybe even a candle to the bedside table. Whatever makes you feel happy and relaxed!

2. Layer the Light.

When interior designers like me use this term, we’re talking about having a lot of light sources in a room, from bright to quiet. Bedside lights – like this amazing sconce I saw in a hotel in the Bahamas – give you just enough light to read, but not enough to make the room too bright.

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

3. Invest in the Best.

There are 2 things that are so important to invest in when it comes to a bedroom: your mattress and your linens. You will spend one-third of your entire life in bed, so you’d better be comfortable while you’re there! How the mattress feels is entirely up to your body type and your sleeping style, so be sure you test-drive as many as you can in the store. And get the linens that feel the way you want them to! For example, if you get too warm when you sleep, then be sure you go for natural fibers like bamboo, silk, and cotton to keep you cool.

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

4. Block It

Most everyone sleeps better if you can block a lot of the light in the room. I like to use light-blocking draperies floor to ceiling to really get the room as dark as possible in the evenings.

Try these tips to create welcoming rooms for your guests, and to help you create a quiet respite from your stressful day!

Until next time,

-Cynthia

It’s Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada, a sign that we’re definitely close to winter and the holiday season. That also means shorter days and longer nights – a time when the lighting in your house becomes even more important! I love finding new and exciting light options for my clients. Here are a few of the top trends in lighting today:

Schoolhouse light, interior design by Cynthia Ferguson

Matte Black. Deep, dark black is a big trend in Europe and it’s starting to appear in homes here! I love the impact it makes when it’s paired with metal, like in this bedside lamp from Schoolhouse that I used in a boy’s room.

Ridgely Studio Works that looks more like an installation than a sconce!

Free-Form Lights. Sculptural designs are taking lighting to a more artful place! I recently worked on a custom commission with Ridgely Studio Works that looks more like an installation than a sconce.

Kelly Wearstler chandelier, interior design by Cynthia Ferguson

Wow-Worthy Chandeliers. This Kelly Wearstler design I used in a master bathroom takes the starburst or Sputnik design to a whole new level! Designed in that oh-so-trendy black, the chandelier adds drama to the decor.

Le Deun Luminaires

LED Lights. LED has been a major trend for lighting manufacturers for a while, but only recently have they made them look as gorgeous as they are efficient! I’m so in love with these gorgeous gold rings from the French company Le Deun Luminaires!

Get Lit

Traditional Shapes. In table lamps, traditional shapes like the ginger jar you see here from Get Lit are coming back in a big way. The green colour definitely speaks to me, too!

Primavera

Bold Color. Speaking of colour, bright pops of colour are being featured not just on the lamps bases, but also on the shades, as you can see in these pretty designs from Primavera. 

Use these ideas to light up your fall and winter days! And if you’re here in Canada, I wish you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving!

Until next time,

-Cynthia

My client’s gorgeous white kitchen with that pop of pink!

I love injecting colour into the spaces I design! That could be a full colour splash in a room, or a bright punch in a neutral space. In this all-white kitchen I designed, I wanted to add a dramatic spot of colour to give the design a kick. And that hot pick fabric on the chairs was the first thing that came to mind.

But how do designers like me find our colour inspirations? It can come from anywhere, but for me, fabrics and trims always spark my imagination.

The bright yarns above grabbed my attention as I was shopping one day – especially the pinks and purples.

Even this rainbow display of wraps drew my eye right to the bright pinks at the end of the row.

A display of dinner napkins, like these from Sferra, also made me feel in the pink!

What really clinched it was this bouquet of white and hot pink flowers – the perfect color combination.

I found the white Louis XVI side chairs at a local flea market (can you believe it?), and chose the solid fabric from Kravet and the lovely geometric pattern from Manuel Canovas. The result is a chic kitchen that serves up a bright punch!

PS – See more of my interiors and the colours I love on my portfolio.

-Cynthia