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

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

The holidays are such an incredible time to recharge and relax - especially if you can get away! One of my favourite destinations is a series of remote islands in the Caribbean. The calm, the gorgeous views - it’s the best place to spend the holidays! And who wouldn’t be inspired by these gorgeous sky and water colours?

Photo by Cynthia Ferguson

The gorgeous blues and greens find their way into so many of the rooms I design! I’m not the only one who loves this palette - the colors are soothing and calming, perfect for a gorgeous interiors! They bring a little bit of your vacation home, even in the dark winter months!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

Rolling waves are incredibly soothing on these isolated beaches. You can see why I keep returning with my family for every holiday!

Photo by Cynthia Ferguson

I created that feeling of movement and water with a pattern of tiles in the backsplash of this kitchen I designed!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

Even this gorgeous seating area in the middle of nowhere can be recreated in a formal dining room with the right colours and patterns.

Photo by Cynthia Ferguson

I used breezy drapery in a cool turquoise colour to provide that idea of calm and serenity in this Toronto dining room. It’s like a tiny moment of the islands in the middle of a snowy, busy city!

Cynthia Ferguson Designs

I love bringing these inspirational moments and colours home with me - where do YOU find your inspiration?!

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

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

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