5th Article is up!

Just in time for the holidays, here are 5 helpful tips on decorating your dining table for all of your Christmas entertaining! Have a look, and enjoy your holidays with family and friends (and great food)!

5 Ways to create your Holiday Tablescape

Ten Principles for Good Design

The Skills Required

Designer is a very broad term for a profession. But the truth is whether you specialize in interiors, graphics, web, illustration, marketing etc... in order to be a good designer you really do need to possess an understanding of the broadness of the profession, and be able to work them all together to come up with strategic, creative and successful designs. Here is a poster I found on Pinterest that really exemplifies the many skills and attributes designers require in order to be success at what they do.

As overwhelming as that may seem, there is such a sense of excitement in it as well; knowing that you are constantly learning, creating, and developing each and every day. One of the many reasons I love what I do, and who I am. 

Light it up!

There is no better way to make a statement in any space than with a dramatic light fixture that draws the eye in. Minimalistic designs can make a great impression in any space whether it be a dining room focal point, task lighting in a dark stairwell, or a first impression in a foyer. Here are some lighting designs that have made my jaw drop and left me with nothing but "wow".

Industrial chic is a beautiful combination of two stylistic types that blend so well together. In my opinion good design is never just one approach; but a collaboration of styles that work well together. The exposed lightbulb with brushed brass metal gives this fixture the perfect amount of impact, while not being too out there. Would be perfect hanging from the ceiling beside your favourite reading chair as task lighting. 

Same style as the above, but definitely more of a feature piece. This fixture is not only visually appealing but also highly functional for a space requiring a broader area of light such as a dining room. 

A basic hanging pendant that would work on its own or in multiples, the delicate design is intriguing yet subtle all at the same time. 

Winter Decor Article

With the cold winter season just around the corner, I decided to write my most recent article on how to brighten up your home during the cold short days ahead. Have a read below and enjoy! 

5 Home Trends for Winter Decorating 

Going to the Dark Side

With all white everything being all the rage right now, always remember to never be scared of a dramatically dark wall colour. Whether it is for a feature wall or an entire space, dark colours can make a bold impression on any room. The key is natural light, and contrasting tones, to ensure the space doesn't appear dingy. Here is a great article I found that gives some excellent examples of dark walls that work, and work very well.

Happy reading!

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark: 12 Black Walls Done Right 

New (kind of) home new beginnings!

Well I have made the move back to Perth, my beloved second home in Western Australia. I have just started at a job there where I will be an in house designer and project manager for A large custom home builder Webb and Brown-Neaves. I am pretty excited to start this new endeavour, and gain some experience in my field outside of Canada. I am hoping that the new job will give me a new perspective on design, and see how things are done in a new environment. I also absolutely loved Perth the first time I was here and I am certain it will be no different this time around. The laid-back aspect of the city in general is definitely something that makes it that much more enjoyable.

Look for further updates on my life abroad as an interior designer in Australia, I am hoping to share as many of my experiences with you as possible!

Third Article up and Running!!

My third article for The Luxe Life is up on their website. I am absolutely loving writing these pieces and contributing as their in house design expert. Writing is always such a nice and enjoying release, and when I get to write about design, well thats just perfect!!!

Box n' Build Furniture turned Luxe


Katie

Instagram

I have opened up an Instagram account for Great North! Please give us a follow @greatnorthdesignco for all things interior!!

Tile Crazy

Ever since I went to Portugal I have been obsessed with tile patterns and spaces that incorporate lots and lots of tiles. Portugal is very inspired by Moroccan design dating back to hundreds of years ago, and it is evident on most of the buildings through out the country. The exteriors of building facades are covered in beautiful displays of colourful tiles, as well as the inside. They are literally everywhere; exteriors, interiors, bathrooms, floors, ceilings. Not only do they look beautiful, they also keep the building cool in the hot summer months and trap the heat in during the winter.

I found the continuous use of tiles to be incredibly inspiring, so when I discovered a few spaces that incorporated tiles as the main focal points, well I am sure you can imagine my excitement! This beautiful patio was designed by the talented local design firm Mason Studio located in the design chic neighbourhood The Junction (Toronto, Ontario). It was a showroom space for a boutique condominium development called The Duke. I was so drawn to the pattern, and I feel that the simplicity in the furniture and light fixture really allows the tile to stand out as it should. Not to mention the contrast with the warm wood panels just ties this space together perfectly. All I have left to say is well done Mason Studio, well done. 

Design Evolution

I feel as though the last few months I have really been going through an evolution in my own personal design taste and influence. Perhaps it is the various inspirational outlets I check out daily (House and Home, Style at Home, Pinterest, various blogs… just to name a few) and their constant update on the latest trends. Or perhaps its my personal evolution as a designer and the impact that working in the industry and continuing to learn more and more that has affected it.

For years I thought my only niche was traditional. Traditional came easy to me I understood what client's were hoping to have achieved, how they wanted a space to look, and how it would make them feel. I felt like I could relate to it. Traditional was comfortable, it was a crowd pleaser; and when you're first starting out at anything and you are uncertain in your own decisions I think there is a huge sense of security in comfort. That is not to say I don't still enjoy traditional design, I admire the feeling of warmth and home-i-ness that goes along with it (for those of you who may not know what I mean when I describe traditional I have two words for you… Pottery Barn).

After working at a handful of design firms now with a number of different clients, I have had the opportunity to explore various style influences and inspirations that have truly broadened my personal design taste. We are fortunate to live in an era that has not just one style approach but a wide variety of them. A traditional room with contemporary finishes and Scandinavian inspired decor that is completed with a modern pendant light can be a recipe for a well balanced space.

I have found my eye being drawn to more simplistic design approaches; streamline furniture, mixing of metals and materials, warm and cool tones. My style has gone from what I felt was predictable, to something more personal, easier to relate to as a person and my career as an inspired and evolving designer. It makes me truly excited to explore this design evolution, which is such a rewarding reminder of how fortunate I am to be able to do what I love.

BIG NEWS

So after about a month of making everything was just right, I have finally opened up my Etsy page online!

My page is all about easy design solutions at a low cost; developing design packages online that provide people with design inspiration, space planning solutions, budgets and furniture recommendations. The idea is that clients will e-mail me regarding their plans for a space they are hoping to re-do, and depending on the package they choose to go with I will send them an electronic solution to get them started and feel confident to go forward on their own.

I am very excited about this new endeavour, and hope for the best that this will be a success!! Be sure to check it out and spread the word!

GreatNorthDesignCO. on Etsy!

Katelyn :)

Living Room Facelift

My parent's house is one of those beautiful 1930 old homes in a cute lakeside town that has a lot of character. With exposed brick walls, plaster ceilings, and original crown moulding and hard wood floors still in good condition. My favourite type of renovation is keeping the existing characters that define a home, and updating in a way that doesn't cover up the old, but rather emphasizes its perfectly imperfect qualities.

The colour of the living room was a deep red with hues of purple and maroon, making the room seem small despite the large west facing picture window that lets in lots of afternoon light. The furniture was a mix match clutter of pieces collected over the years (I think the couch dated back to the early 90's… and I also think my Dad won it in a golf tournament)! The oversized wood finish pieces took over the room, blocking any sense of flow and space.

First thing we all decided on was to paint out all the walls; everything was painted out Benjamin Moore Decorator's White, except for the wall that housed the original stone fireplace. We decided to paint that wall Benjamin Moore "cement grey" to draw the eye to the feature wall and bring out the colours of the natural stone fireplace. What a difference the paint alone made, all of a sudden the room was brighter and airy, and made the oak floors stand out so much more due to the contrast in tones that was not there before.

We replaced the couch and area rug with two great finds from Homesense, and most of the accessories were found there as well. The couch is a more modern streamline piece that contrasts with the traditional wingback chairs. Two items that I knew I wanted to keep were the two wingback chairs my parents had selected when they were newlyweds. The chairs are a beautiful design and well made pieces, however the fabric was old and fraying. I went to Designer Fabric Outlets in Parkdale and selected a few fabrics to choose from. We all decided on a light grey and white one with a slight geometric pattern, and had them reupholstered by the talented crew at Gavinchi in Toronto. They did an amazing job and the chairs looks good as new.

For a budget renovation this space has completely transformed into a bright and spacious living room that touches on all of the amazing characteristics in the history of this home. 

Another article!

My second article has been published on Home Decor Hacks for an Organized space! Be sure to check it out and other great articles on The LUXE Life!

Home Decor Hacks for an Organized Space

Where I have been...

I haven't been active on my blog again I know, but it's for good reason! I am working on a small project that will be displayed on Etsy very soon. I am very excited about it, it is just taking me longer than I originally thought to get everything looking just the way I want it to!!

Stay tuned!!!!

My first published piece!

Recently I have been approached by a good friend to write an interior design piece for her online magazine, and I have just written my first one! The website is The Luxe Life a Canadian lifestyle website that focuses on fashion, beauty, culture and living. I am very excited about this new opportunity and hope to continue with it for years to come. Here is the link for it so please take a look and enjoy! 

Small Spaces Deserve Big Decor Ideas - By Katelyn Rempel

 

The Beach Club - Cottesloe, WA

During my time in Australia I lived in Cottesloe WA for a couple of months, located just south of Perth close to Fremantle. Cottesloe has a typical small beach town feel but still is a part of Perth City so you get the best of both worlds. I fell in love with Cott the minute I arrived; the beach is one of the nicest beaches I have ever seen, and the energy was very relaxed and easy going. One of the main places to go out for a sunny afternoon drink is The Beach Club located in the Cottesloe Beach Hotel. In recent years The Beach Club has been completely renovated and revamped by the incredibly talented architecture firm Hecker Guthrie based out of Melbourne, Australia. The space is a cheerful approach to a 1950's beach inspired watering hole, with playful colours found in the tiles and furniture as well as a strong geometric presence in feature walls, fabric, tiles, and flooring.

The entire place is broken up into smaller sections that all have different seating arrangements but the theme is very cohesive throughout the entire space. There is a communal dining area with large tables at bar height, a lounge area that features wood burning fireplaces with comfortable couches and chairs, an open concept yet more intimate section with smaller tables, and a large standing room only bar section. 

The entire space is outdoors giving you that patio feel, although certain areas such as the lounge and intimate dining areas are covered with ceiling panels. It is one of those spaces where the attention to detail amazes you. The designers have not missed a beat and every single nook and cranny has something worth admiring. 

In the summer months The Beach Club hosts a yoga class once a week, as well as an outdoor cinema night on their large projection screen towards the back of the space. Anyone visiting Perth has to stop by The Beach Club for a drink and maybe even some food (the menu is outstanding as well). You can even sneak through the lobby of the hotel to the Veranda Bar to catch the sunset over the Indian Ocean, it's enough to take your breath away. 

Been around the world and back again.

I know, I know… it has been over a YEAR since I last wrote a post, and how guilty I feel. A lot has changed in a year and looking back it is amazing how quickly it has gone by. I changed jobs, changed apartments, but the biggest change of all was all of the traveling I got in. I went to Thailand and back in the early summer months of 2013 while I was in-between my two jobs, and most recently decided I needed a more drastic change in my life and made the move to Australia. Packing a backpack and making a move to the farthest place I could possibly go was both the easiest and hardest decision of my life. I have never lived farther than a 2 hour drive from my friends and family so the initial thought was very daunting.  I asked myself over and over again if this is what I really wanted and if this was the right decision for me at the time, and then finally I just stopped thinking about it and just said yes. I can with out a doubt say it was the best decision I have ever made in my entire life. I completely broke free of everything I knew and everything I was comfortable with to engage in an adventure into the unknown for the foreseeable future.

I lived out of a camper van, I drove a [manual] 4x4 on a sand island, I ate instant noodles for days on end, I lived on a boat and sailed the Whitsunday Islands, My home for two months was an 8 person dorm, I moved to an outback town and worked at the only pub in it. I met so many people that I became instantly best friends with only to say see you soon a short few days later. I fell in love with people and places and opened up to new opportunities that I never once imagined having. Some of these experiences at first were not the most appealing, but were viewed more as a necessity in order to make my travel funds stretch as far as possible. But it was these experiences that ended up being the most memorable; my 8 bed dorm roommates quickly became my family, and my outback barmaid experience turned into a crazy adventure with new close friends.

And as much as I missed my friends and family back home, I never felt incredibly homesick or felt the desire to head home, in fact I wasn't really ready to go home at all. I had built a life there in such a short amount of time that made me truly happy, one that I hope to re-visit some time very soon.

If I can give one piece of advice from my experiences this past year, its to take a chance and do something unknown. Whether its traveling to a new place, taking on a job overseas, changing careers, changing your routine, just do it if it's going to make you happy. As Tina Fey said "say yes, and you will figure out the rest later," your life starts at the end of your comfort zone, and after the truly incredible year I had, I have never heard truer words be spoken.

Live your adventure.