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Interior Design

Giovanna Averill Interiors / Interior Design

(A Red Hot) Valentine’s Day Gift Guide!

by Giovanna Averill
Interior Design, Uncategorized
January 28, 2018

In spite of its rather less-than-romantic origins (read here: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/mitch-ditkoff/the-history-and-present-of-valentines-day_b_6642020.html), and that slightly queasy feeling you get from its commercial excess, I have to admit that Valentine's Day has a certain draw — perhaps because the idea of love is involved.  Among the various words that the ancient Greeks had for love, the best known are "agape", a generalized love of others, something akin to goodwill, and "eros" the more intimate and passionate form of love.  Valentine's Day celebrates the latter! Here...

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The Best of Interior Design: A Chat with Sophie Paterson

by Giovanna Averill
Interior Design, luxury interiors, Styling
January 8, 2018

I’ve been enamoured for quite some time now with British luxury interior design. Layered and sumptuous in quality, there is an attention to detail, craftsmanship, and an unabashed elegance that is inspiring.  My interest in this "type" of design has influenced my own interiors aesthetic and eventually lead me to the work of UK interior designer extraordinaire, Sophie Paterson, principal and founder of Sophie Paterson Interiors.  I've been an avid follower of Sophie's work from the early days of her practice and it's been exciting to follow her design journey and learn from her creativity...

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A Luxurious Gift Guide: All about that Monogram

by Giovanna Averill
Interior Design, Styling
November 14, 2017

My favourite type of gift to give is anything monogrammed. There is nothing that says luxury, elegance, and thoughtfulness like a monogrammed gift.  The simplest (and even most cost conscious) item can have its’ status elevated by the embellishment of a beautiful well placed monogram. That said, the idea of monogramming still causes the occasional eye roll for those who incorrectly assume it’s a pretentious gesture - I disagree.  For me, it’s a nod to the refinement of things past and...

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Making an Entrance

by Giovanna Averill
Interior Design
October 3, 2017

Let’s make an entrance. Nowhere else in your home will you have as powerful an opportunity to frame so many elements—colour, windows, hardware, lighting, flooring, greenery and accoutrements—into a compact, high-impact and pleasing design. This is where guests will linger a moment, and you’ll want the vista to stand up to a critical eye. Whether visitors or family, you’ll want those approaching your entryway to begin to experience the design of your home, something that will envelope them once they...

Dinner X Design 2017

by Giovanna Averill
Interior Design
September 12, 2017

“Dinner by Design brings together internationally celebrated designers and local talent to create three-dimensional dining installations that awe, inspire and delight. These extraordinary dining environments — from the lavish and romantic to the outrageous and whimsical — set the stage for two days of fun and fascination” (source: Dinner x Design, The Social Concierge) I couldn’t have said it better myself! With Dinner by Design 2017 fast approaching in a couple of months, I thought I would take a stroll down memory...

A Case For Order Before Design

by Giovanna Averill
Interior Design
August 30, 2017

The slower pace of the summer months affords us a chance to devote some time to long neglected tasks like the purging of extraneous household and personal items, but if you’ve not started don’t despair at the approaching end of summer- because really any time is a good time to start. If you launch into a nervous tick at the thought of having your partner or that VIP visit your home for the first time, chances are it's less than impressively...