3.06.2013

Designing the Coolest Condo Ever

Alright love doves, yesterday I shared a bit about why the condo I'm designing is the strangest ever, now onto why its the coolest ever: The Aesthetics.

So as I mentioned we had to loosely base our design on a real life person, so I interviewed my cousin Alicia and her husband Mike to get a feel for their style. I also stalked Alicia's Pinterest page for inspiration.
My Design Concept: A Modern Couple with Old Souls.
I'm not talking Grandma-old here people. I'm talking Old Souls who put on a record late at night and drink scotch and dance together like in the black and white movies. I want an eclectic mix, combining fun, modern and colorful touches with architectural details that add character and warmth. Also, I'm going classic midcentury modern vintage with many of the furniture pieces.
Basically, think Traditional Bones with Contemporary Styling.

Here is what I've got for the first floor:
Foyer and powder room are getting some rad wallpaper. I'm thinking something dark (with black) for extra drama. Anyone have any goodies to suggest?
The foyer is also getting this fixture:
via
The staircase is going to be substantial and traditional, to give the condo a feeling of hominess, just deciding what areas to paint and where to leave the wood:
via
Kitchen, the heart of the home. Mike loves to cook, so I put in as many bells and whistles as I could in a somewhat limited space.
via
 It's going to be an all white kitchen a beautiful butcher block island. Plus, the Wolf Range was a must because of the red knobs. How amazing!
Instead of closed upper cabinetry, I'm going for open shelving from reclaimed wood (the couple's idea). They also want a hanging pot rack, so I'm stealing this idea from the IKEA booth at IDS this year:
via
They are also getting these pendant fixtures over the Island:
via Apartment Therapy
and of course a bar cart:
via
 Living Room:
The living room is going to have an amazing extra tall built-in unit to house the television and the couple's large record and book collection. I'm going to add a library ladder to reach the high shelves.
The backs of the shelves might be getting the orange paint treatment like so, only more drama:
via dmagazine
They are also getting a blue tufted velvet sectional sofa a la
via Rue Magazine (March/April 2011)
 and a Moroccan Rug:
via Rugs USA
 Ideally, a seperate dining room would have been created, but there was not enough space without really chopping up the layout. Instead, I opted for a dining area that's high on style.
It's getting a banquette upholstered in a wide blue and white stripe (Alicia loves stripes and Mike likes nautical) with tons of fun pillows:
via Whitlock&Co Etsy
Hot House Spark via AriannaBelle Etsy
 A Saarinen tulip table with marble top:
and natural wood wishbone chairs:
via
 Ooohooo hooo it's going to be good, don't you think?
This post is getting pretty long so I will wrap it up here (I could go on and on about every detail on this floor alone...the deep window ledges I've added, the storage under the stairs, etc. etc.) and share the second and third floors in other posts!
Peek at this floor all laid out:

Photobucket

14 comments:

  1. I would totally live here!!! You have great taste and I totally love the gold bar cart in that photo.

    Xo-L

    brunchwithlaura.blogspot.com

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  2. This is going to be incredible! I adore the light fixture.

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  3. love all of your ideas - especially the pendants and the pot rack in the kitchen. now just build this condo for real and let me live there! :)
    -- jackiejade.blogspot.com

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  4. This condo is going to look amazing!

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  5. Stunning images- love the bar cart and those light fixtures!

    xo Carlina
    AllergicToVanilla.com

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  6. Fab pendants and that sectional is to-die-for! I wouldn't mind taking it for a spin in my house ;)

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  7. I would give my right arm for those pendants!

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  8. Love it all!!! I am dying for some polished brass pendants! I just purchased those natural wishbone chairs and shares them on my blog friday! (Im still waiting on 2 of them to arrive), but love them! Xoxo

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  9. Oh, I'm loving this! I also wanna put on an old LP and dance all night. Great ideas/photos and of course, I love that bar cart.

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  10. looks fantastic Tiffany! I love the layout of your floor plan and the inspirational pieces you selected.

    The tulip table is of course a keeper and I love your bench idea to max out the use of space! Well Done!

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  11. Oh wao!!! This looks like it will be soooo amazing!! I can't wait to see more...

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  12. Tiff, we're so excited! It looks amazing. Now if only we could actually live here...

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  13. A Modern Couple with Old Souls :) I like that easyinstallations.ca

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Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a sweet comment! It makes my day. xo