Photography by Christie Vuong
When given the mandate to stylize an interior space following a modern glamour design direction, it is best to understand what represents “modern” and “glamour.” Today, modern decor means clean lines and a monochromatic colour palette complemented with glass and metal accents. The glamour counterpart is represented by layering rich textures, lavish details and luxurious accents, in this case with an Art Deco flair. Let me share with you a newly designed home by House of Layth that personifies the modern glamour style.
First impression
As you enter the home, you’re welcomed by a marble floor inlay, composed of an oversized herringbone-patterned mosaic tile, framed with a darker contrast stone and finished with polished chrome trim. The simplicity of the layering and scale factors bring forth a modern sensibility but with a hint of art deco glamour.
Dining room drama
The dramatic look of the dining room resonates from several carefully orchestrated design elements. The first being the ceiling height transition, from a single- to a double-height interior, separated by a framed archway. The second is the expansive wall trim that follows an alternating proportional rhythm and stretches as far as they are allowed. The trim frame accentuates the exaggerated ceiling height, and because they’re uninterrupted, they bring a modern feel to the traditional detail.
Within the mainframe, antique mirror panels are inlaid to form a super-sized mirror surface contributing to both a modern and opulent look. The art deco-inspired chandeliers offer another opportunity to add dazzle and sparkle to the interior composition. These fixtures are further enhanced by adding a 19th-century old styling solution called chandelier socks, to adorn and conceal the fixtures’ chain suspension. This turns the suspension system into a feature, as well as convey a silhouette emphasizing the double story height drop. The sapphire jewel-toned, velvet-covered dining chairs punctuate the art deco feel by way of adding rich texture that ties the whole look together.
The gallery
In the great room, or the gallery, as we like to call it, the space is defined by furniture groupings and anchored by millwork features on both ends of the wall. There is a definite modernity factor to this room. We chose a curtain box to conceal the draperies and supporting hardware and repeated finishes, tones and details from other rooms. For instance, the monolithic fireplace slab cladding references the dining rooms mirror panels’ expansive scale. It’s all about creating a cohesive, connected look from room to room; a designer will help you achieve this.
Streamlined kitchen
Here, appliances are integrated into furniture-like cabinets such as the paneled refrigerator and dishwasher as well as a barista-approved coffee machine; this gives a seamless, streamlined look. The colour palette is kept neutral with soft grey tones paired with classic white, natural wood elements and pops of silver in the hardware and lighting.
Modern details
Furniture elements such as the bench and artwork in the hallway complement the modern interior. When it comes to art, a pro tip is to consider white frames. This makes the canvas look brighter, even though it’s formally framed, it blends in effortlessly with the white walls for an even more weightless effect.
Whether you’re looking for a modern glamourous look or something else, understanding the design concept through proper planning and research can help ensure the right design elements and principals are incorporated into your renovation design.