Get this interior designer’s tips to transformrooms with inspirational ideas that won’tbreak the bank.

BY SHE RR I LEDBETTE R

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GILL IAN JACKSON

Beauty on aBudget

bnterior designer (anic -imard suggestsdecorating with Tnoncommittal) dScorYitems that can easily —e swapped out fora fresh look when the mood strikesvthink chair co“ers, sofa cushions, —edding,curtains and pillows.

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IF YOU ASK CANADIAN INTERIOR DESIGNER YANIC SIMARDHOW HE COMES UP WITH HIS REMARKABLE CREATIONS, HE’LLSAY “AT 35,000 FEET.” Yanic travels by air several times a year between the U.S. and Canada as he works to transform

homeowners’ cherished spaces.

“I discover some of my best ideas when I’m on a plane, up in the clouds,” he says. “It’s the

perfect place to dream and conceptualize.”

Here, Yanic shares his tips for giving your home a kitchen and bath update that will have

you and your guests on cloud nine.

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BEHIND THE COUNTERGet interior designer Yanic Simard’s inside scoop for choosing the right kitchen countertops.

• Know your options. Kitchen countertops are an essential design element that can carry a high price tag. Today’s countertops are

made from a wide array of materials, including natural stone, ceramic tile, stainless steel, wood, Formica, quartz, marble and granite.

• Find what works for you. Yanic suggests doing your research to find a countertop that best suits your family’s lifestyle. “Different

countertop materials have different characteristics,” he says. “A favorite material today is quartz. It’s very durable and comes in a wide

range of colors and patterns.” Engineered quartz countertops are stain-, scratch- and heat-resistant due to their non-porous quality, and

unlike natural stone, there’s no need to apply a sealant.

• Invest in good countertops. Because kitchen surfaces are so important to the overall design, Yanic suggests splurging on your

countertops and saving money in other areas. “I would suggest saving money by choosing a generic backsplash, such as a subway tile, or

forgoing custom cabinetry for premade options available at your favorite home improvement store,” he says.

DELIGHT IN WHITEThe cheery fireplace off of the kitchen is original to thehome. “It was definitely a feature that the homeownerwanted to keep to add a senseof coziness during the coldwinter months,” Yanic says.To seamlessly transition thelook of the kitchen to thisseating area, Yanic continuedthe monochromatic look.

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“If your island countertop andkitchen countertops are of adifferent material, paint the

bases in the same shade. Thiswill create a unifying effect.”

SERENE SPACE For a seamless look in the kitchen, therefrigerator, dishwasher and cooktop ventare hidden behind millwork panels. Lightand bright, this white kitchen is groundedwith dark wood flooring. A quartz countertopand twin glass pendant lights completethe design.

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A FRESH STARTYanic created a sense of drama in

this Port Credit, Ontario, homeowner’s

kitchen by keeping all of the custom

cabinetry light and airy, in contrast to

the dark wood floors.

“If your island countertop and your

kitchen countertops are of a different

material, paint the bases in the same

shade. This will create a unifying

effect,” he says.

Yanic fashioned the kitchen’s white

pillow-tile backsplash in a contrasting

gray grout. The gray matches the

quartz countertops perfectly, creating

a nice visual effect.

The kitchen fireplace insert was

originally a bright, polished brass. “We

simply had our contractor remove it

and spray coat it with a black, fire-

retardant paint,” Yanic says. “This

gives it a new, dramatic look.”

To create a luxurious spa feel in

the master en-suite bathroom, Yanic

tiled the walls and floor in 12”×24”

light-colored tile applied in a brick

pattern. “For the client’s en-suite we used

a stunning Roberto Cavalli designer

porcelain tile which she absolutely

loves,” he says. The result is spaces

that are fresh yet timelessly elegant.

See Sources, page 128.

UNEXPECTED ELEMENT “This is one luxurious shower spacewith all the bells and whistles,” Yanicsays. “The shower controls are placedjust outside the shower entrance sothe homeowner can adjust the watertemperature before stepping in. Wealso installed a large glass showerpartition in smoked gray for an unexpected touch.”

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STYLE FILE• Insider Secret: Yanic

says, “If you’re wishing to

add marble to your bath for

a hint of luxury but don’t

think it’s in your budget, you

can sometimes find offcuts

from your local tile supplier.”

Offcuts are leftovers from

previous jobs. “It’s hit or

miss, but it’s worth a shot.

One thing is paramount,

though—never compromise

on quality.”

• Budget Basics: Step one:

Create a list. “People often

come up with a budget for a

renovation project off the

top of their heads without

really thinking about it,”

Yanic says. “Instead, jot

down each element

involved—from materials, to

trades, fixtures and finishes,

and put a realistic number

beside each one.” Yanic says

to also make sure to keep in

mind labor costs, taxes and a

designer's fee.

• Easy Idea, Big Impact:“Mirror and glass!” he says.

“We utilized both to the

fullest in the master en suite

and powder room. It’s true;

mirrors do make a room look

instantly larger.”

VANITY AFFAIRThis impressive, wall-mounted vanity in a white, high-glossfinish seems to “float” above the floor, pairing well with thewhite, engineered quartz countertop and sleek, polished faucets.

Io make a —athroomappear larger, install afloating “anity that willgi“e you more floor space

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COLORFUL CREATION A lovely mosaic floor in onyxand marble and a large mirroradd character to this livelypowder room. “Powder roomsare a great place to have fun,” Yanic says. “It’s an area whereyou can pick a playful elementand just go with it.”

bn a tight space, adda floor to ceiling

mirror to create anillusion of depth

and draw the eyes upAfter

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Yanic Simard founded the interior design firm TorontoInterior Design Group in2001. He and his team of professionals strive to createdream home interiors thatcombine serious style withplayful individualism. Formore information on Yanic,visit tidg.ca.

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