Let's Fall In Love With: Colette van den Thillart

For those of you who may be unfamiliar with this Toronto native, she is the creative director of NH Design, who has clientele from rock stars to royalty. And, for those already familiar, I know you will happily enjoy seeing anything by such an amazing talent.

Colette van den Thillart
When I saw this picture, not only did I love the image of her, but I vowed to never buy an ugly umbrella again!

I thought it would be fitting on the evening of Downton Abbey's season finale, if we move across the pond for this on-going series of posts and fall in love with the work of London based, Colette van den Thillart.

NH Design
I could see the occupants of Downton Abbey gathering here,
 without even the smallest quip from the Dowager Countess Grantham.


But let's obsess over her Toronto home:

Utterly charming!!!


The living room was the cover shot for this month's issue of Traditional Home.

An amazing one-of-a-kind coffee table with marbleized glass that shimmers in aqua...sigh.



The master bathroom. One of my favorite layouts, his & hers sinks, separated by the tub.
Or in this case, The Tub. Sculpture for the bath anyone?


The dining room from this feature was my favorite space. I ripped out the page and immediately put it on my office inspiration board. Once again, she did me in with the wall color!

The mix of opulent and casual with light-handed unexpected modern touches is why I love her work.
 Although I have this exact rug, a buffet, similar chairs, albeit not 18th century, silvery-aqua silk curtains and a
touch of gilt in my dining room, I think it's her fearless use of  just the right wall color and unconventional
 mix of fabrics that steals the show here! 

A look back at one of my favorite foyers, from her London house:



Who says a small foyer can't be interesting? Everything one needs for coming and going.
Each piece spectacularly unique, an unbelievable greeting for guests! I'd be torn between wanting to stay
and take in every detail and throwing off my coat to see what the rest of the tour has in store!!!

Let's Fall In Love With: Thomas Smythe

No doubt that die-hard Sarah Richardson fans already know this man. And, like me, probably adore him for his personality. If you're a designer, you may also fantasize about having your own Tommy. Imagine daily  collaborations with someone who has such great taste and style? It's truly hard to imagine any project could be difficult to execute with him at your side. I really, really, really want a Tommy of my own!

This library Tommy created for a client was fantastic!

I remember well the first time I saw Tommy Smythe. He was on Sarah's first show Room Service. He was acting as the client, having a guest bedroom makeover. I remember it had a blue velvet headboard, beautiful gray-blue silk taffeta curtains and an antique balloon-back chair that was so pretty.

This client's blue velvet sofa that reminds me of that headboard from his guest room.

Back then, I recall he seemed a bit uncomfortable and maybe even nervous. Perhaps it just seemed that way compared to Sarah's effortless ease on camera. Now we know him as the the casually confident "side-kick" of Sarah's from Design Inc. and Sarah's House. I am a fan of SR as well, and there is no denying her talents, but the fact she has Tommy is what I most envy. Charming, fun and oh so talented in his own right. 

A living room off a clients kitchen with a red sofa! What I really love here is the wallpaper in the Victorian amoire.
 The fun print makes gives it a youthful twist and the black paint, a modern sophistication.
Such a great way to add style to a cherished piece that may be in need an update!


And since I tend to like designs that are more masculine, have a fondness for black and mixing metals, well let's just say every time I see a design he has created, I fall in love.

While I love a twist here and there in a traditional interior, and definitely feel every powder room should be a little jewel box, I must admit I wouldn't have the guts to apply this wall treatment to a client's powder room! On the other hand, the convex mirrors in the small stairwell, well I could pull that off in an instant at my house with my own growing collection!


I rarely see him on television these days, either episodes are not running in the US or I forget to check periodically. Thankfully, Canadian House & Home over the years has highlighted his work, including the interiors of his various apartments. I have many images of his designs saved on my computer, a lot to love.

All images courtesy of the January 2012 issue of Canadian House & Home. Photography by Angus Fergusson. 

Let's Fall In Love With: P. Allen Smith

If you're an avid gardener you already know this gentleman. Some of you may have seen him on his show or segments he does on other programs such as the Today Show. And, some of you may read his books or have attended one of his gardening lectures. I missed my chance in Charleston, SC  in March of 2009.

Boyish good looks and southern charm make him irresistible!
 Photo from his book Living in the Garden Home.

 My husband and I were there for the annual Festival of Houses & Gardens and the Charleston International Antiques Show. Mr. Smith was one of the featured luncheon speakers for the Charleston International Antiques Show. Had tickets, lost track of time, missed it. Sigh. But at least I can regularly peruse the pages of Living in the Garden Home.

The book has incredible pictures and also lots of inspiration  for
many manageable projects. The best for me? It's broken down by seasons!

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the name (the P. stands for Paul) P. Allen Smith, he is a gardening and lifestyle expert. It was exciting to see his house featured in this month's issue of Southern Living.

It's a new house that feels like an old house. A Greek Revival  in Arkansas! For some reason, I did expect Mr. Smith to live in Arkansas, but as he says in the article, even though he's located in the middle of nowhere, he has everything he needs and when you see the photos of his beautiful home and stunning views, you understand perfectly.

This is not a painting. This 650 acre estate is is where Mr. Smith has called home the past 6 years!
Photograph by Roger Foley



Come fall in love...

Welcome! I dream of foyers like this. Actually, I obsessively fantasize about having
a foyer with multiple pieces of furniture that is truly a place to receive guests.

The living and dining room.
His friends include the great Albert Hadley and the late Nancy Lancaster. Mr Smith says of furniture
 "if you sit on it should be new, and if you don't, it should be old". Could not agree more to do this whenever possible!
 He has exquisite taste in antiques, because each piece looks modern and yet the character they exude is undeniable.

Some kitchen huh? A lot of lights for sure, but he needs all that illumination to tape television segments.

Oh, he's also a very talented artist. Who knew!?
 Working on a piece in his studio behind the house with his cute dog, Lucky.
The paintings on the back wall of the dining room were also done by him.

A copper soaking tub with a curtain to pull closed. I hope it comes with a tub pillow,
 because I think I'd be lulled right to sleep on a breezy day!

The master bath.
Mirrors, mirrors on the wall, who besides me,  loves those aqua walls?
 A collection of interesting mirrors, aqua, white and hits of black...so much love!

The perfect way to kick off the month that celebrates love. I'll have a feature for you each week in February highlighting some of my favorites.

All interior photographs by Helen Norman.