May 1st, 2012
Earlier this spring my very dear friends purchased a retro pea green 1970s Trillium camper. My friends and their kids love the great outdoors and do everything they can to enjoy the breathtaking national and provincial parks that surround our fair city. They are also some of the coolest people I know, and wherever they go, the party follows. Incredible chefs, consummate hosts, and great conversationalists, they need to travel in style since their campsite will be THE place to be. When they asked me to help them update the Trillium they bought I was totally excited!
1. Blue Squiggles by Michelle Brighton via Fine Art America 2. Converse by the Pool via Etsy 3. Lemonade via Oh The Lovely Things 4. The Diving Board by Joshua Jensen-Nagle via Artnet
First, I asked the family members what they envisioned for the camper. The eight year old daughter was emphatic about incorporating blue squiggles. I’m not sure why, but to her, blue squiggles were imperative in the successful design of the Trillium. Hmmm, OK, so I was going to have to find a way to incorporate this into the design. After our meeting, I went about sourcing some images to complete the concept for the camper. My clients are Converse sneaker fans, so the image of the shoes at the edge of the pool got me started. I was drawn to the colours and the summery, carefree attitude of this photo. Lemonade is the quintessential summertime drink and I pictured a lot of it being served (spiked for the adults, of course!). I wanted to make sure the colour scheme was as refreshing as a tall, icy glass of tart lemonade. Joshua Jensen-Nagle is an artist I’ve long admired and his series of vintage holiday photography based paintings had just the right vibe. That sense of nostalgia needed to be included too.
1. Bansuri by Kravet 2. Imperial Trelis from Schumacher 3. Quilted bedding by Tritex 4. White Wing by Benjamin Moore 5. Hardware from Restoration Hardware 6. Vinyl Bamboo flooring 7. Dill Pickle by Benjamin Moore 8. LaPlates via Country Living 9. Formica
Here are a few highlights of what I’ve proposed for my friends….Ikat curtains to block out the early morning sunshine and “squiggly” blue printed fabric for the bench seats which double as mattresses. The floor will be recovered in faux bamboo vinyl tiles – it is a camper after all! The dining table will be refinished with a retro inspired white laminate. I’m throwing in some nautical inspired cabinet hardware that stays fastened during road trips and some preppy melamine plates to dress up campfire fare. It’s a modern blend of fresh colour and finishes with a vintage feel.
We’re madly getting it all ready for the the May long weekend, when camping season officially opens here in Alberta. By then there’s less of a chance for it to snow! To be totally honest with you, despite years in Girl Guides, I’m not much of the camping type. I’m more a five star hotel, spa on the premises, Egyptian cotton sheets kind of gal. But after seeing my friend’s camper and selecting all these fun finishes, I’m dreaming about my own little caravan. How fun it would be! I’m imagining a gourmet picnic with friends, the kids running around, a late night campfire and a stylish, retro camper to snuggle down into at the end of the evening. I extremely tempted to run out and get one of my own. Happy Camping!
Cheers!
Jacqueline
My Calgary Interior Design firm, Corea Sotropa is known for a sophisticated and fresh approach to residential interiors. We’d love to help you with your projects – please get in touch!
April 14th, 2012
 Interior design by Corea Sotropa Interior Design
Spring is sprung and it’s time to dust out your rooms and brighten them up with some fresh accessories! We’re so excited to have one of our projects featured in the decor section of this weekend’s Hers Magazine, a quarterly lifestyle publication. The article on page 33 gives suggestions on how to add a ray of sunshine and a breath of spring into your home. I hope it encourages you to add a springy step to your rooms in celebration of this season filled with new possibilities and fresh starts.
Cheers!
Jacqueline
My Calgary Interior Design firm, Corea Sotropa is known for a sophisticated and fresh approach to residential interiors. We’d love to help you with your projects – please get in touch!
April 3rd, 2012
It’s here, it’s here, it’s finally here!!!
In the hectic month of December in 2010 my house was photographed by Canadian House and Home. It took a little while for them to find the perfect place to feature the article on my house, but it was so worth the wait! I’m so extremely proud to say that the photos have been used in House and Home’s special interest publication, Best Decorating. It is positively thrilling to see my work included on the glossy pages of this incredible magazine! Having a project published in Canadian House and Home has been a goal of mine for years and years. Not only is it the go-to Canadian interior design magazine, it’s internationally adored as well! I am so incredibly honoured to be showcased in this special magazine. I just can’t believe that my dream has come true!
My home is featured on pages 80-85 with a few extra shots & decor tips on 117-118. The magazine is available on news stands and on special order for the next 6 months and is an incredible resource for great decorating ideas. In addition to 2 home tour articles there are fabulous styling tips, information on how to create a photo gallery, as well as a section dedicated to helping you understand the elements of design and how to incorporate them into your own home. It’s chock-a-block full of drool worthy photos and information from interior decorating pros. This magazine is definitely a keeper! I highly recommend picking up a copy, not just because I am featured, but because it truly is a great resource and full of insider tricks of the trade. You’ll love it!
Cheers!
Jacqueline
My Calgary Interior Design firm, Corea Sotropa is known for a sophisticated and fresh approach to residential interiors. We’d love to help you with your projects – please get in touch!
April 2nd, 2012
April Fools Day is the only day of the year that I can get away with playing an innocent prank…or is it? Truth be told, an interior designer has a whole bag of cheats and chicanery used in our interiors to fool the eye, make you look the other way and compensate for a design flaw. In honour of yesterday, international day of tricks and practical jokes, I’m going to share with you one my favourite interior design fake-outs. The built-in pantry. Before I dive into the details, let me just say that there is almost nothing I despise more than a walk-in corner pantry. I rip these out of kitchens I am renovating faster than I rip off a band-aid. Pantries are necessary of course, but there is no reason why they can’t be subtle and well thought out. Shoving it in the corner with a big glass door just doesn’t cut it for me.
 Interior design by Corea Sotropa Interior Design
Now, here’s the interior design prank I am taking about. On the right we have a 30″ panelled Subzero fridge unit with drawers and on the very far left we have a the same sized panelled freezer unit. Sandwiched in between looks like a cabinet…right?
 Interior design by Corea Sotropa Interior Design
But voila! This cabinet is actually the door to the pantry! From the outside it just looks like a continuation of cabinets. We had the door made to mirror the shape of the fridge panels so that it was seamless from the exterior. Inside are shelves upon shelves of pantry storage, and even a built-in coffee maker!
 Interior design by Corea Sotropa Interior Design
Here is another example of a walk in pantry with a hidden door we designed. The double doors open up to a generous storage space. Over the doors, glass display cabinets help to create the illusion of full height kitchen cabinetry. By placing the pantry here we were able to make use of a bumped out space that was too deep for regular cabinets. I posted floor plans of this kitchen and more photos in my post French Country Kitchen.
I’m not a big fan of practical jokes but I do like to use a bit of trickery where necessary in my designs to improve a space. Building a pantry behind cabinet doors instead of placing it in an obvious corner is one of my favourite ways to fool the eye. It’s not like putting a tack on someone’s seat. Nobody is going to be annoyed at this little trick, April Fools Day or not!
Cheers!
Jacqueline
My Calgary Interior Design firm, Corea Sotropa is known for a sophisticated and fresh approach to residential interiors. We’d love to help you with your projects – please get in touch!
March 20th, 2012
Vintage Lacquered Three Drawer Chest by Chelsea Textiles
Ding, ding ding!! It’s time for another round of Double Vision, an opportunity for my design partner, Reena Sotropa and I to duke it out over a piece of furniture. We take interior design seriously after all! For this match, we’ve selected Chelsea Textiles’ lacquered bed side table with brass knobs as our starting point. Its delicate legs and vintage like lines are absolutely sublime. Instead of coming to blows literally over which of our design schemes based around this lovely little table is best, we’d like you to cast your vote and comment on which you like better. Let’s get started!
1. Lamp from Arteriors 2. Jewelry box available through Indigo 3. Brass bowls by Arteriors 4. The classic Collette bed by Crate and Barrel 5. Side Table by Chelsea Textiles 6. Dwell Studio’s striped blanket 7. Lavender scented Diptyque candle 8.Throw pillow available at ABC Carpet & Home
In the first corner is Reena, with her bedroom softly accentuated with lavender and lilac. The Chelsea Textiles lacquered table works nicely with pale pastel shades and luxurious textures. Purple is a popular hue right now, and it’s a colour that mixes really well with varying tones in the same shade. A velvet pillow, linen headboard, and cozy throw add irresistible texture and help to create a space for peaceful dreams. Adding a golden touch with some pretty vases picks up on the brass pulls of the table and is a very nice move by Reena.
1. Ceramic lamp by BeeLine Home 2. Monogrammed tray available through Preppy Plates 3. Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman headboard 4. Duvet cover by Serena and Lily 5. Dransfield & Ross pillow 6. Alarm Clock available through Rawspace 7. Chair by Crate and Barrel 8. Side Table from Chelsea Textiles
I’m ready to challenge Reena with my Pretty Preppy concept. I envisioned the Chelsea Textiles side table in a bedroom fresh with pattern and the classic preppy colour combo of kelly green and navy blue. The clean lines of the table pair perfectly with bold prints, and dynamic colours. On my recent trip to LA I spotted the lamp and immediately fell in love with it. The pillow and chair add that one-two-punch, and the tray is perfect for corralling odds and ends.
The Chelsea Textiles side table is a versatile piece of furniture, fitting in equally well with a subdued, luxurious scheme or a punchy, patterned one. It really is the champ of this competition! But now it’s time to cast your vote…which is your favourite look?
Cheers!
Jacqueline
My design partner-in-crime, Reena Sotropa and I are passionate about furniture! Our Calgary Interior Design firm, Corea Sotropa is known for a sophisticated and fresh approach to residential interiors. We’d love to help you with your projects – please get in touch!
March 17th, 2012
They say that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. Well, for me it’s come in more like a speeding bullet! The past few weeks have absolutely flown by. Business is booming with lots of new projects, some exciting press and interesting rooms to design. The downside is that the blog has become the neglected child. Which is quite ironic, considering that I welcomed in March while in Los Angeles attending the Design Blogger’s Conference. One would think that after attending such a conference that I’d be full of vim and vigour and the blog posts would just pour right out of me. Alas, the workload that greeted me upon my return has commandeered all my attention. The blog is like the poor middle child. Smushed between attending to my family and running a design business I’m able to check in on it not frequently enough for my liking. I’ve got some great ideas for posts coming up, including some thoughts on my trip to LA, but today I just wanted to update you on a few things happening around Corea Sotropa Interior Design. I hope you don’t mind if I take a minute and indulge myself by tooting my own horn!
Interior design by Corea Sotropa
My interior design company, Corea Sotropa just launched our new website!! It still needs a bit of tweaking here and there, but we’re so happy to share some new projects with you all. It’s been a long time coming. And, finally, the blog is linked directly to the website, so it should be easier for folks to check in on The Pink Chandelier. Now, if only I could fit in some time to write those posts….
Image via House & Home
And now for the big news…We are so excited about an upcoming special interest publication called Best Decorating by Canadian House & Home, Canada’s premier design magazine! Why you may ask? Well, my own home will be featured in the magazine! I am so excited about this!!! The photos were taken a year and a half ago, so I’ve been patiently waiting to find out when it will be used. OK, in all honesty I’ve been bitting my nails wondering if it would ever be used and endlessly bothering my friends (you know who you are) with my neurosis on the subject. Watch out for Best Decorating by Canadian House & Home on new stands on March 26th, which will be a double happy day for me since it is my birthday! Truly, I can’t think of a better present.
To link in with the feature in Canadian House & Home, they kindly asked if Corea Sotropa would like to have a project gallery on their website. Wow! I was speechless! All of us in the office find it pretty amazing to see our projects on their site, and we are so honoured to be included. The Corea Sotropa galleryis live now and it’s been a fantastic experience hearing everyone’s positive comments. I’m still pinching myself.
Image via Style At Home blog
Then, a few days ago, I got a lovely email from Laura over at the Style At Home blog letting me know that they had featured one of my boards from Pinterest on their site! These were images I have been collecting as inspirational sources for my dream office. I was delighted to be showcased, and so glad that those images could be shared with others who have big dreams for their offices too. And, I was kind of amazed that Style At Home (another top Canadian design magazine) had spotted little old me on Pinterest!
So that’s some of the exciting news that’s been going on in my work life. In my home life, the big news is Snowbell, newest member of the Corea clan and hamster extraordinaire. He’s my latest family room coffee table accessory, and I must say that his cage graces this area like nothing I’ve ever displayed there before. Not in a good way though. I’m working on a new place of honour for him, but I’m going to have to coax a certain 5 year old a bit more before that happens. Thanks so much for hanging in there while I updated you on my newest adventures. I’m officially finished tooting my own horn now. Have a great week! Toot toot! Cheers! Jacqueline
February 22nd, 2012
I’m getting ready for a big furniture install today. Everything is lined up and ready to go, but no matter how carefully I plan, it always seems that something unexpected happens. A piece of furniture doesn’t make it on the truck or something arrives damaged. Or, which was the case at my last furniture install, the custom designed furniture doesn’t fit through the door. An interior designer’s worst nightmare!!
I believe this situation it’s a right of passage of sorts. It must happen at least once in every interior designer’s career and if they are intelligent types, then they won’t let it happen a second time. Sadly, this wasn’t the first time I’d experienced this situation, and I consider myself a pretty bright person! Several years ago we had an incident with a sectional not cooperating with a curved staircase into the basement where it was to reside. The stubborn thing wouldn’t fit, and after applying brut force and exploring alternate doors and windows for access we ended up having an upholsterer amputating the arm then reassembling the piece once it was in the room. A rather dramatic procedure especially since we had taken pains to have the staircase measured carefully before ordering the furniture. At any rate, the sectional recovered from surgery and is doing just fine now. Chalk it up as a learning experience.
That’s why when a gorgeous pink velvet pouf that I had custom designed for a client’s new dressing room wouldn’t fit through the door I didn’t sweat it. My young assistants however, were sweating bricks. While they were stressing, I was taking photos. Like I said, it’s a right of passage! You’ve gotta feel that sickly, heartbreaking feeling at least once in your career.
The pouf makes it up this curved staircase without incident. Aren’t my movers great? And by the way, I love seeing a gal on a moving crew. You go girl!!
After trying a few different angles of approach, exploring taking the door off the hinges and several worried looks on my assistants’ faces I suggest taking the piece apart. I’d been there done that! Now it was time to use the knowledge I had gained from my last tight squeeze situation.
The pouf goes back to together again perfectly. Luckily, it was a very simple piece to take apart and reassemble. No upholsterer-to-the-rescue required.
Image property of Corea Sotropa Interior Design.
Problem solved! Of course, we explained the situation to our clients, and told them if they ever wanted to move the pouf out of this room then they would need to do just as we had done. By the way, this room (and entire house) is stunning! I’ll be getting it professionally photographed and sharing more pictures with you later. In the meantime, you can check out my previous post that highlighted the concept for this dressing room in First Impressions…Girly, Glamorous Dressing Room.
If you are an interior designer reading this, you might be familiar with this story. If you’ve never experienced it, maybe I’ll be able to save you from making this same mistake. Or at least give you a solution to the problem. As I go into my install today with my team of professionals, a plan that has been meticulously reviewed and my tool box of tricks, I hope I don’t encounter any new “learning experiences”. Wish me luck!
Cheers!
Jacqueline
My Calgary Interior Design firm, Corea Sotropa is known for our sophisticated and fresh approach to residential interiors. We’d love to help you with your projects – please get in touch!
February 17th, 2012
I’ll admit it. When one of my male clients suggests that they want to put sports paraphernalia or artwork featuring sports in their interiors, inwardly I groan. I’ll try to keep the hockey jerseys and signed footballs in his study, or entertainment room. But now there is a new option on the market that I am pretty excited about! Spirit of Sports is new resource for interior designer and sports fans that provides sports related art and accessories. Take a look at a few of these great pieces from Spirit of Sports.
 Rocking Ride by Michael Bryan via Spirit of Sports
 Le Rocket De St Chrystome by Terry Tomalty via Spirit of Sports
 Another Day at the Office by Ken Auster via Spirit of Sports
 Splash by Doug Lew via Spirit of Sports
 Skier by Steve Kuzma via Spirit of Sports
Take a look at the inspiration gallery on the Spirit of Sports site. It will give you ideas of how these pieces can fit into a variety of interiors. Here you’ll see one of our projects featured!
 Interior design by Corea Sotropa Interior Design artwork over mantle via Spirit of Sports
Spirit of Sports has a great selection of sports related decor items that are easy to incorporate into your interiors and will keep the sports fans of the household (and designer!) happy.
Cheers!
Jacqueline
My Calgary Interior Design firm, Corea Sotropa, is known for our sophisticated and fresh approach to residential interiors. We’d love to help you with your projects – please get in touch!
February 9th, 2012
What an absolutely incredible few days I’ve just had!
A year ago, while attending my son’s school fundraiser, I bid on a 3 day “Sex and the City” trip to NYC. It just sounded like so much fun that I couldn’t resist! Three of my besties who are all talented, and fabulous interior designers joined me for the fun. The trip included shopping, eating at great restaurants, a trip to the MOMA, more shopping, and a location tour from the “Sex and the City” shows which included a stop to a risque store specializing in all things “Samantha” (if you catch my drift). I definitely stepped out of my comfort zone once I stepped into that store, but that’s another story for another time! What can I say, I’m very “Charlotte”! We continued with more shopping, more eating and somehow we managed to get to the D & D Building. Whew! I’m exhausted just remembering it all! It was one of the most fun trips I’ve ever had, not only because of our exciting itinerary, but also because of my wonderful travel companions. We spent time chatting about the business of design, getting inspired by the architecture and culture that surrounded us and brainstormed about the exciting ways we could use the interior design treasures we spotted at the design centre. Not only was it fun, it was rejuvenating and invigorating. Forgive the quality of the photos from the iPhone…wouldn’t you know it, I left my camera at home!
We passed through Times Square on the way to dinner at Gramercy Tavern where I had a transcendent moment with peanut butter semifreddo.
We wandered around the charming shops and neighbourhoods of the East Village, where Sarah Jessica Parker lives in real life.
All of us swooned over this gorgeous millwork detail in a showroom near the D & D Building.
Ann Saks Tile displayed the Kalista Vir Still vanity which I blogged about a couple weeks ago in the most gorgeous antique brass finish. So handsome!
Hello Lover! Did I mention there was shopping?
My incredible travel pals included Nyla Free (check out her post about our trip), Marina Hildebrand and Reena Sotropa. This city never disappoints. There is always something new for me to take in each time I visit. This latest trip holds a special place in my heart because I was able to share it with my incredible gal pals, who are each in their own way a mixture of “Carrie”, “Miranda”, “Charlotte” & “Samantha”. Thanks ladies!!
Cheers!
Jacqueline
My Calgary Interior Design firm, Corea Sotropa is known for our sophisticated and fresh approach to residential interiors. We’d love to help you with your projects – please get in touch!
February 7th, 2012
I have a particular fondness for wall sconces because of the soft, flattering light they cast. Sconces also provide decorative details, create interesting shadows, and highlight architectural features. For this edition of Tickled Pink my design team at Corea Sotropa has our favourite wall sconces to share with you. Try these lovelies placed on either side of a glittering bathroom mirror, along a stairwell or mounted on library shelving.
Tickled Pink Resources: Jacqueline’s pick by Porta Romana, Reena’s favourite via Global Views, Carolyn’s selection from Anthropologie, Patti’s pick by Currey & Co, Meghan’s choice is from Ochre.
Do you have a favourite from our Tickled Pink selections? Do you prefer the clean lines of Reena’s fortune teller sconce or the traditional glow of Patti’s pretty lantern? Which wall sconce has you tickled pink? We’d love to hear!
Cheers!
Jacqueline
Join us for Tickled Pink, a monthly roundup of our very favourites from the design team at Corea Sotropa Interior Design. We’re a Calgary-based interior design firm known for our fresh, sophisticated approach to residential interiors. We’d love to help you with your project. Please get in touch!
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