ALISSA STUART S&A DECOR INTERIOR DESIGN

I had the pleasure of connecting with Alissa Stuart of S&A Decor – Interior Design Toronto. Alissa’s interiors embodies the enduring quality of classical design and the perfect juxtaposition of contemporary and high tech interior style. Whether her clients are need of design consultation, room design services, or a full range of interior design, S&A can help create a beautifully designed space.

Read on for my Q&A with Alissa Stuart where she offers advice, reveals her biggest design challenge and what inspires her work.

RL: What are your guiding design principles?

AS: I prefer to use texture rather than color accents. If you take a look at my work, most of it is based on very natural colors and very little bright color. However, by combining textures of wood, metal, glass and fabric I am able to achieve elegant interiors that will last much longer.

RL: Whenever I am sourcing for home decor and accessories, I find that a lot of the pretty decor items are found in Canada. Do you find it easy to shop for your clients in Canada or do you find yourself selecting home furnishings outside of Canada?

AS: I prefer to select from what’s available in stores. Toronto has a lot of places that make custom furniture, rugs, etc. This way you can avoid any surprises of things looking a different way than what you imagined.

RL: What was the biggest design challenge you ever faced?

AS: I think it was to learn to adjust to my clients’ personalities and learn what their desires were. As a designer, it is always tempting to show off your ambitions. But the key is to find what is truly important to the client, filter away all the unnecessary details and combine it all in a noble form.

RL: Where do you draw inspiration from when coming up with a design for your clients?

AS: I like to draw my inspiration from nature, especially now that the eco-design it a big trend. For example, for my project Chicago Style, I noticed how the Sun sometimes makes the stripes on the floor. I reproduced this effect by introducing white stripes to the overall dark hardwood. This made that fairly dark room literally more sunny.

RL: What would be your most important piece of advice to a client?

AS: As it says on my website “Only a designer has a key to your perfect interiors, so it’s imperative to fully trust him.” A lot of people are very scared of letting someone else decorate their house and end up making this process very difficult for both sides. So please make sure you are ready and be prepared to be surprised by new ideas.

Also, if you are doing the design yourself – paint color should be selected last. It should be matched to the color of your furniture and everything else in the room. Remember you have much smaller variety in sofa colors than in paint.

RL: One of my favorite interior spaces of yours is the Treasured Moments project. Love the floors! Tell us about the design of this room?

AS: To achieve the relaxing atmosphere in this contemporary design we decided to avoid using sharp contrasts and bright colors. The overall feeling of the living area reminds me of an early foggy morning with its warmth and calmness. The main focal point in the living room is the wall with TV, which was decorated with StoneFlex. Dining table with classical chairs almost completely filled the room. To add a playful mood to this classic room we used mirrors with beveled edges and obstruct print. The bedroom was done in a warmer beige and olive tones and reminds me more of a hot summer day in a county side.

RL: What is the best design advice you ever received?

AS: Not to be afraid of being different. Just because no one does it, does not mean no one will like it.

RL: Fill in the blank…The key to making a space beautiful while still making it feel livable is _____.

AS: Evaluating all the advantages and disadvantages of your space and finding creative solutions of turning those disadvantages into advantages. Also remember to make your space not only beautiful but also practical.