Wallpaper Two Ways with Leclair Decor
One of our favorite things about wallpaper is its versatility - the same pattern can work in spaces both traditional or contemporary, modern or eclectic, youthful or mature. So what takes one pattern in the same colorway from a beachside bungalow to an Upper East Side penthouse? It's all about the furniture and accessories!
To explore the many different personalities of pattern, we're asking our favorite designers, tastemakers, and all around stylish people to show us two different ways they would style the same Hygge & West wallpaper, starting with the duo behind Leclair Decor, Sacha and Melissa Leclair. The husband-and-wife team run their interior decorating firm from Ottawa, Canada, where they combine each of their unique aesthetics to create unique, personality-filled spaces for their clients. Here's how they would style just one H&W paper two ways...
H&W: Why did you choose to imagine Daydream in Orange two ways?
LD: Although we love all Hygge & West wallpaper, and have used various patterns and colour combinations in our work, we are always particularly drawn to the serenity and possibility of Daydream. Each colour option offers a whimsical accent to different kinds of spaces, but the bold, striking look of the orange on cream is perfect for a space that inspires playfulness and creativity.
H&W: As part of a husband-wife team, your projects have to satisfy both of your sensibilities. Do you find that you have similar styles or do you have two different aesthetics that you blend in your projects? How do you blend them seamlessly?
LD: Our style has evolved throughout the years and seems to keep changing as we grow and explore new spaces. We generally collaborate well when designing new projects and with our newly hired first employees opinion in the mix as well, there is never a shortage of good ideas floating around the office. We embrace the collaborative process and work as sounding boards for each other throughout the day. As a result, there are sprinkles of each of our personal styles sprinkled throughout every room we complete. Decorating a space can be overwhelming with the endless amount of options available, so being able to discuss a vision with the team is great. I think you have to be open to hearing all options to come up with the best design. There are obviously times when we disagree on design choices, but its nothing a game of rock/paper/scissors cant fix ;)
H&W: What's your typical design process like?
LD: The process begins as soon as we step into a new space for the first time. The ideas come zooming in, and we've spent $20,000 (in our minds) before taking our shoes off or shaking the clients hands. While some of that initial inspiration ends up in the final product, the next step is actually the most important: we talk with the client and get a sense of their style, how the room needs to function, and how much they want to spend. We plan and manage our projects using an online platform called MyDoma, which our clients can also access to keep the process as interactive and engaging as possible. The last step, and the most fun and rewarding, is putting the finishing touches on a space and revealing it to our clients. The process can be painstaking at times, but happy and satisfied customers are always worth it.
H&W:'Hygge' is a Danish word that loosely translates to 'cozy.' How do you create hygge in your life, especially during the cold Canadian winters?
LD: Winter, especially in Ottawa where were from, is the perfect time to layer: clothing, socks, cups of hot chocolate... but you can also never have too many pillows and throws laying around. We love bringing out mixed textures in various warm neutrals like rich brown faux fur, grey wool blankets, velvety animal print pillows, and soft flannel sheets. Lighting is also something that can really help to create that cozy atmosphere on a cold snowy night; Turn off the overhead lights, dim the lamps, and curl up in front of the TV (or fireplace!) with a warm cup of tea.
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