In the interior design world, there has been a wave of return of maximalism in recent years, which is in stark contrast to the minimalism ( Minimalism ) that emphasized simple life in the past. This trend seems to reawaken the nostalgia of Italian Baroque ( Barocco ) and French Rococo ( Rococo ). The Baroque style pursues grandeur and magnificence, and is famous for its gorgeous decoration and symmetrical design, while the Rococo style emphasizes delicate lines and soft colors, showing romantic emotions. Maximalism injects the magnificence and romance of the two into contemporary design, giving the space a richer sense of hierarchy and drama, and reinterpreting the complex and gorgeous aesthetics.
Vanessa Ferro Design is a Toronto-based interior design studio that specializes in restoring, designing and reinterpreting century homes, and infusing historic charm into new construction. The founder of the studio , Vanessa Ferro , is passionate about maximalism, and is good at integrating artistic styles and cultural elements of multiple periods. Characterized by complex layers and details, she creates a grand and gorgeous home atmosphere. In her design style, bright and vivid colors are displayed throughout the interior space, and the decorative elements are layered. History, artwork and antiques become indispensable elements, highlighting the luxurious taste of the living space and emphasizing that "more is more". It is the profound meaning of " More is more ".
Focus on customers with the same concept
Ferro was interested in architecture and interior design from an early age. In her teens, she started helping her family with various design-related decisions, such as choosing the color of the walls. Whenever she travels with her family, she likes to visit buildings with historical value and is deeply fascinated by retro styles. This old soul has always been hidden in her heart. When she grew up, she devoted herself to the financial industry and worked in an investment company, which seemed to have nothing to do with interior design. However, in pursuit of a peaceful rural atmosphere, she resolutely gave up her high-paying job eight years ago, moved away from this bustling big city, and came to King City to start a new life. She said: "Once I built my own home here, friends and neighbors started asking me to renovate theirs, and gradually other people came to me. After I stumbled into the interior design industry, I found this It’s the field I love.”
Talking about her design philosophy, she said bluntly: "People often fall into the idea that design must be presented in a serious way. However, I firmly believe that it is more important to create an interesting space. Whether it is new furniture or antiques, or various textures and patterns, I like to mix and match for a wow or a smile, make it look like it’s been stacked over time, and incorporate cultural elements from different places. I don’t want the space I’m designing It feels like buying things from the same store and putting them together in an orderly manner, which is a bit lacking in personality. I try to avoid reusing design elements and try to create a unique atmosphere in the home, which is very different from the neighbors.”
Since her inception in 2015 , Ferro has focused on working with clients who align with her design ethos. She said: "Only in this way can I be passionate about my work and really take pride in my work. Seeing the expressions of satisfaction and gratitude on their faces, especially when they tell me that my design work has made their lives The satisfaction of getting better is the greatest reward that design brings me.” She said that if the interior design is done properly, it can solve the inconvenience of daily life, make people’s lives more comfortable, and even turn them around. The feeling when entering the space, thus changing the way of life. For her, interior design is definitely another form of luxury.
Evolving from an initial idea to a complete interior design project, Ferro felt it was critical to address space planning. She typically begins by understanding a client's lifestyle, taking a close look at the living space to identify current functional issues. Next, she talks to clients about their vision of the aesthetic and rounds up the collections they own. Back in her studio, she will let all the ideas settle in her mind, trying to find the most inspiring elements, and gradually build the whole space. It might be a wallpaper with a unique pattern, or a cabinet from Italy. Throughout her work, she is most interested in the inception phase of a project, she explains, because it allows her to imagine the possibilities of the space and then sift through the best solutions for the client.
The living space is like a time tunnel
Ancient English country castles, treasure-filled Europe, and century-old houses in the southern United States all inspire Ferro 's creations, and travel has become one of her main sources of inspiration. She often travels to restaurants full of history or hotels with fantasy stories, constantly collecting flashes of ideas during the journey, storing favorite things deep in her mind, and recalling these bits in future design work. The antiques owned by clients have also become her muse of inspiration. She will find ways to combine these collections with the living space, such as family heirlooms, so that they can walk into a time tunnel at home and look back at the family history from time to time. A precious moment in the long river.
Hidden in the forest is a new project by the studio, a grand and traditional new residence. Inside, the home boasts soaring ceilings, the walls of the dining room are framed by pale blue floral wallpaper, and traditional velvet drapes hang from the windows. The resplendent modern lighting that hangs blends perfectly with the antique dining table and chairs, bringing old and new elements into an unexpected harmony in this space. The study room is dominated by wood tones, with green suede sofas and leopard-print pillows, decorated with chandeliers with multiple candles, creating an elegant atmosphere. The kitchen is dominated by white, with wooden cabinets and tableware with light blue patterns, bringing a bright and tidy feeling.
Ferro shared with us: "The design of this new home was inspired by my travels in English country houses. I was attracted by the woodwork and brought that feeling into this project. The owner already owned some antique furniture, but I added more to it and blended it with modern furniture." She continued: "I like to create warm and comfortable spaces, such as the dining room, which prefers dark colors, it often creates a very moody feeling. The ambiance, like being in a fine dining restaurant, allows the owner to have a good time with the guests. For the powder room, I like to use wallpaper, it can add a wow factor to the space, and these spaces are usually small, so try more Bold design."
Maximalism is regarded as a symbol of luxury, but in Ferro's view, luxury is not just buying expensive furniture, but living in a home that is carefully crafted according to personal preferences, and every detail shows extreme taste and careful planning, Filled with her inner pursuit of the best things in the world. She hopes that every time she steps into the house, she can feel extremely happy and share this joy with her family and friends. She firmly believes that luxury is not just an external show off, but also a kind of inner wealth and love for life. In her mind, maximalism is a way of life, a way of nourishing the soul and creating an atmosphere of well-being.
The rise of the maximalism trend shows people's pursuit of multiple styles. This trend gives us the freedom to express our unique style and creativity, to experiment boldly in our design, to express ourselves, to give living spaces a vibrant and unique personality. In this wave of returning to maximalism, we can feel the trajectory of history, witness the intersection of past and present, and immerse ourselves in a visual feast full of history and beauty.
