Jump forward to the present and five actual years later, I find myself owning and operating my own design business.  Benito Designs truly combines my finance background with the creativity and passion for interior design.

I’ve always had a passion for interior design for as long as I can remember.  I just didn’t know how to encorporate that passion in a way that fulfilled me.  I took a giant leap of faith and made some tough decisions but I can truly say that I’m happier now than I ever was five years ago.  Part of that happiness comes from helping others transform their spaces into homes.  It’s such an amazing feeling knowing that I put a smile on someone’s face everytime they enter their home.

It’s very important to me that my clients are fully involved in the design process and that they are happy with the decisions they make … after all, it’s their home not mine.  I am just the facilitator of their dreams to turn their spaces into homes.

With that said, this year I wanted to enhance my knowledge of interior design to become a better designer so-to-speak.  Having a wider breadth of knowledge in the world of interior design will give my clients that extra comfort level that they’ve chosen the right person for the job.

To accomplish this goal, I made it a priority to attend various design trade shows.  These trade shows provide valuable insight into what’s going on in the design world not to mention getting a sneak preview of the products that will soon hit the design stores.

(more after the jump)

For me, this year’s trade show circuit started with the Interior Design Show 2012 (IDS) at the Metro Convention Centre in Toronto.  Toronto’s annual interior design trade show event that showcases the best of what Toronto has to offer.

Here’s the link that highlights the event:  IDS 2012 Highlights

New York City’s Javits Centre in Manhattan was my next destination point to attend the International Contemporary Furniture Fair 2012 (ICFF).  North America’s premier showcase for contemporary design.

Here are the links that highlight the event:

Facebook page:  ICFF 2012 Highlights

Blog:  My ICFF Experience

I then flew to Montreal, Quebec to attend Le Salon International Du Design De Montreal 2012 (SIDIM).  Montreal’s premium design trade event bringing together designers, architects, specifiers, buyers, business people, consultants, and the media.

Here’s the link that highlights the event:  SIDIM 2012 

I’ll soon fly out to Las Vegas, Nevada to attend the World Market Center Las Vegas.  An integrated home and hospitality contract furnishings showroom and trade complex. The campus (consisting of three buildings) showcases furniture, decorative accessories, gift, lighting, area rugs, home textiles and related segments.

The World Market Center event won’t happen until end of July 2012, so I’ll post highlights of my experiences early August.  This event is termed “World” for a reason as it spans almost an entire city block with 1,500 exhibitors spanning three twenty storey buildings.  Add to this the activities of Las Vegas itself and it makes for an event that I’m very much looking forward to!

Until then, you can find out more information about the World Market Center here .

My year of design trade show attendance will round out with:

IIDEX/Neocon 2012 - Canada’s national design & architecture exposition & conference

Construct Canada 2012 - Canada’s largest building design & construction show

So now I ask myself … where will I be five years from now?  I can honestly say that I don’t know.  But what I do know is that I’ll definitely be involved in the interior design world in one form or another.  Passion does equal happiness … at least it does for me.

To sum this event into one word is virtually impossible but if I had to, the only word that comes to mind is … AMAZING!  I was literally a kid in a candy store!  Was that even possible?  I found myself getting even more and more excited at the thought of seeing and experiencing something new.  And I did!  The event truly did not disappoint.

I have to admit, there was a different almost worldly vibe as I overheard several people talking in Italian then switching briefly to English about how they flew in from Milan just for the event.  It was exciting to be rubbing company with international interior designers at the same event.

The event showcased talented designers, local vendors and all were only too happy to talk to me about their products.  I wanted to get as many samples and brochures as I could but I was limited in the amount of available space I had in my luggage.  I only managed to bring back with me only a few high end wallpaper samples, some brouchures and catelogues.  As for the rest of the product offerings, the only way to remember what I had experienced was to have a visual record.

Here are the moments that defined my ICFF experience:

There are so many similarities in art and interior design that sometimes they overlap when it comes to the creative process.  What may look good to one person may not be that pleasing to another.  However, they share one thing in common - both are very subjective to all individuals.  At the end of the day, both have a tendancy to create something that’s priceless – a reaction that leads to conversation.

Viewing these works of art at MoMA in person was an experience I’ll never forget.

Here are just some of the sights and original works showcased the day I visited.  I hope it creates a reaction that leads to a conversation as it did for me.  Enjoy.

(more after the jump – click the picture to enlarge)

It’s done!  Master bedroom makeover is now complete.  My client can now relax and enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep in a fabulously decorated space that’s not only beautiful to look at, but fully functional for what the space is meant to be.  We started with the basics and then slowly progressed from there.  A recommendation here, a suggestion there and before we knew it … a complete transformation!

Here are pictures of what the original master bedroom looked like:

(more after the jump)

Master Bedroom - Before

Master Bedroom - Before

And this is what it looks like now:

Master Bedroom - After (picture 1)

Master Bedroom - After (picture 2)

Master Bedroom - After (picture 3)

Master Bedroom - After (picture 4)

Master Bedroom - After (picture 5)

Master Bedroom - After (picture 6)

Master Bedroom - After (picture 7)

Master Bedroom - After (picture 8)

Master Bedroom - After (picture 9)

Suffice to say, my client is extremly happy with the results … as am I

Guest Bedroom - designed by Arnold

At long last, the guest bedroom I was asked to help re-design is finally finished … and I can’t be any more happier!  My client absolutely loves the new design.

As a designer, it always pleases me to hear feedback from my clients – good or bad.  In this case, my client reports that not only does the room look great but it’s also functional.  A friend of his spent the night in the guest room and felt very comfortable (and even had a peaceful, relaxing sleep).  This truly makes me happy to know that a room I designed not only satisfies my client’s needs but that it’s fully functional for the purposes of the room.

Here is what the room used to look like:

(more after the jump)

Guest Bedroom - Before Picture 1

Guest Bedroom - Before Picture 2

And this is what it looks like now:

Guest Bedroom - After Picture 1

Guest Bedroom - After Picture 2

Guest Bedroom - After Picture 3

Guest Bedroom - After Picture 4

Guest Bedroom - After Picture 5

Guest Bedroom - After Picture 6

Guest Bedroom - After Picture 7

Guest Bedroom - After Picture 8

Architectural Design 1 (Colour Rendering)

If you ask anyone, they’ll tell you that any dinner party or gathering will always end up in the kitchen.  So why not make your kitchen a beautiful place where your friends and family can hang out comfortably?  Here’s the latest project by Benito Designs - a kitchen renovation!

Here’s what the original kitchen looked like:

Before Picture 1

Before Picture 2

And here are the visual renderings of what it will look like:

(more after the jump)

Architectural Design 1 (B&W Rendering)

Architectural Design 1 (Colour Rendering)

Architectural Design 2 (B&W Rendering)

Architectural Design 2 (Colour Rendering)

Architectural Design 3 (B&W Rendering)

Architectural Design 3 (Colour Rendering)

There’s no turning back now – walls have been torn down to make room for a new island!  The renovations are definitely progressing in a steady manner.

Here are some progress pictures:

Progress Picture 1

Progress Picture 2

Progress Picture 3

I’m super happy and excited that this project is progressing well.  I can see the end result in my mind, but just like my clients, I can’t wait to actually see the final result.

As we approach the final stages of the reno, keep checking the Benito Designs blog because the final reveal will be posted right here!

At the time, my sole focus was to source bathroom fixtures for a client and I wasn’t about to deviate from that goal.  But since I was in the area, I decided to go in Shelter and see what there is to see.  My intention was to quickly go through the store and get a sense of what they had to offer – a maximum of ten minutes – or so I thought.

As I entered, I was greeted with a large (newly renovated warehouse from what I can tell) open concept space that spans the entire length of the warehouse from front to back.  The showroom itself is brightly lit offering a refreshing breath of fresh air that sets the tone for the rest of the shopping experience.  For a first timer to the store, this was very welcoming.  A very good first impression!

After taking in my surroundings, within a few moments I was happily and pleasantly greeted by one of the sales associates.  She introduced herself and informed me of their current sales promotions.  I was quickly put at ease as we briefly chatted about the store and what they had to offer.

Being in the interior design industry, I’ve been to many furniture stores in the city and come to expect that there’s a certain way of doing things when selling furniture.  It was refreshing to see that all the sales associates at Shelter were actually there to assist in the buying process, helped to answer any questions that might come up and all with a professional yet pleasant casual demeanor.

The store is well organized and appointed with almost everything you can think of to decorate your home with (even a mannequin to put your clothes on!).

They have living rooms and bedrooms setup throughout the space so that customers could visualize what their furniture can look like in their own homes.

My allotted time of ten minutes quickly went out the door as I found myself thoroughly enjoying everything that Shelter had to offer.  Sourcing for bathroom fixtures was put on hold in lieu of the surprise finds at Shelter.

Depending on your needs, Shelter offers modern contemporary pieces in sets or as individual pieces.

When consulting on a design project, I always recommend to my clients to not purchase all your furnishings in one place.  Instead, look to mix and match from different vendors.  That’s not the case with Shelter.  Their products are so diverse that there’s no need to look anywhere else – and if they don’t have what you’re looking for, no problem, they can order it for you from their supplier catalogues.

Given my positive initial experience with Shelter, I decided to take a few clients to Shelters’ showroom to view their product offerings for themselves.  They loved what they saw and even purchased a few items while there.

Here’s a Christmas themed dining room designed by Benito Designs with Shelter furnishings:

Here’s a living room designed by Benito Designs with a Shelter area rug:

Suffice to say, Shelter Furniture is now my ‘go to’ furniture store to show clients looking to furnish their homes.

Even if you’re not looking to purchase anything right away, a visit to Shelter’s showroom to view their products will help inspire the decorator in each of us.

Their website can be found at:  www.shelterfurniture.ca

To view more of what Shelter has to offer, click ‘read more’.

Shelter’s mantra:

We do not focus on being the biggest, nor selling the most, we prefer to think small.  We are here to help create unique environments that are both sophisticated, cultured and intimate.

Compromising is not a part of our vocabulary, we never put out a tasteless design for the sake of appealing to a wider audience.  We recognize your individuality and are sensitive to the space you envision for yourself.

At Shelter, it is the strength of the individual pieces combined that creates the perfect atmosphere for the space that expresses who you are.

Shelter’s other mantra:

Where common everyday objects are turned into objects of desire.

Where the predictable is given a twist of passion.

Where an ordinary space becomes an expression of who you are.

Where compelling designs are a right rather than a privilege.

Where you can be inspired.

What does that mean for me and Benito Designs?

It’s the time of year when I start the process of designing spaces for the patio season.  A client of mine wanted to do something to update an area of space that’s often neglected – the balcony.  My mind went into overdrive and immediately thought of taking the inside literally outside.  Just because it’s a balcony doesn’t mean you can’t create a space that’s comfortable and inviting.

I presented a proposal to my client to extend the living room out to the balcony thereby creating an extension of the indoor space.  With a little doubt and some hesitation, the proposal was accepted and now we’re on track to completing the balcony transformation as the weather warms up.  The project should be completed in a few weeks (taking in to account delivery times for furnishings).

The transformation is still in its initial stages, but here is a progress picture of what we’ve accomplished so far:

(more after the jump – click the picture to enlarge)

The first step to consider in any balcony transformation is flooring.

Instead of the traditional wooden slats installed in most balconies, we installed a vinyl flooring option that’s completely weather proof and simulates the look of hardwood floors with all the notches found in real hardwood floors.

Here’s a ‘before & after’ of the balcony flooring:

'Before & After' Balcony Progress Picture - Flooring

Although we just completed the first step in this balcony transformation, the results are already spectacular!

But how do you complete this look?  By adding modern contemporary furnishing of course.

Here’s what we’ve ordered and customized to fit in the space:

Strobe Sofa

Strobe Lounge Chair

There’s so much more to be done and so much more furnishings to get.  I invite you all to join me in this journey to transform an ordinary balcony into a space that’s an extension of the living room.

Keep checking the Benito Designs blog as I post pictures and update you on this project.

Happy Daylight Savings!

I truly believe that fashion is a natural extension of how your space is decorated (both intentionally and unintentionally).  The first thing I always ask a client is, “What colours or patterns do you have in your closet?”.  Ninety percent of the time, the colour and pattern choices in clothing we have in our closets (that we also wear on a regular basis) is unintentionally the choices we gravitate to when choosing furnishings.  For example, a client of mine only has two colours in his wardrobe – black & white – and the colour palette of his condo – black & white.

Although my observations aren’t based on anything scientific, for the most part, the colours and patterns you wear on a regular basis influence your choices in the colours and patterns of your furnishings.

Recently, I’ve been designing spaces that have a more masculine yet comfortable feeling.  So to design a space that has a masculine feeling, I’ve been getting my inspiration lately from Men’s fashions.

Here are just a few pictures that have inspired me:

(more after the jump – click the picture to enlarge)

Here are some pictures of the items we’ve purchased so far:

(click the pictures to enlarge)

There’s a lot more to do … a lot more items to purchase … so I’ll update with more pictures and post comments as the project continues.