Greta sees Calgary's Culture

My dear design fiends, we must not listen to those Montrealers who think there's no culture in the Praries! Aurel and I have now explored the city of Calgary 3 times, and I am pleased to report that there is much more than we Easterners thought... As you might remember, we were there last month for a colour theory presentation to the designers concerning methods of creating colour schemes to accentuate various kinds of Persian and other hand woven carpets. We were back last week, and along with the surprising shops of Oriental imports, we also visited some of the Art galleries there -always an indicator of the population's taste. Several artists there are also at our own Gallery Bellefeuille. Aurel and I are often asked to help Interior Designers ask the "diagnostic" questions to understand their clients' taste. As many of you readers and design friends here in Montreal know, we are fortunate to have a good variety of suppliers here for various area rugs. Mentioning them alphabetically (so no-one is "hurt"), we have Ararat on Park Ave, Bashir over on Decarie, Gito on Notre Dame, Tola on Laurier, Multi-Carpette on Royalmount, and Nouraie at Ogilvy's... I'm sure we have forgotten someone, but that's all we have dealt with recently... Please tell us of other sources if you know ones, as we often have found other sources from our clients. Well in Calgary, the House of Persian Rugs has a huge collection that belies the idea that there are few resources in the West. Their current stock is over 5000, and is recognized as one of the top in North america, as they are suppliers for all of the West,and have so for over 40 years! We met them 2 years ago when working on a project there, and were floored (pardon that pun!) to see such a selection.. Now, I really must be frank with you dear readers, It's not only Calgarians that are timid with selecting colour schemes...here in our cosmopolitan Montreal, we also see so many cautious people using the notorious scheme of "beige on beige, with accents of beige." I really do believe Aurel's adage of "the right colour is cheaper that the wrong colour - because you have to re-paint the wrong one over!! Of course, the question often is: "How do you find a good colour scheme?" My dear friends, please use the Persian carpet or your favourite painting as the source of your colours!!! Generally the carpet is the largest and most precious decorative item in the room, so do pay attention to the proportions of the colours to let you create a good system Sometime s the glorious rose,or ruby of the carpet's centre is a grand choice, for a dramatic feeling, or using the leafy sage or celadon green will be a soothing choice. If you have a carpet called Nain, the soft French blue, or royal blue will be a rich and elegant choice. Yes, there are often many kinds of creams, ivories, camels and sandy colours woven with the stronger colours, use them for the woodwork and large upholstered furniture, and use the smaller chairs, and cushions for the stronger colours... White walls are a cop-out -never ever for Persians!!! I hope that you dear readers realize that this column in the WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT is merely a start for your inspiration, and that your favourite designer (or Aurel!) will give you a more in-depth approach. Before my alloted space is filled, I must ask you all to please visit my friendly sources mentioned and give me a report, as I do want to have dialogue with all of you out there...We do bump into readers and hear comments "on the fly" so, please let me know of your sources too! I must mention that venerable lighting source on Greene Ave, AREVCO, (near Sherbrooke and the famous Nick's). I love their solutions for bookshelf and kitchen cabinet lighting, as inevitably your room will come alive with lighting on top of a wall unit to bounce light off the ceiling, and cooks will love to see the vege-chopping more easily with some thin tube lighting hiding under the top cabinets and illuminating the chopping/work surface... after all one does not want to have finger- bits left in the sauce! ! Please ask Greg or Robert to show you the new LED tiny strip lights, or the European dimmable Linestra tubes in 1/3, 1/2, or full metre sizes. You and your loved ones will admire the effect.. Oops!. I really must go now, my brain must rest, and I must get out of this chair, and slip into a Dry Martini! Hugs, your Greta Von Schmedlapp... do keep those comments coming to Aurel's e-mail: aurelien@colorsbyaurelien.com.