How do you approach the mixing of varying design genres?
Corey: I always say, "Good design is not really governed by rules because rules are meant to be broken.” The best design centres around the principles of scale, of texture, of lighting, of proper space management and egress—these elements can be applied to any designed space. One can do traditional, contemporary, Art Deco, modern, whatever is called for, as long as you're using the proper principles.
How do you express personal creativity through your work?
Corey: I exercise my creativity through architecture and the palettes I choose when designing dynamic spaces. And the furnishings I select allow me to get really creative with a wide array of fabrics and textures and how they are to be interpreted in the space. Window treatments can also be leveraged for how they will adorn a space. Then, there is the oft-neglected ceiling, and the myriad of treatments that can be interpreted on that ‘sixth wall.’
Why do you find ceilings inspiring?
Corey: We tend to focus on a room’s envelope of four walls and the floor. Too often, design enthusiasts and designers alike ignore the ceiling.
My preference is to use the ceiling for a big statement. Unlike the walls and floor, the ceiling is the only plane in the room, geometrically speaking, which provides a full, unobstructed view. This presents you with the opportunity to make a big statement, to be appreciated by all. We all look up.
When developing a project, do you have a go-to colour or a palette of must-have hues? What determines how bold you go?
Corey: My go-to palette is comprised of jewel tones. Emerald greens, sapphire blues, ruby reds, and, of course, the precious metallics of gold and silver. For me, they're timeless. And amethyst too, which historically denoted royalty, I incorporate them quite a bit. But while I may pitch an idea and provide a direction, ultimately it is the client's comfort zone that determines how far to take it, how bold to go.
How do you utilize paint in your design process?
Corey: Paint clearly plays a big role in all my work.
If we are using a wall covering featuring a vibrant pattern, I'll pull a colour from my paint selection that will complement the wall covering motif so it can be visually seamless. The beauty about Benjamin Moore is that there are so many choices; even if I can't find the exact hue that I'm looking for in the actual wall covering, I'm going to find something very close to it in one of Benjamin Moore's collections. Once everything is laid out on the colour boards, the client can then clearly see the synergy between paint, motifs, and texture.