Colour your world

Interior design experts set to hit the Home + Garden stage in March

Tiffany Pratt loves colour.

An interior designer, stylist and host of HGTV Canada's Home to Win and Buy It, Fix It, Sell It, she's also a self-proclaimed "rainbow hunter" and "rainbow thrower." Even her vibrantly hued hair, which takes inspiration from the rainbow, attests to her passion for palettes.

It's no surprise, then, that colour will take centre stage when Pratt makes her debut at this year's Calgary Home + Garden Show.

"I'll be telling the real story of my connection to colours, rainbows and why I feel injecting colour into your life is so healing and transformative," said Pratt. "I will be sharing how to fearlessly bring a bright range of colours into your life and home and how easy and accessible this colourful way of life can be."

This year's Calgary Home + Garden Show takes place from March 2-5 in the BMO Centre and Corral at Stampede Park. The Show, which has more than a 35-year history in Calgary, will feature 650-plus local vendors and home, horticulture and landscaping experts.

Pratt, who will appear twice on the Home + Garden stage, says it's important for people to embrace their own style.

"Don't get me wrong, there's beauty in the neutral," she said. "White kitchens are so on trend. But have fun! Forget the rules. Your space is your own and should reflect who you are and how you want to live."

I encourage those looking to add colour to their homes and lives to not over think it: simply think of what makes you happy and colours will surface. Welcome the rainbow and good things will happen.

"I encourage those looking to add colour to their homes and lives to not over think it: simply think of what makes you happy and colours will surface. Welcome the rainbow and good things will happen," said Pratt, who has also authored a book titled This Can Be Beautiful.

While Pratt confesses it's difficult to settle upon one favourite colour, she does cite electric pink, particularly when combined with cream and gold, as among her favourites.

"My favourite colour combos also include textures and patterns and, with that, solids can play around," she said.

For those looking to renovate and redecorate, Pratt says they should consider paint.

"Paint is the most transformational and inexpensive way to refresh and redecorate your home," she said.

"Once you have a new coat of paint on the walls, or objects, you can get to the business of frosting. I do not believe you must overhaul your whole life to make things feel new. Move things around. Paint it up!"

Besides several HGTV stars, the Calgary Home + Garden Show will feature a number of Calgary-based experts, including designer Krista Hermanson, who draws upon her Icelandic background to apply the Scandinavian concept of hygge to the home.

"In Danish, hygge translates as 'the cozy time.' It involves creating intimacy and coziness in the home. I believe your home should feel like a hug when you walk in the door and that you have those cozy corners in which to settle and relish being there," said Hermanson.

She will talk to homeowners about how to refresh their spaces with current design and colour trends, and how to introduce hygge using warm, cozy textures, beautiful, soft textiles and atmospheric lighting.

Hermanson sees a number of design trends on the horizon including: lots of woven textures, such as lattice work; a decorative trend she terms "nourish," which features earth-toned colours, warmer palettes and organic textures; and "more and more futuristic design," where sleek, modern design converges with technology.

For more details on Hermanson, Pratt and all the Home + Garden Stage presenters, along with ticket information, visit www.calgaryhgs.com.

Tagged: Calgary Home + Garden Show | Feature | interior design | YYCRE