When we think of family friendly interior design, we have to admit the first thing that comes to mind is less-than-beautiful “temporary” furniture, soft-edged everything, and bright, over-the-top colors. That said, Gillian of Gillian Segal Design is here to challenge that vision today and we couldn’t love her more for it. If you have a love for chic, adult-appropriate interiors but also have a family with kiddos running around to take into account, then you’ll want to keep scrolling. Here is how to achieve a jaw-dropping space (that is also family friendly!) in three easy steps…

I am no stranger to the abuse a home can take from a busy family. Both in my personal and professional life, I have become accustomed to witnessing the toll children, pets and—let’s be honest—husbands can take on the homestead. With renovating and furnishing being a huge investment, it’s crucial we help our clients spend their budget wisely to allow for design that will stand the test of time (and said abuse) while still looking fabulous. Here are a few of my favourite tricks of the trade to follow when designing for your own loved (but messy) ones.

1. Invest in areas that are “out of reach.”



Gillian at home with Gray Malin’s Black and White Original tucked safely out of reach. (Photos by Erin Sousa)

If my toddler has taught me anything, it’s that any item within the reach of her adorable, chubby and usually sticky fingers is fair game. While the next few years may be free of stylized coffee table books, low floral arrangements and essentially any decorative items on tables, there are still plenty of opportunities to add style. No matter the budget we are working with, two of my favourite places to encourage clients to invest is in great lighting and great art, and the reason is two fold:

For starters, lighting (which I consider to be sculpture and truly a form of art) is often a focal point in any room. The light that a fixture emits also greatly contributes to the ambience and mood of a space. Lastly (and this is the real selling feature), is that these items are out of reach and never really encounter any wear and tear making this a great place to splurge.

Photo by Ema Peter Photography | Art by Andy Dixon | Private Residence by Gillian Segal Design

For similar reasons as above, art is always an amazing place to invest. On top of the obvious pros (like the fact that the right pieces can increase in value), I like to remind my clients that art is something you can take with you wherever you go. Unlike large pieces of upholstery or case goods that can be site specific, art is easy to place in any home as your family grows or changes. Your collection is also a great place for self expression and is the perfect place to inject colour and personality. No matter your budget (big or small), select pieces that speak to you and spark joy; you will never have buyers remorse if you follow this simple rule.

2. Select the right materials.

Nothing rains on a design parade like a stain that won’t go away. Fortunately, textiles have come a long way and there are so many indestructible fabric options available. One of our favourite tricks is to upholster indoor items in outdoor fabric. You may be thinking that you don’t want your family room sectional fabric feeling like sandpaper, however these products have come such a long way, I guarantee you would never even know they weren’t standard indoor fabrics (there are even outdoor velvets!). Hot Tip: Many big box stores like Restoration Hardware can upholster all of their indoor sofas in their outdoor line, Perennials upon request. There are also a wide variety of outdoor rugs that are soft and luxurious enough to fit in with any décor scheme. If they are durable enough to withstand the outdoor elements and aggressive cleaning (I actually power washed an indoor/outdoor rug from Dash & Albert after a winter season outdoors, and it came out looking brand new) then surely they can survive crawling kids, spills, muddy paws, husbands and the like!

Denise Elliott Beauty Co. in Vancouver, BC with seat in indoor/outdoor velvet. (Photo by Ema Peter Photography | Design by Gillian Segal Design)

3. Storage, storage, storage!

If you are building and/or renovating, incorporate as much built-in millwork as your budget allows. Take the time to think through your design needs in each area of home. While it may be tedious, during the design phase with our clients we have them go through key areas like kitchens or mudrooms and list out what items they will be storing in each drawer. A place for everything means minimal clutter! If adding millwork is out of the question, think about ways to store toys, shoes and other small goods that still look visually appealing. Charles Eames once said, “The details are not the details. They make the design.” And it couldn’t be more true.

Photo by Ema Peter Photography | Design by Gillian Segal Design | Light Fixture: Rich Brilliant Willing

Tackling some other family oriented design problems? Feel free to reach out to us on Instagram @gilliansegaldesign. I would love to hear from you!

Are you as in love with Gillian’s design (and advice) as we are?

Don’t forget to follow along with more of her work by visiting her website here.

Xx Team GM

Photos: Erin Sousa and Ema Peter Photography for Gillian Segal Design