Arthur Liffmann, Design Associate

Arthur Liffmann, Design Associate Arthur’s enthusiasm and humour directly impact most everything he does, and his approach to design is no different. With a background in marketing and special events, he has an instinctual ability for setting a stage, with eyes equally trained on both the big picture and smallest detail. While decorating is his true passion, he possesses a fluent design vocabulary that lends itself to redesigning and re-imagining beautiful spaces in various styles. Arthur is a contributing writer for Covet Magazine, where he regularly uses his voice to highlight beautiful decorating and design. His biggest design lesson? “Good design is often about your perspective. And, if you love black sofas, don’t get a white dog.”

Best design bargain you bought for your home

I’m known for scouring the internet and finding ridiculous deals; my vintage eero saarinen dining table came out of a st. Vital basement for $60.

Thing you would buy for your home if money were no object

An antique area rug or original art.

First design memory

As a kid, I was always intrigued by the tyndall stone steps at the assiniboine park zoo… they had deep treads and a shallow rise and walking them just felt significant. They were just as important to visit as the monkey house.

Whats sparks your decorating engine

Reworking a challenging space without ripping it all out and starting over.

My colleagues would describe my signature style as

Modern, with a vintage or industrial slant.

The most exciting part of any design project is

Finding something that’s right, and you know it’s right.

If I didn’t have a career in the design world, I would be

A writer who wished he was a designer.

The trend I will never revisit is

Golden oak anything.

What’s your favourite room to decorate and why

Powder rooms. You can go wild with drama, colour and texture and without worrying that it’s too much – nobody will be in there for longer than five minutes.

What’s your favourite design website and why

Touchofmodern.Com has a great mix of smart and accessible products that work well in almost any style of home.

What would be your next dream vacation destination

Four seasons, bora bora.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE...

LIGHTING:
Vintage metal fixtures or a drop-dead chandelier.

FLOORING:
Polished concrete.

METAL FINISH:
Brushed Gold

FABRIC:
Velvet

FAVOURITES

COLOUR
Orange.

TWO-COLOUR COMBO
Taupe and fushia.

SPACE YOU’VE DESIGNED
That’s like choosing a favourite child!

DESIGN PERIOD/MOVEMENT
Hollywood Regency, Industrial Loft.

MOVIE I COULD WATCH OVER AND OVER AND OVER
The Princess Bride; Out of Africa.

KIDS’ BOOK
‘Everyone Poops’ by Taro Gomi.

COMFORT FOOD
mmmmmmcarbs.

RESTAURANT
Rae & Jerry’s.

WINTER, SPRING, SUMMER OR FALL
Summer, with central air conditioning.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR THEME SONG
Goodnight Irene.