Right at
Home
> The co-star of W Network’s
“Love It Or List It”, Hilary Farr gets
us all the time in her pursuit to hear
those two words ... love it
PHOTOGRAPHER MARKO MIJAILOVIC
WORDS BY ANNA LEE BOSCHETTO
MAKE UP & HAIR VALENTINA IORDANOVA
Standing among exposed brick and wood beams at her
client’s house, Hilary Farr actually seems right at home.
It’s hard to believe that her career in design didn’t follow
a carefully mapped out plan. According to Farr, a career
in design wasn’t even on her radar, but Farr says that her
mother, an antique buyer for the British luxury brand
Liberty’s London, influenced her sense of style.
“I was dragged to lots of antique and fabric shops,” she
admits. But it wasn’t until after making the move from
England to California more than 20 years ago that Farr
bought her first home, renovated it and began building a
clientele. “I started getting clients who wanted me to do
what I had done for myself,” explains Farr, “so that was the
point where I thought this could actually be a career.”
As the host of W Network’s hit series “Love it or List it,”
the Toronto-based designer is helping unhappy homeowners rekindle the love they once had for their dwelling,
rather than sell it and move on to a new one. While it’s
tough to guarantee someone will love their redesigned
home, Farr says the secret is having an understanding of
what the homeowner is trying to express, then bringing
their vision to life. In many cases, she discovers that every
home has one room that’s not up to par with the rest of the
house. “It can be as simple as the right paint, proper scale
of furniture or having enough seating,” Farr says of the
changes that can transform the feel of a space.
Another design secret that Farr frequently employs, both
on the show and with her clients, is adding layers. Farr
incorporates the much-loved items of her clients to reflect
their style and intent . “It still holds the memory of the
person but you can work it into the design,” shares Farr.
Even in her home, the designer says she has several pieces
that embody memories of her childhood. “Every time I
walk by a piece of furniture that was once in my mother’s
house that is now in my own home, it means something to
me,” she says. “It’s comforting.” As with any good design
plan in life, Farr believes that maintaining sentimental
objects “offer an element of continuity.”
“In today’s life we’re moving a lot, not just changing homes
in one city but globally,” she says, suggesting that if you
haven’t inherited beautiful pieces worth keeping, begin
purchasing items of investment.
Although she works with a varied client base, Farr admits
that while she’s not a direct follower of trends, they do
influence her vision. A key example is colour, which according to Pantone, Emerald Green is the colour of 2013.
But trends shouldn’t impose on personal choices. Instead,
Farr suggests considering a different tone of the colours to
which you already have a natural affinity. Even if you’re not
up for a major redesign, a change of season is a great opportunity to freshen up your living space. “ Simple changes
that will make the room feel light and airy in the spring,”
Farr add to suggestions of acquiring sheer window coverings, a lighter rug or new lamp shades. When it comes to
the finishing touches in any room.
When Farr isn’t busy indoors decorating a space with
paint, furniture and lights, she can be found relaxing on a
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