In this first edition of the Design Interviews series, discover Vanessa Sicotte, the founder of the blog Damask & Dentelle. This design enthusiast has been a blogger for many years, as well as the host of a podcast and the author of two books on interior design. Read her full interview to learn more about her current home decor favorites and her tips on style, flowers, and houseplants.
What is the Design Interviews series ? It is a special series of articles featuring our local designers and content creators! In this segment, you can read all the highlights of Décors Véronneau’s conversations with specialists in the Canadian home design industry.
1- What style inspires your interior design?
Vanessa: “I love so many styles that I would use them all. However, I let my home, which is a 1920’s Arts & Crafts style, guide my decorating choices. I always consider important to let the architecture of a place guide me.”
2- What led you to create an Instagram account dedicated to home decor?
Vanessa: “I created the @damask_dentelle account in 2010 when Instagram was just starting. Oh lala, the awful filters we used! Yikes. All the pictures are still there to anyone who cares to look. I created the account as an extension of my blog www.damasketdentelle.com which has been trying to democratize decorating since 2009.”
3- When it comes to decorating, are there any items you couldn't live without?
Vanessa: “I am a collector and a sentimentalist. I would keep everything! At the same time, I don’t like cluttering so it’s a delicate balance between loving decorative items and purifying the space. However, there are some things I can’t live without: my framed or album family photos, my books (I really do have too many, it could be a problem keeping them all) and my ’50s Danish dining room table. It’s just wonderful and it expands to host all our guests for special dinners.”
4- How important are flowers and plants to you when it comes to decorating a space?
Vanessa: “I NEVER create a decor without plants! As I always say in my shows and books, a home decor is never complete without plants or flowers. Greenery has its special place in my home!”
5- What plants are in your top 3?
Vanessa: “Hummm, that’s a tough choice! I really like the ZZ Plant (the Zamioculcas plant), the Olive Tree, the Nephrolepis exalata (Boston fern), and the famous Fiddle Fig Tree which is hard to keep indoors, but once you find the right spot and the right level of watering, then it is amazing. Mine hits the ceiling! OK that’s 4…oops.”
6- Do you have a green thumb?
Vanessa: “I counted and I have 44 plants in my home, all still very healthy. Does that qualify me as having a green thumb?”
7- What is your favorite trend in the world of plants (variety, a way to use them: in pots, in plant walls, hanging, etc.)?
Vanessa: “I am a plant lady! For me, it’s a real pleasure to be surrounded by plants. I love them in all sorts of ways, in pots, on the wall, hanging or in a terrarium. I think it depends of the place, the space you have and the attention you have to give them.”
8- What is your favorite flower?
Vanessa: “Despite being a poisonous flower, I love lily of the valley! Not only is it my birth month flower, but it’s my favorite flower for many reasons:
– Look: lily of the valley has bell-shaped flowers that are usually white and form perfect clusters.
– Symbolism: lily of the valley is associated with good luck and good fortune.
– Fragrance: lily of the valley flowers have a sweet scent.
– Decorative element: lily of the valley, picked in spring, is so pretty in small bouquets placed on side tables and windowsills.”
9- What do flowers mean to you?
Vanessa: “Flowers are the love of a child picking them in the park, it’s the sweet luxury of a bouquet of fresh flowers for no special occasion, it’s a soothing feeling to smell their delicate scent!”
10- What do you like best about Décors Véronneau's flowers and plants?
Vanessa: “As much as I love natural plants, I also have artificial plants and flowers from Décors Véronneau. My artificial Christmas tree, from the same store, is always done on November 1st, otherwise it would get all dry! My fireplace mantle decoration is also made of artificial plants to prevent it from wilting and becoming ugly. As for my decorative pot in the dining room with a woman’s face on it, it contains artificial branches that always look pretty and lush.”
11- According to you, what is the main advantage of the artificial?
Vanessa: “Quality that doesn’t disappoint, flowers that don’t die, and products that require no maintenance and can be used to decorate even the darkest corner of a home. Plus, no need to think about the light requirements of a natural plant!”
1 - Which Décors Véronneau's plants or flowers do you have in mind for the next season?
Vanessa: “I would love a small potted olive tree, a pretty wreath for my door and privacy screens for my yard.”
