Rock House Style Builds Nothing Less than Astonishing Dream Homes
There is no better example of Okanagan-based interior design firm, Rock House Style’s, approach to design than the lakefront home the business owners live in. The Hobson Road house features all the elements Cheryll Gillespie and Sam Shakura are known for; global perspective, unpredictability, luxurious personalization, and edge. Cheryll, with her vast experience working in Asia on award-winning residential and commercial design projects, as well as filming her TV Show “Let’s Shop” airing on 45 international networks, and Sam, NYC-trained in both interior design and fashion, came together to create a unique aesthetic which truly reflects their travel and life experiences. Cheryll’s husband Roger – well he’s the handy guy who makes all the girls’ dreamy design visions come to life at home.
“Interior design, like fashion, is art we live our lives in,” said Shakura. “We want to design spaces for our clients that truly represent who they are, spaces that make their lives better each and every day” said Gillespie. Each client has different design needs, desires and budgets that pertain to their lifestyle. “It is our job to extract that information and with that, create beautifully tailored spaces our clients love filled with things that make them smile.”
The Rock House features adventurous rooms that walk on the wild side, showcasing designer couture wallpaper (think Christian Lacroix, Armani and élitis), leathered granite countertops, a chalkboard menu in a true chef’s kitchen, one-of-a-kind mosaic art walls, and a solid white marble bathtub. “We designed the entire home with the sole purpose of entertaining in mind; our family has a fiery passion for culinary arts and of course, Okanagan wine, so we incorporated an 800-bottle glass floor wine cellar that lifts on an elevator into the main living area” said Gillespie. Their dream home had to be ‘animal-friendly’ as they are huge animal rescuers and lovers – there are precious pet moments throughout the home (custom built-in dog beds by the kitchen window, an 8′ Koi pond in the foyer, a bonsai tree zen garden courtyard with a bird house, etc.).
“Nature is a persistent muse because we live in the Okanagan,” she added. The house is all about indoor-outdoor living .” The risk-taking aesthetics of the home also include custom chandeliers and light fixtures, all designed by Rock House Style. The monochromatic palette of greys, whites and natural textures allows for their eccentric art to really pop, and for the grand scale of the architectural open layout to really shine. The design firm continuously mixes raw, organic elements with curated elegant materials, creating beautiful harmonious environments that feel natural and serene, yet at the same time enticing and edgy. Cheryll, having a foundation in visual arts education, is never shy to graffiti a wall or two (an affordable and fun way to add a splash of individualized creativity to your home.)
The house is infused with the mother-daughter design duo’s signature style, full of adventure and soul. It is whimsical with its eclectic high-style statement pieces and materials, yet fluid in its comfortable ‘loungy’ vibe. And then there are the juxtapositions — antique and contemporary, rough and polished, grit and glamour. “That’s what makes this space so exciting, creating layers and playing with textures – which ultimately has just as much as an impact on a room as color or proportion does,” said Shakura. It represents the dynamic taste and style of its occupants. The house rock ‘n’ rolls with these daring combinations. The sexy, alluring rooms with their sassy attitude, classy bespoke interior accents and unprecedented attention to detail are true conversation-starters.
“Our creative process is about experimentation, solving problems, being bold and having a free spirit,” said Shakura. “We all deserve our own personal ‘dream home’ that welcomes us in from a long day at work with a sensational hug”.
If you also want residential couture for your home, tailor-made by Cheryll and Sam, go to their website at www.rockhousestyle.com.
Check out the full article here: http://issuu.com/icon-okanagan/docs/issue21/1
Photography by: http://caitlynvannice.com/