A CONVERSATION WITH GILLIAN SEGAL
Gillian Segal is principal and founder of Gillian Segal Design, a boutique full-service interior-design firm, based in Vancouver, specializing in custom residential design. She works with clients in visualizing the potential of their homes by turning their initial dreams into a reality.
Gillian believes that the home is a wonderful opportunity for self-expression — understanding how much our environment affects our mood, productivity, and lifestyle.
Describing her personal style as, “Modern, eclectic glamour”, Gillian is known for always bringing in an element of the unexpected into her designs. Inspired by her travels and love for design of decades past, she loves blending the old and the new.
Photo taken by @emaphotographi, Design by @gilliansegaldesign
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE DESIGN PROCESS?
“I love the beginning stages of the design process — making a mood board and flipping through magazines to cut out images before pinning them up on my walls. Going old school with coffee table books and magazines is such a fulfilling ritual for me, as social media can often be overwhelming.
Having the limited space of confined walls forces me to really curate these images, and I’m constantly amazed at how I can draw inspiration in so many ways.”
Having the limited space of confined walls forces me to really curate these images, and I’m constantly amazed at how I can draw inspiration in so many ways.”
Photo taken by @emaphotographi, Design by @gilliansegaldesign
WHAT IS ONE DESIGN TREND YOU’D LOVE TO SEE CLIENTS EXPERIMENT WITH?
“In general, I’m tired of so many things that feel too perfect or man-made: porcelain that mimics marble but has no variation, factory-finished brass that looks perfect, vinyl planks that look like wood.
I understand why all these items have a place (I have used them in projects and even have some of them in my own home), but I am moving more and more towards working with natural products and materials, handmade items, and small-batch pieces that have a story and support a craft or a trade. “
I understand why all these items have a place (I have used them in projects and even have some of them in my own home), but I am moving more and more towards working with natural products and materials, handmade items, and small-batch pieces that have a story and support a craft or a trade. “
Photo taken by @emaphotographi, Design by @gilliansegaldesign
DO YOU HAVE ANY RITUALS THAT BRING YOU A SENSE OF CALM AND KEEP YOU GROUNDED?
“Family is everything — my two daughters and my husband inspire me every day to be my best self. Nothing is more humbling than becoming a parent (there’s nothing like getting puked on to bring you back down to Earth!).
As a mom, I know I am supposed to be teaching them, but they are really the ones teaching me to be more patient and in the moment, and to focus on what’s truly important in life.”
As a mom, I know I am supposed to be teaching them, but they are really the ones teaching me to be more patient and in the moment, and to focus on what’s truly important in life.”
