Robert Bailey's designs have come to be synonymous with two words: elegant casualness.
Bailey, who grew up in Deep Cove and lived there for most of his childhood, has spent 35 years doing design work for hotels, office buildings, and homes. He designed the interior of the penthouse at the Vancouver Fairmont Estates Pacific Rim, one of Canada's most expensive condos, which recently sold for $25 million. He is also the creative force behind the interiors at the Opus Hotel.
Bailey's distinctive West Coast look features an effortless elegance and quality.
He was recently named Western Living's Interior Designer of the Year for 2013, and one of the projects that earned him the award is a home in Deep Cove. Bailey was chosen from a shortlist of nine other interior designers from across Western Canada. A press release noted that the judging panel was impressed with his attention to detail, use of fine materials and exquisite finishing.
While the definitions of West Coast style are broad and elastic, Bailey says he rarely strays from his commitment to casualness.
That casualness is a hallmark of the West Coast style, he explains, noting that on almost every project the casual feel is intended to blend with people's lives.
"We don't really do what I would call, although we can and we have, more formal work. I think of our work as having a casualness, and I think that's a West Coast influence. We don't live as formally as some other cities," he says.
West Coast style extends to traditional, modern, and mid-century designs, says Bailey. So long as the design is influenced by the area, the colours and the light, it qualifies as West Coast style.
"I try not to get too caught up in the clichés of what West Coast is," he says. "I don't like to limit myself or my clients by thinking specifically in terms of West Coast."
Suburban homes are even more casual because they usually have another layer of inhabitants, such as children and animals, he adds.
When designing a space, Bailey incorporates furnishings, window coverings, bedding, and sometimes even cutlery.
He says it's paramount that everything is planned well to ensure designs are proportional and functional, and to make sure that both client and designer are sharing a vision.
"It's a personal expression but we're working together to put something together that is ultimately a reflection of them but is informed by what we believe to be true design principles," he says.
Bailey walks through the house plans with his clients and discusses how they want to utilize each room.
The second stage of the design process involves putting together a collage of materials and lighting.
"We're prodding to see if we're all on the same page, if we're thinking the same thing," he explains. "From there we start to refine it."
Each project is created through a combination of architecture and a client's tastes, as well as other factors.
"I need a context, I need a project, a client, and some criteria," says Bailey. "In an infinite world of possibilities, it's almost impossible to come to a conclusion so you need to create boundaries."
In addition to providing a level of comfort, his designs are also intended to age gracefully. Appearance retention is important, so things continue to look good over time.
"You don't want to design something and have it destroyed in the first year," he says.
Bailey often uses hard surfaces throughout a main floor of a house so kids and dogs can run through and it's easy to clean up. He also tends to stay away from rich fabrics.
"You won't see a lot of brocade in my work. You'll see a lot of sensual materials," he says, noting the materials tend to feel good against the skin.
When he uses metal it tends to have a sheen of patina as opposed to the more polished look preferred by some designers.
Bailey says his job is about people.
"Ultimately, my job is making people happy. And when I make people happy, then I'm happy," he says.
