We are excited to announce that Lossen Zimmerman has joined the St.Genève family as creative director.
We sat down with Lossen for a chat and learned more about her passion for textiles and interiors.
Tell us a little bit about your background, and how you got into Interior Design: I was born in Montreal and raised in Vancouver. My family made yearly trips and I loved how different both cities were. I enjoyed taking photos of the grand old buildings in Montreal and, when back in Vancouver, I loved being surrounded by nature and seeing a city grow before my very eyes. My love for design started young: when I was a little girl I would cut up Ikea catalogues and magazines to make my own “mood boards,” and would present them to friends and family. I was always coming up with grand design schemes. I still love to put together boards and create wonderful spaces. I studied Interior Design at BCIT and have a strong foundation in design through working within the design community.
What made you want to work at St.Genève ? I love textiles! I believe textiles matter to produce spaces with ambiance, style and warmth. Having the opportunity to work for a Canadian-owned business that helps to create beautiful spaces is an obvious fit for me, and it is a thrill for me to be a part of such a wonderful and respected company.
What are your personal “always” or “nevers” when it comes to interior design? Always add texture. Never be afraid of colour or pattern.
Where do you find inspiration? I am mostly inspired by my experiences. Travel is a great inspiration to me and although we are not travelling at the moment, I am revisiting local spaces that feed my inspiration. Local shops also are a great source of inspiration, as so many have curated an incredible international selection of goods.
What is your favourite book/magazine on design? How about your favourite site? We are lucky to have so many different ways to get inspired these days. Between magazines, websites, and social media platforms I can spend hours lost in design. Some of my favourite magazines are Elle Decor, Canadian House and Home and House Beautiful UK. As for sites…I enjoy Apartment Therapy and No Feature Walls… but there are so many great sites out there!
What is your favourite book? The Color Purple by Alice Walker has long been a favourite. The story is so descriptive and visual and I cared so deeply for the characters…a great read!
What was the last thing you bought for your home (or a client’s home) that really wowed you? The last thing I purchased was a beautiful wool rug for my own home. It was a great investment piece that grounds the space and even though I love colour, I chose a beautiful neutral palette that will continue to work over time (I love to keep things changing).
How do you combine beauty and function? William Morris said it best; “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” Take a look around: A gorgeous carved wooden spoon, colourful cast iron pot, walnut stool, alpaca throw…all beautiful and quite functional.
Do you have a nighttime routine that helps you decompress and relax for the night? A glass of Riesling, a nice meal (I love to cook) and some Netflix binging of “How to Get Away with Murder” seems to do the trick!
What are you working on right now? Believe it or not but I am working on a bedroom project. I am incorporating rich textures of linen, wool and silk in a soft colour palette creating a space one can escape to.