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Mitford Mania

Posted on Aug 28, 2015

Imaginative artist, creative director and insta-famous fashion illustrator Donald Robertson recently stopped by Holt Renfrew to celebrate the launch of his new picture book, Mitford at the Fashion Zoo. We got a chance to meet the man behind the mania, and in the process, drew inspiration for colourful kid spaces powered by pop art!
Picture collage showing Team SRD's Tommy Smythe and Jennifer Gibeau with fashion illustrator Donald Robertson.

Donald Robertson, Mitford at the Fashion Zoo

Donald Robertson's zebra illustration on display at Holt Renfrew.

Donald Robertson

Donald Robertson's neon Holt Renfrew window display.

Donald Robertson Holt Renfrew window display

Donald's Holt Renfrew window display, Toronto Bloor Street.

Donald Robertson's Holt Renfrew illustrated banners hanging from ceiling.

Donald Robertson Holt Renfrew Banners

Papier mache elephant painted with cheetah spots by illustrator Donald Robertson.

Donald Robertson's spotted elephant

Manequin with Donald Robertson's moose illustration on display at Holt Renfrew

Donald Robertson Moose Illustration

Fashion mannequins on display with Donald Robertson's fashion illustration at Holt Renfrew.

Fashion Mannequins 

Stuffed giraffe in front of advertisement for Donald Robertson's children's book: Mitford at the Fashion Zoo.

Donald Robertson's Mitford the giraffe 

Graphic title that reads: Fashion Play, Design by Ale Reid, One Kinds Lane

Fashion Play Title

Canadian supermodel Coco Rocha's Nursery, featuring artwork by illustrator Donald Robertson

Coco Rocha's Nursery

Canadian Supermodel Coco Rocha enlisted the expertise of One Kings Lane designer Alex Reid to create a fashion-forward nursery full of pop art, graphic contrasts and stimulating colour. There's even a Donald Robertson original hanging front and center on the gallery wall!
Graphic quote from Tommy Smythe

Tommy Says Graphic Quote

Coco Rocha's Nursery

Show Off Your Shelves

Étagères and open shelves are a smart way to inject a cool dose of eye-popping colour to your baby's room. Plus - a well-styled shelving system gives you the opportunity to integrate your favourite things into your décor and keep all the kid stuff organized to boot! Shop Bungalow 5 and Jonathan Adler for white étagères, here and here.

Coco Rocha's Nursery

Learn From The Master

Conceptualize a design scheme for your nursery or kid’s room by observing the artwork of pop art master, Andy Warhol. His use of vibrant colour translates fearlessly to his canvas; a lesson to be learned for decorators concerned with heavy-handedness. Don’t let your application of colour fall short of desire! Click here to purchase this Warhol, Campbell Soup Can framed print by McGaw Graphics via One Kings Lane.

Graphic title that reads: Graphic Giraffe

Graphic Giraffe Title

Sarah and Tommy designed this space for a design-enthused blogger with a craving for a one-of-a-kind nursery. Classic nursery themes and tried-and-true colour palettes can create charming results, but this client wanted to break away from the pack. Team SRD took this nursery on a wild adventure by introducing safari-inspired accents and a naturally neutral palette.
Graphic quote from Tommy Smythe

Tommy Says Graphic Quote

Unify Your Found Treasures

The golden-oak finish of this library cabinet with glass doors was looking tired, but painting the frame of the bookshelves to match the dresser and accenting the shelves to match the side table and crib helps unify all the furnishings for a cohesive statement. Glass doors make it easy to see what’s inside while keeping the contents dust free.

Seek Out The Unexpected

To find furnishings with character and personality that will stand the test of time and not appear too juvenile as your child grows, look beyond baby-specific furniture stores. Buying side tables, dressers, and footstools in vintage-furniture or consignment shops or at a flea market will allow you to stretch your budget while creating a one-of-a-kind environment filled with pieces that will grow with your child.