20 questions with Michael Penney

Meet your friendly neighbourhood decorator, Michael Penney. He's a decorator, stylist, and owner ofPenney & Company with a passion for design. From sourcing beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces tocreating the perfect cottage-style aesthetic, learn where Michael finds his source of inspiration,some of his current design obsessions and favourite decor accessories.

1 If you could shadow any designer for a day, who would it be?

Michael Penney Absolutely positively Tom Scheerer. I just love his classic references with stylishquirky twists.

2 Where do you find inspiration?

MP All around I guess! Vintage finds, fabric stores, my hoarder's stash of old magazines, you nameit!

3 Favourite restaurant?

MP The restaurant at the Colony Hotel in Kennebunkport Maine (pictured above). It has the bestbreakfast of all time overlooking the New England coast.

4 What's your favourite room to decorate?

MP I'd have to say usually the living room, mainly because of the chance to mix and match lots of afabrics, materials and decorative elements all in one cozy space.

5 What's your current design obsession?

MP Anything rustic with an earthy farmhouse feel.

6 What's your current paint colour obsession?

MP Always and forever shades of celadon and vintage greens. Lilypond from the Penney & CompanyFusion Paint Collection captures it best!

7 What's the one store you could spend hours browsing?

MP Harvest Antiques in Courtice, John Derian in New York or Penney & Company in Whitby (ofcourse!)

8 London, Paris or New York?

MP New York.

9 If money were no object, what one thing would you buy?

MP A place in the country - farmhouse, huge porch, oldwindows, big trees.

10 What do you consider to be the most iconic designpiece of the past century?

MP Ummm that is an impossible question but I am pretty partial to Jadeite dishes and cake stands!

11 Favourite Movie/TV Show interior?

MP Turkey Hill on 1990's episodes of Martha Stewart Living television show.

12 What do you think is the easiest way to update a room?

MP Take down the formality with some humble earthy accents - linen, jute, distressed wood - oh andde-clutter.

13 Best coffee table book? Lately?

MP Tom Scheerer Decorates

14 What's your favourite way to spend a lazy Sunday?

MP Vintage shopping with the family, brunch, nap.

15 Do you like to be the entertainer or be entertained?

MP I'd say I enjoy being the entertainer most times but then again I have some very hospitablefriends.

16 What do you think is the best home renovation you can do to your home?

MP Honestly, anything that improves the integrity of a tired old house gets my vote. It's less aboutdesign and more about honouring the bones - original trim, windows, floors - the shell that sets thestage for everything else.

17 What is your favourite space that you've designed?

MP Oh that's a hard one! I think I'll always have a soft spot for my own place - our first house ever,all done on a dime and with lots of love.

18 What's the biggest design faux pas?

MP For me good design should be genuine so I don't love it when a space look like it's trying toohard or that it's trying to force a theme on an incongruent shell.

19 Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest?

MP I love how Instagram is a peek into people's lives and decorating adventures.

20 Are there any Instagram accounts you love/are obsessed with?

MP Yes, @coriandergirl, @benpentreath, @mintfloralco and @butterbakedgoods.

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