BOOM... Baby Boom That Is!

This past Saturday, I went to a baby shower. Baby showers are, unfortunately for me, becoming all too familiar. I have been to more baby showers within the last year than ever in my life... I guess my friends and family are getting to that childbearing age. While it is nice for the new mom to be showered with gifts to better prepare for baby, they are not as enjoyable for the guests. The part that I enjoy most about baby showers is checking out the nurseries the parents have prepared for the baby's arrival.
Here are a couple of my favourites:
This is my niece's nursery decorated by my sister. This nursery was decorated before the baby's arrival and is gender neutral with a damask accent wall and teal curtains hanging on a modern curtain rod.
The crib transforms into a double bed with headboard for when baby is ready for a big kid bed. The club chair is actually a disguised rocking chair for those late nights. The wooden rocking horse actually belongs to my sister and I from our childhood (the antique character building aspect that I love when decorating). Finally, the dresser doubles as a change table with floating shelf to hold baby socks, shoes, and hair accessories in square tins.
This is a great little nursery for a little boy. It was decorated by a friend of mine, and she knew the nursery would be lived in by her new son. I especially love the light fixture, open shelving above the change station, and three pieces of art above the crib.

These nurseries are great for when the baby is still in infant mode but beyond the first birthday, these pretty rooms are sure to be trashed by toys, and books, and everything else baby! That's when a play room comes in handy.This is my cousin's baby's play room decked out with lots of open shelving, plenty of baskets to hide small toys, soft mat to play on, and lots of open space to play!

If you were a baby, what would you want for your nursery?

Come Visit My Apartment...

Here I am writing an interior decor blog without giving my readers a backgrounder on my decor style. In order to give you a better idea of my decor preferences and point of view, I thought I should invite you to see where I live.
It is a one bedroom rental apartment on the top floor of a brownstone building that I have furnished on a fairly tight budget. When I first got the keys, the entire place needed to be painted (including the ceilings!). I chose several shades of grey for the walls with bright white baseboards and trim. I find grey walls to have a calming effect.
I chose this apartment for its amazing character... original pine floors, the exposed stone wall in the bathroom, and the fire places in the living room and kitchen.
A few things I love about my apartment:
- I really love the modern decor with antique contrasts.
- I love simple luxuries like high quality white linens and towels .
- I love open shelving for glassware.
- I love my modern furniture.
- I love accessories in groups of three.
- I love having lots of storage space for clothes and shoes!
- I love the wide baseboards and original pine floor.
- I love the high ceiling in the bathroom.
- Finally, I love that I feel at home in my apartment.

I hope you like what I've done with my place on a tight budget!

Front entrance with mirror from Ikea, coat hooks were a Christmas gift (with the Fleur de Lis on it!):

Dining Room (what you see when you walk in the front entrance) with antique table passed down from my Great Grandpa, 2 glass apothecary jars and a vase for centre piece, tiered chandelier, window mirror made by my dad, and other family items hanging on the wall:
Fireplace in the kitchen, open shelving for glassware and small appliances:Living room with fireplace, cream leather furniture, antique desk for TV stand, and hand-me-down coffee table:

Office with Ikea desk and shelves, antique slipper chair recovered in cow print material (by my sister!):
Bedroom with matching lamps, white linens accented with silver metallic pillow shams and blanket, three mirrors from Caban:Open storage in the bedroom from Ikea:

Obama Mania!

The new President of the United States, Barack Obama, will have moved into the White House by now with his wife, Michelle, and two daughters, Malia and Sasha. This family certainly symbolizes political change but will their influence change the decor of the White House?

I imagine the Obama's decorative style will differ from the Bush's style but will the Obama's spend the money to update their new pad in such trying economic times? Afterall, Barack said in his inauguration speech that "families are tightening their belts, and so should Washington."

The current decor is very traditional and maintains consistency throughout the House with similar colour strengths, fresh flowers in most rooms, and chandelier lighting.

The White House Library














The Green Room














The Oval Office














The Vermeil Room













Well, what do you think of the current White House decor?

Feeling Blue?

Experts say today, Monday January 19, 2009 is the most miserable day of the year, and maybe even in history. Cold weather, fading Christmas memories, broken New Years resolutions, and the economic downturn are apparently the contributing factors to make this day "Blue Monday."

How was your "Blue Monday" and what do you do to cure the winter blues?

In this economy, and especially on a day like today, we can all stand to save a few bucks. I set out to decorate an entire living room with great finds from kijiji.ca on a budget of only $ 1000.
The look I'm going for is modern with an eclectic edge. Here is what I came up with:

This leather-like couch, love-seat, and chair in brown make for a very neutral base ($549).
This 8' x 10' sisal rug with brown trim coordinates nicely with the furniture ($50).
This beech veneer coffee table with glass top from Ikea continues the neutrality throughout the room ($85).

This painting by a local artist from Toronto will inject colour into any room ($45).
Coffee table books add interest to the room and make for an interesting quick read; 3 photography books for $30.

This shabby chic mirror framed in reclaimed wood and accessorized with 3 vintage door knobs will surely be a conversation piece while you entertain. It can be doubled as a jewelry tree or coat hanger ($50).
These custom drapes in a deep aqua colour will compliment the painting above by the local Torontonian artist, and will warm up the space because of the fabric's rich texture ($25).

Fresh flowers brighten anyone's "Blue Monday." They don't sell fresh flowers on Kijiji.ca but I found this modern vase for only $3.
Finally, chic lighting is a must. Even in a room accessorized with eclectic pieces, the modernity of the furniture is nicely accented by this chandelier ($99).
Total Living Room Costs: $936

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Welcome to Red Door Decor! This is an interior design blog that features home decoration ideas, interior design tips, house, kitchen and bath renovation and bedroom makeovers.
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