Bedtime Bliss

Modern decor is great and all, but it can sometimes feel cold. The one place in your home that needs to feel warm and cozy is definitely your bedroom. A variety of textures, soft lighting, and good linens in calming tones makes for a cozy spot to cuddle. I have a personal rule of no TV's in the bedroom... you can make the decision for yourself about that one.

The warm colour palette in this bedroom feels very calm, and the abundance of storage is fantastic! Bedside lighting is very convenient. The symmetrical wall hangings above the bed is also great.

Sleep tight!

Clutter-Free Living

I don't know about you, but just taking a quick glance at the photo above stresses me out... clutter, ugh! Some people are able to work perfectly fine in a cluttered environment, while others will drown under the post-its and piles.
Ahhh, what a breath of fresh air! I love the modern cleanliness of this office. Working in a modern environment may be more ambitious with regards to staying organized, but the payoff is great.

Modern spaces require smart organizational and storage use. Most ultra-modern spaces in the GTA are condos. The choice to live in a condo generally means that one must commit to living clutter-free. Although most condos have a storage locker and at least one closet, the space for storage is quite limited compared to that of other types of homes.

That is why it's so important to adopt a Zen-like approach to clutter and possessions. Life is much easier without too much stuff, and condos (and offices!) are much more attractive when they aren't packed with useless stuff.

Mourning Cozy Winter Decor Elements

Before it warms up too much, let's appreciate some of my favourite Canadian winter decor elements before we tuck them in storage for the spring and summer months.
Fireplaces are generally so appreciated in the winter months and neglected in the summer months. I have a feeling we would appreciate these super cool and modern fireplaces all year long though... they provide heat in the winter and are total conversation starters all year round. Fabulous!

This modern fireplace features a glass cover that provides a great view of the flames from all angles.
www.bloch-design.com
Another conversation piece, this modern fireplace is by Chimney Anthrax. It features a chimney with furnace closed devised in steel. Finished in a black and gray color, it is painted with barnizes resistant to high temperatures.
I wanted to save my personal favourite for last. With a sleek and modern design, this fireplace is more versatile than the ones above. The Ribbon Fireplace by Flame & Comfort has an industrial look and features a ribbon of fire, hence the name of the design. How clever!
Go snuggle up in front of your fireplace while we still have some cold nights left... you'll miss it in the summer, I promise!

Things I love... # 2

First of all, please accept my apology for the lack of "Things I love" posts. I will try not to disappoint you with this one... it's a combo to make up for the posts I have missed.

The first thing I love is music. How does music relate to decor, you ask? Well, it certainly contributes to a place's mood or ambiance. It also should be combined with decor, to make the music equipment fit into a room nicely. Now, introducing Modern Karibou's Vers Audio 1.5R iPod Sound System.
The modern yet vintage-y-ness (if I can have my own blog, I can make up my own words) of this iPod sound system is so chic! Made by hand, each Vers sound system takes over a week to build and is completely unique. Isn't it great?
Modern Karibou, a Canadian company, has a ton of stuff that I love. While Modern Karibou doesn't specialize in bargains, it has a lot to offer! Think investment piece.

Something else I love, and that I actually own myself, are Maxwell Williams square dishes.
The simple square shape and pure white colour showcases the food you serve on these. These dishes even make pizza seem chic!

Coffee Table Books: Your Versatile and Interesting Accessory

Good coffee table books serve a number of purposes: they're decorative, informative, attractive, and entertaining for your guests. They often become a topic of conversation and make fantastic gifts for housewarmings. No matter if your interests range from ducks to homemade desserts, there is a coffee table book for you.
I love Chapters or Indigo because they have such variety. I have also found some really beautiful coffee table books at Home Sense. Click here for the Top 10 Coffee Table Books, as recommended by The News & Observer.

If those don't suit your fancy, make your own! There are a ton of online companies that help you put together your own photobooks. It is such a great way to keep your memories safe and showcase them all at the same time. Some of my favourite photobook websites are Shutterfly, Blurb, and Photobook Canada.

Happy Birthday Old Friend!

When I was growing up, I had lots of friends but only a couple really close friends... I have grown apart from most of my childhood friends, but one friendship remains. Barbie, happy 50th birthday!
In honour of good old B's birthday, I wanted to share some dollhouse awesomeness.
A fully furnished dollhouse like the one above usually ranges from $80 to $200. A little pricey for a dollhouse, but all your friends would have been totally jealous!

Wall Hangings: The Do's and Don'ts

Some do's and don'ts of wall decor follows, but first, a very interesting yet neutral piece of art from Urban Outfitters for only $24.99!Do: hang stuff on walls, it helps make a place feel home-y and personal
Don't: have completely bare walls... your place should be a reflection of yourself. Unless you're a nudist, bare walls are not an accurate depiction.
Do: consider proportions and choose accordingly (ie. large focal wall = large wall hanging)
Don't: disregard proportions and hang a tiny little picture over your full size couch
Do: hang mirrors with eclectic frames if you haven't fallen in love with a piece of art
Don't: hang mirrors if you're ugly... Just Kidding!
Do: group framed photos, etc. on the same wall
Don't: feel like all the frames need to match perfectly
Do: hang things in 3's... it's apparently calming
Don't: hang something you think is hideous... it will drive you crazy

PS I'm so glad Britney is back!

Ikea helps our wallets stay healthy... and keeps us laughing!

Ok, this is only sort of decor related but you might like it anyway! Some funny Ikea commercials for your viewing pleasure.

This commercial for mattresses was not aired in the US... too racy perhaps?

A great curtain commercial

This nanny shops at Ikea too!

I hope this put a smile on your face... Happy Monday!

The Heart of the Home... It better be nice!

You know what they say, the kitchen is the heart of the home. More than any other room in a house/apartment/condo/etc., the kitchen is the most versatile room. It's the gathering place when entertaining and on a regular Wednesday night... so it better not be ugly like this one!

It isn't the end of the world if you have an ugly kitchen... kitchen facelifts are really easy and can be done within a reasonable price range. Cupboards can be painted a nice neutral, hardware can be replaced and updated, and even the countertop can be replaced all for a reasonable price.

If your kitchen is beyond salvation and is too ugly for a facelift, my favourite little Swedish buddy from Ikea has got you covered. For much less money than most kitchen renos, Ikea provides a lot of great options. In tough economic times, who can afford expensive custom work? Despite the recent Home Renovation Tax Credit in Canada, a huge reno project could be way too expensive. Let's stick to good old Ikea to keep our minds sane and our wallets plentiful!


Ikea has every style covered... modern, traditional, something to suit everyone's fancy! The kitchen below certainly caters to a more modern style but still incorporates a ton of storage space, which is typically lacking in modern kitchen designs. I love the exposed stainless steel hood over the stove and abundant counter space.


This next kitchen is also quite modern, but certainly very different than the above. The dark floor-to-ceiling cabinets provide clean lines and the hardware reinforce those lines. The backsplash and countertop in the same tone as the cabinets keep the look streamlined and very simple. Complimenting white walls ensures the busiest room in the house doesn't get too dark.


Go to ikea.ca to see their kitchen catalog and check out all the other styles.

Things I love... # 1

I've decided to start a weekly post of things I love. For the very first "Things I Love" post, I wanted to include a very versatile chair -- the Ghost Chair. Ghost chairs range in price but are usually made out of acrylic.



The versatility of the ghost chair is outstanding. It can be used at a desk, dining room table, accent chair, anywhere really!

Happy Family Day Fellow Ontarians!

In Ontario, we have a fairly new holiday that falls every February called Family Day. That just happens to be today which made this weekend a long weekend.

For me, long weekends are synonymous with cottage living. As a promoter of eclectic yet modern designs, it may seem contradictory for me to love traditional cottage decor.

Moose heads over the fireplace are totally acceptable in a cottage, along with floral sofas, lamps as conversation starters, and an abundance of wicker furniture.


Happy Family Day!

Haute Couture? More like Haute Peinture!

Wallpaper is a drag to put up, and to take down. Believe me... my sister bought a Victorian home full of old lady wallpaper that just had to come down. Being the naive younger sister, I agreed to help strip the wallpaper and repaint... what a mess!

The look of wallpaper is very classic and, sometimes, very appropriate for more formal rooms. When stripes are the pattern you're striving for, you're not locked into struggling with wallpaper. Stripes can be easily painted on walls by carefully applying paint tape vertically. Use a level to ensure the tape has been applied straight, and paint away!

For more detailed instructions, click here.

* Bonus: paint is way cheaper than most wallpapers!

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