Winter Wine Tasting Event along with Tips for taking great photos of your spaces

It's That time of the Year - Parties, more parties and of course you should have some Wine!  

The GTA West Chapter of CDECA welcomed back Allan Wisby a Certified WSET Consultant, and owner of Oakville Wine Cellars www.oakvillewinecellars.ca for a second Wine Event.  Our first wine event was so successful we just had to do it again.  We were treated to wonderful wines in all price points along with some fabulous and tasty snacks paired correctly with each wine.  As with the past Wine Event, much information was shared on the topic of wine as well as a lovely selection of wines to serve at the coming holiday parties. 
Everyone went home with a 'goody bag' containing several wine magazines, detailed and informative packages on all aspects of wine, including some of his own recipes. (he cooks too!) To end off the evening there were several draws for wine items - we all love the chance to win something.

We were also given the opportunity to combine some education with this event - Megan Wisby www.innervisionphotography.ca, a professional Interior and Real Estate Photographer gave a presentation on the 'do's' and 'dont's' of taking photos of interior spaces for our portfolios, sharing examples and many tips as well as discussing types of cameras and what they each can and cannot do.

A great evening was had by all in attendance. Thanks Allan & Megan .....

Here are some great pictures of wine cellars.....

GTA West Chapter of CDECA Christmas Window at SoFA

If you haven't had a chance to pop into SoFA www.visitsofa.com at the International Centre you will have missed our GTA West Chapter of CDECA www.cdeca.com Window Display.  The window committee got together and changed our window decor resently.  We are focusing on the theme of 'Christmas in a Condo' with all the glitz yet warmth of a traditional style. Such fun we had, putting up our Christmas Tree, hanging silvery balls and of course the lovely wrapped presents for under the tree.  All in all it really put us in the Holiday spirit.  Here are some photos.....

Barbeque at Painters Place

Everybody knows 'Tom's Place' www.paintersplace.ca in Oakville where you get the best service and of course great Benjamin Moore paint.  I attended the 'Redneck Barbeque' Tom and staff  had for their clients and what a great time it was.  Tom really knows how to throw a party and have fun as well.  There was fantstic food & beverages of course but the games were the hit of the evening.  Of course many wonderful prizes from suppliers as well.

 Everyone studying their Bingo Cards

Tom welcoming us and giving out prizes.  Love that hat!!

Thanks to Tom and his fabulous staff for a great night.

Christmas Decor Ideas

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way.... to your favourite Home Decor store and select some of the great items on display this year.  I absolutely loooovvvve this time of year and go crazy with my decorating.  Ok, not so crazy that it looks junky but I really like to pull out all the stops.  My idea of cutting down on decorating is more than most people ever consider so I guess I am a Christmas nut.  My home is also known as the House of Trees.  In summer our back garden is like a forest but at Christmas the inside has many trees spread over different rooms.   One year I did a little group of three trees in our Living Room bay window - sort of a family of trees with just clear mini lights.  My kids friends thought I was a little out there but I loved it.  I have a special tree in the Living Room with special ornaments; a country style in the Family Room, a Kitchen tree with gingerbread and then a casual red decorated tree in the lower level.  I also have a small tree in the Master Bedroom. So I guess I really am a Christmas nut.      Here are a few of my ideas from past years.  My photography isn't the best and I didn't have my talented photographer daughter home to take them for me.  Perhaps she will take some new ones from this year  .....

WELCOME TO OUR HOME

A LITTLE SPARKLE IN THE ENTRANCE AND LIVING AREA

  

CASUAL DECORATING IN FAMILY ROOM

COUNTRY AND FUN DECOR IN KITCHEN

A SNOWY DECK AND GARDEN

 

Home Show at the International Centre

Well I always try to prepare for the fall home shows and trade shows but they just pop up and what wonderful products to be found.  This year the Home Show held at the International Centre in Burlington had an added feature - The Interior Decorating Show.  This was the first year and hopefully more to follow in years to come.  Great speakers, great products.  Our local CDECA Chapter hit the show and enjoyed some individual private showroom tours of a couple of great vendors located at SOFA.  Thanks to Sandra at Buhler for a lovely breakfast and also to Shari at Canadel for the great refreshments and a peek at the new technology available to decorators and designers.

Revenge....

If you haven't had a chance to catch the new TV Show 'REVENGE' you must tune in during re-runs.  This has been stated to be one of the best new shows of the season.  It is somewhat reminescent of nighttime soaps of earlier years like Dynasty, Knots Landing and Dallas .  This show is a look into the fantasy life of the rich and powerful, set in the East Hampton's, but actually shot in North Carolina.  The theme is clear from the title.  We have Emily returning to the place she grew up and where her father was destroyed and we have the many other people involved in that, most especially the Grayson family headed up by Victoria Grayson.  The tables have been turned on those rich and powerful people and Emily, in a calculating manner, is destroying them one by one.  One of the main reasons I love this show is the set design.  Take a look.......

Emily's Beach House which is a very casual space

 Emily's porch

The Grayson Mansion

  Grayson Living Room

 A close knockoff of Victoria's chair found at

Victoria's Washroom 

 Grayson Kitchen

 Grayson Entrance Foyer