Let's Go to the Movies.....

I used to think I was a little odd in that when I went to a movie, if it had a great "set" I was much more interested in checking out the details of that rather than focusing on the plot.  Recently I have heard designers and decorators indicate they were just like that, so..... now I don't feel so odd anymore.  I still often watch some movies more than once if the set is fantastic like the fabulous Hamptons House Diane Keaton had in the movie "Something's Gotta Give", another movie by Nancy Meyers who teamed up with set decorator Beth Rubino.   I LOVE that house.  Many people have loved that house. It has been said that clients will often mention that they too would like their home to look like the one in that movie.  Oh, and by the way, the move was great too!   Just take a look at some of the fabulous photos below...

Dining Room

Living Room

Kitchen

Dining Room

Erica's Bedroom/Study

Guest Room at Erika's

Jack Nicholson who played Harry had a classy townhouse which we only get a couple of glimpses of...

Harry's Townhouse

Harry's Bedroom

The A, B, C's of Cameras ......

This past week I embarked on a very important task - that of learning the correct way to get good photos.  I took a course offered by Henry's and learned many new and wonderful things about a camera I have had for a few years and one that is already a year old and has never been used.  This was an absolutely great course and the instructor was the best!!  He actually worked hands on with each person individually with their camera and we learned the ins and outs of all those little  buttons and the many options that make for good picture taking.  What makes a photo turn out bright, dark, with shadows, without shadows and so on ..... Hopefully my future photos will get better.

DeBoer's & Benjamin Moore - what a great pair!

This week I attended a colour seminar hosted at Deboer's Furniture Showroom featuring Colour Trends 2010 with Aura and introducing "Waterborne Technology" presented by guest speaker Janice Fedak, Architectural & Design Representative for  Benjamin Moore.  Benjamin Moore makes a point of educating the public and trades about their incredible line of paint products.  This seminar updated everyone on the properties of their products, such as the "Aura" collection and the "Aura Bath & Spa" collection.  This paint will be a dream come true for many in that it covers anything, leaves a smooth texture and a flat finish that is washable.  What more could you want?

Janice Fedak




Some important colour tools we can all use....
     Check out the website for more information...... http://www.benjaminmoore.ca/

After the presentation, we took our time browsing the 4 floors of the most beautiful furniture displayed in vignettes and in some cases enhanced by paint treatments from Benjamin Moore.  I would love an entire home decorated in this great furniture.  They carry dozens of furniture lines, accessories, etc.  It is worth a drop in just to get inspiration and better yet, treat yourself to something fabulous!

This sweet pink and green room would delight any little

girl and send her off to dreamland!

What a clean and contemporary Dining space!

The use of a leather banquet is very popular these days

as it provides compact yet good seating capacity.

This large round Dining Table with Parsons chairs

provides a comfortable way to dine and engage in

conversation with everyone at the table - wonderful if you

have the space! 

I loved this Bedroom vignette - it is elegant and masculine,

yet has a feminine quality with the mirrored side tables.

side tables.

The Mighty "SHOWER" Reno

Well we finally have got around to having the shower in our master bathroom replaced.  It was really in need of a makeover and little did we know what lurked behind and under the old tile.....

What should have been a rather straight forward project - remove old tiles and faucets and replace with new ones which will be much nicer.  When the workmen got well into the project they discovered that we had a huge buildup of concrete blocking part of the drain where you wouldn't notice it.  We were always trying to clear the drain - thinking it was blocked with hair or whatever but alas it was just a lazy way of getting rid of excess concrete by the original builder's trades.  We now have a large hole where the dog could get lost in if she were to get in there..... They have basically gutted the entire shower stall area and will now be replacing absolutely everything, including insulation.  This is good ! BUT -  This will cost more !  Oh well, c'est la vie.

Check this out

IDS 2010

The Interior Design Show 2010 kicked off this year at a new location - the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.  The newest and most innovative in international and Canadian products are annually presented by 300 exhibitors, cutting edge exhibits plus over twenty-five Canadian and International design professionals, celebrities and visionaries in keynote presentations, seminars and workshops . . . including House & Home Editor Suzanne Dimma, Interior Designer Brian Gluckstein, Miami-based interior and fashion designer Barbara Hulanicki, Journalist Ingrid Abramovitch and many more . . . The ultimate ideas, products and trends. The Interior Design Show/IDS 10 is Canada’s largest contemporary design event.

Here are some of the beautiful bathroom ideas featured.....

Watermarks had a  fabulous display featuring a great "luxe" look. I loved this wall hung vanity/sink and glitzy mirror.  Unfortunately I am not particularly great at taking photos and this does not do it justice. For a really good look, drop into Watermarks in Etobicoke or Burlington to see just how gorgeous this is!

I am in love with this incredibly decadant and matching lav from Axor.
http://www.hansgrohe.ca/ I could really imagine relaxing in a space like this.

This tub from Wetstyle http://www.wetstyle.ca/ is very minimalist in styling and has coordinating sink/cabinets and wall hung storage cabinet.  I could imagine this in a very modern space or in a country retreat where the natural wood would fit right in.

Tolie Funiture & Accents http://www.toliedesign.com/ had a contemporary display in the current popular Black & White scheme with pops of red for pizazz. 

Napoleon Fireplaces had many gas and
electric styles on display, many that were
contemporary in design.
http://www.napoleonproducts.com/

Andrew Richard Designs offers both ready-made and custom pieces, arranged in a myriad of vignettes to offer suggestions and inspiration.Their furniture brings unparalleled innovation, style and comfort to outdoor custom-designed furniture.  I always look forward to their booth at IDS because it brings some "warm weather" ideas to us in the midst of our long winter.

This is an interesting new product from Surface Innovation Inc in Parry Sound.  It is a flexible Slate Veneer made from real slate and attached to several different backings.  This can be used on many surfaces and is an easy product to install for the "Do-It-Yourselfer".  They have plans to have a supplier in the GTA by spring.

IDS is more than just a show. It is the total design experience

Designer Night at Brentwood Classics

Last night I attended the Winter 2010 Designer Night at their lovely showroom. 150 guests enjoyed great food, cocktails lots of mingling & networking, fabulous door prizes while viewing the latest in their furniture lines including the new ur_style collection shown in the all important eco fabrics. Brentwood offers a wide variety of Canadian Made furniture to suit all tastes while remaining environmentally responsible and proving that you can have it all. The guest speaker, Interior Designer Glen Peloso whom many will know from "Kitchen Makeover" and "Take this House and Sell It" delivered a very informative and entertaining talk on how one should approach Commercial Design projects differently than residential. Glen is an excellent speaker who is able to present facts in a clear and concise manner while adding some good humour to the mix. To ad to that, Glen is a very gracious person and continued to answer individual questions, mingle with the designers & decorators as well as pose for photos.http://www.brentwoodclassics.com/
All in all a very nice evening and I am in love with all the wonderful furniture at Brentwood Classics. I want some new sofas for me!!

   

           Yours truly with Glen
            enjoying some vino!

The following pictures were taken by Vanessa Francis of

vanessa francis design (visit her at decorhappy.blogspot.com)

A very popular new trend is the Belgium Country House look using Linen upholostery

Winter Romance - Holiday Wedding

Well I really got into the Holiday spirit this year. I was honoured to attend the most incredible wedding I have ever been to - A Holiday Wedding for a niece the week before Christmas. It was spectacular!!

The reception was held at the Eglinton Grand in Toronto and WOW!! Very hollywood glam... Formerly The Eglinton Theatre, this historic landmark has been restored to its original 1937 grandeur! Holding true to its art deco décor, The Eglinton Grand is adorned with rich woods including mahogany and ebony, elegant marble, beautiful wainscoting and period furniture.

This venue recaptures the elegant design and sophistication of a majestic facility .
The balcony level has been recreated into a swank cocktail lounge. One level down, a spectacular ballroom - dining and dancing - evokes the romance of the old movies of days gone by.

They had the most elegant decor in the colors of their wedding - white, black and red. You really felt that you were back in the 30's hollywood glamour from the moment you entered the venue. Very classy event with fab food, great entertainment and of course the most beautiful bride and handsome groom. The did their first dance together all alone on the dance floor amid millions (ok not millions) but lots of twinkling lights and candles. All of the guests were up on the balcony level enjoying cocktails when the curtains were drawn and pouf! there they were below us looking magnificent. During their dance a video of their day was playing on the large movie screens which made it all the more like a fantasy. Well done Cara and Evangelos! So glad I could be part of your special day.

For a decorator this was like being in a candy store - so much to see and admire. The tables were decorated with black velvet burn out fabric, white with a 2' tall slender square vase filled with red berries, black branches with tiny white flowers and palm branches. The head table had black velvet skirting along the front and the attendants assembled their red rose ball bouquets along the edge - quite incredible.
I wanted to take it all in. I didn't want to leave!!

Historic Lewiston Christmas House Tour

It's getting down to the wire now! Christmas is less than

2 weeks away. I had the oopportunity to participate in a
Christmasa House Tour in the Historic Town of Lewiston, N.Y.
The homes were gorgeous old homes along the Niagara River

for the mostpart and all decorated beautifully. We were

treated to treats from local bakeries and a poinsettia
cocktail at the Barton Hill Hotel and Spa which in itself
is a magnificent building also on the Niagara River.

Later in the day there was 'Christmas In the Village'.
celebrating Christmas the old fashioned way with free

carriage rides, boutique shopping, carolers, outdoor

entertainment and open house parties in many of the businesses.
The historic village is always dressed for the holidays with
thousands of Christmas lights and individually decorated
windows.

This tour runs annually and is certain to inspire all your holiday decorating. Dinner was enjoyed that evening at a locale restaurant we love called Carmello's. Again, this is a place definitely worth going to. Make a reservation well in advance as they are always booked solid!

To view this event go to: www.lewistonhometour.com