IDS 2011 - Opening Night Gala...

Once again IDS is upon us and I was fortunate enough to attend the opening night Cocktail Party Gala. This is quite the evening and the food and beverages were plentiful. The nice thing about attending this party, is that you can view all of the booths without having to stand in line. I attended with a couple of colleagues and we had a really great time. We met some of the more famous designers and had a chance to chat. Here are some of the photos I took.....

First Stop -  Audrey and I toasting the new CDECA Show Booth

 Yours truly with Steven and Chris

 Audrey with Steven and Chris

 Throngs of people lined up to enter the Gala....

 Alfred Sung with his new outdoor furniture display - he was kind enough to let me sit for a while and have a little rest.  Thanks Alfred

 Bloomsbury Fine Cabinetry - I love this kitchen

 Love this light - Wow

 Jane Lockhart has joined up with Gresham House to create a new line of custom furniture

 Great Displays

 Tile with actual shells inbedded - very interesting

 Great glass tiles

Suzanne Dimma at the Canadian House & Home Booth took a few minutes to chat

Whilttingtons Custom Furniture in Mississauga

If you are looking for handcrafted, "green" furniture, then a trip to Whittingtons is in order.  I attended a showroom event a couple of weeks ago in their new showroom and found many wonderful pieces.  The staff are so helpful and knowledgeable and will work with you to create a one of a kind piece.  You can mix and match seats, backs and just about anything you can think of.  Unfortunately I forgot my camera that evening and have no photos, however I will be returning  to see Gil and staff very soon and will update this page with photos.

Touch De L'Afrique Boutique in Oakville, Part 2

Last fall I blogged about the opening of this very unique showroom located on Lakeshore Road East in Oakville http://www.touchdelafrique.com/ , which specializes in rare finds that they import from South Africa. Once again they welcomed designers and decorators from CDECA, GTA West Chapter to their lovely "cafe" on the second floor of the showroom, so we could have our chapter meeting and they graciously offered some of their wonderful refreshments and generously had 3 door prizes.

This is a must see showroom especially when looking for unique and rare decor and gift ware.  If you missed my first entry last fall, please go back to see the photos - it is worth the time.  Here are more photos showing the cate and showroom.

Thank you Petrus and staff for your generosity.

The upstairs Cafe

Kravet Seminar

As a member of CDECA I am lucky to be invited to many industry events so that I can be up to date on the latest products and thus be able to offer the best and latest to my clients.

Not only do  I get to view all these wonderful goodies, I am educated as well.  Recently Kravet kravetcanada.com invited CDECA members to an information seminar on their newest products and popular colour combinations.  There is nothing quite like fabric to get those creative juices flowing and Kravet has some of the very best to offer.

We were treated to a lovelly lunch followed by an education session, led by Helen Donovan, to get us thinking from both sides of the coin - that of the client and that of the designer/decorator.  Quite informative and enlightening.

 Helen Donovan

A gorgeous showroom

Designer Night at Brentwood Classics

I can't believe it - once again it is the Designer Night at Brentwood. Classics.   http://www.brentwoodclassics.com/
Hard to believe a year has gone by since this great event.  The showroom has just had some changes and looks fabulous.  Guests enjoyed great food, cocktails lots of mingling & networking, fabulous door prizes while viewing the latest in their furniture lines including the 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 Kimberly Seldon, joined forces with Brentwood a few years ago when she decided to design her own furniture line.  She insisted on Canadian made, excellent quality if she was to put her name on it and Brentwood definitely fits the bill.  Kimberly, whom we all know from her appearances on Cityline as well as her annual Spring European Flea Market in the Distillery District delivered a very informative and entertaining presentation.  Kimberly is an excellent speaker who is able to present facts while adding some good humour to the mix. Of course I had to have my photo with her and she graciously obliged. 

A very nice evening and I also enjoyed the goodie bag we received.  Thanks to everyone for planning such a lovely evening!

Kimberly Seldon

Yours truly with Kimberly

 Beautiful Furniture displays throughout the showroom

Colleagues enjoying the evening!

2011 and what is coming.....

It is now 2011 -  what will be coming our way this year.....

I have finally been able to get out and about now and am having the time of my life attending many industry soirees to see what is up and coming this year.

Lots of wonderful offerings from the many great suppliers I visit.  In posts to follow I will be highlighting some of these events with the latest in great decor.....

Christmas Market at The Distillery

The Distillery Historic District
Friday, December 3, 2010 to Sunday, December 12, 2010

This year marked the first ever Christmas Market held in the Historical Distillery District in Toronto and sponsored by Lowes.  This free annual event captured all of the tradition, heritage and charm of a European Christmas Market, while showcasing hundreds of unique and local handcrafted products, perfect for your Christmas shopping list.  What an amazing and fun way to spend some family time.  There was an amazing children’s area. Family friendly entertainment includes musicians, carolers and children’s choirs, holiday themed stage presentations, Rudolph’s Reindeer Zoo and of course … Santa and his roaming elves!

When you have seen enough all you have to do is drop into one of the many great restaurants or beer gardens and enjoy some fab food.  By the look of the large crowds it is sure to become a much anticipated event every year.

 Beautiful Tree all lit up and tons of people enjoying themselves

 A great garden & decor shop I visited

Some of these photos are a little blurry - maybe because it was so cold I was shaking, maybe I need a new camera!

Fireplaces

Everyone loves a fireplace.  It is one of the most requested items on most people's "wish list" when purchasing a home or renovating the one they already have.  There are many types of fireplaces these days, everything from the traditional wood burning, a gas insert, and now the Ecosmart™ Burner fuelled by Denatured Ethanol, which has become increasingly populara.   The styling can be anything from a country style field stone right through to a contemporary metal frame hung on a wall with rocks rather than the usual logs.   These days even electric fireplaces have come a long way and offer the opportunity for everyone to have the look no matter where they want to place it.  A fireplace conjures up the feeling of warm, cozy, relaxed but can also give off a luxe vibe or that of romance.  Don't we all imagine how romantic it would be to have an intimate dinner for two and some wine by the fire.  Or what about just relaxing with a good book and hot chocolate on a wintry day.....

Here are some great fireplace designs.....

We even have fireplaces outside now!

The Painters' Place - Oakville

Pretty much everyone who lives in Oakville and surrounding areas and has purchased Benjamin Moore paint knows the Painters Place http://www.paintersplace.ca/ also known as "Tom's Place" at the corner of Neyagawa and Dundas.  They have great products and also carry other paint brands, wallpaper and decor items.  The staff are extremely knowledgeable and incredibly helpful.  You couldn't ask for better service.

Tom and staff have had a couple of "design" nights that I have attended, where the focus is on topics of interest to consumers as well as decorators & designers.

I recently attended an event where the topic was "updating kitchens and bathrooms inexpensively".  There were a couple of presentations; one from Bath Fitter and the other from Custom Resurfacing Solutions Inc (CRS) Design.  Bath Fitter is a product whereby you can cover your old bathtub, walls and ceiling if you are not wanting the disorder and chaos of a complete "tear out" but want to update the space.  Bathfitter  http://www.bathfitter.com/  has really come a long way from years gone by.... They have some great "tile" look-alike finishes for the walls; some with texture some with a border inset look.  Of course they also offer the built in soap holders.  There are many different styles of the actual tub apron.  Maybe you need a shower update - they also offer this service and glass doors of many different styles and sizes. They can do wonders !

CRS Design  http://www.crsremodeling.ca/ offers a product made from granite and quartz that goes over existing laminate or any older countertop.  It definitely is more cost efficient than removing the entire countertop and installing thick granite.  This product gives the high end look at a fraction of the cost.  What a great idea if you just want to do a little updating and do not plan on removing cabinets or changing the kitchen foot print.

To complete the evening, Tom spoke about the newest Benjamin Moore product line - Kabinet Coat which has replaced Melamine.  It gives a nicer finish and is eco friendly.  The durability is excellent for painting kitchen & bath cabinets and furniture.  The only proviso is that it must be in lighter colours.  If you are planning on a dark shade then Tom says go for Aura Satin.