PANTONE COLOUR OF THE YEAR 2023

Welcome to 2023!

I have been a  little behind in posting this past few months but I am back in the saddle as the saying goes. Unfortunately my computer is still on a break, however I believe it is back now.

Every year the Colour Marketing Board announce what they deem to be the colour of the year.

All the large paint companies also offer the colour of the year from their palettes.  This year the CMB has selected Viva Magenta.18-1750.  They describe it to have vim and vigor.  It comes from the red family which expresses strength. It is bold, brave and fearless and promotes optimism  It connects to nature which is a theme throughout the design industry as well as all other areas such as graphics and design, fashion, beauty, home furnishings and accessories.

I have to say it is a very uplifting and cheerful colour which we can enjoy after the past few Covid years.

Below are a few bright photos which certainly are alive and fun. 

My next few posts will be about the 2023 Trends to look forward to.

Home Decor in Dundas ON

Dundas ON is booming this summer with new shops.  I love everything about this town however I am focusing on gift and home decor shops in this blog.  Being an Interior Decorator/Design Consultant I am very excited about this shop.

WELCOME TO OLIVER AND CO home

Oliver and Co. Home - 56 King Street W., Dundas, ON. L9H 1T8 opened it's doors for a grand opening on July 16.  The first thing you will notice is the beautiful entrance, painted in the loveliest greens, along with a black awning. There are large windows with displays to welcome you to come inside.   This store has so many beautiful items it will take a while to see everything.  Products change regularly so it will always be interesting to drop in. The quality of the merchandise is excellent. I have already been twice.  I love the type of products they carry. The products lean to a French aesthetic, combining elegance, simplicity, comfort and beauty.  This can  work well in all or most settings. There is something for everyone looking for a gift or a little something to treat themselves. There are many different decor items ranging from candles, linens, topiaries, soaps, toss cushions, art, lanterns and much more. 

The store displays are incredibly creative. I found it so beautiful I did not want to leave.

Great job Kathryn and Mike !!

Below are a few photos I took during my visit.

New Retail Store in Dundas Ontario - Tessi & Co.

 Greetings everyone !!

Well summer arrived in all it's glory with blazing temperatures.  Much better than cold and snow.  I have been a little under the weather for a few weeks however I am now up and out checking the new gift shops and home decor stores.

Tessi & Co. in Dundas - 43 Cootes Dr., Dundas, ON L9H 1B5

Located in a rustic building and having many different offerings.  This store carries indoor plants, upcycled fashion, jewellery, vintage furniture, art, consignment items  gifts and much more.  The store is a collaboration of many creative small businesses in one store.  There are several rooms to browse through. I had to return a 2nd time to get a good look at everything they carry.  I know I will be returning again and again to check out new merch and pick up goodies for friends and of course pour moi.

Below are some photos I took of the store beginning with a huge statue of a leafy lady at the entrance created by the person who takes care of the plants in the store.

This is a fun and interesting shop!!

                                            WELCOME TO TESS & CO

2022 colour of the year

 As always the Colour Marketing Group Have named the colour that will be seen in 2022.

ANNOUNCING THE PANTONE COLOR OF THE YEAR 2022

PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri

“The Pantone Color of the Year reflects what is taking place in our global culture, expressing what people are looking for that color can hope to answer.” added Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute. “Creating a new color for the first time in the history of our Pantone Color of the Year educational color program reflects the global innovation and transformation taking place. As society continues to recognize color as a critical form of communication, and a way to express and affect ideas and emotions and engage and connect, the complexity of this new red violet infused blue hue highlights the expansive possibilities that lay before us”.

Encompassing the qualities of the blues, yet at the same time possessing a violet-red undertone, PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri displays a spritely, joyous attitude and dynamic presence that encourages courageous creativity and imaginative expression.

At this time of year every well known paint company selects their own personal colour of the year.

This is exactly what we need - a little joy after the past two years of covid19 and to help our spirits as we move through this year.

A Visit to Piper and Oak

 A while back I was in Paris, not across the pond, but Ontario.  It is a lovely and pretty town on the banks of the Grand River. There are fantastic restaurants and shops.  There are many outdoor activities to enjoy in Paris. We had a great lunch a Stillwaters at the short break between restaurants  being open and closed.

Of course no decorator can visit a new town without checking out the stores featuring items for the home. I checked Piper and Oak and found it to have an assortment of high end giftware items especially home fragrance products - great soaps, creams, candles, bath products.  It is worth the drive to Paris and a visit to this well appointed shop. 

Below are a few photos I took -

Welcome to the year 2022

 Hello everyone

It's been a tough 2 years and we don't know if or when we will get back to what we know as normal. We have learned how to live with this pandemic and all it's many challenges.  It hasn't been easy but we motor on.  I haven't written in this blog since before Christmas mainly because I just wasn't in the mood.  I hope everybody had a good holiday, whether it be Christmas,  Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and any other celebration.  At least this year people were able to get together with family and friends.

Last year I cancelled my website and thought I would retire. Well I have had a few previous clients recently contact me recently so I think I haven't retired - just slowing it down. I plan to spend time with my darling grandbabies and after 25+ years away from it, I have picked up my brushes and canvasses and will be doing some art.

Great Home Decor & Furniture at 'Love Your Home'

I found the most wonderful Home furnishings and decor shop in Guelph on Brock Rd.  Love Your Home. I can never resist popping in to these type of places as I am so very addicted to lovely items for the home.  I ventured up to this store just after I had spent an afternoon at the Aberfoyle Antique Market.  Of course I found a couple of items I had wanted and thus made a purchase.  This is a beautiful boutique type store with more than one level of goodies.  It was hard to leave.  I know anyone who is into home decor will want to visit this store.  Not only can you find wonderful furniture and decor items for your home;  there are many items for gift giving.  For sure I will be heading back to this great store. Here are a few photos I took.

                                            

Aberfoyle Antique Market

 I recently spent a lovely Sunday afternoon at the Aberfoyle Antique Market. As we all welcome being able to get out and do things after  being in lockdown.  For anybody who loves and appreciates antiques this is definitely the place to visit.  It is located on Brock Rd just south of Guelph.  It is open Saturdays for special events and Sundays at an admission cost of $5.00.  It is well worth the cost.  There are over 100 venders with fantastic offerings.  I have attached a few photos of some of the stalls.  I was enjoying browsing so much I didn't take many photos so you will just have to go to see everything in person.  It will be open until the end of October unless we have another lockdown.  If you do venture there, plan on having a lovely meal at the Aberfoyle Mill.

Back to Shopping

 Hello summer!!  Once again it's been a little while since I posted here. We moved into our new home and it has taken quite a long time to unpack, organize and purge some more.  I feel fairly settled now with only a few things to deal with - Christmas decor which fills around 15 rough totes.  Clearly I have way to much.  I will be donating it by end of summer.  

Now that we can go inside retailers it provides great inspiration. One store I recently visited was Graham and Brooks in Dundas.  They sell the most interesting and unique furniture and  accessories.  They are a rustic  style that encompasses re-purposed and vintage pieces that is suitable for your home, garden and cottage.  They source locally with inspiration from around the globe.

The people working on inventory were kind enough to let me take photos which is better than me listing everything in the store.

Please enjoy the photos below ( I am not the best photographer but you will like the products they carry) Take time to visit Dundas and definitely visit Graham and Brooks.  Keep them in mind for later in the season as well.  They have some of the most unique Christmas decorations.