HOW WE WILL LIVE IN OUR HOMES IN 2021

It has been quite the year with the pandemic.  We have been in and out of lockdown and at other times in small 'bubbles'.  Children are receiving their education virtually and with parents stepping in a lot of the time.  Adults have in a lot of cases been working from home.  Very different from past years where employers were a little less on board having employees work from home.  In some cases it is not practical but in many it is.  People have been getting used to it and find it less stressful not travelling and fighting traffic etc.   On the other hand when day cares and schools were closed it made working from home a little difficult with having the children with us.   Many of us miss the socialization that comes from working with other people as well.  It does appear that in the near future we will continue to work from home.

In looking at this model of working we have to adjust our homes to offer designated space for children and adults while attending school virtually and attending to requirements of our own work.

We have seen a vast amount of homes being opened up as people wanted the open plan in order to have what seemed to be more space and also so we could be with our family and friends.  It seemed nice to be part of the group while entertaining rather than stuck in the kitchen and those with younger children could keep a watch on them with the open plan.

We are now re-thinking the open plan and how divided spaces could work much better now.  We have to carve out spaces within the homes we are living in so that they will work with this new lifestyle.  You can create a designated work area where it can be quiet in any room in your home.  People are asking builders or designers for designated offices and dens to work from.  Children will need to have their own quiet spaces to do their school work.  It is important to look at how comfortable the space will be, for example lighting, temperature.  Light is very important to our sense of wellbeing, however there must be a way to cut down on glare.  Windows really make the space much more pleasant to work in rather than no windows.  Good air quality is important since people working from home could be in their office all day

We have also had to live with gyms being closed and if we consider working out a priority we can designate a spare room or space in the basement to create a fitness area to work out.

Another change is "dining".  We are not going to restaurants these days so we are spending way more time preparing and cooking in our kitchens and.  Addressing any aspect that makes this difficult may be corrected by a simple adjustment.  It is important to have a designated dining area where there are no school books or audit sheets.  

I think all in all we are using our homes better than in past years.  This is the time to look at any improvements you would like to make if you have the time and money. We are spending so much time inside we notice more that should be updated.  

Looking ahead and listening to updates on this horrible virus I feel we may continue to be more or less homebound  so lets make the best of it.  Vaccines are on the way.  Stay well and stay safe. 

2021 TRENDS

Every Magazine you look at has a section describing the 2021 Trends and Colours. Most are fairly consistent in that they all offer most of the same information. Then we wonder at the meaning of "Trends".  Are they the same as "Fads"?  No they are not.  A trend is a general direction in which something develops or changes. Trends do not disappear quickly.  They remain popular over a long period of time. A fad is something that  is very popular for a short period of time.

So here are a few trends to watch for in home decor in 2021 -

Fine Line Art which is a continuous line forming a face, body or basically anything.  This works well with minimalist decorating and looks quite contemporary.  It can be found on any decor piece.  This style has been seen last year and actually comes from the famous artists like Picasso.  I have seen it done in a wallpaper covering a small space and it looks amazing.

Geometric shapes have always been around but this year they are are on the rise in all areas of the home.

Rattan and Wicker are still around and gaining more popularity.  They can blend with any decor you have and can lend a relaxed feel to your space. They are being seen in rugs, chairs, lamps and of course baskets.

Curves are becoming more popular as they evoke a softness. 

Light Wood is very popular after the years of dark expresso.  They go with everything and one of the major pluses is that you do not see dust and scratches as you do in a dark wood. 

Mid Century Modern is usually  bold colours with minimual styling.  This is actually not a trend as it has been around for a long time and remains so.

Japandi which is a merge of Japanese and Scandinavian.  It focuses on natural materials, textures, neutrals and pastels.  It uses light woods, organic materials and plants.

These are just a few of the trends you will see in 2021.  You don't have to re-do your home to keep up with one of these looks, perhaps just add a little of whichever style you are leaning towards.  You will have an interesting space.

The Colour of the Year 2021 as determined by the Colour Marketing Group

Each year we are informed of what the colour of the year will be by the Colour Marketing Group.  This year there are two  Pantonne Colours  -Ultimate Gray and Illuminating a bright yellow 

A not-for-profit, international association of color design professionals, Color Marketing Group ® is a forum for the exchange of all things color. Members represent a broad spectrum of designers, marketers, color scientists, consultants, educators, and artists.

It is said that the Pantonne Colours of 2021 are a marriage of color conveying a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting.  A dynamic duo. Perfect for this coming year. They are two independent colors that highlight how different elements come together to support one another,

The Holidays Came and went....

 My last post was a little late but I am back. We ended up staying in a hotel for 3 months because it was difficult to find a new home unless you joined into bidding wars which we didn't. We finally found it without a bidding war and closed in 2 weeks. We just moved into a the new house and a new town.  It has been quite an experience since we have lived in our previous home for 25 years.  You can really collect a lot in that time.  I did some major purging but it just wasn't enough.  Our new home is smaller and our plan was to symplify things.  We will get there eventually.  I have been unpacking and there will be many more items that I say goodbye to.  I don't need so much around me.  We are now in the middle of January with no snow to speak of.  The good part of being locked down due to COVID is that I can't go out to stores shopping.  I love looking and checking out the newest items in the stores even though I will have to be careful not to buy more.  At least not until I manage to purge more.

The best part of January is that we welcomed a beautiful granddaughter into the family.  She was born 1 day before her brother's birthday.  There will be great celebrations in the future. 

That's it for now 

HOLIDAY TIME- IT COULD BE HANUKAH, KWANZA, CHRISTMAS OR ANY OTHER CELEBRATION

 It's that time of year when we start to think of the upcoming holidays. There are many different cultures in Canada and each has their own celebrations.  That may be Kwanza, Hanukah, or Christmas which is the most celebrated religious holiday in this country.  We haven't even finished Halloween  yet everywhere you see signs of upcoming Christmas.  I don't mind because I love Christmas.  We have had such a terrible time this year that seeing all the Christmas decor cheers people up or so it has been mentioned by psychiatrists.  We all need some cheer. Its something to look forward to.  This year will definitely be different from how we have celebrated in the past but we can still enjoy it. The most important thing is to be safe and healthy.  We have all learned how to communicate with friends and family using social platforms like zoom, facetime and various other programs.  I will be checking out more decor ideas and posting here.

I am so looking forward to Christmas this year as many of us are that I am starting this post in October.  Went for a drive to Springridge Farm in Milton.  It's a regular stop for us around Thanksgiving as well as when it is getting to the Christmas season.  They have the most beautiful decor items for your home and for gift giving, everything from items for children right to all the adults on your list.  The wonderful preserves are some of the best I have tasted.  If you like beautiful things and especially Christmas items this is a definite stop for you.

I am very sure I will be visiting many more retailers to check out their holiday offerings  but until then here are a few pictures of what you will find at Springridge Farm.

MORE BROWSING FOR HOME DECOR

As a continuation of my trips to retail stores that specialize in furniture and home decor I dropped into Structube for a little look and found many great items.  It will not disappoint. Below are a few looks you might like.  Gray is still popular but there is a lot of cognac hues throughout.

                                              Benches are very popular for a casual look

STILL CHECKING OUT HOME FURNISHINGS AND DECOR STORES

Well I have to share some of the fantastic items at Kitchen Stuff Plus (KSP) which a lot of people know about.  They have a wide array of kitchen/dining products from everyday to party.  They also have bath products and so many little gadgets you will go crazy wandering through this great store.  I am attaching some photos below of the kitchen/dining products in this post. I will share the other products in a future post. They carry high end end pieces like Staub Cookware, Henckels &  Zwilling Knives at great price points. You can even purchase dining tables and chairs, a lovely bar with storage and all the linens you would need. I could go on about the many fabulous products but you really should take some time to visit this store at one of their many locations.

  

CHECKING OUT THE STORES AT RIOCAN PLAZA ON BURLOAK

 Well now that I am a little settled in our temporary home I have some stores to visit to see the fall goodies.  I will need to show some self control considering the huge amount of  'stuff' we had loaded into the moving truck.  It never hurts to just look.  I am also returning to the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital as a volunteer in the Gift Shop this week.  It will take a lot of self control not to spend there as they have the absolutely most amazing merchandise. 

Well back to a little 'browsing', this time at Urban Barn.  Love this store.  They always have the most up to date products and great value for your money. I have a few photos of some of their merchandise and I know you will love it.  As we enter fall and soon winter we think cozy and they definitely have cozy.  One of the dominant colours was cognac which does give a feeling of cooler weather coming and the need to be cozy.  Its a nice warm colour. We also see a lot of grey which has been around for years but we love it as a warm neutral. Urban Barn  has such a vast array of unique decor items you want them all.

Starting a new chapter!!

Well Its been a couple of years since my last post.  I had a lot going on during that time.  I simplified my business, had a total shoulder replacement, became a volunteer at our local hospital, sold my home, learned to live safely during this pandemic and became a gramma!!

Now that we are embarking on our 3rd chapter I have decided to resurrect my blog and incorporate parts of my former website which no longer exists.

I don't get out too much to events and showrooms, obviously, however I am keeping up via social media, magazines and home design shows on TV.  I had to do something to fill the gap during this time. Having sold my home we are currently looking for a new place in a new town. We are living in a hotel at present. When I find it I will share here.

This move was horrendous being that we had been in this house for 25 years.  One surely does accumulate a lot of stuff.  We donated to donation centres, rented a large bin for the driveway to dispose of stuff, went to the dump, sold some things and still required 5 men and a 53' moving van. We had Bronte Movers do our move and they are amazing and so organized.  The 5 men they sent to our home were the best I have ever dealt with and back in my early days we moved a lot so I know good movers. When our belongings were on the truck ready for storage I realized I would have to get rid of more when we finally move into our new home and start unpacking.  I will be donating much more!

Bye for now.  Will return soon!

 

Transitional Design

I planned on writing an article on this topic, however when I came across this by Steven Sabados I knew he had nailed it  so here it is.......

Not too fussy, not too stark: Steven Sabados breaks down the hard-to-define transitional design

How to build a balanced room that looks and feels just right

CBC Life · March 6

Transitional design has been described many ways: updated classic, contemporary decor, modern classic, modern traditional... many people have been trying to define it, but transitional seems to be the name that has stuck! Transitional most often describes the room as a whole. At the core of this style is the balance of modern and traditional design. The real appeal is the style's ability to have the best of both worlds – it's not too fussy, but not too stark or cold. Furniture pieces in varying applications can take on totally different looks, so this style is all about how they come together to create a harmonious and balanced space. Here is what Steven Sabados says to keep in mind to achieve the look.

Simple profiles

Transitional blends the comfort and coziness of traditional design with the clean lines and profiles of the contemporary look. The fastest and easiest way to begin to achieve a transitional look is with your furniture, providing you with a harmonious space that meets somewhere in the middle of traditional and modern.

For sofas, such as the one above, anything with a traditional line should not be ornate. This one has a relatively low profile and more contemporary nailhead detail. The gentle curves need to be balanced with something more rigid within the space, but in general, opt for a sofa with narrow and sleek arms so that you can get that nod to traditional design while still saving on space.

These low profile chairs are simple but not cold or uncomfortable in their design. Their rigid lines help balance out the softness of the sofa. The elongated legs make the chairs feel elegant and modern, and the print adds visual interest without adding a lot of distracting colour to the space.

It is always a great idea to round out the room with something right in the middle of the style spectrum. This chair has a timeless profile – it looks simple and sophisticated, but is still modern thanks to the vertical tufting, where tufted panels replace traditional button tufting for a sleeker finish.

Strike a balance with texture and finish

Any finish with a tactile appeal fits into transitional decor; think leather, chenille, linen, woven, wood, glass, chrome gold, and so much more. The challenge is not to go overboard or you'll lose the sleek elegance that at the core of transitional style.

Mix metals but keep your accents minimal, like the coffee table and end table that are simply styled. The interest comes from the finishes, not in the volume of accessories. The table has sharp contemporary lines, but still looks traditional because of its brushed brass finish. Its hidden base creates the illusion it's floating, adding another contemporary touch. This choice is balanced out with a stunning antique mirror at the bottom.

This lamp is another example of the perfect transitional piece – the column is traditional, but the solid glass column gives the lamp a contemporary edge making for a truly balanced piece.

A transitional palette

Warm neutrals tend to rule this look but are not the only way to go. The safer and most popular choice is always cream, tan, khaki, warm grey, and chocolate brown. But to push it a bit further, look to heritage or naturally occurring colours, such as forest greens, terracottas, or in our case, ocean blues. Choose clean and simple art; a tidy frame, large matting and fairly simple artwork will pull the room together nicely.

Overall impression

Above all else, a transitional space should feel comfortable and restful. All accessories are artfully placed, without going overboard. It's best to take a Goldilocks approach – the room shouldn't feel overdone, or minimal and cold, but just right!