Friday, December 18, 2020

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.












Tuesday, October 20, 2020

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




Tuesday, October 13, 2020

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.









  



Tuesday, October 6, 2020

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.








Monday, September 28, 2020

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!



 

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

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

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!

Thursday, November 16, 2017

The All White Zen like Bathroom

I love White when done right.  There must be texture and variety so it is not sterile.  Below are some all white bathrooms from Dering Hall .











Thursday, March 16, 2017

Pantonne Colour of the Year for 2017


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PANTONE 15-0343. A refreshing and revitalizing shade, Greenery is symbolic of new beginnings. Greenery is a fresh and zesty yellow-green shade that evokes the first days of spring when nature's greens revive, restore and renew.


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Welcome to 2017

Hi, I'm back.  It has been a while since I have posted here.  Christmas came and was busy and then winter set in and I don't know where the time has gone but I have not had a chance to write here.
We are now approaching spring and winter has sent us one of it's biggest snowfalls of the season.

This past weekend my husband and I drove to Belleville to pick up a special dog we had selected from a Rescue Organization that takes dogs from puppy mills in Ohio and finds them good homes. We were in love with her immediately.