Designing & Decorating with Grids, Graphics & Geometric Patterns

One of the Elements of Design is Pattern.  After the years of plain, understated and simplistic design looks, we are seeing an abundance of Colour and Pattern.  Adding pattern to our spaces offers a feeling of joy and can be done in bold and bright or subdued and elegant ways.  Pattern is an easy way to make a dramatic or fun statement and add style, sophistication and interest to our interior spaces.  

This spring we are definitely seeing both colour and pattern on the runways and as we know, this in turn leads to home decor.  Patterns, and especially graphic patterns are making a steady comeback in design, from chevrons to stripes which will always be popular and versatile.  Add graphic and geometric to the mix and you will definitely find something that will work in your space.  They can work in modern, traditional and basically any style you like as long as they are done correctly.  We have seen chevron for a couple of years now and it is so popular it will most likely stay around for some time to come.  It has actually always been around in one way or the other for centuries.

If you are not sure about such pattern, why not start small with accessories.  Toss cushions, throws, small decor pieces and small poufs could be a great starting point.  IF you are ready to really add impact, go for wallpaper which is getting stronger each year.  Or, maybe an area rug, drapery or something that will really make a bold statement.  Do not mix too many colours when going for large area coverage, stick to two colours.  It is very important to select the pattern which will work best with your design style, be it traditional or modern.

In looking for some photos to show the different types of patterns mentioned above I checked several great sites and this is some of what I found.

From Fresh home

From Clippings

From Dwell Studio

From Elle Decor

From Decoist we even see this in our outdoor settings

Canadian Decorators Association AGM

As we do every spring, the Canadian Decorators Association held it's annual AGM at Sunnybrook Estates.
Following the AGM, we enjoyed a lovely lunch, networking and then our speaker of the day - Robin Siegerman who spoke on "Renovation Bootcamp" and offered some good ideas for designers and decorators working on large projects.  The day closed with our annual Decorating Contest Awards.
Congratulations to all our talented winners!

It's a Steal..... GTA West Chapter Event

The March GTA West Chapter meeting was hosted by It’s A Steal located at 2530 Speers Road in Oakville.  Kathleen Steele, one of the business partners, provided us with an overview of the business

It's a Steal Furniture Consignment and Decor Finds specializes in high style on a budget. They opened their doors in 2011.  We offer a bright, cheerful, and fun environment with 2800 square feet of previously loved, in great shape, and sparkling clean furniture and home decor items for the discerning consignment buyer. 

It is intended to be a source for the decorating community for lifestyle transitions, staging and replacement pieces.  Items that sell include nightstands, upholstered pieces, buffets (but no hutches) and bedroom furniture.  What doesn’t sell is dining room sets, hutches and headboards.  The agreed-on price is valid for 60 days and is reduced at intervals to 30% and 10%. The listed price cannot be negotiated.  Sales are split 50%-50%.  If an item does not sell, it can be picked up by the owner or sold for charity.  Kathleen noted that charities generally prefer money to goods.  More information and a copy of the agreement can be found on www.itsastealfurniture.com.

Furniture and decor finds are displayed in stylish vignettes created by design partner, Kathleen Steele. We help customers see the look and get the look they want for their home.  

Want to sell something? Great!  Send us a picture of your couch, loveseat, chair, dresser, night stand, dining room suite, kitchenette, settee, lamp, rug, artwork, cushions... the list goes on and on. Our fabulous Design Partner, Kathleen Steele will take a peek at your treasures and be in touch with you. If technology isn't your best buddy, just give us a call and we'll figure something out together. 

It's a Steal Furniture Consignment and Decor Finds is the real deal when buying and selling the consignment way.

Dundas Valley School of Art Annual Auction

For anybody into original art including painting, watercolours, drawing, photography, jewellery sculpture, and pottery this will be one show not to miss.  The Dundas Valley School of Art is hosting it's 43rd Annual Auction and it is a great place to obtain those one-of-a-kind items at great price points.  I have been and seen these works in the past and they are not to be missed!  Check it out yourself.  Details Below.

Dundas Valley School of Art

presents it's 43rd Annual Art Auction, 

Saturday April 13, 2013 at 7 pm.  

Over 1200 original works of art from established and new artists and estate items.

Oils, Pastels, Watercolours, Sculpture, Pottery, Jewellery.

FREE PREVIEWS:

Thursday, April 11 & Friday April 12 - 9 am - 9 pm and

Saturday April 13 from 9 am - 4 pm

Silent Auction bids accepted during these hours.

Admission is $25 in advance and $30 at the door

21 Ogilvie Street, Dundas, Ontario

905·628·6357

National Home Show, Part 2

Well I went, I saw and now I am writing.....  I also took many photos and then made a HUGE  mistake and deleted them somehow.  Hate taking photos with my phone but when I arrived with my trusty camera in hand it turned out that the battery was dead?  Yikes.

So unfortunately all the wonderful booths I visited and photos I took are gone.  I have a few from the Canada Blooms exhibits

 How about this 'Bed of Flowers'

 Not a bad size koy

A beautiful Kitchen Reno

CLASSIC ELEGANCE in the Kingsway

Below is a recent Kitchen reno of mine as well as a short impomptu video

link to my Design Savvy website for more photos

Check out my video which was done without any prep so not quite as polished as I would like but good nonetheless!

GARAGE ORGANIZATION

Garage Organization and Storage is a common conundrum. We all have so many outdoor possessions these days that we end up using the garage as a catch all and the auto never sees the inside of it.  Wouldn't it be great to be able to maneuver through the garage without tripping on stuff and actually park car or two.

If you want to dream a little,  check out a garage 'man cave' designed by Ramsin Khachi at the National Home Show in 2011, built by Summerwood Products and featuring Ryobi products.

How about a suspended game table?

Two  other unique elements include the small indoor putting green and garage doors that are actually windows, too. The flooring choice here is perfect for a space where you will be using tools, making a mess and bringing in winter muck.

How about covering doors with chalkboard paint to serve as a note board and reminders? Inside houses compost and recycling

No man cave should be without a mini fridge and snacks.  Space for storing tires and bikes completes this space by Ransin Khachi

Now most of us will not be creating a man cave in the garage so if you are interested in proper storage and organization check a couple of suppliers below.  There are many more available on the market at a variety of price points so there is no excuse for a messy and unusable garage.  With Spring just around the corner, this is the best time to think about cleaning out this valuable real estate in your home.  You may even get the car(s) in.

California Closets

Canadian Tire

Garage in the Dream Home at the National Home Show with

products from Proslat