Speaking of Hollywood Regency… Here’s another dose of decadence courtesy of the Camilla House Imports booth at the CGTA this week. Their vignette totally emphasizes the elements of glitz and glamour that are key to Hollywood Regency — lacquered furnishings, luxurious velvets, and lots of crystals. So pretty!
Camilla House Imports, 800-661-0257; Mississauga, Ont., 905-564-5433
I think deep down, everyone’s got a soft-spot for Hollywood Regency — think girlie and glamorous mirrored vanities — and the style continues to be a strong seller according to my peeps in retail. But I’m always on the lookout for what’s next, and that’s why I was so pumped to find this beauty at the CGTA this week. I like to think of it as a new direction for mirrored furniture, despite not being mirrored at all. This chest is in brushed metal, accented with leather strapping, for a look that’s refreshingly masculine — a “boy-friendly” answer to the over-the-top femininity of Hollywood glam. It reminds me of a rugged suitcase that’s been around the world a couple of times, but maintains a refined air.Â
Contact for retailers near you: Camilla House Imports, 800-661-0257; Mississauga, Ont., 905-564-5433
When it opened in September 2008, the Park Hyatt Shanghai officially became the highest hotel in the world. The elevator ride up to the lobby is long and full of anticipation. But as the elevator doors finally ease open to reveal the stunning 87th-floor lobby, the view does not disappoint. The dark mahogany wood of the reception area against pale coffee-coloured walls is rich and luxurious. The exceptionally high ceilings (unexpected in a high-rise building) give instant grandeur to the space and create an immediate sense of extravagant style.
Designed by New York–based Chinese-American interior designer Tony Chi, the rooms at the Park Hyatt Shanghai are nothing short of sophisticated. With high-tech features (remote controlled shades that, at the click of button, reveal a sweeping view of Shanghai, a television screen hidden in the bathroom mirror and a toilet that does everything but your laundry) and an otherwise minimalist decor, the rooms are a perfect mixture of modern American design and traditional Chinese Zen.
We checked in with Caitlin Hickey, a public relations representative for the hotel, to find out more about the inspiration behind the hotel`s beautiful design. Click here to read the interview.
Scale is everything. It can transform frumpy into fabulous, and vintage into cutting-edge vogue. I love what artist Alanna Cavanagh has done with these timeworn retro Penguin Books covers. By blowing them up to enormous proportions — these measure 43 x 32″! — they’re suddenly au courant art for the home. And how cute would “A Room Of One’s Own” be in a bedroom? I love the coffee cup-stain too — pure class!
Alanna Cavanagh limited edition 43-by-32-inch silkscreen prints
Price: $1,400 each (framed)
Available at: Canvas Gallery, Toronto, 416-532-5275
Sorry I haven’t posted in anything even approaching a timely fashion this week, but I’ve been felled by a super-cold that’s just been lingering on and on. Feeling somewhat better today, though, so fingers crossed the cold is finally on its way out!
I still remember clearly the day in the summer of 2003 when the power when out in the Northeast. We were all sitting around a table in our art department here at the magazine editorial offices and everything shut down and went totally quiet, At first we figured it was just a blip, but it soon became clear it wasn’t.
If only we, and I, had had one of these babies back then to find out what was going on. The FR500 Solarlink from Etón is a feature-packed self- and solar-powered AM, FM and shortwave radio that also has an LED light (including a red LED light for emergencies, along with a siren). It also has cell phone charger (a card is included with the radio; just fill it out with info on what cell phone you have and mail it in and you’ll get the cell phone tip you need!). What more could you ask for in the case of a blackout?
Available at: The Source, Canadian Tire
Price: $80
You still have a chance to win one of the last two kits. All you have to do is be a subscriber to my blog. If you’re not a subscriber already, sign up to have the Natural Chic blog delivered directly to your e-mail inbox for a chance to win. To do so, just click this icon: 
I`ll pick one more winner a week for the next two weeks. Good luck!
Do you have a product you’d like to recommend for this blog? Email me at naturalchic@styleathome.com!
He’ll tell you what you need, what you really, really need!
(Yes, I’m still haunted by the Spice Girls.)
Karl Lohnes, our very own Contributing Style Editor, will present “What You Really Need: Decorating for 2009″ at the College Park location of DeBoer’s on Saturday, February 7. If you’ve never had the chance to see Karl live, I strongly suggest you RSVP online right away because space is limited. With his wealth of experience — and armed with a razor-sharp wit — Karl’s presentations are always a huge hit at trade shows, and in the intimate setting of DeBoer’s gorgeous College Park showroom (an inspiration in itself), this is not to be missed. Karl’s gonna dish on decorating trends for the upcoming year, suggest the new must-have accessories, furniture and paint colours, and he may even hold the solution to your design dilemma… Oh, and it’s FREE.
See you there!
What You Really Need: Decorating for 2009
Saturday, February 7, 11:00AM – 12:00NOON
DeBoer’s College Park, 444 Yonge St., Toronto
RSVP online at events@deboers.com or 800-265-2637
The CGTA comes to town this Sunday, but they’ve already doled out the gold! The Canadian Gift and Tableware Association’s prize for 2008 Canadian Retailer of the Year goes to… Acheson’s Fashion Gifts & Home Decor! If you’ve ever been to Orangeville, Ontario, you’ve surely stopped in at this 5,000 square foot decor destination. They popped onto my radar a few years back when I was on the hunt for a black Christmas tree (quite controversial at the time, as it was the first year for that as a trend! And yes, they had them in stock!), but as you can see from the store shot above, they’ve got some great vignettes throughout the store, and have really earned this distinction. Congrats! Definitely a store to pencil it in for a summer daytrip!
I’m off to browse the 1,100 exhibitors the CGTA myself on Monday… Gotta find some comfy shoes…
Acheson’s, Orangeville, Ont., 519-940-4719; Harriston, Ont., 519-338-3230
Do you ever watch movies from the 80′s and think, “Oh wow, that boxy computer is so ridiculous looking”? When I notice these blasts from the past, I often sit and think about how much technology has evolved over the past few decades. Proof of this lies in tomorrow’s big date: January 24th, 2009 marks the 25th anniversary of the Macintosh 128k, Apple’s original Mac.
This milestone makes me adore Apple even more — the pace at which they have developed a technological empire is astounding. Only 25 years and they have since dominated the market with their Macbooks, iMacs, iPods, and most recently, the iPhone. Amazing. All hail the king of the technology orchard.
Have a neat gadget you’d like me to feature? Shoot me an e-mail at
techstyle@styleathome.com
Louise Campbell of Vancouver-based online site Lavish & Lime let me know about the great sale they’re having until Jan. 31 on this fabulous mohair/wool/acrylic blend throw.
I love the way the robin’s egg blue of the mohair blend throw is accented by the frivolity of the incredibly generous recycled yarn fringe in a multitude of colours. It just makes me smile!
The throw is 70″ x 53″, dry clean only and also comes in White Snow, Dark Grey and Deep Chocolate Brown.
Check out the other products Lavish & Lime has on offer, too; the site focuses on Canadian-made and eco-friendly products and has lots of lovely items.
Available at: www.lavishandlime.com or call 877-216-5463
Price: $112 (regularly $160)
Do you have a something you’d love to recommend for this blog? Just drop me an email at naturalchic@styleathome.com!
The first winner of a Go Green Works Starter Kit, including the following products, is Steven Miscione of Dundas, Ont.! (To see the original post announcing the contest, click here.)
You still have a chance to win one of the remaining three kits. All you have to do is be a subscriber to my blog. If you’re not a subscriber already, sign up to have the Natural Chic blog delivered directly to your e-mail inbox for a chance to win. To do so, just click this icon:
I`ll pick one more winner a week for the next three weeks. Good luck!
Do you have a product you’d like to recommend for this blog? Email me at naturalchic@styleathome.com!
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