Natalie DiScala – Style At Home Blog

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the new kobo touch + you could win one!

by Natalie DiScala
Jun 22, 2011
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If you haven’t made the switch to an e-reader, I urge you to consider it. A book fiend myself, I’ve always treasured my novels and have always surrounded myself with bookcases overflowing with favourite reads and reads yet to come. But when I was introduced to Kobo, things started to change. It was love at first sight and I haven’t looked back. It happened quickly and unexpectedly. I hadn’t planned to end my love affair with actual books – and of course – there are classics and favourites that will always fill my bookcases. But I’m so in love that I’ve had the following exchange with my boyfriend. More than once.

him: If you had to choose between me and your Kobo, what would you choose?
me: {long pause}
him: {long, awkward silence}

The Kobo has revolutionalized reading for me and the new Kobo Touch (indigo.ca, $139) has taken things one step further. Here’s what I love best:

- The infrared touch screen makes using this device so simple to use. It’s intuitive and with just the tap of a finger, you can flip the pages, enlarge the font and zoom in on PDF files.

- It’s smaller, more compact than previous incarnations of the Kobo. The paperback size makes it easily portable. Throw it in your purse and you’ll always have something to read when you’re left waiting at the dentist.

- Kobo uses E-Ink technology to simulate the printed word on a page. It’s easy to read and because the screen isn’t backlit, it doesn’t feel like you’re reading on a computer or other handheld device. The glare-free screen is easy on the eyes and feels like a real book.

- The Kobo Touch holds up to 1,000 books! Not enough? Add a memory card and it can hold up to 32,000 books. So when you finish one book, you don’t need to wait til you get to the bookstore to pick up a new one. You’ll always have a full library right at your fingertips.

I love the feeling of Kobo’s signature quilted back and it’s got WiFi capability too, which means you can order books on the go. I’ve been reading more books more quickly ever since I converted to Kobo. And as a frequent traveler, it’s ideal. No more lugging heavy books around with me. It’s super light and I always have options, depending on what I feel like reading.

must-have accessories
The new Kobo Touch comes in white, black, silver and lilac and there are an array of accessories. Here are my faves:

1 The Verso Clip Light (indigo.ca, $16.99) is perfect when you’re reading in the dark at night. Just clip it onto the top of your Kobo and you needn’t turn your sidetable lamp on. The flexible neck means you can adjust the light as needed to brighten your pages.

2 The Book Style Cover (indigo.ca, $29.95) will not only protect your Kobo Touch but gives it that ‘real book’ feeling that book lovers will appreciate. Elastic bands on the inside will hold your Kobo securely in place and there are also inside pockets. Available in purple, black, navy and natural.

3 Don’t have the Kobo Touch? There are new accessories available for the WiFi Kobo and I love that you can now get the Book Style Cover (indigo.ca, $29.95) for this version. The older Kobo is slightly larger than the new Kobo Touch so be sure to get the right size cover. How fun is the pink?

Want to win one? {Of course you do!} We’ve got four to give away. Enter here. Good luck!

decorating with inexpensive accessories

by Natalie DiScala
Jun 10, 2011
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The paint is barely dry from my bathroom renovation and my eyes have already started to wander to every other room in my home. What else can I make over?

A renovation is a pricey undertaking so now I’m looking for inexpensive ideas – updates that require no more work than ripping the price tag off! My latest finds have added both colour and function to my place. Here’s what I’ve found:

During a lunchtime stroll through Winners yesterday, I stumbled upon a pair of cushions that were just screaming my name. (Thanks to my friend and colleague Helen who spotted them!) At just $39.99 for two, they’re the perfect addition to my monochromatic living room. I’ve been looking for an inexpensive way to add some colour … et voila! What was even more fortuitous is that they are a perfect match for …

… these fabric drawers from the Martha Stewart collection at Home Depot ($6.99 each). The storage bench (Home Depot, $69.99) provides a handy spot in my foyer for me to drop my purse and the drawers are a catch-all for all manner of things. Right now, scarves, hats and gloves have been tucked away til next winter.

bathroom renovation: it’s all in the details

by Natalie DiScala
Jun 10, 2011
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It took just two weeks to transform my bathroom from a tired old space into one that’s fresh, clean and so much more modern. Not bad, eh? While most people will tell you that a renovation of any kind can be an enormous headache, complete with missed deadlines and unforeseen problems, mine, I’m lucky to say, moved along smoothly and quickly. The installation team from Home Depot was amazing and the quality of their work is visible even to the most untrained eye. I’m so thrilled with the results and am excited to start using my new bathroom. Here are some more photos:

If you’ve been following along with my story of this bathroom renovation, then you know that the marble for the shower ledge was the only real hold-up I encountered. But once the custom cut marble arrived and was installed, it was the perfect finishing touch. We installed the ledge because the standard size of new tubs is shorter than my original tub. But it’s a nice feature and provides storage for accessories, shampoo bottles, etc. The 3-inch by 6-inch subway tile from Home Depot is one of the most inexpensive tile options you can find and I love the clean, modern look.

These apothecary accessories (stoneware with silver-plated trim) from Canadian Tire are the perfect match for my bathroom. At $12.99 apiece, they’re also the perfect price!

Accessories like this mirror (HomeSense, $23) and painting (Home Outfitters, $39.99 were inexpensive finds. I opted for a glass vessel sink from Home Depot ($69). The paint colour (Elusive Blue, Olympic Paints) adds a soft, restful and feminine touch to the space.

I chose a simple white shower curtain with grosgrain ribbon detailing from the Gluckstein Home collection (Home Outfitters, $39.99) and the small medicine cabinet (Home Depot, $89) provides hidden and much-needed storage in my small bathroom.

Instead of boring old shower curtain rings, I chose brushed stainless steel rings (Home Outfitters, $22.99) that look like oversized buttons. It’s a small detail that adds some visual interest to the shower curtain. I also opted for a curved shower curtain rod that makes my tub feel three times larger than it is. It’s nice not to have my shower curtain pawing at me when I’m taking a shower and I highly recommend trying one in your bathroom!

Click here to check out the before pictures. What do you think of the transformation?

bathroom renovation: choosing accessories

by Natalie DiScala
Jun 6, 2011
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I finally got the call today: The missing piece of marble for the ledge in my shower is being installed as we speak! It’s only been two weeks since my bathroom renovation began (though it feels longer) and once that final piece is in, the renovation itself will be complete. Which means … I get to start choosing accessories to dress up my space!

To start, I’ve chosen these stoneware accessories with silver-plated trim from Canadian Tire.

Apothecary Tumbler, $12.99, canadiantire.ca

Apothecary soap dish, $12.99, canadiantire.ca

There’s a full line of matching products from this pretty Paris-inspired line, including a waste basket, toothbrush holder and lotion pump. I love the vintage hotel-chic flavour of these pieces and love the price points!”

What do you think? Good start?

bathroom renovation: the vessel sink

by Natalie DiScala
Jun 3, 2011
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Well, I was hoping to have more of an update on the state of my bathroom renovation but alas, the missing piece of marble is holding things up. But, I have made a decision on the sink situation.

Despite advice from readers like you, I opted for the glass vessel sink. And despite the fact that, as many of you pointed out, it’ll be trickier to keep this sink clean (versus the white porcelain option I’d been considering), I like it better and do hereby promise to keep it clean at all times!

I like the simplicity of it and its trueness to the origin of the vessel sink, which dates centuries back to China, when basins like this were used before indoor plumbing. This 16-inch vessel sink from Home Depot was just $69 and fits perfectly on the vanity in my small space. I can’t wait to show you all the final photos but it all depends on the custom cut piece of marble that’s needed for the shower ledge.

Until the marble arrives, I’m going to busy myself with shopping for the decorative accents!

bathroom renovation: day five

by Natalie DiScala
May 31, 2011
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As one would expect of any renovation, there are sure to be hiccups along the way. My bathroom renovation is no different, but thankfully, the issues have been small and easy to fix. Today’s hold-up: The vessel sink.

When I selected the vanity for my bathroom, I didn’t realize that it had a pre-cut hole in the middle to accommodate a particular kind of sink. Aaaand – the sink that I chose doesn’t fit. Fortunately, Tony (the project manager overseeing my renovation) is a star and he went to Home Depot for me and snapped a photo of a suitable replacement. It’s an entirely different look but I like this sink, too! Number one is the sink I’d originally selected – square vessel lavatory; number two is the replacement – round clear glass vessel sink. What do you think?

bathroom renovation: day four

by Natalie DiScala
May 30, 2011
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When I stopped by my condo to check on the progress of my bathroom renovation on Friday, I was very pleasantly surprised! Things are moving quickly and the work should be done soon. Unfortunately, the marble for the ledge in the shower is still a big ol’ question mark. I haven’t heard an update yet as to when they’ll be able to find the piece they need. I hope it’s not two weeks as I was originally told. I can’t go two weeks without a working shower!

So, here’s how things are looking:

The ledge has been tiled and looks great! Now, just to find that piece of marble for the top. I wondered why we couldn’t just continue the subway tile along the top but once it was explained to me, it made perfect sense. If you tile and grout the top and water sits on that ledge, it will eat away at the grout. So a solid piece of marble to match the floor is a much better solution. Ah! Makes perfect sense.

At this point in the renovation, this is the picture that thrills me most! Here you can see the new tub, tile and polished marble flooring, all from Home Depot. My old bathroom had tile baseboards (ew!) but the new baseboards and painted walls look fantastic. Out of hundreds of paint colours to choose from, I settled on Elusive Blue (D51-1) from Olympic Paints and I’m thrilled with the results. It looks a bit bluer here than it does in person. It’s actually a bit lighter and really picks up on the grey in the floor tile.

Today, the toilet, vanity, medicine cabinet and mirror should be going into place. I’ll provide an update tomorrow!

bathroom renovation: day three

by Natalie DiScala
May 27, 2011
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The shower enclosure is tiled! And the ledge is in place, too! Here’s what the bathroom looks like today:

Love the subway tile! I chose the 3-inch by 6-inch subway tile from Home Depot. Love how it looks now that it’s in place.

And here’s the ledge. The guys pushed the wall back to its original place and created this ledge, which will be a handy spot to, you know, put stuff. But … (isn’t there always a but?) … they don’t have the right size of marble to put across the top of the ledge. I was told that it might take two weeks to special order the piece that they need – yikes! I won’t be able to use the shower until the marble across the top is put in place, so I’m hoping that they can come up with a solution. Soon. Tony, the project manager says not to sweat it so I’m not going to! Stay tuned …

farewell to our dear lauren

by Natalie DiScala
May 26, 2011
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It was a sad day at the Style at Home office. Today we bid adieu to Lauren McPhillips — our web editor, social media whiz, passionate blogger, style maven and good friend. She’s off to explore new opportunities and while we couldn’t be more excited for her as she embarks on this new journey, we’re so sad to see her go.

Our farewell party for Lauren included these bite-sized treats from Eat My Words. A special thanks to Sacha for making these with such care. They’re as beautiful as they are delicious!

For those of you who have worked with Lauren, emailed her or read her blog, please join us in wishing her all the best in her new adventure. A fond farewell from all of us at Style at Home!

bathroom renovation: day two

by Natalie DiScala
May 26, 2011
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So, things are trucking along on my bathroom renovation. Here’s a look at how things are going:

bathroom renovation day2 2 bathroom renovation: day two
The mess in my condo has multiplied by, oh, I don’t know … three? Understandably. There’s a lot of stuff that needs to go in the bathroom and not a lot of space. But again, these guys are as neat as they can be and considerate. I can tell that they’ve been taking good care not to damage my floor, especially.

One of the guys from the Home Depot installation crew. So far, so good!

We’ve only run into one small issue. While researching everything I needed for this bathroom renovation, I learned that standard tubs are now smaller than tubs from 20 years ago. My original tub was 64″ while the newer tubs are only 60″. (You can order a custom tub if you really want.) To make up for that difference in space, we decided to create a tiled ledge, which would not only solve the problem but give me some space for shampoo bottles and the like. When I got back to my condo yesterday, I saw that instead of a ledge, the guys had built out the wall. Looks fine but since this is already a small space, why make it even smaller? I talked to Tony, the project manager, and he says it’s not a problem to put the ledge in as originally discussed. Pictured above is how it looks with the wall that was built to meet the tub. We’ll see shortly what it looks like with the ledge. I think the ledge is a better solution. Do you agree?