Design & Decor Blog

I have always found it difficult to find artwork that I want to hang on my walls. Unless a piece really speaks to me, I don’t see the point of hanging it. I think art should really move you in some way; it should elicit a response that’s totally real and completely personal. The last pieces I hung on my wall were photographs that I  found at the One of a Kind Show in Toronto of Mediterranean destinations I dream of visiting.

I recently discovered keepcalmandcarryon.com and it reminded me of this poster, pictured above, that I love. Originally printed by the British government in 1939 as a motivational message for the British people in the event of an invasion by Nazi Germany, the simple message still resonates today, 70 years later.  Despite the fact that two and a half million copies of the poster were printed, none were actually used. The poster was rediscovered in a second-hand bookshop in Northumberland in 2000 and the message has been revived. It’s simple and relevant, no matter what life throws your way.

I love this particular design, with the message on top of a distressed, vintage-style Union Jack. But whatever your tastes, keepcalmandcarryon.com offers the poster in a variety of colours, including a reproduction of the original red background that the poster was designed with. On the website, you’ll find postcards and greeting cards, bags and t-shirts, all sporting the historic slogan. Visit keepcalmandcarryon.com for more information.

There’s something about truly original, one-of-a-kind items that really make you feel good about your home. And that’s why I love etsy.com. Without fail, I’m amazed at the beautiful things people are making and selling (all at can’t beat ‘em prices) online. I regularly do a little window shopping here, checking out what’s new and cool and totally unique. Here are today’s favourites:

Honeycomb modern wall clock
Price: $49

Felted wool acorns (set of 6)
Price: $13

Scroll damask (18 graphics)
Price: $40

Decorating inspiration can be found anywhere and everywhere. Maybe the colour of a leaf catches your eye on the street. Maybe you’re inspired by the colour of a new sweater. Or perhaps the set of a movie totally captures your imagination. At Style at Home, we’ve found that our readers love movie sets and often draw inspiration from the details of some of their favourite films. We’ve also discovered that the movie Something’s Gotta Give has really made an impression! The breathtaking Hampton’s home that belongs to Diane Keaton’s character is full of beachy style, made oh-so-inviting through attention to detail, particularly the airy colour palettes throughout and the no-muss, no-fuss approach to decorating. Pictured above is the serene kitchen, whitewashed and wonderful, exuding a sense of both form and function. We picked some other movie sets we love and have provided some tips to help you bring the look home – check them out here! So, what movie set has made you swoon. Leave a comment — I want to know!

One of the things I love about my job is that I’m continually discovering people with indescribably clever talent. Design is such an art and all over the world, people are expressing themselves through various forms of this diverse art. From interior designers to furniture designers, there’s so much inspiration to help turn a simple house into a truly beautiful home. And then there are those artists who, in short, make the world a more beautiful place with their innovative creativity.

Zoe Bradley is a sculptural artist whose work combines sculpture, fashion and theatre. Her trademark is spectacular silhouettes and she’s designed pieces that have graced fashion runways and have appeared in window displays for some of the largest retailers and designers in the world, including Donna Karan, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Missoni. According to her website, Zoe “employs traditional tailoring techniques, but offers a twist from using the more conventional materials of fashion fabrics to her signature material luxury papers.”

The pieces are hard to describe – you have to see them for yourself. But the result of her ingenuity and talent is nothing short of breathtaking. Her creations are extraordinary and you can browse online for unique pieces of wall art. There’s a gorgeous floral canvas and a truly special chandelier as well as pretty decorations for weddings or other events. To order, fill out the enquiry form on the site and someone will be in touch with you. Check out some of the products below and visit zoebradley.com for more information.

Times are tough these days and if you can’t afford to take a luxury trip to New York, San Francisco or Tokyo, then bring the big city home to you. Teo Jasmin is an interior design company based in Paris and they specialize in digital printings on canvas, cushions and furniture and can transform beautiful photos into unique decor items for your home. Their lovely products are inspiring, if nothing else. You can’t order from Canada but perhaps the idea will inspire your own one-of-a-kind creations. For more great decorating and design inspiration, follow me on Twitter!

It certainly doesn’t feel like we’re heading into June. It’s c-c-cold in Toronto today. But despite the weather, June is indeed around the corner and you know what that means: Wedding season is upon us. Whether you’re planning your own big day or are helping someone who is, you know that weddings can be enormously expensive. Even a small, intimate wedding seems to see costs racking up at every turn. If you’re looking to cut some costs without sacrificing the style and beauty of your big day, consider this. Stampin’ Up! is an online resource that can help you personalize everything from invitations to menus, place cards and bonbonnieres. They offer gorgeous stamps and card stock and you can order personalized items at stampinup.com. Discover your inner artista and save some money at the same time. Handmade items are not only so much more personal (your guests will love them!) but this also ensures that everything is truly unique and one-of-a-kind – just like you! So invite friends and family over and make a weekend of it. Check out some of the things you can make below. For more information and to order, visit stampinup.com. And for more great decorating and design inspiration, follow me on Twitter!

I’ve just recently discovered the Museums of Canada website and love the array of products available for purchase online. But first, here’s what the Canadian Museums Association is all about:

The Canadian Museums Association is the national organization for the advancement of the Canadian museum sector. Established in 1947, the CMA has over 2000 members, who include non-profit museums, art galleries, science centres, aquaria, archives, sports halls of fame, artist-run centres, zoos and historic sites across Canada. They range from large metropolitan galleries to small community museums. All are dedicated to preserving and presenting our cultural heritage to the public. These institutions hold our collective heritage in trust for the Canadian public. Millions of art works, objects, specimens and documents are preserved for safekeeping by Canada’s museums. Each year, more than 55 million visitors attend our museums and a further 60 million visit our historic and natural parks.

Great, right? Well, things just get better when you check out some of the beautiful handmade items that are available for purchase on the Museums of Canada site. I’m particularly drawn to the work of Nova Scotia artist Pamela Kinsman, whose intricate and detailed work with glass turns everyday objects into true pieces of art. Pictured left is the Signature Art Glass Vase ($44.99) and I just adore the whimsy of this design. Pictured right is the Signature Tea Mug ($19.99), another exquisite piece with fine gold detailing that gives this mug something really special.

For more, check out: museumsofcanada.com