Design & Decor Blog

I love my condo. I really do. When I first moved in, I spent so much time choosing the paint colours, furniture and accessories. The result is a warm and cozy space that I just love to spend time in. But … as the editor of a design and decorating website, I’m continually surrounded by new and exciting ideas. My mind is always whirling with just one more change I could make to my home, a tweak here, a new item there … it’s a hazard of the job, I suppose! Pictured above are rooms that totally capture my imagination. It’s a hot and sticky August here in Toronto and these interiors are light and bright and if I could, I’d makeover my home to look like these! (Photography by Gap Interiors.)

Do you have a room in your home that’s in desperate need of a makeover? If you said yes, then I encourage you to enter the Style at Home Makeover Contest, brought to you by the Fall Home Show. Simply upload a photo of a room in your home that’s in desperate need of an overhaul and tell us why you need a makeover. You could win one of two $2,000 gift cards from Home Depot to help you turn your design dreams into reality. Visit the Style at Home Makeover Contest for full contest details and for your chance to win. Good luck!

When I was a little girl, I sometimes dreamed of being a seamstress so that I’d be able to sew my own fabulous clothes. Poofy skirts, flowing dresses, satin sashes … I dreamed of having the most exquisite wardrobe. I’ve always loved beautiful fabrics. I love the look, the touch of soft silks, the way something as simple as a fine-looking fabric can make you smile. These days, my love of fabric has extended from fashion to decor. Upholstering furniture in a fabric hand-picked by you is such an easy way to personalize your home, to choose something that makes you happy and reflects your taste, your style and your personality. The options at calicocorners.com are swoon-worthy. Check ‘em out!
P.S. For more great decorating and design inspiration, follow me on Twitter!

I can’t help it – I am SO loving Anthropologie’s stuff right now and in anticipation of the opening of the retailer’s first-ever Canadian location, I’m checking out their wares online. Here’s what’s drool-worthy today.

Seed packet pillow, cyclamen
$124.46

Pendulous canopy curtain
$162.56 to $213.37

Visit anthropologie.com to find your own things to drool over.

P.S. Follow me on Twitter!

OK, we all know that custom-made drapery is preferable to ready-made. But let’s face it; sometimes there just isn’t the time and money to invest in the process. And if this is the case, you needn’t worry about leaving your windows (gasp!) naked, for all your neighbours to spy on your every move. Nor do you need to spend a small fortune to outfit them in stylish, pretty fabrics. Many stores now offer a wide variety of window coverings that are available at more than reasonable prices. Drapery options have come a long way and I love that there’s so much to choose from. I love these incredibly inexpensive options from Linens ‘N Things. The Bellingham Window Curtains (pictured left) are modern, featuring a contemporary stripe pattern and cost between $49.99 and $59.99. And they’re machine washable. I like that! The Moda Contempo panels (pictured right, $59.99) feature European blind-stitched hems, are dry-clean only and come in five elegant neutrals. Freshening up a room just got a whole lot easier with these inexpensive options.

For more, check out these stories:
How to: Clean window coverings
8 trends in window coverings
How to: Choose drapery