Design & Decor Blog

An instant makeover doesn’t have to cost a bundle of money or consume hours of your time. Stampin’ Up has added new products to their Decor Elements collection and I just love their wall decals. These removable applications (like the one pictured above) are easy to use and are available in 140 different styles, just to suit your own personal taste. If you’re a bit of a commitment-phobe, this is the perfect way to test a look out at home without being stuck with it for years. When you’re ready to change things up again, simply remove the applications or replace them with new ones. Best of all, these applications aren’t just for walls. Get creative and try them on any hard surface like mirrors, cupboards, lampshades or picture frames. Pictured above is the Manhattan Flowers design from the Fall 2009 collection, which is fresh and exciting without being too over-the-top. Instant style! For more information, visit stampinup.com.

Well everyone, the deadline for submitting entries for the Style at Home Makeover Contest 2009 is drawing near so I invite you to submit your entries before it’s too late! Brought to you by the Fall Home Show, the contest is a great opportunity to win gift cards from Home Depot that can help you turn your decorating dreams into reality. Visit the Style at Home Makeover Contest for full details. Deadline for entries: September 24, 2009. Good luck!

Above is a photo of a bedroom from the West Elm website. Love it! This is the kind of look I’d aim for in my bedroom if I were in makeover mode. Alas, I can’t win the contest; better luck to you!

September is a deliciously in-between time of year. It’s kind of warm, it’s kind of cool. You could just as easily get away with wearing a summer dress with a cardigan or your favourite pair of jeans with a t-shirt. Depending on the day, you may find yourself entertaining guests indoors or enjoying one of the year’s final al fresco meals. You just never know in September. Each day is like a little surprise. As we welcome the month, full of optimism and resolutions (there’s something about the back-to-school season that really feels like a new year, even more so than January 1, don’t you think?), check out our list of 10 things to do in September. What are you going to tackle? Me, I’m going to cut that clutter!
Image courtesy of Gap Interiors.

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!

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!

Which sofa style do you like best? Click here to vote!

Plus, follow the style at home team on Twitter! Here’s a run-down of who’s tweeting about what!

Tomorrow is Canada Day and I’m sure Canadians across the country are counting down the hours until it’s time for that delightful summer holiday to begin! If only the rain would let up where I live, tomorrow will be the perfect day for hanging out in the sun, enjoying some delicious summer fare (fresh fruits and veggies and barbecue, of course!) and resting and relaxing with friends and family. The picture above perfectly illustrates where I’d like to be tomorrow: poolside under the sun, with a fruity drink in one hand, a magazine in the other, and oh-so-comfortably ensconced in one of these chairs.

I’m loving these chairs. These bubble wicker chairs add so much style to outdoor living and can instantly turn your backyard into an effortlessly chic retreat. I love the orange and turquoise combination, too! How summery!  All pieces are constructed with a rust- and corrosion-proof aluminum frame and have a baked on enamel finish. They’re available in three different colours of wicker and a variety of fabric finishes, too. They don’t come cheap ($2,295.00 USD) but some things are worth the splurge! Visit homeinfatuation.com for more information and more ideas for stylish outdoor living. And for more great decorating and design inspiration, follow me on Twitter!

There’s something about Fridays that makes me want to shop. But of course, I’m so busy at work there’s no time for shopping (but for a few stolen moments on my lunch break, of course!) And then there’s the issue of funds. But sometimes, a dose of window-shopping can be just as much fun and just as satisfying – you get the high of browsing but the satisfaction of the fact that your money’s still safe in your bank account! Here’s what I peeked at during today’s window-shopping session, online at tiffany.ca:

1 Black shoulder coffee pot
$1,500

2 Tiffany Sierra votive
$70

3 Audobon cheese serving set
$410

4 Tiffany blue box, porcelain
$100

5 Tiffany summer mug set
$230, set of four

For more great decorating and design ideas, follow me on Twitter!

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 don’t know about you but I’m not in a position to undertake a major renovation right now. Sure, I’d like to remodel my bathroom and turn it into a serene, spa-like sanctuary. I’d love to go to town on my kitchen and transform it into a space that’s not only a visual delight but a practical and efficient place to prepare meals. Alas, funds do not permit. And so I, like many, have to either a) learn to live with what I’ve got or b) save, save, save until I can afford to take on some large-scale projects. This week, we have a handy story on styleathome.com about how to save for around-the-house projects. We’re not talking full-scale renovations, here. Just small changes that can have a wow impact. By making minor adjustments to your spending habits, you can scrape together the money to make some of your decor dreams a reality. Want to find out how? Read the story: Easy around-the-house projects on a budget

For more great decorating and design inspiration, follow me on Twitter!

Image courtesy of Home Depot