Design & Decor Blog

Interested in attending the Evergreen Festival? It’s on November 18 and 19 at the Fermenting Cellar in Toronto’s Distillery District. If you’d like to attend to get some fabulous holiday decorating ideas, visit Tara Nolan’s Budding Gardener blog at canadiangardening.com for your chance to win tickets. She’s got five pairs to give away. Click here for your chance to win. Good luck!

Unique. Totally original. Truly one of a kind. That’s what I love about these utterly gorgeous blown glass pieces. Founded in 2005 by Eva Milinkovic and Kriston Gene, Canadian-based Tsunami Glassworks specializes in designing stunning glass objects for the home. Each piece is totally eye-catching, available in a broad range of shapes, sizes and colours. Standing solo or clustered together, each piece is a born attention seeker. But with style like this, can’t say I blame ‘em! Visit tsunamiglassworks.com for more information and a full list of retailers.

I have a ton of personal pictures that I’ve always said I would do something creative with. Create digital scrapbooks with family photos. Frame travel photos and hang them in my apartment. Make personalized greeting cards with beautiful nature shots. Alas, I’ve never gotten around to any of this. (Well, I did make a personalized calendar once, using the images from my Apple iPhoto library and it was shockingly quick and easy; with the click of a button, I had ordered two copies and they were delivered in mere days.) Anyhow, when I stumbled upon this stunning calendar on etsy, it reminded me of all the ways I’ve thought of using my photographs.

This 2010 calendar features an assortment of beautiful botanical photographs and I love the display idea, clipped to a clothesline with clothespins. Simple. Beautiful. I love it. This makes a fabulous gift idea (and you may want to get one for yourself, while you’re at it … )

Available at: etsy.com
Price: $25

I don’t know what the weather’s like where you live but where I live, it’s getting c-c-cold. I’ve officially traded in my spring/fall coat for something with a bit more heft and I’ve hauled out my scarves and gloves from their summertime hibernation. Brrrr! Some may call it crisp. I just call it cold. Some may call it brisk. I just call it blustery. There’s definitely a nip in the air but what I love most about the chill that chases me home is the comfort that can be found (or created!) indoors. Blankets, candles, pillows, a roaring fire and a hot cup of tea … these are just a few of the joys of winter.

I love these blankets from designer Ian Saude. Made from cashmere, the most luxurious fabric of all, these throws just ooze warmth and comfort. There’s something a little bit traditional, a little bit modern about them but either way, they look like the perfect thing to snuggle up with on a chilly night. For more information, visit iansaude.com.

Is it just me or is it hard to believe that Thanksgiving arrives this weekend? Well, ready or not, it’s coming and if you’re not quite ready, don’t fear. styleathome.com is your one-stop resource for fabulous Thanksgiving recipes and decor ideas. Here are a few I thought might help you pull of an easy but elegant Thanksgiving celebration:

1 Thanksgiving decor: Tips for planning the perfect holiday party
From decor and food to music and hostess gifts, entertaining expert Nik Manojlovich shares the secrets to a truly unforgettable Thanksgiving.

2 Recipe: Turkey with orange-herb basting sauce
This meal is sure to have your dinner guests asking for invitations for next year.

3 Recipe: Classic apple pie
Make your Thanksgiving feast a winner with this classic apple pie.

4 10 Thanksgiving decor accessories
Get your home ready for Thanksgiving with these 10 autumn home accessories.

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I often blog about wallcoverings but that’s because they’ve come a long way, baby! Not so long ago, wallpaper was a sign of dated decor. Not any more! With a growing number of suppliers becoming accessible comes a growing number of design options and I love what I’m seeing. I think you will, too. So check this out: New Wall is a Canadian distributor of brand name wallcoverings and they’re the exclusive distributor of Finland’s Marimekko and Italy’s Janelli & Volpi.

The designs are fresh and modern and, well, sort of European in feeling. These aren’t for the faint of heart – the patterns aren’t safe, they make a statement. And the statement is that you’re confident in your taste, your decor decisions and your sense of style. Confident colours and bold patterns make these wallpapers truly eye-catching. They’re sure to liven any room and personalize your space in a way that paint just can’t. Here are some of my favourites from New Wall’s collections:

I love these season-inspired patterns from Marimekko:



And these bold statements from J&V:

The first of October. Where is the time going? Before you know it, Thanksgiving will be upon us. Then Halloween. Then it’s head first into the holidays and the end of another year. As we welcome this harvest month, check out our list of 10 things to do in October. You’ll find 10 easy ways to welcome autumn into your home. Plus, download our Home & Living Checklist for October.  Put it on your fridge as a reminder of all the things you might want to do this month. Did we forget something? Use our checklist to write down your own notes, too!

There was once a time when pink was probably the most un-hip colour in the world. Many boasted they’d never be caught dead in pink and a man wearing pink — utterly unheard of! And as for decor, pink was reserved for cutesy nurseries or young girls’ bedrooms. Beyond that, the colour was shunned. These days, it’s hard to imagine a colour that can’t work in a space, if handled with care, of course. With the right room and the right accessories, any colour can find its place in your home. And besides, isn’t the most important thing that you like it? That should always be your starting point.

So, as today’s online travels led me to neimanmarcus.com, I was struck by the abundance of pink. No longer girly or childish, the colour takes on an elegant sophistication and I find it fresh and soothing. What do you think? Check out some of my fave finds:

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