Design & Decor Blog

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!

Flipping through the pages of Canadian Living’s Holiday Celebrations 2009, I realized I had started to drool. Just, you know, a little. Sure, it’s a little early to get into the holiday spirit but I admit, I like getting ideas early. And anyway, isn’t a Coconut Lime Pie Martini suitable anytime of year?

Canadian Living’s Holiday Celebrations 2009 hit newsstands on Monday (and is available for purchase online, too) and I thought you might want to take a sneak peek. Here’s what you’ll find inside:

Cool features:
A Dessert Martini Bar with 8 not-to-miss sweet martini recipes
Tastefully elegant tiny hors d’oeuvres: Mini Chicken Pot Pies
Cool vegetarian section: A sensational pan-global assortment of meatless morsels
AND a tasteful cocktail party menu on a budget

Holiday Celebrations 2009
Price: $5.95

The recipes that caught my eye:

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

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!

I love answering poll questions and I think you do, too! We’ve put up a number of poll questions on styleathome.com and readers seem to love ‘em! So here’s another one for you: Would you rather grace your living room with a chair that’s modern, vintage, romantic or transitional? Tell us which chair’s style you love the most! The options are below; click here to answer the poll. And check out our poll section for lots more questions! Plus, follow the style at home team on Twitter! Here’s a run-down of who’s tweeting about what!