Design & Decor Blog

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:

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!

I’ve already had lunch but suddenly, I’m ravenous again …

Recipe: Flourless chocolate cake

Recipe: Mint and zucchini pasta

Recipe: Spinach, ricotta and dill pies

All recipes excerpted from No Time to Cook by Donna Hay. Copyright 2009 by Donna Hay. Excerpted with permission by HarperCollins. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

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!