Design & Decor Blog

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.

I’m at it again! More pretty papers – this time, from New York-based designer Thomas Paul. Born and raised in the Big Apple, Thomas boasts a career working for design powerhouses like Bill Blass, Calvin Klein and DKNY. He started his own collection in 2001, featuring pillows made of exquisite silks. Since then, his collection has expanded to include all manner of things for house and home, all graced with his signature patterns.

So, imagine my delight as my online travels brought me to his lovely website. (Aside: Do you remember those Choose Your Own Adventure books? I used to read them as a kid. Within the pages of one book lay numerous possible stories and outcomes, depending on the choices you made as you read. Anyhow, the Internet is just like that. You never know where you’ll end up. It all depends on what you click. But I digress … )

Pictured left are examples of the items in Thomas Paul’s stationery collection, all done in pretty colour stories. Up top is chocolate - orange – marigold; followed by persimmon – pink; and aqua - peacock – leaf. I love the chocolate, orange and marigold line! Each line comes with a variety of products from notebooks, journals, notecards and desktop accessories like pen holders and desk trays for papers and miscellaneous items. Working is not my favourite thing to do but if you have to be behind a desk, these pretty accessories certainly make things more interesting!

For more information, visit thomaspaul.com but be warned: Your credit card may be safer in the freezer in a block of ice! Otherwise, have fun shopping! Click here for a list of online retailers selling Thomas Paul products.

PLUS:

Don’t forget to check out our other Style at Home blogs, if you haven’t already.

Executive editor Laurie Grassi’s blog Natural Chic is about stylish eco-friendly and green living.

Senior editor Lauren McPhillips’ blog Tech Style is about the coolest gadgets for your home and your life, plus handy tips on technology.

Associate design editor Brett Walther’s blog Style Sleuth keeps you up-to-date about what’s on the market and behind the scenes in the design world.

Enjoy!

P.S. 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!

Today’s real estate market is proving stressful for home buyers and sellers. How do you know when to buy and when to wait? What upgrades are worth the investment to attract potential buyers? What are the key considerations you should keep in mind before you buy or sell? styleathome.com checked in with Linda Turner, a real estate agent with Royal LePage Meadowtowne Realty in Mississauga, Ont. and she revealed some secrets that will help you make the most of your move and get the most bang for your buck. Read the full story here: 10 secrets from a real estate agent. Plus, check out these gorgeous photos (below) of a Surrey, B.C. home that was designed on a budget to sell. You’ll want to check out those great ideas, too! Read the full story here: Sell this house: Budget-friendly decorating ideas

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

OK, I swear. This is my last Easter egg post. Well, for today anyway. It’s just that Easter, like Christmas, really lends itself to such beautiful decorating ideas and especially with spring in full swing, there’s something so refreshing about surrounding yourself with the pretty pastels that are so popular both for Easter and for spring. Well, Chris Job at Curbly shows us how to dye Easter eggs the natural way. Forget chemical dyes that stain your hands and do all sorts of other untold damages. Chris suggests turmeric, red onion skins and blueberries, among other things, to create a rainbow of colours and provides tips for creating a variety of effects like marbling and mottling and such. Anyway, you just have to watch the video to find out how to make these lovely, lovely eggs. And of course, I’ll remind you again: Don’t forget to try some of the easy Easter egg crafts we have on styleathome.com.

P.S. Follow me on Twitter! twitter.com/styleathome

I’ve just recently discovered the Museums of Canada website and love the array of products available for purchase online. But first, here’s what the Canadian Museums Association is all about:

The Canadian Museums Association is the national organization for the advancement of the Canadian museum sector. Established in 1947, the CMA has over 2000 members, who include non-profit museums, art galleries, science centres, aquaria, archives, sports halls of fame, artist-run centres, zoos and historic sites across Canada. They range from large metropolitan galleries to small community museums. All are dedicated to preserving and presenting our cultural heritage to the public. These institutions hold our collective heritage in trust for the Canadian public. Millions of art works, objects, specimens and documents are preserved for safekeeping by Canada’s museums. Each year, more than 55 million visitors attend our museums and a further 60 million visit our historic and natural parks.

Great, right? Well, things just get better when you check out some of the beautiful handmade items that are available for purchase on the Museums of Canada site. I’m particularly drawn to the work of Nova Scotia artist Pamela Kinsman, whose intricate and detailed work with glass turns everyday objects into true pieces of art. Pictured left is the Signature Art Glass Vase ($44.99) and I just adore the whimsy of this design. Pictured right is the Signature Tea Mug ($19.99), another exquisite piece with fine gold detailing that gives this mug something really special.

For more, check out: museumsofcanada.com

If you haven’t invested in a KitchenAid stand mixer, I really don’t know what you’re waiting for. And if you’re not going to, encourage your mom, sister or aunt to get one (and then go over to their house and use it!) I’ve always loved to bake but never more so than when my mother purchased her first KitchenAid stand mixer – suddenly, there was no need to make a mess in my own kitchen when I could do it in hers and get to use her mixer. It makes everything so much easier and I swear, makes things taste better, too. This month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and there are so many ways to help, to contribute, to stand up and say I care and I can help. Supporting the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) by purchasing products from one of their many partners is just one of those ways. KitchenAid makes a $100 contribution to the CBCF for each pink stand mixer that is sold.

Available at: homeoutfitters.com
Price: $449.99

The first annual Style at Home Show is really three shows in one. It will combine everything you love about your favourite magazines, Style at Home, Canadian Gardening and Canadian Home & Country. If you live life with style, this one unforgettable event will be your single source for everything that’s fresh and new for your home, inside and out! From the hottest colour palettes to the perfect perennials, The Style at Home Show brings style and the best shopping experience to life.

Explore the possibilities
This exciting new show is both an experience and an opportunity. You’ll be surrounded by new ideas, new products and new ways of achieving the perfect look for your home. Plus you will have an opportunity to meet the experts and receive one-on-one advice from design professionals such as Erin McLaughlin, Editor, Canadian Home & Country magazine and Margot Austin, Senior Design Editor, Style at Home. Stop by and meet the Master Gardeners including Aldona Satterthwaite, Editor, Canadian Gardening and participate in the hands-on activities. Get inspired and find the best decorating buys from the many unique and one-of-a-kind exhibitors.

And don’t forget to visit the Chef’s Kitchen where you can watch the live demonstrations from some of the best chefs including Elizabeth Baird, Food Editor, Canadian Living and meet Glen Peloso. Be sure to check out the celebrity speakers at the Main Stage, including Colin & Justin, Sarah Richardson, Kimberley Seldon, Lynn Spence and Samantha Pynn.

The Style at Home Show is the convergence of ideas, products and experts, everything you need to make a statement and bring your style home.

When: Oct 17 to 19, 2008
Where: Direct Energy Centre, Toronto
More information: Style at Home Show

Hi everyone!
We’ve got some exciting news at styleathome.com. We’ve just launched a great new contest and you can win some fabulous prizes. Entering to win is fast, fun and easy. We want to see your before and after pictures of a home makeover project, whether it’s indoors or out, and others will vote on the photos they like best. It’s fun and interactive and it’s a great way to show off a home makeover project you’re proud of. First and second place winners will win a washer/dryer pair from Maytag along with laundry products and third through tenth place will win a 12-month subscription to all four of our Home & Garden Network magazines — Style At Home, Canadian Gardening, Canadian Home and Country and Canadian Home Workshop. Click here to check out all the prize details. Ready to enter for your chance to win? Click here!

Once you’ve submitted your entry, you and your family and friends can vote once a day so spread the word.

Submissions Open from: Oct 1, 2008 to Oct 31, 2008
Voting Ends: Nov 14, 2008

Good luck!

Visit us at the Style at Home Show, Oct. 17 to 19, at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto. Go to styleathomeshow.com for more information and to order tickets.

A friend recently sent me a gorgeous, personalized thank you card and as soon as I opened it, I knew I’d just discovered something for an upcoming blog entry. I’ve professed my love for pretty paper and stylish stationery many a time before but with so many fabulous options out there, it’s hard to choose just one to gush about. Today, I’m swooning over the gorgeous designs from Haute Note. This Vancouver-based company makes beautiful note cards and invitations and I love that you can personalize them. Simply pick a design and then personalize it with your name or a phrase like Thank you from Natalie. You can choose from six different fonts and if you can’t decide on just one design, you can mix and match and create a custom order. A packaged set of eight cards and nine envelopes (just in case, they say), costs $24. They’re perfect to have on hand for those occasions when you want to send something special and they also make a wonderful gift. Order online at hautenote.com.

Visit us at the Style at Home Show, Oct. 17 to 19, at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto. Go to styleathomeshow.com for more information and to order tickets.