Design & Decor Blog

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!

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

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.

Buying a condo is a big investment! And before you make your final decision, there are so many questions to ask. Do you know everything you need to know? In case you’re a) in the market and b) a little uncertain about all the costs involved, check out our condo-buying guide; it’s full of helpful information about real estate prices, maintenance fees and resale value. Plus, we’ve got 25 insider condo buying tips on everything from starting your research to making an offer (and everything in between). If you’re selling a home too, check out our 10 inexpensive home selling tips. We’ve got some great advice for giving your home a bit of extra flair to make it more attractive to prospective buyers.

OK, we all know that custom-made drapery is preferable to ready-made. But let’s face it; sometimes there just isn’t the time and money to invest in the process. And if this is the case, you needn’t worry about leaving your windows (gasp!) naked, for all your neighbours to spy on your every move. Nor do you need to spend a small fortune to outfit them in stylish, pretty fabrics. Many stores now offer a wide variety of window coverings that are available at more than reasonable prices. Drapery options have come a long way and I love that there’s so much to choose from. I love these incredibly inexpensive options from Linens ‘N Things. The Bellingham Window Curtains (pictured left) are modern, featuring a contemporary stripe pattern and cost between $49.99 and $59.99. And they’re machine washable. I like that! The Moda Contempo panels (pictured right, $59.99) feature European blind-stitched hems, are dry-clean only and come in five elegant neutrals. Freshening up a room just got a whole lot easier with these inexpensive options.

For more, check out these stories:
How to: Clean window coverings
8 trends in window coverings
How to: Choose drapery

British fashion designer Julien Macdonald may be most famous for his work with Chanel and Givenchy but his eye for design obviously wanders from fashion to home decor with ease. I just love these wallpaper designs of his. Pictured left is Ornate in black and blue and features a gorgeous and intricate baroque-inspired design. I love the drama. Pictured right is Glamorous in black and pink and, well, I think the name says it all.

“This has been an inspiring, refreshing challenge, and I’m delighted with the collection” says Julien Macdonald about his first ever wallpaper collection. “The designs are a true reflection of the influences I experience through travel and my work as a fashion designer. Seeing my signature style of glamour and elegance translated onto wallpaper is an achievement I’m very proud of.”

We love it too, Julien. And if I can’t wrap my body in your clothes, at least I can wrap my walls in your paper.

Available online at: grahambrown.com
Price: $60/double roll

Click here for tips on hanging wallpaper with ease.

I’m all about multi-functional these days. I mean, why invest in three things to perform three different tasks when you can rely on one thing to perform three tasks? Yes, I am of the BlackBerry generation – one device for phone, email, music, calendar … I’m hooked! So when I discovered Kodak’s ESP-5 all-in-one printer, I knew I’d love it. It’s sleek and sexy and so easy to use. So what does this wonder printer do? It prints (duh), copies and scans but what I love most is the three-inch LCD screen for viewing and editing. And, it features memory card and USB slots so that you can view, edit and print your materials, even if you don’t have a computer hooked up to it. When did something as practical as a printer get so exciting? It’s both Mac- and PC-compatible and has space for two cartridges; black and a five-colour cartridge. Perfect for your home office as long as you actually work and don’t spend your day playing with your new gadget!

Available at: Staples Business Depot and London Drugs or online at kodak.ca.
Price: $169.99

Psst! We’re going to be giving one of these fab printers away soon on styleathome.com so keep checking back for our contest!

If you really want to stay on top of cool new tech toys, you should definitely check out our Tech Style blog by Style at Home’s senior editor Corinna VanGerwen.

Love these striped cereal bowls and matching milk pitcher! This is certainly one way to start your day off in style. Available in ink or khaki, these oversized bowls are perfect for a hearty breakfast. They’ll also look great on display on your kitchen table or counter – why hide pretty things behind closed cupboard doors? Leave them out to be admired.

Available at: Chefs
Price: bowls, $9.99; pitcher, $9.99