Silhouettes are showing no signs of slowing down! We first did a feature on the rising popularity of this age-old art form back in the February 2008 issue of STYLE AT HOME (check out my interview with world-renowned cut-paper silhouette artist Karl Johnson here!), and the market is now positively booming with ever-more innovative decorative applications. I particularly love small and sweet animal silhouettes that pop up in totally unexpected places, like at the bottom of this Limoges porcelain cake mould from Iddko — a fantastic Canadian e-tail site that you *must* check out!
Price: $75
Available at: Iddko
Is your Ektorp looking a little worse for wear?
Does your Klippan need a facelift?
Breathe new life into your fave IKEA furnishings with washable slipcovers from Bemz! Designed specifically to fit IKEA’s most popular furniture frames snugly, Bemz is the perfect solution for updating a sofa or chair at a fraction of the cost of custom reupholstering. They’ve recently added to their slipcover options this plush new chenille option in Cinnabar Red — a fantastic way to add a punch of colour over the holidays, and what could be cosier than curling up on chenille?
Bemz 100% cotton Chenille slipcover in Cinnabar Red (on IKEA’s Karlanda two-seater sofa)
Slipcover price: $309
Available at: Bemz
If I had to nail down an “it” accessory right now, “it” would certainly have to be decorative spheres. In glass, aluminum, plastic and wood, globes are certainly on a roll. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist…) Although a lot of the ones we’ve been seeing on the market are skewed towards either a rustic or tribal vibe, I’m partial to these textured gold beauties — again, something festive that could work just as well throughout the year.
Price: From $10 each
Available at: ChairTableLamp, Toronto, 416-934-1021
I’m always on the lookout for showstopping seasonal greens, and I love these cachepots in a gorgeous warm metal finish. Hand-made by artisan Ron Dier, and available in an array of 22K semi-precious finishes, they’re fantastic festive floral vessels that could just as easily work year-round, switching out your fave potted plants.
Webster Cachepot
Price: $850 each ($945 each with planting)
Available at: Joan Eiley, Toronto, 416-968-0778
I’m so excited to be able to bring “The Butler Diaries” on the road!
“The Butler Diaries” (aka “My experience at Butler Boot-Camp”) was my favourite story to produce for the November 2008 issue of STYLE AT HOME. My assignment? Spend an evening with a nationally-renowned butler to get a sense of the roles and responsibilities of Jeeves in the 21st century.
On November 22, I’ll be sharing my experiences at Butler Boot-Camp at the Norwich Public Library in Norwich, Ontario, as a wrap-up to the library’s month-long “holiday entertaining” seminar series. You’ll learn how to apply a butler’s tips and tricks to your next holiday get-together, along with other great holiday entertaining ideas for centerpieces, table settings and more.
Space is limited, so register now with Lynn or Brett at 519-863-3307! See you there!
One of the highlights of the Dream Master Bedroom Suite that we created for the STYLE AT HOME Show back in October were the sumptuous silk drapes by inVU Drapery Co. They added so much to the space with their luxurious silk sheen and cosy neutral palette! Now, in addition to their trademark window treatments, inVU is offering the inVU inHOME consultation service. For a flat rate of $75, an inHOME drapery and design consultant can visit you at home to offer guidance on window treatments, custom furnishings and reupholstering services, furniture placement, and even paint selection! What’s more, once you’ve paid the flat rate, you can call back for assistance down the road — for free. What an amazing resource!
Price: $75
Available through: inVU Drapery Co., 800-665-9227.
When it comes to tea, I’m a bit fussy. Although I’d never be accused of being a “tea snob”, I *do* know exactly what I like, and that’s a good, old-fashioned black tea. No chai, rooibos, white or green tea (the latter being a pet hate!) has ever come close to the simple pleasure of a perfectly brewed post-dinner black tea. I’m so excited that Chapters and Indigo are stocking one of my faves right now – Harney & Sons’ Royal English Breakfast. This delish blend of Indian black teas comes in individual silk sachets, and the tin is dying to be re-used as a catch-all canister in the kitchen.
Price: $15
Available at: select locations of Chapters and Indigo Books & Music
I’m so happy I came across this fantastic source of accessories! Naked Decor designs incredibly hip and irreverent accessories, including this pillow that I absolutely must get my hands on. Double-sided, with the kitty’s head on one side, and tail on the other (making a pair an absolute necessity!), and an actual pom-pom applique, this is just too much fun to pass up. Although they’re based in Washington, DC, they’ll gladly ship to Canada! What a great gift for the cat-lover in your life!
Kitty Cat with Pom Pom Ball 16-by-16-inch double sided cotton canvas pillow
Price: $50 US plus shipping
Available at: Naked Decor, Washington, DC, 202-256-4065
Punchy-patterned dessert plates so often steal the spotlight when dressing a table, sometimes we forget that flatware can be just as pretty. Hand-cast of 18/8 stainless steel and beautifully detailed, this feathered flatware from Pottery Barn has got me all aflutter.
Quill flatware
Price: $65 per five-piece set
Available at: Pottery Barn
Margot’s back on Steven & Chris today! Our Senior Design Editor will be chatting with the guys about elegant bedside tables. Check it out!
Tune in to CBC: Tuesday, October 28, 2:00PM EST
