If you’re someone who knows what I mean when I say “Comic Sans Serif” was the un-funniest thing to happen to typography - EVER - you’re probably a typography junkie. The design of written characters is an art unto itself, and has a passionate, cult-like following within the larger pool of design aficionados.
Even IKEA’s jumped on the typography bandwagon with the rather splendid new Olunda framed artwork. I love how the vowels are printed in red, including the deliciously Swedish additions at the end. Did you actually know that the Swedish alphabet recognizes these variations of “A” and “O” as three distinct letters, thus bringing their alphabet to 29 characters? Fascinating! (Yes, I’m a junkie.)
Olunda picture, $60, IKEA
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Pint-sized (they run up to 48″ - perfect for apartments and other small spaces!) and oh-so-so pretty, Pottery Barn has revived its popular faux firs for another holiday season.
Amidst all the glimmer and glamour of the holidays, these petite pines exude a simple charm. They hit just the right rustic note in their burlap-wrapped pots, and look just as great on their own as they do decorated. I’m actually partial to the minimal dusting of pinecones throughout the trio above, which is how the trees come - totally in-keeping with the back-to-basics appeal of the trees themselves.
Here’s my snap of one of the pines in situ at the Bloor Street Pottery Barn in Toronto, sprinkled liberally with Pottery Barn’s ornament collection.
Unexpectedly, my blog post on my hate-on for furnishings with bun feet ignited a firestorm of controversy here at the STYLE AT HOME offices… It turns out, there are a number of bun feet supporters - my colleagues included - who were eager to point out that there are, in fact, tons of nice buns (sorry, couldn’t resist) on the market. Our Senior Design Editor, Margot Austin, shared these beautiful bun contenders with me in an attempt to sway my opinion…
I confess, this first one I love - it’s an example of how a bun foot works well when used in conjunction with an open, airy-based piece of furniture.
This one’s quite pretty, too…
Aight, so maybe I’ll have to temper my earlier opinion, and concede that there are, as Margot pointed out, good bun feet and bad bun feet. 
Where do you stand on the great bun debate?
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Catch the clip of my latest CityLine gig here!
I always feel bad for the carnation… It’s easily the most detested cut flower on the market, and it’s such a shame seeing as how they’re so inexpensive and so hardy. This particular arrangement can last about two weeks with proper care.
I was seriously impressed with Tracy’s floral arranging skills… I think she has a secret calling in the floral design field!
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Catch CityLine today to see me teach host Tracy Moore how to make a quick and inexpensive floral arrangement!
I’ve been noticing a lot bun feet on furniture recently, and I’ve got to say I’m not particularly chuffed.
Bun feet have the unfortunate effect of making a piece of furniture look dumpy. I can’t help but imagine the legs started off tall and sleek, but were squashed down to that unfortunate overturned egg shape under weight of a massive load. It’s like finishing off a peg pant with a gigantic chunky clog – not at all flattering.
I will concede that bun feet do work in the right context – airy-based, open-legged pieces tend to pull them off better than fully upholstered furnishings. But for your viewing pleasure, here are some of the worst offenders I spotted online… Enjoy.
No, everyone’s favourite pop-tart isn’t launching a collection at Pottery Barn Kids… But I’ve heard she has been dropping some cash there recently while decking out her little guys’ digs.
Rumour has it, BritBrit snatched up…
…The Pottery Barn Kids’ Pirate Bed in a rich Sun Valley Espresso finish. The trundle makes it absolutely perfect for sleepovers. And check out the Pirate Mast & Sail mounted to the wall behind the headboard – what an awesome little detail, and a testament to how thoroughly PBK explores its themed collections for kids’ rooms.
Seriously, how fun is that for a little boy bed?!?
Britney also allegedly picked up a couple of these ginormous Sun Valley plush Santas. This stuffed St. Nick comes in two sizes, as depicted - a petite Pere Noel at 18-inches, and a whopping 40-inch version.
Available at: Pottery Barn Kids
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What do Steven & Chris, Peter Fallico and the Suzanne Dimma all have in common?
Now household names across the country, they all got their start on hit shows produced by WestWind Pictures on HGTV.
Here’s the exciting bit… You now have a chance to join their ranks, with WestWind Pictures and HGTV Canada’s new hunt for the Next Big Design Star!
Canadidates have one month to produce a maximum 2-minute video to display their design savvy. The video must have a short intro with the candidate’s biographical details, and then maybe a quick do-it yourself project, or a design-on-a-dime idea. Throw out all the stops and wow the team with your energy, personality and talent (think Mary Tyler Moore show opening credits!), then email the compressed video file to the folks at WestWind by clicking here.
After the November 27th deadline, 20 to 30 of the best entries will be selected, and finalists will be contacted in early December for a live screen test.
Good luck!
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Waterford Wedgwood had a pretty spectacular table vignette at their booth at the Canadian Gift & Tableware Association show this summer.
With eight Louis Ghost chairs set around a table that’s swathed in rouched, silky linens, the effect is totally ethereal, and quite dreamy.
Each place setting represented a different designer’s contributions to the Waterford Wedgwood collection, including this subtle and sophisticated arrangement of Jasper Conran’s Tulle platinum-band bone china.
Love the signature Jasper Conran teacup handle - definitely one of the most important features to consider when selecting a china pattern. Seriously!
Although I’ll always associate Canadian designer Martha Sturdy with her stunning and pioneering work in resin, she’s recently turned her attention to other materials - including brass. These recent brassy releases from her Vancouver-based studio really struck a chord with me, as I’m on a warm-metals kick and can’t seem to get enough of these autumnal-hued accessories…
Brass Tray #1210, 48 x 5 x 1″
Brass Lanterns #915 (5.5 x 5.5″); #916 (5.5 x 9″); #917 (5.5 x 12″)
Steel candleholders with brass wire wrap, 18″, 24″ and 36″
Martha Sturdy Studio, Vancouver, 604-872-5205
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