Style & Decor Blog

I’m a total museum junkie. Sure, the shopping in Copenhagen was tremendous – unparalleled, even – but nothing compares to the splendour of the historic sites, like Rosenborg Palace and the Danish Crown Jewels.

That’s why one of the highlights of my time in Almhult, Sweden, (the “capital city of IKEA” that I mentioned in part one) was a little-known gem known as the IKEA Through The Ages Museum. 

Complete with curator, the too-cute collection traces the rise of the Swedish style giant from its inception in 1943 through to the present day, in decade-by-decade vignettes of original IKEA furnishings. In short – heaven.

Here’s a peek…

The gorgeously grained Lovet sidetable from 1956 was a first for IKEA – a flat-packed piece of furniture (in a box tied up with string – so sweet!) that could be assembled easily at home. I think IKEA should reintroduce this one… Absolutely stunning.

 

 

A flip through the IKEA Catalogue in 1954 would have shown living room furnishings like the Royal sofa and armchair, the Mary dining chairs and Jerez Wilton carpet. I love the ducks on the wall – such an authentic 50s touch! 

 

 

Retro-fabulous wallpaper and austere shapes define this vignette of IKEA pieces from the late 1950s, including the Farstrup sofa and armchairs and Tema bookshelf.

 

 

The early 1960s saw IKEA’s offerings increasingly influenced by the Danish modern design movement (a look that’s more popular than ever in 2009). The Estrad sofa group is 60s-spare at its finest.

And the related dining area…

 

Things start getting really colourful in the late sixties, with some of the IKEA releases from that period still available in one form or another to this day… I’ll share those tomorrow!

 

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Check out Teatro Verde’s new digs!

A favourite haunt of Toronto’s top tastemakers, Teatro Verde is bidding adieu to its storefront in the Hazelton Lanes Shopping Centre (get down there soon because the sale on the remaining merch is INCREDIBLE!), and setting up shop in this grand Georgian mansion on Yorkville Avenue. Reno work on the building seems to be coming along well, considering the grand opening’s scheduled for May 15.

I’m so pumped to think of this ginormous space (9,000 square feet!) filled with Shawn Gibson and Michael Pellegrino’s impeccably edited collection of small, gorgeous things, merchandised to perfection and complemented with their breathtaking floral arrangements… More details to come!

 

Teatro Verde, Toronto, 888-483-2876

 

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I suffer from acute buyer’s remorse, but more often than not, it’s because I DIDN’T buy something that caught my eye. I’m haunted by the sale price for nights after passing up an incredible deal. Hitherto unseen holes in my decor — ones that would have perfectly accommodated the item I’ve stubbornly refused to buy — taunt me mercilessly. The item in question this time around? This gorgeous blue and white Chinois vase from Bombay. Regular store price is only $69 (a great deal in itself), but I also passed up Bombay’s two-for-one deal this weekend… Why? WHY?!?! Imagine a pair of these beauties flanking a mantel, or even a fireplace hearth in lieu of andirons. While I’m still sulking, please feel free to share your best (and by best I mean most traumatizing) case of buyer’s remorse.

Blue and white squared Chinois vase, 18.5-by-6.25″

Price: $69

Available at: Bombay, 877-326-6229

Sir Terence Conran, Kirstie Allsopp and Philippe Starck (Photo by David Levene)

The global economic crisis (I feel like that needs a little “TM” at the end of it… How can it sound like a cliche already?) is obviously having an impact on the world of decorating and design. But, besides bankruptcies, what influence is it having on the actual direction of design? Design icons Sir Terence Conran, Kirstie Allsopp and Philippe Starck butt heads on this very issue in a fascinating Q&A for British newspaper, The Guardian — click here for the full story. Phillippe in particular sees the entire design landscape changing, and the death of the design superstar… What do you think?

A Christmas tree can be fully decked out in a cohesive colourway of ornaments, loaded with bells, balls and baubles, and radiant with twinkling lights, but unless there’s something personal in the mix, it can still feel empty. If you’re anything like me, your pets are your babies, and Bed Bath & Beyond offers a too-cute kit to allow your four-legged friend leave an impression (geddit? haha) on your holiday decorating. A DIY kit includes everything you need to make a pawprint ornament: lightweight clay, wooden rolling pin, shaping ruler, festive ribbons for hanging, and a plastic hole punch. What’s more, there’s no mixing because the clay is ready-to-use! 

5.5-inch Pawprint pet ornament kit

Price: $14

Available at: Bed Bath & Beyond

2006 was the year of crackle glass ornaments. In 2007, mercury glass decked our halls. What’s on the way for holiday decorating in 2008? Check out this stunning series from HomeSense. Departing from traditional mercury, these pearly gems are frosted on the outside, with mercury glass lining the inside, setting the stage for a lusciously layered look this winter.

You’ll forgive the early holiday posting, but with that wintry wind whipping through the streets of Toronto today, I found myself scanning the sky for snowflakes…

Frosted mercury glass holiday decor

Price: From $15 to $40 each

Available at: HomeSense, 866-466-3707 for stores