Style & Decor Blog

Oh, to be in New York at Christmastime…

One of my fave sources for over-the-top-glamorous tableware – Kim Seybert – is hosting a sample sale next week, and the savings are unbelievable: 40 - 60% off retail! (Savings that probably translate into the price of a plane ticket… lol) These are the table accessories that you’d normally find gracing the shelves at Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Saks, but priced to sell…

As my pal Tommy Smythe proclaims in our Trendspotting story in the January 2010 issue of STYLE AT HOME (on newsstands soon!), “Vive le Maximaliste!”

Here are the deets if you happen to find yourself in Manhattan next week. (In which case, I’ll happily provide you with my wish list.)

Tuesday, Dec. 8, 9AM-7PM

Wednesday, Dec. 9, 9AM - 7PM

Thursday, Dec. 10, 9AM - 7PM

37 West 37th St., 8th Floor (between 5th and 6th Avenues)

I was chatting with Tommy Smythe from Sarah Richardson Design the other day, and he told me I just had to stop in at Decorum Decorative Finds to check out their malachite accessories.  (Tommy’s crazy about the colour of malachite, and his passion is highly contagious.)

Look at those whorls! The fascinating patterns on this malachite plate remind me of a whacked-out contour map. And that rich blue-green combined with the gold key motif absolutely screams luxe…

A smaller hit of malachite, but no less luxe is this little sphere on a gold dragon/fish plinth. Pure Art Deco deliciousness.

Decorum Decorative Finds, Toronto, 416-966-6829

Yes, readers, the buzz is true. Sarah’s trading in her signature high heels for, well… Not-so-high heels.

Making its debut on HGTV tonight (YAY!), Sarah’s Cottage sees the divine Ms Richardson take Tommy and the gang on a trek through cottage country — an island 20 kilometres offshore, in fact — to tackle her very own northern getaway. 

Sarah’s husband bought a bachelor shack on a tiny island off the coast of Parry Sound, Ont., a few years back, and now it’s getting the Design Inc. treatment, with more than a hint of “green” thrown in as well. The cottage will be loaded with off-the-grid goodness, including a combination of solar, wind and propane power, and other savvy design solutions. Can’t wait to see what Sarah and Tommy have in store for this summer escape!

The best news of all? Style At Home magazine has the exclusive reveal of Sarah’s Cottage coming up in the July 2009 issue! On stands in early June (although subscribers will be getting it at the end of May, you lucky ducks), it’s just one more reason to get ‘cited for summer!

Sarah’s Cottage, Tuesdays at 9PM EST, HGTV

I’m *so* pumped about this…

We’ve got an incredible celeb lineup in store for you at the Style At Home Show – just take a look at this list of presenters! – but what I can’t stop telling everyone about is what we’re offering at the IKEA Design Cafe: One-on-one consultations with your favourite design personalities! We’re talking Tommy Smythe, Samantha Pynn, Kimberley Seldon, Margot Austin, and more, and the chance to get some design directions from the pros! Book your 15 minute appointment online now!

And YES, we’ve got Colin & Justin! Although they won’t be available for the one-on-one design consultations, they’ll be at the show on Sunday, October 19, presenting on the HomeSense stage at both 11AM and 3:30PM. Here’s Margot at the recent launch of the boys’ new book, “Colin & Justin’s Home Heist Style Guide”. If you haven’t yet had the chance to see the guys live, you HAVE to make it down on Sunday. They’re an absolute scream!

Where: Style At Home Show, Direct Energy Centre, Toronto

When: October 17, 18 and 19, 2008

Get your tickets online!