Personal Update...

I haven’t really been posting much about what’s going at my own house lately. Long time readers know I have been living through a massive renovation that has grown by leaps and bounds since embarking on the project last April but I've been pretty mum about it here.

The original scope was to stick to the first floor, but sure enough we spread the chaos to the basement and second floor and have ended up with a complete remodel. It wouldn't have been so bad if we weren't living in the house, but of course, we are.

After a year and a half I’m happy to report there is finally an end in sight and it is almost all done -- but because the designer will be submitting the house to some publications for consideration and most magazines demand first-rights to publish, I will not be allowed to post too much just yet.

To give you an idea of what it looks like, here is a pretty vignette I styled in the family room:

And here is my arrangement of colour-coordinated cookbooks in the kitchen desk nook.

I can share, however, some more details on a recent addition to my own room:

Design bloggers went nuts over the cloth cover editions of penguin classic novels that Design*Sponge posted months ago. Imagine my delight when I found them in my local Indigo store! I snapped up 6 of the 10 titles. Don’t they look cute next to my porcelain pineapple?

I'd also be remiss to not share some exciting news that will definitely be talked about on the blog in the months to come: I have decided it is time to move in with my significant other and cohabitate!

Next spring we will be moving into an apartment together and that means I'll have my very own place to furnish and decorate. I am beyond excited and will definitely be filling you in on my progress.

Dream Penthouse from Andrew Skurman

Take a look at this sophisticated penthouse from Andrew Skurman Architects:

It is so bright and crisp with layer upon layer of architectural detailing. What a masterpiece!

Mitch and Bob's Funkier Side

Designers know they can count on Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams for well-priced furniture in a predictable range of styles. After browsing their online catalogue, I was surprised to see some funkier set-ups and  contemporary designs included in the bunch that seemed very Adler-esque to me:

Here are some of my favourite MG+BW pieces right now:

 

Jeanie Chair and a Half

Pandora Boxes

Too Sexy Sadie Chair 

 

Mia Blue Nesting Tables

Terrence Oval Ottoman

Eartha Console 

Nola Lamps

 

Jillian Chair

 

Arabesque Mirror

Kate Sofa

Niko Pendant

Vandyke Three Drawer Chest 

PS- ELTE is having a sale throughout the month of July on all new upholstery orders from MG+BW so if you're like me and have visions of reclining on the kate sofa, now is the time to act!

Fabric of the Week: Flair

It’s hard to believe it has been a year since I joined an interior design firm and I have to say one of my favourite parts is still exploring the fabric houses. I find the various textures, colours and prints intoxicating and appreciate how an entire scheme can evolve from one single fabric you fall in love with. I also have a bad habit of keeping my favourites behind my desk so I can just look at them and play with them whenever I want.

In effort to share some of my favourite fabric finds, I’m going to try and post some of my picks here once a week.

First up is a fabric I recently picked out from Lee Jofa:

It is Kelly Wearstler’s “Flair” in noir. I love it’s scattered graphic quality…it’s as if Missoni got mixed up with a black and white monster movie and came out all warped and crooked.

It would look kick ass on a chair with black welting...

Can I Move in Mr. Nolan?

A veteran of New York’s fashion industry, Charles Nolan has created one of the most visually appealing boutiques I visited last month in NYC’s meatpacking district.

Akin to exploring an old relative’s basement for vintage treasures, you feel like you are discovering one-of-a-kind gems while you browse around the stunning store.

Imaginative displays involving made-over antiques and quirky odds and ends are hard not to smile at while you make your way through the layers of colours and objects.

The counter is beautifully detailed with ironwork on the front but the fun continues on top with cocktail rings and other bright baubles – plus the yards of amazing striped and solid grosgrain.

The store really feels like more of a groovy apartment then a boutique. I could honestly make myself right at home

The only bad part was having to leave those greek key x-benches behind – love them!!

Bag Crush: Hayden-Harnett’s Clara

For the past few months I have been on the lookout for a durable summer bag in a do-able price range. It’s hard to invest in a light-coloured bag that you know is just going to get filthy so I was frustrated that there seemed to be no amazing bags for me in my price range.

It wasn’t until the end of June in NYC did I find something swoon-worthy:

Shining out at me with its pale pink leather with green, coral and turquoise accents, the Clara bag by Hayden-Harnett pretty much hit al the marks: slouchy yet structured, interesting leather detailing, great hardware and a summery palette.

The price tag was still a little steep though for so late in the season so I had to abstain.

In the end after my exhaustive bag search I bought a white vinyl tote at a cheesy discount store catering to tweens. I don’t usually scrimp on accessories that get high traffic but it’s pretty cute if I say so myself and it cost less than dinner at my favourite Japanese place so you can’t beat that

PS- Hayden Harnett also makes amazing studded leather cuffs that I seriously covet. They remind me of my fierce patent marc jacobs studded clutch I picked up in Bal Harbour.

It was less than 50 bucks, but go figure the thingamajig that attaches the zipper already warped so now I’m forced to rock it handle-free

Scenes from Woofstock

 

I totally forgot to post photos from my first visit to Woofstock last month so dog lovers please enjoy the belated snaps.

My mother and I rounded up Leya into the trunk of my car (her maiden voyage!) and we headed down to St Lawrence market for an hour to take in all of the action.

The streets were packed with a variety of vendors who had anything and everything to do with canines. Woofstock is the largest outdoor dog fest in  North America so businesses come from all over to showcase their wares.

From sweaters and handmade urns for pet ashes to gourmet doggie treats and pet insurance, there was no angle left unturned.

Of course the best part was seeing such a great variety of breeds hanging out in a friendly atmosphere.

 

From a beloved bully to ridiculous fluffy things to my current favourite: French Bulldogs, it was so much fun to stop and play and meet so many funny characters!

There was even a purple-coiffed poodle!

A significant sighting worth posting is the tiny tom’s truck – a festival in Toronto is not complete without tiny tom doughnuts! The cinnamon sugary pillows are bites of heavenly goodness.

In order to balance the species under our roof, my mother and I decided to switch over from canines to felines and give Herman a bath when we got home from the festival.

He did not enjoy it but getting this picture of him as a wet plucked chicken was worth it!