Get The Look…Carrie and Big’s Chic Apartment in Sex and the City 2

I was lucky to be able to see the movie last week (don’t worry -  I will spare you from any plot spoilers although by now I’m sure all you diehards have seen it at least twice), but I will tell you how fabulous the interiors were! Production designer Jeremy Conway and set decorator Lydia Marks did a great job of creating an accessible space that is full of Carrie's quirky style sense and full of the same attention to detail that Pat Field brings to SATC’s wardrobe.

With the exception of the mod kitchen, which I didn’t love with it’s super textural ann sacks backsplash, here are some ways to “get carried away” by borrowing the look of three of my favourite rooms in Carrie and Big’s apartment…

The foyer sets the tone for the whole apartment with warm tones of neutrals paired with various shades of blue, tons of texture and pattern, and fabulous eclectic accessories. Wallpaper is used in nearly all of the spaces, and in the foyer you are greeted with a graphic mod print by Katie Ridder called Oiseau in a rich brown and white colour way. Mod lamps, an exotic gold-framed mirror, a blue perfume bottle and butterflies in a bell jar are just some of the funky touches that take the traditional wood console they sit upon to a whole other level.

Clockwise: Country Hepplewhite Sideboard by Hickory Chair, Butterflies in bell jar, glass perfume bottles, Katie Ridder Oiseau wallpaper in chocolate,  Gold Frame Mirror, Vintage murano lamps from Swank Lighting

The living room is my absolute favourite with varying shades and tonalities of blue - from deep royal to pale sky- bouncing off a neutral background with occasional pops of pink and gold. The wall are full of texture with what looks like an upholstered wool wainscoting treatment with soft grey silk paper above. A more traditional wood frame sofa upholstered in sumptuous cobalt velvet is paired with mod wing chairs and a low wood cocktail table. The vibrant floral-patterned rug and gold abstract painting warm up the space, while black embossed lamp shades and blue and gold damask window treatments add sophisticated drama.

Clockwise: Philip Jeffries Sateen Club in French Gray, Baker’s wood-banded sofa with ebony frame with a Robert Allen blue velvet, Candy Flower Rug by Marni for The Rug Company, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Louisa Chair, Anne Kyy Roquinn Felt Ottoman, Dorchester swing arm lamp, blue and gold damask, gold abstract painting

Tall baseboards, dramatic window treatments, and applied panel moulding painted out white on top of a graphic taupe and white trellis pattern wallpaper set a traditional with a twist theme in the master bedroom. The obvious knock out piece is the winged headboard, which is upholstered in Kravet’s lovely Velvet Gate Tuxedo fabric, a pale aqua linen with an applied brown velvet trellis pattern which we also used for draperies in my own parent’s master bedroom a few months back. The classic Thomas O’Brien Hallings secretary and linens in soothing shades of caramel and milk chocolate complete the look.

Clockwise: Kravet’s Velvet Gate Tuxedo, Blue Silk with Amboise Trim by Robert Allen, Rajan metal table lamp by Ethan Allen, Garden Trellis by Farrow and Ball, Calvin Klein Camel Rib Weave Bedding, Hickory Chair’s Hallings Secretary by Thomas O’Brien

The adjoining closet is very interesting – with one side painted out white and bright for Carrie, and the other side in a more deep masculine wood tone for John Preston aka Big. A long white upholstered bench similar to the Madison bench by Baker divides the space and provides a comfy spot to sit when putting one of Carrie’s many fabulous pairs of shoes!

Hope you enjoyed getting carried away!!!

A Little Snapshot...

Of one of my living room vignettes...recognize the console?

We’ve Moved…

It’s true – this past week was the big move into the apartment! It went well and the boy and I have settled in quite nicely. Until I can post a few sneak peeks, below are some charming moving announcements that I adore:

Furniture Silhouettes, Rock Scissors Paper

Pink Pagoda, Iomoi

“Moved” Fill-In Invitation, Kate’s Paperie

Brooklyn Brownstone themed letterpress change of address cards, Lucky Duck Letterpress (too bad I didn’t actually move there..make one for Toronto please!)

My favourite by far is the amazing “we have made our move” set from Kate Spade with the crisp black and white theme, cheeky chess pieces and striped envelope liner

Happy Long Weekend!

It's May 24 so to honour the official arrival of the cottage season, here is a stunning shot from a recent issue of Elle Decor using HBC's classic Canadian pointing blanket as a bedspread and for shams:

Chalk It Up to Good Taste

Chalkboards in kitchens seem to be the status quo these days. Run out of paper for your grocery list? No problem - write it on the wall! Want to ditch the pen and paper on your countertop? Just pick up some chalk and scribble that to-do list down!

I’ve gathered some of my favourite examples to share because I’m currently deciding whether to paint part of my backsplash in black chalkboard paint or leave it white…what do you think?

Looking For Something To Put On This Weekend?

How about this chic ensemble starring this affordable and comfy knit dress from J Crew?

Weekend slouchy ultra-knit dress, $68, Cutler and Gross D-frame lizardskin sunglasses, $545, Marc by Marc Jacobs Sloane beaded necklace, $130, Hermes Balcons du Guadalquivir Extra wide enamel bracelet in silver and palladium plated, $660, Welles large hobotote, $544, Tory Burch "Emmy" Snake T-Strap Logo Sandals, $210.00

Fabric of the Week: Jim Thompson Primivita

I have always been a purple girl (as my little baby purple posha will attest), so I am totally loving Jim Thompson Primivita in Thai Orchid:

The rich red-violet silk and cotton blend has a tone on tone fleur-de-lys pattern which has been tilted this way and that. It has a subtle sheen that would add some serious drama to a solid sofa and I am loving the glamorous subtle sheen.

Junction Part 2

It's time for the very delayed part two of my exploration of Toronto's charming Junction neighbourhood…
Having driven by the storefront en route to a client's house in etobicoke and being totally intrigued by the busy windows, I was so excited to finally walk through Cornerstone.

The floor is overcrowded with different kinds of case goods and upholstery, with a smattering of accessories thrown in for good measure. The style leans from ultra modern to shabby chic, and there are some great colour options displayed for soft finishes so you're not stuck with boring beige. I don't know if I’m in love the quality of all the pieces but you can't deny it's a good place to shop for sofas and reproduction cabinetry when Hickory Chair or a fancy C.O.M. sofa isn't in your reach.

Here are my Cornerstone picks:

Green Stark Sofa, $1,175

Cream Hutch, $1250

Ceramic Bust, $25 each

Model sail boat, $225

Weatherd Oak Frame Mustard setee, $1375

Oak and Linen Sofa, $1200

Next up is SMASH, an edgier space that focuses on using mostly reclaimed and found items for a twisted industrial vibe that is seen everywhere right now.

The random collection of objects with an obvious past life is curated into interesting displays that demand closer inspection.

I loved this grande old mirror that was put on hold for another lucky customer.

And I the apocethary vibe of this Stacking Cabinet, $1650 was tempting.

In the end I walked away with 2 hand-printed posters that were technically in the reduced price reject pile (meaning they had imperfections during the printing process), but they simply added more charm and character to me :)

My outing ended with a visit to Forever Interiors, a lovely little shop with clever furniture made out of reclaimed materials – especially doors!

Message boards made of old window shutters, hooks made of old-door knobs and cutie little chalkboard-painted plaques add great character to any space.

This white chest of drawers, $299 would be a great piece to tuck away in an office.

This shelving unit, $900 could make for a funky pantry in a vintage-inspired kitchen.

Lastly the shapely legs of this side table, $145 makes for a nice contrast against the weathered wood top.

I highly recommend an afternoon in the Junction – as the weather warms up you have no excuse!

Breakfast Pizza

What can Deb not do? I bow down to her…

(image via smitten kitchen)