The World According to Jessica Claire: February 2011

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Who knew our condo in Miami was a hop, skip and jump away from such a fabulous block of vintage shops? I finally ventured to NE 125th to explore some of the boutiques I had seen listed and lusted over on 1st Dibs but unfortunately not all of them were open (a lot of the shops on the block tend to keep atypical hours – many owners live nearby and have phone numbers on their doors to call so they can come open up for you but I was in too much of a rush to wait). The handful that I did get to explore made quite the impression with their merchandise, reasonable pricing and friendly staff so I am excited to return on my next trip.

One of my favourites was Mostly Modern, with its funky mid century mod pieces at extremely affordable price points.

I had to resist the urge to snap up this Fornasetti ashtray with its black white and gold colouring and architectural arches on the apron.

This turquoise and white bedroom set would be so fabulous with a glam white patent upholstered tufted headboard – so over the top and delicious!

This side table reminds me so much of the brass and smoked glass beauty I have in my own living room from Chair Table Lamp.

Like a glass of fresh squeezed Florida OJ, this bedroom set promises a pleasant wake up! I love how the traditional Chippendale lines are totally amped up with the orange lacquer!

This vintage pottery collection reminded me so much of Jonathan Adler. Apparently I was right on tune because the owner informed me that Jonathan and Simon had stopped by previously and swooned over it!

The shop had a great collection of black and white jasperware from Wedgewood. How great is the brass column lamp!

I am still lingering over the great original C. Jere wall sculptures that were displayed. The townhouse with its cafe chairs and umbrella in front may need to be transplanted to my wall!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Craigslist Console

A lot of stuff you see listed on c-list is drek, but my consistent efforts to troll the site for decor gold was reassured when I saw this fabulousness:

This mirrored console is 80s glam in a Kelly Wearstler way. I love how its facets step back outwards – reminds me of a New York skyscraper.

If I was working on a foyer right now for an adventurous client, I’d snap up the console, top it with two tall cloisonné vases and a fabulous vintage print, flank it with two show stopping chairs, upholster the walls in a shimmering grasscloth and lay down a greek key runner for instant drama and fun! The finishing touch would be an iconic Hermes ashtray to use as catchall for keys. Who wants to sign up?

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Laid Back L.A. Chic

For our speedy trip to L.A. last weekend, we spent our first night at the home of our good family friends and Canadian expats who live in a lovely neighbourhood by UCLA. The house is the epitome of laid back California chic, with quirky hits of colour, preloved antiques, tastes of mid century mod and vintage charm to spare!

Here are some of my favourite spaces within the cozy home:

A vintage poster, lush orchids and one of many pieces of art depicting the family’s love of dachshunds artfully displayed on on a shield back chair immediately greets you at the door.

The living room has a host of delightful surprises, such as a mix of caned back chairs with teal track arm sofas, bursts of orange upholstered accents and a collection of cameos juxtaposed with a mod leaning mirror.

The kitchen’s mix of carrera marble and butcher block countertop, warm cream cabinetry, antiqued cup pulls, imported French tiled-floor, pastoral tiled backsplash above the range, farmhouse table and shield back chairs was utter heaven for my sister Marlie and perfectly practical for Oscar.

The powder room’s beadboard walls are painted barn red and totally make the pale French blue gilded Trumeau mirror pop!

The family room’s blend of weathered antiques and comfy seating means you can really put up your feet and relax in the eclectic space. I love the collection of blue and white plates hung on the wall, the bead board wainscoting and framed American flag.

The dining room mixes deco, mod and French provincial with contemporary black and white photography in a diverse space that still feels warm and cohesive.

One of the most personable elements of the house is the gallery wall of treasured photographs of family and friends which are hung from floor to ceiling along the hallway of the second floor. It’s hard not to stop and look at each one and see how their amazing family has grown up over the years!

This is the sunny and oh so comfortable bedroom we stayed in. The pale turquoise headboards are detailed with a ruched border and contrast piping and they really pop against the earthy coral walls.

Last but not least, one of the stone outdoor terraces is a great spot to sit with your morning coffee and was especially welcome to Marlie and I after leaving minus 12 degree weather in Toronto!

Thanks again to Donna and Todd for being consummate hosts and for giving us an amazing few days in LA. (and shout out to Gilly!)

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

La La Land

I am feeling super dazed and jet lagged after my bizarre yet awesome foray to LA for the Grammy's – the result of a silent auction package benefitting charity that was so kindly gifted to my sister and I. I have some great pictures to post of the eclectic and warm home we stayed at for a night, but until my brain returns to normal, I will instead share some random highlights of the trip.

The grammy’s of course were cool to attend, but our less than stellar seats meant you probably saw more sitting at home on your couch than we did way up in the rafters of the Staples Centre. The sound was still great though and it was very cool to see so many varied names in music under one roof (and so many Canadians!) It was even more amusing to see so many people dressed up in satin gowns climbing the steep concrete stairs of the Staples Centre in their high heels. It’s a miracle no one broke their neck!

A post-grammy dinner of steak tartar and mac and cheese at Boa was quite tasty - and it turned into quite the scene when barricades of paparazzi started to catch celebs like Drake, Elton John and Jamie Foxx coming in for a bite.

The night continued to turn around when we walked across the street to Trousdale, where the always amazing Kings of Leon were hosting a crazy after party, which apparently was the best of the bunch, a little rowdy with more than one person being escorted out, and had a host of random guests from glee guys to glam American idols drinking and dancing up a storm in one furious bunch. I have to agree with all of the above that’s been written about the epic night - in fact I agree so much that I couldn’t get out of bed and missed a day’s worth of shopping and exploring because it was just too much fun. Oops!

I promise more normal decor posts later on in the week once my head adjusts…

(image of arcade fire via grammy.com, mac and cheese via amber eats LA, Followill boys via Just Jared )

Monday, February 7, 2011

Wondering What To Do This February 14th?

With only a week to go, here are some ways you can plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year:

Channel your elementary school days - but with a naughty twist - by handing out obnoxious valentines courtesy of someecards.

Make a difference while simultaneously treating a loved one! Save a Child's Heart has partnered with Zelcovia Cookies so when you enter the Coupon Code "heart4you" you receive a 10% discount on your purchase which is then designated back to the life-saving charity.

If you’re looking for love, you could gather your fellow singleton’s in the kitchen for a laid back dinner party and make “You Won’t Be Single For Long Vodka Cream Pasta” courtesy of Smitten Kitchen

Do yourself a favour and fight the urge to snack on crappy drugstore candy bars, and treat yourself instead to a tasty indulgence instead which has now been proven to be the next superfood when it comes to polyphenols and flavanols: dark chocolate! Bake up some treats using Hershey’s Cocoa, which is non-alkalized and therefore retains more nutrients.

Brighten your coworkers’ days with little cutie pie wrapped bags of red, white and pink candies, as seen in this gorgeous photo by Gemmaa Comas.

Pearls For My Girls

I am very lucky to have an amazing group of close girlfriends and family to call my bridesmaids. I was stumped trying to imagine a clever way to ask them to stand next to me on my special day, so I decided to combine the bridesmaid gift with “the ask”…

The result is a riff on Lu Lu Guiness’s mantra, “Put on Your Pearls Girls” which alluded to their present: a vintage pearl necklace which they will each don the day of the wedding.

I handmade the cards, using an archival image of Jackie O’s bridal party that I found online showing her maids all in pearls too! (not that I’m Jackie-O material but it doesn’t hurt to try and channel her class act on this important occasion). I used my trusty doily-lace scallop-edge punch from Martha for the top detail and finished it off with a single ivory bloom sticker with a pearl pistil. I wrapped the boxes in black and white tissue and a hand-tied ballet pink satin bow completed it all perfectly (could this be a clue to my colours perhaps…)

More wedding posts will be coming up so keep reading if you’re feeling bridally-inclined!