Latest Obsession: Silk Orchid Rugs at ELTE

Originally introduced at IDS earlier this year, I am still swooning over the silk orchid collection that ELTE has brought in.

The newest incarnation of the idea behind the super popular second-life rugs, I brought one of them on CityLine in January and it got a fab response from the audience and why not? what’s not to love! The colours, the ultra-soft hand, the global-chic patterns… Plus it’s as chic as upcyling gets. Each rug is made with recycled vintage sari silk dresses from India that have been unravelled thread by thread and hand knotted into the one-of-a-kind rugs.

What I wouldn’t give for this particular beauty to provide the foundation for my master bedroom. The ochre yellow with the hits of royal blue and green are not something I would normally gravitate to but I still can’t help dreaming about the concept I would build around it. Unfortunately the collection isn’t exactly priced within our budget ($11,750 for just under a 9’x12’…they are 100% silk after all) – so someone please go out and buy it so I can live vicariously through you. Thanks.

European Garden with a Modern Twist

Now that the sunny warm weather is upon us, we Canadians have no excuse not to spend as much time outdoors as possible! While I was putting together the scheme for my long and narrow apartment balcony, I had visions of a classic European garden but with a modern updated twist. I love the idea of a palette of charcoal and black popping against lush yet refined greenery and I though it could be interesting to pair more classic silhouettes such as an iron Louis chair with more modern tapered planters.

Unfortunately I only had so much room and so much money to play with so I stopped short at 2 chairs, some cheap and cheerful planters and a little table,  but here is what my dream scheme would have developed to be if I had a real backyard and patio space and budget:

clockwise from the top: Klismos Small Round Dining Table, $759, Savannah Charcoal Indoor-Outdoor Rug, Bird on Ball Finial, $24, English Ivy Topiary, Tapered Cast Stone Planters in weathered slate, Highgate Doormat, $30, French Floral Fountain, $649, Wall lantern, Holly Chair, $260 through Indoors and Out 

(top image via Veranda)

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!

Pink + Green

The stunning spring blooms in the Four Seasons lobby here in Toronto remind me of a pretty interior by Annie Selkie - it's just so happy and fresh!

Happy a lovely weekend!

Carport Eden

I was looking through some old shelter mags and thought this stunning green roof  from House and Home’s October 2008 issue was totally worth posting:

Canadian company ZinCo built an unbelievable oasis on top of a carport that is simply breathtaking.

The industrial ladder juxtaposed with the lush purple blooms is so charming.

What a delight it must be to look out your window expecting to see yucky tar and see this view instead!

Sweet Spring Blooms

There is a house in my neighbourhood that stops passers by in their tracks:

The front garden is populated by a stunning magnolia tree and hundreds of amazing bulbs that burst with lush colour.

People literally get out of their cars to take photos and one women even set herself up on the sidewalk with an easel so she can capture the beauty on canvas.

I had to take some photos of my own a few of weeks ago before the magnolia lost all of its pretty petals.

Aren't spring flowers the best?

Rub A Dub Dub: It's a Garden in a Tub!

I accompanied the boy to a casual backyard BBQ at his cousin's place in downtown Toronto and was utterly charmed with their innovative gardening set-up:

Green thumbs Geoff and Robyn recycled the sinker tub that came with the house when they moved in and turned it into a garden for their beloved herbs and veggies.

Stemz Floral Design Studio

It’s not often  I walk into a retail space and sigh out loud with pure contentment.... but such was the rare case at Stemz.

The warm smell of spring flows through this open concept floral studio on Queen East but the delight goes way beyond your olfactory bulb...

 

When you enter the narrow sun-lit space you are literally presented with a visual feast of fauna styled against a historic brick wall, chalkboards with price listings and an elegant cold storage framed in classic mouldings.

You can see the creativity by looking at the innovative and interesting containers used for the arrangements, and the linen-covered setee, white-washed mirror and vintage sink add extra charm.

Stemz services customers walking in off the street looking for some blooms to take home, but their real bread and butter is weddings and special events.

There are also workshops offered for people looking to develop their floral skills (perhaps a sweet mother's day activity to try...)

 

Visit Stemz for yourself at 783 Queen Street East.

Love, Life and Style at Lileo

Located in Toronto's historic Distillery District and founded by Syd Beder and Alexandra Bennet - the visionaries who brought Lululemon to the East coast of Canada - Lileo is Toronto's answer to Fred Segal.

Innovative, chic, well-stocked and well-designed, Lileo offers a complete lifestyle package to its customers who seek fashionable living with a social conscience.

Named in homage to Renaissance thinker Galileo Galilee, Beder and partner Arlene Pastor curate the clothes, accessories, books, beauty products and art pieces offered in the bright and airy space for a gallery-esque shopping experience.

With the aim to inspire and challenge shoppers to think outside the box, Lileo's stunning interior design showcases the merchandise in a lofty open-concept format that encourages browsing and contemplation.

 

Designed collaboratively by 3rd Uncle and Gorbet Design Inc, Lileo's wooden beams, exposed brick, large glass doors and multitude of windows are the perfect backdrop for the style-savvy merchandise and eclectic worldly offerings.

What drew me into the space initially were the whimsical displays, layered with textures and different objects that were begging to be picked up and played with.

I instantly zeroed in on the row of giant juicy faux gummy bears and incredible rubik's cube depictions of pop culture icons by Robert McKinonn. (How awesome are the Marilyn Monroe and Jim Morrison ones above?)

With a wall of fame signed by celebs and local heroes passing through, such as National Ballet of Canada dancers and Rachel Bilson, it is evident that Lileo is a popular destination for fashionistas and visiting Distillery tourists alike.

Famished shoppers can visit the in-house Livia juice-bar, named in honour of Galileo’s daughter, which provides healthy and tasty lunch and beverage options.

Hot lines carried by Lileo right now include Rag and Bone, Naked and Famous Denim, A.P.C., Mike and Chris and coming soon is the Conference of Birds collection by Andrew Holden.

My favourite picks from Lileo for Fall:

Snow hat embellished with rabbit fur,$265

What Goes Around Comes Around Black Jacket with Faux-leopard trim, $734 

Hunter Silver Wellies, $125

Check Lileo out for yourself when visiting the Distillery district at 55 Mill Street, Building 35 or visit lileo.ca for more info.