As a kid, I use to obsess over the Sears catalogue home section. I remember sitting at my Grandma's kitchen table flipping through pages of furniture and textiles, longing to redecorate my room yet again. When I was extra lucky, I was allowed to order something! I remember patiently waiting for a set of tab-top drapes in a soft sage green to arrive. When they finally did, I quickly learned that most drapery panels are sold separately! Instead of getting upset that I only had one, my Grandma and I whipped out the sewing machine and had the 86" panel chopped into two smaller café sized panels in no time!
Anyway, throughout my years of catalogue shopping, I remember being most obsessed with the "bed-in-a-bag." You know, when you buy the duvet, bed skirt, shams and accent pillow covers all in one, neatly vacuum-sealed bag. As my design knowledge developed — and "magic-of-the-mix" started to define my decorating style — I would refer to "bed-in-a-bag syndrome" as being the matchy-matchy look I tried to avoid.
Nonetheless, matchy-matchy sells! (And is often what people want.) Coordinated patterns and colours are easy on the eyes and bank account, and much more risk-free. Layering up mismatched items is a skill that is learned over time in my books, so for the less adventurous, I retract my previous comment and say, "match away!"
Here's a bed-in-a-bag at Sears that I really like! This classic cream quilt with scalloped edges is a stunner and a good choice if you prefer a matching set.
One company that has a whole new take on this style of decorating is the B.C.-based online store Nudge Home. They offer a great line of home accessories (mostly pillows and art) that have been carefully coordinated. All the hard work is done for you!
Nudge has created "designer bundles" that are sold for a package price. The bundles include four pillows in various patterns and coordinating colours, as well as a gorgeous piece of art. Just throw in a neutral sofa, a few side tables, a couple of lamps and an accent chair, and you've got yourself a living room! The bundles are a great starting point for someone who may not know how to achieve the layered look, or a jumping off colour scheme when decorating a room from scratch.
See our Fast Decorating Fixes gallery for more easy ideas.
Photo credits:
1. Sears
2. Nudge Home
3. Nudge Home
While scouting for props for a recent photo shoot, I stumbled across a great new shop on Queen Street East here in Toronto. It's called Zenporium and it's located at 998 Queen Street East. Inside I found some really great items, all with an incredible story.
Now that it's starting to feel like spring, I find myself craving colour more than anything, and Zenporium definitely delivers on that. Their combination of contemporary and rustic design is amazing — especially how they're able to pull it off in such a unique and sustainable way.
They stock an incredible line of furniture and accessories made from old Malaysian and Indonesian fishing boats. It may be hard to believe, but the salvaged wood is completely as is. The layers of colour come from the many different coats of paint these old boats have seen and the wear is from years of sitting on the water.
I could see these pieces working in either a contemporary or new-age country interior. I'd love to use a side chair on a back patio, or lean an art piece or mirror over a fireplace.
Just like stately antiques, these pieces have had a previous life, and instead of the boats sinking to the bottom of the sea, they're turned into one-of-a-kind works of art. Love it!
For more vintage inspiration, read Michael Penney's blog post Adding Soul With Vintage Finds.
Photo credits:
1-4. Joel Bray
Benches have got to be one of the most versatile and useful pieces of small-scale furniture. From a place to take a seat, or perch your feet, or even set down a drink, benches are great for any space, and almost always play double-duty. In some cases, they may require a tray to level out an upholstered top, but this can just add to the look!
One bench style I’ve been seeing over and over again, but that is different each time, is the x-bench. Its simple shape allows it to work in all sorts of interiors by just changing out the finish or fabric.
My colleague Morgan Michener made these gorgeous x-benches for a DIY project in the September 2010 issue. She found two matching x-base side tables, spray-painted them, and then added an upholstered seat. She showed the pair tucked under a side table, which is a great trick. They look amazing as a vignette, but also function as easily accessible extra seating when needed.
This is an x-bench is by Jonathan Adler. I love how the entire piece has been upholstered in vivid green velvet. I could see this in just about any room, but would love to use a pair at the foot of a bed in a hype transitional style room.
Another x-bench by Jonathan Adler, but this one is in polished nickel and white leather for a more glamorous look. I’d like to see this as an ottoman in a chic living room, piled high with fashion books and pretty objects.
Here's another great find from CB2. The black and white combo is a shoe-in for me, and I love the updated campaign style of it. I’m planning to use this little guy in the front hall of my own place.
For a more natural look, featuring the same lines, this seagrass wrapped x-bench from Pottery Barn is a stunner. (The $99 price can’t be beat either!) I could see this as a side table next to a bed, or as extra seating in a sweet little cottage.
No matter what look you’re after, there's an x-bench out there to fit right in. And if you ever grow tired of it in one space, drag it into another room in your home and give it a whole new purpose!
To see x-benches at work, view this Luxurious Home Tour.
Photo credits:
1. House & Home September 2010 issue, photography by Kim Jeffery
2. X-Bench, Jonathan Adler
3. Rider Bench, Jonathan Adler
4. Axel Two-Tone Stool, CB2
5. Seagrass Stool, Pottery Barn
Blue has seen a lot of hype over the past few months, and now many people believe honeysuckle is the next on-trend shade. Still, it’s citrine that I can’t get enough of! I’ve spotted this warm yellow shade everywhere these days, and the more I see it, the more I love it!
Citrine works great as an accent, or even as a paint colour. It’s a versatile colour because it’s bold and crisp, yet still earthy, allowing it to mix well with both warm and cool palettes — I love it with grey-blue, chalky-whites and taupey-greys.
My favourite version of citrine is by Farrow & Ball, called Babouche No. 223. It’s bold as a wall colour, so even the professionals suggest a test spot before committing to an entire room.
Another option is this stunning wallpaper, also by Farrow & Ball. The white background softens the warm yellow, but still looks fresh.
If you’re not brave enough to paint or paper an entire wall in citrine, try it as artwork.
Accessories offer another way to get a dose of this great colour. Dwell Studio has a gorgeous collection of bedding, pillows and fabrics in citrine.
West Elm has also been using a lot of citrine for various accessories and lighting.
Keep an eye out for citrine! It’s a great colour that could add a bit of punch to almost any interior!
See our Yellow Rooms photo gallery for more tips on incorporating yellow.
Photo credits:
1. Babouche No. 223, Farrow & Ball
2. Versailles, BP 2611, Farrow & Ball
3. From Traditional Home’s Signature Style, via Doxa Design Group
4a. Peacock Citrine Duvet Set, Dwell Studio
4b. New Gate Citrine Pillow, Dwell Studio
5a. Vintage Blossom-Citrine Fabric, Dwell Studio
5b. Draper Stripe Ash Standard Shams, Dwell Studio
6a. Dimpled Drinkware, West Elm
6b. Industrial Pendant, West Elm
I’m currently working on a decorating story for the May 2011 issue of House & Home that requires one-of-a-kind antique furniture pieces. When it comes to this type of task, many of us here at the magazine jump at the chance to visit 507 Antiques in Toronto.
For those who live in the GTA and have never been before, it’s something you must experience. Imagine the contents of countless 18th and 19th century European estates unloaded into one 35,000-square-foot showroom. There are case goods piled high to the ceiling, portraits of nobles, endless chairs of all shapes and sizes, hundreds of chandeliers, and upholstered pieces that look better than the day they were made. It’s more than just a shopping experience; you feel as if you’re actually digging through treasure!
Now, I should warn you: 507 is a very high-end antique dealer, so don’t expect to find a bargain. But, if you’re interested in something incredibly rare and unique, this is where you will find it.
507 is open to the public, but by appointment only.
With its abundance of incredible antiques, the 507 showroom is not organized like a typical store. Instead of aisles, shoppers weave in amongst the beautiful things.
This settee and small chair are gorgeous as is with their natural muslin, or excellent candidates for reupholstering. I’d prefer to keep them exactly the way they are!
The original fabric on this bench couldn’t be more trendy and current!
I love this demilune table and the unframed art tucked in behind. I think I might actually use this piece in the May story!
507 doesn’t just carry furniture — they also have smaller rooms full of tabletop items and accessories.
Keep an eye out for this antiques story in our May 2011 issue!
For more inspiration on how to incorporate antiques in your space, tour former antiques dealer Alan de la Vigne’s 1830s home.
Photo credits:
1-5. Joel Bray
I was lucky enough to travel to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico this holiday and to be honest I’m actually still here while I write this — beach chair, Pacific view, warm sun, and dreading more than ever the return back to the cold!
Puerto Vallarta is a small beachside town, known to many as a sun-filled tourist destination, but it was its authentic beauty and rustic charm that caught my eye the most. From the endless tile work, to the seamless indoor/outdoor living spaces, to the wrought iron and the understated, yet perfectly adorned façades, this place is truly magical.
The trip itself was amazing, but the thing I continued to notice was just how gorgeous this place is from a design standpoint. Puerto Vallarta, and especially the Old Town District, is rich with history and gorgeous architecture and decor.
Here’s a shot of a Hausienda we had dinner at one night. This is the living area but what you can’t see is that it’s completely open on one side to a central courtyard. It feels so authentic, and I love all the white and cream with warm orange-red accents.
There were also a couple of places I found along the way that were able to take traditional Mexican inspiration and then update it in a more contemporary way.
This beachfront restaurant is a great example. I love the way they’ve laid the brick pavers in a herringbone pattern!
I could literally go on for days about how inspired I am by this place and hope to share a bunch more photos over the next few months. But for now I need to look up from the laptop and soak in the sun while I still have the chance!
Photo credits:
1-6. Joel Bray