Outdoor planters can really add impact to your landscaping or exterior.
Now I know not everyone has the space or budget for this many, but I love the repetition and graphic layout here. Keep in mind, if you're going to try something like this, best to keep the plants simple, otherwise things might get a tad busy...
Here's a roundup of some planters that have recently caught my eye:
The Pastoral 18" Planter from Crate & Barrel has a lovely, rustic feel to it. Finished with a green glaze, this clay planter would add nice colour to a deck or balcony.
Made out of textured resin, these Orinoco Bowls from Andrew Richard Designs have a Japanese feel to them. With their simple, clean lines, I think they'd look great filled with hot pink flowering plants. These come in different sizes — the largest is 40" by 15" (huge).
I think this Planterworx planter from Design Within Reach is cool — anything that gets better with age appeals to me! Made from steel, it patinas fairly quickly (about 3 to 9 months), developing its lovely rust finish.
This is the Re-Trouvé "vase", designed by Patricia Urquiola for Emu. The scroll-shaped metal pedestal base gives it a delicate yet quirky outline. It's an updated version of the vintage metal garden furniture we've seen so much of. I love an all-white planter (the container is made from enameled terracotta), and this one would certainly add character to your front door!
The Freeport Patio Planter from The Home Depot comes in a sleek white version, too. It has a double wall design and a sub-irrigation watering system. This means the plants are able to soak up water from the bottom of the planter as needed — a process that's easier on plants than being watered from above. A perfect planter for those (like me) who often over-water their plants!
See our Tropical-Inspired Outdoor Spaces for more patio ideas.
Photo credits:
1. Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, photography by Mali Azima
2. Pastoral 18" Planter, Crate & Barrel
3. Orinoco Bowls, Andrew Richard Designs
4. Planterworx planter, Design Within Reach
5. Re-Trouvé Short Vase, Emu
6. Freeport Patio Planter, The Home Depot
My 12-year-old faux-teak outdoor furniture from one of my favourite stores, Caban (still so sad it's gone) has finally bit the dust. The recent mild weather has got me thinking I'd better sort out a new plan soon. Don't you find outdoor furniture disappears from stores before the snow is even gone? The sales seem to be on, so I'd love to take advantage! Not sure about you, but I like to mix up the table style from the chair style. Here are a few items I've been considering:
The West Elm Jardine dining table is super. I love the driftwood colour of the wood and trestle base. It can expand to 100" long to accommodate a big group.
This is a classic Parsons-style table from Restoration Hardware. The teak will develop that silver-grey patina over time, which I love. And the lines are so simple and clean. A four-legged table means nobody will have any awkward legs to deal with when pulling up their chair. Unfortunately, I think this one is out of my budget, but I still like to look at it!
This is a new outdoor dining table by Pottery Barn called the Abbott — a sophisticated version of the old picnic table. The galvanized zinc tabletop is apparently naturally rust resistant and very durable. I like how it contrasts with the wood (eucalyptus) base. It has a nice chunky, solid look to it.
As for chairs, I like mixing and matching. This wishbone-style Dexter chair is from West Elm, and I think it's amazing. The only issue for me is that the website refers to the wood as being "weather-resistant". I need my chairs to last a while — and that makes me a bit nervous. Have to think about this one...
I was at Crate & Barrel over the weekend and saw this "wicker" Summerlin Armchair. I sat in it and fell in love — it's super comfy. I love the look of some of the quirkier looking chairs out there, but when you're sitting in one all night, comfort is important, too! This is a top contender for me. It's likely the most durable with regards to weather, given it's made out of resin.
I also saw this great Ming chair at Crate & Barrel. Appropriate for outdoor use (the metal chair has a high-gloss powdercoat finish), this was what I was imagining in my backyard all along. Originally I wanted some fun, colourful chairs and these ones certainly fit the bill!
To get you excited about summer, view these Tropical-Inspired Outdoor Spaces.
Photo credits:
1. Jardine Dining Table, West Elm
2. 84" Parsons Dining Table, Restoration Hardware
3. Abbott Zinc Top Rectangular Fixed Dining Table, Pottery Barn
4. Dexter Chair, West Elm
5. Summerlin Armchair, Crate & Barrel
6. Ming Chair, Crate & Barrel
My almost-nine-year-old daughter has been bugging me to redo her bedroom. It's due for an overhaul (even I've grown tired of it) so I've been pulling together some ideas to show her. I don't want it to feel too grown-up, but (to keep her happy) not too sweet either — a room that will hopefully make it into the teenage years. Let's see if I get her stamp of approval!
I've always wanted to use John Robshaw's Shali Lotus linen. I think it would be great for the roman blind and shams for her twin beds.
I'd also like to do simple upholstered headboards in John Robshaw's Aleppo Lotus linen.
Vancouver's Orling & Wu had a booth at the Interior Design Show in Toronto last month. I love the Sandberg wallpapers they carry. This pattern, called Mia, is perfect in the dark grey. The polka dots are fun and light, but the colour keeps them from feeling too juvenile.
In between the two twin beds I want this double sheepskin rug from DwellStudio. How lovely to step out of bed onto this!
I love this carved wood stool from West Elm. It's nice and sturdy, and could sit between the two beds.
Perhaps topped with the Atelier task table lamp from Restoration Hardware?
That's where I'm at right now. I still have to determine bedding, but will likely go with simple, white cotton duvet covers. I don't want things to get too busy. I hope I get her official stamp of approval — wish me luck!
For more ideas, see our Trendy Kids' Bedroom Ideas photo gallery.
Photo credits:
1. Shali Lotus linen, John Robshaw
2. Aleppo Lotus linen, John Robshaw
3. Mia wallpaper, Sandbergab
4. Double Sheepskin Rug, DwellStudio
5. Carved Wood Side Table, West Elm
6. Atelier Task Table Lamp, Restoration Hardware
My family and I just moved back into our house over the weekend, after having been out for close to eight months for a sizable reno. It sure feels good. Although most of the construction is complete (we attacked the main floor and basement), it's a long way from being "done" (hmmm... when is it ever when you love interior design?). I say that because the "decorating" has yet to begin.
We hung on to most of our living room furniture, so that will go back to how it once looked — sitting atop new floors. But I do need new dining room furniture, as well as new things for our family room.
What I'm trying to nail down right now is wallpaper. I hope to have accent walls in the dining and family rooms, plus a small entry/powder room. I love wallpaper — the hit of colour and pattern, and how it can serve as art (of which we don't have much). But who knew how hard it is to choose? Two lines that I will likely go with are Galbraith & Paul and Eskayel.
Galbraith & Paul is available in Canada through Y&Co in Toronto. I have used their fabric before and love the handcrafted, blockprint feel it has. There are some wonderful patterns, with too many colours to choose from! Here are a few that I'm considering:
1. Small Star
2. Ivy Paisley
3. Tile
Another wallpaper line I adore is Eskayel, based out of Brooklyn, NY. The patterns I like best also have a handcrafted feel to them, but in a more abstract, painterly way. Kind of like of a modern tie-dye project:
5. Setting Sun
6. Dynasty
Hmmm... I love them all! Which one is your favourite?
For more wallpaper inspiration, see our Wallpapered Rooms photo gallery.
Photo credits:
1-3. Galbraith & Paul
4-6. Eskayel
I'm often on the hunt for nice vases — I think they're great accessories for any room. While they don't need to steal the show, they can definitely add some character to a dining table, mantle, kitchen counter or bedroom corner. I leave the ones I really love out on display when not in use, instead of hidden away on a top shelf in my kitchen.
Here are a few I've been eying lately:
The Sweater Vase from Crate & Barrel. I love the cosy, knitted texture of this otherwise simple vase. A few sprigs of little evergreen branches and you're ready for winter!
These coloured glass vases from West Elm have a lovely, organic shape to them. This style has a nice, wide neck that is handy when you're working with thicker stems. I think the frosted smokey grey colour is my favourite, but they're all so pretty.
The Diamond Cut Egg Vase is a delicate number from DwellStudio. I think I would keep the kids away from this one. The textured ceramic surface is glossy and reflects light in a nice, sparkly way.
This recycled glass vessel from Anthropologie is actually meant for pillar candles, but I think it would also be smashing as a vase. It's quite substantial (12" high and 6" wide) so could handle a large arrangement. Or fill it with bare branches and hang white and gold ornaments from them. So pretty.
Last but not least is the Mali Vase by 18Karat. It's made of concrete (eco-stone composite) and is 25-1/2" high so it's also quite substantial. The colour is the selling point for me though, and I like the simple lines. This one needs some room to breathe but would make a pretty dramatic statement — with or without anything in it!
Learn how to make your own DIY vases, or how to use other items around the house as vases.
Photo credits:
1. Sweater Vase, Crate & Barrel
2. Coloured Cylinder Vases, West Elm
3. Diamond Cut Egg Vase, DwellStudio
4. Bubbled Drum Hurricane, Anthropologie
5. Mali Vase, 18Karat
I've resisted the large flat screen TV for a while now, but when my 10-year-old son's friend came over the other day and asked if our TV was a computer, I decided maybe it was time to graduate. I think it's interesting to see how people choose to handle the large screens — to hide or not to hide? Here are some ideas that appeal to me.
When these sliding panels close to conceal the TV, they visually disappear into the wall, which will then reads as panelled. Cool.
In this case, the designer chose to showcase the TV and suspend it from a pole in the corner of the room. An interesting approach — minimal and uncomplicated.
Here the TV is balanced by all the books and accessories that surround it. When the TV's turned off, the shelf displays take centre stage.
I'd love to know how this one works — a part of the TV surround must open up to allow the homeowner to access the TV when needed? Unless I'm reading this wrong and it's actually art. What do you think? Regardless, it looks great.
Here's a freestanding option from Restoration Hardware that's also unapologetic, treating the flat screen like a piece of art and displaying it on an easel. Polished nickel updates the look. The locking wheels make it easy to move around. In a condo/apartment/loft where living is all on one floor, this would be especially useful.
For more on where to hang TVs, read TV Placement and How To Hang A Flat-Panel Television.
Photo credits:
1. Mali Azima
2. Elle Decor, photography by Simon Upton
3. Lonny
4. Elle Decor, photography by Pieter Estersohn
5. Polished-Nickel TV Easel, Restoration Hardware