Minimal, simple design and natural materials are all words I would use to describe Scandinavian design. Below are a few photos of gorgeous Nordic-inspired rooms from a blog I recently came across called My Scandinavian Home.
One of my favourite stores to visit for Scandinavian-inspired finds is Mjölk here in Toronto. They distribute furniture and handcrafted pieces from Scandinavian and Japanese designers. (The owners are so stylish we've featured their cottage in H&H and Online TV.) If you're in the Toronto area and have not yet been, I suggest you make a trip soon.
Here are a few pieces I love, all available through Mjölk:
Artek's Mademoiselle Lounge Chair.
Artek's X-Frame Glass Top Table.
Tomiyama Koichi Walnut Coffee Lamp.
Maruni's Nextmaruni Lounge Chair.
For more Scandinavian-inspired design, watch these TV tours.
Photo credits:
1. My Scandinavian Home
2a. My Scandinavian Home
2b. My Scandinavian Home
3. My Scandinavian Home
4. My Scandinavian Home
5. Artek
6. Artek
7. Mjölk
8. Maruni
I've been doing a lot of research for my "Editor's DIY" story for the magazine, and have come across some very talented and handy people I thought I should share with you. Here are a few projects that stood out for me.
Design*Sponge is always a great place to go for DIY projects. These copper coil vases strike the perfect balance between pretty and industrial.
I really love this ottoman DIY because you're really using all your own resources. Instead of adding pieces to your house, you take something that no longer works in the space and create something that does, recycling as much material as possible.
For small spaces, Apartment Therapy has some very ingenious ideas. One of their current stories is "10 Small Space Storage Solutions for the Bathroom". This idea is my favourite of the ten, since it's fun yet tidy.
Doilies are also popping up everywhere. People are straying away from their traditional use and decorating pillows or light fixtures.
In my search, I also found these photos of a gorgeous old window with a doily window curtain. I love the vintage look of it.
For more projects, see our DIY Ideas weekly blog.
Photo credits:
1. Design*Sponge
2. Design*Sponge
3. Apartment Therapy
4a. Touch of Europe blog
4b. Love.Inspire.Create blog
5. Fine Little Day blog
Spring has sprung and I wanted to share a selection of my favourite spring accessories — for you and your home.
This is a great new wicker bag by Kate Spade. As I've mentioned before, I love green for 2012, and paired with wicker, this bag has it all.
Virginia Johnson is one of my favorite designers and artists. Her spring line includes some fantastic shawls and statement pieces. One of my favourites is this merino wool shawl in magenta.
Restoration Hardware surprised me this spring by introducing a selection of blues into their mostly-neutral collection. A few of these throw pillows will brighten up your living room for the season.
Finally, where would you be without a few great spring tabletop accessories? Not surprisingly, West Elm impresses with their new line of Clinton Friedman Melamine Plates. They're perfect for outdoor entertaining this season.
Which accessories are you coveting right now?
See our Colourful Spring Rooms for more inspiration.
Photo credits:
1. Delavan Terrace Little Nadine bag, Kate Spade
2. Merino Wool Shawl in Magenta, Virginia Johnson
3. Restoration Hardware
4a. Belgian Linen Pillow Covers, Restoration Hardware
4b. Azure Printed Pillow Collection, Restoration Hardware
5-6. Clinton Friedman Melamine Plates, West Elm
Getting married is something most girls dream about for their entire lives. They imagine the dress, decor, who their maid/matron of honour will be, and most important, who will be waiting for them at the end of the aisle.
My special day came last fall, just before I started here at House & Home, and I wanted to share a few photos of the absolutely gorgeous decorating by my wonderful mother-in-law Kelly Meighen and wedding planner Laurie Goldhar.
We chose Toronto's Evergreen Brick Works for our reception. Check out what the magical evening looked like.
The flowers were simple and beautiful.
The glow shining above from the rustic wood chandeliers combined with the candle light glistening from the tables. The dining space was filled with a soft, warm light. (Lynda Reeves chose similar chandeliers for the 2008 Princess Margaret Hospital showhome.)
They filled the tables down the centre of the room with the most delicious looking cheeses, fruits and desserts.
My side of the wedding party wore pink — they looked absolutely beautiful! And the pink added a contemporary spin to the harvest-like theme.
All in all, Kelly and Laurie did a fabulous job pulling the rustic theme together. I hope you've enjoyed a peek inside my big day.
For more wedding inspiration, see this Summer Weddings blog post.
Photo credits:
1-6. Photography by Bruce Zinger
I have absolutely fallen in love with green this season, a colour I never thought I would put ahead of the others. Here are a few of my favourite green spaces:
This is a clean, modern living room with bold green walls and splashes of green throughout.
I love this entryway with all the panelling and molding — it has a very classic feel. The different tones of green are a refreshing take on the usual white.
This kitchen is fresh and elegant. I love the pops of aqua green on the tiles and the stool cushions. The base of the island is painted in the same hue, sanded down for a vintage look.
See more green decor in our Green Rooms photo gallery.
Photo credits:
1. Cottage Blue Designs
2. Martha Stewart
3. Blue Sky Environments Interior Decor
Storage is one of the most important elements for an entry hall to make it as functional as possible. These spaces are also a great place to express yourself with punches of colour or bold statement wallpapers. Here are some of my favourite entryways:
This photo from the blog Small Place Style shows various types of storage — everything from the small and easy like loose keys to the last minute items like a purse or umbrella — all find a home in an uncluttered and organized entry.
This entryway boasts a large amount of storage behind very tall and sleek doors. This allows such a narrow space to remain tidy and uncluttered.
This gorgeous entry features another important element. A mirror helps to open up a narrow or small space, plus offers a last-minute hair and makeup check. There are so many beautiful features in this entry, from the stained glass to the bench and mouldings, but this mirror really makes the space.
This entryway has the seat, storage and a mirror. It's also a segue into the next theme of using loud paint or wallpaper in these small spaces.
This entrance pops with cheerful wallpaper and colours.
Small entryways are a perfect spot to let your creative side shine — you don't spend much time in them so they're less daunting.
If wallpaper isn't your thing, try hanging photos, a plate arrangement or art to personalize the space a bit. See some examples below:
For more inspiration, view our Editors' Favourite Entryways segment.
Photo credits:
1. 7. Small Place Style blog
2, 3. Shelterness blog
4. Designed by Samantha Pynn, photography by Virginia Macdonald
5. Flor
6. Kristen F. Davis Designs
8. Arcadian Home blog
9. The Design Enthusiast blog