Last week, Indigo revealed a sample of its fall 2012 products. It's hard to think about cool autumn days given that summer is just about to begin, but many of these decorating finds can work year-round, too. Aside from the stunning books and stationery (who doesn't love a fresh notebook?), here's what interested me most:
A harvest table filled with wood accents, ready for a hearty meal. Farmer's carafe with walnut ball, $33; linen napkins, set of four for $25.
The soft pretty hues of these bowls and mugs, just waiting to be filled with a cuppa hot cocoa or rich soup. Pedestal soup bowl, $12; Bergen mug, $12.
An array of vases ready for blooms. Vases, from $15; seagrass sphere, $13; woodfire-scented candle, $38.
Soft pink floral pillows — featuring chintz-like patterns and textured designs. Cabbage rose pillow, $60; vine appliqué pillow, $55.
The fresh fall products will be in Indigo stores and online in August. For now, check out our latest decorating finds.
Photo credits:
Seema Persaud
Last night I attended the inaugural JLT DelecTable Designs fundraising event, put on by the Junior League of Toronto, and it was buzzing with designers and industry guests eager to contribute to a great cause. Well-known designers like Julia West, Harvey Wise, Lisa Worth, Dee Dee Taylor Hannah and Anita Wiklem mingled with guests, media and Junior League members, and shared their displays of upcoming tabletop trends for 2012. Here are some of my snapshots from the party last night:
Julia West Home has a gorgeous outdoor set-up with plenty of texture, pattern and pops of pink.
Also at the Julie West Home table, this dark grey chair cover that would look equally chic indoors.
Lisa Worth of Worth Interior Design has a rustic, casual theme going on. I love the metal chandelier.
Dee Dee Taylor Hannah is featuring a more formal display with a patterned tablecloth, polished silverware and layered plates with intricate prints.
Jennifer Brouwer's tablescape is fresh and clean, with accents of that coral-orange we're seeing everywhere in 2012.
Nathalie Gluckstein layered a marble table with textured chargers, Asian-inspired cutlery and fun lime-and-aqua napkins. The combination of styles would be a perfect conversation starter at a dinner party.
This minimalist table setting by Tara Fingold strikes just the right balance of colour and texture. Hammered metal dishware is also everywhere this year.
This blue and white scene by Jacaranda Tree & Co. really caught my eye. The raw wood table, fish-printed plates, chevron-patterned napkins and oversized mason jars combine beautifully. The salad bowl made of sticks is perfect for outdoor entertaining this summer.
Samantha Baillie has a cosy outdoor tablescape with woven straw chargers and accents of green and wood.
And finally, Rafters of Muskoka has set up a nautical-themed dinner party complete with striped awning, navy placemats and striped seat cushions. I could sit here until well after sunset!
For three days this weekend (starting today!), the public can visit JLT DelecTable Designs to see how these talented interior designers, stylists and boutiques redefine table decor with their high-style dining vignettes. Designers from previous showhouses — see our photos and videos of the 2009 house here — along with some new up-and-coming designers will be putting their tablescapes on display. Tickets are only $20, and you can draw inspiration from over 25 unique dining installations, browse fabulous interior design boutiques onsite, and enjoy talks where top Canadian designers will share tips and discuss industry trends.
JLT DelecTable Designs takes place at Heritage Court, Direct Energy Centre today from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Tickets are $20 per person, and proceeds will benefit women's involvement in communities across the GTA.
The Junior League of Toronto is a women's charitable and educational organization dedicated to building better communities in the Greater Toronto Area. They've contributed millions of volunteer hours and more than $4 million to support over 400 community programs and projects. They strive to develop women's potential and nurture effective leadership and action of trained volunteers. The Junior League of Toronto is one of 293 Junior Leagues in Canada, England, Mexico, and the United States, representing more than 170,000 women.
Photo credits:
Gwen McAuley
The annual Green Living Show is coming up this weekend, April 13th-15th, held at Toronto's Direct Energy Centre. The show is open from 10-9pm Friday, 10-9pm Saturday and 10-6pm Sunday. Tickets are $15 per adult, but if you bring electronic waste (including old cell phones, modems, laptops and printers — find a list here), admission to the show is free! If you're in the area, make a trip down to the show to browse what's new in eco-conscious products, demonstrations and initiatives. Here are a few products from the show to get you excited about being green:
Freedom Clothing Collective, a non-profit cooperative supporting local Toronto artists, is selling these clocks, makeup bags and adorable tea towels made from repurposed materials.
This is so more than a placemat — it has little compartments to store your cutlery, then folds and ties for easy storage. Wouldn't kids have fun with these? Plus, it's soft enough to use as a napkin, too. Life Without Plastic makes them in Canada from Mahatma Gandhi-championed khadi (an organic cotton from India).
These colourful pillows from Montreal company Mayukori are stuffed with buckwheat seeds — neither synthetic nor animal-based (feathers). After shelling the buckwheat seeds, they recycle the protective hulls and use them to stuff the pillows. With a 10-year lifespan, the filling is a compostable and easily renewable product. Plus, the buckwheat hulls come from an organic farm in Quebec. And in these cheerful colourways, they would make a cute baby shower gift. (They were developed by a mom for her two young girls.)
This chartreuse shower curtain, also by Life Without Plastic, is made from naturally mold-resistant hemp. Plus, because hemp is one of the strongest natural fibres, you can machine wash the curtain and hang to dry — no plastic liner needed!
So do your part and pick up some of these affordable green products at the show this weekend. Even better, take transit or carpool down to the Direct Energy Centre!
For more eco ideas, see our Green Design photo gallery.
Photo credits:
Courtesy of Green Living Show
Two centuries after the war of 1812, Canada is successfully advancing into America once again, only this time we're moving the style front forward and Americans are welcoming us with open arms. (I knew my history degree would come in handy one day.)
Joe Fresh recently opened on 5th avenue in New York and last weekend, I got a sneak peek inside the first DwellStudio store, which will open in SoHo in early summer.
As you may know, DwellStudio was founded by ex-pat Christiane Lemieux. I promise to reveal more later, but the stunning façade is a good indication of the level of style that awaits. Stay tuned!
Of course, our fashion-forward neighbours to the south are giving us some friendly competition. While in New York, I stumbled on Save Haven, a precisely curated shop on Lafayette St. that carries the relaxed, workwear-inspired look of their Save Khaki menswear into the home.
Trays and textiles from Fog Linen, beautiful locally woven navy blue and white blankets from their own line, rugged aprons, enamel tableware, and simple ceramics had me dreaming of a small but comfy cabin on the tip of Montauk.
That's Joe behind the cash desk, who patiently and knowingly told me all about their products (Hi Joe!). Here, he's handcutting and stamping the store's business cards. A lovely touch.
For Michael Penney's favourite New York shopping spots, read his blog post.
Photo credits:
1-5. Kimberley Brown
For five years now, The Artist Project has been featuring original work from independent Canadian contemporary artists. This exhibition, which runs from March 1-4th at the Queen Elizabeth building at Toronto's Exhibition Place, offers a spectacular collection of wall art, installations and sculpture. I had a chance to peruse the space on opening night, which was bustling with artists, designers and creatives from coast to coast.
I first met Tony Koukos at 2012's Interior Design Show. This photographer/world traveler transforms his stunning pictures into works of art. The canvases above feature Parisian graffiti.
Another favourite is our very own Ryan Louis' photography-based art pieces. Look up close and you'll see that these "constructed realities" are in fact meticulous cutouts that were layered and photographed. Stunning.
Ian Busher's abstract photography definitely caught my eye. Inspired by urban and industrial landscapes, this artist transforms rough textures into intriguing and colourful works of art. The high gloss finish definitely makes these pieces stand out.
There were plenty of phenomenal painted pieces at the show. Sketch artist Nissim Ben Aderet's style was quite different. Created with a single line, his work is busy, eye-catching and filled with movement. I couldn't look away.
These quirky (and dare I say creepy) bookends made me smile! What a conversation piece! Artist Ross Bonfanti's booth was filled with ravaged stuffed animals that had seen better days and other pieces made of concrete and toy parts.
Artist Erin Vincent displays her beautifully intricate sculptures under lovely wood-base cloches.
One of my favourites was this simple yet perfectly dreamy horse painting by Erika Baempfer Deery. Wow.
Of course, there were too many amazing artists to feature in one short blog post, so if you're in Toronto, I urge you to take some time this weekend to tour The Artist Project exhibition — you just might stumble upon that perfect piece you've been looking for.
Photo credits:
1-7. Jason Stickley
In my household, any book or magazine filled with DIY and home improvement ideas is always kept for reference — even if it's several years old. Good renovation tips and ideas don't go out of style. Now there's another book to keep on hand — and this time readers can add it their bookmarks, print it or easily share it on their social media pages. The Home Depot DreamBook is now available exclusively online and the latest one is packed with ideas for kitchens, baths, lighting, flooring and painting. (This blog is sponsored by The Home Depot DreamBook. Share your favourite pages for a chance to win a $1,000 gift card!) Here are some of my favourite photos and ideas in the issue:
Floor-to-ceiling subway tile looks great outside of the kitchen, and I wouldn't mind recreating a display shelf like this one. Find out how you can recreate the Vintage look in the DreamBook. Everything from exact paint colour suggestions to lighting options are included.
Painting ideas are readily available in the DreamBook, with eight colourful projects featured within. This section also includes links to an interior paint buying guide, a paint calculator and more — handy!
A great light can make all the difference in a room and there's no shortage of ideas here, with pages dedicated to classic fixtures (like the one above), along with mid-century-inspired pieces, bronze lights and more.
Each DreamBook section has social media share buttons integrated, along with the option to add products to your personal favourites. Share a section from the DreamBook on Twitter (use the hashtag #DreamBook2012), Facebook or Pinterest and you could win one of three $1,000 Home Depot gift cards!
Valentine's day is just around the corner, but here at H&H we're busy planning the May issue — hooray for spring! — which is one of my favourites of the year. Its indoor-outdoor living theme is the mandate of my dream home, which I imagine having fold-away glass walls, vases full of flowering branches and scads of natural light. It would also be filled with beautiful furniture, which brings me to legendary Danish architect Finn Juhl.
A little history: Last Monday, January 30th, would have been Juhl's 100th birthday, and in preparation for his centennial, his home in Denmark was recently restored and opened to the public in September as part of the Ordrupgaard Museum. (The museum also hired architect Zaha Hadid in 2005 to give it a futuristic extension. Yep, I want to go to there.)
The house, which Juhl designed as a young architect in 1942, looks almost exactly as it did when he died a celebrated pioneer of the Danish modern movement in 1989. Shaped like an L, the home's two ends are joined by an entrance hall that opens onto the garden — just like in my dream home! In fact, no matter where you are in the house, there's always a view to the garden, and the ceilings are painted a pale yellow that gives the rooms a warm sunny glow.
The furniture — mostly designed by Juhl himself — is organic in shape, with soft inviting curves. One chair (pictured above right) is called the Pelican, but I think it looks like a brilliant spring bloom.
A few years ago, the only way you could get your hands on Juhl's furniture was to luck into it at an auction or stumble across it on eBay. It had been out of production for decades and was increasingly scarce. Then Juhl's widow asked Denmark's OneCollection to reproduce a piece for her. One thing led to another, and now Juhl's designs are once again being made (available through Design Within Reach in Canada).
And the lovin' is growing: to celebrate Juhl's 100th, a 1:1 copy of his house was built in Gifu, Japan by the Finn Juhl Art Museum Club (Juhl is big in Japan.) This year will also see the restoration of the Trusteeship Council Chamber in the United Nations Headquarters in New York, which Juhl designed in the 1950s. Click here to see archive photos and a video of the on-going restoration. If my Valentine is smart, he's already plotting a pilgrimage for next year, when the space is completed. In the meantime, I'll keep planning my dream home, with its lush garden views and a Poet sofa in a cosy corner.
For more mid-century furniture pieces, browse our Iconic Furniture gallery.
Photo credits:
1, 3a, 4a. Ordrupgaard Museum
2. Poet Sofa, Design Within Reach
3b. Finn Juhl Art Museum Club
4b. Pelican Chair, Design Within Reach
5. Baker Sofa in Fabric A, Design Within Reach
6a. Chieftains Chair, Design Within Reach
6b. Eye Table, Design Within Reach
This past Saturday, I attended the third Canadian Design Bloggers Meetup. The event was held at Toronto's Brassaii, a perfect spot to mingle, network and listen to special talks from some of the best industry leaders out there. Design bloggers from all over Canada braved the snow to attend the event, which is expanding every year. Along with more than 120 attendees, organizers Vitania Liscio, Daniella Zitella and Amy Boudreau Parrag also had a few special guest speakers on hand!
House & Home sponsored the event, along with great brands like Ikea, CIL and Aya Kitchens.
Delta was also a sponsor, and donated this sleek faucet with touch technology as a giveaway. This year's top design books were also part of the raffle.
Vitania Liscio of Verdigris Vie (right) planned the event, which went off without a hitch. (Thanks again, Vitania!) She was lucky enough to land Cassandra LaValle (left) of Coco + Kelley as a guest speaker (all the way from Seattle!).
Here are Amanda (far left) and Justyna (middle left) from Aya Kitchens, Jeanette of This Dusty House and Kimberley of Restoration House.
Smile, bloggers! Here are Maureen Coates of Modecor (left), Sonya Kinkade of Sonya Kinkade Design, Lisa Goulet of Lisa Goulet Design, Kelly James of Jax Does Design, Nicole Duguay of Solace Interiors and Donna Hargrove of DH Designs.
Here is designer Glen Peloso (left), H&H's online director Lisa Murphy, Michele of Modmissy and Aya Kitchens president David Marcus.
House & Home's Cameron MacNeil took to the podium to share the upcoming trends for 2012, while Lisa Murphy spoke about H&H, blogs and our new iPad and mobile apps.
Coco + Kelley's Cassandra LaValle shared her tips on how to jump-start a successful design blog. Do: adopt your own voice and offer readers something they aren't seeing elsewhere. Don't: underestimate your value and readership when approaching advertisers. She started Coco + Kelley back in 2007, and has since been featured on Marthastewart.com and in House Beautiful, along with being credited as one of the 50 Best Design Blogs by The London Times.
Everyone was thrilled when a surprise guest, Toronto designer Brian Gluckstein, stepped up to the podium! He spoke about how he ended up in interior design (he originally thought he might become a pediatrician!), why his cell phone camera always keeps him inspired to blog and why the blogosphere is so important in the design community. Here he is with Tim Lam (left) of Design Maze and Cheryl Kozoriz from GlucksteinHome.
Here are a few of the lucky prize winners: Anita from Delta (far left), Kerry of First Time Fancy (front), Lisa Ferguson of Decor Mentor, Iela Snow of Cultura Femenina and Jennifer Brouwer of JB Designs.
All in all, a fabulous night! It's such a great opportunity to meet new bloggers and we're looking forward to the next event! Read about the first meetup and last summer's meetup as well.
Photo credits:
1-6, 10-11. Alessia Lamonaca
7. Aya Kitchens
8-9. Gwen McAuley
My visit to the Interior Design Show in Toronto this past weekend was a confirmation of my belief in the virtue of simple design. It's easy in this business to have your head turned by endless experiments in embellishment, colour and pattern. But in the end it's the simple that always takes my breath away. Designs that are just enough and not too much. Here are my simple favourites spotted on the IDS floor:
The Hati chair by Piero Lissoni for Lema. Piero Lissoni was a special guest of the show. I'll admit that sometimes I find the big name Italians a tad high-brow for my liking. But look at this chair. It's all unpretentious perfection.
Counter stool by Shawn Place Designs. To my mind, the pace of condo building and hence the demand for great counter stool designs is far outpacing the availability of decent looking stools. So I welcome this beauty to the market with open arms. Thank you Shawn. P.S. 100% Canadian.
Side table by Heidi Earnshaw Design. I'm not completely immune to colour and this was a welcome relief from the experiments in Tangerine Tango evident on the show floor. What a handsome devil this is, all in a blue I'd call cobalt or maybe Yves Klein blue. This piece is also 100% Canadian.
The Biomega Amsterdam by Jens Martin Skibsted. This is the kind of beauty I would own if I were a loft-dwelling urbanite. Perfect for commuting but also a fantastic loft entryway accessory.
Jenn-Air white glass appliances. All hail the return of white appliances, I say. These sleek beauties make me think stainless steel is so Y2K.
AEG stacking laundry. They may look common to you, but as the member of a two-person household and someone who is currently designing a laundry room, these are a total find. North American laundry appliances are ballooning in proportion the same way that fridges are. It's a trend I dislike. So these petite high-performers are jewels to my eyes.
Mini hexagon tiles from Stone-Tile International. So small. So matte. So want.
The Odin collection by Jason Wu for Brizo. The faucet is so new that Brizo only had a prototype at the show and it was encased in a Lucite box so you couldn't touch. I sooo wanted to touch that satiny black finish! The line also includes the sexiest toilet flush lever and paper holder I have ever seen. Pure luxury. P.S. I estimate this to be about 40% Canadian, since Jason did live in Vancouver as a kid.
For more from IDS12, check out Gwen McAuley's picks.
Photo credits:
1-7. Margot Austin
8-9. Architectural Digest
Last night, the 2012 Interior Design Show held its annual gala party downtown Toronto at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. I had the pleasure of browsing the booths, mingling with designers and snapping shots of the newest finds in design. I'm just scratching the surface here, but here is a selection of some designers and manufacturers we've come to love, and some that are brand new. The show is definitely a must-see for anyone interested in design. It's open to the public this weekend, Saturday February 28th to Sunday February 29th, so be sure to check it out if you're downtown this weekend! Click here to buy tickets — only $19 if you purchase online.
Along with almost 300 exhibitors, House & Home has a great booth where live Online TV episodes will be filmed over the weekend — stop by and watch! And while you're in the booth, pick up a few of our back issues or sign up for a discounted subscription. Plus, catch Lynda Reeves at the main stage on Sunday at noon, designer Tommy Smythe and Mark Challen at 1:30, and Suzanne Dimma and Brian Gluckstein at 3:00. There's tons to do and see at the show!
Designer Mazen El-Abdallah showed off his home in an H&H Online TV video a while back, and his showcase this year proves he still has it. This long marble dining table can double as a work surface in a small condo, something he did in his own home. And this worn leather sofa has classic lines and a vintage feel — timeless!
Toronto designer Jill Greaves has also been featured on Online TV. Her showcase was full of soft greys with fun pops of Hermès orange and blue. I loved these extra-thick floating shelves in a brushed finish.
Miele unveiled a new washer/dryer combo that is easy on the environment and the eyes.
This booth designed by architect Dee Dee Taylor Eustace was right on trend. This soft grey plaid duvet from Hästens would instantly update a bedroom for spring. They paired it with punchy orange — definitely the trend colour at this year's IDS.
Casalife had several raw wood furniture pieces that would add a rustic feel to a modern space. Add a pair of these tile-inspired charcoal grey throw pillows to your sofa or bed for added texture.
The 28 Series pendant by Vancouver lighting designer Omer Arbel gets me every time — it's still on my wish list.
AM Studio specializes in custom lighting, and had some gorgeous pendants on display in their booth. I wasn't the only one snapping photos of this glass number. It's quite large, but would fill a spacious, industrial loft nicely.
H&H editors source from Snob for art, accessories and furniture with a global feel. Owner Denise Zidel travels frequently through Africa to gather her carefully curated finds, then brings them home to her east-end shop to repurpose, refurbish and sell (with a story, of course). These Halo pendant lights are each the shape of a different waist — 25 Africans participated in the project, and each name is engraved inside their ring. Zidel then made each ring into a light fixture. She gave me the bright idea last night of hanging two on either side of a bed as reading lights — brilliant!
This nickel tub has a classic shape and gorgeous finish — a winning combination. Plus, it's made from recycled copper and hand-hammered by artisans. Native Trails wowed with this particular tub.
Wetstyle also had some beautiful tubs on display. Their Be Collection tub looked the most comfortable, and I love the wood board to prop your book on.
Variations of orange were everywhere, and Dekla impressed with these burnt orange cabinets.
Stone Forest had this simple bamboo sink on display, and I found even more bamboo versions on their website. Clean lines, renewable materials and smart designs had this company standing out from the crowds.
These large-scale wall tiles from Mettro Source would look sharp as a backsplash in a contemporary white kitchen.
And lastly, Amala Carpets had this ruby runner that would add a hit of bold colour to an entryway.
Be sure to check out IDS12 this weekend for even more great finds, talks and exhibitors!
Photo credits:
1-3, 5-15. Gwen McAuley
4. Miele
