Antique Show Finds

This is part two of the Christie Antique Show post I wrote a while back.  In this episode, I'm showing the more unique and interesting pieces I found and some in the category of "huh?".  Have a look:

This mirror looks like a cross between the Jetson's and Viva Las Vegas



A mod rocking chair - not sure if you steer it or rest your head on the top?



Lovely 40's couple (I think) in neon yellow!  A statement piece in any room, for sure.


I like lucite and animal prints, but somehow they are sooo wrong together.



These are vintage coffee cups, cute but would you pay $95 for one?


African art gone wild!  Is he happy to see us, or what??


My Canadian Idol

On Monday I attended the launch of a new book by Interior Designer, TV Host, and Style at Home magazine contributing Decorating Editor Kimberley Seldon called Business of Design, Part 1 hosted by DeBoer's .  The author has been one of my favourite designers since her early days on HGTV as host of Design for Living, which is now a term used to define the blueprint for her successful design business.


As expected Kimberley was witty, entertaining, and very candid about her early days in the business sharing stories of her trials and tribulations with her never-happy clients; many examples of what NOT to do along with excellent tips for how to make it in this challenging yet very rewarding industry.  The book comes out in stores in September, and I can tell you it's worth it.  I gobbled it up in one sitting that night and went back a second time to fill out the excercise worksheets (very handy).  Thanks Kimberley (Cheryl & Raleigh, Kimberley's daughter) for a fun and informative afternoon.  



Are we wearing the same colour lipstick? 
Note to self: that top is not good in pictures!

Embellish It!

I was invited to attend a seminar at Designer's Walk this week presented by Reid & Lyons, Canada’s only exclusive decorative trim supplier to the design industry.  Owner Melissa Gorton demonstrated how we can use decorative trim in a wide variety of design applications to create truly unique looks for both traditional and modern settings.  Her ideas stretched us beyond the typical use for drapery and furniture; extending to wall panels, valence boxes, new ways to adorn old furniture, and even bedding with removable trim that can be laundered and replaced.   Here are some samples of what we saw: 


Here's Melissa in front of a lavishly embellished velvet drape that sets the creative tone for the presentation



This chair is covered in faux snakeskin and trimmed with metal chain bling!


This was a sample of a wall decorated in trim using framed panels inset into the wall.  Imagine how chic this would look in a modern setting with matching pillows on the sofa or against a similar pattern on the rug. 



This design board illustrates how custom, complimentary trim was fabricated for a bed skirt to match the trim used on the drapery, which of course matched the wallpaper! 

The possibilities are endless and limited only by your Designer's imagination.

Thanks for the great ideas Melissa!

Fun Furniture Friday

I'm always amazed at what can happen when really creative people with unlimited imaginations design furniture.  Sometimes you get a piece of art or functional brilliance, but sometimes it's just a big "what were they thinking?"  Decide for yourself...you may want to sit down first.


Bibliochair via funforever.net



Curve Chair by Darko Nikolic via hometone.org



Human furniture by Dzmitry Samal



Wrench Chair via chair blog



Coffee Time Chair via funforever.net

How do you take your coffee?

Flower Power

Nature inspired design can be very calming and so beautiful, especially in modern spaces where clean lines dominate a room.  I love these fun floral inspired pieces for outdoors and bringing blooms of colour indoors - they are floral pieces of art.



Ego sunshade for Sunbrella



Sunshade designed by EGO Paris



Marc Pascal (Australia) Orchid Lamp - colours can be customized to your decor



Hanging pendant version of Orchid Lamp by Marc Pascal



Quasar designed light has zipper fastners for light control

all above photos via 3 rings



How beautiful would it be to wake up to this bathroom everyday?



Laverne Tulip chair via 1st dibs

Do we see a theme here with Tulips?



Interior Design at the Movies

I've been a Sex and the City follower for many years and totally identify with the ladies who are in the same age bracket as I am.  Always watching for new fashion trends and the wonders of "how much do these women make" that they can have all those shoes??

Well these days, as much as I LOVE to see what everyone is wearing, its the interiors that I'm paying extra attention to.  These rooms are absolutely faaaabuuulous!!



I love the stand up books on the coffee table - bet we'll be seeing more of this in the shelter magazines in coming months



Dining Room looking into the hallway - beautiful lighting and wallpaper



The wallpaper, the lights, the mirror - love it all!



Isn't this office sooo Samantha? 
Sleek and white with great view of Times Square.



Carrie's closet - Before and After!
Love that it has dark and light wood for a truly his and hers look.

Can't get enough!  I know I'll be getting this movie when it comes out on DVD so I can pause on all the great interior scenes and lust after the gorgeous pieces.




Holey Chair

I saw this chair on 3 rings and thought what a cool idea for a dark hallway or a club feeling for a lounge.  It was designed by Takeshi Miyakawa for Voos Furniture and is a piece of art to be displayed rather than sat upon.  It's made of translucent acrylic and lit by interior LEDs, with a 120V power supply.  This would look so good in our basement rec room...once we finally get around to finishing it!





I'm using LED strip lights for one of my client's living room makeover.  We are going to add them to the ceiling behind a bulkhead that curves into the room.  It will highlight the bar area and turn the space into a cool lounge for evening cocktails and conversation.  The question is what colour will we choose - red hot, cool blue, or soft white on dimmers?  I will post the pictures when the room is ready.

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