Thanksgiving Round 2

Please excuse my absence for the next few days. I'll be celebrating American Thanksgiving with family here:


See you when I get back!!

Redwash and Sparkle

The Bay has chosen a strong but uniform colour scheme for the flagship store windows this Christmas season, and the winning shade is RED. While the backdrops are ablaze with red props, the visual team has added sparkle to the windows with hits of metal and glass. These displays get my vote for most eye catching on Yonge Street. In fact, I think that one of those dresses is calling my name, which means the visual merchandisers have done a great job!!

Look Around the Elle Decor Showhouse

This year's Elle Decor Showhouse is located in San Francisco, but that doesn't mean you can't see it from anywhere in the world!! The Showhouse is available in 360 degree splendour online here: Elle Decor Showhouse 2010. It can be enough to make your head spin, so if you want to skip the tour, I've posted still images here (please just ignore all those pink dots).

Kitchen and Breakfast Nook design by Palmer Weiss

Living Room design by Gary Spain

Family and Media Room design by Erin Martin

Library design by Will Wick

Master Bedroom and Master Bath design by Jay Jeffers

Second Bedroom design by Elizabeth Martin

Guest Bedroom design by Suzanne Tucker

Youth Bedroom design by Grant K. Gibson

Laundry Room design by Regina Callan

Where I'm finding inspiration in the Elle Decor Showhouse:

• I love the breakfast nook, what a great way to start the day
• The wallpaper in the youth bedroom is gutsy and glorious
• The bright & cheery laundry room makes me want to fluff and fold
• I would die for those vintage table lamps in the second bedroom

What do you love about the house?

I'm Looking Forward To...

This Saturday there's going to be a Canadian Design Bloggers Meetup at Hotel le Germain, which just happens to be a hop, skip & a jump from my downtown condo. It's going to be an interesting evening, and I can't wait to get acquainted with more than 50 other design bloggers. The only hardship will be deciding what to wear!!

Hotel le Germain.
C'est tres chic, n'est pas?

Photo courtesy of MocoLoco.com

Toronto Laneway Home Listing

This home, currently listed for $2,250,000 was featured on CTV News this past weekend. The dream home of interior designer Elaine Cecconi of Toronto design firm Cecconi Simone, this three storey property plus rooftop terrace is nestled in a laneway along Brockton Avenue in Toronto's west end. The space is bright and modern, with 4000 square feet of interior living space and an additional 800 square foot rooftop terrace.

This home is such a stunner that it was featured in an issue of Metropolitan Home several years ago. Although the modern look is not for everyone, there are elements of this home which everyone can appreciate. I love the use of Corian for countertops, cupboards, and the amazing central fireplace. Wow!!

Photos courtesy of Metropolitan Home/Elle Decor.

Project Sachet

It may be only November 14th, but if you ask me (the world's worst procrastinator), now is the time to get started on this year's hand made Christmas gifts for friends and family. I'm calling this project sachet:



Inspiration came from these pretty sachets from Hammocks and High Tea:



With just over 6 weeks left until Christmas I'd better get started!

Decisions, Decisions

I'm still hung up on the wheat sheaf motif side table which I originally saw in the February/March issue of LonnyMag. When I saw a similar vintage brass with glass top table at Orbital Arts in Kensington market, I immediately started to swoon:


But when faced with the choice between the $275 table and a new winter coat, I must choose the latter. Sigh. This one goes on my Christmas wish list.

Top image courtesy of LonnyMag.com

Foggy, Foggy Night

'Twas a dark and foggy night in Toronto this Friday, and the fog was so inviting that I layered up and went out for a walk to soak it all in. It's funny how a layer of mist can create a certain "je ne sais quoi" about the city. With camera in hand I did my best to capture the feeling of the evening, although I have to admit, it's hard taking a shot in the dark. Especially on such a damp and chilly night.

Enjoy the weekend!!!

All photos by Pamela Graham for CherishToronto.

Working on the Weekend

This Sunday I will be putting together a store window display for a clothing store downtown. I have to admit that I wasn't all that excited about the project - until I found inspiration on the cover of this month's Style at Home magazine. I love the combination of aqua and metallic gold; it's festive, yet somewhat non traditional:


Working with a tight budget, I was determined to get the best bang for my client's buck. After scouting Walmart, HomeSense and Pier1Imports, I ended up purchasing almost everything I would need for the window at Canadian Tire and Dollarama. The satin ribbon (only $1.50/yard) is from World Sew Centre at 511 Queen Street West.


After wrapping 20 empty boxes, I am now qualified to teach Gift Wrap 101. Eddie Ross has a great video tutorial for tying gift boxes with ribbon:


And speaking of Eddie Ross, I also borrowed his ornament wreath idea for this project. It starts with a wire hanger and a sea of Christmas ornaments:


And after a few hours of perseverance, this is the final result:


Tomorrow I'll assemble all the parts in the window. Fingers crossed for a good reaction from both my client and his customers!!