New Addition

I recently came across a set of 3 bamboo chairs on Kijiji, and immediately I knew I had to have them!! They were just like the chairs I wrote about in this April 2009 post. Since I didn't need all 3 chairs for myself, I forwarded the ad to my friend Tim of Design Maze and we decided that we would split them between us. And so a deal was struck!

Ooh la la, bamboo goodness...

The caning is in excellent condition, but since I'm keeping this chair at my office until the new condo is ready, I've thrown a colourful cushion (from HomeSense) on the seat to protect it from wear and tear.


Eventually I'll be using this chair in my home office, so I will end up giving it a coat of paint and having a proper seat cushion made. Piece by piece, it's already coming together.

Step 1: Plan, Plan, Plan

I've started thinking about what furniture I'll be keeping for the new condo (you can read about my new place in this post), and what additional pieces I'll be needing. Since I'll be moving from a one bedroom to a two bedroom, one of the first things on the list is a bed for the guest room. As I considered this, it occurred to me that this would be the perfect opportunity to upgrade the bed in the master suite and switch my current upholstered headboard into the guest room. You can catch a glimpse of my headboard in this post.

For a long time I have wanted a fully upholstered bed, but previously the space was too tight, so I opted for the headboard alone. I'm excited that the master bedroom in the new condo will have plenty of room for a full bed. This is my inspiration - the quilted champagne silk bed from Charlotte York's Park Avenue apartment in Sex & the City:

West Elm

Scroll (Queen)
Headboard Approx $585 CDN/Full Bed Approx $1065

West Elm
Diamond (Queen)
Headboard Approx $585 CDN/Full Bed Approx $1065

West Elm
Nailhead (Queen)
Headboard Approx $480 CDN/Full Bed Approx $960

Crate & Barrel
Colette
Queen Bed $1609 CDN

Crate and Barrel
Crown
Queen Bed $1349 CDN

Urban Barn
Ella
Queen Bed $1340 CDN

Mobilia
Ritz
Queen Bed $999 CDN

Pottery Barn
York (Headboard only, Queen)
Approx $1060 CDN

Pottery Barn
Lorraine (Headboard only, Queen)
Approx $930 CDN

GHJ Custom
Jameson
Queen Bed $1295 CDN

GHJ Custom
Chelsea
Queen Bed $1395 CDN

GHJ Custom
Linda
Queen Bed $1295 CDN

GHJ Custom
Fairmont
Queen Bed $1295 CDN

Some of these options require custom upholstery, and the delivery timeline can run anywhere from 4 to 6 months, so it's time to start planning now!! It's a good thing I love to shop :-)

Emmy Dresses: My Pretty Picks

I love to watch Hollywood awards pre-shows just to see the what the stars are wearing as they arrive on the red carpet. It's a total guilty pleasure, but I know I'm not the only one who does it! What I find most interesting about my picks for best dresses is how each one is so different from the next. It certainly makes it hard to spot a trend!

My top 5 faves:

Kate Winslet in Elie Saab.
The fit of this dress is impeccable!
Photo via Pop Sugar

Elisabeth Moss in Marchesa.
The beading on this dress is so feminine and pretty!
Photo via In Style

Katie Holmes in Calvin Klein.
I love the simplicity of this dress, it's classic Calvin.
Photo via In Style

Jennifer Westfeldt in a vintage dress.
Such a fabulous colour, and the belt makes it sing!
Photo via People Style Watch

Claire Danes in Oscar de la Renta.
This dress reminds me of a cubist Picasso piece.
Photo via In Style

What were your Emmy red carpet favourites?

Toronto Landmarks: Princess Margaret Fountain

At one time, the Gooderham Fountain was located near the horticulture building at the western end of Exhibition Place, and was a popular spot to meet up with family and friends during a visit to the Canadian National Exhibition. In 1958, Princess Margaret officially opened a new modernist style fountain, created by Toronto's Design Craft, which stood in place of the original. That fountain was named the Princess Margaret Fountain, and it remains in operation to this day. Isn't she a beauty?

Photos by Pamela Graham for Cherish Toronto.

HomeSense Wish List

I could have filled an entire truck during a recent "just pass by on the way home" stop at HomeSense!! I fell for several pieces, but held off on making any purchases since I don't know what will fit into the new condo when I move next year. Several items caught my eye, all by well known, high end manufacturers. Everything here has been added to my ever expanding wish list.

Let's start with the gorgeous etagere made by Drexel Heritage. The sturdy metal frame in a bronze finish supports 6 solid wood shelves - perfect for stacking all kinds of goodies. This piece normally sells for about $800 - HomeSense price $399.99!!

This photo shows a beautifully styled pair of the same Pinacle etagere. Sigh. I would love to have something like this to gather all of my books and fabulous decor accessories.

Photo courtesy of Higdon Furniture

This Henredon cube with antique mirror on top and all sides had a great patina and is a classic piece that will never go out of style. I found similar Henredon cubes from the 1980's on 1stdibs priced at $3750 for the pair! The HomeSense cube is a steal at $599.99


Another Drexel Heritage piece, this console table would work perfectly in a front entry or along the back of a sofa. The marble, glass and bronze combination is super versatile and could be used in either a contemporary or a traditional space. The HomeSense price tag of $299.99 is beyond reasonable for a piece that will last a lifetime.


In the lighting department I found these amazing Ralph Lauren Home porcelain lamps with linen shades. Wow!! These lamps make a statement with both their size and quality. Plus, the HomeSense prices were unbelievable - $99.99 for the patterned lamp on the left, and $119.99 for the blue beauty on the right.


I can't wait to see what's in store the next time I pass by!! For a HomeSense store near you, follow this link for locations.

Quick Change

How many of you sharp eyed readers noticed a little something different in the photos I posted yesterday? Did anyone catch the shift I've made from cool silver metals to warm brass metals in the bedroom? Take a look at these before and afters, and you will see where I've made some quick changes.

BEFORE

AFTER

Okay, the lamp is an obvious switch-up, but I've also "changed" the hardware on the nightstands. The drawer pulls on my bedside tables are an unusual style - they're set across a recess in the drawer fronts. Since it would be difficult to replace these, I opted instead to give them a spray paint makeover.

The Quick Change Trio:
Primer, Paint, Lacquer

Two coats of primer:

Two coats of Brass metallic paint:

Two coats of Lacquer:

The hardest part of this DIY was waiting patiently for the paint to dry before sanding between coats. The easiest part was not having to seek out and purchase brand new hardware. I'm really warming up to the shift from silver to brass as an accent metal. What do you think of the transformation?

Christie Antiques Show Wrap Up

Since I didn't make it to the Christie Antiques Show this past spring, I sure wasn't going to miss the fall show as well. I got up bright and early, hoping to be one of the first on the field, since I was determined to find myself a pair of bamboo bedside tables. Ha! Arriving slightly behind schedule at 8:15 am, there were already hundreds of people ahead of me. Undaunted, I started to wildly zigzag through booths, heading for the back of the field before it was picked over (as per a tip from Eddie Ross). With my first purchase in the bag by 8:30, I decided to take a more methodical approach to covering the field, quickly snaking up and down each aisle, stopping only at booths with furniture. After a total once over (not finding my faux bamboo tables), it was time to slow down and soak it all in. I spent several more hours leisurely combing through every booth, until my cash was completely depleted. Here are the spoils of the day:

There are two Christie purchases in this photo.
Can you spot them?

My first purchase was this pair of
art deco brass book ends which I scored for $25:

The vintage book ends have a lovely hint of patina:

My second find was a small porcelain Rosenthal vase
with a graphic gold pattern (a $30 impulse splurge):

Although I don't know the true value,

I found a similar vase on ebay for $115:

My big purchase ($200 bucks!) was this smoked glass
coffee table with bent wood base:

It could be a 1970's "Falcon" coffee table, which was
designed by Sigurd Russel for Vatne Mobler.
(I think I may have the base upside down here):

Not sure what type of wood the base is made from,
but there are 20 layers of thin strips:

After so many hours of walking and shopping,
I relaxed with a snack under a nearby tree.

I'm glad to have had such a beautiful day for the trip to the Christie Antiques Show. I even came home with one free item: a sunburn! Next time I'll remember the sunscreen and a little more cash:-)