Finding the PERFECT Rug...

...Mission Impossible?

I've been seeking the perfect rug for several months now. Everywhere. Auctions, estate sales, antique markets and consignment shops, and all to no avail. The Sarouk rug below is my favourite, but at $3200 it's out of my price range :-(

The criteria:

Size must be approximately 6'x9' to fit the living room.
Colours must be vibrant, preferably with a dose of coral.
Pattern should not have a traditional center medallion.

Here are a few contenders which I've found on ebay that are close, but not quite:

Very interesting, but too much teal...

Beautiful, but too pale...


Love the artwork, but again, the colour is just too soft...


This Bijar is fab, but just a bit too small and too green...

The most frustrating part is that without choosing a rug, I can't select a paint colour for the campaign dresser that will serve as the entertainment unit in the living room. The search continues!

Weekend Activity: Work, Work, Work

As some of you know, spring & summer is a busy time for me at my "real" job. The company I work for operates two retail clothing stores from Victoria Day long weekend until Thanksgiving, and I am largely responsible for the merchandise assortment and presentation. This holiday weekend I'll be at our Grand Bend location, doing my best to help out on the sales floor. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday - have a lemonade for me ;-)

(Please excuse the sunset glare off the window)

All photos via SOUL Underground Facebook Page.

Weekend Activity: Style North Garage Sale

If you're staying in town this Victoria Day long weekend, you won't want to miss the 2nd annual styleNorth Garage Sale happening Saturday, May 19th @ 9 am. The sale is being held in the Artscape Wychwood Barns, and I'm sure there will be lots of fabulous goodies to be had. My friends Tim (Design Maze) and Amy (Eye See Pretty) will be there with their wares, so be sure to check it out.

Have a super duper long weekend, everyone!!

Rug LOVE

Hold the presses!! I just opened the latest issue of LonnyMag and saw this stunning rug.

Orange! Pink! WANT!!!!

That is all.

Sarah 101 Premieres May 29th

Sarah & Tommy are back at it, my friends. For those who haven't heard the news, the second season of Sarah 101 will premiere on HGTV Canada with back to back 1/2 hour episodes on May 29th @ 8pm EST. Clear your calendars and set your PVR's!!

(Click image below to enlarge)
Images courtesy of HGTV Canada.

DIY Challenge: From Inspiration to Creation

Last week, Kisha at Chronicled Blog tweeted about her DIY challenge to other bloggers: From INSPIRATION to CREATION. The concept is simple: Take a project you've been thinking about tackling and get it done.

This is just the kind of challenge (aka kick in the pants) I need to get off my butt and get working on a new DIY. My proposed project is to prep and paint the pair of faux bamboo bedside tables I found just before the new year. I had every intention of having them professionally sprayed, but when the quote I received for the work was beyond the budget, it quickly became a do-it-yourself project.

BEFORE...

The finished tables will be a lovely shade of dark grey,
La Cloche Granite, by Para Paints (upper colour):

There is one month to complete the DIY, and the reveal date is Monday, June 18th. You can see some of the 'inspiration photos' I have gathered for this project on my Pinterest board: Faux Bamboo DIY.

There are several bloggers who have taken up the gauntlet. Check out their blogs to read about their INSPIRATION to CREATION projects:

Kristin at Le Fabuleux Destin
DaVida at Da Vida Chanel
Kandyce at Chota Pelee Auto
Renee at RB Squared
and of course,
Kisha at Chronicled

Apartment Envy: Cassandra Lavalle

The most recent issue of rue magazine online features the Seattle apartment of Coco + Kelley blogger Cassandra Lavalle. I had the pleasure of meeting Cass at the Canadian Design Blogger Meetup this past January, so it was extra special to get a peek into her newly decorated home. The comfortable one bedroom is a reflection of Cassandra's personality: bright, fun and interesting.

Check out the brass trunk coffee table (an Etsy find)
which does double duty as storage space:

There are hits of Coco + Kelley green throughout
Cassandra's home. I love that gorgeous leather pouf:

This girl's got style!! Cassandra has an awesome
vintage campaign dresser in her bedroom:

Even the kitchen features original artwork.
The piece on this shelf was created by Rachel Wright:

Your home is beautiful, Cass!!

Visit Coco + Kelley for more photos and a source list.

All photos by belathee via ruemag.

Graffiti: Toronto's Alley Art

I was tempted to spend some time at the Royal Ontario Museum this afternoon, but it was such a gorgeous spring day that I thought it might be a better idea to check out some outdoor art. There certainly are two sides to the graffiti debate, which I won't get into here, but you can't deny that it's full of colour!!



















Check out this recent Rick Mercer Rant, as he walks through Toronto's Graffiti Alley:

**Note: If you receive this post via email, the video may not function. Please visit Cherish Toronto directly to view.**

Toronto Weekend

This weekend I've been able to complete a long list of tasks, plus squeeze in some time to relax. I'm loving this spring weather in Toronto; 17 Celsius and sunny is perfection!! I'll be back later with a full post, but for now, here's a little slice of my weekend, captured at HTO Park on Queen's Quay West:

Photo by Pamela Graham for Cherish Toronto