Dear Santa

It's doubtful that one of these will fit down the chimney, but I'm still putting it on my Christmas list. Santa, I've been a good girl this year, please bring me an etagere.

Etagere: A piece of furniture consisting of a set of open shelves for displaying small objects and sometimes having an enclosed cabinet as a base. (via Mirriam-Webster)

Vintage Brass Etagere
Home of Eddie Ross & Jaithan Kochar
Image via EddieRoss

Black Metal Etageres
Home of Frank Muytjens
Image via LonnyMag

Custom Etagere
Designed by Jim Howard for House Beautiful
Image via HabituallyChic

My Favourite!!
Atlanta Christmas Showhouse

Image via Phoebe Howard

A Pair Creates Balance
Charlotte Showhouse
Image via Phoebe Howard

Asian Inspired Etagere
Room Design by Heather Clawson
Image via Rue Magazine

Porter Etagere
Room Design by Billy Baldwin
Image via Habitually Chic

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!!

Bloomingdale's Big Window Challenge

There's nothing like a good old fashioned contest to bring out the competitive spirit in all of us, and the Bloomingdale's Big Window Challenge is no exception. Votes are currently being tabulated for the most beautiful window, and you can cast your vote twice daily by logging into Apartment Therapy, and by sending a text to 89800 (get the details here). It's a close race between the competitors, so every vote counts!! And while you're there, be sure to check out ad the comments for each entry, they make very interesting reading.

And the designers are:

Eddie Ross for Elle Decor
(Go Eddie!!!!!!!!)

Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan for Apartment Therapy

Eileen Joyce for Bloomingdale's

Roll Call

I'm super excited to announce that Cherish Toronto is currently on the Blog Roll lists of both Habitually Chic and Eddie Ross, two of my favourite blogs. In the online world, this is quite an honour, and I'm pleased to be recommended by these two popular designers and bloggers.

Heather Clawson writes Habitually Chic, a blog about inspirational interiors and the design community in New York City. Eddie Ross, who appeared on HGTV's Top Design, pens a self titled blog featuring flea market makeovers and DIY design projects. Check out both of their blogs by clicking on the links below:

Heather Clawson
www.HabituallyChic.blogspot.com

Eddie Ross
www.EddieRoss.com

Project Recovery

They may not look all that glamorous now, but just wait until I get finished with this set of 5 shield back chairs which I discovered by chance at Captain's Treasures this past Saturday:

Photo courtesy of CaptainsTreasures.biz

The plan is to sand the wood and paint it white, then recover the seat cushions in a new fabric. Everyone's doing it - check these fine examples:

The dining table in Sarah's House Season 1 featured a set of 4 antique chairs painted a dove grey with seats recovered in a modern tonal print.

Photos courtesy of sarahrichardsondesign.com

Earlier this year, Eddie Ross updated a set of two upholstered seat shield back chairs which he found at Goodwill:

Before

After

Photos courtesy of EddieRoss.com

If my project turns out as well as these I'll be a happy girl!! Just give me a few months to work on this one - I have no idea where I'll be doing the messy sanding and painting.

Coming soon to Craigslist: Set of 4 White Ikea Gilbert chairs, gently used!!

Eddie Ross is coming to town!!

For those of you who haven't yet heard of Eddie Ross, here's the lowdown:

• Graduated from the Culinary Institute of America.
• Served as Associate Decorating Editor of House Beautiful.
• Worked as Senior Style Editor of Martha Stewart Living.
• Appeared on Bravo television's reality show Top Design.

Eddie was my favourite to win Top Design, and although he didn't take home the prize, his appearance on the show has led to many new opportunities. This summer Eddie will be traveling throughout the U.S., hosting flea market excursions for small groups. It's the perfect chance to pick up some expert flea market tips & tricks. Luckily for those in southwestern Ontario, Eddie will be making one Canadian stop!! On September 12th, Eddie will be hosting a shopping trip to the Christie Antiques Show in Dundas, Ontario. See you there!?!