Inspirational Grace Home Furnishings

Here in Canada, we don't have access to quite as many decor options as those living in the United States, but that doesn't mean we can't take inspiration from what we see in magazines and websites. For me, one of the most consistently inspirational retailers is Grace Home Furnishings, with just a single store located in Los Angeles. Luckily for me, I'm traveling to LA soon, and if I get lucky maybe I'll get the chance to visit Grace Home while I'm there. In the meantime, I can lust over their print advertisements, past and present.

All images courtesy of Grace Home Furnishings.

Toronto Vintage: Queen West Antique Centre

Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of meeting up with Shannon of What's Up Whimsy and her friend Ness for a little vintage browsing at Queen West Antique Centre. In Toronto's west end, where Queen intersects King (@Roncesvalles), there is a mecca of shops for vintage lovers. If you're seeking a sleek teak console, cool industrial storage, or perhaps a rare Eames shell chair, you're apt to find what you're looking for at QWAC. Just be prepared to pay market value, this is not your neighbourhood thrift store.

Cool Stuff to Sit On

Walter Nugent Teak Couch

Eames Upholstered Shell Chairs in Need of TLC

Eames Shell Chairs Stackable Set of Four

Set of Four Industrial Stools

Cool Random Stuff

Industrial Storage

Tons of Trophies

Vibrant Map of the U.S.A.

Rotary Dial Telephones

Pinball and Board Games

BINGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Horsey Ride Anyone?

Queen West Antique Centre is affiliated with FILTER at 75 Jarvis Street (north of King), where they stock all of the really good stuff that's in perfecto condition. Check them out too!!

New at West Elm for 2011

It's the initial days of 2011, and so of course West Elm has a new collection to kick of the new year. I'm always eager to see what's new in store, since West Elm is always on trend at reasonable prices. I have selected my favourite NEW item in each category, let me know what you think!!

Elton Settee
I'm a sucker for tufting!!
$699 - $839 (depending on fabric)

Industrial Pendant Light
Available in black, white, red and turmeric.
$19-$149 (small to x-large)

Lourdes Sanchez Bull's Eye Rug
64 square feet of Bazinga!
$399 (online/catalogue only)

Neolithic Vessels
From the Shane Powers Collection
$14-$79

Botanical Porcelain Plates
Part of the Jason Polan Collection
Set of 4 for $32

2x2 Towel Rack
Modern mix of metal and oak.
$129

Tribal Bath Mat (one colourway only)
Love the Chevron Stripes!!
$24

All prices quoted are in US dollars, and may be slightly higher in Canada. The Toronto location, Canada's only West Elm store at this time, is at 109 Atlantic Avenue in Liberty Village.

cb2 Plans Toronto 2011 Opening

What is cb2? It's Crate & Barrel's modern, hip & trendy younger sibling. The company is scheduled to arrive in Toronto early next year, with plans to open their first Canadian store at the southeast corner of Queen & Bathurst. This location has housed The Big Bop since 1985, but as of January 31st, the nightclub/music hall closed it doors.

Image courtesy of Aaron Miller, citynews.ca

Personally, I'm looking forward to the opening of cb2. They offer fresh, modern home decor, and let's face it, it will be nice to have an affordable alternative besides Ikea. These are some of my favourite pieces from the cb2 website:

New York Folk Pillow
$29.99 USD

Peekaboo Clear Acrylic Console
$349.00 USD

Formosa Orange Tray Table
$49.95 USD

Parlour Chair
$699 US

Hyde Wall Mount Cabinet
$199 USD

Gion Organic Bed Linens
$24.95 - $109.00 USD

Format Clear Acrylic Desk Accessories
$7.95- $29.95 USD

Watch for cb2 to open early in 2011, and in the meantime, you can start planning your shopping list at www.cb2.com.

Tufted Sofas

Have you ever noticed when something appealing catches your eye, you suddenly start seeing it everywhere? Recently I fell in love with a green tufted sofa which I saw in an advertisement for Plantation Design, and now I keep noticing tufted sofas in every magazine and on every website!! I'm not in the market for a sofa right now, but if I were, I would definitely be investing in a modern tufted velvet design, although this classic style also looks great in linen or leather.

Remy Sofa
Plantation Design
LOVE this one, my inspiration!!

The Moma Sofa
Urban Barn

Beverly Sofa

Williams-Sonoma Home

Baxter Sofa

Jonathan Adler

Azure Sofa
Crate & Barrel


Anson Sofa
Room & Board

Old Hickory Tannery Sofa
Horchow

Kensington Sofa

Restoration Hardware

George Smith

Chester Sofa

Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams

Designers love tufted sofas too!! Check it:

Amanda Nisbet


Kelly Wearstler


Kelly Wearstler


Miles Redd


Celerie Kemble


Living Etc.


Steven Gambrel