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.

Last Chance for Sarah 101

*Alert* *Alert* *Alert* *Alert*

The word is out!! Sarah 101 is looking for someone in the City of TORONTO with a room in need of a decorating makeover. There is room in the production schedule for one more episode of the show, so if you have a single room in need of serious design help, apply ASAP!!

Requirements:

• This is a decor makeover only, there will be no renovation.
• Single rooms only, not combined (such as living room/dining room).
• Must be within the City of Toronto (due to time constraints).

How to apply:

• Email room photos, budget and wish list to: info@designinc.ca

Good Luck!!!

Photos via HGTV Canada.

Planning a Gallery Wall

The more I look at the floor plan of the new condo, the more I realize how few walls there are to work with. Of course the abundance of natural light will be a huge bonus, but it will take some ingenuity to find a spot for artwork, photography and mirrors. Here is the plan:

• Yellow Wall - Entry Console Table with Mirror
• Orange Wall - Gallery Wall of Photos & Original Art
  
• Pink Wall - Sideboard with Starburst Mirror
• Red Wall - Jackson Pollock, Number 8, 1949
  
• Blue Wall - Media Console & Shelving
  
• Green Wall- Floral Wallpaper
  
• Purple Wall - Chinoiserie Wallpaper

The gallery wall will be at the end of the entry hall, and it is where most of my framed photographs and artwork will hang. I like the impact of a gallery wall layout, as long as it appears neat and draws interest without being overwhelming. My favourite examples incorporate both photography, art, and even mirrors in a variety of frames.

Nate Berkus Design:

Charlotte Moss via Habitually Chic:

Mazen El-Abdallah via House and Home:


Tommy Smythe via House and Home:


via House to Home:


via House to Home:


Tori Mellot via Habitually Chic:


Suzanne Dimma via House & Home:


Michael Angus via House and Home:


Heather Clawson via Habitually Chic

Being a highly organized planner, I decided to try a "mock-up" for a potential gallery wall. Using photos of all my framed photographs and artwork, I grouped them together on a dark and dramatic navy blue wall. This first attempt is very neat, with all of the outside edges aligned.


For the second trial, I tried to let the gallery flow more, even though it goes against my orderly nature. There is alignment within the grouping, rather than around the edges. A vibrant kelly green wall really draws the eye to this gallery.


What do you think? Dark, dramatic and orderly? Or bright and free flowing?

Pantone Colour of the Year for 2012 Is...

...Tangerine Tango!!!!!!

(17-1463)

When Honeysuckle was introduced as the colour of the year for 2011, I was inspired to add a dash of pink to my living room, and I'm still loving the energy and warmth generated by Flamingo's Dream. Since I'll be moving out at the end of the year, I won't be adding another coat of paint to the walls, but Tangerine Tango is a fun, bold colour choice that we'll be seeing this year in both home decor and fashion.

And on that note, have you seen the January 2012 issue of Canadian House & Home? The home pictured on the cover was designed by Tommy Smythe, and the living room features two plump orange pillows. Right on trend, Tommy!!

Sarah's House 4: Basement Rec Room

They may have saved the best for last for this season of Sarah's House 4 - I think we can all agree that it certainly was the BIGGEST!! The best decision made in this rec room was to invest $15,000 from the upgrade budget to create a basement walkout. This not only allows for direct access to the backyard, but the opening floods the space with an abundance of natural light.

A Persian rug spotted in the window of Karakashian (on sale for just $1400), kick starts the colour scheme for the basement rec room. Sarah & Tommy pull paint colours from the carpet, as well as a plethora of coordinating fabrics in shades of red, grey and white.

End Walls: SR38, Barn, Para Paints
(Sarah's Hint: Use a neutral base instead of clear
with a strong colour for better coverage.)

Walls: Stainless, P4244-24 Para Paints

The custom William Birch style sofa and loveseat are both covered in a sturdy felted wool, while the drapes draw attention with a red and cream awning stripe. The cozy Henny blanket from Ikea adds another layer of texture to the sofa.

Felted Wool

By placing a deep table at the rear of the sofa, it creates another seating area - perhaps a spot to enjoy a board game or a card match. How about the side tables Sarah chose for this room? They're Russian Doll end tables, designed and built by her brother Theo's company, Rich, Brilliant, Willing.

The coffee table originally stood at full height, but since it was an inexpensive piece, there was no harm in shortening the legs to bring the table down to size. The original oil paintings in the window alcove are lively and relate back to the colours in the space.

Donna Andreychuk, The One & Only
via Canvas Gallery

Donna Andreychuk, The Only One
via Canvas Gallery

The games area of the room is perfect for an informal billiards match while catching a Sunday afternoon football game. Sarah & Tommy chose the mid range table from Brunswick Billiards and chose to cover it with a charcoal grey felt. The teak chairs in this area provide a spot to relax during a break in the action.

Fabric: Schumacher, Chenonceau, Charcoal

All room photos courtesy of HGTV.

What did you think of this large, bright, basement rec room? I think it would be a fabulous place to spend good times with friends and family.

Buy The Best and You'll Only Cry Once

While you're waiting for me to write this week's Sarah's House 4 recaps, check out these YouTube from HGTV, featuring Sarah Richardson and Tommy Smythe.

In Part One, Sarah & Tommy discuss the process of decorating, taking on new challenges, and what makes a house a home:



In Part Two, the design duo describe their style, how they decide on a colour palette, and why it's okay to go over budget:



Love the Miles Redd Quote!!

**Please note that if you receive this post via an email subscription, these videos won't function automatically. Please follow this link to view the videos: Cherish Toronto.

Sarah's House 4: Master Ensuite

Tonight's back to back episodes of Sarah's House 4 were the final episodes featuring the interior rooms of the newly built home. Next week HGTV will air the final episode: Curb Appeal. The jumping off point for the master ensuite bath was the master bedroom itself. With a pair of double doors leading directly from the bedroom to the bath, the colour scheme needed to be consistent between the two rooms.

Job one was to choose tiles for the floors and walls. Sarah chose natural stone for the floors, selecting a watery Ming green 12x12 marble tile, with an inset band of tumbled mini brick mosaics. A short supply of mosaic tile meant that a third tile had to be chosen for the shower stall floor.

Ming Green 12x12 Tile

In the large shower enclosure, a double chair rail band and a single band of ceramic accent tiles (installed at a height of 60") add interest to the glossy white wall tile. Sarah and Tommy were both drawn to the faceted design of Rubinet's Hexis fixtures.

After considering an expensive upgrade, Sarah and Tommy opt for a built in vanity along the eight foot rear wall. By building the cabinet a few inches in from each side and adding carved legs, they achieve the look of a freestanding piece of furniture. The cabinet is then topped off with a quartz composite countertop and custom cut antique mirror inserts are set into the recessed door panels.

Wall Colour: SR33, Eyelet, Para Paints

Sarah crosses her fingers, and is allowed by her builder to install a freestanding tub in the master ensuite. The "sculptural beauty" of the Maax Jazz tub softens the otherwise hard lines of the vanity and shower enclosure. Pretty eyelet curtains and a pair of chairs from Elegant Garage Sale also provide some softness in the space - reupholstered in a shimmery silk with white piping detail.

Fabric: Matka Noil

All room photos provided by HGTV Canada.

What did you think about the watery green scheme in this room? Do you think it will stand the test of time? Did you know Sarah's middle name is Dorothy?

Sarah's House 4: Weekly Preview

**Spoiler Alert**

Tonight on Sarah's House 4, our favourite design duo will finish up the suburban home interior. We'll see the master bedroom ensuite bath and the basement rec room. Prepare to be wowed!!

Master Ensuite


Rec Room

Sarah's House 4: Master Bedroom

The jumping off point for the Master Bedroom in Sarah's House 4 comes from a set of vintage botanical prints spied by Sarah & Tommy during a shopping trip to Of Things Past. These prints tie in with the room's relaxing ravine views and provide inspiration for the room's colour scheme: soft greens, pale apricots and mellow creams.

Sarah chooses a very traditional floral fabric which she
used for drapery and as accent pillows on the bed.

Fabric: Waverly, Garden Images II, Glacier

The writing desk is a gem from Of Things Past.
Sarah has a sturdy new base made and
adds pretty crystal hardware.

Wall Colour: SR4, Vintage, Para Paints

The curvaceous custom Jasmine headboard is
upholstered in a soft green and cream poplin stripe.

Fabric: Schumacher, Betwixt, Water/Ivory

Fabric: Villa Nova, Tatami, Jasmine

Sarah & Tommy discover a pair of columns at
The Door Store which add an element of
architecture that is otherwise missing from the room.

Sarah creates a large framed panel behind
the headboard using trim molding.
The panel is filled with a shimmer wallpaper.

Wallpaper: Schumacher, Mosaic, Silver

This master bedroom combines the perfect blend of restful colours with comfortable, plush fabrics. What an amazing place to relax and unwind at the end of a busy day. Aaaahhh...

All room photos courtesy of HGTV Canada.