Fantasy Christmas List

Why oh why do I have such expensive excellent taste? I recently set out on the internet, hoping to come up with my 2014 Christmas Wish List. Things quickly escalated over the top as I delved into large $$ territory. I'm calling this my fantasy wish list:

1.Osborne & Little's Cathay Parade Wallpaper designed by Nina Campbell.

2.West Elm Malone 3-Drawer Dresser.

3. Panasonic Viera 42" Smart TV

4.Reed Krakoff Boxer Handbag in Natural & Black.
5. All expenses paid vacation to London, England + a quick jaunt to Paris.

So who's got my name this year?

Ready for Guests

The guest bedroom in the new condo is sooooo close to being complete that I've deemed it ready for guests and a reveal. This room has been in the works for more than a year - gosh it takes a long time for a plan to come together!! The faux bamboo bedside tables were found on Kijiji in December 2011, and they were given a makeover as part of a D.I.Y. challenge in June 2012. In the meantime, I put together a floorplan and design scheme, which was largely inspired by the chartreuse lily lamps I purchased in a Peterborough antique shop.

With the idea to spread costs out over the course of the year before the move, I tackled projects one at a time, slowly building my design arsenal. The vintage lamps needed to be rewired and new shades were custom made by Lia at Mod Pieces. I had my old headboard reupholstered in a grey velvet found at Designer Fabrics and upgraded to diamond tufting for a touch of luxury.

While rug hunting last summer at the Elte Outlet, I happened upon the SDH diamond coverlet, and then sewed my own pillow shams from a fabulous printed linen also found at Designer Fabrics. You may remember when I found the kantha quilt at a West Elm event last spring; I like how it adds just a touch of pink to the room.

The showstopper in this guest room is the Sanderson "Lilia" wallpaper in lime & silver. I painted all of the walls in Para Paints Pearl (SR30 from Sarah Richardson's designer palette) to match the ivory background of the paper, and then had the focal wall behind the bed and side tables professionally papered.

Some small finishing touches and the room is ready for guests to arrive. Drapery is happening soon, and then the room will be at 100%. My Mom has already stayed in the unfinished room a few times, but now I'm super for her to see the finished product next weekend!

Source Guide:
 

Wallpaper: Sanderson "Lilia"

Vintage Lamps: Nostalgic Journey

Lamp Rewiring & Custom Shades: Mod Pieces

Coverlet: S.D.H Linens via Elte Outlet

Kantha Quilt: West Elm

Fabrics: Velvet & Printed Linen via Designer Fabrics

Paint: Para Paints Pearl, SR30

West Elm Spring 2012 Preview

This week I had the pleasure of attending the inaugural bloggerwalk at West Elm in Toronto's Liberty Village. Hosted by the store's enthusiastic manager, Neil Gazmen, our group was led through the trends and highlights for spring 2012.

We started off with the indoor garden, which consists of an amazing collection of terrariums, wall planters and vases. The air plants and succulents are easy to care for, and apparently "impossible to kill". We'll see about that - since I received one as a gift from West Elm, I'll let you know how it goes.

Thank you West Elm :-)

West Elm worked in collaboration with Shane Powers to create this very cool collection of hanging glass bubbles. These are such a modern and easy way to bring a bit of plant life indoors, which makes them a fab idea for condo and apartment dwellers.


This well stocked table top highlights the chalk white trend for spring 2012. You can never go wrong with white dinnerware and accessories since they marry well with anything else you throw into the mix. This table display has a combination of pottery created by Shane Powers and Stephen Antonson in collaboration with West Elm.

Shane Powers Bud Vases:

The Stephen Antonson Collection:

Having enjoyed great success with collaborations in the past, West Elm has chosen to embrace new ventures in the kitchen with Schmidt Brothers knives and with Greenpan natural nonstick cookware.

My personal fave? The Starter Set with City Block:

And the Greenpan 10 piece set?
You're pretty much covered:

Swinging back to colour trends, West Elm loves all things turquoise, sapphire and pacific blue - they call this colour palette Aquamarine Dream. This spring these water colours are on trend for every room of the home.

This seersucker duvet and Lola quilt may
help you set sail on your dreams:

I saved my absolute favourite for last - the Kantha quilts. Part of West Elm's Discovered collection, these quilts from Jaipur are made by stitching two or more old saris together to create a light blanket. Each Kantha is unique, so it takes a lot of looking to find just the right one!!

Introducing: The Kantha Collection:

No two are alike!!

Since I always seem to "drink the Kool-Aid" every time I go to one of these events, I couldn't leave without purchasing a little something for myself. But just look how beautifully my new Kantha ties into the guest room colour scheme!! It's just so pretty :-)

All in store photos by Pamela Graham for Cherish Toronto.
All product photos courtesy of West Elm.

Have you been to West Elm lately?

Sarah's House 4: Family Room

In the first of this week's back to back episodes of Sarah's House 4, Sarah and Tommy take on the family room. Sarah's goal for the family room is for the space to be polished, yet family friendly, durable, and welcoming. Due to its proximity to the kitchen, which is various shades of grey, the decision is made to incorporate the grey, but combine it with a shade Sarah describes as "café au lait". The design duo find an inspirational fabric at InVU, and that multi-hued stripe becomes the jumping off point for the rest of the room.

Lee Jofa: Barlow (Taupe)

Using the inspiration stripe to upholster a custom Olivia sofa, Sarah creates a comfortable design with small arms, which will suit the width of the room. Since the stripe fabric on the sofa makes such a bold statement, the other upholstered pieces will be kept neutral. Sarah selects two Ellery wing chairs from West Elm and adds a Charlotte chaise from her own collection.

Toss cushions on the sofa and chairs repeat
the grey and café au lait colour combination:

West Elm Tree Rings Silk Pillow Cover:

Kravet Bansuri:

Dwell Studio for Robert Allen, Snake Chain:

Sarah opts to create display & storage space along one
wall with Ikea kitchen cabinetry topped with marble.
This will keep the family room free of clutter.

To provide overhead light in the room, Sarah chooses
the rectangular Capiz pendant light from West Elm.

Love the patterened Dash & Albert rug underfoot!

For a spot to set down snacks and drinks, Sarah uses
two space saving West Elm frame tables and
creates a unique DIY marble topped coffee table.

The paint colour Tommy & Sarah select creates a smooth transition from the greys of the kitchen to the café au lait scheme in the family room. Testing the colour on the wall and comparing it with the stripe fabric helps to make the best decision.

Walls: Para Paints, SR18, Jetstream

This comfortable family room looks like a great space to hang out, watch television, flip through a magazine, or read a book. I could definitely spend some time there. What about you?

All room photos provided by HGTV Canada.

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.

Cool New Stuff at West Elm

I'm a big fan of affordable home decor, and West Elm has come through again this season with modern furnishings and accessories at what I call "real people prices". Canada's only West Elm location is right here in Toronto on Atlantic Avenue in Liberty Village. These are my picks for favourite new items:

Essex Ottoman, $299 USD

Organic Herringbone Blanket $79-$99 USD

John-Paul Phillipe Pillow Covers $29 USD

Safe Radio $99 USD

Convex Mirrors $24-$39 USD

Ion Glass Round Coffee Table $299 USD

Ceramic Owls $9-$16 USD

One Bedroom Plus "Den"

When I originally selected my condominium unit from the floorplan at the sales centre, I was shown a floorplan for a One Bedroom + Den. During construction, however, the closet wall was extended, and the teeny tiny "den" disappeared completely. Truth be told, I fully appreciate the additional storage that was gained with the larger closet, but I've spent the last two years searching for just the right desk to fit into the living room corner.

Finally!!!
Thank You, West Elm!!
This one fits just right...