Catch Spring Fever at Indigo

Back in January I attended Indigo's Spring 2014 preview. That day was crazy cold and I was bundled up against the elements as I hustled along King Street to my destination. At the time I wasn't sure if spring would ever return. Finally the weather seems to have broken - we hit 5 degrees yesterday, and today's forecast is for rain, not snow. Can I get a 'Hallelujah'?

I didn't want to tease y'all by posting these photos too early, but now that winter's end is in sight I think it's okay to start dreaming about warmer days ahead. Some items you see here are already available online and in store, and others will be arriving through March. The vignette below really sets the tone for the upcoming season; a palette of fresh blue & white is spring perfection.

Indigo has the BEST assortment of mugs with fun sayings like "Wake up & be Awesome!", "All You Need is Tea & Warm Socks" and my personal favourite, "Paris is Always a Good Idea".

These glass vessels set the tone for a relaxed gathering, each one labelled with an elegant script for water, white or red. They bring to mind a casual outdoor dinner with family and friends.

There is so much fabulous in the next photo. Lemonade on tap! Iced tea mix! Mason jars as drinking vessels and cocktail shakers! This table is here for a good time, not a long time ;)

 

Aren't these colourful porcelain vases lovely? I'm loving the ombre treatment, and I like that these containers are being used in a variety of creative ways for display and storage. Think outside the vase!

The soft colour palette doesn't stop on the table top, it carries into the living room with these painterly feminine floral fabrics on pillows. Toss 'em here & there for little hits of spring.

Tiffany blue, soothing lavender & pastel pink, now that's a colour scheme I can fall in love with. Add a metallic gold accent and I'm all yours. Watches & wallets & totes, oh my!!

 

I can't wait to catch spring fever at Indigo...it's been a long, cold winter!!

Want List, Need List...Same Thing

Chances are I'll be moving for realz in about 6 months, and there are three more BIG purchases I need to make for the new condo. It may be somewhat debatable whether or not I NEED all of these, or whether or not I just WANT them, but hey, to me there's no diff.

Priority #1: New Bed

Since the entire point of purchasing a two bedroom condo was to get a second bedroom for visiting friends and family, I think a new bed is definitely first on the list. My fairly new box spring and mattress will move into the guest room and the headboard is being recovered in a textured grey velvet. Soooo that means the master bedroom will get a brand new bed, and I've officially found the bed of my dreams - a fully upholstered, tufted bed with nail head details:


When imagining the master, the vision has always been for a calm space bathed in lavender, so the best option for this piece will be an ivory velvet with brass nail head trim. By keeping the investment pieces neutral, I can always change the colour scheme in the future with a quick coat of fresh paint.

Priority #2: Living Room Rug

I'm still on the fence when it comes to finding a rug for the living room. I can't decide if I want something graphic & modern or colourful & traditional. I'm hitting up another Empire Auction in a few days, and you never know what I might bring home...it's just so tempting!! The entire living room scheme is on hold until I find just the right rug, but once I find "the one" I'll be able to pull colours for the rest of the decor.

Priority #3: New TV

Okay, okay, okay, this is absolutely a WANT, but it's just so good!! This sweet LED television is only 2.97 cm deep, with a super sleek clear trim. Plus it's so cool that I can stream digital content, navigate the internet, and login to my favourite social apps. It's perfectly stylish and smart!!


Now...who's paying for all this? Please contact me to find out how to donate ;-) Ha!!

Deja Vu: LA Again

Monday evening I'll be heading back to Los Angeles for another quick buying trip. Knock on wood, things are going well at the store and it's time to add some new items to our mix. It will be a busy four days, but I'm hoping for just one or two hours to sneak away on my own and visit the La Cienega Design Quarter.  I've heard so much about this area from sources such as Elle Decor, Apartment Therapy, and Habitually Chic.  If my plan doesn't work out (and knowing our schedule, it won't), I will have to be content just to visit the online websites of these fabulous looking design shops.

 

Todd Alexander Romano

930 N. La Cienega

photo via Elle Decor

Kristen Buckingham

912 N. La Cienega

photo via Elle Decor

Mecox

919 N. La Cienega

photo via MecoxGardens.com

Hollywood at Home

724 & 750 N. La Cienega

photo via Apartment Therapy

Vintage Lily Lamps

Do you ever have urges to purchase items for which you have zero space, and which match with absolutely nothing else in your home? My latest craving is for a pair of vintage chartreuse calla lily lamps. With new shades and finials, these could be the jumping off point for an entire room:

At $60.00 for the pair, I almost can't afford not to buy them, right? Who's with me?

Goodbye Zellers, Hello Target

Have you heard the news? Zellers is going the way of the dodo bird, and the chain will be almost completely extinct by the year 2013. We are now ushering in the age of Target, and I'm super stoked! Although some supporters may become emotional over the loss of another "only in Canada" retailer (remember Woolco?), I say just let it go. If HBC were generating a decent profit, they wouldn't have any desire or need to sell the Zellers chain. As the saying goes, "If you can't do it right, sell it to someone who can." Okay, I made that up, but you get the point.

I'm excited that Target is coming to Canada mainly because of their Designer styleboutique. Target regularly works with popular designers, bringing affordable style to the average consumer. When Orla Kiely designs were featured in 2009, I sent a shopping list to my sister in Milwaukee. With Target here in Canada, life will be so much simpler!

Home decor designers currently featured in Target's styleboutique:

John Derian

Thomas O'Brien

Christiane Lemieux
(DwellStudio)

Rachel Ashwell
(Shabby Chic)

Read the HBC media release here:

1.825 Billion Dollar Sale

Read the Target media release here:

1.825 Billion Dollar Purchase

To patronize a Zellers in your 'hood while you still can, here is a list of Toronto locations with links to store addresses and hours of operation:

Gerrard Square
Galleria Shopping Centre
High Park
East York Town Centre
Shoppers World
Lawrence Square
Cloverdale Mall
Woodbine Centre
Kipling Queensway Mall
North York Sheridan Mall
York Gate Mall

Photos courtesy of www.Target.com

Do You Know Horchow?

If not, please let me introduce you to The Horchow Collection. The company was founded in 1971, and has built a successful retail business without ever opening a store - Horchow operates through mail order catalogue and online. You can view the most recent catalogues here: Horchow Catalogues

In the meantime, I've scoured the website and selected some of my favourites. Feel free to place orders and have items shipped directly to my address:

Nailhead Detail & Sunflower Zebra
Absolute Stunner!!

Antique Gold & Granite Side Table
Oooohhh...Aaaahhh...

3D Medallion Pattern
Such Unique Design.

Greek Key in Brass
Designed by Alexa Hampton.

Turquoise Tufted Leather
A Lifetime Investment!!

Floating Medallions Rugs

Pricey Madeline Weinrib Alternatives...

Arabesque Pattern
With an Hermes Flavour.

Tufted Brea Headboard
Sumptuous Luxury!!

Peacock Dove Bedding
Artful Bed Linens...

Gorgeous Coral, Pink & Taupe
Fit For a Princess!

Homesense Opens in Leaside: My Picks

Just this week, HomeSense opened a new location in Leaside at Eglinton and Laird. This isn't just any old store, though, my friends, it's 30,000 square feet of home decor!!! The store is well stocked with fresh goods, and as always, the prices are right. I toured the store Thursday evening and snapped some photos of my favourite pieces.

These globes ($16.99) are very on trend right now, and would look great on a bookshelf in the study or den:

This upholstered tufted ottoman ($299.99) with turned wood legs is fab-u-lous!! Perfect for putting your feet up while watching a movie:

These lamps ($59.99 each) are totally industrial chic. I'm picturing them on end tables in a very modern space:

These pheasants ($34.99 each) have a very regal look about them. They're extremely heavy, and would make a unique set of bookends:

These jars ($24.99 and up) are statement pieces which would complement any decor. You can never go wrong with white ceramic:

With Hallowe'en almost upon us, the Christmas decor is just starting to come out of the woodwork. With so many amazing holiday items available, you may be inspired to adopt an entirely new holiday theme!!

Traditional Red & Gold:

Gorgeous Green & Gold:

Icy Winter Wonderland:

All photos by Pamela Graham for CherishToronto.

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

Around The Block

If you've watched Sarah's House on HGTV, then you may already know that Sarah Richardson & Tommy Smythe often find great deals on quality furniture at Around The Block. This retailer offers consignment furniture and home decor items at extremely reasonable prices. If you're hunting for furniture treasure, it's worth paying this store a visit, since you may find a true gem.

Around The Block
1903 Avenue Road
416.546.1760

An extensive selection of framed artwork:

A gorgeous set of blue Wedgwood:

Who wants to play musical chairs?

I love this table, it looks like burled walnut:

Imagine this wing chair newly reupholstered:

Tommy selects a wing chair from Around The Block
during the Kids' Bedrooms episode of Sarah's House Season 3: