Cherish Toronto: 2009

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Countdown...

10
9
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5
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3
2
1

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!
Wishing you all the best in 2010.

Stop Me Before I Rearrange Again!!

The itch struck me again tonight - my poor bookshelf has once again been restyled, and this time it landed on its head!! Truth be told, I'm trying to make room for a desk in the corner of my living room, so I thought I would try putting the shelves in the entryway instead. I'll live with this setup for a few days before I decide if the arrangement works.

Before

After

West Elm Console Table

This console table from West Elm is a top contender for a desk to fit into the corner of my living room - it's small & sleek. A vintage piece would be great here, but it's almost impossible to find a desk with the right dimensions.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Working On It

Another day, another project that needs to be finished. This time it's Project Recovery, which is a work in progress. Hey, give me some credit, at least I've started working on this one!!

Goal #3
Complete Project Recovery

This set of 5 antique shield back chairs will be my new dining chairs as soon as I sand them, paint them and recover them in a pretty fabric. Looking forward to the final results!!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Unfinished Business

Apparently I suffer from procrastination...who knew? I didn't discover it myself until I started on my 2010 goal setting expedition. When I took a look at last year's projects I realized that of the four projects discussed here on January 18th, 2009, only two have been crossed off the "to-do" list. That's a lousy percent complete!!!

Goal #2
Complete Project Elusive Chair

Reupholster this chair...

...in this Kravet fabric
(or something similar)...

...to look just like these beauties.

Getting it done in 2010!!!

Monday, December 28, 2009

2010: Goal Setting

With Christmas over and the New Year looming, it's time to start thinking about setting goals for 2010. I've never been one to make New Year's resolutions, since they often end in failure, but this time things are different. I will write down my career goals for 2010, since written goals give direction and create commitment.

Goal #1
Create Business Cards

I've already gotten a head start on this one, I had a few printed in case I need them during my upcoming excursion to New York City!! I know not all of my goals for 2010 will be so simple to achieve, but I'm excited to see how things unfold. Stay tuned for more goals later this week - it may be a long list.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Season's Greetings

Before all of you log off and shut down for the holidays, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!!

Christmas 1971

...But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!!"

Clement C. Moore,
A Visit from Saint Nicholas (1823)

Monday, December 21, 2009

Upholstered Headboards

This past weekend, I had the time to organize all of the tear sheets I've collected over the years. When I say years, there's no exaggeration, I had hundreds of magazine clippings, some of them dating back to 2001. At least it's good to know that my tastes haven't changed, since I still like all of the features I had saved. In particular I noticed that almost all of the bedroom photographs I had saved contained upholstered headboards.

The bed is generally the focal point of every bedroom, so having a beautiful headboard (combined with luxurious bedding) is the most important feature. There are so many styles of headboards with printed and solid fabrics, camelbacks, winged sides, frames, nailhead and tufted details. I have gathered an assortment of great headboard photos here for inspiration.

Steven Gambrel

Sarah Richardson
Sarah's Cottage Master Bedroom

Tom Stringer

Tom Scheerer

Sarah Richardson
Sarah's House Season 1 Master Bedroom

Lynn Morgan

Tom Scheerer
Brooklyn Townhouse

Domino Magazine

Steven Gambrel

Sarah Richardson
Sarah's House Season 2 Master Bedroom

Marshall Watson

Stephen Shubel

Sarah Richardson
Sarah's Cottage West Guest Bedroom

Hotel Saint Cecilia

Sarah Richardson

Sarah's House Season 2 Guest Bedroom

Sarah Richarson
Midcentury Family Home

Jacqueline Derrey Segura

Miles Redd

Amanda Nisbet Design

Sarah Richardson
Hilltop Contemporary

Williams Sonoma Home
Humphrey with Camelback and Wings

Williams Sonoma Home
Gramery with Double Row Nailhead Detail

Room & Board
Wyatt low profile with Polyester Micro Velvet

Room & Board
Belmont with Velvet Insets

Pottery Barn
Jameson Microsuede

Pottery Barn
Georgetown with Tufted Detail

West Elm
Jute with Nailhead Detail

West Elm

Twill Slipcover

Cherish Toronto

Friday, December 18, 2009

Olympic Torch Relay Comes to Toronto

The Olympic Torch arrived in Toronto on Thursday evening, and it was a moving experience to witness such a symbolic event. With the Christmas lights illuminating Nathan Phillips Square, a large crowd gathered in front of City Hall to catch a glimpse of the cauldron lighting ceremony. It was a cold evening, and although the relay ran into some logistical delays, the hearty Canadians never complained during the 49 minute delay.

The torch finally arrived in the square, hoisted high by Olympic medalist Vicky Sunohara, member of Canada's women's ice hockey team in 1998, 2002 and 2006. Her arrival was greeted by a round of cheers and jingling tambourines. After the Olympic cauldron was lit on stage, the Canadian Tenors performed a beautiful rendition of O Canada, accompanied by the very patriotic crowd. It was an emotional moment in Canadian Olympic history which I will always remember.

Vicky Sunohara arrives with the torch.

Lighting the cauldron.

The Olympic Cauldron.

My souvenir tambourine.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Olympic Torch in Bridgenorth

I may be a city girl now, but the first half of my life was spent in the picturesque hamlet of Bridgenorth, located about 150 kilometres northeast of Toronto. Today, December 16th, 2009, will be a big day for the small community, with the Olympic Torch scheduled to pass through town along Ward Street starting at 9:52 am. Go Bridgenorth!!

Visit the Olympic Torch Relay Interactive Map here.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Where Are You Christmas?

Ask someone to name a favourite Christmas Carol and it's more than likely they'll choose one of the classics sung by Nat King Cole or performed by the Boston Pops. In recent years, however, there have been a few songs written that will become new classics in the years to come. This song, sung by Faith Hill is one of my personal favourites:

If you have received this message via email and you don't see the video clip here, visit the blog directly: Cherish Toronto

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Bringing Home the Birkin

I am currently reading Bringing Home the Birkin by Michael Tonello, and it is SUCH a fun book to read. And it's non-fiction to boot!! I highly recommend it to all fashion lovers and label hounds.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Home Decor Hotspots in NYC

There are so many great decor stores & fabulous boutiques in New York City that I may not have time to do anything other than shop while I'm there. Of course I'm just kidding (kind of). I will definitely make time to enjoy some great restaurants, perhaps see a show, and visit at least one museum - this trip I've set aside an entire day to spend at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

But really, there's no place like New York for great shopping. Every retailer on the map has a 5th Avenue flagship location, and the chic Madison Avenue boutiques on the Upper East Side display exclusive merchandise. I can already sense my Amex melting...

Gracious Home
1220 3rd Avenue
What's in store? Everything, including Diptyque candles.