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:

Garden Court Apartments

One of my favourite places in Toronto is the Garden Court Apartments at 1477 Bayview Avenue. The feeling I get when I step into the garden is difficult to explain...imagine a sense of history, peace and solitude, where the busy city seems very far away. The series of ten art deco buildings surround the central courtyard, which has a layout similar to that of formal french gardens. The buildings were designed by architects Forsey Page & Steele, while the landscape design was developed by Dunington-Grubb and Stensson. The apartments were completed in 1941, and have stood the test of time, as beautiful today as when they were first constructed.

All photos by Pamela Graham for Cherish Toronto.

On the Grid

Today I feel like I'm on the grid in more than one respect.

For one, my computer is finally back in my possession after almost a month of being out of commission and in the repair shop. It was a rather difficult time, relying almost exclusively on my Blackberry for communication and connection to the outside world.

Secondly, I managed to complete a small art project which I've had in the works since June. I'm not often such a procrastinator, especially when it comes to design projects, but this summer I've been spending five days a week working out of town, and it's left little time for much else. This week I spent less than an hour framing and hanging several of my own photos of the Cherry Blossoms in High Park using Ikea's Ribba frames. I hung the 8x10 framed photos in a grid pattern above the sideboard in my dining space:

It's good to be back on the grid!!!

Nautica at The Bay

As I was snapping up bargains left, right and centre yesterday, I managed to pause on the 5th floor of The Hudson Bay Company's flagship store at Queen and Yonge to check out some of the new furniture lines being featured. I was pleasantly surprised by two new collections from Nautica with sophisticated and clean, modern lines. For a traditional decor, the Henderson Collection features pieces constructed from Beech solids and Ash veneers with Antique Bronze accents. For a more contemporary decor, the Governor's Island Collection uses Beech with South American White Mahagony veneers and polished nickel hardware. Both collections are well priced, extremely visually appealing and they make me want to redecorate right away!!

How I Saved $748.53...

...by spending just $151.47.

The opening title may sound a bit like an infomercial, but I'm glad that summer is winding down because it means that seasonal merchandise has been reduced to clear!! Today I scored some serious bargains at The Bay Queen & Yonge and I need to brag:

Sandro Dress:

Regular $325.00

Sale $48.74

Lida Baday Skirt:

Regular $485.00

Sale $71.24

Franco Sarto Gold Sandals:

Regular $90.00

Sale $31.49

The best part is that in reality, there is still plenty of time to break in the new duds before the season ends!! Happy Shopping!!