Moving Along and Moving Soon!!

I've got so many things on my mind right now: entry, study, guest bedroom, dining room, living room, master suite. It's the world's longest "to do" list and it's just a bit overwhelming. To keep my sanity I'm trying to compartmentalize each room, but at the same time the key to a cohesive design is for all of the spaces to work together. Stress!!

The open concept living and dining room are causing me the most anxiety, so I'm leaving them for last. Since the guest room is pretty much a done deal, I'm moving on to the master suite, which is coming together easily (knock on wood). As originally planned, the room will be a tranquil lavender, but the impossible to afford find chinoiserie wallpaper has been put on the back burner.

The walls will all be painted in this super soft shade of lavender: Gown, SR9 from Sarah Richardson's paint collection for Para Paints.

I saw this Gluckstein Home Magnolia bedding months & months ago, and finally purchased a duvet cover and matching shams this past weekend at The Bay (where it's currently 30% off). I chose this because it doesn't scream "purple!" and it has just the right touch of floral. I also purchased the soft lilac sheet set from the Style at Home Collection, they coordinate perfectly!

For accents, I'm going to whip up two lumbar pillows in this combination of purple, ivory and gold loveliness:

Thanks goodness I'm able to use my current bedside table and lamps in the new master, since I still have to purchase one more key item: a bed. I know what I want, but I'm dreading the $$$ deposit.

The walk in closet will get a coat of a slightly deeper shade of purple: SR39, Dusk, also from Sarah Richardson's paint collection for Para Paints. It's going to be so glamorous in there!

This ceiling light fixture has been in my storage locker for about a year now and I can't wait to see it installed!!

I have an ongoing project for this space which I'm procrastinating on just about to start involving a pair of these quatrefoil mirrors and a package of gold leaf:

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The master bath has some great finishes, including a French Vanilla marble floor, one of the few upgrades I opted to splurge on:

 
The soft purple scheme will carry into the ensuite bath with these fabulous and fluffy lilac towels which were gifted to me at last week's Breakfast in Bed event. Thank you, Style at Home!!

 

Almost at the finish line, and not a moment too soon!! Once I wrap up a few of these final projects I'm off to Paris for a little vacay...oh, did I not mention that? I'm super excited!! Details soon ;-)

Introduction: Style at Home Collection

There aren't too many moments in adulthood when you consider the day you've had and think, "That was quite possibly the best day ever!" Well, it happened to me, and I am telling you that Tuesday, September 25th was amazinggg!! It all started with a 6:30 am wake up, and it was all uphill from there. I was out the door by 7:15 and enjoyed a leisurely autumn stroll to Bay & Adelaide as the city slowly came awake around me.

I know you're wondering what would get me out of bed at such an early hour (I'm a notorious sleeper-inner), and the irresistible bait was an invitation from Style at Home magazine for a Breakfast In Bed event being held at the Trump International Hotel. Wow!! What a gorgeous setting to launch a beautiful limited edition home decor collection. The Style at Home line of bed linens, towels and kitchen ceramics looked right at home in the plush suite.

The Trump Hotel elevators are quite opulent.

Black & gold always is, don't you think?

The crown molding along the hallway was an indication of

what we would see in the posh two bedroom suite.

The city view from the suite was breathtaking!

The main event was a chance to get up close and personal with the limited edition collection from Style at Home, and I still can't get over the beautiful presentation. Crisp bed linens, fluffy towels and modern ceramics were ready for use throughout the two bedroom suite, and it was a match made in decor heaven.

Style at Home + Trump Toronto =  Tres Chic

Feast your eyes on home decor goodness!! 

There's even more good news. The extremely well priced limited edition collection is available to purchase online and right now shipping is being offered at a flat rate of $7.95 for all orders (this applies to Canada). What's already in my cart? The Large Plate, a set of Marieve Sheets, and a set of Solid Sheets in soft lilac.

Shop 'til you drop here: Style at Home

Oh, there's one more thing that made Tuesday the best day ever. I found a rug for the living room!! For now, here's a little sneaky peeky, but stay tuned for further details ;-)

All photos by Pamela Graham for Cherish Toronto.

Fall Home Show: My Pretty Picks

Yesterday I visited the Fall Home Show at the Better Living Centre at Exhibition Place - the building sits beside the beautiful Princess Margaret Fountain, pictured above. I can never pass by without snapping a photo of the Toronto landmark! But I digress, back to the Home Show visit. This show is a great launching pad for those planning an upgrade or remodel of their homes. Whether it's a kitchen, bath or basement renovation, there are plenty of exhibitors who can help turn your dreams into reality. 

For me, since I'm moving to a brand new condo, I will be decorating rather than renovating, but there were a few things that caught my eye as well. These are my top 3 picks for pretty:

(1) Natural stone tile in a chevron pattern from Creekside Tile Company. This would perfect as a kitchen back splash or an accent tile in the bathroom.

(2) Also from Creekside, this tiny circle mosaic was super cute at about half the size of a traditional penny round tile.

(3) There were several rug retailers at the show, and this gorgeous silk Bakhtiari rug from Persian Designer Rugs definitely caught my eye. Unfortunately it was too large - for both my space and my budget :-(

 

Visit the website for more details about participating exhibitors and celebrity guests: Fall Home Show

All photos by Pamela Graham for Cherish Toronto.

Real Life Rendering

 Remember this dining room mockup from last week?

And how about this one just a few days later?

Now what do you think of this?

Imagine my surprise when I saw the window of 1212 Decor (above) while window browsing along Yonge Street last night! Wall colour, check. Sunburst mirror, check. Faux panel molding, check. I wasn't sure how I would like the look of the mirror hanging past the panel edge, but it looks fine - no imagination needed. The addition of a pair of sconces is something I will definitely consider for the future. Me likey :-)

Down to the Wire

During the past year I've been "squirreling" away stashes of furniture, lighting, mirrors, lamps, art and wallpaper in preparation for the move to the new condo. The theory was that if I purchased these items over time there wouldn't be so many expenses all at once when it's time to take possession. Three cheers for planning ahead!!!

But now that it's getting down to the wire, I realize that there is still so much more :-( Despite the best laid plans there are still several outstanding essentials: I will require the services of a painter and movers, and then there's also the matter of a rug for the living room and a new bed for the master bedroom...

Dining Room Outstanding Items:

• Ceiling light fixture
• Fabric to recover dining chair seats
  
• Wallpaper? (still under consideration)
  

Guest Room Outstanding Purchases:

• None! Ready to Go
  

The living room won't see too many changes besides the switch to the vintage campaign dresser as entertainment console and hopefully a gorgeous rug. The new home office will be a built in desk and shelving unit near the front hall, which won't require more than a wireless network setup. The master bedroom promises to be the biggest challenge, where I'm planning for a fully upholstered bed, Chinoiserie wallpaper on the focal wall and a sweet PAX wardrobe system.

All in good time, my dear friends, all in good time...

BTW, I have listed the following items for sale on Kijiji. Please tell your friends!!
Ikea Bjursta
West Elm 2x2 White Console Desk