PC HOME- Fresh Ideas for Spring

Spring is upon us and it's time to update your decor and start planning some fun get-togethers. This season it's all about keeping it fresh. I did a segment for Telus TV recently for PC Home on how to freshen up your decor for spring and on a budget of $250.00. It doesn't really take a whole lot to make a space come to life. A little design savvy and help from PC Home products can make all of us Frugal Designistas!!!!

We took a plain old spare room and gave it some new life with some fresh new sheets from PC Home. The great thing here is that they are luxury sheets, high thread count and feel extremely soft. We also kept the duvet cover and shams pretty neutral going with a chic hotel inspiration with a robins egg blue detail, punching up the look with a white and brown toile accent. The side tables were perked up with a foliage print in a simple white frame, a modern lamp and of course, fresh flowers. A perfect welcome for any guest.

It's all about casual entertaining for spring. Forget fussy sit down dinners where you are forced to be in the kitchen for most of the night. Instead think of setting up your table buffet style where people can serve themselves.

I created a perfect sunday brunch set up. Starting of with a simple white table cloth, a must for any good host/hostess. I then saw a floor mat that had a gorgeous stripe done in subtle greens and used that as my starting point. Oh yes, a floor mat on the table. There are some fabulous bamboo pieces at PC Home such as the cutlery tray and lacquered oval tray that I used to add an organic touch to the table. We also mixed up fresh flowers with the artificial lemon trees to add some interest and the gorgeous lattice pattern on the napkins keeps with our fresh garden theme. The dishes were kept simple, white and square, and at $2.99 each, a steal of a deal! There is not excuse for plastic anymore!

Cityline- Western Design

I was recently asked to come on Cityline, one of my most favourite shows to present my thoughts on Western Design. I remember watching Cityline as a kid and loving the designers that were on and thinking to myself that I would one day be on the show!

I really wanted to focus on Western Design as there is so much great design coming from this part of Canada. I think we sometimes get neglected as so much focus is put on Toronto. Well, not any more.

I hope to be on regularly talking about design as it is truly my passion!

You can watch the segment online:

http://video.citytv.com/video/detail/72285417001.000000/West-Coast-Design-Mar-16-2010/

Designers featured on the segment:

1. Farm Boy Fine Arts Inc.
2. West Elm
3. Loyal Loot
4. Molo
5. MADE
6. Propellor Design
7. Pure Furniture Design

T DOT

I always feel so good after a trip to Toronto. I like to think of it as Canada's New York. There is always something new to do and see. Never a dull moment.

This trip was a lot of business and a little bit of pleasure. I had a segment on Cityline which was very exciting which was the main purpose of the trip. The one most fabulous thing about Toronto are the restaurants. There is an endless abundance of places to eat and enjoy a great cocktail. Here are a few of my faves....

1. Queen Mother Cafe - a great place to enjoy lunch. There menu offers a fabulous variety of Thai dishes. The most delicious thing on the menu is the Ping Gai. It's a definate must stop for me when I am in the city. The hidden patio on a gorgeous day is a must.

2. Mildred's Kitchen- An amazing place for brunch. Located in the trendy Liberty Village, this stylish, open concept space is a perfect place to people watch and enjoy a mimosa on a Sunday afternoon. Try the Huevos Monty... DELISH!!

3. GUU Izakaya- We had the most fun at this place. Based on the infamous Izakaya's of Japan this bustling place has communal seating and has a 2 hour minimum seat time. All good as the yelling of shimasen and arigato gozaimasu can get a little much but having a jug of Asahi beer will get you in the spirit! KAMPAI!

4. Terroni- There are 3 locations across Toronto. We went to the one on Adelaide. A hipster vibe with amazing food! A great choice of delectable pastas and pizzas all set up in a place that used to be a court house. The interior is an eclectic mix of graffiti, masks and maps... very chic and the high ceilings make for a great atmosphere. A must with a group of friends.

Calgary Herald Feature

Today is a good day. I was quite surprised to find out that there was quite a big feature on my in the Condo section of the Calgary Herald today. Kathy Mcormick interviewed me a few weeks ago regarding questions on open concept spaces and small space living.

I think this article could not have come at a better time since open concept homes and condos are all the rage. People often find it hard to decorate since most of the spaces are open to one another. The key is to be consistent in your colour choices and finishes.

Much love to the Calgary Herald for the feature today and promoting local designers!!

Calgary Home and Garden Show

The Calgary Home and Garden Show is just about that... Home and Garden! This year the show was filled with some out of this world booths featuring some fabulous outdoor scapes and gardens. With the limited outdoor time we get, it is nice to take advantage of this and spend as much time outdoors... in a well planned and designed space of course!

I was involved this year with designing the a Lounge for Avenue Magazine. A space where people could relax, enjoy a quick bit, and watch a little Olympic action. I wanted to make the space modern and really loungey. An upscale sprots lounge, if there is such a thing! I draped 2 sides in pipe and drape and had pink lights shine down on them. I had chandaliers to add some glamour, custom TV stands and planters built out of cedar to add some warmth and some amazing modern furniture! The space was a hit!!! Who knew... an upscale sports lounge at the Home and Garden show!?

Furniture- Event Accessories
Custom TV Stands- Essential Renovations and The Cedar Shop

Myself and Rosalyn Lazaruk were also involved in a What Not To Wear presentation where we made over 3 lucky people. Thanks to $250 from Winners, a fab new do by hair 2000 and make-up by Persona. The presentation was great and a lot of people came out to see what Ros and I had to say about fashion and how to dress! We will be doing this all over again in Edmonton in a few weeks!

Afera Carpet Collection

I don't really know why it has taken me so long to write about this as it is my own collection of carpets that I introduced to the design world a few months back. It has been very well received in the city and has garnered some great media exposure. Thank you to those that have featured the carpets... Calgary Herald, Avenue Magazine, Where Magazine, Western Living Magazine, Vitamin Daily, and Sweet Spot!

It all started with me wanting to create my own pillow line, something that was totally different than what was out there. I thought the best way to get exactly what I wanted was to do it myself. To make a long story short, it then moved onto a rug line for the Rug Shop here in Calgary. Jamie has been a friend of mine for a while as we are both in the design business and I thought to bring it up to him one day about designing a line of rugs for him to sell at his shop. He was really excited about this new venture and I immediately got to doing some research.

My inspiration came from motifs found in Islamic architecture. I have long been a fan of traditional islamic patterns from when I took pottery lessons as a child. I find the motifs to be so fabulous because they are just repetitions of different geometric patterns. I also found these patterns to lend themselves so well to modern day design as the lines are clean and simple. There are 4 carpets in total and are available in any colour way. For the launch I chose to bring in some vibrancy to the palette as you can see in the photos.

It is all about the mix of old and new. Something that I try to incorporate in each of my interiors whether through furniture, fabrics, or patterns. I feel that it adds character to a space.

For more details on price and sizes please contact Aly Velji or Jamie at Rug Shop

BASE

On a recent trip to Miami I came across this amazing store called BASE. Hearing the amazing music that was blaring out the storefront as I walked past totally drew me in. Walking in I was amazed at what I saw... Fabulous clothes, an amazing mix of music CDs, shoes, bags, accessories, furniture pieces. A total lifestyle store... I immediately fell in love.

The sales people were so friendly and I walked out with a killer grey felt pea coat from Shades of Griege (items pictured) and a wonderful new scent called SEA (pictured), created just for BASE. I love picking up unique things like this from my travels as no one else will have such pieces. I still get asked what I am wearing when I put on the SEA scent... it was my little secret until now! AND you can shop online, could it get any better?

ENJOY BASE!

Market Collective

Sorry for the delay in posting. I have been super swamped with the Calgary Home and Garden Show. I will post something soon on my involvement.

There is this great group of people in the city that have created the Market Collective. It happens every few weekends at local community centers and is filled with artisans from all over the city showcasing their wares. I love it as it is a casual way to spend a Sunday afternoon perusing through some amazing hand crafted fashions, artwork, and vintage delights.

My faves at the last collective:

1. Brook Fung- Peeko Apparel

This amazing designer works magic with her inventive accessories and clothes. It is all in the detail and a stand out for me was the Seaweed Necklace (pictured). I love the pleating, attention to detail and that you can wear it so many ways. It is a piece of architecture for your neck. A perfect way to dress up any outfit.

2. Lindsay Saunders- Cinder and Sage

Gorgeous accessories to fit anyones style. I was drawn to the airplane pendants and key pendants myself. Something that I have not seen before was the airplane pendant on a necklace very unique and quirky. I also liked the turquoise and coral hits mixed in with the antique bronze finish. Delish!

3. Amy Victoria Photography

I purchased one of her LOVE photos (pictured) as it was Valentines day!!! Amy has a unique method of taking each photograph and transferring it onto one of her handmade frames and then finishing off the photo with a high gloss lacquer. The result is an amazing piece of artwork available in many different sizes. I especially like the high gloss finish that she puts on the photos. It makes the piece more modern and more than just a photograph.