LightFacet

First introduced in Europe this fab new product is now available in Canada! I am so excited about this as it has so many different uses from residential to commercial. Multipurpose items such as LightFacet really make my design senses go mad as I can just see the different uses for them. I can just picture it in a hotel lobby or chic restaurant being used as space dividers, feature walls or just an amazing installation.

This product is completely modular, can be arranged individually or in sets to create unlimited configurations, is light weight and most of all looks absolutely stunning. The fabulous thing about LightFacet is that you don't really know how it is made until you get close, you can actually open up the components to let more light through.

There are 2 retailers in Canada offering up LightFacet:

DaDe Art and Design Lab

Circa

Fave Scent

For those that know me, know that I LOVE candles. I love to light candles at any time of the day, when I have company, and when I am sitting at home by myself watching the tube. I find it to be comforting.

One of my all time fave brand of candles is Votivo. I discovered Votivo when I was staying in Toronto quite a few years back. I remember going into a furniture shop called Angus and Co. and the smell in there was so fabulous I had to find out what it was. Turned out, they were burning a candle from the Votivo line called Deep Clover. I obviously had to buy it and have been a lover ever since. They burn perfectly for at least 8 hrs and will fill your space with such amazing scents.

On their website, they describe the Deep Clover as: A gentle blending of recently mowed fescue and rye grass, the clean fresh scent is unlivened with the tangy appeal of red clover peppered with wood chips and earthen moss perfect for a day of self pampering under a blanket of white billowy clouds contrasted against the lush lawn of youth. WOW!

Unfortunately they are not available anywhere in Calgary, but you can order online.

Check out:

Votivo

LGW Designs

A good friend of mine has been making jewelry for years now and has recently launched her label called LGW Designs. Lynn Walker is a talented girl and not only makes her own fabulous accessories but also knit bags and hats! The pieces that she creates are very organic, mixing different beads, buttons and unusual objects together to create unique and one of a kind accessories. Every home needs finishing touches as does an outfit and these are just the right bling to add on while heading on a night out or coffee with the girls.

She does this as a side business and has her own company called Persona Aesthetics (personaesthetics@yahoo.ca). She will soon be launching her Etsy shop to sell her fab finds but in the meantime, if you would like to order something she has made or get something custom, email her and she will Work It Out for you!

Ps. She created a custom broach for me, done in a mixture of black beads and every time I wear it I get so many compliments. So her line is not just for the ladies!!!

STYLE ICON: Tamara De Lempicka

Noted as the first female painter to be a glamour star, Lempicka was born into a wealthy and prominent family in Poland. Having been schooled in Russia and Paris, she had her first major show in Milan in 1925. Lempicka was known through out the art world and was friends with other artists such as Picasso and Cocteau. She is one of the top artists of the Art Deco movement. All her photos and bios portray her as being a stylish, classy and sometimes over the top women. That is why she is this months Style Icon and because I just LOVE her work!!!

My first glimpse of Lempicka's work was when I was in High School. Instead of studying I was going through some art books and came across one of the most stunning paintings I had ever seen. Bold, graphic, and angular, her work spoke to me like no other. I enjoy everything about the Art Deco period, the lines, bold uses of colour and just over all style. An influence that you can still see in many forms of design today.

Palm Springs Chic

I can finally share the after photos of what the pieces that I refinished looked like!!! I did a post a few days back showing you the before photos of pieces that I had found at ReStore (A great tool for those that are looking to buy home goods on a budget). A good friend described this space as Palm Springs Chic and I could not agree more!

It just goes to show you that you don't have to spend a lot to get a lot. The whole trend of Up Cycling is so big in design at the moment. It is not only a budget conscious way of decorating but one that is eco friendly. Why throw something away when you can re-finish, re-upholster, re-frame, re-paint it to make it new again!!!

What we did:

1. Re-painted the sideboard and dresser a bright bold green.
2. Re-painted the coffee tables and side tables a crisp white.
3. Re-upholstered the wing back chairs and the dining chairs in a fabulous floral.
4. Gave the table lamps some new shades that we customized with painting a border of the green around the bottom.
5. Painted the chandelier a crisp white.
6. Re-Framed the 2 bird silk prints with a more modern frame in white.
7. Created our own custom artwork by taking an old canvas and priming it. Then unleashing our inner artist!
8. Adding wallpaper a top an old credenza that was beat up and scratched.

Modern Organic

This past weekend was the Home and Garden show where I designed one half of a feature called Dining By Design. The goal was to create a dining space with high style and incorporate an on trend look. Mine was called Urban Organic: a fabulous mix of textures, styles, metals, and woods.

I started off with knowing that I wanted to use walnut and a hit of green in the space which was my organic touch. I then moved to the bold black wallpaper with the trellis motif. I thought this really grounded the space and gave it an unexpected twist. The modern table and sideboard mixed with the traditional french chairs (upholstered in Burlap, delish!) and the Mid Century Nelson lamp all work together in creating a space that is unique, timeless, and one with high style. The finishing touches such as the high gloss black accessories, gold accents, and overscaled flower arrangements work with the colour palette and provide just enough decorative detail.

Dinner anyone?

Check out:

Lighting: Carrington Lighting

Furniture: 4 Living, Peridot

Carpet: Afera Collection at Rug Shop

Accessories: Homesense

Flower arrangement: Modern Petals

Wallpaper: Crown Wallpaper

Photography: Bookstrucker Photography

Osborne & Little: New collections

This month marks the launch of a new collection of fabulous textiles and wallpaper from Osborne & Little. A little bit of everything is offered from soft, luxurious linens (Alderney Wide Width Linen) to bold stripes (Oscura Stripe) and delicious island inspired prints (Nina Campbell Collection). Also offered are great prints for kids from the Zagazoo collection by Quentin Blake.

I believe that fabrics are an amazing jumping off point to set the colour scheme of our space and what a way to start by taking the these gorgeous fabrics and transforming a space with the use of colour, pattern and texture.

Check out:

Osborne & Little

DIY: Creating your own art

When I was shooting a show called The Style Dept for HGTV a few years back, I was inspired by a DIY project that we did on the show. It was a custom art piece that we created using paint chips. Art work does not come cheap and sometimes it is so much easier and budget friendly to create your own. Channelling your inner artist can be as easy as taking a trip to the hardware store, all it takes is a little imagination.

Steps to this fab DIY:

1. A simple frame from IKEA is all it takes. (you can basically use any frame you have sitting around the house that you are not using or if you are bored of looking at what's in them)

2. Grabbing paint chips that will add some colour to your space is the way to go.

3. Layering each one making sure that you are hiding the numbers and aligning all the lines together. Be sure to tape each layer down before starting the next.

4. The look should be a little random but be sure to stay within the same colour palette as it might start looking too messy if you don't.

5. An easy way to create custom art that looks chic and stylish.

Gifts and Tablewares Magazine

Lori Smith, Editor of Gifts and Tablewares Magazine asked me, along with Samantha Pynn (Style at Home), Cobi Ladner, Meg Crossley (House and Home) and Elana Safronksy (House and Home) for our take on top trends in design for this fall.

I came up with 5 trends that I felt were going to be big for fall. I took my cues from fashion and what I saw on the runways along with what I was inspired by in my travels. I love spaces that look like they are from the pages of a magazine but ones that don't look contrived.

I will posting these trends in more detail in my upcoming posts.

1. Coral Craziness
2. Handmade Goods
3. Well Travelled
4. All in the Mix
5. Graphic Prints

Check out:

Gifts and Tablewares Magazine

Style at Home Magazine

Canadian House and Home Magazine

Arte De Muebles

A few years back I had the chance to work with Western Living magazine in profiling 7 designers from Alberta in a feature for the Home and Interior Design Show. One of the artisits that I profiled who is also a good friend, is David Brunning. I had him work his graffiti magic on a piece of furniture. I thought how great to have artwork done on furniture. The piece was a huge hit and now sits in my home.

DaDe art and design lab is a new gallery that recently opened its doors in the city, priding themselves on having unique pieces as well as some amazing artwork by local artists. We had a great brainstorming session one day and thought to bring the art meets furniture back, hence Arte De Muebles was born!

So starting on September 24th, 2010, this great collaboration will reveal itself on 10 stunning ming style cabinets. I cant wait to see the transformation and what amazing works of art David creates.

Check out:

DaDe Art and Design Lab

David Brunning

Calgary Herald Feature: ReStore

I was featured in todays Calgary Herald (Front Page, Life at Home). Lisa Kadane did a story on the upcoming ReStore Home that I am designing for the Calgary Home + Interior Design Show coming up next week.

Take a look at my take on trending colours, fab upholstery and what is possible with previously owned furnishings.

Enjoy the read!!!

Check Out:

The Calgary Herald

Home and Interior Design Show

Trend Watch: IKAT

I have been in love with IKAT for a while now ever since seeing it on the runway for GUCCI. As you know that fashion and design are closely related and you often see the trends crossing over. So not only has IKAT been seen on the runway but now you are seeing it used on upholstery, pillows, and drapes.

IKAT is one of the worlds oldest forms of textile decoration is comes from the Indonesian word meaning tie or bind. This is because that is how the process works, similar to tie-dying. I love the textural bohemian quality of the design and that it is such an ancient technique that has been made new again. So no matter how you incorporate it, make sure to do so as it is a trend that I think is here to stay.

Check out:

(photos courtesy of:)

Madeline Weinrib Atelier

ReStore Home- Calgary Home and Interior Design Show

The Calgary Home and Interior Design Show is coming up next week and along with speaking on stage this year (Design Trends and how to incorporate them on a budget) I am working on a feature called ReStore Home.

For those that don't know about ReStore, it is a fabulous resource to utilize when on a budget. They have salvaged kitchens, flooring, tile, plumbing, furniture, doors, whatever it is that you need for your next renovation and all at budget prices!! And all the proceeds go towards Habitat for Humanity, can't beat that.

The home will be filled with all things from ReStore that I have found and made to look brand new by either re-upholstering, re-framing, re-vamping, re-storing, re-painting, and re-staining. To give you a little hint as to the fabulous pieces that I found, I thought to post some before photos to peak your curiosity. Stay tuned for more photos and updates on the show and the home!

To see the full home in all its glory, be sure to come down to the Calgary Home and Interior Design Show (September 16th-19th 2010)

*** be sure to note the last picture give you $3 off admission!!!

Check out:

Calgary Home Show

ReStore

Pattern Crazy

I found out about this amazing line of fabrics from Quadrille Fabrics called China Seas from a fellow designer. I love how casual these prints are and the bold colours that you can get them in. It's all about mixing and matching patterns and these fabrics really lend themselves to doing just that. Bold geometric prints with delicate florals or tribal Ikats, love love love!!!!

Check out:

Quadrille Fabrics