Beautiful Light Fixtures

I'm still on the hunt for lighting for pretty much my whole home, so my eye is constantly pulled to what other people choose in homes and photos. Check out these two light fixtures from a San Francisco showhome featured in Traditional Home.

I love this blue Venetian glass number in the beachy living room (and that blue chair too!)

Not to mention this candle chandelier in the dining room. While white chairs like that would scare me to death I do like the whole look. And I really like the Scottish Oak Barley twist chairs. I saw a similar one recently at a thrift store, but I had no idea what I would do with just one so I sadly left it behind.

How's your week going?

A Look Inside Keri Russell's Brooklyn Brownstone

I've always had an affinity for Keri Russell, ever since she appeared in that Bon Jovi music video. Mostly because I didn't know very many stars with hair curlier than mine (Rebecca Gayheart and Minnie Driver excepted). And while Keri does look different these days I think she seems like a cool, laid back celeb.

The June 2011 issue of ELLE Decor features the Brooklyn brownstone that Russell shares with her husband and son. The home's kitchen cabinets are made of reclaimed fir stained an espresso brown. The fridge is a Sub-Zero and Viking makes the range and vent hood. I like the rustic yet functional feel of the kitchen, although I can't say I'm a fan of that Rejuvenation light fixture. It just seems kind of...small.

I like the pine table, but can those wire chairs be comfortable?

I think Keri's palette can rightly be described as soothing. Light fixture by Ochre, tufted ottoman from John Derian Dry Goods, armchairs by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, rug from Shaw Floors and reclaimed side table and mirror by Russell's husband, Shane Deary.

What do you think?

Photographer: William Waldron

Love It!: Pillar Candle Chandeliers

Design by Windsor Smith via Decorpad

There is something about pillar candle chandeliers that really appeal to me.

I had been planning for something a little more, shall we say, glittery for over our dining table, but I'm being won over by the rustic appeal of these types of light fixtures. What do you think?

Photo 2 via undeniablestyle.com
3 and 4 via furniturefashion.com

Bright, Cheerful and Functional: That's cobistyle

You know me, I'm always trying to find ways to make things I like (ie: light-coloured fabrics) functional and worry free. I don't want to have to freak out every time someone sits on my chair holding a glass of red wine and I don't want to have to start banning my niece and nephews from coming over. Which is why I think the new collaboration from Cobi Ladner (former editor of House and Home) and Joanne Fabrics is so great. Cobi has recently launched cobistyle, a new line of upholstered items and decorative accessories that went on sale in Canadian stores this month.

And the upholstered pieces can be purchased in her "high performance" fabrics too. Like the indoor outdoor fabrics Trina Turk designed for Schumacher (I love the Peacock Print in Driftwood) or the velvets now produced by Sunbrella, these can be used inside or outside and are great for spills or wiping away dirt. Just great for a living or dining room chair or a banquette. I'm sold.

“When I started cobistyle, I made a promise that I would never add to the marketplace more of the same. I believe your home should reflect your own unique character and make you happy. In order to do that, we need choices we can fall in love with!” ~ Cobi Ladner

New House Purchase: Carrera Marble Washstand

Do you remember my post awhile back about finding a vanity just like this one for a steal (the one above is from Restoration Hardware)? And how my husband wasn't thrilled about the style? And then I was all heartbroken and what not? Well, good news! After searching high and low for something else we liked M finally came around and decided he liked this washstand (which he's dubbed The Spider) after all. My faith in my superior powers of persuasion has been restored!

So yesterday we went to buy it and...guess what? It was even cheaper than the first time I looked at it. This never happens to me. Obviously this washstand and I were meant to be. Now I just have to decide on what fixtures to put with it and whether or not I want to change out the builder tile. I'm not 100% on doing that yet. I'd like to but there are definitely more important house things to spend money on first.

Due to exposed pipes M says he'll be installing
a finishing valve like this one from Dahl.

Same with wallpaper. I'm planning on wallpapering our powder room and because it's a small space it will be relatively affordable if I'm good and pick relatively affordable wallpaper, but I may just paint it for now and do wallpaper down the road. I guess we'll just have to see where we're at when the time comes.
Oh, and I'll need to buy a toilet paper holder, garbage can, mirror and light fixture. How is it my lists just keep getting longer?! There is the issue of lack of storage with this vanity, but I'm not too concerned as it is just for a powder room and I can always put a basket or something underneath if I feel the need.

Anyway, I'm just glad that the powder room vanity can now be crossed off our house To Do list! We had a pretty productive weekend in terms of furniture too, I think we've narrowed down our couch ideas and found some great contenders for a table. Oh, and yesterday I went to try Five Guys Burgers. I've heard a lot about them and decided I wanted to see what the buzz was about. When I got there the line was out the door. My verdict? Burger was definitely good, fries were meh, I doubt I would wait in that line up again. Have you tried Five Guys? What did you think?

The Great Couch Debate: Leather vs. Fabric

If I had unlimited funds, no husband, and someone to constantly clean up after me I know exactly how I'd like to decorate my house. Considering I don't, I'd like to keep the one I have, and that person is generally me, the things I'd love to see in my house are not always practical.

White sofa? Not so much. Light coloured dining chairs? Likely not the best option. Carrera marble countertops? A bit too much trouble for me. Same goes with a sofa in a brightly coloured hue. Unfortunately, I don't have the luxury of changing out large pieces of furniture on a yearly basis so I'll stick with throw pillows to inject some colour into a room.

All of this debating--weighing what's beautiful against what's comfortable, what's practical against what's stylish--came to a head this weekend when we went looking for furniture. Originally M campaigned for a sectional sofa, but based on the layout of the room we've ruled it out. Then he sat on a leather sofa and fell in love. This couch was the real deal--good quality, supple leather with decent lines (I'm not into the uber modern leather look) and a good colour (I happen to love a vintage-y looking brown for leather but unfortunately it doesn't go with what we have, so the search has been on for a workable leather in another colour).

How great are the colours in this room?!

And while a good leather couch is likely more expensive than one in fabric it's also probably more durable and a hell of a lot easier to keep clean. I've always been drawn to a tufted, chesterfield-style sofa but have come to find that while beautiful it's also not as comfortable as other options, and I do want a couch that we want to curl up in.

So the question remains: leather or fabric? The decision needs to be made soon. Maybe one of each? I'd love to know what you think!


Photos via Decorpad

Wallpapered Ceilings

This living room was one of my fave images from the

new issue of Lonny. I'm loving the added interest

of the ceiling--and that fab chandelier.

What do you think?

Ikea's Glamorous Black Country Kitchen

I haven't posted much about the Interior Design show, but one of my fave booths (and an award winner) is the IKEA Dream Kitchen. I'm really impressed at how IKEA has stepped up their game lately, producing some really pretty and reasonably priced kitchens.

I would love a beautiful and functional island like this 25-foot

one in my kitchen. IKEA's island is covered in leathered granite.

While I tend towards lighter kitchens myself there is something darkly glamorous about these RAMSJO cabinets. "We participate in the Interior Design Show to reach out to the design community and challenge the way people view our product," says Madeleine Löwenborg-Frick, Public Relations Manager of IKEA Canada. "This year, we have featured a sexy new black modern country door style. This is a departure from the ultra-modern high gloss look we have shown in previous years."

Black Faucet: IKEA RINGSKAR

I think IKEA achieved a good mix between country and glam in this kitchen. While I love the look of open shelving, glass cabinets or hooks displaying pots, as seen here, I could never really incorporate them in my own kitchen. I would be way too obsessed with having everything look perfect. And I guess those pots at the top would have to be ones you don't use often.

What do you think about IKEA's black kitchen?

Images courtesy of IKEA Canada

Guest Post: Interiors Inspired by Chanel Haute Couture

Today I'm happy to introduce a guest post on Chanel Haute Couture and fashion-inspired interior design courtesy of Arcadian Home Decor, a website that sells a variety of decorative items and home accessories.

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It’s no secret that some of each year’s interior design trends are pulled straight off the catwalk. Fabrics, colors and design elements get a second life when taken from fashion’s lead. Spring/Summer Haute Couture 2011 at Chanel was directed by Karl Lagerfeld, who gets part of his inspiration from today’s It Girls like Chanel spokesmodel Blake Lively from the hit show Gossip Girl.

We took our inspiration from Lagerfeld’s designs and found home interiors to match. For example, hand-beaded jackets are mirrored in home accent accessories like chandeliers and crystal interior pendants. See if you can’t find the interior design elements mimicking fashion in the images below.

Blush Pink and Crystals

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The shimmering crystals of the Venetian mirrors and chandelier in the room below mimic the crystal effect of the hem and body of Lagerfeld’s dreamy creation above. The pale pink pillows give off a soft sheen not unlike that of the flowing skirt and neckline.

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Chic Neutrals and Pale Pastels

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The tailored beige velvet sofa when paired with the feminine tufted chairs is reminiscent of the boxy pink sweater and flouncy beige skirt in the image above. The ensemble when paired with black flats takes on the lines of the black stripes in the beige curtains and the black accents in the room below.

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Glam Grey and Shimmering Silver

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The combination of feminine and tailored is evident in the style of Karl Lagerfeld’s textured suit, which is reflected in the interior design of the room below. The tufted boxy accent chair with straight legs is similar to the geometric lines of the suit and its big buttons. The suit’s woven fabric can be seen in the grayish beige carpet with raised design, while the chandelier takes a hint from the flirty belt and buckle at the model’s waist.

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Content provided by Arcadian Home Decor, a site that specializes in top quality home decor items at extremely affordable prices. Come visit today!

A Blue Borne & DwellStudio for Robert Allen Fabric

One of the most colourful and fun booths at this year's Interior Design Show was the Margot Austin-designed Style at Home/Beauti-Tone booth. My favourite piece was--hands down--this deep blue borne.

(I've never known the correct name for this type of furniture until now. You learn a new thing every day!)

When I saw this piece in person I was immediately reminded of that iconic Windsor Smith entryway (from House Beautiful and photographed by Victoria Pearson), which apparently inspired Margot as well.

Not only do I love the shape of this piece of furniture (if I had a bigger foyer I would plunk a borne in the middle of it, no questions asked), but also the inky fabric, which is Robert Allen Carlton velvet in Cerulean. I'm deciding on a color scheme for my own main floor at our new home so after seeing the booth I was off to the Robert Allen website to see what's up. I was immediately taken with some of the great DwellStudio fabrics for Robert Allen that are now available. (Style at Home's borne was custom made by Whittington Furniture).



Plush Dotscape



Etched Aviary

Vintage Blossom

Vintage Plumes

Our new home's main floor is pretty open concept with a floor-to-ceiling two-sided fireplace separating the living/family and dining rooms. I know that I'm going to start with grey, probably on the main couch and on the walls, but deciding on the accent colours is pretty tough. I like the idea of purple and chartreuse, but I also love a good blue (see my Wenesday post). So I'm thinking of having the blue as an accent in one room and the purple in the other, but then worried it might be too much. Isn't it so much harder to decide on ideas for your own home!?

~ Today is the last day to enter the CSN Giveaway for a chance to win a $65 Gift Certificate ~

Happy Weekend!