Decorating & Design
10 pretty pillows
10 pretty pillows of
Pillows 1 - 5 Comfy, cosy and a great accent piece, the throw pillow is a staple of home decor. Allowing you to change your home with the seasons, they can also easily update a drab old room by adding some colour or texture.Here is our top 10 list of favourite pretty pillows: Giving your space a hint of geometric shapes and a whole lot of texture, the Layla pillow from Crate and Barrel is a great addition to any smooth-lined sofa. Made of a soft wool-blend felt, this pillow has a removable cover, making it easy to wash. Think you might get tired of seeing circles? Flip the pillow over to show off a solid cream wool.($60 US) The easiest eway to dress up those neutrals in your home is to add a punch of colour with accents like throw pillows. Well, the Juniper pillow from Unison does the trick. Available in a 17x17 form, the Juniper comes in a variety of delightfully bright colours including Punch (shown), Spruce and Aqua. This feather-filled beauty can bloom spring freshness in your home all year round for $52 US. Florals don't need to go out of style, especially when they are constantly being reinvented in cool, chic designs. Pottery Barn's new Rosa-Red pillow cover combines applique and intricate embroidery to bring your home into full bloom, whichever the season. The tiny decorative French knots are stitched by hand, making this rosy red pillow cover worth every penny. ($88) Let it shine! Your home, that is, with these stunning gold print pillow covers from Accents de Ville. Metallics can work for you and your home if you introduce them in small amounts, and these pillows offer the perfect way to do just that. Pair them with a bold colour or with a neutral; you can't go wrong! Take your pick of either for MSRP $40 (leaves), $38 (fern). Chocolate never looked so good! When you crave dark accents in your home, but think black is a bit harsh, a chocolate brown is the ideal compromise. The Dandelion Puff pillow from Wishfern is made of silk and offers a great way to incorporate florals into a modern home. Available in lighter tones as well, this sweet pillow is priced at $65. Main image courtesy of Pottery Barn Pillows 6 - 10 Pretty pillows aren't just useful for making your home beautiful; they can serve as a great conversation piece as well! The beautiful C.C.F.C pillows from Om Home were named after the Calcutta Cricket and Football Club. The white embroidery reperesents the club's compound, where the spirit of the raj still lingers in dress codes and tea time, and the colourful fabric represents the bustling 21st-century life outide of the four walls. Available in a selection of colours and your pick of 18x18 ($70 US) or 24x24 ($90 US). Mod is back! Crate and Barrel have introduced the fab Radius pillow into their collection of home accessories, and we couldn't be more pleased. This pillow adds chic geometrics to your home with its chocolate and plum cotton velvet circles, and has a rich chocolate backing. Feather-down filled and in a 20x20 square format, this pillow is priced at $40 US. Floral themed home accessories come in all shapes, sizes and styles, and this one offers a great alternative to the traditional look. A soft teal, this pillow is covered with hundreds of hand-cut, hand-applied petals and adds a textured luxury to any space. From Pier 1 Imports, the rectangular Felt Petals pillow is priced at $40. Even though throw pillows often act as a way to add bright colour to a room, there's no shame in buying neutral and deep tones to work with your space.This is especially the case when it comes to the great Swish pillows from Accents de Ville. Available in beige or brown, these neutrals are anything but boring with their subtle and stylish embroidered swirl design. (MSRP $30 each) Nothing's more comfortable than curling up on the sofa in front of the fire, enveloped in blankets and surrounded by throw pillows. This cable knit pillow cover from Pottery Barn oozes comfort, and its ivory colour and textural fabric makes it easy to mix and match with your other sofa pillows. ($58) Main image courtesy of Pottery Barn
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- Lauren McPhillips
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Inside design: Michael George Inside design: Michael George
Inside design: Michael George ofpage 1 He has created florals for A-listers including Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein, Vera Wang and, of course, his friend Martha (Stewart, that is), who wrote the foreword to Simply Elegant Flowers with Michael George ($30 US, North Light Books, 2008). Michael, who has more than five decades of experience, also owns two flower stores and is the artistic director at the prestigious FlowerSchool New York.Style at Home What is it that flowers bring to people?Michael George It's a quality of life issue, really. Having flowers at home brings us back to the organic side of our reality. We've moved so far away from that. I'm trying to put the "culture" in culture. My approach, which I call quattro stagione, or "four seasons," is a simple way for us to tune into what's real in life and to bring that into our homes.S@H About quattro stagione -- your book explains how to use the four stages of nature to inspire floral creations.MG Well, here's the thing: nature gets it right all the time. When autumn comes and the leaves start to change colours, I watch. Sometimes there's more fuchsia, sometimes more orange. I take my lead from that. When arranging flowers, look at the flower in its plant form, see how it grows, and use that to inspire the form of your flower bouquet. Why overstylize something that's already perfect? The purpose of my book is to demystify flower arranging, as Martha Stewart has. It's not rocket science. I want people to get their hands dirty. You know, when I was going through some bad times, I had this overwhelming urge to weed and work in the garden. Sounds weird, doesn't it? But I needed to get my hands dirty, and while I weeded, I worked things out. The same is true for most people; when you're working with flowers, you're happier than when you're just looking at them.S@H You're talking yourself out of a job here, you know.MG Look, the retail flower shop is dying. You have online services that you can order from, or you can stop at the grocery store or even a corner store to buy flowers. The costs of providing the flower-arranging service and staffing are becoming impractical. You have to move with the times; to stay relevant and survive, you really have to adapt. Evolution is a key word. Today, we're a hybridization of influences -- geographically, politically and spiritually. For instance, recently I was hired to do the flowers for a Jewish-Chinese wedding that took place in 21 Club, a famous nightclub in downtown New York!S@H So what did you do?MG I used roses, rose foliage, and oranges (which mean good luck to the Chinese), and draped the chuppah with a red satin bedspread that had a golden dragon on it.S@H Simplicity is a word that's often applied to your work. Is that what makes your arrangements so modern?MG The simplicity and monochromatic nature of my work is in line with the evolution of fashion and style, which are becoming simpler and more natural. My look is minimal, neat and monofloral, which is what makes it modern. For more great entertaining ideas, pick up the November issue of Style at Home or buy it online! Here’s the link to buy it online: November 2008 Style at Home All images by Brie Williams from Simple Elegant Flowers with Michael George by Michael George with Bob Shuman (Northlight Books, 2008). page 2 S@H In Simply Elegant Flowers, you relate how the time your father spent in postwar Japan influenced his own floral creations. Like father, like son?MG Yes! I was married to a Japanese woman for 10 years, and she had quite a huge influence on me. I learned how to really see the simplicity in the beauty of nature. But I needed to learn how to translate that into arrangements that would speak to Americans, who just aren't culturally attuned to simplicity or minimalism. Abundance is key. I started doing low domes using a single flower type, arranging the stems like pencils in a jar. S@H You've written about how, as a baby, you crawled among the fallen petals and stems at your father's flower shop and how, as you grew, the flowers seemed to speak to you. For those of us who don't speak "flower" as a first language, what advice do you have?MG Handle flowers to familiarize yourself with them, look at them and how they grow, and read books about them. Nothing from nature is undesirable, whether it's grasses, pea pods or berries, so don't rule anything out. S@H Bringing a hostess flowers is never clichéd, is it? How can we kick it up a notch and elevate the ordinary?MG First, don't show up with flowers. We all know what it's like to entertain, and the last thing a hostess needs is one more thing to do. Now she has to deal with them, plus take coats and get drinks. Send flowers or an orchid plant the day before, so you don't risk overflowering the house. Floral 101 with Michael GeorgeThe New York-based star floral designer shares his top secrets for creating his signature arrangements.Put flowers in water right away and, if possible, let them drink for eight hours before arranging. Michael also suggests using a plant food, like Chrysal, to extend the life of your arrangement. Remove all thorns and foliage from flower stems below the water line. Align the tops of the flowers, cutting the stems with an even, straight stroke. Drop flowers into a vase the way you would pencils in a jar. Used to hold stems in place, rubber bands and clear hair ties are key to Michael's look. Position a band at the top of the water line, so it's not visible. By moving the band up or down, you can adjust the diameter of your bouquet.For more great entertaining ideas, pick up the November issue of Style at Home or buy it online! Here’s the link to buy it online: November 2008 Style at HomeAll images by Brie Williams from Simple Elegant Flowers with Michael George by Michael George with Bob Shuman (Northlight Books, 2008).- Credit
- Liza Finlay
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Design lesson: Entertaining your senses Design lesson: Entertaining your senses
Design lesson: Entertaining your senses ofpage 1 Glasses raised mid-air for a toast, the clink of crystal, a sip of wine -- it's a familiar ritual that signals the start of a meal or other social gathering. With grace and ceremony, this effortless gesture encapsulates all five of our senses: sight, sound, touch, scent and taste. Creating a memorable party is as much about this collaboration of the senses as it is about finding the right recipes. When entertaining, here are some of the ways I aim to provide a sensual experience that guests remember long after dessert is served. TouchComfort is a priority. I typically choose soft, plush seating that's inviting to curl up in. Curved furnishings soften angular architecture, and the additions of a reading lamp and ottoman turn an underused chair into a spot for lingering.Details, details, details -- they make or break a room. Choose cushions that beg to be touched, like the ones at left by knitwear designer Olena Zylak. Shine door knobs and silver to a high gleam. Position a pinspot light on the contours of an Inuit sculpture and watch people gravitate toward it. Set the table with a crisply pressed cloth and your best dishes, glassware and candlesticks. SoundIn a quiet room, a tabletop water fountain contributes to a pleasing ambience. Hang bells from the front door to signal the arrival of guests. And what's a party without music? I aim for a diverse mix, from Frank Sinatra to Amy Winehouse. For background music, I like to put on compilation CDs -- the Buddha-Bar series is my favourite. page 2 ScentIt's true that guests can't help wandering into the kitchen. It's likely the aroma of food being prepared that draws them in. Beyond the kitchen, I place scented candles or fragrant plants like rosemary here and there to fill a space with seductive perfume. Incense may be too strong for the dining room, but it's ideal for a powder room. Fresh flowers are always right. During the holidays, evergreen boughs create lush and fragrant arrangements. TasteI wouldn't describe myself as a great cook, so I refrain from complicated recipes that stress me out. "Keep it simple" is my motto, and I try to feature seasonal ingredients. I do, however, have a knack for making great coffee, so I enhance my coffee service with fresh whipped cream, dark chocolate shavings and cinnamon. SightI've learned that an object of beauty, whether it's a sofa or a vase, is best appreciated when there's empty space surrounding it. So at least once a year, I rearrange my rooms, culling the surplus from the necessary. My husband and I reposition the furniture, angling it toward the fireplace in winter and outdoor vistas in summer. Including organic elements like plants, natural materials and water features keeps interiors alive. Lighting affects us physiologically and emotionally, so it's essential to create a layered scheme combining ambient, task and decorative illumination. Glittering candles dress up the mantel and dining table, dramatic uplighting turns a plant into sculpture, a twinkling chandelier encircles guests in a glow, and a floor lamp with a black opaque shade highlights a group of collectibles. Speaking of collections, they're the personality of a room, so make yours meaningful. I collect artwork. I love portaits, photography of abandoned buildings and oil paintings of fanciful subjects. Groupings needn't be elaborate to be effective: my best friend displays botanical prints, and my Aunt Sandi collects miniature shoes.- Credit
- Kimberley Seldon
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Make your florals last longer Make your florals last longer
Make your florals last longer of6 tips Floral design guru Michael Pellegrino, co-owner of Toronto's Teatro Verde, gets asked the same question all the time: "How do I make my floral arrangements last longer?" Well, says Michael, it depends on how you care for them. Here, he shares six tips for keeping your flowers looking fresh.1 Fill containers at least three-quarters full so flowers have enough water.2 Use tepid water, not hot or cold. "It relaxes and conditions the flowers, and is especially important if they've been out of water for a little while," says Michael. "It revives them."3 Stir in floral food, or, if you have none on hand, a pinch of sugar. "We've done several tests with floral food in the store," says Michael. "We'll put five stems in treated water and five stems in non-treated water, and we definitely see a difference in the longevity of the flowers."4 Refresh water every few days. "Flowers can drink up a lot of water, especially in the first couple of days," says Michael. "So be sure to check the water level." 5 Re-cut stems and clean them of algae approximately every three days. "Cutting your stems as the days go on will make flowers last longer," says Michael. For example, start with an arrangement of long-stem roses, which are about 50 cm long each. After two days, cut them to about 25 cm; three or four days after that, cut again; then keep snipping every few days until you have just two inches of stem. "You can put those in little julep cups. Divide the flowers and make little arrangements for along the kitchen counter or along the table," he says. "We use roses for our displays at Teatro Verde and we can get three or four weeks out of them."6 Keep your flowers out of direct sunlight. "Flowers don't like the heat," says Michael. "But they do like to be somewhere where there's a lot of natural light."- Credit
- Corinna vanGerwen
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High/low video: Bar carts High/low video: Bar carts
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10 pretty pillows 10 pretty pillows
10 pretty pillows ofPillows 1 - 5 Comfy, cosy and a great accent piece, the throw pillow is a staple of home decor. Allowing you to change your home with the seasons, they can also easily update a drab old room by adding some colour or texture.Here is our top 10 list of favourite pretty pillows: Giving your space a hint of geometric shapes and a whole lot of texture, the Layla pillow from Crate and Barrel is a great addition to any smooth-lined sofa. Made of a soft wool-blend felt, this pillow has a removable cover, making it easy to wash. Think you might get tired of seeing circles? Flip the pillow over to show off a solid cream wool.($60 US) The easiest eway to dress up those neutrals in your home is to add a punch of colour with accents like throw pillows. Well, the Juniper pillow from Unison does the trick. Available in a 17x17 form, the Juniper comes in a variety of delightfully bright colours including Punch (shown), Spruce and Aqua. This feather-filled beauty can bloom spring freshness in your home all year round for $52 US. Florals don't need to go out of style, especially when they are constantly being reinvented in cool, chic designs. Pottery Barn's new Rosa-Red pillow cover combines applique and intricate embroidery to bring your home into full bloom, whichever the season. The tiny decorative French knots are stitched by hand, making this rosy red pillow cover worth every penny. ($88) Let it shine! Your home, that is, with these stunning gold print pillow covers from Accents de Ville. Metallics can work for you and your home if you introduce them in small amounts, and these pillows offer the perfect way to do just that. Pair them with a bold colour or with a neutral; you can't go wrong! Take your pick of either for MSRP $40 (leaves), $38 (fern). Chocolate never looked so good! When you crave dark accents in your home, but think black is a bit harsh, a chocolate brown is the ideal compromise. The Dandelion Puff pillow from Wishfern is made of silk and offers a great way to incorporate florals into a modern home. Available in lighter tones as well, this sweet pillow is priced at $65. Main image courtesy of Pottery Barn Pillows 6 - 10 Pretty pillows aren't just useful for making your home beautiful; they can serve as a great conversation piece as well! The beautiful C.C.F.C pillows from Om Home were named after the Calcutta Cricket and Football Club. The white embroidery reperesents the club's compound, where the spirit of the raj still lingers in dress codes and tea time, and the colourful fabric represents the bustling 21st-century life outide of the four walls. Available in a selection of colours and your pick of 18x18 ($70 US) or 24x24 ($90 US). Mod is back! Crate and Barrel have introduced the fab Radius pillow into their collection of home accessories, and we couldn't be more pleased. This pillow adds chic geometrics to your home with its chocolate and plum cotton velvet circles, and has a rich chocolate backing. Feather-down filled and in a 20x20 square format, this pillow is priced at $40 US. Floral themed home accessories come in all shapes, sizes and styles, and this one offers a great alternative to the traditional look. A soft teal, this pillow is covered with hundreds of hand-cut, hand-applied petals and adds a textured luxury to any space. From Pier 1 Imports, the rectangular Felt Petals pillow is priced at $40. Even though throw pillows often act as a way to add bright colour to a room, there's no shame in buying neutral and deep tones to work with your space.This is especially the case when it comes to the great Swish pillows from Accents de Ville. Available in beige or brown, these neutrals are anything but boring with their subtle and stylish embroidered swirl design. (MSRP $30 each) Nothing's more comfortable than curling up on the sofa in front of the fire, enveloped in blankets and surrounded by throw pillows. This cable knit pillow cover from Pottery Barn oozes comfort, and its ivory colour and textural fabric makes it easy to mix and match with your other sofa pillows. ($58) Main image courtesy of Pottery Barn- Credit
- Lauren McPhillips
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Decorating a dorm room Decorating a dorm room
Decorating a dorm room ofpage 1 One of the biggest adjustments for students going off to college or university is getting used to dorm life. Whether it’s a move to a residence or a small off-campus apartment, space is limited when you’re on a student’s budget, not to mention the difficulty of creating a look of your own.STYLE AT HOME’s style editor Karl Lohnes has teamed up with online community marketplace kijiji.ca to create a dorm-style room fit for any student or city dweller living in a very small space. With a budget of $1000, Karl set out to create a dorm room for less, and ended up cutting his budget in half – the entire room was put together for only $500!With expert advice from Karl, we show you how to create a budget-friendly and stylish dorm-style room, complete with tips and tricks on how you can make this work for any small space in your own home.1 Storage, storage, storageWhen dealing with a small space like this one, storage room and organization are absolute essentials. “For this room, I chose a captain’s style bed,” notes Karl. “There are drawers under the bed, which means you can save room on a dresser, and that cuts down on the budget.” By incorporating multi-functional furniture into your space, your money can be saved to put towards accessorizing your room rather than having to purchase more items of furniture. Also, by purchasing a few plastic rolling storage units and baskets, you can easily change up storage areas in any part of your room.2 Create changeable seating options Just because you’re in a dorm room or small space doesn’t mean you can’t entertain. Meeting new people is an exciting part of starting college, and inviting friends to your dorm can only be possible if you incorporate different seating options. “In this room, I’ve bought this vintage chair from kijiji.ca for $60, and there’s also the option of turning your desk chair around or using a storage ottoman as a seat,” Karl points out. “Since this bed isn’t very deep, it can be made into a day bed. Just throw some pillows along the back by the wall, and you’ve created another seating option.”3 Choose your colour palette wiselyKarl’s tips on choosing colours for your dorm room decor? If you’re a student on a tight budget, use neutrals for your furniture so that you’ll only need to update your accessories when colour trends change. “The rug, which was a steal on kijiji.ca for $60, established the focus on bold colour in the room. However, if you look at the furniture in the room, which was also bought online, it’s all neutral.” So, with the walls, Karl chose to paint one wall a monochromatic grey, and left the rest a neutral shade. “If you’re able to paint, use a colour that will make the rest of the colours in the room pop. And if you can’t paint, maybe hang some vintage drapes up behind your bed,” he says. page 2 4 Stick to your budgetWe all know what it’s like to fall in love with a piece of furniture or home accessory, only to find out that it’s far beyond our price range. Karl advises to set a budget and stick to it absolutely. This means going to box stores that you know are in your price range, as well as checking out the discount stores that have items priced 20-60% off (like HomeSense, where all the room’s accessories were purchased from). It’s also a good idea to plan out how much you want to spend on each item in the room, and avoid visiting stores that you know have beautiful items that are outside of your budget.5 Use the internetComing from a computer generation, today’s students are super savvy with the internet, making it easy to navigate all the great sites for home decor. Not only do many online retailers allow you to search for items with a maximum price level – ensuring you’re within your budget – but you can also choose to buy new from businesses or buy used goods from online communities. “Sites like Kijiji.ca are great because the price is right, and since it’s people selling great items they no longer need, it saves them from dumping it at a landfill,” Karl adds. Karl Lohnes’ DOs and DON’Ts for a dorm-style small space DO use ambience lighting. Many residences don’t allow for candles to be lit, so an alternative option is to purchase a small light with a low wattage so you can leave it on at night and feel safe coming home to a room that isn't completely dark. DON’T overuse patterns. A lot of pattern in a small space can be overwhelming, so it’s best to choose solid colours for larger items, like the fuschia rug. That allows for more patterns to be used for the room’s accessories. DO buy items that are proportionate to your room size. Buying a queen or king size bed might suit your fancy, but it won’t leave you much room for anything else in a dorm-style space. DON’T permanently attach things to your walls. The last thing the landlord wants is for you to drill holes in the walls, so another option is to use Sticky Tack to hang items on the walls or have a freestanding bookshelf to display items rather than a wall shelf.- Credit
- Lauren McPhillips
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25 autumn accessories 25 autumn accessories
25 autumn accessories ofpage 1 As the seasons change from summer to fall, so must your home accessories! It’s time to pack away the lemonade pitchers and the cool coloured decor and create warmth in the home with rich colours and cosy accents.Here are 25 home accessories that will transform your home from summer retreat into a comfy haven for the crisp days of autumn. CandlesAn essential item for autumn, candles create a cosy atmosphere in your home through their warmth and accent lighting. These eco-friendly candles from Pier 1 are made from soybeans, a renewable resource, and come in a variety of delicious scents ranging from Chocolate Suede to Toasted Sugar. ($23 each) Mixing BowlsBringing out autumn coloured kitchen prep accessories is a subtle way to suit your home to the season. Tag‘s new multi-harvest prep bowls can be used to prepare your autumn pastries or to display your freshly picked apples. ($15 per set of 3 ) Cake standNo smell is more familiar and delicious in the fall than that of homemade apple pie fresh from the oven. The classically chic Emma cakestand from Pottery Barn is the perfect pedestal for your yummy baked goods, or could be used as a lovely stage for your table’s centerpiece. ($65) PillowsAdding seasonal themed items to your living room is as easy as changing up your pillow covers. Although not autumn-coloured, these covers from Accents de Ville are modernly chic with their embroidered leaves and trees. (MSRP $43 each, includes filler) Place cardsSetting an autumn table, whether it be for Thanksgiving or a Sunday dinner, is not complete without place cards to seat your guests. These sweet apple place cards from Pierre Belvedere add a bit of bling to your tabletop with their crystal and silver design. ($25 per set of 6) Main image courtesy of Pottery Barn. page 2 Home Fragrance OilsAutumn weekends are the perfect time to relax indoors and curl up on the couch with a good book or movie. The Body Shop’s new line of aromatherapy essential oils are designed to create that relaxing atmosphere through their soothing scents, which range from Deep Sleep to Total Energy. ($20 each) BeddingKeeping yourself warm and toasty in bed feels like a great luxury when escaping from autumn weather, and nothing is more luxurious than Restoration Hardware’s Italian pinstripe sateen duvet cover. As beautiful as it is comfy, this classic duvet cover comes in colours ranging from taupe (shown) to marine blue. ($299 full/queen) StorageChanging up home accessories for each season is an easy way to update a home, but you’ll also need space to store the replaced items. These mahogany-stained palm leaf ottomans from Tag come in a set of two and are a style savvy storage solution for out-of-season throws or pillows. (MSRP $125) Magnets Placing a lot of little autumn-themed home accessories throughout your home really does make a difference and means that you don’t have to break the bank on purchasing larger items. These cute leaf magnets from Accents de Ville bring the outdoors in without having to bear the cool weather. (MSRP $5 each) ThrowsThe best part about the cooler fall weather is cuddling with loved ones on the couch under a soft throw. The Karma (left) and Elisa (right) throws from Accents de Ville are super stylish and their neutral palette makes it easy to transition them into any existing colour scheme. (MSRP $70 each) Main image courtesy of Pottery Barn. page 3 Cheese spreadersMake your autumn wine and cheese party super stylish with these cheese spreaders from Indigo Books & Music. With faux wine-cork handles, these spreaders come in a set of 4 and are sure to make an impression. ($13 per set of 4) Salad ServersJust because summer is over, doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a great salad in the fall – it just means you need to update your salad servers. These twig- handled servers from Abbott present the perfect way to serve up your autumn salads to guests. ($20 a pair) KettleDelicious hot chocolate or soothing tea is a great way to keep cosy whether in your home or outside. Cusinart’s PerfecTemp kettle has a built-in gauge to ensure the proper heat level for every type of hot beverage – take your pick of red, white, or black! ($100 US) Sauce boatA Thanksgiving dinner just isn’t the same without gravy for the turkey, so why not house it in this white ceramic sauce boat from Williams-Sonoma? This curvy beauty is Italian-made and comes with an oval server to prevent drips on your tablecloth. ($60) PlacematsAdd a little shimmer to your home decor with gold table linens for fall entertaining. These pretty Harman Marseilles placemats from Kitchen Stuff Plus can light up any tabletop this season. ($5 each) Main image courtesy of Pottery Barn. page 4 Large Bowl A large wooden bowl is a fabulous home accessory for displaying your centerpiece of miniature gourds, or for filling with rich scented potpourri. Ten Thousand Villages' mango wood platform bowl is beautifully hand-carved by Indian artisans, and you can feel even better about your purchase as the company is renowned for their fair trade policies. ($35) Fireplace GuardThe end of summer bonfires at the cottage doesn’t need to mean the end of cosying up by the fire altogether. The Campaign Hearth flat screen from Restoration Hardware is the chicest new fire accessory there is, guarding the flames whilst still allowing the fire to warm your home. ($299 US) VaseWhen decorating for the seasons, it’s a great idea to check out the budget-friendly stores, like IKEA. This cream-coloured Havtorn Farm vase stands tall and would look picture perfect with some faux wheat sheaves or tall berry sprigs. ($40) Pinecone décor accessory Who says all home accessories have to be functional? This white ceramic pinecone with an antique finish from Abbott offers nothing to your home but style and a modern touch of autumn. ($15) WreathNo longer just for the holiday season, wreaths have become a great accessory for sprucing up your home interior. This orange berry wreath from Pier 1 would add a hit of autumn colour to any home, whether it’s placed above the fireplace or hung on the wall in the foyer. ($45) Main image courtesy of Pottery Barn. page 5 Napkin RingsA little bit of kitsch in the home never hurt anyone - just don't overdo it! These cute turkey napkin rings from Accents de Ville provide just the right amount of seasonal charm for your Thanksgiving tabletop, adding a little fun to your holiday. (MSRP $4 each) TrayIf you can’t bear to part with your cosy bed on a Sunday morning, a serving tray for your breakfast is the perfect way to enjoy the best of both worlds. The Tava tray from Pottery Barn comes in a honey or espresso stain, and is handcrafted with rattan, an entirely natural and eco-friendly material. ($72 each) MirrorA staple of home accessories, a great wall mirror can transform a space, whether it’s acting as a focal piece or simply opening up the area. This ornate mirror from HomeSense will spice up any wall in your home, and its deep red colour can carry it over to the holiday season as well. ($50) Floor rug Changing up your flooring for the seasons is another way to freshen up your home, whether it be with an area rug, a runner or a bathmat. Pottery Barn’s new Harvest Leaf rug brings the beauty of the changing leaves inside your home with its woolen texture and brown tones. (5x8 $399, 8x10 $599) DoormatWhen decorating your home for the seasons, do not forget to change up your exterior décor as well. The Elizabeth doormat from Accents de Ville greets your guests with some autumn charm. (MSRP $30) Main image courtesy of Pottery Barn.- Credit
- Lauren McPhillips
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Bargain beauty: Decorating for less Bargain beauty: Decorating for less
Bargain beauty: Decorating for less ofDecor on a budget Savvy shopper Marny Pelletier is proof you don't need to spend a lot of money to get stylish results. By combining thrift shop finds and creativity, she has decorated the Kitchener, Ont., home she shares with husband Glenn and their children for less than some people spend on one room. Looking for ways to cut costs after she decided to stay home with daughters Lucy and Ellen, Marny turned to discount stores and yard sales to furnish her house. "I go to Value Village and local thrift shops a lot," she says. "I've also shopped at Habitat for Humanity ReStore." And she's a regular at country auctions. "Especially small ones the dealers won't be at – that's where to get real bargains." Marny sometimes discovers her treasures in roundabout ways. She found her dining room's 100-year-old table for $80 at an auction sale in a barn. Piled with toys the owner was selling, the table initially went unnoticed. She almost got it for a mere $5, until a dealer spotted it, too, and bid her up. The beauty beneathThe ability to see beauty hiding beneath a grimy exterior led Marny to her collection of wartime cigarette boxes, found covered in dirt in a garage sale bin. "I cleaned them up and placed them throughout my house to hold buttons and other things," she says. "They add character and texture. And every- one who sees them seems to have a story, like remembering how their grandfather had similar ones." Marny has even turned her love of the hunt into two home businesses. Seven years ago, she started Reinventing Interiors, helping people creatively repurpose items and refurbish flea market finds. For Throwbacks, the pillow company she runs with a friend, Marny seeks out vintage textiles and buttons to fashion into unique cushions like those on her sofa, one of which she made from an old chenille coverlet. What started out as a necessity has become a happy way of life. "I've often wondered, if I had a lot of disposable income, what would I really change?" Marny says. "I might make some fun architectural alterations, but I don't think I would change the major pieces because they have a history – there's a story behind them." Tips for treasure hunters It's yard sale season! Get the most out of it with advice from Jo-Anne Lauzer, publisher-editor of the B.C.-based website secondhandsavvy.com.Bring along• A measuring tape, blanket to wrap purchases, screw- driver. • Small bills and coins – most sellers won't have much change. • Lists of the items and sizes you need. • Pen and paper so you can leave your name and number. If something is beyond your budget, the owners might be willing to call and make a deal if it's not sold by end of day. Garage sale etiquette• If the ad says no early birds, don't show up an hour early. • Always check if prices are negotiable before haggling. It's best not to negotiate on items under a dollar. • Make sure items work and all the pieces are intact before you buy. • Avoid making negative comments while browsing. People get attached to the strangest things and feelings can be hurt. • A friendly smile and hello goes a long way – it is a social outing after all.- Credit
- Tracey Williams
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6 beautiful blooms 6 beautiful blooms
6 beautiful blooms ofBeautiful blooms Spring or summer, fall or winter, fresh flowers are a delightful way to add colour and life to your home. Decorate mantlepieces or create centrepieces with these six simple projects. Pretty in purpleHydrangeas are back in style. Show them off in round vases of various sizes (available at most florists and dollar stores). For this simple look, snip flower heads, using one per vase. Hydrangeas tend to be very thirsty; keep them well hydrated with just a little water at a time, which will prevent waterlogging. Styling tip: A trio of flowers in vases has more presence than a single arrangement. Place them in a row on a table or shelf. Red headsMake a big statement with a little bunch of anemones arranged in a large glass vase. Tie stems together with twine and nestle them in some water. Styling tip: Play with scale by placing small flowers in big vases – you can display them in a large space and the flowers won't get lost.Orchid magicFor a striking silhouette that will look elegant on a table or mantel, fill a tall vase with water (to within two inches of the top) and invert a stem of orchids, leaving the stem partially exposed. A stem of cymbidiums will last for about a week under water and costs around $30. Orchids come in subtle pinks and whites, as well as vibrant chartreuse, fuchsia and spotted yellow. Styling tip: Pile orchid blooms in a jar and fill with unscented bath oil; use the oil or just display the jar in your bathroom. Beautiful Blooms page 2 Lofty liliesNot only do lilies smell beautiful, but they're graceful looking, too. Use flowers that are the same height as your vases; for impact, sit two tall cylinder vases on your dining table. Styling tip: For an Asian feel, mix lilies with bamboo or ornamental grasses.Ever greenDon't limit your creativity to just flowers. Ornamental leaves, which are works of art, are available at floral shops and lend a modern, sophisticated touch to any table. Choose broad leaves from anthuriums, philodendrons, soft shield ferns or tulips (or from any flowers you like), curling one inside each bud vase, then adding water. Styling tip: Create interest with leaves of varying colours. Some varieties of hostas have contrasting stripes, as well as long narrow leaves.Mum's the wordRegular chrysanthemums positively blossom when presented in a low tray or vase. If using the ragged fringed type (shown here), choose one colour; if you prefer the regular kind, mix different colours. Snip off stems before filling a tray. Have more fun by arranging mums in rings of colour. Styling tip: If a flower head accidentally falls off, float it in a bowl and display on a side table or in a room for a hit of colour.- Credit
- Sabine Pick
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Inside design: Thomas O'Brien Inside design: Thomas O'Brien
Inside design: Thomas O'Brien ofInside design: Thomas O'Brien Style at Home: You originally went to New York to go to art school. How does that artistic background influence your work in design?Thomas O’Brien: Obviously art is about beauty, but beyond that, I think it taught me to appreciate individualism. I like things to be authentic, and my interiors aren’t designed to be perfect. These days, design is more about being unique; it’s about having rooms with personality, not rooms that look like everyone else’s. S@H: When you talk of bringing personality to rooms, do you mean, for instance, incorporating collections?TO: Yes, but not just that. The art and furniture that people are drawn to say a lot about who they are. I start there. It’s important to include pieces a client already owns. Existing art, collections and special furniture pieces define a room and give it charm. There’s so much variety in the market now. It’s almost obscene how much there is to choose from. Customizing, or personalizing, is more and more important. My own furniture line [visit hickorychair.com for Canadian dealers] was designed with a blend of styles so it could work with someone’s antiques or other pieces the client already owns; it’s not designed to work only with my things, because I want consumers to be able to express their own personalities.S@H: Let’s talk about the Thomas O’Brien range of products. Your look has been described as “soft modern.” Do you think that’s fitting?TO: People have been calling my work soft modern, or warm modern, for a long time, and I guess it’s apt because, while highly stylized modernism doesn’t interest me, I do appreciate a modern attitude to putting things together. Inside design: Thomas O'Brien S@H: What does “modern attitude” mean exactly?TO: I love antiques and vintage things, and there’s a way they can be put together with more contemporary pieces that works. That’s modern. S@H: That’s also a more practical approach, isn’t it?TO: It’s more practical and it’s more green.S@H: What role does practicality play in your work?TO: A timeless look is essentially practical because you aren’t starting from scratch every time you want to redecorate. You aren’t buying all new pieces and reupholstering everything; you’re just working with iconic pieces and then adding or subtracting an item or two. I also think it’s important to be realistic about how rooms are used. In the dining room, for instance, it’s practical and normal to have a wireless setup and a laptop or computer: why not make the room useful beyond dining by creating a space that’s both an eating space and a work or recreation space? We have to get our mind around the fact that the way we use rooms is changing and that our design of those rooms needs to change accordingly.S@H: What else do you think we need to get our head around?TO: The staple-gun world is impermanent, and quick fixes aren’t what having a home is about. Some TV shows do a disservice by making [decorating] all about quick and easy fixes. Instead, I think there’s a new generation that’s learning how to give that special touch – that edge – to a room. That means embracing highly specialized trades, people with special skills. In recent years, craftsmen specializing in custom metalwork, for example, have been used in a very limited way. Now I think there’s a new demand for those trades. Those quality touches are what will really make a room unique- Credit
- Liza Finlay
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Eco products for your kitchen Eco products for your kitchen
Eco products for your kitchen ofeco products page 1 Ultra efficientFagor's Energy Star-rated Tall Tub dishwasher is equipped with an "eco sensor" to monitor water quality and adjust consumption, conserving water (the tub is filled with fresh water only when necessary) and energy. And the tall tub interior means you can squeeze in bigger items and fit everything in one load. $1,400 US, Fagor, fagoramerica.com for retailers. Live lightlyCrafted from bamboo, the Calvino pendant from Propellor Design is one of the bright eco options in the company's Furrow line of custom light fixtures. The pendants are finished with 100% nontoxic walnut oil and lit with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. $295 (one pendant), $560 (two pendants), Propellor Design, Vancouver, 604-682-6665; propellor.ca. Renewable resource Woven bamboo flooring from EcoTimber is formaldehyde-free and can be sanded and refinished like hardwood. The bamboo used in it is sustainably harvested, renewable and grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers. $6 per square foot, Ecotimber, ecotimber.com for retailers.Tip: Bamboo swells when damp, so a great way to care for your flooring is to place a nonslip area rug in front of the sink or refrigerator, where spills may occur. eco products page 2 Eco oven The Diva 365 Induction range provides double the energy efficiency of a conventional oven by combining a 36-inch stainless-steel electric convection oven with an induction cooktop. The cooktop includes a large 3,600-watt centre burner and four smaller side burners. $9,995, Diva de Provence, 888-852-8604 or divainduction.com for retailers. Sustainable shuttersRecyclable Envirogreen shutters from Maxxmar are made of VOC- and formaldehyde-free PVC. Resistant to stains and moisture, they’re produced using a sustainable manufacturing process that includes taking advantage of outdoor temperatures as part of an energy-saving cooling process. From $895, Sun-brite Drapery, Toronto, 416-741-9430; Sunbritedrapery.com Can’t touch this!Kohler’s Wellspring Traditional Touchless electronic faucet reduces water waste by running only when an object is in front of the sensor, plus it stops automatically after two minutes, even when activated, to prevent overflow. The faucet is powered by a recyclable lithium-ion battery, and temperature is controlled by a valve below the counter. From $1,033, Kohler, 800-456-4537 or kohler.com for retailers. Have a fabulous eco product? E-mail naturalchic@styleathome.com.- Credit
- Sydney Loney
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Design lesson: Dream kitchens Design lesson: Dream kitchens
Design lesson: Dream kitchens ofPage 1 With smart layouts and well-designed appliances and tools, modern kitchens increasingly level the playing field between amateur cook and gourmet chef. Do you long for a gorgeous kitchen that helps you multitask effortlessly and entertain like a Food Network pro? Task-oriented upgrades provide the support you need to make those dreams come true. Here are some worth considering. AppliancesDouble the width inside your fridge so it holds party platters with ease. The French door refrigerator is one of the nicest-looking appliances to hit the market in a long time. Jenn-Air has a bronze version as an alternative to stainless. Whether you’re preparing dinner for a family of four or orchestrating an elegant brunch for 20, the right dishwasher eases cleanup. Consider two dishwashers for large party entertaining, busy households and kosher kitchens. Or for smaller households, choose a model with two drawers for independent operation of upper and lower sections (an energy saver). Cleaning & recyclingLaundry in the kitchen? Why not? I’m all for eliminating unnecessary steps. A small-capacity washer and dryer (or an all-in-one combo that fits under the counter) will put clean dishtowels at your fingertips. Get serious about garbage and recycling with the addition of chutes that lead from the kitchen directly into covered waste bins outside or in the garage. It sounds complicated but isn’t. Consult a qualified builder to link interior and exterior through a small hole at counter height. And if your bins don’t already have wheels, install them so it’s easy to roll garbage and recyclables to the curb. If a chute isn’t possible, make an undercounter disposal centre work for you: keep bins handy but out of sight with a cupboard slide-out system. Look for options at home supply centres or container and storage solution stores. Page 2 Cabinetry, countertops & storageStart by rethinking old standards. Taller kitchen counters (42 inches rather than 36 inches high) provide more cupboard and drawer space, and eliminate unnecessary bending, especially for those who are taller than the average man or woman. To create a seamless, easy-to-navigate kitchen, opt for integrated appliances that don’t jut out beyond cabinetry. Continue the seamless appearance with stone countertops. Granite provides impervious service, but some find its appearance too heavy. Engineered products like Silestone and CaesarStone work equally hard and come in a variety of colours. The ultimate luxury for those who love to entertain is surely the butler’s pantry, ideally located between the kitchen and dining room. It’s the perfect spot to store wine and crystal drinking glasses, silver flatware, and tabletop accessories like placemats and candlesticks.Personal enjoymentCoffee lovers want – make that need – a built-in espresso maker like the popular Miele system. Locate it near the breakfast table, where it’s guaranteed to keep mealtimes percolating.Store wines in a freestanding or undercounter wine fridge. Intro models are 15 to 24 inches wide and start under $300. Sophisticated versions have independent temperature zones for red, white and sparkling.- Credit
- Kimberley Seldon
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5 decorating dilemmas solved 5 decorating dilemmas solved
5 decorating dilemmas solved of5 decorating dilemmas solved From the paint to the pictures to the fabric swatches, decorating projects can be daunting, especially when you're trying to revamp your living space solo. So we enlisted the expertise of Sue Bennett, principal designer of the Toronto-based firm Bennett Design Studios to help you solve some of your most common decorating dilemmas. Here, Sue answers five questions about decorating. Q I don't have a big budget for home decorating. What are some wallet-friendly solutions to make my home look stylish and chic on a budget?-- Susan Boid, Toronto, ONA I'd start with paint. The basis for every beautiful room is always the overall ambiance that's created with the colour that surrounds the space. Don't be afraid to accent a feature wall with some colour and then highlight it with an oversize piece of art. If your furniture is fairly neutral, choose a couple of throw cushions to match the accented wall. To complete the space, accessorize the coffee table with a small stack of coffee table books topped with a beautiful large glass vase with fresh flowers. Gorgeous! Find more budget-friendly ideas here.Q I love to follow current decorating trends in my home, but am afraid my house will look too "been there, done that" after a few years. What are some trendy accessories I could add to my current decor that will stand the test of time?-- Tonya Simpson, Campbellville, ON A Buying accessories that are interesting to you is the key to timelessness. You have to go with whatever suits your own personal style. Part of the fun in shopping for home decor accents is picking up special pieces on your travels, at a flea market or at antique shops. Finding things in unexpected places will help you avoid the mass trends! But, a word of caution: Many people feel as though they have to display all of their home furnishing accessories at once, but don't! Instead, group your accessories (three to five pieces) into a theme or particular style and store the rest. For example, milk-glass pieces grouped together look elegant and cohesive, as does a series of silver picture frames or wooden artifacts. When you get tired of what you have on display, pull some fresh pieces out of storage and swap them out! Q I love the idea of having a feature wall in my bedroom. What colour choices would work in a room that has a very muted colour palette of creams, greys and browns? -- Doug Ratcliffe, Calgary, AB A I truly believe that a bedroom should be a restful oasis of a space, so I generally stay away from high energy colours. When you're working with a palette of neutrals, just about any gentle accent colour will work. The most common hue lately is a rich robin’s egg blue; it's calming and very sophisticated when paired with cream, taupe or beige. Other colour ranges that work well are soft, muted turquoise, burnt oranges or rich eggplant; they always look stunning and work well with any warm-based taupe colours.Q I have a lot of artwork that I'd like to hang in my living room, but I have no idea how high or how low the pieces should rest on the wall. Any suggestions? -- Amanda Peters, Vancouver, B.C. A There are a couple of golden rules that we use when we hang artwork: If it is a single piece or a series of prints that are all framed in the same size frame, then always hang it so that the top 1/3 of the art piece is at eye-level (usually around 66" off the floor). If you're looking to hang a collage of multi-size pieces, then try to create a "shape" on the wall for them; measure out an imaginary triangle or square and make sure that the prints are all lined up within that shape, the edges of the frames lining up with the edges of the shape. Find more tips on hanging art here.Q My house is full of floor-to-ceiling French windows that bring in a lot of natural light. It's fine by day, but come nighttime, I want some more privacy. What window treatments will work but won't mask all of the daylight?-- Sam Sizemore, Ottawa, ON A For a truly timeless and elegant solution, I love simple drapery panels on a beautiful rod. They work beautifully if you have enough space on either side of the window to pull the panels totally off the window glazing during the day; at night, the panels can be drawn over the window for privacy. Select an appropriate solid or semi-transparent fabric depending on how much privacy your condition requires. Side panels work with light floaty fabric as well as they do with heavy rich brocades. Find more advice on selecting window treatments here. Image courtesy of Crate and Barrel.- Credit
- Lara Ceroni
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Design lesson: Bedroom save or splurge Design lesson: Bedroom save or splurge
Design lesson: Bedroom save or splurge ofDesign lesson: Bedroom save or splurge The thrifty cook knows when ordinary olive oil suffices and when it's necessary to uncork the "good stuff." After all, there's no point wasting expensive extra-virgin on the kids' chicken fingers. The same principles that stretch the family food budget also invigorate the household decorating fund. There are times when you simply must splurge to create the impact desired and other times when it's perfectly reasonable to save a few dollars. Below I've highlighted areas where it's possible to save and others where spending pays off when it comes to decorating your bedroom. Most of these tips work for every room in the house. Where to splurge• Fine bedding is the last thing you feel as you drift off and the first thing you're aware of as you awake. Don't settle for anything less than the absolute best you can afford.• Couture pillow fabrics transform even the most generic bedding into a custom-coordinated style statement. Source quality remnants from fabric retailers like Department of Interiors in Toronto, where the selection includes high-end fabrics priced well below wholesale. For an 18-inch square pillow, you'll need only about three-quarters of a yard of fabric, so go ahead and treat yourself. • Quality upholstery is always a smart investment. A classic lounge chair, like the William Birch-style one in the corner, can be repurposed at any time in any room in the house.• Original art is a worthwhile investment that injects a room with personality -- a key ingredient for truly successful design projects. Although you're likely to spend $200 and up for small oil paintings, there are other affordable options, like original prints, photography and watercolours. Attend local art fairs and annual exhibits of projects by fine arts students. Where to save• Ready-made draperies offer considerable savings and work well for most relatively standard windows. Visit retailers like Invu Drapery Company (three locations in Ontario), where there's a vast selection of fabrics and drapery headers, or design studios that offer ready-made as well as custom, like Kimberlee's Decorating in Edmonton. Before shopping, take detailed measurements of the window and its exact location within the full wall.• Affordable lamps are available at large retailers across Canada. HomeSense, The Home Depot and IKEA have excellent selections. • A headboard frame you cover yourself -- in an affordable linen or cotton -- is a budget-friendly alternative to buying a handcrafted solid wood bed frame. You won't sacrifice an ounce of style, and you'll love it if you read in bed.• Garage sale finds like side tables are instantly renewed with spray paint. Opt for fresh white to improve the style quotient. Add new hardware, and you'll save big without skimping on style.• Accessories are readily available at any price point, so here's where you can be thrifty. Wait for sales, buy end-of-season remainders and source retailers like HomeSense for great bargains.- Credit
- Kimberley Seldon
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Decorating on a budget: Cheap chic Decorating on a budget: Cheap chic
Decorating on a budget: Cheap chic ofTips 1-5 Decorating is an act of passion, not just pulling out your wallet -- so don't worry if your budget's a little tight. Margot Austin, Senior Design Editor at Style at Home gives her tips for decorating on the cheap. You'll love the results.1 Train your eye: Know what great high-end design pieces look like so that you can have them in mind while hunting at discount or big box stores, flea markets or thrift shops. 2 Be patient: Wait for floor sample sales (usually July and/or January) to get good deals and don't feel like you have to race to finish your space. You want to find the right thing at the right price, not just anything at the right price. 3 Paint a piece of furniture (or a few) glossy black. This works on junk shop finds or new pieces with cheesy finishes. 4 Spend some money: All on-the-cheap rooms just look cheap, not chic. Every room needs a few splurges - special pieces that announce their quality. Decide what “splurge” means to you and do it! 5 Just say no to boring mass produced “art”. Instead, get creative with large collages made from wrapping paper, wallpaper scraps or maps. Paint a large canvas with leftover paints. Pop kids art into off-the-shelf frames with mattes. Hang a beautifully patterned fabric from wooden dowels. Tips 6-10 6 Go big with accessories. Many tiny items make a place look cluttered and cheapy. Instead opt for overscale accessories like standing floor vases, plump floor cushions, pillar candles rather than tea-lights. 7 Use texture: Combine shiny, matte, soft and rough natural textures to add richness to a space. Sparkle always adds a dash of glamour. 8 Don't scrimp on the size of your area rug. Many nice rooms are ruined by the use of a postage-stamp sized rug. Can't find one big enough and don't want to spend the earth: go to a broadloom store and order a piece to be cut and bound (choose a sisal look-a-like in wool or sythetic fibre). 9 Do what I did - decorate with black and white. Just like with fashion, these colours (or non-colours) never look tired and combined can result in dramatic spaces that look like their total price tag was much higher that the actual cost. 10 Buy gutsy lamps. Lighting is often an after-thought when decorating on a budget but spindly, too-small lamps are a common faux-pas. Instead, layer your lighting (overhead, task, ambient), switch bulbs to halogen or natural daylight bulbs and buy lamps that have a sculptural appeal.- Credit
- Margot Austin
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A beautiful beach cottage A beautiful beach cottage
A beautiful beach cottage ofCottage style This small shingled cottage -- just a shack, really -- that belongs to Fiona Duff Kahn and her husband, Robert Kahn, is a miraculous holdout from the developers' wrecking ball that has leveled so many of its compatriots among the increasingly valuable properties of New York's fabled Hamptons. It helps that it is in Wainscott, a tiny, low-key community sandwiched between East Hampton and Bridgehampton that until recently wasn't really on the Hamptons radar. Nestled on a small piece of property shaded by giant pines and thick rhododendrons that borders on a farm, the house has expansive views that belie its small size. It's within biking distance of the beach, and when it's quiet, you can hear the ocean, but it feels more like a cabin in the woods.The house was most likely a prototype of a 1940s Abercrombie & Fitch kit house that came in numbered pieces with slots. "There's not a nail in the house," says Fiona. Just 700 square feet with two bedrooms, it was built in 1947, and a spacious screened porch was added in 1952, which granted another 400 square feet of living, lounging, and dining space to the tiny bungalow.Fiona's husband, Bob, is an architect, but this house is more her domain, left deliberately unimproved, to keep life as simple as possible. There is no electricity on the porch, which invites "beautiful dinners where the whole place is lit up by candles," and there's no heat, so it's purely a summerhouse, with a cast-iron stove for chilly nights in spring and fall.Excerpted from Mary Emmerling's Beach Cottages by Mary Emmerling Copyright © 2008 by Mary Emmerling. Excerpted by permission of Random House of Canada Limited, on behalf of Clarkson Potter. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher. Summer living "The house is underbuilt, whereas houses today tend to be overbuilt and all sealed up," says Fiona. "The walls were unfinished; you could see the studs, which are only one-by-twos. The asphalt roof had been repaired with heavy-duty aluminum foil! There was nothing but brown kraft paper lining the inside of the clapboard exterior. It felt almost porous." Fiona did make a few changes to the house: "Everything was brown, and you couldn't see a thing without turning on the lights," so she added bead-board paneling inside and painted it white, which brightened up the interior significantly, and then chose a friendly palette of 1940s colors for the floors, furnishings, and curtains. The living room floor is robin's-egg blue, the guest room floor mossy green, and the bedroom floor calamine pink; there are touches of forest green (on a vintage refrigerator and claw-foot tub), and yellow and cheery red gingham on the ruffled curtains. Furnishings were either in the house already, or are tag-sale or flea-market finds, an amiable beach-house jumble. There are no modern conveniences like a dishwasher, washer and dryer, or TV, which suits them just fine. Life steps back half a century here to a simpler time when clothes dried on the line and kids entertained themselves collecting shells, building sandcastles, or playing cards.To Fiona and her family, including her four-year-old daughter, Kiki, the house feels larger than its diminutive size because "there are so many different places to hang out -- the porch, the living room, a hammock and swing on one side of the house, and Adirondack chairs and picnic table on another," says Fiona. "The porch is a perfect napping spot -- you just get into the hammock and pretend you are going to read in the perfect green, shady light." They never know what the farmer next door is going to plant. Some years it's corn; this year it was a remarkable field of big sunflowers that made them feel as if they were living in Provence. The house has the feel of serendipity about it, probably because Fiona and Bob have put such a light footprint on it. "It feels like we inherited it in a way," says Fiona. "You get to know the people who lived here before you through a house, while in the process, you make it your own."Excerpted from Mary Emmerling's Beach Cottages by Mary Emmerling Copyright © 2008 by Mary Emmerling. Excerpted by permission of Random House of Canada Limited, on behalf of Clarkson Potter. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher. Winter living The house has the feel of serendipity about it, probably because Fiona and Bob have put such a light footprint on it. "It feels like we inherited it in a way," says Fiona. "You get to know the people who lived here before you through a house, while in the process, you make it your own."- Credit
- Mary Emmerling
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Eco-friendly design Eco-friendly design
Eco-friendly design ofEco-friendly design Downtown Toronto may be the last place you'd expect to find blossoming with green ideas, but Daniel Libeskind has planted a seed that's soon to grow into a 57-storey testament to eco-friendly design. Libeskind, an internationally-renowned architect, is the visionary behind the L Tower, a condo development that will sweep gracefully skyward from the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts at Yonge and Front streets. The goal? Gold candidacy for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) -- North America's green building rating system. The structure will house 496 suites -- all with low off-gassing carpets, paints and adhesives, and kitted out with low-flow plumbing and Energy Star appliances. STYLE AT HOME sat down with Libeskind to talk about what it means to be green, and how environmentally conscious architecture is just as important to a home as eco-friendly interiors.STYLE AT HOME: What are some common misconceptions about green design? DANIEL LIBESKIND: That it's expensive, uninspired and conventional looking. Buildings can be very stylish, sophisticated, elegant and contemporary, as well as be responsible to the environment. S@H: Was it a challenge to incorporate the criteria for LEED Gold certification into your vision for the design of the L Tower?DL: No. I saw it as a fantastic opportunity. Promoting sustainable, high-density living in the downtown area -- an area where people can use bicycles and mass transit, saving energy that they might normally use by commuting from the suburbs -- in itself makes a huge statement. Incorporating elements into the design, like reducing wasted energy with high-performance glazing, capturing and re-using rainwater for non-potable applications, purchasing greenpower, dual-flush toilets, water-conserving front-loading clothes washers, low-flow showers and the use of local materials in construction instead of importing them from far-flung regions combine to make for a very responsible building that meets LEED standards.S@H: The selection of a location for the L Tower also carried with it some added environmental responsibilities. For instance, you made sure the existing green spaces surrounding the tower -- Berczy Park, for instance -- wouldn't be adversely affected by the tower. DL: That's a key component of the design. First of all, we located the tower in the corner of the site that was farthest from Berczy Park. And then the shape of the tower, the curvature, was designed in response to angles of light so that the tower wouldn't throw any shadows that interfered with the park. The curve isn't just a shape that's aesthetic, but one that's environmentally friendly in terms of thinking of public spaces. Responsible design also means taking responsibility for the existing green spaces.S@H: Going beyond interior appointments -- low off-gassing carpets and paints, energy-efficient appliances, and water-saving plumbing -- what are some environmentally sound construction options for a home or condo? How do you get green bones?DL: A green building is one that doesn't take the environment for granted. It considers the quality of the materials used and their sustainability, and the long-term durability of the structure. An architect has to ask, "Are we going to craft the building in a way which will make it still habitable 20, 30 or even 50 years from now?" Again, I think building a high-density condominium in the downtown core such as the L Tower is itself a new response -- locating the structure so that people can walk or use public transit -- collectively sharing more of the responsibility, rather than building a house in the country where you still need a car, which wastes gasoline and pollutes the environment.The L Tower, units from mid-$200,000, 877-577-2533, Toronto, 416-777-2533; Ltower.ca. Studio Daniel Libeskind, New York, 212-497-9100; daniel-libeskind.com.Developers: Castlepoint Realty Partners Ltd., Fernbrook Homes and Cityzen Urban Lifestyle.- Credit
- Brett Walther
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What today's windows are wearing What today's windows are wearing
What today's windows are wearing ofWhat today's windows are wearing Draperies are back. In the '80s, opulent swagged draperies loaded with fringe and tassels and topped with elaborate valances made some windows seem like perpetual debutantes. As the '90s progressed, there was a move away from excess. Minimalist decorating schemes led to a desire for plantation shutters, bamboo blinds, Roman blinds and tab-topped panels in cotton or velvet. The latter, simple and affordable, became ubiquitous. This is what today's windows are wearing: 1 Exquisite gossamer sheers - worlds away from the familiar frilly or harsh-textured polyester ones – now have subtle iridescence and are interwoven with unexpected materials, or have embossed or printed patterns. 2 Velvet is a continuing trend. Designer Scott Yetman feels that velvet is the best material for drapery. "In art class, you're often given a folded piece of velvet to draw, because of the way it catches the light," he says. 3 Sheers in dramatic colours like cocoa and smoke are a trend, as is combining two tones of sheers. 4 Patti Watanabe of The Work Room in Toronto notes that longer, looser pleats (five to six inches long) are now popular – they look less prim and proper than shorter, tighter ones. Double, rather than triple, pleats are used for the same reason. 5 Draperies with grommets, a simple treatment, are a continuing trend. 6 Extra-long fabric puddled on the floor has been replaced with floor-length draperies. But Scott Yetman likes drapery fabric to puddle just a little – a few inches – the way that well-tailored trousers "break" over a shoe. 7 Fun patterns that exhibit a sense of whimsy are becoming more popular. Valentina Manzo of Kravet/Lee Jofa Showroom in Toronto says that zebra stripes and giraffe spots are emerging patterns. Kravet also offers a sheer with single feathers stitched in at random intervals – a look that's whimsical but also modern, even Zenlike. 8 Rather than lavishing fabric on swags and valances, designers have turned their attention to creative hardware. Rods, finials and tie-backs in wood, metal, glass or ceramic are treated almost like jewelry.- Credit
- Kateri Lanthier
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