{It's All In The Details} Spring Table Setting Ideas

 Images from Canadian House and Home magazine

Check out these gorgeous Spring table settings. I love the orange and pink colour combination in the first one. The tablecloth looks like a beautiful tapestry adorned with exotic plants, flowers, palm trees - and even elephants! There's also a lot of attention to detail from the hand-written place-card to the butterfly clip on the napkin. Eggs seemed to be a recurring theme in many Spring table settings I looked at. Either decorating eggs and using them as unique place markers to using them simply as decoration the way nature intended (naked!) Keep in mind that creating your own setting for a party or event can be really simple (as shown in the last image). Just find a pretty vase and arrange flowers in it as you wish. Even simple things from the garden, like babies breath or berries, work as beautifully as expensive flowers from the florist. It's all in the details, my friends, not necessarily in the budget. Which setting is your favourite?

Turn Pretty Spring Produce into {Edible} Gifts!

Images by Adam Albright

Here's something for the gardenista out there. (I know that's not really a word but I stole it from fashionista.) Today I was inspired by these 4 edible gifts that come straight out of the Spring garden ... or the farmers market. It's all about what you prefer. What a better way to think outside of the box and give your friends some of the best gifts from the heart of Mother Nature. To create the veggie hanging cone, just take a piece of card paper, fold it up and punch holes on either side to hang a ribbon. Line the cone with waxed paper and fill it with veggies like beans or peppers - perhaps anything that would make for a delicious salad. Plant some herbs inside of a beautiful tea cup. To make it more personalized, make a label and hang it from some ribbon. The basil bouquet is simple: find a jar, some ribbon and add some herbs and flowers for garnish. Fill it with your favourite veggie - something eye catching and full of colour - like these Roma tomatoes. Finally, medium-sized veggies can pack a punch in this colourful colander garnished with herbs. What other edible gifts can you think of that turn produce into something pretty and magical?

6 Quick {& Simple} Ways to Prepare Your Space for Spring!

 Images by Greg Scheidemann and Adam Albright

Getting your space in sync with Spring doesn't have to be a daunting task! In fact, it can be very simple if you follow these 6 easy steps. Many of these D.I.Y. projects include objects that you already have around the house, and it is all about incorporating them together to achieve an outstanding look. One of my favourite projects is grouping mirrors together. Not only can they act as coasters, they can also help remove clutter from your space and attract in beams of sunlight. Or next time you're enjoying your stroll in the park, pick some branches and bring them home. You can use them as a beautiful and natural centerpiece (in any room!) Make your own shelf and store plants underneath a windowsill. Nothing says Spring more than fresh plants and flowers. These 6 projects should take only minutes to achieve but the end result is magic. What's your favourite Spring project and how do you get your space ready for a new season?

Spring/Summer Market Finds ~ The ThomasPaul Collection

Images via Thomaspaul 

 

Bedding ~ Ship duvet cover (in ink) // Elephant duvet cover (in alcazar) // Octopus duvet cover (in charcoal) 

Pillows ~ Nautical // Curiosities // Luddite // Sealife // Fragments // Arboretum 

Kitchen & Dining ~ Placemats // Napkins // Tea towels

What a perfect way to welcome spring and summer into your home than with ThomasPaul's designs. They're cheeky, colourful and perfect for any age. Kids, teens (and adults) will love the animal prints - like elephant, octopus and lion - and older folks will be raving about the more mature collections, like garden, arboretum, Luddite and more. These designs definitely have a sense of the whimsical and are filled with personality, humor and play; perfect for home accents and accessories! I collaborated a few of my market finds and was impressed by the colour options and range of collections. I'm quite fond of the nautical series but am also drawn to the more natural series. Plus the history buff inside of me is quite fond of the Luddite collection. They have items for the bedroom, kitchen and dining room, and even fashion! If you like their designs in your home, you could also wear them (as scarves, brooches and other accessories). What's your favourite piece by ThomasPaul? Cheers to a beautiful weekend! Happy Friday!

Hanging Terrariums: An Unexpected Way to Display Plants {Indoors & Outdoors}

Plants are the must-have home accessory. Not only are they both natural and cost effective, but they also have a serene and calming quality which is good for the spirit. It's important for you to incorporate outdoor elements into your indoor space because it improves mood, lifts energy and freshens the air. Since it's Spring, nurseries and gardens across the country are opening their doors for garden season. In replace of the typical potted houseplant, a hanging terrarium offers a cheeky and unexpected way to display your greenery. Many of them are also made of partly recycled glass (so you're also helping the environment). Many of the terrariums I found hang from a rope and can be displayed with a single flower or a more lush combination of moss, plants and flowers. If you're not into the hanging aspect, you could always use unexpected planters like spruced up coffee cans, watering cans, and other materials to create a bold design statement with your plants. What do you think of these hanging beauties?

Clockwise from Top:

Recycled Glass Bubble Terrariums from Forma Living

Roost Recycled Glass Hanging Terrariums from aHa! Modern Living

Recycled Glass Wall Terrariums from Forma Living

Roost Recycled Glass Bubble Terrariums from Sprout Home

Shane Powers Hanging Glass Bubble Collection from West Elm

Take Your Pick ~ Style at Home Colour Collections With Beauti Tone {Townhouse & Loft}

Townhouse or Loft: which one is your favourite? {This is going to be my last installment featuring Style at Home's colour collection with Beauti-Tone paints.} Are you in favor of the soft neutrals mixed with cheeky accents like the townhouse look? I'm a big fan of how the wooden furniture blends in naturally with the colour scheme. Watermelon would be the perfect accent colour to add a little pop to the space. Or are you a loft lover? Perhaps you're a modernist or traditionalist who always likes to stay on trend. The mix of deep greys, pale blues and pure whites are the perfect match for a city slicker like you.

Did you catch the other collections?

Cottage vs. Farmhouse

Romance vs. Manor

Exotic vs. Fresh

I hope you enjoyed these collections as much as I did. I would love to hear your comments. Have a Happy Thursday!

Take Your Pick ~ Style at Home Colour Collections With Beauti Tone {Manor & Romance}

Happy Easter Monday! I hope that you all had a relaxing and enjoyable weekend and are having an equally exciting Monday. Did you check out my Easter inspiration yet? (including Pantone Easter eggs and decorations made from paint chips!) For a relaxing Monday, I leave you with another installment of "Take Your Pick: Style at Home Colour Collections with Beauti-Tone". Now for more daring collections. Do you prefer the rich, sophisticated, and ultra-European tones of Manor? What I like about the colour combinations is that they can be as equally effective in an expensive manor or in a decked-out frat pad. I love the combination of navy blue and yellow. Plus the addition of brown hues - from Moccasin and Cableknit - break up the bold colours nicely. Or are you a romance junkie (perhaps you're obsessed with purple)?  If so, you'll adore the moody mauve colours that blend with antique grey tones. Purple is the colour to pick if you want a sensual and moody colour that's not too abrasive. With names like amethyst, light cashmere and plum, how can you go wrong!?

Two bold colour palettes, one choice. Take your pick. Which one "grabs your fancy"? Also, be sure to check out the other Style at Home colour palettes I've featured, including: farmhouse, cottage, fresh and exotic.

Wallpaper Wars ~ Perfect Spring Wallpapers from York Wallcoverings

 1. Alessa     2. Bengali   3. Fontaine

Check out these 3 wallpapers from York Wallcoverings, perfect for incorporating spring-like energy into your space. Which one is your favourite? Is it Alessa, with it's bright colours and modern, clean lines? Nothing says Spring more like butterflies and green leaves; plus the burst of yellow and blue tones is enough to make anyone smile. I chose Bengali because of its design based in nature. It would look especially stunning as a feature wall. Finally, the more subdued Fontaine has somewhat an artisan feel. The colour is calming and soothing and it's less attention grabbing than the first two. I'd love to hear your comments and thoughts. Have a beautiful Thursday!

Take Your Pick ~ Colour Palettes: Fresh or Exotic

Take your pick of Style at Home & Beauti-Tone Paints colour collection. Fresh or exotic. Which one is more you? The Fresh look includes bright and cheerful colours, perfect for Spring (and also perfect for Easter which is right around the corner!) I'm loving the mix of blue tones - pool and pale sky - with the blend of green and pale yellow tones - granny smith and wasabi. Jet is perfect for a bold colour pop that 'chops up the cheerful' in the space while still being complementary to the theme. Let's say that it adds some "fresh drama". My favourite colour in the Exotic theme is the burnt orange nomad. I'm also partial to the pale grey elephant tone and adore how it's paired up with the almost porcelain shade of tusk. How cheeky! Using a deep blue like Mediterranean paired with the playful orange of nomad creates a sophisticated, wordy look that is daring and unexpected. Which palette is your favourite?

Also, be sure to check out farmhouse vs. cottage! 

Take Your Pick of H&M Home Spring 2012 Collection ~ Bedding & Duvets

H&M Home makes me wish that I was a Brit. (Oh well, there's always online shopping!) Not only does the brand excel internationally at affordable and trendy fashion, but they continue that reputation in the design world as well. I'm in serious need of new bedding for the changing season. Right now I have about six blankets on my bed. (Welcome to Canada, eh.) What else in your room makes a statement quite like your bedding. Is it soft and luxurious? Romantic and sexy? Bright and colourful? Funky patterned? One solid colour? Getting your room ready for Spring is as easy as changing your bedding. It doesn't have to be expensive; H&M Home makes it affordable and fun. Check out these 6 different bedding styles from H&M Home's Spring 2012 collection. Which one is your favourite? I can't decide between the bottom two. I love the romantic and earthy quality of the greyish bedding but enjoy the playful and androgynous blue-and-white bedding (plus I'm a sucker for blue!)

Inspirational Words for a Fabulous Friday

Howdy, folks! Today is a bright and sunny day (although a bit on the chilly side!) To make this post short-and-sweet, I leave you with some inspirational words. Words are very powerful things. Incorporating them into your space can make a very bold statement. I loved the last photo which shows the family's mantra. And because it's the second official week of Spring, I thought the first image was very fitting. What are some inspirational words that you live by?

Spring DIY ... in 5 Minutes!

The Goods: IKEA frame ~ Amy Butler ~ Vervain ~ Lee Jofa

Today I was inspired by the perfect Spring DIY project that will only take you 5 minutes and will make your space ready for a new season. Now we all know that artwork can be expensive, but here's an idea that won't break the bank (and will encourage you to "think outside the frame" -- pardon the pun). All you really need are 2 items: a frame + your favourite piece of fabric. My suggestion is a simple frame from IKEA. They have a wide selection ranging from under $20 to over $100. I just stuck with something that was mid price-point at $34.99. Next, slip in your favourite fabric. I loved the coral tones for Spring and I was also dazzled by the purple and pumpkin combination. For this project, you don't need a lot of fabric (and you can even use fabric left over from a previous DIY project). This is a smart design idea because you can swap out the fabric for a new one when you want a change. I personally love the idea of alternating the fabrics to go with each season. What do you think?

Sunday {Spring Fabric} Inspiration + My Week in Review

Thilbaut Collection for Avalon

On this bright and beautiful Sunday, I leave you with some bold, fresh, playful -- and a splash of retro -- fabrics by Thibault. Their collection of printed and woven fabrics and wallpaper are the perfect compliments to a stunning "almost-Spring" day. (I keep forgetting that it's not quite Spring yet. We still have a few more days until the official beginning.) Whether you mix-and-match these fabrics and prints, or use them solo, these stylized florals and geometric motifs are the perfect pick-me-up. What do you think of the warm and delicious orange and pink colour palette?

What was I up to this week? Well...

On Monday I went mellow yellow.

Tuesday I highlighted Swarovski Elements decadent wallpaper collection.

On Wednesday I was inspired by Pantone's colour blast with food by Griottes & I was dazzled by these words.

I created a city chic colour palette on Thursday.

Friday I highlighted the designs of Kyle Schunerman.

On Saturday I showed off one of my favourite inspirational spaces - alfresco style. 

Have a beautiful Sunday! I'm off to enjoy the day outside and run some errands.

Sunday {Chair} Inspiration + My Week in Review

Last night I had to "Spring forward" and set my clock ahead one hour. That may be one of the only downsides to Spring. This morning I woke up to a sunny, bright, cheerful, and absolutely gorgeous day (which I'm still gushing over!) I've always been fascinated by the weather and it's days like today which make me understand why. So it's not surprising that I felt inspired by this bold, colourful CB2 Parlour Chair when I first saw it. Look at the magnificent blend of colours: swoon, orange, chartreuse, storm and white radiate off-center in an eye-catching way. I'm partial to the idea of building your design around a strikingly patterned statement piece like this one. In fact, this Parlour Bold Chair can single-highhandedly set off a contemporary tone and colour scheme, ignite your imagination and cause some serious flowing of the inspiration gears. This piece looks striking at all angles...and I love how the barrel arms gently curve and the back of the chair is tapered nicely. Isn't this the perfect design accessory for spring and summer? 

Monday ~ Diane von Furstenburg's rooftop apartment was this week's inspirational space

Tuesday ~ Delightful dinnerware options

Wednesday ~ Discovered Colorstrology ... did you find out what your colour was yet?

Thursday ~ Yearnin' for Navajo prints

Friday ~ I was inspired by Iacoli & McAllister's modern lighting (especially the Spica light!)

Saturday ~ 6 things I currently love from Restoration Hardware

Happy Sunday, gang!

Sunday Inspiration + My Week in Review

Pictured above from left to right: spring, autumn, winter & summer

Did you know Blik's elegant new Seasons graphic by Mina Javid includes leaves and flowers that correspond with each season: fall, winter, spring and summer? That’s like four different graphics in one. For a weather and nature fanatic like me, this is pretty cool. I love the versatility and flexibility of these decals. Bring the outdoors in with this tall graceful tree and change seasons as often as you change your shoes. Which one is your favourite? Which season is your favourite?

Now onto my Week in Review:

Monday: Julianne Moore's home in NYC's West Village was this week's inspirational home.

Tuesday: I highlighted cute designs for living & giving by Susy Jack and Linda & Harriett.

Wednesday: I was inspired by mint: the perfect colour choice to bring you from winter into spring.

Thursday: Malachite was my Colour of the Month choice for March.

Friday: This week's Colour + Object combination was on power doors.

Saturday: The designer spotlight was on Amie Corley's colourful, modern, bright and inspirational designs.

~ Happy Sunday, gang!

Colour Inspiration: A Breath of Fresh Mint

 

Happy Leap Day, everyone! Today was a really interesting day. Where I live, I kept imagining February trying to "come out like a lion" since it's been pretty lamb-like this winter. It was snowing and blowing, raining and drizzling. I was laughing (to myself) all day because I pictured February giving out a big growl as if to say, "I'm still here!" although the lack of snow on the ground would suggest otherwise. This reminds me that we're almost into March which means we are that much closer to Spring. Don't you think these mint inspired colour combinations are the perfect hue for the transition from winter to spring? Mint goes perfect with both seasons. In fact, it shows off the best qualities of each: light, airy, cool, serene and playful. There's something about mint that makes you feel calm and content. It's youthful and daring, feminine and masculine. Plus it's versatile enough to be used as an entire wall, accent, feature, or in solids, stripes or patterns. And I noticed that there's "mint-speration" all around us, from walls to ceilings, buildings to ceramics -- even hair, weather, and nature give off that minty glow. What's your favourite thing about the colour mint and where do you like to use it?

Fine Fabrics: Martyn Lawrence Bullard for Schumacher collection

 1.Pasha Paisley (Pomegranate)2 & 6. Pasha Paisley (Sky)  3.Darya Ikat (Jewel) 4.Nebaha Embroidery (Citron) 5 Sinhala Linen Print (Jewel) 

Bright and colouful inspiration for the weekend: Designer Martyn Lawrence-Bullard has created a line of fun, flirty and luxe fabrics for Schumacher in vividly bold colours with a bohemian twist. These fabrics are very "of the moment". Plus, they're the perfect inspiration for spring due to their bright hues and eye-catching fabrics. If you're looking for ways to make a statement on drapes or upholstery -- look no further! Martyn was inspired by his travels to exotic locations like Morocco, Turkey and India. I also like this collection because you can mix-and-match the fabrics. Don't be afraid to select your favourites and go crazy! Like the image above with the couch filled with cushions and canopy draped above. It shows fabric on top of fabric on top of fabric ... but looks stunning! What look is your personal favourite (and thanks for Canadian House & Home for the inspiration!)