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    Friday, September 30, 2011

    Perfect Friday Style


    A little Friday fashion moment and what I wish I was wearing to work today from one of my favourite style bloggers - Anh from 9 to 5 Chic. I love Anh's sense of style and the ease with which she can mix H & M and YSL. This look is nothing too flashy, just beautiful classic pieces in neutral tones and topped off with understated gold jewellery, the perfect heels and of course, that Celine handbag.









    {All photos: 9to5Chic}


    Thursday, September 29, 2011

    The Blue House, Amsterdam


    One of the more unusual home I've seen in awhile and definitely one of the coolest. This townhouse in Amsterdam, designed by Faro architects. Designed as an experimental energy efficient home, it was constructed from old docking poles. It's most striking feature is definitely the floating boat-like structure floating above the kitchen. The copper tiles around it were roof tiles salvaged from an old church. The 'boat' combined with the warm wooden interior and the blue colour scheme give it a definite nautical feeling.

















    {Photos: Hertha Hurnaus for Dwell  discovered at Lace and Tea}



    Wednesday, September 28, 2011

    Lovely + lustworthy: Nallik by Jean Balke



    I was quite delighted to discover  Nallik jewellery collection by designer Jean Balke. Each piece has an intriguing contrast of rough-hewn semi-precious stones and luxe gold. The mixture is primitive and luxurious all at once. The name 'Nallik' is a word borrowed from the Inuit language meaning protection and nurturing in a loving way. With this inspiration, Jean endeavours to represent the Inuit values of appreciation for the environment and the idea that we are all connected to one another.  The ideology behind these exquisite pieces makes them even more beautiful to me.













    {All photos: Nallik, seen at this is glamorous}

    Tuesday, September 27, 2011

    Early autumn days at the cottage


    Although summer is officially over, this is actually one of my favourite times of year here in Canada to spend outdoors. The heavy humidity has lifted and there's a lovely cool breeze in the evenings - perfect for long walks with the dog, and sleeping with the windows open under plush duvets.  Lee Kleinhelter's Atlanta cottage seems like a perfect retreat for cooler months with a lovely mix of bright whites, honey coloured wood and warm caramel upholstery. The look is both rustic and refined, definitely a sophisticated take on cottage living, but still comfortable and inviting. One of my favourite parts? The fire pit outside -perfect to unplug, and soak in the evening air.








    {Photos: Cottage Living,  November/ December}



    Monday, September 26, 2011

    Working inspiration for the new week 26.9.11








    {Photos: The Office Space of J Crew's Jenna Lyons as featured in British Vogue, via a lovely being}




    Friday, September 23, 2011

    Back to School favourites from Cambie Design


    Excited to have Camille from Cambie Design back to share some Back to School Favourites - I was especially happy to see she chose Pride and Prejudice as one of her favourite reads - I have an old cloth covered copy that had been used at my school in the 1950s and I used to re-read every year. Perhaps this was a little reminder to bring that tradition back? 


    Even though it has been many years since I have been back to school, I can't help but be reminded every September of the opportunity for a fresh start. Although I am a few weeks late (September has been a complete whirlwind!), I thought I would share an outfit I know I would have embraced if I were still in college. Inspired by the back to school look, I have selected a few pieces that would happily compliment any home or office space.



    A cozy sweater dress and chic boots to get you ready for fall.



    A vintage walnut desk with a ton of storage to keep yourself organized.



    The  of all of your favourite reads.



    vintage typewriter for a pop of colour and to give your iPad a rest (why not surprise your loved ones with a thoughtfully typed note?).



    Thursday, September 22, 2011

    At home: Jacqui Getty


    This past week seemed to just fly by in a flurry of weekend getaways, overseas house guests and explorations around our own city. In the midst of it all, I've continued been perusing all kinds of design magazines and favourite blogs looking for inspiration. Sometimes when you're surrounded by beautiful design, you reach a point of feeling a little jaded, or that you've almost seen it all, and become a pretty difficult customer to please. If you're lucky though, sooner or later you'll come across a space that just feels refreshing and gets your creative juices flowing again.


     Jacqui Getty's Hollywood home was just that space for me. Classic, elegant furnishings and shots of bright magenta and fuchsia - one of my very favourite colours - as accents throughout the space. What really makes the space come alive are all the personal touches and personal photographs throughout. It makes the space feel like it's filled with happy memories and lots of personality. I'd been staring rather blankly at the different corners of my own home, knowing it needed a little (or alot) of refreshing, but not quite sure where to start, this home got me feeling inspired again. I can't wait to put some of these ideas into action! 


    The Mediterranean style home was a gift to Jacqui from Francis Ford Coppola, who is her daughter Gia's grandfather.


     I love how plush and comfortable this outdoor lounge is, surrounded by thick greenery it's the perfect spot to entertain late into the night.




    A simple white cork board, overflowing with inspiration and happy memories. I love the casually leaned frames below (can you spot Sofia Coppola?)


    Blue and white willow dinnerware - a girl after my own heart! I love the casual cottage feeling in this kitchen, it seems like the type of corner you could spend hours chatting into the night over a cup of coffee with a good friend.



    One of a kind hand painted butterfly glasses by Ted Muehling.


    One of the home's most enviable traits is its impressive art collection, an original Jackson Pollock and Basquiat are mixed with the beautiful collection of personal photos.




    Pretty jewel toned dishes filled with glamorous little baubles on the night stand.





    Thursday, September 15, 2011

    Pretty pieces in bronze


    Especially as the cooler months draw in, I find myself increasingly drawn to warmer tones of gold and bronze. Just a few small accents always seem to add a heightened sense of luxury to even the simplest of spaces. These beautiful pieces from Snob in Toronto are handmade and completely unique. The sort of pieces that make you feel you've unearthed a rare treasure from a hidden cavern and that deserve to be on prominent display.









    {All photos: Snob}



    {on the wishlist} Emersonmade Fall 2011


    I love Emersonmade! This is hardly newsworthy, as I mention this quite regularly around here, but every time a new collection arrives I feel it once again deserves mentioning. At least a couple times a year, I try to invest in one 'forever piece' that I know I'll treasure for years to come and will defy the comings and goings of trends. This season the Cheetah Print silk blouse is the piece I'm lusting after. So I've added it to my wishlist and put it here for all to see so that the powers that be might take note ( Mr M, that means you!)




    P.S - I love this idea of a simple black ribbon tied onto wood hangers - I've used this idea on my shower curtain rings previously, and love the look. A really easy (and inexpensive!) way to add a boutique feeling to shopping your own closet.


    {All images: Emersonmade}




    Tuesday, September 13, 2011

    The season for rustic

    When it comes to describing my personal taste, 'rustic' is generally not an adjective that comes to mind. But as with many things, I often surprise myself with the wide range of my own tastes.There's something about autumn that always just feels like a perfect fit for this style. The seasonal harvest beckons a return to things that are more natural and uncomplicated. Raw wood brings warmth on cooler days and brings the feeling of getting back to nature, even if you happen to be indoors.

    This country home designed by architect Russell Groves was created with a de-constructed barn from Canada which was transported to Connecticut and then transformed into a modern rustic retreat. The combination of the original rough beams with clean architectural details and modern furnishings gives the space a completely unique feeling with a style that you can't quite place in any particular time period.





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    {All photos: Eric Piasecki for Style at Home, February 2011}


    Monday, September 12, 2011

    Inspiration for the new week 12.9.11




     Don't you love this idea of a fresh autumn arrangement with simple branches full of bright leaves? A beautiful way to bring the outdoors in, and an impressive display at no cost at all. Who says the best things in life aren't free?



    {Photo: Janet Kimber for Canadian House and Home, October 2011}

    Thursday, September 1, 2011

    At home: Courtney Cox


    Courtney Cox's home is a California dream, nestled in the Malibu hills and boasting the most spectacular ocean view. In crisp black and white with grey and slate toned accents throughout, the interior feels very natural - almost like an extension of the outdoors.


    I'd never really considered myself a stone wall person - in fact, I'd often thought that if I happened to move into a home which had one, I'd probably plaster over it (and probably paint it white because I'm boring that way). This room made me realize that how beautiful they can look, especially framed with crisp white. Here it adds just the right amount of natural texture  to the crisp modern space.



    I love how simple and minimal the interiors of the home area - while still looking comfortable and inviting. With an incredible view like this, it would seem a pity to create a very busy interior that would compete with or distract from the view outside. Lots of natural elements are used - like the stone wall feature and flooring - that make the interior seem like an extension of the surrounding natural environment.


    Vintage and rustic beautifully blended with sleek and modern. Everything is kept very simple so there's not a lot of visual clutter and each element really has a chance to shine.






    Of course the ultimate home with a view would not be complete without an appropriate outdoor lounge to soak it in. This seating area almost feels like it's hovering over the ocean.




    {Photos: Simon Upton for Elle Decor, July/August 2011}