Jingle All The Way! Christmas Decor

Once Halloween has passed Christmas decor explodes in all of our favorite stores and it forces us to think about decorating our home for the holidays. 

Faux fur, flannel and natural wood tones are what comes to mind when creating a cozy, rustic, ski lodge Christmas scene. Get inspired by the collection of finishes and accents below to create your holiday retreat!

Top 10 Statement Making Accent Chests

A unique, decorative chest can bring personality to any space.  I am currently on the hunt for the perfect, accent chest for a client and have been overwhelmed with the many stunning pieces that are available. 

 Easily style these chests with a table lamp, a pile of books or a small vase with flowers and a piece of hung artwork above.

My top 10 statement making accent chests for every design style.

Traditional - Hooker Black Bombe Chest

Cottage Chic - Hooker Matisette Chest

Contemporary - Hooker Effervescent Chest

Rustic/ Contemporary - Hooker Delano Chest

Traditional - Hooker Sanctuary 3 drawer Gold

Transitional - Bernhardt Cabrillo Nailhead Chest

Contemporary - Bernhardt Campos Drawer Chest

Traditional - Bernhardt Kent Three Drawer Chest

Contemporary - Bernhardt Jet Set Door Chest

Transitional - Hooker Two Door Nailhead Chest

Warm up with these Fireplace Designs

In the spirit of the extreme cold weather, try to warm up with these stunningly unique fireplace designs.

Modern, Clean lines 
Simplistic, horizontal lines with minimal pattern is the ideal way to create a modern look.

Rustic Chic
Are you dying for a lodge feel with warm woods and dark wrought iron metals?

 

Classic Traditional

Ornate moldings with intricate details and over-sized mantel pieces are the elements in a classic fireplace look.

Design of the Week...

Black and white design perfection! This contemporary, eclectic living space features a sleek, rectangular gas fireplace that anchors the room and creates a simple focal point. Ornate, detailed tables with warm woods make this room go from ordinary to a designers dream!

Details: Styling your Space

The fine details of a room enhance the character, originality and adds a boost of personality to the design. 

Feature Walls:

Hang your favorite photos, mirrors and artwork in an unique way to create the perfect focal wall that will liven up a drab living space. My basement living area needed some character and by hanging a variety of wall art in a unique, yet still balanced way, I was able to achieved a successful, fun feature wall.  

By hanging artwork or photos in a linear or geometric pattern it creates a more formal look with clean lines and continuity. This look is often achieved by using the same frame or frame color and meticulously measuring out the ideal pattern. Overall, the end result is quite striking.

This brilliant design features a stunning feature wall by placing wood and mirror in a striped pattern. Not only does this look beautiful but it is functional by allowing the space to appear larger then it is. 

Main Bath Transformation

 

Soft, subtle ocean greens and a white backdrop take this three piece bath to an updated sophisticated, spa like retreat. This bath started as a dated, 80's green and pink floral explosion! The warm wood of the custom cabinetry add an element of nature that will never go out of style.

Design of the Week...

This bathroom is a true testament of just how one unique element can change the entire look of the space. This black and white chevron tile is stunning and adds the perfect offset to the warm wood vanity and brass fixtures. Simplicity and pure elegance!

Industrial Loft Design

This Portland loft design has a brilliant mix of industrial and rustic elements. The cool white walls surrounded with sleek black trim and ceiling adds the perfect contrast to this loft. There is an open flow from room to room carrying warm wood tones, stainless steel and white furnishings.

This custom, over sized stainless barn door is a beautifully unique way to separate the living area and the bedroom with ease. The black hardware suites the space and adds a focal to the wall.

 

The Pet Spaw & Lounge - Sneak Peak

One of my newest design projects involves pampering cute, cuddly pets in a Toronto based Pet Spaw & Lounge. This approximately 1000 square foot commercial space is being transformed into a retreat for our pets and pet lovers!


Here is a sneak peak of the story board that portrays the overall design of the space!

DESIGN OF THE WEEK...

ASPEN RETREAT

This stunning Aspen chalet has the ideal mixture of soft and hard finishes to create a relaxing neutral space. The focal wall features a wood burning fireplace surrounded by concrete and mosaic tile with a balance of wood cabinetry flanking on either side. 

Masculine vs. Feminine

Tiled Showers

Wood grain tile creates a striking, contemporary texture in this very masculine shower. With its dark colour tones and simplistic design, this glass shower screams masculine retreat.

Light and bright marble subway tiles are the perfect compliment to the basket weave classic floor tile. Hints of traditional elegance makes this shower a perfect pair for any woman.

DIY Outdoor Furniture

Concrete Outdoor Dining Table

Concrete is a material that can withstand most weather conditions without causing any damage so I figured why not create a beautiful outdoor dining table with a concrete top that is unique, easy to keep clean and will last year after year!

 First step:

Decide the exact size you would like your table top to be (ours is 72"x36") and purchase the materials needed to create your mold and the wood base.

*a sheet of melamine 

*2x4 framing

*Quikrete Concrete, ideal for countertops

*rebar to reinforce the concrete

*clear silicone caulking around the edges of the framing to prevent leakage. 

The wood base consists of:

*32 - 4x4 pressure treated wood cut to 30" high. (16 pieces for each base)

Second Step:

Allow the concrete top to cure for a week and remove the frame to allow some air to continue to cure the top. Give the edges and top a sand to your preferred smoothness but remember it is an outdoor table so bumps and bubbles give it character. 

Third Step:

Notch out the top of your bases to the thickness of your top to allow a ledge for the top to sit on. 

 Step Four:

Seal the concrete with a clear coat and stain the bases to a colour that suites your outdoor decor.


Save yourself the money and make something beautiful and unique for your backyard!

 Another project for our outdoor oasis complete and all thanks to my handyman! Now to find the perfect dining chair to go along with this amazing piece!

DESIGN OF THE WEEK...

A Traditional Hampton's Estate

Traditional designs do not have to consist of floral fabric, antiques and oversized moldings! This chic great room design complete with a three toned kitchen, two islands, a dinette and a living space with a beautiful view of the country. The warm neutral tones of the furnishings make the space inviting and bring the outdoors in. A bit of glitz and shine in the chandeliers are also an absolute must!

Deck Envy

The famous actress that stared in Friends,  has a private, stunning water front property complete with designer furniture and spectacular views. Flagstone is incorporated into the wooden deck to mix up the textures for an interesting design and the neutral tones make the furniture feel one with nature.

Courtney Cox's retreat is stylish and serene. How beautiful is this built in seating area surrounding an outdoor gas fire-pit?