Seriously, you want to go to the mall?

Got a weekend afternoon free and a yen to shop? For God’s sake, then, don’t go to the mall. Or, worse yet, one of those suburban nightmares called Power Centres, where you need a PhD in conceptual geometry to figure out how to get in and out. Instead, put on your walking shoes, hop on the subway (yes, Toronto still does have a public transit  system – sort of) and head over to Queen Street West. Your only instructions are to keep strolling and stop wherever takes your fancy. Here, though, are a few of my favourite places to pop into:

Style Garage  938 Queen West -  Modern made-to-order upholstery, storage, dining, and accents.

Preloved   881 Queen West - My new fave store. Preloved has one of a kind clothing from reclaimed wools and fabrics. Who knew you could get an exquisite fit in a sweater coat made from remants?  Naturally, I had to buy one for my daughter. #YouCan'tGetThatAtAritizia. They also recently launched a small home décor line.

Chatelet  717 Queen West - Sweet, cute, shabby chic. Very, very pretty but best used  in small doses, in my experience.

The Paper Place   887 Queen West - One of my fave stores on the planet.  Sheets of gorgeous handmade papers in every colour and pattern under the rainbow, as well as journals, stationery, cards, wrapping paper and gifts. I never leave there without buying something. And the staff are lovely.

Morba  665–667 Queen West
 - Fun mix of new and vintage. Last year, I nearly bought up every globe they had in the place, because the selection was so varied, and so good. But I didn’t, because I’m sensible. Also, I have car payments.

Quasi Modo Modern 789 Queen West - Where the cool kids shop for home design. But the staff is always welcoming and happy to answer any and all of my (probably dumb) questions. So don't be shy.

Mokuba  575 Queen West - So many magnificent ribbons, you’ll want to pull a Daisy Buchanan and bury your face into them, weeping “I’ve never seen such beautiful ribbons.”  But don’t, because these ribbons come with fancy-pants prices and I expect that if you wreck it, you buy it. Rumour has it that the staff are just a tad chilly. An occupational hazard, perhaps, when you work on this hip strip?

Nikolaou Restaurant Equipment 629 Queen West - Jam-packed (although my mom might call it a bit dusty and jumbled) restaurant supply store with everything you need. Except, as I recently found out, vegetable brushes.

Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art 952 Queen West - Tucked back a bit from the street. C’mon, would a little culture kill’ya?

All that walking making you peckish?

Stop by Dufflet 787 Queen Street West -  To-die for pastry, killer espresso and a nice selection of teas (Irish Breakfast anyone?). The staff there is always happy. Who wouldn’t be, surrounded by cake?

Epicure Cafe and Grill  502 Queen West - Good food, a good selection of wines and beers and a cheerful atmosphere. It used to be a big hangout for arty types from Theatre Passe Muraille  (see culture, above)

Terroni 720 Queen West -  Judging from the crowds, this is a popular place, and has a rep for great Italian food. Maybe it was just an off night when I went – my pizza crust was soggy and the temperature upstairs was about 40ºC. Plus, when I asked for the Puttanesca sauce with spaghetti instead of penne, I was refused.  It was suggested that doing so would offend the chef. Or his grandma. Or both. Sounds just a teensy-weensy, iddy-biddy pretentious to us.

For more suggestions, go to BlogTo, which has an extensive, well-researched list of great spots on Queen West and beyond.

Ten years of great home-grown design

One of my favourite features at the Interior Design Show is Studio North and Prototype, a jury-chosen display of works from exemplary and emerging Canadian designers. This year, it celebrates its tenth anniversary, with works by some 30 designers, examples of which are included below.

The founding curator of Studio North was Rachel Gotlieb, now senior curator at the Gardiner Museum, a gem of a museum that too few Torontonians know about. (Fast Fact: The city's second most under-appreciated museum is the the Textile Museum, also home to a terrifc biannual fabric sale/fundraiser. P.S. If you're rich, skip it please and leave the bargains for the little people, because we deserve some beauty too. Instead, you may shop directly - with your designer of course -  at Primavera,  which I understand donates a lot of the fabric sold)  

But I digress. Below, a few more reasons to get thee to the IDS, runing next week at the Convention Centre. 

So taken by the fluidity of the Living Stone sink by John Schweighardt

 

Christopher Solar lounge and ottoman in steam-bent walnut and rope (wonderfully shaped)

 
Tahir Mahmood’s candle sticks (ooh, love these too - #iadoreRED)

 

Atelier 688’s  rope lights (think I like this, but I also find it a bit threatening, somehow) They did pillows with maps printed on parachute silk last year that I liked a lot (see pic below). And yes, I too noted around this point the prevalence of matte or unfinished wood, and rope. #ifyoutracktrends

 

ROLLOUT’s  Wanderlust wallpaper (these folks do amazing papers, so I just have to add another pic of a paper I adore even though I'm not sure it will be on dispay at the show.)

 

 

Mushaboom’s Stroll wallcoverings (brilliant and beautiful, no?)

 

New rug design by Kate Thornley Hall  One more pic added (see reasoning for Rollout - above)

 

 

Brothers Dressler’s Cross Dining Table and Peg Stool (always interested to know what this duo is doing.)

Contact Voyaging Company's decorative paddles

 

 Lighting by Ridgley Studio (Crazy groovy, man - these are another of my faves)

Colour - work it!

This week’s Hot Home Products column is all about painting with colour, an especially tempting idea in the deeply dreary days of mid-winter. BTW, if you’re leery of painting at this time of year, keep in mind that low and no VOC paints are much easier and safer to work with than older formulations. As long as you can crack a window open for a bit, you should be okay.

Of course, using milk paint is an increasingly popular option, partly because of the subtle colours and slightly chalky finish, but also because you don’t have to worry about fumes. We like local company Homestead House Paints, which now also offer courses on using milk paint. Homestead also makes a zero VOC line.

Some tips for working with colour from Alison Goldman, communications manager for CIL.

Sample first. The colour you love on the chip may not look the same when it’s on your wall, because of lighting and other materials used in the room. Take the time to slap some of the colour on the wall and live with it for a few days. Many companies now offer very affordable sample pots. An oversized chip is next best, but because they’re usually printed — not painted — it’s not the same.

Strong colours show up imperfections, so prep walls carefully. Again, this small investment in time will pay off. And while more and more companies are offering paint and primer in one, I tend not to use them — unless the colour being applied is very close to the one already on the wall.  To get a true colour, you need a blank canvas.

Sharp cut lines count when you are using strong colours. Use a good tape. I like ScotchBlue Edge Lock, which contains a chemical that forms a leak-proof bond, but which comes off easily. Love it! 

Pics above come (in order) from Farrow and Ball, CIL, and Pittsburgh Paint.

What I missed last week - and wish I hadn't

 

Dang. Just realized I missed Jeff Goodman's Open House last week. That's too bad. His glass work is among the most beautiful stuff I've seen this year. Even if I can't afford it. But, really, you don't have to own something to appreciate it, no, and I wanted to get over there. Also heard that Goodman's work will turn up in the new Bisha development that signed Lenny Kravitz up for design gig. Looks at the pretty pics above and tell me these pieces are not exquisite.

A cuppa Christmas cheer

Another festive holiday decor idea from designers Jim Connelly and Peter De Sousa that doesn't cost a bomb or add to the waste stream. With it, each guest will find their dinner place easily, and be treated to a lovely  hostess gift.

Festive Tea Cup Name Holder

Supplies

• Old cup and saucer (mis-matched will do)
• Spray paint
• Glue gun
• Miniature Christmas tree
• Tartan fabric
• Faux red berries
• Faux Raspberries/Blackcurrants
• Paper
• Pen

Instructions

• Wash cup and saucer with warm, soapy water to remove grease, dirt or fingerprints
• Let dry completely
• Cover tabletop with newspaper to create a clean work surface
• Spray the cup and saucer with a very light spray of paint**
• Let dry completely
• Repeat two to three coats, letting each coat dry completely until surface has an even finish
• Use glue gun glue to join cup and saucer
• Let dry completely
• Cut a square of Tartan fabric and wrap around the Christmas tree
• Glue the Christmas tree into the cup let dry completely
• Apply some red berries into the tree branches to fill in the open areas
• Add some Raspberries/Blackberries into the tree branches and onto the saucer
• Cut out a piece of paper to make a name tag and write your dinner guest’s name on the saucer

**Do this in a well ventilated area and wear a face mask

Funk it, don't junk - such a jolly idea

 

This week’s Hot Home column includes ideas from designers Jim Connelly and Peter De Sousa for creating holiday décor from recycled elements - like the festive chair (shown above). So clever, so pretty, and so affordable.Instructions are listed below. These boy geniuses have a ton of other  easy and fun projects, which I’ll post over the next few weeks. So keep watching this spot.

Festive Silver Chair 

 Supplies

• Old chair from thrift shop, basement or curb-side
• White bonder primer sealer paint
• Size/glue (for applying silver leaf)
  
• Silver-leaf squares/foil
• Water-based silver paint
• Silver glitter
• High-gloss exterior varnish

 

Directions

•  Wash the chair with warm, soapy water to remove any grease, dirt or fingerprints
• Let dry completely
• Cover tabletop with newspaper to create clean work surface
• Remove the seat from the chair frame
• Paint the chair frame with white bonder primer sealer
• Let dry completely
• Paint the chair with a water-based size/glue
• Let dry completely (the size when dry will remain sticky to the touch)
• Apply the silver-leaf squares or transfer foil to entire chair
• Seal chair with exterior high-gloss varnish
• Let dry completely
• Using a small paint roller and tray, paint the old fabric seat with water-based silver paint (apply heavily if necessary to cover any pattern on the old fabric)
• Sprinkle silver glitter over the chair seat
• Let dry completely

 

I really must get out more - just not to the mall

Got a pedometer this week, and was told that I should be walking about 10,000 steps a day. To my utter shame, I am averaging closer to 1,500. But it’s not my fault, I swear. It just seems to get easier and easier to conduct life from a chair in front of a computer. For instance, one hardly needs to go out to shop anymore. There is an upside, of course; I can say with confidence that if I never visited another “power centre” again, it would be too soon. So maybe it’s a good thing that the world of online shopping is exploding. This seems to be especially true of sites devoted to design and décor.  News of two more crossed my desk over the past week. Both are well worth a look.

Dering Hall  is an online design marketplace where interior designers, architects, artisans, and design dealers can show their wares in almost 100 permanent virtual storefronts. The lucky ducks have an “a strategic partnership” with Hearst Magazines, which includes financial support, and print and online media collaboration with Hearst titles ELLE DECOR, House Beautiful, and Veranda. Designer products from the magazines and the accompanying websites will be available during “featured sales”.

There are a few cool features: Dering Hall users can:

follow favorite designers (all look to be U.S.-based at this point, but I did see the magnificent Martha Sturdy on there) through storefronts and automatic weekly email updates. Shoppers must check with individual vendors for information on shipping to Canada.

engage directly with individual designers to ask questions, and order product

find talent in a Designer Directory

browse editorial pages with shopping links

post and share news of Dering Hall merchandise and designers on Facebook

I could easily window shop here for a few hours — if I didn’t have to get up and walk around the block ten times! Of course, unless your daddy’s rich, you may want to be sitting down when you look at the prices, which include $425 for a pillow and $12,000 for a lighting fixture. Granted, both are exquisite — but they may be outside the reach of les pauvre schmoes comme moi. (that's French for "poor schmoes like me".)

 A new flash sales website called The Foundary brings to market a curated selection home and lifestyle products — both from brand names and emerging designers — at up to 70 per cent off retail. It’s the latest venture from the folks at Hayneedle, an online retailer that opened in 2002 as NetShops, offering consumers product from niche webstores. It quickly became one of the biggest online retailers of home and lifestyle products. In August 2009, NetShops became Hayneedle Inc., an umbrella for over 250 stores. At this point it seems more focused on selling — there are no inspirational blogs or lists of tips and tricks. But there is an extensive product selection — encompassing everything from tabletop to furniture to toys.

Alas, the Foundary only ships a few items to Canada. For an extensive online selection that ships to both Canada and the U.S., check out HomeSav, which offers great deals on a wide range of home decor items.  And, ahem, you might want to make a special note to visit their virtual store on Nov. 8, which is when a sale of tabletop and entertaining items picked by me, moi and myself will go on sale. It will be a great opportunity to stock up on lovely additions to your dining/entertaining arsenal, without busting your budget before the gift-buying even begins! 

 

 

 

New curated series kicks off at HomeSav

Since launching earlier this year, HomeSav.com has been quickly picking up speed, rapidly attracting both consumer and media attention. The members-only shopping club offers brand-name home décor, furniture and accessories at up to 80 per cent off, with new sales starting every day at 10 a.m. Items, (such as the Crescent Chair above) are available for three days in limited quantities. To become a member, shoppers must register. It's easy to do - and free.

Since learning about HomeSav, I have frequently found items on it I'd like to include in my Hot Home Products column. I tend not to, though, because I feel sure the stuff will be gone by the time I go to print.

Now HomeSav is launching a Designers Picks series; monthly sales featuring products and brands selected by well-known interior designers, artists, and experts. Each will focus on a specific theme or room. The first event begins Thursday, August 25th, and will be curated by Karl Lohnes. Metro newspaper’s national décor columnist, and Home and Decor expert for CTV’s Canada AM.

Karl has lovely taste, and I’m excited to see what he’s chosen for his signature look. And I'm dying to know who else has signed up for the series. I'll keep you posted.

Book burning - but in a good way

This week’s Hot Home Products column is about the role books play in décor, and includes a great interview with Lisa Occhipinti, who turns neglected old books into beautiful objets. Occhipinti manipulates pages and covers in a number of ways, including burning the edges of book pages.

“It makes brilliant black edge, an amorphous shape that you could not draw — it’s so elegant,” says Occhipinti, whose smaller works are available on Etsy.

If you’re nimble of hand, you can recreate some of her designs, because she’s also written The Repurposed Library ($30 list price, available from Chapters), which includes 33 projects designed by Occhipinti and other artists and crafters — with detailed instructions for making everything from a chandelier to a hanging book mobile. 

Just don’t assume that Occhipinti’s work reflects a lack of respect for the text. She’s a life-long book lover who despairs over the declining role books play in many lives. “I feel like people don’t read entire books anymore – people read blogs and tweets. But when you get involved in a book you slow down time and create a quiet time to contemplate yourself and the world. My work is partly a motif for that. I get a lot of feedback from people who say my books give them a break from the cyber/virtual/digital noise.”

If you love old books, and old book stores, you MUST check out the website Biblio-Files. Going there if like a mini vacation for me. And if you’re looking for an old or obscure title, check out the wonderful ABE Books. Don’t leave the site without visiting the Weird Book room. Because in a way, weird books are what make the world go round.  

I may not know much about art, but I know what I like

Maybe it’s because I am cultural laggard, or because I live in Ford "Stop the Gravy Train" Nation, a quiet and leafy suburb-esque are in the north end of town, but until quite recently I had not even heard of artist Thrush Holmes (at right). Having now done so, and seen some of his work, I put myself squarely in the “big fan” column.

Keep your eyes on yourhome.ca for an upcoming mini-interview with Holmes. But since I also think that reading about art — especially when it’s written by some know-nothing décor columnist, can be tedious and because, after all, one picture is worth 1,000 words, here’s a little gallery of Holmes’ work.

I told my husband I wanted the piece titled Plutonium Ode for Christmas. He agreed, until he checked out the prices for these works and suggested instead a nice set of tea towels. Unless, of course, I wanted to sell one of our four kids. Which, actually, I don't -  a fact that may come as a surprise to other parents of teenagers.

 

 4 PLAY, MIXED MEDIA WITH RESIN ON PANEL, 96 X 60 INCHES, 2011

 

PLUTONIUM ODE, OIL AND SPRAY PAINT ON CANVAS, 120 X 96 INCHES, 2011

 

F*** EVERYTHING, OIL ON CANVAS, 84 X 60 INCHES, 2009

 

BIGGEST IN THE HOOD, OIL AND SPRAY PAINT ON CANVAS, 96 X 120 INCHES, 2010

 

PIECE OF S*** HOUSE, OIL AND SPRAY PAINT ON PANEL, 84 X 120 INCHES, 2008

 

EVERY OLD VERSE, MIXED MEDIA WITH NEON LIGHTS ON STEEL PANEL, 84 X 96 INCHES, 2008