bistro decor

Today I did my running around for the tent I am decorating for the Leukemia & Lymphoma walk in downtown Toronto next week.  It is my second year decorating the booth (third year walking and raising funds) and this year I decided to do a bistro theme... on an extremely tight budget, with crazy logistics along with some favours pulled in from suppliers.  It won't be anything like this fantastic bistro in The Distillery District in Toronto, but I do hope it conveys a similar feel.  And isn't it more about the feel of a space than the food sometimes?  Or is that just me?  Maybe it needs to be both...

range hood / exhaust fan

 

Today I had to find a new range hood for a client and I had to find it quickly and with a small budget.  It was fun going through all the images on-line and I came across this gorgeous one.  It was totally out of my client's budget but I wanted to share it.  And wow!  How sweet is that?!  Designed by Luca Casini, manufactured by elica.com, it even has a remote control.  Who says functional things have to look utilitarian!

computer on my desk

It is so hard to be without a computer - a whole week!  I just got my pretty pink laptop back and I couldn't be happier.  It had some major issues which are now all cleaned up and it is just such a relief to be back in the 'real' world again.  Amazing how we can't live without our computers anymore.  Thank goodness for blackberrys but I am ever so glad to have a full sized keyboard again!  Not to mention a space on my desk filled with such a pretty coloured computer again. ;)

layering rugs

I like the idea of layering area rugs.  A more intricate rug with pattern and colour is beautiful layered over a plain sisal or wool rug.  It adds depth and coziness.  And it is great if you have a favourite rug that is too small for a space - just layer it over a neutral area rug that is bigger and it simply becomes art.

pink house

Looks like a fairy-tale house.  So sweet!

white bathroom - blue subway tiles

I love the clean look of white subway tiles in any bathroom, but here is a twist that talks to me!  The blue tiles simply feels like water on the wall of an otherwise classic white colour scheme.  Gorgeous!  Not sure I love the off-centre mirror, but the mirror itself is great and I love the way it ties in with the black door.  This bathroom is simple and creative at the same time.

perfectionism... a virtue?

Perfectionism is not always a virtue - I said this to a client when we had to overlook a few extra scratches, dings and contractor errors and she thought that was a 'great saying'.  But what is perfectionism?  It is most certainly different for everyone.  If you feel yours is causing you stress, lighten up.

In this dining room, it may be very intentional that the table cloth hangs sloppily and that the track lights are off-center - what are those tracks doing there anyway?  But if you try to imagine the person living there, you may see a relaxed individual, overlooking imperfections, perhaps labeling these imperfections as patina or character, and just enjoying the ease of this formal space.

So, lighten up!  Take this rule into your decorating and you're sure to be able to relax about it all and just enjoy that oddball chair that is sentimental but doesn't match, or that ding on the cabinet because you remember when your best friend's son took a hammer to it.  Let your house tell your story.

creative kitchen

I love when people get creative with their design yet keep it very practical.  How clever to use a round mirror above conventional windows in this kitchen - feels like it's another window.  Great use of black and white too.