Spring

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Modmissy

SPRING – it has finally arrived!!

Kick winter to the curb and do the ‘happy dance’! You deserve it.

At this time of year the days are longer and brighter.

People just seem happier. I attest this to colour – with the arrival of spring comes colour; bright, happy colours.

After a long dull winter colour is the mood booster we all need.

Colourful spring bulbs are popping up from the ground. This photo was taken from my neighbour’s south-facing garden – and the white stuff is snow! If you don’t have any spring flowers take a stroll through a retail venue and get your hit of colour from store displays. The Hudson Bay Company is totally decked out for spring with colour everywhere throughout the store and a SPRING STARTS HERE event now on.

While shopping for a desk lamp for an executive client’s office last week I came across this colourful display. Unfortunately not what ‘Mr. President’ required but it made me pause and smile.

I love this colourful crockery display at Homesense.

Spring spring is a wonderful thing,

All the colours make your heart sing.

Vibrant green and bright sky blue,

And hits of purple, pink and yellow too.

I adore this wonderful time of year,

It makes me happy and full of cheer!

Enjoy….

All images via Modmissy

Green and Blue

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Modmissy

Green and blue.

More specifically emerald green and sapphire blue – a colour combination that has me doing double takes.

This colour combination really hit my radar during the holidays when I realized that the Christmas outdoor lights decorating neighbour homes that I really liked were the green/blue combos.

On the visible spectrum green and blue exist naturally side by side. (Cool photo I took playing with a beam of light and a reflective CD)

In nature the peacock pairs green and blue together for a magnificent spectacle.

Not existing naturally but green and blue are truly a colour sensation seen in these 2 fabulous hair designs from JFK Salon, U.K. http://www.hairbyjfk.com/ STRIKING is how I would define this room decorated in emerald green and sapphire blue.

And naturally what woman wouldn’t swoon for Elizabeth Taylor’s emerald and sapphire necklace (created by Bulgari) draped around their neck!

Emerald green and sapphire blue paired together are naturally beautiful – wouldn’t you agree?

Trying to Keep Warm

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Modmissy

Toronto is in a ‘deep freeze’ right now with temperatures dipping below minus 20 degrees Celsius. (minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit) Add in the windchill factor and we are talking somewhere around minus 28 degrees!

THAT’S COLD!!!!

Just how does one handle this cold???

I am taking my cue from the brave robin who has been visiting my backyard today. Sheltered from the wind and fluffing up his feathers to keep warm, this orange and grey ‘puff-ball’ has the right idea. Nature shows the way…..extra insulation!So tonight I will be wrapping myself up in my orange and grey mohair blanket with an orange Mongolian fur pillow and probably curling up into a ball.

When will spring be here??!!

Condo – The First Impression

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Modmissy

“I have bought a Condo.”

I remember hearing those words for the first time and thinking ‘Wow’.

A condominium was the trendy and cool place to live. I believed that anyone who lived in a condo had to be a real ‘jet-setter’ and lived a very sophisticated urban life.

My brother’s friend, a young hip professional guy, had just bought a condo and was throwing a party to which I was invited. I was thrilled to be on the invitee list and to see inside my very first condo!

In my mind I envisioned the condo as a large space with high ceilings, big windows and 2 levels. Definitely 2 levels. The kitchen would be state-of-the-art and the furniture would be modern. And the bathroom…..!!?? After all it was the early 1980’s and everything was excessive.

The night of the party I donned my best – big shoulder pads, big hair.

After introductions I began my own personal tour of this condo. The windows – not so big but there was a sliding glass door to a (small) balcony, the kitchen was a galley-style kitchen and the ceilings were only 9 ft. high. And try as I might I could not find the spiral staircase leading to the 2^nd floor! After a while I realized that it wasn’t the fact that there were so many people in attendance but that the condo was not large.

Then reality sunk in – the ‘condo’ was an apartment with ownership.

Sometimes reality bites!

Image via Modmissy

Please….Have a Seat.

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Modmissy

I watch TV.

I often don’t have the sound on so I literally ‘watch’ TV.

My desk is in a corner of my family/media room so when I do glance at the TV it is more the set designs and visuals that I take notice of rather than dialogue and conversation (that I don’t hear).

And lately it is the talk show ‘chairs’ that have captured my interest. The style, colour and size of these chairs often reflect the personality of the talk show host.

On the Ellen Show, Ellen DeGeneres has large, red upholstered club chairs. The red lends itself to the energy of Ellen and the size allows for balancing on the arms which Ellen often does before she sits down. (Seen here with Vanessa Williams)

The newest talk show host appearing on the scene is the petite Katie Couric. At just over 5 feet tall Katie’s custom fitted chair is built to her personal body specifications and the white upholstery appeals to her feminine side. Sitting here with Jennifer Lopez on the 2 ends of a modular 5 piece sofa (used when more guests are present) makes for an interesting one-armed chair!?

On the Canadian front, talk show host Marilyn Denis in this particular segment is seated with Randy Fenoli of Say Yes to the Dress upon what appears to be high-gloss, plastic white chairs. With thick seat cushions and high backs the chairs appear comfortable but somewhat ‘outdoors’ looking.

Another Canadian talk show host is George Stroumboulopoulos. George’s iconic contemporary red, leather chairs with chrome legs are as much a part of his show as is his cool and hip demeanor as he interviews many famed celebrities and important figures from around the world.

British comedy chat show host Alan Carr of Alan Carr: Chatty Man interviews his guests in a purple-hued space reminiscent of a disco lounge. Alan’s curvaceous sofa and chair are upholstered in teal and plum velvet creating a real ‘funky’ vibe that says “Hey, let’s chat!” (Seen here with Lady Gaga)

Rove LA is an Australian talk show, set in Los Angeles and hosted by Rove McManus. Rove’s guests sit together upon a lounge-like curved off-white sofa with big brown puffy back cushions allowing them to really sink in and get relaxed which often ‘disarms’ guests into being too comfortable and hopefully sharing more than originally intended. (Plus alcoholic refreshments probably help too!) Rove perches upon a more upright chair allowing him to be in control. (See here with Jim Parsons, Chris Hardwick and Pink)

A Modmissy Creation

Posted on January 8, 2013 by Modmissy

This past holiday my family (25 in total) did the gift exchange/swap thing – everyone brings a wrapped (hence the secret) gift with an approximate value of $10. Depending on the number you pull from a hat you then chose when it is your turn to unwrap one gift or steal from a gift that has already been unwrapped and revealed.

Fun and chaotic, sometimes even turning into a bit of a ‘sport’!

This year in true Modmissy style I decided I had to create a ‘one-of-a-kind’ gift that reflected me. Chocolates are de-lish and lottery tickets could be $$$$$$ but just not my style.

Here is what I decided to create.

I started with this. A Ralph Lauren oxford shirt that I decided my husband no longer needed!

And then with some black and white houndstooth check fabric I started to create. Any guesses?

A few cuts and stitches later this was the end product. A Ralph Lauren oxford pillow!

The front of the pillow was the Ralph Lauren shirt complete with the pocket and logo plus I changed the white buttons to black for more interest. The back of the pillow was the houndstooth with the Ralph Lauren label that I removed from the inside of the shirt at the neck and re-sewed on to the pillow.

A Modmissy creation now adorning a niece’s sofa!

A New Year

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Modmissy

Today is the first day back to school which in our house really kick-starts the new year.

The holidays were wonderful. I spent lots of quality time with family and had lots of fun with friends. For me Christmas is always about spending time with those you love.

This past holiday I learned 2 things about myself.

While spending a lovely afternoon Christmas shopping with my niece, who is a beautiful (mature) young lady, I was referred to by a saleslady as her ‘mother’. What I had envisioned as 2 females ‘out on the town’ having fun, swapping stories, trying on clothing together was now shattered. I must not look as young as I feel!
One of my cousins who faithfully read my blog told me that I had inspired her to re-decorate her living room. She had decided one day as she walked into her living room that it was time for a ‘change’. Encouraged by my blog she tackled the re-decoration of the room with confidence. Bravo!

In life you win some, you lose some. I am hoping that 2013 is a year of balance!

Image via Modmissy

PANTONE® Color of the Year 2013

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Modmissy

Yesterday PANTONE® announced their Color of the Year for 2013.

A drum roll please……..

“Lively. Radiant. Lush… A color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony.”

As I look around my home I realize I do not have emerald in my décor although I do have an emerald coat (fabulous pop of colour in my way too black wardrobe!) and an emerald ring (birthstone for May).

The word ‘emerald’ is derived from the Greek word ‘smaragdus’, meaning green and as everyone knows that ‘being green’ these days is a very positive thing. So I think as we venture into a new year Emerald will be a very optimistic and encouraging colour for 2013.

Now to embrace it in to my décor!

Emerald montage

Images via: www.bakerfurniture.com www.jeffgoodmanstudio.com www.instyle-decor.com www.swanklighting.com

Pantone’s Color of the Year 2013??

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Modmissy

Pantone Color chairs

Every year at this time Pantone announces their ‘Color of the Year’. Seen as the global authority on colour and provider of professional colour standards for the design industries, Pantone Inc. declares what they believe is the colour best suited to the upcoming year. There is a philosophy in choosing this colour based upon world situations and influences of the period.

This year was Tangerine Tango, a lively orange and in 2011 it was Honeysuckle, an energetic pink.

Pantone Color of the Year

Interior designers, fashion designers, the automobile industry, the makeup industry and many other consumer product industries take notice of this ‘Color of the Year’ decision.

Pantone has influenced the shoe industry www.seavees.com

Pantone and Seavees shoes

Toothbrushes are even available in Pantone colours www.kikkerland.com

Pantone color toothbrushes

Makeup company Sephora www.sephora.com joined forces with Pantone to create colourful beauty products.

Sephora and Pantone

And these colourful stand mixers from KitchenAid www.kitchenaid.com are available every year in many new colours. Influenced??

Kitchenaid Mixers

So if I had to wager a guess on what the 2013 Color of the Year might be I am thinking somewhere in the blue shade.

Stay tuned!

Grey is the New Black, Chanel No. 5

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Modmissy

So have you heard? Brad Pitt is the new spokesperson for Chanel No. 5!!??

Chanel’s newly released TV commercial showcases the ‘world’s sexiest man’ explaining in a sexy and sensual voice, (as only Brad can),

I am not one to swoon over Hollywood stars and as I watched this TV commercial it wasn’t Brad I was observing.

Instead what I found interesting was the colour. Chanel has always been known for black. In fact Chanel invented the LBD – little black dress. In the 1950’s Marilyn Monroe ignited the celebrity of Chanel No. 5 when asked in an interview what she wore to bed, she revealed “five drops of Chanel No. 5”.

Since Marilyn Monroe’s endorsement of the fragrance there have been many beautiful and famous women who have been enlisted to represent Chanel No. 5.

In the 1970’s it was Catherine Deneuve who was the face of Chanel No. 5,

In this commercial Ms. Deneuve explains in her soft, sultry French voice,

In 2003 it was Nicole Kidman in a 2 minute commercial.

So often black has figured prominently in Chanel No. 5 advertising but in 2012 with the introduction of the first male as the voice of the fragrance, the sexiest-man-in-the-world Brad Pitt is awash in the colour grey – not black.

Similar to Benjamin Moore’s Nightfall 1596; “this dark, somewhat mysterious shade takes its colour cue from the stars’ dark, impenetrable backdrop”. Defines both the colour and the man!?

MODMISSY

Design is Everywhere

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