Category Archives: Style

Gifts over $250

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I have been remiss in writing and have not posted for some time but I do apologize.  My internet service had been down for over 10 days!!  I was ‘grounded’ by my Internet Service Provider due to ‘technology difficulties’ that took them almost a fortnight to rectify!!  Absurd I know.  The holidays have begun – Hanukkah started yesterday and Christmas is fast approaching.  Thought I would share some last-minute gift ideas that are over $250 – when the pressure is on the ‘price’ is often overlooked.  First up would be a Martha Sturdy resin bowl.   http://www.marthasturdy.com.  This Canadian ‘Martha’ is internationally known for her unique handmade pieces of functional art.  Each resin design is exclusive to itself; having its own colouration, air bubbles, irregularities and textures. 

Next would be the Georg Jensen Masterpiece Pitcher.  http://www.georgjensen.com.   Designed by Henning Koppel of Denmark in 1952, this polished steel carafe is simple but sensuous with an elegantly extended handle and exaggerated lip.  This pitcher whether it is holding water or wine would be the sparkling centerpiece on any table.

Of course if I could I would love something from Hermès, that wonderful orange (love it) box company.  Truth be told I am a girl who prefers the orange box to the (Tiffany) blue box!  Check out this website to get a peek into the world of Hermès.  http://lesailes.hermes.com/na/en/495

And just as the flicker of a candle at this time of year is so festive I thought the swirling flame of the A|Design Twistfire Fireplace http://www.auerhahn-twistfire.de would be appreciated at any time of the year.  The Twistfire uses bio ethanol and has 3 curved glass planes that allow air to circulate and create the ‘twisting’ effect of the flame.  The matte stainless steel fireplace is made in Germany and stands 2 ft. tall.  The Twistfire is a very unique expression of fire befitting of the backyard or poolside. 

Best of luck!

The Christmas Tree

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Have you ever wondered about the Christmas tree?  Not so much about the history of it but rather just the idea of it.  The thought of going to the all the trouble of bringing into your home a big ‘dead’ tree and then decorating it!!??  Think about it.  I mean at some point I am sure you have had a vase of flowers that have been in the house way too long and you think, “OMG, these flowers are so dead they are gross” and disgustingly throw them out.  But for some reason we continue on with the Christmas tree.  Our first Christmas together, hubby and I had no living room furniture as we would rather wait until we could afford what we really wanted.  Therefore the Christmas tree was huge, filling the space.  When we finally got furniture there was no space for the tree.  So because I did not want to rearrange the furniture to allow for a big tree we got a ‘Charlie Brown’ tree which I totally loved.  Mind you the tree was quite tall but very ‘scant’ and could hold no ornaments!  This year I really wanted to find a new alternative; something different in regards to the Christmas tree.  Some ideas I came across were from CB2 www.cb2.com.  There is the chalkboard tree. 

Or the picture frame tree.

Or the outlined in lights on the wall tree.

Of course I could always go with one of the numerous ‘artificial’ trees that are available in an array of colours (white, pink, silver, blue, green etc.) and material (feather, tinsel, PVC).  But lack of storage space is a problem at my house.  I am now thinking that next summer I will venture into the woods up at the cottage and find a ‘Christmas’ tree and start trimming the tree into maybe a topiary or a cylinder-type shape.  But this would take planning and who thinks of Christmas in July??!!

 

 

Materializing My Vision

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Eureka!  I have found myself a new upholsterer.  I have been recovering furniture for myself and clients for years or rather the upholsterer has.  I have found that an upholsterer is someone you create a relationship with.  They begin to understand what you are thinking.  They begin to see what your vision is for the end product.  My first upholsterer was located outside of Toronto but his workmanship and price were worth the drive.  Carl built furniture for me and he re-covered many pieces of furniture for me over the years.  Carl and I got to know each other through ‘extension’ meaning that he met many of my family, friends, neighbours and clients that he steadily did work for.  I was reminded of this fact while visiting a family member recently and was told that the sofa I was sitting on was recovered by Carl.  But like all good things that come to end Carl decided it was time to retire and move much farther from the city.  That is when I found Jack.  Jack was located in Toronto this time making it much easier for me to ‘drop by’ and ask about a certain fabric or various upholstery questions.  Once again Jack and I got to know each other.  He met my family, friends, neighbours and clients too.  Jack was the upholsterer who I had re-upholsterer ‘My Purple Chair’ with the mohair coat. (https://modmissy.com/2011/07/26/another-trash-to-treasure)  I had Jack do a lot of unusual upholstery projects for me over the years but that is the fabulous thing about re-covering furniture.  Innovation and invention!  But once again Jack retired.  Doctor’s orders.  I felt as if I was sent adrift in the ‘without upholsterer’ atmosphere once again.  But as luck would have it I recently found myself another upholsterer.  This one is a truly a gem.  David is a young gentleman from Paris that speaks English with a wonderful French accent.  Of course the first project I gave him was a challenge.  But David pulled through with shining colours.  He went the extra distance and put some unique details on the piece that I had not thought of.  So to the upholsterers of the past, the present and the upholsterers of the future I say thank you for helping me ‘material-ize’ my vision. 

                    Is it fabric or architecture??

     

      Image via Modmissy

Gifts under $25

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Happy Friday!  If you happen to be out this weekend doing a little retail exercising or with the wonders of technology shopping on-line I have gathered a selection of gift ideas for the home that are under $25.  First up from Restoration Hardware www.restorationhardware.com are the Cast Metal Letters.  Made of heavy cast aluminum in a choice of 2 finishes these letters are perfecting for adding to a bookshelf or hanging on a wall.  Everyone loves to see their own initial.

  

Next are West Elm Square Lacquer Trays. www.westelm.com .  These 12” trays in a choice of many bold colours are perfect for serving drinks to organizing a dresser.  I love the pop of colour on a coffee table too.

The Pottery Barn www.potterybarn.com 12” square pillow printed in metallic gold on natural linen/cotton is a wonderful addition to any room’s décor.  And who couldn’t use a little more peace in their life. 

You can never have too many décor books and who better than Jonathan Adler, potter, designer, television personality and author.  Known for his penchant for colour, Adler’s 132 page hardcover book Happy Chic Accessorizing details how “your home should make you happy”.  And one can never have too much ‘happy’ in their life.

No holiday is complete without the flicker of a candle.  The Brixton Hurricane from Crate and Barrel www.crateandbarrel.com is a colourful departure from the usual.  The golden-yellow base made of solid sustainable shesham wood with a handmade glass pillar stands 11” high and 7” wide. 

Enjoy your weekend!

 

 

Tis the Season

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Well….December is finally here.  And with it come lots of festivities.  Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Ashura, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, Bodhi Day, Santa Lucia Day or Christmas, I wish you all the best for your celebration.  I myself celebrate Christmas and so during the month of December I may write about some of the traditions of this holiday.  But pretty things, sparkly items, twinkling lights, flickering candles and gifts pertain to everyone whether you are celebrating or not.  No better time than now does “Home for the Holidays” ring true.  Getting your ‘nest’ ready to celebrate can be lots of fun with so many choices for style and décor.  Parties, Open Houses, so much to do, taking the time to attend them and enjoy them all is key.  Tis the season, so let the decorating celebrations begin! 

The photo below is me, Modmissy, ~3 years old on Christmas morning, holding my new doll.  Notice in the background the artificial tree with mounds of tinsel, wood paneling (see post https://modmissy.com/2011/09/29/new-interpretation-of-70s-paneling/) and a kid size folding chair (see post https://modmissy.com/2011/10/12/folding-chairs/).  Considering the times of which this photo was taken check out the gift of a toy gun (inside red circle) and ‘The Happy Puppy’ record (inside red square), the LP released in 1962 by Bent Fabric, well-known for the famous ‘Alley Cat’ song.  Truly a blast from the past!    

Hermès Blanket – high vs. low

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I am sure you have seen in many magazines the column titled High vs. Low.  Technology magazines, automotive magazines, home design magazines etc., etc. all have some sort of article written on product comparison based on cost.  Similar product, different price point.  Armed with this information readers can often make their purchases based on their individual budget.  In home design magazines I like the challenge of whether I can correctly determine which product is the high priced vs. which product is the low priced.  My stats are pretty good.  So I thought from time to time I would write about some high vs. low priced products.  My first items on the list are throw blankets.  Taking the title of ‘high priced’ is the Hermès Avalon blanket as seen under my ‘Modmissy Wish List’.  The Hermès signature ‘H’ blanket is made of 85% wool/15% cashmere and measures 55” X 69”.  It feels wonderful!!  And the price point?…….$1,225.00 U.S.!!  Ouch.  But when it comes to designer label throws Hermès does rule supreme.  You can always count on seeing this blanket draped over a sofa in any of the design magazines.  Although the cost of this blanket can cost as much as a sofa!  I have coveted this blanket for some time but it is not to be as budget rules for me.  Under the title of ‘low priced’ would be my own blanket, my Hermès substitute.   I thought it was a good substitute because it also has bold letters on it similar to the Hermes ‘H’.   It is a cotton/cashmere mix and measures 54” X 62”.  And the price point?…..under $100.  This blanket was more in my budget and I am persuading myself that it feels and looks just as good as the ‘high’ priced.  But it still remains on my wish list! 

   Hermes Avalon Blanket – High Priced

  

   My Blanket – Low Price

  

The Edible Focal Point

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When it comes to food, presentation is about 75% of the taste.  If food looks good I believe it tastes better.  We eat with our eyes first; our eyes are our first senses that are stimulated.  Similarly in home décor, a room’s focal point is the first thing we see as we ‘taste’ the room.  The room’s focal point will draw the eye and hold it there giving the eyes a place to rest making the room feel more inviting.  A focal point may be an architectural feature such as a fireplace, built-in bookcase, a picture window or a detailed wall.  If the room has no distinguishing architectural feature the focal point may be a piece of art, a mirror, or a piece of furniture.  Sometimes a focal point can even be very small but if in the right location will immediately attract your eye.  A room’s focal point is key and no more than when staging a home do those words ring true.  I once had a client whose home I was staging for real estate sale where the house had been renovated top to bottom except for the kitchen.  The homeowner had run out of time and money but had decided to sell anyway.  My challenge was to make buyers overlook the fact that the kitchen was stuck in the early ‘80’s.  So working with what I had, I ‘diffused’ the situation by creating a focal point that potential buyer eyes were immediately drawn to.  On the kitchen counter I created a vignette of a black/white ‘barista’ centre complete with biscotti.  Knowing that the strong contrasting colours would draw the buyers’ eyes to this focal point first, the barista vignette of the coffee cup/cream and sugar/white linen/bowl of biscotti etc. offered a sense of ‘welcome’, a feeling of ‘retreat’.  My intent was to create a space that appealed to the buyers’ heart.  Well that bowl of biscotti did the trick, the un-renovated kitchen was overlooked and the house was sold.  The real estate agent told me afterwards that the buyer fell in love with the house when she walked in to the kitchen and visualized herself drinking her coffee in her new space.  A true story!  So if you are wondering where to start on decorating a room, start with the focal point. Below are some photos of another kitchen before/after photos.

     

      

        Images via Modmissy

Black Friday

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Today is ‘Black Friday’….let the shopping begin!  Considered to be one of the biggest shopping days, Black Friday is the day following Thanksgiving Day in the United States.  Apparently the name originated in Philadelphia where it was used to describe the heavy and disorderly pedestrian and vehicle traffic that would occur on the day after Thanksgiving Day.  More recently the day is better known as the day that puts retailers ‘into the black’.  In honour of Black Friday I thought I would share a few of my favourite black items and some of my own black items. 

Black Leather Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman

Jonathan Adler Black Sprout Vase

Black Slate Mongolian Lamb Pillow – West Elm

Black Wall Clock

My Black Wall Sconce

My Black Bertoia Chair

My Black Tizio Lamp

 

Happy Thanksgiving USA

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A wise person once said……

“Who does not thank for little will not thank for much”.

Happy [American] Thanksgiving.

Enjoy the day!

          

 

48 Years Ago Today

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Today marks the 48th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.  Kennedy was fatally shot on Friday November 22, 1963 at 12:30pm, Central Standard Time, while travelling in a Presidential motorcade through Dallas, Texas.  The pursuing ten-month investigation by the Warren Commission concluded that the President was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald acting alone and Jack Ruby also acted alone when he killed Oswald before Oswald could stand trial.  These conclusions over the years have been considered ‘suspect’ to the American public.  Today as I read about what happened on that day 48 years ago it gave me goose bumps.  There were so many convoluted details pertaining to the assassination and theories as to what really did happen.  The who’s, the why’s, the where’s.  It made me think of the saying “Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive”.   On that note, weaving is a method of fabric production where two sets of yarns, the warp yarn and the weft yarn are interlaced at right angles to form a fabric.  The method in which the warp and weft are interwoven determines the type of fabric.  The three basic weaves are the plain weave, the twill weave and the satin weave.  Weaving was originally performed on a hand-loom but the Industrial Revolution brought about mechanized weaving.   And while on the subject of fabric, Jacqueline Kennedy, wife of J.F.K., became a fashion icon for her taste in clothing worn during her husband’s presidency.  The first lady was also known for the restoration of the White House interior which she thought was furnished with undistinguished pieces that lacked a sense of history.  The first Lady quoted, “I just feel that everything in the White House should be the best”.  On that note, may your ‘house’ always be at its best!