Tag Archives: furniture

Location, Location, Location

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I love birds.

Cardinal

And I have written many times about birds on this blog.

https://modmissy.com/2013/01/24/trying-to-keep-warm/

https://modmissy.com/2014/06/04/robins-egg-blue/

I am mesmerized by how birds fly.

My fascination with flying started about 25 years ago.  This fascination ‘took flight’ while living in our first home where the bedroom was at the top of a long flight of stairs.  Not realizing at the time the importance of furniture placement, the head of the bed was placed next to the bedroom door which was just a few feet away from the top of the stairs.

Bed at top of stairs

It seemed that every night just as I was falling asleep I imagined myself floating out the bedroom door and flying down those stairs.  I was lulled instantly asleep.  Bliss.

But not everyone would find this flying exercise relaxing.  And having the bed in this position in their bedroom could be subliminal hell.

Hence the importance of furniture placement.

Recently while visiting a client she complained that she was not sleeping well in her new home.  The bedroom was situated at the front of the house.  The bed was placed on the window wall with the street just a few feet away.

To me it felt like sleeping on the road! Furniture placement.

We re-positioned the bed away from the windows (and the road),  Furniture placement

The client announced she is now sleeping much better.

One of the main principles of staging a home for real estate sale is furniture placement.  Too much furniture in a room and potential buyers feel crowded.  Furniture placed incorrectly; potential buyers are tripping leaving a lasting impression of a small home.

I always tell my clients that furniture placement is key and location, location, location is the most determining factor in the price of a home!

Earth Day 2015

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Today is Earth Day.

A day when over a billion people in more than 192 countries give thanks to our tiny orb and demonstrate awareness in support for the environment.

This year my nod to Earth Day occurred on my way to the recycle box.

In an “OMG” moment I realized that something I had barely used I was throwing out. Truly a blatant waste of the earth’s resources!  Sinful right?

The item plaguing me with guilt was a fabric sample brochure from Keilhauer; a company whose corporate goal is to be ‘environmentally benign’. Far be it for me to mess with a company Mission Statement!

Surely I could think of some way to ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’.

Back in the house I went with brochure in hand.

And got my creative juices flowing.

Keilhauer Haven fabric

I started with this,

I really liked these,  felted wool

Tried this,     Keilhauer Haven

But then was inspired by this,     Colour inspiration

Came up with this,     Haven Keilhauer

Which finally ended up looking like this,   Haven art

Let’s all try to make the 3R’s part of our daily lives.

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE!

All images via Modmissy

Lost But Never Forgotten

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Today is my cousin’s birthday.

Paul, the ‘cowboy’ as seen in this photo below, circa 1980’s, always had a big smile on his face.  Paul & ChrisUnfortunately we celebrate Paul’s birthday without him as sadly his life ended a few years ago. But our lost loved ones are always in our heart!

Paul was ‘my brother from a different mother’ as he was my mother’s identical twin sister’s son.  Rene and NornieAnd when you have 2 mothers that are so identical their offspring are bound to be close.  And Paul and I were.

Paul had a passion for antiques and the 2 of us were often attending antique auctions together.  In those days I had a penchant for antique furniture (yes it’s true!) and we would load up my car to the brim with all the great finds.

But none was as memorable as the time we purchased an antique cast iron wood stove that weighed over a ‘million’ pounds.  We loaded that behemoth beast into the back of my hatchback and drove it all the way back to the city.  Let’s just say that we were quite the sight driving down the highway with the front tires barely touching the road.  I sold that car soon after!

That wood stove still holds a big place in my heart as it is the focal point of my cottage.  It withstood the recent renovation,  Cottage renovationAnd now holds pride of place in the cottage.IMG_7007

Thanks for the memories.

Rest in peace Paul. xo

 

All Images via MODMISSY

 

 

Beautiful White

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Recently my hubby and I met friends, Jane and John Doe, for a fabulous dinner out at a local bistro.

The bistro had a very relaxed rustic-chic décor and served French-inspired cuisine and locally inspired fare.

Of course as one always eats with one’s eyes first our appetizers did not disappoint – there was colour, height and texture.

Sounds amazing right?

When our mains were delivered Jane and Hubby had meals that did not disappoint.  They were ‘beautifully delicious’.

Unfortunately, John and I who ordered the same item were crestfallen.  Our meals were delivered and they were ‘void’.  There was no height, no texture and no colour.

On a white plate, we were served a white parchment wrapped package, and inside was a piece of white fish on a bed of white onions.

White was not what I expected.

Although there is nothing more beautiful than white,

White orchids,  White orchid

 

White linens,  White linens

 

White mirrors, White mirror

White woodwork, White woodwork

 

White accessories, White clock

 

And even white snow,  White snow

But on my plate, served in a French bistro is not where I thought I would see white.

I ordered chocolate cake for dessert. It did not disappoint!

All images by MODMISSY

IDS15 – Interior Design Show 2015

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Last weekend was Toronto’s Interior Design Show.

Innovative design, inspirational exhibits and influential speakers make for an event not to be missed.

Each year exhibitors try to cook up some new eye candy with booth displays that are truly notable and statement worthy.

It’s always an exciting show.

I toured the show for 2 days and took lots of photos.

Here are just a few.

Paint colours were demonstrated in a variety of styles by Benjamin Moore, Farrow & Ball and Para Paints.     IDS15 Benjamin Moore

Colour was definitely the theme at the Smeg booth with these colourful 50’s-style retro refrigerators.  IDS15 Smeg

‘Retro’ was present in a big way as evidenced at the Hauser booth with colour, scalloped skirting and flower-power.  IDS15 Hauser

And at the Roche-Bobois booth the sofa originally designed in the 1970’s by Hans Hopfer has maintained a lasting sense of style and ‘inventiveness’ due to its infinite compositions and fabric. Loved the fabric created by well-known designer Jean Paul Gaultier.  IDS15 Roche Bobois

And you could feel the ‘groove’ at Missoni Home with the riot of colour, iconic fabrics and the renowned zigzag.  IDS15 Missoni Home

I loved the Montauk Sofa booth, it was so fun.  I mean literally you can only re-invent a room display so many times!  IDS15 Montauk Sofa

The new SEKTION kitchen line from IKEA was introduced at the show with Canadian home décor magazines, House and Home and Style at Home along with IKEA creating 3 different kitchen layouts.  Very similar, very different.  Very inspiring!IDS15 IKEA SektionIDS15 House and HomeIDS15 Style at Home

Bathroom fixtures abound but PierDeco Design takes ‘sitting on the throne’ one step further with their Aquamobilia line!  IDS15 PierDeco Design

And don’t forget to look up; there are many amazing light fixtures. IDS15 LightingAnd on a playful note, Canadian designer Philippe Malouin appealed to the child in all of us with this interactive swing set at the Caesarstone display.  Yup that’s right….a full scale swing with each seat made from a different sample of Caesarstone!IDS15 Caesarstone

I have barely introduced you to the many amazing exhibits that were present.

Absolutely a show not to miss!

All images by MODMISSY

Merry Christmas

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Ho ho ho!  Here we go.

Tis Christmas time again!

As you know I love the season but I have a hard time with all the decorations (read clutter) in my home.

But alas I found a solution.

This year I am hosting Christmas dinner at my home.  I wanted all of us to celebrate together so we built one long table that would seat 20.  We had to rearrange the furniture in the living room so everyone could move around freely.  (Nothing worse than being stuck in a corner and 10 people having to get up and move when you decide that a 2nd helping of mashed potatoes and gravy would be nice!)  Christmas Table

This arrangement of furniture meant there was no space for a Christmas tree!

Oh darn.

Don’t worry I did not ‘Scrooge’-out, instead I placed my fully decorated Christmas tree in the front porch!  Everyone at the table can still see the tree.  Sans needles and mess.  Perfect!   Christmas Tree

And then creativity struck, I wrapped the gifts and tied them all up with a bow and wouldn’t you know – a Christmas tree appeared!   Christmas Tree of Gifts

And on that note a MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!

See you in the New Year.

Santa Claus

XXXOOO

 

All images via MODMISSY

What’s in a Name?

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“What’s in a name?”

That iconic question asked by many.

But none so famous as that asked by Shakespeare’s Juliet when it came to her lover Romeo,

 “O Romeo, Romeo!  Wherefore art thou Romeo?  Deny thy father and refuse thy name;”

A conundrum for sure as the name meant (spoiler alert!) death for the star-crossed lovers.

Names are important.

Just as Juliet asked, “that which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet?” would a name of an item influence your choice or sway your decision?

The reason I ask is that while flipping through a recent Sears® catalogue I found it interesting the names now used for colour choices of décor items such as furniture, linens and drapery.

(Boring) beige is now named Moon Rock, Bamboo Beige and Shiitake Mushroom conjuring up something more contemporary.   Shitake Mushrooms

 

(Mundane) grey has been pumped up to Volcanic Grey, Molten Lead and Fossil Grey.  Feel the excitement!?      Fossil Grey

 

(Blah) brown is now Earth and Dark Fudge.  Sound yummier?             Dark Fudge

 

(Stale) green has become Shale Green and Smokey Sage.  Sexier?Shale GreenEven the automotive icon, Porsche® known for its truly distinctive design and breathtaking dynamics has given emotional impact to yellow with the 2014 colour option Racing Yellow.  Porsche Racing YellowCan’t you just feel the race-inspired colour philosophy!?

Got me swooning!

All images designed my Modmissy

Sold In A Day

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Recently I staged a home for Real Estate sale that sold in a day.

And it sold for well over asking!

I’m going to credit that very quick and prosperous sale in huge part due to my staging services.

(Hey, when the horn can be tooted, toot it!)

Yes, the home had great bones but was buried in the ‘stuff’ of hectic daily living!

Often when I arrive on the scene the home is in a state of disarray whereby I must then ‘turn a sow’s ear into a silk purse’.

Or…take an ogre and turn it into a princess!

bad hair day

Fortunately I love what I do so when I first walked into this home I was not daunted but rather excited.  Actually excitement is what I put into the home.  I try to create a space that has energy; positive energy.  And a vibe that says, “I want to live here”.

Livingroom before Livingroom before

Living Room afterLivingroom after

Dining Room beforeDining Room before

Dining Room afterDining Room after

Kitchen before  Kitchen before

 

Kitchen after  Kitchen after

Bedroom before bdrm before staging

Before after bdrm after staging  All images via Modmissy