Location, Location, Location

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Modmissy

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!

First Day of Winter

Posted on December 1, 2015 by Modmissy

December 1st marks the start of winter for me.

Black ice and whiteouts,

Snowed in and digging out, And ice storms,

The hazards of winter. Get ready. Be prepared.

But fortunately December also marks the month of celebration – Christmas!

When ‘whiteouts’ are beautifully decorated white Christmas trees with ornaments,

‘Snowed in’ is a birch bark inspired decoration for the fireplace mantle.

And ‘ice’ is only found in a bold black ice bucket or whiskey glasses.

The first 3 photos are my snaps taken over the last few winters and the celebration photos were taken this past summer when I attended the PC Home Holiday Preview.

Yup…..Christmas in July! (Actually it was August)

I could not and would not mention Christmas in sweltering August to you but today I officially can.

And next time you are in your local Loblaw’s or Real Canadian Superstore® check out the stunning holiday products that will have you jingling all the way home.

And this year enjoy your HO-HO-HOsting and entertaining!

Cheers

All images photographed by MODMISSY

Gotta Run!

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Modmissy

“Gotta run!”

The catch phrase of today.

Everybody is on the move. Go, go, go!

Subsequently multi-tasking has taken on a whole new meaning. Eating on the run, driving and texting, walking and talking on a cell phone and even applying makeup or shaving while driving.

Unfortunately in many people’s haste the once beautiful ceremony of drinking tea (or coffee), has been reduced to drinking from a paper cup while ‘on the run’. And the worse part of reducing this historical ritual to a “gotta run” activity is the random placement of finished cups.

So today if you can take time to smell the ~~roses~~ tea/coffee. And please don’t litter!All Images via MODMISSY

Welcome Spring

Posted on March 20, 2015 by Modmissy

Today is the first day of Spring.

Or at least that’s what my calendar tells me because where I live the temperature keeps dancing around the freezing mark.

Mother Nature teases with blue skies and sunshine, And due to the piles of snow in my back yard I certainly could not entertain the idea of setting up my patio furniture this weekend.

But one can anticipate. And plan.

Actually a few weeks ago I attended a few Spring Previews showcasing what’s on trend for Spring 2015.

The Home Depot’s campaign of ‘Spring Starts Here’ certainly brightened a cold, snowy day in February. A fabulous lineup of outdoor furniture, colourful BBQ’s and zippy looking lawnmowers helped chase away the winter blahs. Then I sledded (still lots of snow) across town to Loblaws Outdoor Living 2015 Spring preview for a glimpse into what’s hot for this year. These gorgeous colourful beach towels are Loblaws’ interpretation of “A Heat Wave”, “Soft With a Pop” and “Very Vivid” colour palettes introduced into their outdoor furniture and accessories. As for this season BBQ’s, Loblaw’s knows that backyard cooks get personal with their BBQ’s so each one has been named based on their character; the Ami BBQ is trustworthy and petit while Troy is tough, powerful and big. Choose as you may! Anyways I’m glad spring has finally arrived and with it the onset of COLOUR.

Bring it on!

All Images by MODMISSY

Beautiful White

Posted on February 12, 2015 by Modmissy

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 linens,

White mirrors,

White woodwork,

White accessories,

And even 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

Posted on January 30, 2015 by Modmissy

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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!

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

And don’t forget to look up; there are many amazing light fixtures. And 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!

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

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Modmissy

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 2^nd helping of mashed potatoes and gravy would be nice!)

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!

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!

And on that note a MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!

See you in the New Year.

XXXOOO

All images via MODMISSY

Sold In A Day

Posted on November 13, 2014 by Modmissy

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!

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

Living Room after

Dining Room before

Dining Room after

Kitchen before

Kitchen after

Bedroom before

Before after All images via Modmissy

Location, Location, Location

Posted on August 7, 2014 by Modmissy

It’s often said that where you buy a home is all about location, location, location.

And I agree.

But the neighbours are a big part of that detail too.

Good neighbours are good, great neighbours are great.

And so it was on a recent Friday evening that I dined alfresco with my great neighbours at our annual Laneway Party.

(A laneway being the lane at the back of houses shared between 2 adjacent streets providing each neighbour access to their parking/garage/backyard.)

Introductions were made,

There was a meet and greet for all ages,

Entertainment for the kids – a piñata stuffed full of candy,

Metro’s finest on horseback visited (entertainment for the adults!)

The table was set with white linen and real utensils – no plastic here.

Platters of food, candlelight and plenty of wine kept the revellers going into the night,

Plus it helped that the kids were occupied with movies in ‘Bill’s Man Cave’. Remember Bill (& his lovely wife)?

A head count was done around the table and 53 neighbours were seated for dinner!

These 2 ‘party planners’ were pleased! Thanks to all who helped to make the party a great success!

All in all a fabulous evening shared with my ‘great’ neighbours making my home’s location the best!

All images via MODMISSY

Canada Flag Pillow

Posted on July 28, 2014 by Modmissy

Last summer I wrote about being inspired by a pillow I saw in the July issue of Canadian House and Home magazine and decided to design and sew my own version. I wanted my pillow in neutral colours to match the cottage décor so I used linen and canvas. See here.

This summer, my son requested a Canada Flag pillow for his bed at university – in the “true north and strong” colours.

So I started with this,

And cut and sewed,

And ended up with this,

I frayed the edges,

And used a striped fabric for the backing,

Love it! And my son is thrilled.

All images via Modmissy

MODMISSY

Design is Everywhere

Tag Archives: HOME

Location, Location, Location

First Day of Winter

Gotta Run!

Welcome Spring

Beautiful White

IDS15 – Interior Design Show 2015

Merry Christmas

Sold In A Day

Location, Location, Location

Canada Flag Pillow

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: