Gotta Run!

“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),  Tea Set Whitehas 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.            Tim Hortons coffee cupStarbucks Coffee Grande

Starbucks Coffee Cup

McCafe Coffee Cup

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

Welcome Spring

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, Toronto CN TowerAnd 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.                                          Spring Starts Here Home DepotA fabulous lineup of outdoor furniture, colourful BBQ’s and zippy looking lawnmowers helped chase away the winter blahs. Home Depot Spring 2015  KitchenAid bbq                                       Ryobi lawnmower 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. Loblaw Outdoor Living 2015As 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! Loblaw BBQAnyways I’m glad spring has finally arrived and with it the onset of COLOUR.

Bring it on!

All Images by MODMISSY

Lost But Never Forgotten

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

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

Canada Flag Pillow

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 hereCanada Flag pillow

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,           Making a flag

And cut and sewed,       Making a flag

And ended up with this,       Canada Flag Pillow

I frayed the edges,    Frayed Edge Pillow

And used a striped fabric for the backing,  Red and White Striped Pillow

Love it! And my son is thrilled.

All images via Modmissy

 

St Patrick’s Day

Happy St Patrick’s Day!

A day to eat, drink and wear green.

I have made green mousse for dessert,

Green Mousse

 

I will wear the only piece of green clothing I own, Green Coat

 

And I’m thinking green beer just might be on tap for this evening!

As for my décor, I have no green.  Nothing.  Not a piece of green in my décor.

But I used to….

My livingroom walls in the 1980’s were painted Mayan Green, Benjamin Moore.

Benjamin Moore Mayan Green

In the early 1990’s my bedroom walls were painted Deep Green, Benjamin Moore.

Benjamin Moore Deep Green

My living/dining/kitchen walls a few years ago were painted a soft green – Saybrook Sage, Benjamin Moore.

Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage

I have lived with my fair share of green and thank you very much but I am done with green!

But who knows, style is cyclical.

Have a great St Paddy’s Day.

Cheers!

 

 

 

Colour of the Day – Olympic Passion Red

Have you been glued to your TV watching the Olympics?

I have.

Glued to TV

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So many of the sports seemed to be based on speed – death defying speed!

Athletes barrel down the mountain on skis or sleds at speeds upwards of 95 km/h (150 mph) and 152 km/h (95 mph) for luge.

Speed skaters can attain speeds of up to 70 km/h (43 mph).

And figure skaters while moving at high speed jump or are thrown into the air!

Crazy right?

Do you find yourself holding your breath while watching?

So what drives these athletes to do what they do?

It has got to be PASSION!

So in honour of ‘passion’ I thought ‘red’ should be the colour of the day.

PS.  Remember to breathe! 

Alvar Aalto Flaming Red Vase

Alvar Aalto Flaming Red Vase

 

Alessi Grater with Cheese Cellar                 Alessi Grater

James Hallan Acrylic Red Chair

Red Chair

 

Wave Bookcase in Red by Vidame Creation

Wave Bookcase

 

I thought these red items looked like they could ski, skate or slide.

1. Modmissy   2. www.iittala.com   3. www.alessi.com   4. www.jameshallam.com 

5. www.greeen-store.com

The Magic is in the Mix

I love fashion.

Whether it’s fashion in décor or clothing both give me great visual happiness!

A very symbiotic relationship exists between the two – what’s hot on the runway will influence what’s ‘on trend’ in home décor.

I came across this blurb recently in a  J. Crew catalogue that I thought summed it up well.  And although Jenna Lyons, Creative Director for J.Crew is referring to clothing it easily parallels into décor.

Check it out.

 

We LOVE colorblocking……..    www.bebitalia.com

And pattern mixing……..     www.telegraph.co.uk

We think it’s better to clash than to match………   www.houzz.com

We like to break the rules and appreciate a good surprise……..  www.davidchurchill.co.uk

We temper tomboy with heels………  www.artisticdesignsforliving.com

We pair old with new………    www.lda-architects.com Boston

Matte with shine……..   www.houzz.com .

High with low……..   www.freshome.com

Don’t believe there is just one way to wear an outfit…….   www.nuevo-estilo.es

THE MAGIC IS IN THE MIX!

Images via:

1. www.bebitalia.com  2.  www.telegraph.co.uk  3.  www.houzz.com                                4.  www.davidchurchill.co.uk  5.  www.artisticdesignsforliving.com  6.  www.lda-architects.com  7.  www.houzz.com  8.  www.freshome.com  9.  www.nuevo-estilo.es

Christmas in July

Aaaaaaaaarrgh!

It’s August!  One month closer to autumn.  sob..sob..sob

For me, July epitomizes summer and I am not ready to say goodbye so I advocate that July should be 60 days long.

Makes perfect sense.  Let’s keep summer around longer.  Right?

Funny thing though, yesterday I attended a ‘Christmas in July’ event.  I celebrated the holiday with Home Depot® at their 2013 Holiday Preview.

The event was held in the beautiful shop of Bobbette & Belle, Artisanal Pastries – a must visit bakery in the heart of Leslieville, Toronto.

Here is a sneak peek as to what’s hot (no pun intended!) in holiday décor for 2013.

The Winterberry Collection – red, gold and brown.  Very classic.  Winter Berry Collection

The Metallic Woodland Collection – gold and browns.  Very organic.  Metallic Woodland Collection..

The Arctic Holiday Collection – silver and blue.  Iconic colours with new shapes and designs.  Perfect for Hanukkah too.   Arctic Holiday Collection

The Midnight Holiday Collection – chartreuse, charcoal, turquoise and midnight blue.  Midnight Holiday Collection

Oh…..I loved the wallpaper behind the white cabinet in the above photo.  Thinking of it for a feature wall in my own home but that’s for another blog!

Of course no holiday is complete without a gift so Home Depot® and Bobbette & Belle sent me home with a goodie.  Thank you.  Christmas in July - Home Depot

So happy holidays and bring on more summer!!!

My Spool Bed

A year ago I wrote about my ‘curbside treasure’ – my antique Spool Bed. (see here)   Spool Bed

I stated that “one man’s garbage, another woman’s treasure”.  ????

Well……after a bunch of (my hubby’s) elbow grease, this old spool bed that was left for garbage at the side of the road is now my cottage bedroom treasure.

Nothing short of totally dismantling, re-gluing, sanding, staining and altering to fit a bigger mattress the spool bed’s makeover is now complete.  Sweet dreams!Spool Bed

All images via Modmissy