Boys & Their Toys: A Boy's Bedroom

When designing a child’s room, you need to consider the room’s required furniture, plus storage and organizing systems. Add in a touch of fun design that the child can grow with, and you will have a room you’ll both love! It’s also great to include artwork they love or (even better!) have made themselves.  My most recent makeover project ...

Colour and Design Trends of 2015

Colour. It’s a hot topic every year – what colours are in, what colours to paint, what colours to accessorize with. And what will be around today and tomorrow. The 2015 runways are filled with colours reminiscent of the 1960s – shades such as warm olive and rich orange are being given new life, while some colour trends continue to be popular. ...

Laundry in style – create a functional and fashionable laundry room

If the kitchen is the heart of the home, the laundry room must be the liver. The laundry room cycles through messy household clothing and towels, and cleans them up time and time again.  In addition to being the place to do laundry and store cleaning supplies, many households also have their laundry room act as a mudroom; a place to drop off ...

Quick Paint Tips / Projects

With the holidays just around the corner, so grows the list of “to do’s” within the home. Spending too much time inside makes you realize how many little projects you need to get done or want to do to jazz up your space.  Not every project has to be a big one: you can make just as much of an impact in a space with little effort. These project...

5 Days of Christmas Gift Guide!

With the holiday gift giving season upon us, our stress levels rise as we try to decide upon ideal gifts for our loved ones. Whomever you are shopping for this holiday season, we have five great options that are suitable for anyone (and everyone!) on your list.   On first day of Christmas I bought an Oster Versa 1400 High Performanc...

A home office and a guest room: How to create a multifunctional space

City living may mean limited space, but you don’t have to sacrifice functionality. I was recently challenged to find a clever way to maximize a space. All of the bedrooms were occupied, but the home lacked a guest room, plus a more efficient workspace and storage in their walkout basement. This is how I created a dual-purpose room. An effic...

Create your own bedroom retreat!

{Full article in this Friday's Toronto Sun!}You spend a third of your day in your bedroom. It should be a relaxing place you enjoy spending time. Here’s how you can create a beautiful, comfortable bedroom retreat on any budget. Cool Color Palette. I’ve had red bedrooms and I’ve had pale blue rooms. I can honestly say colour psychology is real...

CIL DECOR EXPERT ON THE ROAD @ Home Depot

Need Paint Advice? How about overall Decorating/Design Help? But can't afford a design consultation fee? Well you are in luck CIL has teamed up with a number of Design Experts across Canada assisting you once a week at a Home Depot near you for a limited time offer. Come out from 6 to 8pm at one of the locations below to meet with me for...

All Seasoned Cottage Decor

With our short Canadian summer, more and more people are buying all-season cottages or winterizing their existing cottages to make a year-round retreat. People want to enjoy a get away not only in the summer but also in the cooler Canadian months too. I recently took the design challenge of styling my client’s all-season cottage.  Decoratin...

Dream Closet!

Who says you have to sacrifice fashion for function? For my latest makeover project, I wanted to strike a balance between style and organization to create the perfect walk-in closet. I called in organizing guru Clare Kumar to help with a closet makeover to make sure we ended up with a space that was functional and looked fantastic.  I love ...

Small Space Patio Decor on the Global Noon Show!

If you missed Jo's segment on Small Space Patio Décor on the Global Noon show no worries watch online: http://globalnews.ca/video/1401909/jo-alcorn/ Special Thanks to Home Depot for the products.  Have fun dressing you outdoor space this summer!  Until next time, w&c designer girl! ...

Stylish Patio Makeover on a Budget!

During the warm summer months, we tend to spend a lot more time outside, so it’s time to design or re-design your area to create a cosy ambiance that will encourage you to spend more time in the great outdoors. So for those of you who are seeking inspiration to spruce up your small patio or balcony space, I have some fabulous design tips to help y...

Windsor Arms Hotel in Toronto

Windsor Arms Hotel in Toronto

Oh so Boutique and Charming!  When my friend Christine invited me to see the hotel I had to say yes for I have always wanted check out what was behind those grand wood doors!  Well I was quite blown away for the design style was very charming and traditional but with an eclectic twist added to the mix.


Every hotel room has a bit of a different design concept to them and hosts a different instrument to really make the rooms interesting, right down to a baby grand!! The rooms have kept a traditional charm to them, but never the less they are welcoming and interesting.


 The hotel has a great banquet hall for events, which apparently InStyle Magazine transforms every year for their big event, but shhh that's a secret, however I could only image how much fun they would have in the space below! They also have a fine dining restaurant, a stylish bar hangout and the afternoon tea room, all just steps away from Bloor Streets fab shopping quarters.


  Have you experienced their Afternoon Tea?? Windsor Arm's is quite famous for this celebration which they host two sittings a day during the week and on the weekends, reservation only, but of course. It is a must do in the city, however I am not going to elaborate because their will be a full blog post about my experience come September. On a lasting note for $5 you can rent an English hat which is in support of the charity Look Good Feel Better, great fun and for a great cause, all in the name of charity! https://www.lgfb.ca/
  
 Windsor Arm's also has about 28 residence living quarter just to add to their on going accommodations. Nancy Pencer's 5,000-square-foot apartment, was featured in Toronto Life, and I think you can see from the youthful contemporary design approach that Windsor Arm's just isn't another old city hotel.


The hotel also has a great full service spa, pool, private movie theatre, meeting rooms and more, all nestled in a old charming building on a tree covered side street, what could be more romantic then that!! www.windsorarmshotel.com/

Happy touring my friend!
Until next time
w&c designer girl!
Junction Flea - A must SEE!!

Junction Flea - A must SEE!!

This Saturday while I was sipping my Starbucks coffee and reading the paper after I just bought my local veggies for the week from the St. Lawrence Market. I found an article about the Junction Flea Market, to be honest the image actually sold me, (Second image) I didn't even need to read about it I just knew I had to go and I am glad I did!! Sunday was an over cast day with the sense of a rain down poor any second, however you would never know by the amount of people in attendance of their second last market for the year. I knew I was going to be in for some amazing retro antiques but I had no idea that I would be transformed to whole other market realm. The vibe and atmosphere was retro eclectic, the people were artists in style and the food was a  master of sensations. I felt like I was in inspiration heaven!! It is a must see, must shop and a must do!! But load up the wallet for this is not your usually flea market pricing, it is an retro antique show! Last one of the year is Sunday September 9th, don't miss it!! www.junctionflea.com













Until next time,
w&c designer girl!  
Oh LaLa Alimento Fine Food Market in Toronto!

Oh LaLa Alimento Fine Food Market in Toronto!

Last week I had the pleasure of attending one of Alimento Fine Food tastings at the new location on King Street, what can I say OMG the food is amazing, the atmosphere is too cool, the food market selection is huge, and the customer service is awesome!! Torontonians can experience an Italian restaurant/food mart with a unique spot to sit and eat/taste all the foods in the market within a chefs recipe in the Bar Mozza. They have over a 140 different Italian cheeses, tons of meats, pastas, desserts, olive oils even and more in a urban market setting! Make sure to stop in and take a peak/taste for yourself, I tell you though it is a must to have a glass of wine and devourer a cheese platter! www.alimento.ca

 Until next time,
w&c designer girl!
Coastal, Cottage, Seaside decor whatever you call it is lovely!

Coastal, Cottage, Seaside decor whatever you call it is lovely!

Guest post from Farah at Beige is Dead Blog:

She sells sea shells by the sea shore . . . .

Coastal cool isn’t just for beach cottages anymore. Even if you’re landlocked, introducing a nautical theme can bring a little summer fun into any space. What I love most about nautical décor is the balance of structured, streamlined design and effortless shabby-chic. It totally brings back memories of perfectly pressed towels and carefree beach getaways.

Earn your stripes
What’s the easiest way to add a nautical charm to a room? STRIPES! Think striped throw pillows to help tie together furniture in a seating area. While navy and white stripes are classically coastal and reminiscent of summer, a softer, creamier tone of white makes a subtler statement and still does a great job of making your accent colour pop. Try sun-washed white in combination with cheery coral, sky blue, tangerine orange, buttercup yellow or Kelly green. I love how Martha Stewart (Queen of Nantucket decor, herself!) mixes stripes and solids in her sitting area design (above).

Anchors away
Hardware plays a big role with anything nautical. With space at a premium on ships, hardware was designed to be practical and functional. Whether it’s for your own galley-style kitchenette or family kitchen, a faucet with a rubbed brass finish expertly balances the softer colours and textures. Brizo’s Baliza faucet incorporates nautical styling without an overly-industrial look. The bud vase adds a touch of whimsy.

Texture in hidden treasures
Another way to incorporate this seaside theme into your space is to showcase natural textures in accent pieces. I especially love the laidback look of accessories that look like they just washed up onto shore. If only all décor was that easy! A pearlescent shell-inspired lamp fits into the theme without being overly kitschy, and provides a soft glow. Mismatched silver spoons, colourful glassware and vintage lifesavers are charming finishing touches.

 About Farah:
Farah blogs at Beige is Dead (beigeisdead.com) – the corporate blog for Masco Canada, a company that represents faucet brands such as Delta, Brizo and Hansgrohe.
Sources
1.       Brizo Baliza kitchen faucet: http://www.brizo.com/kitchen/collection/baliza.html
2.       You Are My Anchor poster: http://www.polyvore.com/you_are_my_anchor_poster/thing?id=56912994
3.       Coral: http://www.thisnext.com/item/9B84F6BA/Cast-Open-Coral
4.       Summer decorating ideas: http://www.marthastewart.com/274784/60-summer-decorating-ideas/@center/276964/60-days-summer#/354735
5.       Beach glass bottles: http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/beach-glass-bottles
6.       Nautical spoon set: http://www.etsy.com/listing/97044923/nautical-spoon-set-high-tide-low-tide
7.       Mosaic shell glass pendant light: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003D54618/186-8609739-2085463?ie=UTF8&ref=cm_sw_r_pi_dp_jAgNpb0NAXKNN

 Thanks for sharing Farah, appreciate the fresh take on the Seaside decor!
Until next time,
w&c designer girl!
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