Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone all the very best in....

Happy New Year from beautiful Maui.

Whimsical Animal Chairs

Maximo Riera has created a collection of extremely unique and extremely life-like animal chairs.  They are made of high-density polyurethane and cost between $50,000 and $100,000.  

The chairs depict an octopus, rhino, walrus, elephant, and a whale.  I like how each style of chair is reminiscent of the animal that it is created from.  I think my favourite is the octopus which would look magnificent in a glamorous boudoir and the whale which would be great in a children's playroom.

Merry Christmas

Hope Santa put you on the "nice" list this year.  I'll be staying indoors today keeping warm by the fire, helping my nephews break in their new toys and working up an appetite for our big dinner tonight.

/via/

Only one more sleep...

It is a gorgeously white (and chilly) Christmas and I am so glad to be able to spend the holidays with my family.  My nephews are beyond excited for tomorrow and it is so fun seeing Christmas through their eyes.

Happy Holidays!

Christmas Decorating

Here are a few images from my place this year.  I didn't buy many new pieces as everything feels 'new' in my new house.

Runners and candleholders from Ikea.  Bells and glitter stars from Pottery Barn. 

Vases are great for corralling ornaments and garland

Blackboard design

Wreathes hanging from the chairs 

Tree full of glass ornaments (the walls are looking really bare) 

Gifts ready to be opened

I pick up ornaments when I travel

Dressing up a plain window seat with garland and oversized ornaments (cushions coming soon) 

Weekend Happenings

Here is what I was up to this weekend....

Christmas baking for my sister-in-law's party 

The bling I wore for my office Christmas party 

Reminiscing about past Christmases - I'm definitely not the first kid to cry

Pantone Colour for 2013 is....

Emerald

I was wowed by last year's Tangerine Tango, although I would only use it as an accent. I'm just not sure yet what I feel about this version of Emerald.  I think I like it a little deeper - add a bit of black to make the colour murkier.  This version though will probably feel fresher for the Spring and Summer as the darker jewel tones seem better suited for Fall and Winter.  It'll be interesting to see how this colour is interpreted in home decor in the upcoming year. 

Dreaming of .... Front Hall

"Dreaming of...." will be an ongoing series as I begin the process of turning my house into my home.  First up, the front hall.

Here is my front hall as it looks today:

Certainly an improvement from where it started and you can see the "before" shot in an earlier post Mini-makeover - Front Hall.

This is what I'm hoping it'll look/feel like though:

Suzanne Dimma's gorgeous front hall - via House & Home

Front hall of one of my fave bloggers - via  Door Sixteen

Pops of yellow and a great shelf for keys - via Better Homes & Gardens

The home of Janette Maclean - via Design Mom

Wonderful red door and classic penny tile - via House & Home

Although these spaces look different and have varying design styles, they do have several common themes.  All of these front halls are bright and welcoming and certainly suggest to guests what they may expect to see in the rest of the house.  Each space has personality and includes repeating patterns/colours which is important in even a small space.

I'm hoping to accomplish something similar with a few additions like:

New tile - I'd love something white, bright and vintage

Octagon & Dot with grey grout

Basket weave

Penny round

Coat rack - without a hall closet, my jackets are currently stashed in one of the three (yes, three!) closets in my bedroom which is not very convenient

Coat Rack Bench - Restoration Hardware

Grid Coat Rack - Crate & Barrel

Metal Tipped Coat Rack - West Elm

Shoe rack - it's nice to be able to have several options at the front door

Kellan Shoe Rack - Pottery Barn

Shelf - something small for my keys and a few accessories

Rustic Wood Shelf - Pottery Barn

Holman Shelf - Pottery Barn

Reclaimed Wood Wall Shelf - Restoration Hardware

Seating/bench - I've always wanted a rustic bench at the front door and finally have space for one

Addison Storage Bench - Crate & Barrel

Offset Bench - West Elm

Storage - a bit of a catch-all for toques, mitts, scarves, shoe polish, bags, etc.

Barika Totes - Crate & Barrel

Metal Mesh Bin - Restoration Hardware

Woven Felt Baskets - West Elm

Repeating pattern/colour - I don't have a large house, so I'm planning on working a similar shade of blue into each room in my house.  The rug I recently added is a perfect start and adding a small tray, vase or piece of artwork in the same colour will tie it all together.

Fold Key Hook - CB2

Lacquer Stash Box - Jonathan Adler

Mille_Fleurs by Brea Souders - 20x200

Weekend Happenings

Here's what I was up to this weekend...

Shopping at the Calgary Art Market

Day tripping to Banff

Putting up Christmas decorations

One of a Kind Show

I am so excited to have a business trip next week to Toronto and even more excited that it coincides with the One of a Kind Christmas Show & Sale.  The show happens twice a year (the Spring show falls around Easter) and I tried to go at least once a year when I was living in TO.

The show isn't your typical 'craft show'.  First, it is absolutely massive and takes hours to get through the whole show.  Second, every type of craft is available at all price points and the curators for the show ensure there is a mix of artisans to meet everyone's taste.

Here are the booths I'll be stalking:

Artwork by Kelly Grace

I love Grapefruit Peppermint, Spiced Pumpkin and Cranberry Vanilla

Old Island Stamp Co.

Children's toys by Fidoodle

Amazing printed textiles by Bookhou

And that is just a VERY small sample as each time I visit the show I always find a new and original artist. I also tend to finish most of my x-mas shopping and am planning to bring a large suitcase with me   on this trip to bring back lots of goodies.