Last Friday we had record high temperatures and a clear blue sky in Montreal so I decided to leave the car and go for a walk around the neighborhood. Not only did I get a healthy dose of vitamin D, but I discovered a fabulous Indian store that sells everything from sarees, fabrics, jewelry, bedding...The problem is...it's all so beautiful! The prints, applications and embroideries are so colorful, delicate and intricate, you really want to do something with everything you see. The place is definitely a feast for the eyes and boosts your imagination...

This will make the perfect outdoor and picnic tablecloth.
If only Spring would get here already...

The ribbons!!! Oh my goodness!!
They are spectacular and delicious. They go up to $45 a yard,
so I'll need to carefully plan what I really want to do with them...

 

LOVE this pattern and palette.
Can't wait to throw it somewhere....anywhere.

Kid sized bangles for my little princess! Irresistible!

If you're in Montreal, don't miss out on the biggest Indian fabric store in Quebec, Uma Sarees in Cote des Neiges.

SPRING!

It's not exactly Spring outside yet, although we did have to "spring the clock forward" today. Here's a pretty little thing I found yesterday at Ikea to make it spring anywhere inside your home:

IKEA Lantliv Plant Stand

The Lantliv Plant Stand has great proportions and two shelves ready to multitask:

• Fill it with orchids and put it under a window;  
• Mix plants and books and place it next to a sofa; 
• Put it against a small wall under a big scale mirror or picture to hold and display small treasures...
• Keep your parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme handy in the kitchen;
• Stock a mini bar and put it anywhere!

RED, WHITE & PINK!

Valentine's Day is here! If you didn't make a reservation a month ago, forget about finding a place to eat now...You're gonna have to go with Plan B: eating in. That's a great opportunity to have fun decorating. And remember, it's all in the details. 

Start with a beautiful breakfast. You're probably no barista or short order cook, and you have no time in the morning for fussy breakfasts, but you can certainly pull this one out: all you need is a heart shaped cookie stencil, coffee, cinnamon, egg, bread. That's it! Just lovely.

Coffee Heart by Adriana Wasyk via Redbubble

On to lunch. How about this beautiful, Andalusian inspired place setting from Hermès? How can one not fall in love with those "hearts"? They're bold, vibrant, fun and there are plenty of mix and match options to choose from.

Balcon du Guadalquivir collection by  Hermès .

And finally, a big surprise. Dinner set on a wonderful table all dressed up in shocking pink! Very exotic, very romantic.

Photo via Digital Dollhouse

May I suggest these cute kabobs as part of the menu? Happy Valentine's Day!

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

How did you do with your New Year Home Resolutions last year? Well, it's time to make your wish list list again and get started on all those big and small home projects that will make your home your happy place.

I was recently at Fishman's, a legendary fabric store in Chicago, helping a friend find upholstery materials for literally everything in his newly renovated apartment in the Gold Coast. I felt like a kid at a candy store! So much to choose from...

All kinds of buttons, perfectly arranged by color. Paradise!
Decorate pillows, blankets, make kids' rooms decorations, crafts...

Now this was simply torture! Row after row of gorgeous fabrics to choose from. The ideas kept spinning in my head! Color combinations, texture combinations, pattern combinations. I won't disclose the absurd amount of samples we checked out of the store to try on live back at the apartment. You have to try out a nice big sample on the piece it will cover. And like paint samples, you have to let it sit through the day and watch how it works with different lighting and with other fabrics and paint around it.

You can totally tell which ones I grabbed...

They even carry cowhides, which I absolutely love, but my friend is not a cowhide type of client. Oh well. But maybe one of you will fall in love with these too, and find a bold and creative spot for it in your home.   HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Love them all...

Camping in Style I

It's been so long! I've disappeared for some time and haven't written in a while, but let's just say my family and I have had a very, very busy summer...

One of the things we did was go camping for the very first time! I am very much not a camping person, but I figured I would let my kids have fun trying out something different, plus, we were going with close friends who promised to be camping experts.

Broadstone Camping Combo
Canadian Tire

So first things first, right? Being preoccupied with interiors and accommodations, after the date was set I went out to hunt for the perfect tent to "house" my family. It turns out there's a lot of stuff out there...and I ended up picking up one of those I Don't Have Any Camping Gear kits. I fell in love with it!

Our tent during set up.
Roof  and "welcome mat" not on yet.

What did I love about this tent? Well first, that it was big enough for 6 people. We were actually only 4 inside (2 kids, 2 adults), but the extra space to move around and store our things was very convenient. Second, the height. I couldn't bear the thought of not being able to stand up straight inside a tent. Third, it was really well ventilated with enough windows on the side and the front to keep the air moving, but with zippered rain-guards in case it rained or it got too cold. With great little extras such as "shelves" on the corner, the back and the ceiling, this tent model worked out great for us.

Their side.
Pirate sleeping bag by Bazoongi.

Now on to beds and bedding to address the rocky camping floor...My kids are very particular when it comes to mattresses. And yes, they get that from me. I've always thought The Princess and the Pea was based on one of my past  lives...I got them the cutest inflatable bed sets I could find. The outside blue part is actually a frame, and the polka dot interior is a separate mattress complete with cotton bedding and a mini pillow. The sleeping bags were just used for cover. Let's just say they slept much better than my husband and I who slept in overpriced Coleman sleeping pads under the sleeping bags....My thick Pilates mat would've worked much better for a fraction of the price....

Our side.
Pink girl's sleeping bag by Coleman.

Camping really was a wonderful experience.  We'll definitely do it again. Now I'll have to go hunt for "advanced gear" that is both practical & pretty...Come back for Part II, I already have my eye on some cooking and eating gadgets...

THE WEST PENTHOUSE

The most expensive penthouse in Canada has just been sold in Toronto for a historic $28 million dollars. It will sit in the Four Seasons Private Residences. Here are some "photos" or more accurately, computer renderings. The building is actually still under construction. Note how it's all beige. That's right, when you're trying to sell a place, whether it's your upper duplex or a multi million dollar home, you stage it neutral...


The foyer, more like a lobby...

This needs to be re-done...

Spectacular view in what seems to be the light flooded master suite. Love the sitting area and the mini terrace.

What's with the spaceship lamp and the ugly paintings?

Wine cellar. Yep, Veuve Clicquot to seal the deal!

The price tag is old news in places like New York, where apartments have been sold for $20 to $40 million overlooking Central Park, but still, it doesn't happen every day, and it's a first in Canada. For a virtual tour of the residence, click here (then Film Gallery, then West Residence.)

PLAYHOUSES

Real estate is a tough market. What I didn't realize is that buying a children's playhouse could be just as hard...and pricey!

For a shocking four figure price tag, your little ones can move into this McMansion featuring columns, a mezzanine and working windows. There's room for the whole kindergarten classroom to sleepover...The details are really beautiful and it's built just like a real house. I wonder what the property taxes are for this thing...

Grand Portico Mansion
Little Cottage Co.

If your kids don't need as much space as the McMansion above has, maybe they'll be interested in this in this pretty little cottage. I find it absolutely charming, I can't get over the porch! Who knows, maybe they'll let you borrow it for a romantic weekend getaway. 

Backyard Cottage
Home Place Structures

Ok, so the Amish have clearly won the playhouse game. Now let's take a look at the plastic playhouses machines can make. That didn't sound nice at all....but the truth is, these will actually fit in your backyard, patio or even balcony, won't cost you an arm and a leg, and your children will enjoy them just as much.

Here's one of my favorites from the lower property tax options. It is big enough to house your kids and a few friends and has a cute bay window and skylight, how adorable is that?! I also like that it has a good color combination. I can't stand crazy-multicolored children's furnishings...this one will blend in nicely in a backyard.

Step2 Naturally Playful
Welcome Home Playhouse

If you have a Hobbit, (I have 2...) you'll probably love this little beauty. It looks like Bilbo's house! For those of you who are normal people, not into geeky stuff, I'm just talking about a beloved Lord of the Rings character who lives in similarly shaped house...This is a good option for very young ones, or for a very limited space. Again, the colors are not loud and will look nice anywhere...

Step2 Nature Station

There's plenty of other beautiful options out there. Just remember to consider your child's height when shopping for a playhouse. You may also want to set up a wooden floor or platform when installing  a playhouse that doesn't include one. Time to play outside!!! Enjoy the sun!!!


Check out some children's picnic tables too.

LIVING OUTDOORS

If you have a terrace, a backyard or even just a balcony you're probably excited that the weather is finally warm. For those of us in Montreal, that is a very big deal...Here are some finds to make the outdoor living areas in your home really nice:

Illuminated planters. What a wonderful idea. I love the proportions and of course, the multi-tasking quality: they will house a plant beautifully and they will add ambiance in the evening. Spectacular!

Bordato Illuminated Planter, DWR.

Outdoor furniture is typically made of wood, wicker or silver colored metal with either white or bright cushions. Although they can be painted and upholstered in different colors, you seldom find golden patio furniture. Here's a black and gold skinny little model that will instantly glam up any terrace. An unexpected and sophisticated combination.

Walter Lamb Lounge chair, DWR.

Who doesn't love a hammock? And who wouldn't want to relax in a comfortable and pretty version such as this one? It's freestanding so you can move it around anywhere, in the shade, or out in the sun. Perfect!

Headdemock in Sand by fatboy

If only we could get the rain to stop!!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

There is no greater job in the world than being a mother. Nothing compares to the joy of raising happy, healthy children. Here's to all the wonderful mothers I've met. Happy Mother's Day!

Fuchsia Hydrangeas from the Westmount Conservatory

MAGIC BRICK WALL

An exposed brick wall is something magical. They are reminiscent of the past and make a perfect feature wall. They will effortlessly showcase almost anything thrown to them...they will hold the part in modern, country, industrial, traditional...any kind of decor. I just came across this photograph published a while ago in Country Living magazine. I LOVE the effect achieved in this room. Let's break it down to see why it works so well:

Photo: Country Living

• The bed was placed right against the arch which probably was an entry at some point. It frames the bed perfectly. The arch adds a curve to the horizontal pattern of the brick layout, adding instant femininity to the wall.
• The beautiful iron bed and bench have a distressed ivory finish that echo perfectly the brick mortar and the vintage feel of the brick wall.
• Pristine linens and a classic chandelier are a must in any shabby chic room.
• The sage green color of the night tables is repeated in the decorative pillow fabric. Just the right amount of color in a value that won't distract or compete against anything else in the room.
• The brown background of the decorative pillow and the apricot colored throw seem to have come right out of the wall. 

Pure magic.

HAPPY EASTER!

You've probably painted a few Easter eggs over the weekend, or helped your children have fun making their own masterpieces. Here's a selection from the Forbes collection of Fabergé Imperial Eggs that were auctioned by Sotheby's in 2004. 

Presented by Tsar Alexander III to Tsarina Maria Feodorovna on Easter 1885, this is the first Easter egg crafted by the House of Fabergé:

Below, the more ornate versions of the Fabergé Easter Eggs that we know and crave: 

Cukoo Egg, Fabergé, 1900.

Orange Tree Egg, Fabergé, 1911.

Each one of these little beauties is worth millions of dollars. Where would you put them?

EXOTIC GREEN

Last Friday was Earth Day. I recently toured a gorgeous furniture store called Artemano that is surely making Earth a bit more happy and can make your place very Eco-Chic. I fell in love with the exotic pieces, the impeccable finishes and craftsmanship, and the company's eco-conscious profile. The furniture lines are made in India from certified sustainable wood suppliers and also from one of a kind antique and recycled woods.

A sculpture made by Mother Nature. 

The console above is absolutely spectacular in person. The very sweet and knowledgeable store manager at the Plateau Mont Royal location, Catherine L'Abbé,  provided the picture for me to share with you. This piece is fit for a commercial or business space, as well as for a grand room or hall in a home. The beauty of the wood needs no ornament at all. 

Metal Table Lamp with blue inserts, also available with white inserts. Pendant Lamp.

Artemano also carries a lighting selection that will transform any room and transport you to an exotic and dream destination...The Table Lamp above, left, was love at first sight. One of my favorite pieces in the showroom. It shines through the delicately perforated metalwork and adds a hint of blue light to the space through its "gems". I love that it looks like a treasure and I love that it doesn't look like a lamp. To the right, a fabulous statement Pendant Lamp of huge proportions, also decorated with tiny, delicate perforations that allow the light to shine through with no sight of light bulbs or hardware. Don't call it a light fixture, this is a true light sculpture!

Ironwood Coffee Table

More unique natural wood pieces! A big coffee table for a demanding living room or an outdoors living space. The chair behind is also sculpted from a piece of wood leaving some edges untouched. A table as beautiful as this can be paired with very modern low chairs for an eclectic-chic style.

Recycled Wood Table and Goa Leather Chairs

Dinner table choices can be pretty boring. Not this one. Here's a unique table crafted of recycled wood panels with plenty of texture, color and character. Dress it up for chic city living with modern chairs, or dress it fun with mis-matched seating, or a combination of chairs and benches for a vacation home or outdoor space.

 

Finally I leave you with a taste of some of Artemano's other lines: Pretty ironwork + simple beautiful wood, a winning combination; Elegant & Contemporary chairs that go well with anything; Blue Wash furniture to add color anywhere; and colonial style Shutter inspired furniture  that will make any room feel like you're still on vacation somewhere exotic! 

R.I.P. AUGUSTO MARIN

Augusto Marín has been one of my favorite artists since I can remember. His work moves me  and speaks to me deeply bringing back many childhood memories. He passed away today, and as an homage, I invite you to discover this powerful artist who was beloved by a whole country and admired around the world. He was considered one of the greatest Puerto Rican artists of the 20th century.

Photo: Fundación de las Artes Augusto Marín
"El Nido" (The Nest) by Augusto Marín, (1961)

I cannot imagine a home without art, a life without art. Every child has made a drawing for the fridge, every teenager has put up at least one poster up in their room. Later in life, with some luck, we're finally able to purchase one of our favorite artist's work of art. 

"Coloquio Alado" by Augusto Marín (2004)
as it sits in my living room.

For more information on his life, work and Foundation, visit www.augustomarin.com

Photo: Marín Creative Group

Augusto Marín

1921-2011

Descanse en Paz, Maestro.

ANIMAL INSTINCT

Animal prints are in and out every couple of years in the fashion world. You might not be caught out in daylight clad in leopard print during the wrong season, but that doesn't mean you don't still secretly love it...Now, inside your home you can do whatever you want! Animal prints and hides are popular and widely available. You can really mix them up nicely with almost any kind of decor. 

Remember the Sophie Chair  from New Year's Home Resolutions 2011? Here's the mini version for your little ones! So cute!

Oly Studio Petite Sophie chair
available through Layla Grace.

I can't get over this gorgeous wing chair. The fabric has a snakeskin print that is very soft and subdued and will not compete with anything around it. It's hard to find an animal print that is not loud....this one is simple and sophisticated.

Snakeskin print Boa fabric from the Ethnic Collection
by Creations Metaphores

A bold zebra pattern can be a great addition in a modern setting; a fun touch in a minimalistic setting; or it could even complete a child's safari theme room. 

Edelman Leather Zebra Hide

If you get a hide, don't just think of putting it on the floor. They make great area rugs, but you can mount it up on a wall too for a very dramatic effect.

Palmer House, Chicago, Illinois.
Jonathan Adler embroidered pillows

Here's a classic lounge chair that hasn't been out of style since Le Corbusier designed it in 1928. It was given a cowhide makeover that makes it look fantastic!

LC4 Chaise Longue designed by
Le Corbusier, Jeanneret & Pierrand;
produced by Cassina.

Too much for you? Try a pillow cover in animal print. You don't need to have an exotic or colonial theme decoration. Just follow your animal instinct!