Made in........ WHAT!!!!!!!!

Last week I was at Chapters/Indigo and they had put a fabulous collection of Portuguese cooking together, complete with Portuguese INSPIRED dinnerware.   I will say that I was so disappointed when the vignette I was looking at had the story going on, but when I flipped over the Dinnerware.... MADE IN CHINA!!!! what were they thinking!!!!

When I visited Portugal about 3 years ago for The Bay; at the time I was buying Stemware & Flatware for the company, Myself and the Dinnerware buyer visited many ceramic, glassware and hand painted factories, I am 100% confident that they would have LOVED to supply Chapters/indigo with MADE IN PORTUGAL dinnerware and serve ware to complete the look and the story that chapters was trying to create. 

Everyone is so busy these days, so taking the time to shop in a  retail environment when so many of us are now shopping on line, really means that the retailer really needs to step up their game and take the vision right down to all the elements needed to make the shoppers inspired to recreate the look & feel...

Although, I still love Chapters/Indigo but this vignette was a complete disappointment!!!
Now...., I may be a little biased, being Portuguese and all ;)    but I really think they could have done such a wonderful job with this....  maybe next time!

here are some pics anyway!  enjoy...

 

 

 

Spring has finally arrived!!!

After a LONG winter, I can not wait to start adding some life back into the house.  Fresh florals, pastels and bright pallets.....  

Check out some of the great images & items I have come across that will brighten various areas of YOUR HAVEN....



image courtesy of Chatelaine



Hints of colour... Love that!
 

Some great Spring items to help inspire a setting....

         
Divine Cream Tea by Sloane Tea Company

I love the tin containers on ALL their tea's...Not only is the Tea exquisite, the container is stunningly beautiful!  what a great accessory! 

The Divine Cream is designed with soft pastel pink and gold detail... its so pretty!.    This would scream spring in my kitchen, of course paired with a beautiful displayed tea set and a crystal vase holding pretty pink & cream peony's...

plus... this is a great Mothers Day gift idea....



Adding a Flowery Spring feel to your family room or front entrance....


Try this...

Bluebellgray cushions from Chapters (same cushions used in the above picture)

This is just a perfect inspiring piece for a sofa or entrance settee.  Pair these amazing cushions with a cotton throw in either fuchsia, green or blue.... so vibrant!  Mix in the cushion below from Dwell Studio to offset the floral design and mix in some great baskets.... just enough to inject some spring into your space!

Dwell Studio Labyrinth Citrine Pillow (available at Hudsons Bay





Hope your inspired to create YOUR HAVEN.  xoxo

Re-Designing Bloor & Islington

I am working on a Condo Lobby, Party Room and Common Room at Bloor & Islington.   This project is so exciting for me.  I am so thrilled to be doing the design.    This project will take several weeks to complete, here are the before pictures and as soon as the project is completed I will update this post with the after pictures!

 

Silverthorne tailored cabinets..... Furnished!

The Showroom is Now furnished... Hope you enjoy the completed décor!

 

Within this beautiful Traditional Kitchen I used pretty accents to make this room come alive. 

The topiary on either side of the stove give the focal point of this kitchen a

European Flair. The carvings on this masterpiece are hand carved & glazed. Stunning!

 

 

 

The family room has a beautiful mix of silk, metal and wood which gives the room

texture and unique design which works well in a room with detail and

hand carved enclaves.    A special Thank you to Zilli Interiors for the furniture.

 

Silverthorne Tailored Cabinets Showroom....

I am working on a showroom that I hope all of you in the GTA looking for custom cabinets will  come visit, SILVERTHORNE TAILORED CABINETS boosts a the 3600sqft furnished showroom.   This will also be home to YOUR HAVEN's Design office!
This spectacular showroom will be showcasing the most beautiful hand carved and hand glazed work of local artisans.

Here are a few pictures of the showroom today and I will post completed furnished pictures soon!

IDS 2013

I attended the interior design show this past weekend in Toronto.  It was fantastic and always so inspiring.   Here are some images of what I found at the show!  hope your insipred to use some of the items to create YOUR HAVEN and if  you need help, please contact me!

What an incredible tub from WET TUB out of Montreal!

Cocoon Interiors from Oakville had in  my opinion the most beautiful booth!  can't wait to hit the store and do some shopping!!  Love the pop of Fushia & Tangerine... LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!

Another highlight for me was listening to Christiane Lemieux from Dwell Studio  talk about how she started in the interior design industry (or rather how she stumbled into it!) she was so insperational and great to listen too, a true Canadian!  The Bay is now carrying some of her line so check it out!!!

 

 

 

 

Ikea's showroom was another WOW!

 

 

 

Love the shower door hardware! incredible in polished nickle by Tomlin Group

 

 

what a Tub!!!

 

 

 

Pack up the decorations ... now what does that room look like..

Christmas has come and gone and now its time to pack up the decorations and start re-decorating and rediscovering your new haven... well, at least that is what happens to me at this time of year....

The immediate rooms of contention for me are... The Dinning Room, Family Room and the Hall Way, all have until this Monday morning been decorated with reindeer's, frosted trees, garland and wreaths; all things I love but now need to change and refresh!

This is a great opportunity to add a new colour with decor pieces,  add new art work,  throw cushions and frames or a new rug...  - I think those are the items I will focus on.  Check back with me to see what changes were made to these spaces. 

BEFORE