Saturday 30 April 2011

Discover Artemano...

If you've been following my blog so far, you must have noticed a recurring theme. I often stress the importance of injecting character and personality into your home by adding elements that are a departure from the rest of your decor such as lanterns, barn doors, bold patterns, textural fabrics etc.. Another way of incorporating warmth into your space is by introducing a few unique pieces of distressed furniture that look like they've been handmade by an artisan. True antiques usually come at exorbitant prices and I've been on the hunt for a store that provides beautiful handcrafted furniture that is accessible to people with a more frugal budget. Enter Artemano, a one of a kind boutique filled with unique ancestral furniture that is sure to bring warmth, interest and character into your space. I appreciate their wide array of products and price points.

As a whole, the store feels exotic/zen which is personally not my style however; selecting one or two pieces from Artemano and integrating them into a neutral/linear room that lacks character definitely makes for a winning formula... Try it!

Here are a few of my favorite pieces:













Indulge in Artemano's beautiful collections by checking out their website: www.artemano.ca   


Thursday 28 April 2011

Celebrity Homes: Jennifer Lopez ...

 

I've always been a fan of Jennifer Lopez. I think that she is one of very few celebrities who remain relatable despite their A-list status. One of my favorite things about Jennifer has to be her impeccable sense of style. I can't remember seeing one performance, award show or TV appearance where she looked anything short of spectacular. Recently, her 18 000 sq. foot Californian estate was featured in Veranda magazine and I was glad to find out that Jennifer not only has an eye for fashion but also for interior design. She worked alongside interior designer Michelle Workman to create a romantic French-inspired abode for her and her family to live in. The color palette is heavily based on tones of gray. Slight variations of this color were carried throughout various rooms of the house, some having a little more taupe, others a little more blue. While most of the rooms have a feminine feel, the living room has a penchant for the masculine. In order to make the gray-toned rooms feel more welcoming, rich fabrics such as silk, velvet and leather were used.  Michelle Workman also used chandeliers, which emit soft indirect light as well as brass and bronze accessories to help give the house a more inviting feel. I absolutely love her house and can't help myself from saying (please forgive the cheesy pun) Jenny has come a long way from the block!


Check out her place:























Photo/Credit: Laura Resen/Veranda Magazine  Interior design by: Michelle Workman

Wednesday 27 April 2011

The Writing is on the Wall...

Chalkboards can be found everywhere in design these days but who knew they could be so chic? 

They are inexpensive, functional and make for an easy DIY project! Chalkboard paint can be purchased just about anywhere and is erasable, magnetic, washable AND durable enough to stand up to lots of little hands! They are fabulous in children's rooms, kitchens and mudrooms. As I was scouring the internet for creative ways to integrate a blackboard in my own home, I stumbled upon many inspiring images that I absolutely had to share on my blog. 

Enjoy!



















Like this picture? Check out more by clicking HERE!









Monday 25 April 2011

Set Decor, Part Deux...

Now that I've shared my first love with you, I must share my second... It's been almost 5 years since I first saw "The Holiday" and I still can't get Cameron Diaz's character's home out of my mind! In the film, Cameron wants to get away from her hectic lifestyle in L.A. and impulsively decides to swap houses with a woman who lives in a minuscule English country-style home. Why Cameron's character ever considered leaving her picture perfect house for a  miserable country cottage still puzzles me  but I guess meeting Jude Law was a pretty good consolation prize... Check out these awesome set shots and notice the use of pendant lanterns which I highlighted in yesterday's post!  


Production designer: Jon Hutman Set Decoration: Nancy Meyers 













Sunday 24 April 2011

For the love of lanterns...

Long before electricity came about, ancient civilizations relied on lanterns as means of lighting.  Although they were purely utilitarian at the time, these glowing beacons have now become decorative staples in our homes. They are traditionally elegant, provide soft indirect lighting and make for interesting focal points. 


On a budget? Go to the lighting section at Home Depot - they have tons of choice. Want to splurge? Try Pottery Barn's Spencer lantern. For something more unique, go to an antique shop or flea market and have an old lantern rewired. From kitchens to entryways to patios to bathrooms, lanterns are a great addition to absolutely any space! 


Tommy Smythe