{ weekend links } October 1st Edition

Hello all – I’m popping back in briefly with my weekend links. They are just too good not to post.

House Tours

Rachel Zoe’s new house { Casa Sugar }

Modern in Aspen { Freshome }

Townhouse in Notting Hill { Remodelista }

Berlin penthouse { Freshome}

Gus Wüstemann’s Barcelona apartment { Remodelista }

DIY & Projects

The animal coat rack { Craft Zine }

Marimekko yoga bag { Always Mod }

Improve thrift store art { Design Blahg }

Fence turned headboard { Camille Styles }

Make your own cornice { Domestic Adventure }

Fashion & Beauty

The Snitch watch necklace { Wicked Clothes }

Lanvin-like cuffs { Because I’m Addicted }

Kelly Weartsler scarf DIY { Dismount Creative }

DIY ethnic print bag { A Pair and A Spare }

Street style: leather jackets { Whipped Style }

Hotels & Travel

Pretty Parisian hotels { Bryn Alexandra }

Crimson Lounge, Chicago { The Luxury Spot }

Paris report { Say Yes to Hoboken }

The Wosley in London { Remodelista }

Cup of Jo’s guide to New York { Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 }

Entertaining & Parties

Mimosa popsicles { Because I’m Addicted }

Flowers for your next party { The Awl }

Dinner party 101 { Real Simple }

Chalkboard labels for glasses { A Beautiful Mess }

Easy glow stick lanterns { Lil Blue Boo }

Miscellany

Ixxi wall art { BLTD }

A great idea for your thrift store donation pile { Stacks and Stacks }

Side table makeover { Kara Parslay Designs }

Fabulous decorating books { Belle Maison }

Food Links

A sampling of the yummy things from across the web that caught my eye this week:

The Savory

Breakfast pizza { Garlic Girl }

Grilled cheese 9 ways { A Beautiful Mess }

Asian pickled cabbage { The Kitchn }

Jalapeno popper dip { Closet Cooking }

Vegetarian steamed buns { The Kitchn }

The Sweet – Pumpkin Edition

Pumpkin s’mores cake { Dessert for Breakfast }

Pumpkin spice latte cupcakes { Annie’s Eats }

Pumpkn bread pudding { Cupcakes and Cashmere }

Pumpkin spice GF whoopie pies { Brunch at Saks }

Pumpkin chocolate chip muffin { LA Woman }

Thanks for the concern everyone – I’m working on pulling it together. Happy October!

If you are looking to give your space a dose of style- whether you are splashing out or on a budget – drop me a line. Check out my Hire Me! page for more details.

How To: Define Your Style

We suffer from information overload these days. Turn on any HGTV program or read any design magazine. There are so many fantastic spaces out there, not to mention an endless amount of advice available at any hour of the day. We are bombarded by opinions everywhere from the experts on TV right on down to your family, friends and neighbours. The problem is that none of the answers are going to be the same. You cannot have style that pleases absolutely everyone. It is never going to work. Chasing after trend after trend or embarking on impulse shopping sprees will lead to a chaotic looking home that will never feel “right”. Sooner or later you will have to figure out what your personal style is if you want a gorgeous, true-to-you home.

This is absolutely a daunting task. It’s no wonder so many people feel lost. How do you pick just one syle from so many? What do you if you like french country one week and mid-century
modern the next? Well, luckily your own true style is often a blend: modern country or funky-asian-traditional. When you find the right thing, everything becomes easier. Shopping will become a breeze. Eliminating the items that don’t fit in your home will be a snap. This isn’t a process that removes your options – It’s about the process of defining what is truly you.

maybe you are modern country?

Image by AT

So where do we begin? Here are a few different ways that you can use to narrow down your personal style:

Method #1: The Photo Collection

1 – Collect
Go through your old magazines and clip out some rooms that really speak to you. If you prefer digital, create a desktop folder and put in some photos that you have collected online. Don’t think too much about the “why” at the moment, just clip and file. Don’t pick rooms you think you should like either. Make sure you are picking what you are really-and-truly inspired by.

2 – Focus
Now we are working with the creme de la creme! Narrow down your selections to anywhere from 10-15 images that you really love.

3 – Analyze
Take a good long look at your remaining photos. Grab a notepad and write down the
similarities. Think of things like:
- colour schemes
- artwork
- style of furniture
- flooring or tile colours
- etc.

By now, there should definitely be some common elements showing themselves. You don’t need to list everything, but even just noting a few key elements will be a fantastic start to defining your personal style. For example, I tend to gravitate to black, white and grey
spaces (not beige). I like high-contrast graphic spaces and modern art. My personal style could be called asian modern with perhaps a touch of glamour (lots of shiny objects and laquer). So the large pieces in my home tend to fit along those lines. If you are stuck, ask for help from a friend.

or asian traditional?

Image by Niken

Method #2: The Wardrobe
Another way to find your style is to try boiling it down by looking in your closet. I find that most people have a pretty defined closet even if their homes are suffering from an identity crisis. So here are two things to look for:

1 – What colours are in your closet?
Caveat: this one can be as misleading as it is helpful. I know a lot of people with an all-black
wardrobe, so if the same applies you, skip this step. For the rest of us though, there will be
some similarities between wardrobe and home. Not surprisingly, my wardrobe is mostly black,
white and grey also.

2 – What else does your wardrobe say about you?
What is your style? Are you preppy, hipster or trendsetting? Or maybe you have an endless supply of safe neutral basics with a few flashy accessories? It is likely that applying similar principals and style to your abode will yield happy results. For example, preppy becomes nautical and hipster becomes diy-chic etc.

Whatever method you use, finding a personal style is a great first step to having a fantastic home.

How To: Design on the Cheap

look at all the treasures waiting for you!

There is no question that I am a serious bargain hunter. Style – on the cheap – that’s my bag. However, since I have yet to win the lotto, I have to stick within my budget.  I obsess over expensive items in magazines but when it comes down to it, more often than not, I will find a way to get the look for less.

Here are my favorite tips for creating a fab home, done dirt cheap:

~ 1 – Thrift Stores ~

Ok, mabye skip the used thermoses

Image by back_garage

Oh yes, they are your friend. I know there are many non-believers out there but I just have to convince you to change your mind. I have scored all kinds of rad things from the thrift store: ornate framed mirrors, a glass table lamp, all kinds of decorative objects and, most recently, a lovely tufted bench to sit at the foot of my bed.

Some of these things took a little elbow grease to get their current looks: the mirror was spray painted black and I am currently attempting to reupholster the bench. But the pay off is huge. There is no way I could find most of these things brand-new for the price I paid, even when I factor in a little leg work. Plus, you will have a great bragging rights (“you got that for how much??”). Even if you aren’t into re-purposing older objects, I have found incredible bargains on basically new things, like some candle holders from Pier One (brand new with tags) and some sturdy highball glasses.

~ 2 – Hand me downs ~

Have a look around at your parents or friends places. Maybe they are down-sizing or moving or are just about to get rid of a bunch of stuff. Now is where you and your eagle eye for design come in. My parents own an awesome seventies-style entertainment unit that I have had my eye on for years. As of yet, it still remains in their house but I would love to have it sit in my studio. As well as being chic, it is always fantastic to have a piece that you feel nostalgic about. (Just a few though! No time warps allowed.) I also have a highboy dresser that I inherited. It held my baby clothes when I was little, then my mothers sewing supplies while I was growing up. Then I got inherited it, painted it dark glossy brown and it is now perfect for storing lingerie, swimwear and accessories.

~ 3 – Dumpster Dive ~

you don't have to get in

Image by Daily Invention

Ok, you don’t actually have to get into a dumpster. (Personally, that is where my line is drawn). But I am constantly keeping an eye on back alley treasures, much to my husband’s chagrin. I have seen everything from dressers to kitchenware to an actual Starbucks patio chair – and that is in my back alley alone! There are all kinds of things left outside by kindly neighbours just waiting for a new home or a little elbow grease. On that note, I would be leary of picking up any sofas or other soft furnishings without a thorough inspection for bed bugs. Or you can check with this website for back-alley locations to avoid. Eeep!

~ 4 – Discount Stores ~

These are almost as good to me as the thrift store. I have found Ralph Lauren sheets, oversized buddha heads, candles, books, you name it. As is the case with thrift stores, these are difficult to places to walk in to with a to-buy list. You have to visit often, purchase sparingly and keep an open mind. And if you do find something you are on the fence about, then just buy it! If you wait it will inevitably be snapped out and these types of stores usually have a great return policy. (I have learned this lesson the hard way, my bargain beauties.)

~ 5 – Sale Racks ~

sale sale sale!

Image by Tim Parkinson

Even the best stores have sales, usually around January and July. Just like in fashion, the seasons change and the old stuff gets marked down. Even at higher end stores where they don’t have a huge stock turnover, the end of the season is the best time for purchasing things like floor models. If there is something out of your price range that you are in love with, keep checking back. Sooner or later, you will get lucky.

Of course, there are a myriad of ways you can get the look for less: flea markets, garage sales, Craigslist etc. These are just a few of my favorites. What are yours? What are your favorite discount scores? Tell me in the comments!

5 Ways to Create a Comfortable Home

Comfortable means different things to different people. For me, comfortable is clean and organized, calming and spacious. It is more a feeling that you get walking into a space than any one item in particular. Which is great news! It will absolutely work even for those on a a budget! You can achieve comfort without spending a dime.

Here is my 5 part system to creating a comfortable home:

Step 1: Clean!

Image from Pink Sherbert

This one is obvious to some, less obvious to others. I knew one gentleman who fancied himself a bit of of a ladies man. And maybe he could have been. Unfortunately the fantasy ended the second you entered his house. You couldn’t see the floor. Who even know what lurked beneath the depths? Now does that inspire throes of passion for you?  Definitely not for me. I hightailed it out of there. So there you have it. Clean isn’t an option it’s just hygiene. Now go scrub behind your toilet.

Step 2: Declutter!

This is a scary prospect for most people. But if you really let yourself go, if you are able to cut your ties with physical objects it will becoming freeing. You will find yourself doing it all the time (ok, maybe not but I know I do). I love the feeling of weeding out the duds in my wardrobe, of realizing some once beloved objet’s time has passed. Don’t feel guilty about any of this! Go to any thrift store and you will see the castoffs of everyone else. We don’t have to love all of our possessions forever. In fact you can think of it this way: getting rid of stuff is just making room for all the wonderful things out there you have yet to buy. Do you really need that lei Aunt Edna hauled back for you from Hawaii? No. Now make some room.

(Edit: please donate your things to a thrift store! The proceeds usually go to charity and it keeps things out of the landfill. There are exceptions to this: bin your old dirty sneakers, ripped up towels etc. but the good things can and should be reused.)

Step 3: Organize!

colour code your books!

Come on don’t stop there! It is really easy to organize yourself. Shoving everything in a junk drawer or a closet is definitely not organized. Start my placing like with like. Baking supplies together. Socks together. Etc. Then if you are feeling fancy you can take it one step further: take that pile of old Domino magazines and arrange them in a few artful piles. Take some attractive hardcover books slap them down and stick some flowers or candles on top. However, I am not a fan of keeping things around just for display. If you are never going to read your hardcover edition of Moby Dick then by all means, donate it.

Step 4: Smell!

mmmm scented candles

I am choosy-whoosy when it comes to scent. I prefer high-end perfumed candles or a Lamp Bergere. But you don’t have to be drop a lot of coin in order to find a great scent. You can buy a tiny votive from Pacifica very inexpensively (right now I am burning Tibetan Mountain Temple….mmmmmm). Or if incense floats your boat there are many delicious varieties out there. I will always be partial to Nag Champa but that is my rebellious youth speaking.

Step 5: Vignettes!

Wait- what are those? Relax guy – this is just a fancy name for an artful arrangement of stuff. You may have even skipped ahead in the decluttering phase to start this. Now what do you have that you love? And how can you display it? I have a collection of shells and odds and ends from the sea that I have arranged on a rustic wooden platter on my coffee table. (Keep in mind this collection definitely did not happen overnight.) I also have glass jars full of wine corks, a display of tall amber glassware, lots of white ceramic animals (mostly thrifted). None of these things cost very much money if at all, but by grouping them together they make an impact. Play around, don’t overcrowd and have fun (there is nothing worse than a coffee table that is so overloaded there is nowhere to put your coffee). If you are really feeling stuck try taking a photo. For some reason looking a a picture often helps you determine what is missing (different heights? groups of 3?).

Step 6: Relax!

Ok you’re done. Now unwind on your cat-fur free couch and breathe in the sweetly scented air. Enjoy the fruits of your labour!