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Teal: Kickin’ It Old School

Wednesday, September 21, 2011 by Chris

7 Comments

Further to yesterday's post about megatrends, I opened the October 2011 Elle Décor and was hit in the face by page after page featuring "hot colour" contender, teal. On the cover (above, photo by Simon Upton) is a striking lamp and vase in shades of teal and in the first spray of ad pages comes shot after shot featuring this favourite 1980s jewel tone.

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Sunny New Look

Sunday, August 21, 2011 by Chris

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Do you believe in decorating portents? Apparently I do. Back in July I ordered a range of fabric samples from mid-century specialist, Winterbeachmodern.com. When my first choice was sold out from under me, I went back to the well for more options and while I was mulling things over I happened upon a country antiques barn where I unearthed a dusty pair of lemon yellow ceramic lamps for the unbelievable price of $5 for the pair. I let the lamps seal the deal on which fabric to choose for the daybed; I went with Maharam/Kvadrat's Messenger pattern in Canary yellow ($103 for 10.25 yards).

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Making it Work

Wednesday, July 6, 2011 by Chris

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When I saw this embroidered kilim on Craigslist I thought it might be a great option for upholstering my new daybed. At the seller's house I was disappointed to discover that the suzani was quite a bit darker than it looked in the CL ad. But I was taken with it -- something about the earthy palette, colourful, if subdued -- so I brought it home with me. I immediately discovered that the piece sucks the light out of the room, yet still I am smitten. So, determined to make it work, I pulled out a large, Vietnamese silk painting that's been languishing in a closet and got down to work using Photoshop to test a few new wall colour options . . .

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A Month in Provence

Sunday, June 19, 2011 by Chris

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Yesterday I was invited for tea by a couple I've gotten to know through the blog. Among other things, they wanted me to see their front garden, which, for one glorious month each year, transforms their yard into a glimpse of Provence. The tall, deep purple flower spikes aren't lavendar but Woodland Sage (Salvia X Sylvestris); the flowers have little or no scent but they are definitely a feast for the eyes. What a pleasure, not just for the homeowners but for all of their lucky neighbours.

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Blue Silk Fortuny and Follow-Up

Tuesday, March 22, 2011 by Chris

5 Comments

Further to comments on the previous post about colourful Fortuny pendant options . . . Also in response to the comments, I feel a duty to show you the one other area where some of Jill and Jack's money went -- to their entryway, for which the designer created a four-colour paint stripe (blue, cream, silver and gold) that wraps up and around a curved ceiling and staircase leading to the second floor of the home. It would have been an expensive application and the painter's fee also came out of the budget, along with oversight charges, no doubt. Ultimately, I get the sense that some of the criticism stems from class-motivated indignation. This is a $1 million-plus home in a desirable pocket of the city and people who live in such places spend commensurate amounts on their decor, they hire the best help and shop in the best stores. It might seem wasteful to some, but this is not the kind of home where you're going to see second-hand anything unless it's a prized antique. I wish I was as fortunate.

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