http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog Real Canadians decorating Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:34:29 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/12/real-style-on-a-real-budget/ http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/12/real-style-on-a-real-budget/#comments Sun, 25 Dec 2011 18:30:25 +0000 Chris http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/?p=19273 Today's post is a Christmas present to myself, the big reveal after a one-month makeover of a home in Oakville, Ontario. My client, Nikola, is a 28-year-old bachelor with a three-bedroom, detached home in a newish development. The location screams suburbs but Nikola wanted a space that was "modern and trendy, incorporating 'unique' vintage pieces and original art," according to the brief I distilled from our initial meeting. The client's wishlist included a revamp of the living room, dining room and master bedroom, if possible, on a budget of $5,000, which would include my 30 per cent decorating fee.]]> http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/12/real-style-on-a-real-budget/feed/ 24 http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/10/begged-borrowed-and-staged/ http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/10/begged-borrowed-and-staged/#comments Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:02:41 +0000 Chris http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/?p=18540 When home stager Dennis Battler showed me photos of his most recent project, a small semi in Toronto's Riverside neighbourhood, I was instantly struck by how much personality he had injected into the spaces. His blend of vintage furnishings from different eras mixed with industrial and rustic pieces revealed a very definite point of view that runs counter to everything you see on TV staging shows where the mantra is always, "neutralize, depersonalize and de-clutter." The house had been neglected and fallen into disrepair but Dennis and the real estate agent rallied friends and neighbours who pitched in to strip and clean the property. Furniture was then borrowed or purchased for as little as possible on Craigslist — the set of dining chairs were sourced for just $50 — and thrift stores. Dennis blended the wall colour himself from paint store mis-tints.]]> http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/10/begged-borrowed-and-staged/feed/ 21 http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/10/sideways/ http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/10/sideways/#comments Sun, 09 Oct 2011 12:03:00 +0000 Chris http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/?p=18658 I never intended to keep the table but when I saw it on Craigslist for just $40 I was pretty sure I could strip it and flip it for a decent profit. The modern form — is it a Z or an N? — is crazy cool in an '80s sort of way. I also had the idea that it might make a good console if I flipped it on its side. And then, one afternoon while mooching through GUFF, I noticed some orphaned glass tops up for grabs, one of them a perfect fit for my table and priced at just $10. Score!]]> http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/10/sideways/feed/ 4 http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/07/whats-at-the-foot-of-your-bed/ http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/07/whats-at-the-foot-of-your-bed/#comments Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:17:28 +0000 Chris http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/?p=17813 One of the many things that impressed me on my tour of the Deck House earlier this month was the art wall assembled opposite the homeowner's bed. I've always paid special attention to this prime focal point, one that few visitors ever see but which we enjoy night after night, morning after morning. At the moment my Jules Cavailles still life is propped on the dresser at the foot of my bed along with some cherished family photos. What's at the foot of your bed?]]> http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/07/whats-at-the-foot-of-your-bed/feed/ 7 http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/07/inspired-by-a-master/ http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/07/inspired-by-a-master/#comments Fri, 08 Jul 2011 14:07:48 +0000 Chris http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/?p=17663 It goes without saying that I'm no Jean-Michel Frank. But I was so inspired by the French designer's eponymous monograph by Pierre-Emmanuel Martin-Vivier (Rizzoli) that I decided to give my humble IKEA Fornbro tables the Frank treatment with custom upholstered tops. Of course, my tops are swathed in man-made vinyl rather than Frank's preferred parchment or shagreen, but nevertheless, the treatment has given them a real lift. The tables feel quite luxe despite the bargain nature of the surface material. The vinyl wipes clean in a jiffy and I'll never again have to worry about nicking the surface with a glass.]]> http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/07/inspired-by-a-master/feed/ 6 http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/07/decorating-blame-it-on-venus/ http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/07/decorating-blame-it-on-venus/#comments Thu, 07 Jul 2011 09:48:02 +0000 Chris http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/?p=17639 I had to laugh this morning when I checked my online horoscope and found the following description for the period July 1 - 18, 2011: "This is usually a peaceful time, when you will enjoy quiet hours at home, either alone or entertaining guests and feeling at ease. . . Redecorating is often undertaken under this influence. You want your home to be elegant or gay and light. Fortunately, you are usually quite sensitive and in tune with your inner feelings, so that your home decorating efforts should be satisfactory. Try to avoid the usual tendency to do things lavishly or expensively, and keep practical considerations in mind." As it happens, I enjoyed the July 1 long weekend so much that I decided to take this week off work. I've been enjoying quiet time at home completing projects and yes, redecorating.]]> http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/07/decorating-blame-it-on-venus/feed/ 5 http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/06/the-circle-of-stuff/ http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/06/the-circle-of-stuff/#comments Tue, 21 Jun 2011 23:37:40 +0000 Chris http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/?p=17410 The world wide web is nothing if not tangled and, of course, endlessly surprising. While researching The Arthur I followed a link to another local blog called The Marion House Book where I saw the photo above (by Kristin Sjaarda) featuring what could very well be the school map of Canada that used to hang in my former home office. What's really weird is that the entry hall in the top pic belongs to a couple named Hayley and Greg, both described on the blog as journalists. It also so happens that I was interviewed by a Globe and Mail reporter named Hayley Mick for a story she was writing about second-hand bargain hunting. Marion House author Emma confirms that her Hayley is indeed my Hayley.]]> http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/06/the-circle-of-stuff/feed/ 6 http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/03/serendipity-saves-the-lamps/ http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/03/serendipity-saves-the-lamps/#comments Thu, 24 Mar 2011 11:25:12 +0000 Chris http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/?p=16595 My lamp makeover question got so many comments and opinions I feel a duty to let you know how things turned out. I initially used two different kinds of paint, which blistered and cracked forcing me to strip and begin again. Also, the inside of the lamps was filthy and the only way to clean them was to completely disassemble them and hose them down. After taking them apart I put all the bits and pieces in a plastic bag so that nothing got separated or lost. This proved to be a stroke of luck because among the parts was a little brass ring that I forgot all about so it didn't get painted. In the end, I think the ring is what really makes them work. ]]> http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/03/serendipity-saves-the-lamps/feed/ 13 http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/01/ids-11-a-few-of-my-favorite-things/ http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/01/ids-11-a-few-of-my-favorite-things/#comments Sat, 29 Jan 2011 14:58:57 +0000 Chris http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/?p=15883 I can't stress enough how subjective this list is, just a hodge podge of things I really loved as I made my way through the Toronto Convention Centre Thursday night during the IDS 11 opening night party. My friend Ingrid and I were there to have fun, not necessarily to do a thorough reporting job and I admit I missed a few things; for instance, we started on the wrong side of the hall so that by the time we got to the Studio North and Prototype displays -- often some of the best work in the show -- we were knackered and so not paying as much attention as we should have been. I've also broken my images into a few categories such as best displays, and a few posts dedicated to especially good products along with a trend piece, all to come in the next day or two; this morning I'm in a bit of a hurry.]]> http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/01/ids-11-a-few-of-my-favorite-things/feed/ 8 http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/01/vivid-and-vibrant-in-2011/ http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/01/vivid-and-vibrant-in-2011/#comments Sun, 02 Jan 2011 16:11:33 +0000 Chris http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/?p=15716 My dear readers, I was so busy soaking in stillness yesterday that I neglected to go online and wish you all a fantastic and fruitful 2011! The year just past was the most difficult of my life so far and I hope never to see the likes of it again. Yet, as bad as 2010 was for me, I still have lots to be grateful for and high on my list is styleNorth, which you continue to make possible through your support and encouragement. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. So what's with the photo? I had in mind to do a round-up of shelter mag predictions for the decor trends of the coming year and essentially it all boiled down to pattern and colour. I snapped the shot on a pre-Christmas stop at Fiori, one of Toronto's best accessory and flower shops and it seemed to sum up the decorating forecast. So whether you choose Suzani or stripes, orange, turquoise or honeysuckle (Pantone's colour of 2011), I wish you a vibrant and vivid 2011 -- take risks with your decorating and reap the rewards!]]> http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/01/vivid-and-vibrant-in-2011/feed/ 9