A New Design Gem Opens in Leslieville

It’s not everyday that a new design boutique opens within steps of my front door and so I can’t help but get very excited, especially for something that is so fabulous that it reminds me of New York a little bit- which is really something to shout about don’t you think?   And what am I so giddy about?  The opening of Black Rooster Decor‘s first bricks and mortar store on Queen Street East, a few blocks east of Carlaw.  Until recently, most would agree that this side of Queen Street lacked luster until an influx of condos and a reno-boom improved everything.  Now, we Leslievillers get to enjoy the fruits of all the change: great stores are coming too.  Hallelujah.

Black Rooster Decor already has a very successful online business so the new store is a natural move.  Their strength is providing great design to clients who are looking for a well curated collection of items ranging from mid-century modern to European antiques.  While most of their business is currently across the border, they are dedicated to like-minded Canadian suppliers and designers.  They also have a personal shopping service which is fabulous for those who need a little inspiration.  See below for my interview with owner Nina Ber-Donkor.

How would you describe the over-all style of the store? A mix of what we sell online with some local items thrown-in to make it special for our Toronto clients.

What makes you unique? We’re really lucky to have some local designers and clients in Toronto that have supported us, so we’re coming in with a perspective of what they like and want to see in-store.

Why Leslieville? It’s our favourite hood and close to home. 

What new products are you most excited about? Discovering new artisans that are making affordable and unique everyday home goods. It’s thrilling to offer something not found at the chain stores, something you won’t see in every home.

Where do you find your treasures? Are you off on buying trips all the
time? Not as often as I would like to… many of our purchases are made from visiting with our suppliers, seeing their new product lines, going to trade shows and sometimes blind trust in a product we’ve never seen but can tell will be awesome based on past experiences. 

What magazines are your go-to’s for inspiration? Domaine, Rue, Lonny. They’re killing it right now. And Instagram is a major source of inspiration. 

Why expand from a successful online business to bricks and mortar 
(when many retailers are doing the exact opposite at the moment)? It’s not an expansion but rather an extention of what we do. No one would question us opening a storage warehouse so a retail store is just as important for our business where customers can come in and chat and look and feel and get inspiration. And it’s really nice to actually talk to people and not sit behind a computer all day. 

Where can you be found? Instagram, Twitter, Website

So long Suzani, it’s all about Shibori.

We all need a little pattern in our lives and when the urge strikes we tend to reach out for textiles made in exotic places.  A hit of lovely embroidered fabric adds depth, character and a whiff of travel to a room that is full of life.  For years it’s been Ikat from Indonesia or Suzani from Persia and as stunning as they are, there is a new kid on the block called Shibori from Japan.  This traditional tie-dying technique is most often done with watery indigo blue dye on white fabric so that the play of light and dark works very well together.  Interestingly, there is a also a bit of an African influence here which I think is wonderful.  Both West Elm and Anthropologie have picked up the trend saving us all from home tie-dying disasters- ahem-I mean adventures.  Anyway, enjoy and let me know what you think!

Photo credits: 1. Heartwear photo by Marie Taillefer, 2. Pillows by Rebecca Atwood, 3. Anthropologie, 4. SF General Store in Venice Beach, Remodelista.com, 5. Indigo and Snow on Etsy,  6. West Elm, 7. Heartware at Merci in Paris, Trendtablet.com

 

Trend Spotting: Distressed Walls

In part three of my Trend Spotting series I’m looking at a type of wall treatment that I’ve seen pop up all over the place, from hip magazine like Living Etc to the showroom at ABC Carpet and Home in NYC.  Essentially, what I’m calling “distressed walls” are rough surfaces (brick, plaster) with chipped or layered paint that create a gorgeous patina.  Some walls even look like artwork themselves.  While wallpaper has had a major heyday in the last few years, things are shifting to a much less polished look- in some circles anyway.  Think New York loft…actually, make that Brooklyn loft.  Or a Parisian atelier touched by time but not by progress.  Imagine a big open space with drafty windows and a rickety freight elevator complete with metal cage that you have to pull down by hand.  Imagine cement floors and sparse bohemian furniture that could either cost a fortune (Anthropology) OR cost nothing (curb-side find).  And imagine stacks of books, frayed rugs, linen everything, and mismatched kitchen dishes.  Get the picture?  The beauty of this look is that furniture really pops.  Here are a few great pics to give you an idea:

Photo credits: 1. Leslie Dilcock; 2. Living Etc; 3. Leslie Dilcock; 4 and 5. Sofa Workshop; 6 and 7.Tom Leighton; 8 and 9. My own from the ABC Carpet and Home showroom.

 

Trend Spotting: Pendant Lights Go Low, Low Down

One of the most common things that I do on set is to hang lighting- which is always a bit of a challenge because I have to find the exact perfect height for each light to make the room look appealing and real.  There aren’t any steadfast rules so it’s a matter of using one’s eye and making an educated guess.  I won’t lie, it usually takes a few tries to get it right.  Fortunately, I never have to call an electrician since most of our fixtures are of the temporary”hang-it-off-a-long-pole” variety.  BUT for those of you who are seeking something new to do at home, a trend has shown up in a few places that I’ve visited recently: very low hanging pendants.  Where did I see it? Fashion and home decor mecca, Merci, in Paris; Toronto’s Interior Design Show and ABC Carpet and Home in NYC.   I guess I feel like I might be on to something when it pops up three un-synchronized times in three unbelievably trendy cities.    Of course, placing furniture under the pendants is key but you’ll see what I mean in the following images:

This first one is from IDS- it’s a concept space designed by Williams Craig.  For a low-slung lounge space the glass pendants worked really well.  My next examples come from ABC carpet and home.  Please forgive the photography- I was a little too excited to slow down and frame up my shots properly.  Notice how low these are- the whole showroom was full of them.  It was raining fixtures!

Here are more cute example I found online:

Trend Spotting: Very Patterned Tiles

Since it’s almost spring and change is in the air, I thought I would start a 5 part series on new trends that I’ve spotted on my travels that I think are worth noting.  The first one I want to mention is the use of patterned tiles on floors, backsplashes, walls and even stairs.  This trend is fantastic- and not at all new- but a welcome change from the minimalist effects of subway tiles and simple marbles.  I can’t say for sure that I would have the guts to do a fireplace surround-wall, but I would love to use these in a bathroom or kitchen.  For me, this type of pattern brings a hint of an old world feel; a handmade quality that makes a room feel special.

Looking for a source?

I was first inspired at the Interior Design Show in Toronto where I visited a booth by Mettro with fantastic examples of the exact tiles I am so inspired by.  I’m in love with the vintage series that you see here:

I also loved a booth by Edgewater Studio that is a little softer in design and made of glass instead of porcelain.  The patterns are very beautiful:

Photos: 1.Leslie Dilcok of Pearson Lyle; 2. unknown; 3. Rosa Pomar; 4. Leslie Dilcok of Pearson Lyle; 5. unknown; 6. Emma Lee of Pearson Lyle; 7.unknown; 8 and 9. myself.

New York Window Display

“I want these windows to be perceived as hallucinations”

“You have to do all sorts of things to make a stream of pedestrians into and audience”

David Hoey, Resident Window Display Artist, Bergdorf Goodman

As promised, here are a few of the fantastic window displays that caught my eye in New York.  I am a bit of junkie in this department, and am in awe of those that do it well.  Window displays are little pieces of theatre without the interference of technology that is so common in everything else.  They combine old-fashioned techniques of staging, perspective, characters and design.  I love that good windows are static, yet create life, movement and magic.  They are their own little worlds with the sole purpose of enticing passersby with a quick moment of “wow!”.  They sell products but also delight and entertain in an old-school kinda way.   Anyway, I won’t get too wordy here as this is such a visual medium.  Here are my faves:

Bergdorf’s:

Not sure where I saw this one….sadly.  But I really loved those soaring flamingoes and hits of pink:

Also at Bergdorf’s, Chinese New Year theme:Simple, yet super special for Valentine’s Day at Tiffany:

Anthroplogy:
Again, sadly not sure what store but I love the simple lyricism of it.Last but not least, a wacky and wonderful display for Moncler in Soho:

For those who are interested, I want to recommend a film called Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s for a inside look New York’s greatest department store and it’s amazing displays.

And THEN, for the serious enthusiast, check out this website for an incredible archive of windows from the past, Bergdor’s and otherwise.

I LOVE New York! A stylist’s adventure in wonderland.

New York City is a vibrant, energetic, creative and thought-provoking city and I decided to start my new year (not to mention celebrate a semi-significant birthday) with a seven day adventure.  My goals?  To re-fill my imagination bank and have some fun.  As much as it sounds like a cliche, NYC makes me feel like anything is possible and I get completely inspired by it.  There are hundreds of great decor stores in the city and I tracked down several that were outstanding- and different from what we have up here in Toronto (this was key).   It was a very cold week in NYC last week so I dressed up in layers and took warm-up breaks whenever possible (hello, morning lattes and mid-afternoon wine). Despite the chill, there was a lot going on in January with blessedly few tourists to block my path.  I worked my way through several different areas including the ritzy department stores of 5th Ave, the flower markets of Chelsea, the unlimited dress-making suppliers in the garment district, the boutiques of Soho and the vintage shops of Brooklyn.  While it’s extremely hard to narrow down my favourites, I am going to give you my top pics to get you started.   Truthfully, if you are in any of these areas you will find lots to see and I encourage you to get as lost as possible -with a handy subway map in your pocket of course. For those who can’t get away right now, check out the websites linked to each name.  Sometimes just a quick peak at some pretty images can lift your spirits.

I’ll start at Bergdorf Goodman’s since I essentially made a beeline for it as soon as I got off the plane.  Arguably the city’s most glamorous department store, the top floor is a heaven of small decorated rooms filled with treasure after treasure.  Perhaps the most well-known is the Kelly Wearstler collection, which isn’t new but it IS jaw-dropping.  Taking glam to it’s ultimate heights may not be your thing (nor is it mine) but it’s absolutely worth a look.  And while your at it, make sure to drop in to BG (the gorgeous resto-lounge overlooking Central Park) for a cocktail and a true New York Moment.  I treated myself to birthday lunch here and loved every minute of it.

The candle room at Bergdorf’s made me want to stay all day:My second must-see location is ABC Carpet and Home.  This place is a decorator’s dreamland with 6 floors of absolutely mind-boggling creativity.  While many of you decor-types have already visited, the trends on display here are still inspiring
and it’s worth another wander.  I spent hours looking and found several themes that I also saw in Paris this past August.  Namely, a very casual chic that is deconstructed and mismatched.  Fabrics are textured, worn and lived-in.  Glam is gone, replaced by real-living and comfort.  There are hand-blown pendant lights over everything, sometimes hung so low that you have to walk around to get by.  Couches are slouchy and often done in linen.  Rugs are layered, frayed and essential.  It’s a pleasurable style that doesn’t necessarily mean sloppy or bohemian- it’s just low maintenance and cool.  Oh course, contemporary designers like Tom Dixon were also on display but I feel like the other room-sets were are where the juiciest ideas come to life.

In table-top, dishes are hand-made (or looked so) and are without decoration. One of the hottest style I saw was matte-black or grey.  Table lines are gauzy and layered and let the beauty of worn-wood tables show through.

Ok, moving on the amazing boutiques of Soho.  There are three that really stand out for me, although there are many more that I loved.  The first is a wonderful shop called Michele Varian on Howard Street.  This place is a must-see and carries everything from jewelry to wallpaper.  With a truly unique, quirky vision it’s different from anything else I’ve seen. Really, it’s a good lesson for designers: let yourself fall ALL the way down the rabbit hole, wherever it may take you.

 Next on my list is a custom-embroidery shop called Ankasa with an absolutely BEAUTIFUL selection of fabrics, furniture pieces, bedding and accessories. You can have anything custom done if you like or buy something off the floor and either way it’s a win win.

I also loved Calypso Home for it’s relaxed beachy rugs and furniture.  I loved their circular table-top lights that cast a gorgeous glow and added a cool touch to a vignette.  I’ve never seen these anywhere else and wanted to bring one home…but resisted the temptation -something I’ve since come to regret.

  Two other greats in Soho worth checking out? Aero by Thomas O’brien (grown-up furniture also carried at Elte in Toronto) and Ochre (drop dead gorgeous everything).

Next stop for decor inspiration in New York is actually in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.  Just a quick subway ride away from Manhattan this area is chock-full of the weird and the wonderful and is worth an afternoon of mucking about.  There aren’t any high-end boutiques here (yet and please never!) so there’s lots of room for smaller vintage shops with everything from mid-centure modern to Victoriana.   The prices were very low –(compared with Toronto) and made me want to ship home a container to sell from my living room.  Alas, my entrepreneurial spirit was dampened by a gin and soda at the Wythe Hotel…and I saved myself quite a jumble in my little condo.  Maybe next time…. That’s all for now…it was a true task to narrow down my selects and I’m still processing all of the great new information that has come my way.  All in all, I’ve decided that I need to go back, like now.  In my next post I will give you a taste of the fabulous window displays I saw across the city because there are really nothing like them. I heart NY.

Best Decor Stores in Montreal

Going to Montreal and wondering where to shop?  Let me help you.  Typically, Montreal is very well known for trendy clothing boutiques and amazing restaurants but it is also chock-full of fabulous home decor destinations that are both inspiring and unique.  On a recent trip I scoured the city for the best-of-the-best in order to bring you this mini shopping guide to use on your next visit.  There is lots here so get ready to have a bit of fun, grab a bagel along the way and pick up a few words en francais.

Zone Maison

4246 rue St Denis  http://www.zonemaison.com/

Absolutely brimming with modern decor finds this store is the mothership of Montreal style. The accessories are fantastic, the furniture pieces affordable and the store itself is bright, airy and full of possibilities.  You will find a million things that you want to take home so for that reason, it’s a must see.

Style Labo

5765 Boulevard Saint-Laurent  http://www.stylelabo.com

This store is a more of a concept-space than a livable environment BUT you will find cool pieces that add personality to your home.  It’s part antique market, part junk-shop, part  trendy downtown workshop.  I imagine adding any number of these things to a modern space to jack up the creative content and provoke conversation starters for dinner parties. LOVE the illuminated letters!

Maison Corbeil

1215 Boulevard Cremazie Ouest http://www.maisoncorbeil.com

This is the biggest and most furniture-oriented store that I visited.  Maison Corbeil carries the big lines like Ligne Roset and Cattelan but also offers a variety of less-expensive choices that are fantastic.  It has a warm yet minimal feel and covers all the bases.

V de V

5042 Boulevard Saint-Laurent http://www.vdevmaison.com/

This store is a cosy little boutique full of warm and friendly Quebecois things.  Or maybe that’s just because I visited in mid-November and they were all decorated for the holidays.  Either way, it’s a fun treat to visit and you’ll find lots to see.  Cabin-chic at it’s best.

Lambert et Fils Luminaires

156 Rue Beaubien Est. http://www.lambertetfils.com/

I don’t know about you, but I can get very bored of seeing the same lighting fixtures over and over again.  Which is why I am soooooo excited about finding this amazing small custom shop that makes everything on-site.  The lights are modern, elegant, simple and (best of all) unique.  They aren’t cheap, but they aren’t break-the-bank crazy either.   Love, love, love this place.

That’s all for my adventures and I’m sure there are many, many more.  Please write to me with other ideas and I will check them out on my next go-round.  What a fantastic, fantastic city.  Au revoir mes amis!

Ding, Dong Decorating with Bell Jars

Sorry Sylvia, I’m decorating ….

I’ve been slightly obsessed with bell jars (also known as “cloche”) this week after searching high and low for the perfect ones for an upcoming project.  At this point, I can call myself an expert on where to find them in Toronto, where to get the best deals and what sizes are available.  While not new (glass cloches were first popular in Victorian decorating), bell jars are right at the cusp of being a major decorating trend and I predict that we will see them a lot more in the months to come.  I know a trend is coming when I see something being used as propping in a major high-end furniture store (Roche Bobois in Paris, par example), styled in the better decor magazines and turning up in the trendier stores with limited release.  They are a simple, cute decorating item that has unlimited potential for creating mini vignettes on bookshelves, mantles, consoles, dining tables etc etc etc.  So, in the spirit of DIY I decided to style two of my favorite finds in as many ways as I could think of to give you some ideas on incorporating bells into your home.  Of course with the holiday season on it’s way like a freight train, I couldn’t resist doing a few with a festive feel. The real goal here is to get creative and use bells to showcase some of your favourite things.

See below for sources and tips.

 

 

 

Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Make sure you have at least one tall thing in each vignette because you want to fill the vertical space.  To add height, try layering something on the bottom like a small cake plate or a nice looking box.

2. Have a good variety of sizes and shapes in each vignette but stick to a theme to keep it all tied together.

3. Group bells of different sizes together for big impact.

4. Don’t be afraid to let the bell’s contents “spill” out on to the surface outside.  It’s nice to see one ornament on the table as an accessory.

5. Little plants and orchids DO thrive in bells and look fantastic.

Sources:

Small bell: Urban Outfitters $44, medium bell: Morba $99, large bell: wholesale (sorry).

I had many of the items around my house but I did buy the christmas decorations from:

Ornaments: Homesense, nutcracker: Hudson’s Bay, white houses: Urban Barn.

As an added treat, here is how West Elm is doing them (and FYI: you could totally do this yourself):

Paris! A design-love story.

I had the amazing opportunity to go to Paris for a week and spent the whole time walking, looking, ooing, ahhing and most of all eating!  But that’s for another type of blog.  Here, I want to show you a few of my favorite moments that have an element of design.  As you can imagine, it’s very hard to narrow down the images but I will do my best.  As infamous street fashion photographer, Bill Cunningham says, “you go to Paris to re-educate the eye”, and that is really what it’s all about.  While some shopping is a fun thing, I think that the most valuable gift I get from travel is a shift in perspective.  I need to visit other places to see what other people are doing and wearing, to soak up art that I can’t see anywhere else, to find treasures big or small and to let myself open-up.  While I love Toronto, too much of the same thing can feel like a tight little box sometimes.  So!  Escape is essential and escape I did.

Word to the wise about traveling to Paris in August: the weather is sublime, the people are happy and there is an atmosphere of summertime fun everywhere BUT there are also lots of tourists and many (many, many) of the home-design shops are closed.  With September comes slightly cooler temps and the big Maison and Object design fair, so if I did it again I would opt for after labour day.

I’ll start with the first thing that I saw in Paris: the adorable flat that my friend and I rented in Montmartre.  It was a fifth floor walk-up (fun on the first day- not so much after day five) with a gorgeous view over the Parisian rooftops and a rustic/chic Parisian decor.  Things to note: herringbone floors, huge mirror above the mantle, industrial mixed with antiques and art everywhere.  Oh and the view of course!! The next noteworthy place would surely be my favorite fashion/design store, Merci. This multi-story boutique is a MUST for anyone interested in home decor trends and fresh ideas.  The style is laid-back and unpretentious and looks as though it has been thrown together over time.  There are mismatched chairs, signs of wear and tear and inventive chandeliers or pendants with everything.  While they certainly aren’t re-inventing the wheel, I was impressed by a varitety of chic finds like great table and chair options, big lush linen sofas (wrinkles be damned!), great table top and lots of hip lighting.  Here are a few faves:

 Next I will take you to one of Paris’ most famous flea markets, Clignancourt, where you can find everything from 1920s fashion magazines to oil paintings to antique daybeds to buttons and ribbon.  It’s a decorator’s dream come true and I found myself overflowing with joy many times.   While some vendors yelled “no photos!” and chased me away, I did manage to get a few shots.  There are things there that I have never, ever seen anywhere else and I couldn’t help but wish I could work in Paris! Oh the things I could do….

The other super inspiring store that I found was (gasp) one of the big department stores of Paris called Bon Marche.  What a well curated space!  The home floor was elegant with an incredible flow of movement from department to department and a large selection of the most important things like table linens, lighting and furniture.  I was very, very impressed with the quality being offered here and bolstered by the sophisticated tastes of the Parisian shopper!

I would be remiss if I didn’t include at least a few of the gorgeous ornamental details that I found at Versailles.  As much as I love the laid-back chic of the contemporary stores, and the slightly worn antiques from the flea market,  I also adore gold gilt and rococco details.  Who wouldn’t? Any well-rounded look at Paris includes both so feast your eyes!

That’s all for my little tour.  There is just so much to see and do in Paris that I barely sat down for five minutes- unless it was to eat several croissants at a time over coffee in the morning or sip a glass of rose while admiring the view in the afternoon.  I’ll miss it and look forward to next time.  Thanks for joining me!