HOME DECOR, INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS, OUR FAVOURITES, SHOPPING FINDS, Uncategorized

Friday Favourite – Quirky Pillows

friday-favourite-quirky-pillows

It’s Friday time to round up our favourites of the week – instead of rounding up our favourite piece from our shopping trips we have decided to share a favourite items we love to add to our decor projects –  ‘quirky’ pillows!

What do we mean by ‘quirky’ pillows?

You have probably noticed over the past 2-3 years that accent pillows with fun or wise sayings have been everywhere… and we love this fun trend too! We have used some in our model home projects and also some of our client decor projects. These ‘quirky’ pillows are a great way to express your style and personality all at once! Plus they are an affordable way to freshen up your home decor.

Pillows are a great and affordable way to update a bedroom or living room.  These quirky and fun pillows are a way to show personality in your space – they set a mood and show off your attitude!

Pillows…

Are a great way to add a splash of colour, print, texture and in this post we are rounding up our favourite ‘quirky’ pillows! Layer one of these into your current scheme. Choose a pillow with a fun or funny saying, something inspirational or wise … there is a ‘quirky’ pillow for everyone!

Favourite ‘Quirky’ Pillows:

The message of this pillow is simple – when it comes to adding this to your decor take inspiration from the colours in this pillow.

 

This is a great pillow cover for a dog lover – it can be added to most decor schemes too…

Kids love quirky pillows too – this ‘PLAY’ pillow is great for a kids bedroom or a playroom.

 

We posted earlier about pineapple decor but here is another great quirky pillow featuring pineapples…love the message!

This Mr&Mrs lumbar pillow is a great anniversary gift or house warming gift – it’s cute on an accent chair or a bed.

 

Quirky pillows are also a fun addition to your decor for the seasons and the holidays…

Sometimes these pillows say what we are all thinking….like this one ‘more summer’! Who doesn’t want that?!

 

Pillows are another way to celebrate the seasons – this Fall pillow is fun and cheery and a perfect addition to a sofa or front entry welcoming friends and family!

 

Halloween is a holiday that is very much about decor so why not add a pillow like this one to your space to celebrate the spooky season….

Show off your personality with a quirky pillow,


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HOME DECOR, INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS

Paint Colour Concept for the Whole Home

paint-colour-concept-whole-home

When it comes to a paint colour concept you really need to think about the whole home.  We just finished meeting with some clients earlier today to put together their paint colour concept – they have hired a painter to start later in the week and during our paint consultation we discussed the idea of a paint colour concept for the whole home – even though they aren’t thinking of paitning the entire home at this stage.

Photo credit : HomeBunch – This mudroom is painted in ‘Stonington Gray’ by Benjamin Moore

What is a paint colour concept?

Basically it is a plan with a series of colours for the whole home.  The colours all work together even though they may be different – there is a fluidity to the whole look, so as you walk through the home room by room the colours will work in a cohesive manner.

You may not be ready right now (for a variety of reasons) to paint the entire home now but if you have a plan you can focus on the rooms to paint now and still know what the overall look and feel of the space will be.  Be sure to record and file all of the paint info – so brand, name and code – you can refer to it when you are ready to paint the next set of rooms.

What to know when making your paint colour concept?

You really need to understand the lighting in your home.  Which rooms have a lot of light (natural or otherwise) and at what time of day.  Paint looks different in different lights – natural vs artificial, it also looks different depending on the amount of light and time of day.  So we always suggest to clients to paint test swatches on the wall and take a look at them at various points in the day.  Be sure you like the colour at all times of day before fully committing.

Our clients wanted a light and airy look with some ‘beachy’ inspiration without going too literal – their furniture is most neutral (think light warm grey sofas and coffee hardwood floors).  the home is an older home with original interior doors and baseboards, they wanted to maintain that character but give the home a fresher and more current feel.

Here is the paint colour concept we put together for our clients:

Benjamin Moore ‘Balboa Mist’ OC-27 is perfect for their hallways and guest bedroom – it is a soft and warm grey tone and it is one of our favourites to work with.

Benjamin Moore ‘Stonington Gray’ HC-170 is another favourite of ours – it is a true gray that adds some really pigmentation on the wall without being too deep and it has a great freshness about it too.  This is for the dining room (and will be paired with a farmhouse inspired table)

‘Silver Half Dollar’ 2121-40 by Benjamin Moore is a colour that’s really inspired by the beach (not just in name). We chose this for the living room – it is one of the brighter rooms in the house and they wanted a bit more colour in the room that they spend the most time in.

There master bedroom is on the top floor in an attic space – so the sloped ceilings add architectural detail to their master but the ceilings are also a bit lower – so we opted for a light and airy white.  This is a clean and calming tone for the room and offers with great contrast to the dark coffee floors plus this means they have a lot of options for accent colours in bedding and more  – We selected ‘White Heron’ OC-57 by Benjamin Moore.

The homeowners  are happy with some of the existing colours in the home – such as the kitchen and bathrooms (so previous owners must have really focused on where to spend their money when prepping the home for the resale market as the bathrooms and kitchens all had a fresh coat of paint). So we worked with those tones along with their own tastes to create a a whole home paint colour concept.

A paint colour conept is a great way to stay focused on your style and have a designer look in your home…

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DIY, KIDS SPACES, STORAGE + ORGANIZING

$100 Room Makeover Challenge : Ideas for a Homework station

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This is my first time participating in the $100 Room Makeover Challenge! This amazing challenge is hosted by Erin of LemonLavenderandLaundry.com If you have not heard of this – neither had I until about 24 hours ago … so here’s what it is …

The $100 Room makeover Challenge

A bunch of bloggers take on one room in their own home and in one month’s time and with only $100 – they transform the room and share their weekly progress.  Curious to learn more and check out some of the rooms that have participated in the past? Click here

Why am I participating in this $100 Room makeover challenge?

Well, I love to try new things and I do like to challenge myself – when we decorate and stage we often are on tight budgets but I never really have the chance to make changes in my own home – you know the story of the Cobbler’s children, right? Well same goes for interior decorators and home stagers (and probably most other professionals) – we are so busy with projects outside of our own home and our own homes are a bit forgotten…

I also really need to start focusing on certain areas of my home to make them more user-friendly and functional.  As my children are getting older and bigger – our lifestyle needs are changing and so, our home needs to adapt – with this challenge I can give myself a deadline and a budget (and I get to share my progress and results with you and other bloggers – there’s the accountability).

So which ‘room’ did I choose?

Technically – the space I chose is not a room but it is a trouble area in my home that I feel I can do more with – I have this ‘nook’ area off of my kitchen and between my laundry room that is becoming an awful catch-all for random ‘stuff’….crafts, sports equipment, library books and more….I had my kids actually sort through it before I knew about this challenge so this photo actually makes the space look like less of a disaster.

I have decided to turn this space into a designated ‘homework center’ or ‘kids office space’.  My 2 older children are getting regular homework to complete and they need a space to work.  they still need help from Mom and Dad so sending them to their bedrooms isn’t the best area for homework right now – this area is close to the kitchen (so easy access to Mom and / or Dad) but also separate enough that it is quiet enough for them to focus.

 

Goals for the challenge:

  • De-clutter and find new ‘homes’ for our stuff – this area is becoming a dumping ground for all sorts of kid stuff – we do have a mudroom area and they have bedrooms so I really need to systematize that and probably get rid of some stuff
  • Find a desk and chair that will fit in this nook – this nook is only 22″ deep so I will need to find something narrow enough that it doesn’t take over but still a good size for the kids to work at (and fit a lap top computer)
  • Storage for the homework space to keep papers, pencils and other materials organized in this shared homework space (since it is a shared work space – I need some storage for the kids to keep their things but also supplies like paper, pencils, etc…)
  • Add some light (we don’t have a plug for a table lamp – so for now I may have to either add brighter bulbs to the existing overhead fixture or see if I can purchase something that will add more light)
  • Make it pretty! (I will have to get creative but I’m thinking of re-purposing some old frames and framing the kids art and/ or photos)

 


I’m excited for this challenge – it gives me a deadline to complete a project that my kids really need once school starts and I know the summer will fly by before I realize it.  Wish me luck and stay tuned and of course, let me know if you have any ideas….three more weeks to go!


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INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS, OUR FAVOURITES

Summer Wreath Inspiration

summer-wreath-inspiration

A summer wreath is a great way to add a fresh look and some curb appeal to your home.  In the summer the gardens are in bloom and the colours are so bright and fresh.  I love a summer wreath because it adds just a bit some of the summer florals that I love!  If you are selling your home, a summer wreath is an easy (and affordable) way to add an inviting feel to your home.

Photo credit: Etsy.com

This boxwood wreath is a bright pop of green and this wreath would also work well for spring and summer

Selecting a Summer Wreath

When it comes to selecting a summer wreath – you have a lot of options – there are so many florals, colours and greenery that work for summer decor. I suggest a wreath in colours and tones that coordinate and compliment your exterior landscaping – so take a look at your planters and flower beds – that way the wreath and your landscaping plan all work together.

Photo credit : Etsy.com

This floral wreath with a mix of flowers and greenery has a main colour of coral and white and soft blue as accent colours – so in this case your flowers beds and planters should have a combination of these hues.

Multi-season wreath

If the idea of a new wreath for each season seems like too big of a commitment or you don’t have enough storage opt for a neutral or multi-season wreath.  Neutral tones work all year long as do simple greenery wreaths.

Photo credit : Etsy.com

This year round wreath is a beautiful blend of neutral and great texture and  the “L” adds a personalized touch.

Some favourite Summer Wreaths:

Summer wreaths are just another way to add some curb appeal to your home – whether you are selling or you just want to create a welcoming atmosphere, a wreath is a perfect accessory!

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HOME STAGING

Home staging works !

home-staging-works

Home staging is a must in any real estate market.  We have been staging homes since 2003 and even though decor styles have changed the benefits of home staging have not.

Why have your home staged?

Hot or cool market home staging sets you apart from the competition. You want to stand out from the pack and with home staging you do just that.  This is how it works – you have your home professionally staged and then photographed.  Your home staging team will know what works on camera and what connects with buyers in your target group – the staging and styling team have those two important factors in mind. Now that your photos are taken and they are now online – that’s really when the viewings start.  Buyers these days are looking online first – when they see something they like they then reach out to the agent.  Now if your home looks good in photos – there will be lots of interest. Lots of interest means lots of showings which leads to an offer or possibly multiple offers.

Doesn’t a property look bigger when it’s empty?

You would think so but this is not the case.  When a house is empty – it is very tough for buyers to visualize just how big the space is.  Sure they could come with a tape measure and measure the rooms and measure out their furniture in the space but that’s pretty time consuming.  Home staging not only demonstrates the size of the rooms but there is also an emotional connection that buyers get in a staged home.  It is depersonalized enough that the buyers don’t feel like they are guests in someone else’s home but it is welcoming enough that buyers can visualize themselves in the space – living day to day but also for gatherings with friends and family.

See the difference home staging makes? These before and after photos are of a home we just staged. We chose furniture, art and accessories in colour tones that would make the space warm and inviting – we arranged the furniture in a functional way that also shows off the space and the decor selection appeals to the buying demographic, too!

Home staging works!

Home staging works because your home stager and your real estate agent are both working together to get your home sold – they are involved in the presentation of the home and the overall marketing of the home.  When a property looks good in person and in photos – you will generate lots of interests which leads to showings and offers and that means you don’t have the stress of sitting on the market…Home staging works and is a must in every market!

Home staging is a sales tool to help buyers visualize themselves in the home and making it their own.  We love to help real estate agents and their buyers sell their homes quickly, maximize their profit and with limited stress,


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OUR FAVOURITES, OUTDOORS

Sunny Sunday Style

sunny-sunday-style

Sunday….one of my favourite days of the week! Mostly because it is the one day that I totally kick back and have a lazy day.  Typically we spend Sunday as a family.  The weather is a big determining factor one what we do as a family – and that’s entirely up to mother nature.

Sunny Sunday…

This Summer, we get to spend Sunday as a family by the pool.  Our summers, here in Ottawa, Canada aren’t the longest so we really like to take advantage of the sunny weather when we can! The pool is a the perfect hang out on those hot days.

These are some of my sunny Sunday must-haves :

Fun Pool Floats – like this pink donut float (my daughter loves this pink one, the boys prefer it in brown but they all think it is hilarious)

Eating outdoors in the summer time is a favourite – the fresh air, the smell of the grill and enjoying the scenery (my husband loves to garden, so it’s nice to spend some time appreciating his hard work). These colourful cutlery pieces add a little extra summer fun in these bold and bright neons!

 

These floating drink holders are just too cute! They are perfect on those really hot days …Your drink fits right in the float – easy! You can use these in the pool, the lake and even the hot tub! I bought a set of these for our school silent auction and they were a hit!

You need to have a big, fluffy beach towel – and these ones are amazing! Lounging poolside with a book or wrapping yourself up after a dip in the water – these fun beach towels are perfect and they come in other prints, too!

 

I’m sure you scratching your head and wondering what this is but for me this is a life saver for days and nights outdoors.  You see the mosquitoes love me… and no matter what I do the moment I step outside they are all over me. This product, the SkeeterVac, has really made my outdoor experience so much more enjoyable –

 

We love to play at the pool but we also like to play around in the kitchen.  With a big family like mine – we often cook at home and we have recently expanded our garden this year to include more veggies! We have always had an herb garden and even for a novice gardener an herb garden is a great start and it’s so rewarding! We love fresh herbs especially basil and oregano – we add herbs to our salads, salad dressings, vinaigrette and our fresh and home made tomato sauce that we make at the end of summer.

How do you like to spend you Sunday?

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HOME DECOR, TRENDS

When life gives you….pineapples!

life-gives-pineapples

Pineapples seem to be everywhere these days, don’t they?!

The pineapple trend is going strong – pillows, art, outdoor furniture, decorative accents and more….You might be thinking that pineapples are trending right now because it is summer and pineapples have a tropical flare that we think of when the sun is out.  But pineapples actually have a history in home decor.

Photo credit – Erica Hammer

Pineapples – the symbolism

Seafaring captains used to impale fresh pineapples–souvenirs of their lengthy travels to tropical ports–atop the porch railings of their homes when they returned. It was a symbol then that the man of the house was home–albeit briefly–and receiving visitors.

During early Colonial days in the United States, families would set a fresh pineapple in the center of the table as a colorful centerpiece of the festive meal, especially when visitors joined them in celebration. This symbolized the utmost in welcome and hospitality to the visitor, and the fruit would be served as a special desert after the meal. Often when the visitor spent the night, he was given the bedroom which had the pineapples carved on the bedposts or headboard–even if the bedroom belonged to the head of the household.

Photo credit – Burkaton

There’s a small town in rural Alabama that boasts symbols of the pineapple everywhere  -the town ‘Pine Apple’, settled by “Easterners” from the Carolinas, Georgia, and Virginia around 1820 was originally named “Friendship”. But there was already another Friendship, Alabama, so they named their town in honor of the pine and the apple trees that gave the land its beauty and the town its wealth. These days, the town’s name is as often written “Pineapple”. Signs of this universal symbol of hospitality are seen painted on the front doors of homes and the town’s welcome sign, carved in finials and even Christmas decorations, on gate-posts and roof-tops, carved into bedposts and head-boards, and found in a variety of table centerpieces.

Not only have wood-carvers etched this symbol, but the delicate hands of needle-workers have preserved this symbol in family heirlooms over the centuries. Items such as pineapple samplers, table cloths, and crochet doilies are just some of the items found in homes to welcome friends and visitors.

The pineapple has been a universal symbol of hospitality and welcome for many centuries all over the world.

For more information of the history and symbolism of the pineapple, click here …

Photo credit – Aimee Wilder

Decorating with Pineapples

Pineapples can be found in many areas of the home for decoration.  Historically they were displayed outside to send the message to friends and neighbours that ‘guests were welcome’.  In areas of the southern United States, we often still see pineapples on the exterior of homes – door knockers, address plaques and doormats are some of the more common decorative touches with pineapples.

Lately, we have been seeing a resurgence of pineapples in home decor and we are seeing a modern spin and even a bit of a quirky spin on the pineapple theme.

 Photo credit – The Pink Dream Designs by Ceres 

Our picks for decor pieces featuring pineapples:

These outdoor pineapple print pillows are perfect for a backyard oasis.

These pineapple string lights are perfect for an outdoor dining space or seating area – they add a tropical touch and a bit of whimsy.

Add a pineapple art piece at your front entry or mixed in with your gallery wall. We love this simple print from Minted.


These pineapple pinstripe bed sheets add just a small detail to any bedroom – we love these for a guest bedroom! Perfect for a warm welcome for out of town friends and family.

Welcome your house guests with a snack on this pineapple serving board – just another inviting touch to home entertaining!

Historically, pineapples were used as centerpieces when entertaining guests at a dinner parties – this ceramic pineapple figurine could be added to a table or at the front entry console table.

You don’t need to spend a fortune to make guests feel welcome and add warmth to your home. Even a simple, fresh pineapple centerpiece inviting and natural way to welcome your guests – no matter where you live.

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SHOPPING FINDS

Friday Favourites – Shopping Finds This Week

friday-favourites-shopping-finds-week

It’s been another busy week at kiki interiors and we have to share with you some of our favourites from this week.

We have been working with some residential clients to update their family rooms – no matter your budget or style everyone should feel comfortable and stylish in their own space.

Our Favourites from this week:

We are huge fans of colourful area rugs and this rug is the perfect combination of blue and orange – our clients are loving it in their family room.

 

We love to add different pieces on the wall to add some personality and visual interest to a room.  These ‘wall climbing men’ are perfect for small wall spaces where a typical framed or canvas piece just doesn’t work.

We love oversized art – especially if you have the wall space to hang it – This piece from Mikaza is amazing – it is subtle but also a bit edgy.

We have been playing a lot with statement lighting – mainly in dining rooms and over kitchen islands but try something different and add a statement piece in the living room.  This industrial fixture is a favourite of ours!

One of our favourite pieces to add to a family room is something special just for the kids – we love these FatBoy bean bag seats – they come in a number of colours and kids just love them!

 

Nesting tables are perfect for busy rooms that need surface space – whether it’s for a card game, colouring book or just a night time tea or glass of wine – nesting tables are a great option for a living room or family room.  We love the reclaimed wood of these nesting tables.

Our final favourite of the week are these wallscape planters from West Elm – these are another way to decorate a wall that isn’t art.  Hanging these planters would create this amazing living wall – greenery adds so much life to any room.

We hope the favourites from this week inspire you – have a fantastic week!

 

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HOME DECOR, TRENDS

What is ‘Scandi-Industrial’ Home Decor Style?

scandi-industrial-home-decor-style

What is ‘Scandi-industrial’ style?

Scandi-industrial style is a blend of two styles: Scandinavian design and industrial design.

Scandinavian design is best known for warmth, functionality, clean lines and simple elegance. Think of elements of natural, simple minimalism, neutral tones, and white walls.

Photo credit: Louisiana Laginappe

Industrial design style  is also known as ‘ the warehouse look’. Taking it’s inspiration from old factories turned into loft dwellings. This style mixes textures like wood, metal and concrete and keeping the ‘unfinished look’.

Photo credit: vintageindustrialstyle.com

Why do Scandinavian and Industrial design styles work so well together?

The blending of these two styles resulted in a whole new style called ‘Scandi-industrial’. These styles work so well together because they have some common threads – neutral tones, mixing texture and functionality. These styles appreciate the beauty of natural and raw materials without a lot of ornamental detail.

Photo credit: House Beautiful

How can you get the ‘Scandi-industrial’ look?

When it comes to blending styles in one room – you need to have a dominant style and then a supporting style.  A 50/50 mix will look and feel confused.  Because these two styles have some common threads, they are quite easy to mix together.  An example of mixing these style is to have a Scandinavian style as the dominant (furniture for instance) with white walls or a brick wall painted in white and add some industrial lighting.

Photo credit: decoholic.com

Because you are mixing styles – no two rooms will ever be identical! there are so many combinations and modifications of this style – so you will never be bored.  Just be sure to have those common treads in each room.

Scandi-Industrial inspiration:

Photo credit: domino.com

This dining room is another example of Scandi-industrial design.  The furniture is Scandinavian with minimal details and simple lines.  The contrast in this room and the absence of colour blend the two styles nicely and the industrial lighting is functional and simply beautiful at the same time.

Photo credit: damasketdentelle.com

This home office work space is another example of blending these two styles.  The modern furniture like this Eiffel chair fits with the simplicity and functionality of Scandinavian design.  The neutral colour palette brings both styles together and this painted wall has a rough texture with a slightly unfinished look like we would see in an industrial warehouse space.

‘Scandi-industrial’ pieces:

Black and white art is a staple in Scandinavian design. This piece is simple and would look great hanging in a gallery wall of individually.

This mid-century modern design chair is another staple in this style – it works as a dining chair but also as an accent chair is a small room or a corner of a room.  These come in many different colours and even ‘armless’ designs, too.

Scandinavian design embraces the beauty and texture of nature. So this wool throw pillow with the tribal inspired print really puts a modern spin on this Scandi-industrial look.  The black and white scheme works with the neutral-on-neutral decor.

Industrial lighting has a raw and gritty appeal and adds so much character to any room. This desk /table lamp adds some detail to the space without being fussy.

This reclaimed wood and metal bed from Laurel Foundry has a great mix of textures – the metal and the reclaimed wood add a richness and lots of character to a bedroom. The white bedding is a beautiful contrast in tone and in texture, too!

When you mix two styles together – you get a truly unique look !

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HOME DECOR, TRENDS

It’s a Jungle in Here!

its-a-jungle-in-here

Have you noticed all of the ‘jungle’ themed home decor ? I know it’s not wild to see in the summer time but I feel like the tropical theme is being seen more than ever before…What do you think of this jungle trend?

It definitely makes a statement in any room. It makes me think of a vintage tropical hotel.  It’s a bold print in vibrant tones but if used correctly it won’t be over the top.

My favourite ‘jungle’ theme rooms-

Jungle office decor:

This home office space has the right amount of jungle to keep it fresh looking and still clean and crisp.  These oversized ‘banana leaf’ prints bring a bright pop of green to this neutral room and the bamboo chair add to that tropical tone.

Photo credit: bhg.com

 

Love this look? Shop here

Jungle bedroom decor:

This bedroom is quite classic and neutral but the addition of these banana leaf print pillows adds some WOW factor to this bedroom.  This is an easy and affordable way to change up your look – with throw pillows.  This print is so bold that you only need a a few pillows to make this room stand out! Pillow cases for the seasons is a simple way to keep the room looking fresh on a regular rotation without having too much clutter.

 

Photo credit: theeverygirl.com

Get your jungle print pillow cases here

Jungle theme wallpaper:

This is for the person who really wants to make a bold and splashy statement – try some wallpaper! In order not to go overboard with the tropical look keep all of the other elements in the room simple and pretty neutral.

Photo credit: mydomaine.com

If you love this daring look, click here for  jungle wallpaper

Jungle theme plants:

If diving into these bold prints are just too much for you – try adding a few palms in a vase.  It’s a simple look and it adds a touch of greenery to any room and with faux plants you don’t have to worry about maintenance…

Photo credit: weekday carnaval

Love this simple leaf arrangement? Shop here

What do you think of this tropical trend?

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