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Guest Bloggers

5 Amazing Dining Tables

5-amazing-dining-tables

We are so thrilled and happy to host a new guest blogger this week – Mark from Foosballzone.com

5 dining tables that are insanely awesome

A dining room is where the whole family sits and spends time together over lunch or supper so it is essential for them to feel good. With an astonishing dining table, you can make the whole space look amazing.  Due to that, I have made a rundown of 5 extremely stunning tables which will draw your family in the dining room. One thing you must keep an eye on is the fact that tables like those are not for everyone. Having an amazing table like that is a statement and you should be proud if you are looking to get one of the tables from the article:

Millenium Bontempi

The Millenium Bontempi is a dining table made for contemporary homes of individuals who value basic plan. Just by looking at the table you can see that it doesn’t have any excess decorations and it looks absolutely amazing. There are two shapes of the table; rectangular and roundabout shape so you can pick the table to fit your room. What I like the most is the fact that it is produced using one material. You can pick one from 3 materials: wood, glass and steel. The greatest highlights of the table are the legs. They aren’t in the corner of the table; they are in the middle of it.

Concrete table

The concrete table is a standout amongst the most fascinating dining tables on the market, but it comes with a catch.  It is challenging to locate the perfect one. The concrete table must be smooth, equally hued and with no breaks. That means that you don’t do that alone, you leave it for experts. The ideal blend you can discover that comes with a concrete tabletop is wooden legs. A table like that is impressive dining furniture and it is for a modern house.

Foosball dining table

Another dining table made for the bachelor’s apartment is a foosball dining table. Remember this isn’t just a foosball table with glass top, it is a table made to be a dining table. A table like that will leave an impact on everybody who comes into the room, including the ladies. A dining foosball table like this one has style and class. A tempered glass over the field is lifted because the height has to be like on the real dining table. The glass covers the rods so you won’t hit them while eating dinner.

Swing dining table

I can completely picture this table in a lunchroom in Google since it speaks to the casual environment you need to have in a lounge. It is made for individuals who are kids at heart and I am certain beyond a shadow of a doubt that this table will make you smile. Awesome for family dinners because it is a rare opportunity to see your grandmother in the swing! The table is completely safe and it has enough room between the swings so you won’t feel cramped.

Driftwood dining table

This table may not be modern, but it is absolutely amazing. A driftwood table is extraordinary furniture for any home since it tells to you its story. It would be a disgrace to put the driftwood table in little lounge area so I would propose putting it in an open space kitchen/lounge area. With tempered transparent glass on top a driftwood table, the extraordinary wood will be visible forever.

Author bio:

Mark is a blogger who has a blog about foosball tables. On his blog he shares all that one foosball player has to know, including the posts about various foosball tables like the one you can look at this link: http://www.foosballzone.com/sportcraft-foosball-table/

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HOME STYLING, INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS

What is e-decor?

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So what is our e-decor service?

E-decor is an interior design service that we offer for clients who love our style but don’t live in our area or clients who don’t mind doing the leg work but don’t know where to start.  The beauty of this service is you don’t need to live near by, we source items that you can purchase online and have delivered to your door and you can move at your pace as your timeline and budget allow…

How does the e-decor service work?

Our e-decor service is so easy! First, we do need to know which room or rooms you want to design and decorate, we love to know a bit more about your taste and style (sending us photos of rooms you like is perfect!), we need a rough budget to work with (we all have a budget and we believe that style doesn’t come with a price tag), photos and dimensions of your room(s) (in the case of a property under construction, a floor plan is perfect), and we also want to know what purpose you want the rooms to serve, for example – TV room, guest bedroom / home office etc…

Next, we prepare a quote for you and once approved we get started!  Depending on the size of the project this could take anywhere from 2-4 weeks. We send you a vision board with the furniture, art and accessories – you have the opportunity to then critique and we make the changes to produce the final concept.  We also provide a sketch with furniture placement and a series of styling tips (for example art placement)

 

E-decor is perfect for someone moving into a new home or space, some one who is short on time and someone who wants a designer space but doesn’t know where to start. E-decor is a great gift too! We love to work with clients and make their spaces come to life so they can enjoy life and their space without the stress that can come with it!

 

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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

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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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TRENDS

What is ‘Shibori’?

what-is-shibori

Shibori – have you heard this term before? Do you know what it is? If you haven’t, don’t worry…you are not alone. But if you are paying attention to home decor trends you will be seeing a lot of Shibori very soon!

So what is Shibori?

Well it is a Japanese dyeing technique that involves folding. twisting, bunching and pleating cloth, binding it and then dipping it in indigo. Usually the cloth is a natural fiber like cotton, hem or even silk. Basically it is a form of tie-dye that results in these amazing and totally unique blue and white prints – so stunning! There are countless patterns that you can create – so each and every Shibori design is complete one-of-a-kind!

Shibori seems to be having a bit of a moment…

Right now Shibori is a bit of a trend.  In my opinion, the reason for this is that the blue and white motif is a classic and it’s not going ‘out’ anytime soon but this technique makes these incredible patterns perfect for summer – they have a relaxed feel and look so perfect for outdoor patio pieces. And with summer right around the corner – we all have the carefree summer days and night on our minds….We love shibori for pillows or throws but you could get really adventurous and use it for upholstery fabric.

 

Shibori works well with the ‘beach’ look….

Because of the blue and white tones and the free spirited pattern of this technique every piece is completely different and no two are identical so Shibori really pairs well with other natural materials like sisal and driftwood – there’s a common organic thread with this tie-dye technique and nature. We love it in a space that has a nautical or coastal feel – it plays well with that theme without being literal.

 

Perfect for the DIY-er….

If you love to create and love this technique, with the right materials you can create your own Shibori designs.

Click HERE for a great and easy to follow step-by-step Shibori DIY that demonstrates 4 different designs.

 

What do you think of Shibori? Do you see yourself using this anywhere in your home? Personally I love it for my patio – it’s fresh and fun just like the summer!

 

 

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HOME STAGING, KITCHENS

Green in the Kitchen

green-in-the-kitchen

We love to work with the colour green and decorating the kitchen shouldn’t be over looked.  Green in the kitchen is easy, fresh and fun! Now that spring is here – we are starting to see green everywhere…the green grass is starting to turn, the green buds on the trees and green from the plants and flowers are starting to sprout. We love that green works is so many colour combinations and with so many styles.

 

Here are some of our favourite ways to use green in the kitchen:

A tea kettle is a great way to add a splash of colour in a kitchen.  This is one of our go-to pieces when we are staging a home.

Tea towels are a great (and functional) piece in any kitchen.  We love ones with a little colour!

A set of colourful chargers add a punch to your table setting- we love these simple green ones – great for spring and summer!

Practical items for the kitchen can also be colourful and fun – these spatulas, cutting board and scrub brush add some colour to boring kitchen tasks.

                                                

 

 

Cute oven mitts in a fresh print with a splash of green add some brightness to the kitchen.  If you are working away in the kitchen you may as well look cute doing it!

Want to look like a pro in your home kitchen? Try a green chef’s coat – you won’t go unnoticed!

Spring is all about the leaves and leaves are green! This green leaf platter is a great serving piece for spring and summer events!

I love colourful mixing bowls and serving bowls!  Using my green one today to bake a lemon cake – the bright and fresh colours were amazing to look at! I also love mine because it is so easy to clean after use!

When it comes to baking and cooking we all know the importance of presentation – so why not prepare beautiful meals in beautiful stoneware? Like this French Oven or Baker

                     

You can’t go wrong with a little green in the kitchen,

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HOME DECOR, INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS, OUR FAVOURITES

6 Ways to decorate with a Garden Stool

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The garden stool has been a trend for a few years now and we will love it…always.  Why? we love the options that a garden stool offers (yes, we are all about multi-purpose pieces).  But we also love the look of a garden stool – they can add a great pop of colour and texture – plus they are easy to move around. They are great for smaller spaces too!

Here are some great ways to use a garden stool:

In the shower -a garden stool makes a great shower seat. A pop of colour and a spot for in-shower toiletries.

As Extra seating – tuck these easy to move garden stool under a console table or sofa table. There are so many choices in colour, finish and texture, too!

As a Side table – indoors or outdoors, a garden stool makes for a great side table.

As a Coffee table – short on space? A set of garden stools is a great option for a coffee table in a small space.  Plus they can be some extra seating if you need it.

In the Bathroom – by the tub!  If you are lucky enough to have time to soak away the log day… a garden stool is a great spot for your book, towels or a cup of tea (or glass of wine)

In the bedroom – garden stools are so versatile and can even work in a different areas of a room.  The bedroom for instance, a garden stool is a great option for a bedside table but is also great as a corner chair side table but also a series of 3 would look great at the foot of a bed.

We often use garden stools when we stage homes.  They are so versatile and add a great pop of colour and texture – give them a try!

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HOME DECOR

What is Scandinavian Style?

scandinavian-style

Scandinavia has a long heritage of beautiful home furnishings. Scandinavians are renowned for incorporating clean lines, using the color white like total pros, and emphasizing both function and form.

You might think that Scandinavian style is that famous yellow and blue store with ‘assemble yourself furniture’ that comes in boxes.  but Scandinavian style is more than that!

If you love a clean and minimal look that embraces natural elements, Scandinavian might be your style!

Scandinavian style includes…

1 – Light toned wood.

2 – A rug with one pop of colour…

Maybe…but usually they are neutral, black and white are often seen in this style of decor.

3 – Lots of white, and white on white

4 -Simplicity is key

When it comes to hardware in the kitchen and bathrooms, clean lines and minimal to no detail.

5 – Invest in classics.

Scandinavian style is very minimal so you will only have a few decor items, so it’s worth investing in them. For example, a glass vase by designer Alvar Aalto

6 – Signature ‘Scandinavian’ pieces

Furniture pieces that embrace the Scandinavian style like the Tulip Table

7 – Gallery walls with a monochrome colour palette.

Not cluttered at all – it’s a very clean look in a consistent and neutral colour palette.

8 – Pendant lighting is essential and an important decor feature in the room.

It is functional but also decorative. Plan the room around it

9 –  Plants.

Streamlined and clean in a simple planter or vase.  But every Scandinavian styled room has a plant.

10 – Wood flooring.

Think wider, lighter planks with visible knots and minimal to no gloss.

11 – Make a point of having and highlighting the fireplace.

In Scandinavian styled homes, we often see corner fireplaces and furniture plans are often designed around them.

12 – Open Shelving.

For functional items like dishes in the kitchen.  It’s about easy access and operating effectively.


Scandinavian style is all about simplicity, it is clean and minimal but has a signature look. Scandinavian style isn’t just IKEA…

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HOLIDAYS, OUR FAVOURITES

Halloween House of Horrors – Our favourite Halloween decor ideas

halloween-house-of-horrors-our

We love Halloween, well let’s face it we love any excuse to decorate!

Here are some of our favourite decor ideas for this spook-tacular holiday!

There are so many options ghouly-goregous, boo-tiful and vamp-tastic….find you spooky style and have fun!

We love this fireplace vignette.

It’s the right amount of spooky without terrifying your guests.  It’s festive and fun but classy at the same time.  The white and black theme isn’t too ‘Halloween’ it still has a designer look about it.

 

Easy and fun but also subtle.  Try these printables to make your current books look like old spell and potion books.   Perfect for a coffee table!

Creepy floral arrangement…add some spooky and inexpensive spider and snakes to an existing bouquet or opt for a fake floral arrangement and re-use this every year.  Love this for a foyer or coffee table and why not for a centerpiece at your Halloween party!

An easy DIY with foam pumpkins from any craft store and re-purpose those candle sticks ! You can really play around with this idea…orange pumpkins, glitter pumpkins, add some creepy crawlies….so many possibilities!

Instead of a planter to celebrate the fall season, why not a witch’s cauldron?

Another easy idea with many options…fill it with spooky pieces like this image or make it more child-friendly with cute pumpkins and ghosts!

Love this for a centerpiece or maybe just on the kitchen island!  Re-use old bottles meant for the recycling bin and use some great printables to transform them into spooky poisons and potions!

Simple and festive!  Love this idea for napkin rings…this could be for a dinner party or just for the kids before trick-or-treating!

If you are that house on the street that goes full out and creates a haunted house…this is for you!

This “DEAD and Breakfast” sign is amazing and perfect for the DIYer in you! Go to your local hardware store for the posts, chains and the wood for the sign, pumpkins and crows and paint to create the sign are all available at a craft store

In my house, we can’t get too scary just yet so we decorate with felt bats, trees, owl and pumpkins…very similar to this image.  It’s very family friendly and it looks great!

We love a great Halloween wreath – an easy way to be festive and participate in the holiday ! there are so many options, it could be hard to decide.

Hosting a Halloween party?

This is a great idea….give your home that creepy haunted old home look with white sheets covering the furniture (this will also help protect your furniture from spills and crumbs) add some candelabras, candle light and cobwebs and you have the look!

Get create with your vases and fill them with little skeletons, spiders, pumpkins, mice and anything else Halloween.  Add some florist moss and you’ve got a simple vignette for the fireplace, coffee table or console.  Simple yet effective!

Happy Halloween……

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HOME STYLING

How To Create A Welcoming Entry

how-to-create-welcoming-entry

We all know that the exterior of your home when maintained really creates a welcoming atmosphere but as your friends, family and guests enter your home that inviting feeling should also transfer into the entry. Also if you are staging your home for the real estate market, you will want that inviting feeling as soon as buyers walk in!  Make that first impression from the curb last and carry through to the inside of the home.

The entry is a key space in any home – you walk through it everyday!  It isn’t a complete room like a living room or bedroom but it does play an important role.  It is often where we keep things like keys and mail or important pieces like school bags or brief cases.  We often do a final ‘check’ so see that our ties are straight or that we don’t have anything on our teeth or a hair out of place.  The entry is well used and for multiple purposes.  It’s important to have a well planned and organized entry for practical sake but also that is looks good.  When you look good you feel good – same goes for your living space.  If your entry is just a catch-all space, it will feel stressful space and set the tone for your day.

Here are some great pieces to spruce up that entry and create a warm and welcoming space.

1.  A Runner or area rug. 

Update your entry with a bright runner which leads your guests into your home. Colour can really brighten up the space but pattern can also add some create visual interest.  Or try both! worried about mud and wet shoes, look for a rug in indoor/outdoor material – it’s easy to clean so perfect for a family space.

2.  A Console Table 

A pretty console table with shelves is pretty and practical. There is a space to hold mail, keys and other home decor favorites. Wow your entryway with a pop of bright color or high gloss! There are many style options – glass, wood, colour, drawers, bottom shelf and different lengths too! For a small space like a condo – glass is a great option you have the surface area without the bulk.  We also love the idea of sliding a small cube or stool under and open console table, pull it out for some entry seating to put on boots and shoes.

3.  A Shiny Dish 

Everyone loves a shiny dish for your trinkets. Make it a habit to throw your keys and spare change in the dish – and never lose your keys again.The shine adds a reflect surface in the space.  Every room should have an element of shine for visual interest.  Small storage can also be pretty.

4.  A Mirror. 

Add a decorative mirror to your entryway to lighten and brighten. Mirrors reflect light and make rooms appear larger.Plus it is so handy to have a mirror right there for a quick hair, teeth and make up check.  Try something decorative like a Starburst mirror – it’s practical and pretty!  But choose one that flows with the rest of the decor in your home.  So a more rustic space would look better with a hammered tin or wood frame mirror.

5.  Baskets for Storage. 

This is another great piece for a busy family home.  Slide these in a corner or slide them under the console table.  Have a console table with a lower shelf? Baskets are perfect for that.  What to do with those basketballs, tennis rackets and other “stuff” that comes in the door daily. Keep everything in plain sight, but organized in a basket by the door.

6.  Entry Bench 

In a larger entry perhaps opt for a bench instead or a console.  And one with storage is a bonus!  You have a place to sit while you pull your shoes on and off. And you get to hide those things you don’t want in sight.This is ideal for a family home as long as you have the space.
 

7. Coat rack. 

Small entry or limited closet space? Try a Coat rack – very accessible and easy storage.  Coat racks hold more than coats! Backpacks, beach totes and gym bags need a place to hang as well.
 

8. Chic Chandelier. 

Entry lighting doesn’t seem important but it is.  Your guests will need to be able to see when they are putting shoes on to get ready to go.  A chic chandelier can light up a dark entryway – plus add glam to your space.  Whether you prefer brass, brushed gold, black wrought iron or painted metal, there are so many choices to suit your style. If you have a really dark entry – consider a table lamp on your console for additional light in the space.

9.  Art. 

A mirror is great  but if you already have mirrored bi-fold doors right at your entry another mirror is just overkill.  Try adding some art or photography at the front again creating a welcoming space.
With these easy 9 pieces you can create a  welcoming and useful entry space.
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