House Beautiful: Between a rock and a great view

House Beautiful: Between a rock and a great view

To my surprise this beautiful home I worked on was in the Times Colonist this past weekend of Sept 15/12.

Kravet Canada



Today I made a trip too Victoria to have a presentation by Brian Donovan, President of Kravet Canada. Our wonderful sales rep, Brenda Marks organized this for all of us in the design trade.

This enlighting presentation was of the new lines that we can expect to see this fall. Can I say WOW!!!! It was wonderful, full of color, prints, texture, and most of all inspiration of what is too come. This gorgeous presentation consisted of some exquisite lines. To mention a well know fashion designer named Oscar de le Renta for one.

This line took my breath away. The attention to detail is incredible! The Luscious Silks! The Exceptional Linens! The Fantastic Cottons! I was so impressed and inspired to the direction we are going in this new line up.  Color! Color! and more Color! It is so exciting to see what we have to offer our clients. I am looking forward to these new lines of  fabrics that Kravet and Lee Jofa is bringing forth this fall.

Here are a few pictures from the Oscar de le Renta line that you can expect to see.

Camille Silk - Noir



Kublai Khan - Blue/Red



Chevron Ribbon - Teal

Abyssina - Plum/Jewel



Deco Deluxe Red/Navy



Acadia Green



Racing Stripe - Neutral



 Dotted Pleat -Wedgewood

Take a look at the Kravet site and view INSPIRED NEWS SEPT/OCT to get yourself ready for what is to come. http://www.kravet.com/

Budget Bathroom Makeover

Recently a client of mine has purchased a home which is in need of some updating.  At this point in time we are going to update the ensuite.  The plumbing isn't going to be relocated, so we are working with the original blueprint.  I have suggested to use a tub with a shower stall attached.  This will fit the current location, and not interfere with the window. We will be using some Moen faucets, hopefully a bamboo vanity, new Toto W/C, and updated light fixtures.  The tile for the shower will be a 6 x 18" white linen look installed on the horizontal along with a vertical accent strip tile of frosted glass, marble mosaic in whites, grays. The floor tile will have a 12 x 24" gray tile with the accent tile installed of  the mosaic in the 1/2" square. We are on a very tight budget so working to make it look inviting with a contemporary edge.  Below is some before pictures.  I hope to post more in the near future. Stay tuned.

Before Pictures

Tile Samples

The wall accent tile and floor accent are the same color but pictures don't show that.

Shower wall accent

Floor Tile Accent

Shower Wall Tile



Below is the faucet I hope to use.

Moen 90 Degrees

Tub/shower stall

Similar stain sample of bamboo cabinetry

One of the lights I am thinking of

Keep watching for the conclusion.

Are You Inspired By Grey's and Purple's?

I recently did a show unit for a project and decided to use a little bit of grey’s and purple’s. I really love this palette anyway, so using them was an easy choice. It really is becoming a big color format for 2010. The thing I love about them is how calming and relaxing they are, but how much impact they can give as well. Just like fashion this color combination is seen on the runway as well in home decor. Even if you are not a fan of this palette, maybe using just a decorative vase, cushion, throw, napkins to name a few as a little inspiration into this wonderful color combo.

I have some pictures of my own, (okay I know not perfect, and I am NOT a photographer). So below you will see what I have used with this combination along with some inspirational pictures that I hope you find stimulating.

A shot of purples for the dining table

Drapery panels in an Aubergine.

The soft grey and white bedding with a rich eggplant decorative cushion.

Dedar

Architectural wall systems by http://www.archsystems.com/

http://www.brintonsusa.com/

 

Sadler Seating

Cole and Sons Wallpaper

Eklay Flora

West Elm

Malene B wool and silk carpet

http://www.ourlittlebox.com/

Paris Fashion Week

Christian Dior

Hope this little bit of the grey’s and purple’s excite you into trying this wonderful palette.

Sunny afternoon on the Island

My Backyard

It is a sunny afternoon on the island.  I thought it would be nice to post some pictures of the wonderful wild life that walks through the backyard everyday.

Bambi

With a face like this, what's not to love!

The mother and her baby visit us everyday.  The fawn is full of vim and vigor. Lots of play and curiosity, like most young animals are like.  It is wonderful to see such playfulness and joy these animals can bring.  With not a care in the world, watching from the deck not worried about our presence at all. 

With mom keeping a close eye on us, but not too worried.

Mom chewing on an Arbutus leaf.

 

Well, I just had to add these lovely twins that showed up for the barbecue on Father's Day.  

It looks like fawn heaven in the backyard.

 

 

I hope you enjoyed this little visit to my backyard, and that these adorable animals put a smile on your face.

I know this has nothing to do with design, but just couldn't resist the happiness it brings.

Fresh and Fabulous Fabrics

 Kravet La Jolla Collection               

Do you need inspiration? A lift in your day! Something to put a smile on your face!  Well look no further than the fantastic and funfilled La Jolla Collection from Kravet. These Kravet prints are fun and exciting.  It seems like we are leaning back to some traditional prints, but with a twist. Bring color back, but in a new way. We have seen alot of the clean modern lines in interior design as far, but not a lot of colour and pattern. With these collection of prints we can still incorporate some fun and whimsy in modern design. Let's step out of the box and play a little.

Why not take these delicious colorful prints and use them as cushions, drapery, covered headboard, accent chair, and bedding. How fun would that be!  If these wonderful prints don't inspire you, then I don't know what will.  What a way to revisit prints.  I hope this inspires you to look at prints in a new way, and enjoy what fun we can have with colour.

These Jackobean, floral inspired fabrics tickle your taste buds.  Enjoy working with pattern and colour. Nothing like colour to brighten up anyones day.

Kravet and Thibault

Kravet fabrics inspire creativity in us all.

I have been working on a clients home lately and we have come up with some special pieces of furniture. The Pelham sofa has Candice Olson accent cushions. The area carpet, pillows, drapery panels all from a fabulous company called yes, you guessed it Kravet. They also carry Thibaut wallpaper which I am using for my clients dining room. The beautiful Barbara Barry fabric is being used for the drapery panels, accent cushions in the living room, along with the covered seat cushions for the counter height stools at the island.   

Thibault Wallpaper T7041 Metallic on Aqua

Barbara Barry Fabric Seafield

 I haven't take photo's of the clients dining room as of yet, but will do once everything is finished and in place.  I do however have pictures of the area carpet, sofa and chair. 

The elegant Rye chair in a Candice Olson fabric.

This Stanza custom designed area carpet in a 10 x 12

Stay tuned for more pictures of the dining room once the job is done. I can't wait. Neither can my clients! They are very excited.