Filed under: EDITORS’ NOTES
Models showcasing the Celebricity/VIP Only theme.
By Sara Duck
In its fifth season at World MasterCard Fashion Week, Canadian label KORHANI home debuted its Fall/Winter 2013 home furnishing collection – showing what will be on trend in interior design for the season. With the music pumping and a packed out audience, models showcased unique garments entirely made of rugs in three distinctive themes:
Nocturnal
Collection Inspiration: Nocturnal explores the mystery of the unknown: the transcendence into a dream world full of illusion, re-generation and desire. With deep shades of gloomy burgundy and dusty grey highlighted by moonlight pale accents, this collection is reminiscent of the night sky – like hidden secrets written in the stars that reveal themselves only after dark.
Home Furnishing Trends: Velvet cushions in jewel-tones. For the minimalist who wants to update their living or dining room into a sleek and ageless space. A colour palette in cool tones that stands the test of time.
Allure
Collection Inspiration: Allure pays homage to the seductive era of the dream factory film divas. The soft colour palette of dusty rose and shaded nude compose a world of glamour and ageless elegance. Art nouveau style formed by flowing lines creates an opulent atmosphere of luxury and seduction.
Home Furnishing Trends: Feminine florals with a focus on antiques. Geometric patterns will be on trend with rosewood-coloured fabrics and touches of gold accents. For the more traditional who want to add subtle, new elements to a room – while still remaining classic.
Celebricity/VIP Only
Collection Inspiration: Celebricity draws inspiration from the exclusivity of a futuristic members-only club in Manhattan, Berlin or Shanghai. Bold prints with expressive and vibrant colours.
Home Furnishing Trends: Jet black and sharp white with bright pops of subdued neon. Iconic images on the walls and playful accents like bean bag chairs. Perfect for downtown condo-living and infusing youthful energy into small spaces.
“My home collection is a reflection of my lifelong passion for design,” said Kirsten Korhani, chief designer and creative director, KORHANI home. “I have always been drawn to the fashion world – it influences everything I do.”
For more information visit korhani.com
March 26, 2013
By Hellen Buttigieg
You want everything to fit away neatly, display perfectly and know exactly where everything is when you need it. That’s what being organized is all about. But is that realistic? Each space, person and system is different. What worked for some may not work for you. You may have limitations on space or be too overwhelmed by stuff for a quick fix. The demands on your lifestyle and your family’s needs may outweigh the space in your home. Being organized doesn’t happen overnight and it doesn’t have a finish line. Getting organized is a process; learn what works for you.
Keeping it real. You’ll never get organized. Read that again. Yes, that’s what I said. You’ll never get organized, because being perfectly organized is not a realistic expectation. Just to be clear, organization is not a destination. You don’t just wake up one day and find that you’ve arrived. It’s a process – a work in progress. So if you are judging yourself against unrealistic expectations, or holding back on pursuing a goal because you are waiting until you “get organized, once and for all,” perhaps it’s time to look at things differently. Instead of trying to get organized, strive to become more organized every day. Doesn’t that feel more attainable? Instead of feeling stuck, you’ll be able to take a step forward.
Use your instincts. Are you surrounded by piles of papers on your desk, your floor and any other flat surface in your office? Don’t fight your instincts, work with them. Rather than trying to adapt to traditional ways of filing, such as using a lateral filing cabinet, use horizontal methods instead. Use stacking trays or literature sorters, which can be placed on your desk or installed on the wall. Now label them with the categories you use most. It will be easier to adapt to filing papers when you don’t have to change your piling habit.
Let go and let it flow. Are you holding on to things that you’ll never use again? People often unconsciously jam their homes full of stuff because the sheer volume gives them a feeling of comfort and security. If you are operating from a need for abundance, remember that your success as a person has nothing to do with all the outdated or rarely used stuff overflowing from your closets. In fact, it’s probably blocking your prosperity. Let go of what you don’t need to make room for new things to come into your life.
Plan before de-cluttering. Before beginning any de-cluttering project, determine in advance how you will dispose of the items you no longer want. If you have valuable pieces and would like to sell them, decide whether you will do this yourself or hire someone to do it for you. If you would like them to go to charity, which one and where is it located? Some charities will pick up, so call them to find out when they will be in your area. It’s not until those boxes and bags leave your home that you will reap the full rewards of de-cluttering. Planning in advance will curb procrastination and ensure you fully complete the task.
Feeling stuck? If you find yourself backsliding when it comes to maintaining your organizing systems, don’t berate yourself, as this will sap your energy and prevent you from doing anything about it. Rather than dwelling on what went wrong, focus instead on what needs to be done. Just say “oops” and move on to taking action.
Hellen Buttigieg
Hellen Buttigieg, CPO, is a Certified Professional Organizer, life coach, TV host, author and owner of We Organize U. Visit her website, weorganizeu.com, for a free e-Book on how to find more time, energy and inner peace. Contact Hellen at 905.829.2219 or info@weorganizeu.com
March 22, 2013
We’ve teamed up with paint and wallpaper experts Farrow & Ball to give you an inspiring do-it-yourself headboard project for your home!
01 This headboard is applied directly to the wall, so move your bed away to give you room to work.
02 Choose an outline for your headboard that will complement the design on your leftover wallpaper.
03 Measure the width of your bed and decide on the height of your headboard.
04 Using these measurements, cut enough wallpaper to fill the required space, making sure the pattern matches up. The design in this image took three drops.
05 Lay your wallpaper drops side-by-side on the floor.
06 Draw the left-hand side of the headboard in pencil and cut out. You can now use this as a template for the right-hand side; this technique ensures both sides are symmetrical. If you’re not confident, stick to a simple shape.
07 Paste the central drop of wallpaper and leave to soak for
three to five minutes.
08 Mark a centre point for your headboard on the wall and use this as a guide to hang the first drop.
09 Paste the remaining drops and leave to soak for three to five minutes.
10 Hang the remaining drops either side of the central drop and leave to dry. Now you can put your bed back and admire your handy work.
Tip: For a more complex headboard like the one shown, intricate or completely plain patterns work best.
March 20, 2013
Exclusive discounts and deals for our readers!
MASSIVE CLEARANCE DEPOT
Experience exceptional picture quality and stunning 3-D realism in your home with LG’s 42-in. full HD 1080 LED TV. Regularly up to $699 now on sale for only $499. While supplies last!
45 Woodbine Downs Blvd., Etobicoke | 416.213.1001
Like us on facebook and receive a $10 coupon: facebook.com/massiveclearancedepot
ADORNMENTS ON QUEEN
Keep your jewellery and accessories organized all the while hiding it from view with this nifty Floor-Standing Jewellery Cabinet and Cheval Mirror. Available in black, white and walnut. Get 15 per cent off this piece when your mention Home Decor & Renovations magazine at checkout. Offer valid from March. 16 to April. 19, 2013.
338 Queen St. E., Toronto | 416.955.4791
Visit adornmentsonqueen.com
BAYDEN CABINETRY
Luxurious top-of-the-line vanity designed by Bayden. High-quality finish with self-closing full extension drawer slides and crystal hardware. As shown with Bianco Carrara counter, sink and faucet. Regular price is $4,499 and the promotional price is $3,999. Offer valid from March. 16 to April. 19, 2013.
315 Supertest Rd., Toronto | 416.818.8143
Visit bayden.ca
K-WOOD KITCHENS
Getting organized never looked so stylish. Now with a special offer from K-Wood Kitchens, you can install sliding closet doors, size starting from $500. If you are the DIY type, they can be yours starting from only $300, size 36-in. by 96-in. Available in mirror, wooden panels, glass and laminated glass. These are all made of real glass. As for patterned glass, these are available but must be custom-made; please inquire for cost. Hardware included. Offer valid from March. 16 to April. 19, 2013.
36 CONTINENTAL PLACE, SCARBOROUGH | 416.332.0381Visit kwoodkitchens.com
ALTA MODA
In need of a bedroom update? All Solid Wood Durham Furniture is on sale for 10 per cent off regular price. Don’t miss this great opportunity to save 10 per cent off the finest Canadian made bedrooms around. Check our website for the discounted price. Now through April 2, 2013. No exceptions.
680 Rivermede rd., concord | 416.636.5495
Visit altamodafurniture.com
X-TILE CANADA
Changing up your floors is a breeze with X-Tile’s Easy, Habitat, Serena and Touch series that now come in 17 beautiful colours. This contemporary and versatile look will give the impression you spent a lot more than you did on your flooring. At $1.99 per sq. ft., this is X-Tiles’ best deal to date! Valid from March. 16 to April. 19, 2013.
78 Signet Dr., Unit 6, Toronto | 416.749.7111
563 Queensway E., Mississauga | 905.949.8453
for Showroom Hours Visit x-tile.net
March 18, 2013
Don’t forget to pick up our April issue of HD&R out this Saturday March 16! This issue is all about bathrooms and will help get your inspired to update or renovate your space.
March 13, 2013
By Silvana Longo
We may have started a new year just a month ago but that sense of newness doesn’t really register with me until I sense a shift of some sort, or see something that distinguishes this new year from the previous one. After the excitement of the holidays, we are inevitably left with, well winter, so a final digit change of the date doesn’t exactly scream out new year to me. In fact, 2013 didn’t really begin to take shape for me until last weekend… going to IDS 2013 (twice!) was a step towards acknowledging and embracing the new year and all that it has to offer. As I walked from booth to booth taking in all the beautiful design pieces, I kept zigzagging thru the Convention Centre as inevitably something ELSE striking would catch my eye. Going to IDS for me is like indulging a kid in a candy store. Here is a look at some of the treats I would love to bring home with me this year.
The Helix coffee table from Nomo Creations. I love the sculptural design of this coffee table!
- My absolute favourite light fixture from Living Lighting on King.
Archilume Lighting, dimmable incandescent LED lighting
Andrew Richards Summer patio collection, just because I can’t wait for summer!
February 1, 2013
By Evelyn Eshun
When creating a guest room, it is often important to create a self-contained suite where your guest can be comfortable and find most of the personal comforts of home. Just think of a hotel suite and the various elements that can be found within it. The bed is the key piece of furniture in a bedroom so it’s important to make it a luscious and welcoming space. You can’t go wrong with classic crisp white bedding — get the best quality bedding you can find and afford and your guest will have a memorable and restful sleep. Storage for clothing is a must so that your guests can put away their clothes which gives them a sense of permanence in the room. A chair and a table surface are needed for multi-tasking as it gives them an opportunity to sit and write or simply chat on the phone. Don’t forget to add an alarm clock with a radio, and a mirror for personal grooming — these items are often an oversight.
This bedroom was created with the aim of making it welcoming and warm with lots of storage to maintain a neat and clean look. We incorporated built-in storage on either side of the bed to include full-depth 24-inch hanging closet space with nightstands at the standard 26-inch height. This complete unit was painted a muted deep blue-grey colour (Duxbury Grey, Benjamin Moore HC 163).
Duxbury Grey, HC 163
Benjamin Moore
This creates a focal wall and is ultimately a very functional addition to the overall space as well.
The monochromatic colour scheme is continued in the bedding with silk accent pillows. Lighting is always a key component to any successful interior, and in this bedroom we added task lighting with the wall-mounted elbow lights that flank the bed. The ceiling-mounted light fixture is a sophisticated light feature with its crystal and translucent shade that soften the light in the space.
If the guest room does not have an ensuite bath, provide the room with a guest package which includes items like: towels, guest soap, a manicure set, water and a glass. A small pouch filled with lavender not only will ensure a wonderful, restful sleep but it is a much welcomed luxury.
Evelyn Eshun
Toronto-based accredited Interior Designer Evelyn Eshun,
Principal of Evelyn Eshun Design. For over 14 years, she is known for her custom designed residential projects throughout the GTA that showcase the space and bring out the best in you. evelyneshun.com
November 26, 2012
By Elisa Krovblit
Wait for it. Wait for it… Doors open at 2am this Friday!
Turkey and Football on Thursday and then an entire day devoted to shopping insanity on Friday – I think the Americans are on to something with Thanksgiving and Black Friday. While Canadian Thanksgiving a month ago gave me my fill of turkey – I made two 24 pound birds and fed everyone I know and then was invited over for to-fur-key with veggie stuffing the next night – I just can’t help but be envious of the sales!!!!
Black Friday has been on record as the busiest shopping day of the year in the States, and is considered the official kick-off of holiday shopping madness. Some say the day got its name because it’s the day many retailers will see the profits – get in the black – for their fiscal year. So it’s a celebration for retailers and shoppers alike, WIN-WIN!!!!
But it’s not all free-flying credit cards and foot-long receipts. There have been casualties reported in throngs that have crushed innocent shoppers in the rush to the bargain tables when doors open to long line-ups. There are stories this year about people that have been camped out in front of some stores all week long. These shoppers are focussed, dedicated and on a mission. Frankly, I prefer a more lofty shopping experience – but a 90 per cent off, one-day-only sale might change my perspective.
These shoppers mean business!
I don’t know how Americans handle the shopping pressure. It’s hard enough to go bargain-hunting on Boxing Day – when I’m all shopped out and my wishlist is at its annual low after all the present giving and Olympic-sport-shopping I’ve been doing over the past month. But to have at it for only 24 hours when I have a whole home to shop for – er, I mean when I have all these family and friends to shop for – would have to involve some seriously intricate planning and an iron stomach, and a lot of online shopping too!
What I’ve noticed this year is that Canadian retailers are getting in the game. I’m getting e-blasts for online shopping Black Friday deals and seeing the ads in the newspaper and magazines. While I don’t think the extent of the savings is quite the same and I don’t foresee lining up at 2 am to get any doorbuster prizes, there is some small part of me that is pleased that I’m not missing out on ALL of the shopping fun.
HAPPY SHOPPING DAY!!!!!
November 22, 2012
By Erica Gelman
Baby, it’s cold outside!
The leaves are gone, the temperature has dropped and Jack Frost has begun nipping at your nose; the good news is that it can only mean one thing — Christmas, Chanukah, Christmaka and/or Kwanza are just around the corner. Regardless of which holiday you celebrate there’s one thing for certain; it’s time to start decorating.
Typically, when you think of decorating for the holidays it’s all about the tree but I say the tree is just the first step. It may even be your source of inspiration but it doesn’t have to end there. Think ornaments are just for hanging? Think again. With the dynamic colour and style options now available you can decorate every nook in your home, well, maybe not every single one. The assortment and price range varies dramatically from luxury pieces at Teatro Verde to budget-friendly options at HomeSense, Bouclair and even Home Depot featuring the Martha Stewart Collection, so this year there really is no excuse. It’s not where you put these ornaments, it’s how you place them. Be mindful of consistency and harmony. I love the idea of using multiple layers of colour and filling clear vases to spread across your table as décor.
The tables in your home are really the best place to start your decorating frenzy. We always like to draw inspiration from fabrics, so we recommend starting with your tablecloth. For a really unique setting I like to have our clients’ covers custom-made to order. Don’t let the word “custom” fool you. Depending on the size of your table, you probably won’t need more than two yards of fabric and a seamstress to sew the edges. You can invest in small unique items and give your space a real holiday presence.
If you’re one of the lucky ones who has a large mantle, do not forget to adorn that fireplace with colour, texture and elegance. Instead of the traditional evergreen, try a homemade wreath of feathers for a glamorous look or rustic branches in an urban setting. Start with a circular piece of florist’s foam, and then use wooden florist’s picks to secure large items and wrap the object around as much as desired. And there you have yourself an easy DIY project that will reinforce the look you are trying to achieve.
If you’re hosting an elegant soirée, dim the lights and illuminate the room with candles and allow the mood to develop through nightfall. It’s so simple to work with items you already own, it just takes a little creativity and perhaps a second opinion. Set the table with your favourite accessories and layer sections with different finishes for a look that suggests you’ve been collecting pieces over time. For an otherwise crisp and modern approach, my preferred table accessory is a serving tray. In lieu of a placemat or traditional charge plate the tray comes in small, large, matte and lacquered finishes — it will make your décor seem flawless.
For me, it’s always the details that truly elevate the décor. There are so many easy ways to embrace the holiday spirit and enhance the beauty in your home. From small, subtle design touches to large over-the-top custom pieces, the possibilities are endless. Enjoy the season and just remember — decorating your home for the holidays far exceeds dressing up just the traditional tree.
November 20, 2012
By Silvana Longo
NEFF KITCHENS
Pauline Nowak, Principal Neff Custom Cabinetry
Silvana Longo: What are the latest features in high-end kitchens? Appliances, bigger or more compact?
Pauline Nowak: High-end kitchens have experienced a shift in the past few years. Not only is it the focal point of the home, but, renovating your kitchen gives you the highest return on your money! This means that people want to be confident with their selection of materials and maximize the impact.
We are finding that consumers are choosing larger appliances…and more of them! Forty-eight inch to 60-inch cooktops are requested, double ovens and larger refrigerators like the Miele Master Cool system.
Microwaves can now be concealed in drawers to improve the overall aesthetics. (Microwaves have always been a sore point from a design perspective because they aren’t visually appealing!).
Consumers are also requesting two dishwashers for their space. Overall, we have seen an increase of integrated appliances, which means choosing a kitchen company with tight tolerances between cabinet doors is even more important to the look.
SL: What does the new luxury kitchen look like?
PN: New luxury kitchens are more prevalent in walnut and oak veneers. Specifically used in rift cuts to give a more consistent grain appearance, which we love working with. We have also seen an increase of interest in distressed and natural wood finishes.
Warm colours and textures dominate the kitchen and other areas. Designers and architects are specifying a lot of grey or limed wood tones too. Even the whites are becoming more antiqued.
Lighting is an important component in luxury kitchens and has become more sophisticated and integrated. Backsplash electrical receptacles will also become a thing of the past, making way for hidden, integrated systems.
SL: What can we expect to see in 2013?
PN: Wine cellars have been making headlines these days…it’s replacing the sauna room which was essential in every home in the 1970s and 1980s.
Horizontal lines will stay strong. Grain matching veneers is critical when considering the aesthetic of a strong wood like walnut and American apple.
I think the warm wood tones are here to stay. Crotch mahogany is my new favourite. It looks like it’s on fire!!
Look for a dramatic reduction in toxic emissions, especially urea formaldehyde, since it has now been categorized as a known carcinogen. We have been responding to this issue for more than a decade and will continue to monitor the consumers’ health needs.
We have been using alternate metal finishes that have capabilities beyond stainless steel. We are creating cabinet doors, hoods and even three dimensional application in bronze, gun metal finish and even pewter. When we apply a patina finish, it gives the appearance of real cast pieces. This is a must-see for 2013!
November 16, 2012
Next page
Previous page
