Centro Garden

Centro Garden is a cool little shop in downtown Burlington. It is where I purchased my succulent arrangement shown in my last post.

They have a gorgeous outdoor garden area where they sell furniture and plants and even hold an organic market on Fridays. The indoor area is full of unique finds. For our anniversary my parents gave us these "just like mama" wine glasses that they purchased at Centro. They are by Fishs Eddy- the famous housewares shop in NYC. I used them for mini iced coffees.

When I was there the other day I snapped a few photos of some things I liked...

The succulent arrangement in the drift wood was amazing. Wouldn't it look great down the centre of a rustic table?

They make mini arrangements to order-definitely doing this for my next party as favors. Also love the little graphic dishes.

 This is what I bought-inexpensive jars for candles and a few turquoise votive holders for the condo.

Here are few photos from their website...

 Sign up for a terrarium and wine class!

Have a great weekend everyone.  XX

Condo Balcony

I have finally, sort of, finished the balcony at the condo. It is as small as a postage stamp and was super difficult to photograph without hanging dangerously over the railing. I still have to figure out the lighting situation-there is no overhead light and it gets quite dark at night. There is an outlet so I was thinking of filling a vine ball I have with mini white Christmas lights and hanging it like a chandelier from the ceiling. What do you think?

I love the succulent arrangement I bought at Centro Garden in Burlington. It is so low maintenance it only needs to be watered every two weeks. If you are ever west of Toronto you should visit Centro, they have many unique items and great party ideas. I am going to do a post on them later this week.

The love seat and chair is exactly what I wanted--something super plush and comfy. I looked all over the city and finally found these at Canadian Tire of all places. I paid literally 5 times less that other outdoor furniture stores I looked at. They are probably not as weather resistant as the expensive lines, but then again they get little ware and are totally covered from the elements. I am not crazy about the throw pillows that came with the set, but they will do for now. I found the turquoise garden stool at Homesense.

Nautical Style

I found some great nautical accessories on Etsy. Do you Etsy?

I spend way too much time "pretend" shopping on this sight! 

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 Boat cleat coat rack. Perfect for the cottage or mudroom. Buy cleats at a marina or boat shop and make your own. Use an old board or paint one a super glossy red.

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 I love this. Hang in the kid's bath for a little touch of nautical or use it in your cottage or boathouse bath. I would love to see a few of these mounted in a row for storing colourful beach towels. Would look cute hanging in my pool house too.

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 Perfect for a boy's room. Spell his name in nautical symbols and add a few pillows to jazz up plain white and navy bedding.

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 My Mom use to collect lobster buoys and I have a few too. This would look great in our Nova Scotia cottage. I would frame it with a kelly green or red mat and a white frame. Very preppy.

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And for the doggy in your life, a nautical collar and leash.

We are having a good time here in Nova Scotia, I will post some photos as soon as I have can figure out the internet situation. I am going through iphone withdrawal right now--help--I can only get patchy service if I stand on the toilet and hang out the window!! 

Talk soon.   XX

Colourful Condo

Did you see this condo in Style at Home? It belongs to Lindsay Mens who is part of Sarah Richardson's design team. I really love the way she successfully brought together an eclectic mix of furniture, colours and objects. This is the type of interior that I gravitate towards. I appreciate that the space is pretty and pulled together (certainly it's been styled for the magazine), but I also like the fact that it looks like she purchased the items over time and each piece has meaning to her. In the article she said if something speaks to her, she buys it-that's the key to an interesting space. She has mixed big box store finds, antiques, vintage pieces and family cast offs to produce a truly homey feel all in only 800 square feet.

Using a red medallion rug was a bold choice-I think it works!

Love the mix of vintage lamp, old and new turquoise glass and deco mirror.

I will come clean now---I will be copying this idea. I have a key hole desk that needs the "spray treatment" to become a pretty dressing table.

Red

Lately I've been noticing that red is making a come back both in interior design and in fall fashion.

 I thought these images were stunning (and inspiring) and wanted to share them with you.

 Tomorrow I have a few shots of a condo that uses bits of red in a really nice way-see you then!

all of the above from Tumblr

Farrow and Ball

Vacation Time

We are off for a little R and R at our family cottage in Nova Scotia.

It is always a major adventure-over the years we have done everything from whale watching, fires on the beach, blueberry picking, gun shooting, lobster eating, antiquing, lighthouse visiting and even had an appendix removed. (James, there will be no ambulance rides this trip!!)

Internet connections are super sketchy at the cottage so I hope to put up a few posts from the local library. Until then I leave you with a few images that are getting me in the mood for all things coastal.

Canadian House and Home

photos from Tumblr

Talk Soon

Chillin'

I am sitting around our pool enjoying the amazing weather; it has definitely been one of the best summers ever. I have a stack of design mags and a glass of iced tea.

I am imagining that I am looking out at this.....

Toronto Home Magazine

this is what I am actually looking at......

(the blow-ups are a bit much, but I really can't complain!!)

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

More Bedrooms

Hello everyone! Just a quick post today-more bedroom inspiration.

Victoria Hagan Design

I took this photo on the weekend at an open house. I wish I knew where the bed is from-I like the nail head trim, simple shape and grey linen fabric-perfect for my guest room re-do.

Bedroom Inspiration

I am starting to get a few ideas together for a guest room make over that I will be staring soon. I am thinking that I want to incorporate very pale grey walls, mostly white bedding with a little colour and definitely a symmetrical set up of the bed, side tables and lamps. This type of balanced layout is very calming and serene feeling to me. Since it's a guest room I don't want too much in it other than a really comfortable queen bed and large side tables that can double as dressers.

I've had my eye on this....it's at Ikea so that means I need to gather my courage before venturing out to the Swedish torture chamber. (Every university student in the universe is there right now!!)

Here are some of my inspiration shots...

Peter Fallico Design

Alexander Berlin Design

Barclay Butera

Jan Hiltz

Kelly Deck Design

Muse Interiors

Monique Lhullier's Bedroom      Elle Decor

Studio Ten 25

Giannetti Home

Dodson and Daughter Design

Alice Lane Home

Hope your day is going well-see you soon.