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1.31.2014

Equestrian Decor: Year of the Horse

Happy Chinese New Year! It's officially the year of the horse. I was born during the year of the horse, so this one is especially fun for me. The past couple of years, I've seen equestrian decor popping up more and more, and I predict that now that it is now officially the year of the horse, it's going to become a major trend. It's always been a dream of mine to go horse back riding - although I'm a little bit intimidated by horses, there is no denying the sheer power and regalness of these gorgeous creatures!
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
Take a look at some of my inspiration pics for horse-related decor:
Designed by Kelly Wearstler via O at Home Magazine
via Atmosphere Interior Design Inc.
via Apartment Therapy
via Design Darling

via House Beautiful
 Do you have any equestrian decor in your home? What do you think about this trend? Comment below!
xox
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1.27.2014

IDS 2014: Some Highlights

Like every other Toronto design blogger/enthusiast, I spent a good chunk of my weekend exploring and being inspired at IDS2014. I get very overwhelmed by the sheer size of events like this, and inevitably, my intentions to take a million pretty pictures get thrown out the window while I touch and experience everything. I did, however, make sure to document some things that really caught my eye.

First up is the IKEA booth. IKEA is always a showstopper at this event and this year was no exception!

I was literally drooling over that gold tile!

I also really liked the fun and quirky displays illustrating colorways at the Urban Barn Display:
Obviously this wall treatment isn't the most practical, but it is pretty and romantic isn't it?

A line by Aerin Lauder is coming to Cocoon Furnishings! I just loved this etagere vignette:

I also had fun seeing the new products on the market, especially those designed and constructed locally here by talented designers in Toronto.
I found these 'Innit' chairs to be so fun and surprisingly comfortable:

 Last but not least, I had the privilege of hearing the design talks by Linda Reeves, Kelvin Brown, Suzanne Dimma and Sarah Richardson, which was very inspiring and motivating. Sarah's booth featuring her new Kravet fabric line was amazing too, but much too crowded for me to take a decent picture!  Here is a peak off of Sarah's Instagram account:
via Sarah Richardson on Instagram
Next year, I will try to take more photos! At least this year I didn't knock over any sculptures...
Big thanks to M. for sticking it out with me all day! He is a keeper.

Were any of you at IDS? What was your favourite thing?
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1.23.2014

Light my Fire: Pretty Matches

How ugly/always-out-of-fluid-when-you-need-them/ gives-the-impression-that-you-are-a-smoker are regular plain old BIC lighters. I mean, don't we deserve something a little more lovely to light up our deliciously scented candles? I think so. Enter pretty matchboxes and matchbooks. There is something so classic about a match, no?
via
via Katie Armour
source unknown
via Live Creating Yourself
via Design Darling
Well, I know I said I was going to buy less in the New Year, but I've had a little slip up. Jackie from York Avenue posted a picture of these matches and the price was right and I just couldn't resist. Jackie! I thought we were in this together!
Now they are mine, all mine. Well, I had to pre-order them, so soon they will be mine.
Get 'em at Waiting on Martha!
xox
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1.22.2014

Watercolour Wednesday: Moody and Mirrored

Another watercolour from my rendering class last term, practicing again from "Interior Design Illustrated: Marker and Watercolor Techniques" by Christina M. Scalise. We were experimenting with using large, abstract brushwork. I love the dramatic aesthetic of this one!
Ps. Tomorrow I'm going to the media preview for Chapters/Indigo! Can't wait to see some of my fellow Toronto bloggers there!
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1.20.2014

An Arrangement to Admire: A Desk Behind a Sofa

So, about once every 3 months I get the urge to leave my current living situation. I love the set up of my tiny bachelorette, but it means sharing a building and kitchen with 5 other girls...which can get much messier than I can handle. The reality is the price is right and my personal apartment portion (livingroom/bedroom/office area with large bathroom and walk-in closet) is lovely. I probably will not move until I graduate from Interior Design school, but right now, I've got the itch bad. Probably has something to do with the large pile of dishes in the sink that I'm waiting for the culprit to wash.

 When I start day dreaming about this new hypothetical apartment (where the kitchen is all mine), I know it will most likely have to be a one bedroom (or another studio style space) due to cost. Where am I going to put my necessary desk area? The answer I favour the most lately is putting it behind the couch.
For now I invite you all to day dream a bit about this set up with me:
Joe Nye via House Beautiful
^ Can be used as an additional serving surface when guests are over!
via Emily Henderson
Loeffler Randall via Domino
via Source42
Jess Lively via Pretty Fluffy
Could be dangerous though...the TV would be in direct eye line! Self discipline at it's finest.
Happy week my loves!
xox

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1.15.2014

Watercolour Wednesday's: Shiny Floors

Last term my entire rendering class was done using watercolour, so I have a lot to show you! This week, I'm sharing a practice exercise we did based on page 21 of "Interior Design Illustrated: Marker and Watercolor Techniques" by Christina M. Scalise. This is one of my favourite books that I've had to buy for school.
I love the way this painting turned out and I really feel that the floors look successfully shiny (maybe even a little slippery!). Happy Wednesday.
xox
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1.14.2014

A Golden Pouf

Christmas has come and gone and my room got a mini makeover to make room for all my new golden accessories that I received as gifts over the holidays. There is just one thing left my room is really missing...
Margaret Elizabeth via The Everygirl
via Stephanie Sterjovski
via The Lishes
via Style Me Pretty
A golden pouf! While I'm on a no spending spree right now, these pictures will tide me over.
Perfect as a footstool, extra seating or side table, it's a great multi-use piece!

Will the gold madness ever end? I hope not.
xo
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1.13.2014

My Girly Gallery Wall

What bachelorette pad would be complete without a girly gallery wall? Over the past year or so, I've been collecting prints and art pieces without much thought to how they would all coordinate together or how exactly I was going to hang them. I'll admit, I totally wung (winged?) this gallery wall (as evidenced by the MANY nail holes hiding behind each piece as I inched everything up, down, over and back again until I was satisfied...don't tell my landlord!). But now that it's up I have to admit the colours in each piece look perfect together...almost like I planned it!
 I really like how the art is framed by the doors flanking each side of the bookshelf (one leads to my walk in closet and the other to my bathroom) and I kept the highest piece in line with the moulding around the door to emphasize this. I purposely positioned the pictures around the TV to take the eye away from this big, blank, black rectangle.

Like my prints? Shop them below:

YSL Leopard Loafers (I scored the original watercolor, but you can get the print!): The Aestate
Gold T: (Gift from my big bro!) Chapters/Indigo
OUI graphic print: The Aestate
Lips Print: The Aestate (now available on Made by Girl)
Audrey Hepburn: Gift from my mama purchased from a vendor in NYC
Landscape: Flea Market Find!
Small Lamp Watercolor: Painted by yours truly! See it up close here
Butterfly Taxidermy: HomeSense (read about it here!)
Audrey Hepburn Triptych: Gift from my boyfriend, oddly enough also purchased in NYC!

Do you have a gallery wall in your home?
xox

You might also like: Gallery Wall Planning / DIY Large Abstract Canvas
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1.10.2014

Pretty in Pink: A Soft Pink Coat

Lately I've been completely obsessed with the idea of a menswear-inspired jacket, but done in an overly feminine shade of soft pink. I already have a hot pink peacoat, but I think pale pink is just so perfect, delicate and classically elegant. I'm a girly girl at heart, and I think this would be a perfect investment.
via
via Lauren Conrad
via 9 to 5 Chic
via Rue Mag
via View from 5 ft 2
via Glitter Guide
via Suburban Faux-Pas
A light pink coat is perfect for adding a touch of vintage glamour and softness to any outfit. Not to mention Valentine's Day is right around the corner and this would make for the sweetest of looks.
Have I convinced you yet?
xox
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