Beautiful Butterflies

Lately I've been noticing more butterflies out and about as I'm walking my dog through the forest.  There have been several monarch butterfly citings over the last few days and they have been totally inspiring me.  Images of butterflies are quite popular in the home decor world too and come in so many beautiful colours while adding a bit of whimsy to a room.  I actually have a large blue wire and mesh butterfly hanging by the window in my office that glitters when the sun shines on it - makes me smile on a cloudy day.  So, I decided to go looking for some more inspiration and found these wonderful images I had to share.



Eco-friendly wall art made with recycled beer cans via inhabitat


Butterfly preserve rug from Anthropologie 



Sculptural relief butterfly table by London based
artist studio based upon via dezeen



Here's an interesting way to decorate a staircase
instead of just displaying photos via stylehive



Add elegance to any bathroom with a butterfly faucet by Lalique



Luly Yang butterfly dress will definitely get you noticed






My favourite monarch butterfly

Someone once said they should be called flutter-bys, I agree...don't you  think?

Adventures in Lighting

I've been scouring the lighting shops and showrooms lately to source chandeliers for a couple of design projects and have developed a new love of lighting.  There is just so much out there running the gamut from artistic yet functional to outrageous and even bizarre.  Some of these fixtures would surely be the star of any room, or in some cases, a surefire conversation piece!  Here are some highlights from this week's ventures:


Jelly in a Bubble lamps are made of mouth blown glass and filled with
various glass and silicone "jellyfish" lit by LEDs designed by Lone Stidsen


 

The 5 foot long Cirrus chandelier has a bronze finish and 12 candelabra lights
It is hand sculpted by Jessica Bodner of San Francisco



Art deco Theatre Chandelier via 1st Dibs



Floating Branch via Bloominglites

Cut Crystal - can you say BLING?!



For the Boudoir - when he's a good boy!
Tramp Lamp made from vintage lingerie by Kelly Butler




BUT when he's a bad boy...if the light's ON, he'll get the message!



For the inventor's garage perhaps?
from Bulbs Unlimited via ektopia



For your teenage son's room - a creepy caterpillar light
The formiga light via nerdapproved

So there you have it...the extremely diverse range of lighting options that are out there.  I had to leave the most bizarre till the end.  And, if you think this creepy light is actually interesting (you might be a bit warped...like me!) you should definitely check out the nerdapproved site for more crazy gadgets... but that's an entirely different post!


Home Office Design: Work in Style

I recently met some wonderful new friends through Twitter and was so happy to hear stories about other people who have started their own businesses with a dream and a paper clip!  It got me thinking about all the home offices out there and I thought it was a good idea to share some design tips on space planning for a functional and beautiful office space.

1)  A great chair is a MUST if you spend lots of time in front of a computer.  Look for something with a tall back,  lumbar support, and an ergonomic design for the most comfort.  It doesn't hurt if it looks as good as this one either!


2)  A large work/desk space should be a priority if you like to spread stuff out like I do.  I usually look for a non-traditional desk that doesn't look like it came from a corporate environment.  Dining tables can be used as a desk and are practical because they give you more depth than a regular desk and there are so many styles to choose from.  Here are some that I like - one of these tables from Korson may end up in my hubby's office very soon.







Sophisticated office & library designed by Miles Redd


3)  Storage:  I can't say enough about this topic because I'm a firm believer in "everything in its place".  A bookshelf as tall as possible is a good start.  Storage boxes to hide the ugly stuff and items you don't need daily.  Display like items together for more impact, some horizontally and some vertically provides variety and visual interest.  File all the paperwork either in the boxes, a file cabinet or in binders.  You can colour code the binders if you are ambitious and it will make you look super organized (see white bookshelf below).


via Channel4.com


 

These Ikea storage boxes hold a ton of stuff in my office and 
are a great buy and they even coordinate nicely (always important).

4)  Good lighting is another essential item especially for those who are relegated to the basement as their only space in the house for an office.  A desk lamp will help minimize eye strain, cause I know we all burn the midnight oil sometimes (or regularly in some cases).  Overhead, general lighting should be nearby to help illuminate the space but not too close to cause glare on the computer screen.  Remember to take a break every 20 minutes, and look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds - this helps eye strain.


 design by Candice Olson 
Notice how she's used a variety of lighting, including recessed pot lights,
a ceiling fixture and various lamps around the room.


5)  A cork board or bulletin board is essential for posting pictures, inspirational items, calendars, or whatever gets you excited about your work and life.  I like to change mine up with the latest furniture designs, fabric & wallpaper swatches, beautiful rooms, sketches, and always my son's art (which is few and far between these days).  Here is a picture of interior designer Barbara Barry's inspiration board:




Here's mine - it's 4x4 feet wide, room for lots of inspiration!


6)  Add meaningful and special personal items to your space because you need something to remind you of why you are doing this every day.  I've always had photos of my husband and son on my desk, scented candles when I'm working late help take the edge off, and I have a BREATHE sign above my desk that has been in a few offices over the years and reminds me to take a break when things get tough.  Or at least to count to 10 before freaking out!!  I'm sure my friends from my last office are smiling to see this again ;-)



I love designing home offices because it makes me feel good to know that a well designed space can actually improve productivity!  I would love to see a picture of your beautiful space and, if it's not so great, let me know if you would like some tips on designing your own perfect stylish office.




Required Reading: The Best of Elle Decor

Recent announcements that Elle Decor's  powerhouse Editor Margaret Russell was ending her 20 year stance at the magazine for her new appointment as Editor in Chief at Architectural Digest sent the design blogging world into an excited tizzy. 


I know the fabulously stylish Russell is going to give AD a glamorous and fresh new perspective but it leaves us hanging about what new editor Michael Boodro, previously Executive Editor of Elle Decor, will do to fill the large shoes he's stepped into.  In the meantime, I came across this great 1st dibs introspective on Russel's 2009 book called Style and Substance:The Best of Elle Decor


The pictures in this book came from scouring over 20 years and 150 Elle Decor issues.   It's filled with beautiful rooms designed by some of my favourite designers such as Steven Gambrel, Charlotte Moss and Nate Burkus, among many other A-list designers, architects and tastemakers.  It also features celebrity homes including Sarah Jessica Parker, Cindy Crawford, Madonna and Donnatella Versace.


The book is a great addition to my every growing collection of design inspiration.  If you like this little peek you should check out the rest at your favourite bookstore and dream about the possibilities for your space.  Get your favourite drink and cuddle into your coziest chair, its going to be a beautiful ride.

Design Inspiration

I've been "un-blogged" for a couple of weeks as the summer wound down and we ramped back up for the new school year.  For me, autumn is a time of renewal, back to routines and often fresh starts.  Lucky for me, I also acquired two new clients over the past couple of weeks and have been busy with design plans.

I've been doing the rounds at the showrooms.  Camilla House Imports is one of my faves with a funky, cool vibe as well as a fresh take on traditional pieces.  They have gorgeous tables made from rail ties and barnboard which they place on brushed stainless or chrome legs.  One of these is sure to be a conversation piece in any room.



Here is a picture I took from the Canadian Gift and Tableware Show which I blogged about here.


  

Barn board and rail ties up close. 

I love these chairs that I'm thinking of using for my client's elegant but casual dining
room where she loves to host dinner parties. 
 


Here's a close-up of the chair arm, I just love the patina on these
chairs and they only get better over time.
 


This is our inspiration shot for the living room designed by Tobi Fairley,
one of Traditional Homes Magazine's top 20 young designers in America for 2009.



  
 The Camilla House showroom is gorgeous but I like to check out the back warehouse
that is filled to the brim with unfinished furniture, cool accessories, and miles of aisles
stocked with amazing decor items ... it's a designer's candy shop!




My other client is looking for a Tuscan inspired living room where she hosts frequent
casual wine and cheese soirees, so comfort is key in this well used living room.  
A pair of these chairs would be cozy.

 

The well-aged patina on this vintage scroll light fixture would add some drama to the space,
wrought iron is a strong element in Tuscan design 




Choosing fabrics and a colour scheme for another busy and active young couple with two small children and a dog means durability, pattern to hide little messy fingers, and yet fun and lively to capture their personalities.  This is the palette we will be working with for the family room of this trendy Danforth neighbourhood home.


Now I'm off to scour the town for more goodies.  Let me know which are your favourites!


You Might Also Like