Canadian Gift Show - Part 2

This segment of my visit to the CGTA has a mix of well known sources of design inspiration and some new introductions for me.

Muti & Co. has a wonderful collection of furnishings and accessories for any style home.  Creative Director Lisa Aiken was kind enough to highlight some lovely vignettes she designed and new products they were featuring at the show.

More Black Glamour - also featured here

Can't resist the silver velvet chair and organza floral pillows with mirrored furniture and hits of fuschia...

or are we calling it Honeysuckle now?

Elegant European flair

Garden inspiration

Their huge selection of mirrors is striking against the deep blue wall

I was totally struck by this picture and I MUST have it for myself!

Another stop on my tour was a well known brand available in some of the finest home decor retailers and often cited in shelter magazines, Torre & Tagus.  The drama of the black and white foundation, while captivating, took a back seat to the bursts of pink, purple and silver sprinkled throughout.  Birds, poodles and orchids beckon to be noticed!

We were all swooning over the owls at West Elm in December

A new flock is coming ladies!

This mirror would be fabulous for my powder room makeover (someday!)

You don't need an expensive floral bouquet for these gorgeous vases,

just a few simple blooms or large banana leaves.

Her boyfriend is over here

Amy Butler known for her fashion & print design has collaborted with New Orleans based manufacturer Kalencom to create gorgeous bags and travel accessoies.  Made of eco-friendly organic cotton, low impact dyes and the highest grade leather accents, zippers & trims along with bulletproof construction! 

Can't beat that.

The lovely Lin was very helpful demonstrating the quality construction, versatility and functionality of all the pockets, beautifully lined with high grade leather in this photo below.

Look at all the gorgeous colours and patterns.  They come in a wide variety of styles such as totes, dufflebags, laptop bags, diaper bags, various sized travel and carry-ons. 

The only problem is which amazing pattern to choose!

Still more to come from CGTA 2011...

Canadian Gift Show: Camilla, Cobi, Steven & Chris

This year's CGTA gift show visit almost didn't happen for me between school PA day, snow day and a busy month but I managed to find three hours on the last day to attend...and I'm glad I did.  I registered as Media and was lucky enough to have a wonderful PR rep, Natasha from Idea Workshop escort me around the show so that I was able to take pictures of my favourite vendors.    I had so many pictures that I'm going to spread the reviews out in a few posts.

One of my favourite discoveries at last year's show was Camilla House Imports who had an even larger and more elaborate booth than I remember.  They continue to expand on their specialty of "reclaimed" wood and metal, so on trend right now, with the addition of some fabulous over sized mirrors and tables

this piece is meant for mirror or glass to be inserted into panels

Another big hit was "black glamour"- from tables and chairs, to lighting and accessories, it was all over the industry trade shows this year - hooray, black is back!

Elegant French Poodle lamp with black feather shade

When I saw this striking, over sized leather trunk outfitted into a cozy bar with pullout tray it immediately struck me as not only beautiful but also multi-functional.  The left half could easily rest a laptop for of all my friends that work from home and sometimes need a little liquid solace at the end of their multi-tasking days..how convenient to have the bar at arm's reach!

Next I headed over to the Samaco/Canfloyd/Northdale booth to check out the latest offerings from Steven and Chris and a new line from former Editor of Canadian House and Home magazine, Cobi Ladner aptly named Cobi Style - initials standing for Collection of Beautiful Ideas.

 I can see this masculine line in a stylish modern library filled with leather-bound books or an industrial chic bachelor pad .



I love the fresh, muted colours and texture of this line

Cobi Ladner's line was a splash of Springtime with vibrant pinks, oranges and greens in lovely fabrics, pillows, furnishings and accessories.

More fabulous Spring previews from CGTA to come....

Shopping Heaven

I went to the annual Canadian Gift & Tableware Association (CGTA) trade show this week and it was just fabulous!  Thousands of unique and interesting products were being showcased by hundreds of exhibitors from across the country.  I was able to get in a few pictures with permission from the booth owners before Security caught me and asked me to stop!  How crazy is it that you can't take pics for your blog?

This selection is from  Colibri Art Design  based in Montreal.  The coffee table base and stools

are made from teak but the wood is chosen from under the ground where it doesn't darken

to produce the reddish-orange colour normally seen with teak.  You can really see the actual shape of the roots on the stool second from the right.  The square ottomans are covered in goat hair because they are made in India where cowhide is not allowed to be used.

Teak is used again on these uniquely shaped lamps.  The carved and curved wood is mounted

on a simple square base where the light is directed upwards to create a dazzling shadow 

on the wall and ceiling. Imagine a hallway lined with several of these organic pieces,

how stunning would that be?

Here another large lamp made of a single 6 foot piece of teak and

a more modern looking group of lamps made from capiz shells and bamboo inserts.

The organic styling continues with this oversized vertical lamp made of weaved

wood and stone pieces.  It's all made by hand - true craftsmanship!

These are vanity pedestals made of stone and pebbles, the sink base on

top is made of granite.  One of these would surely be a showstopper in 

any bathroom (hmm...something to consider for my powder room makeover!)

Now you don't have to hang your disco ball from the ceiling...it can sit on any surface

that is lacking some bling!  I do love the contrast of the sparkle against the

hardwood console and smooth white marble bust...and I do mean "bust"!

 

This had to be my favorite stop of the day!  Camilla House Imports, based in Mississauga

captured my attention even after hours of walking.  Their newest collection created by in house designer/owner features gorgeous works of art by mixing metals and natural materials for

spectacular furnishings that could work in any style room. 

Here we see an oversized square coffee table with a well-worn, barn-board top and huge

polished chrome legs.  On top of the table an ottoman made of pony hide with nail head

details and brushed stainless legs.  The chair is incredibly detailed and hand-sewn from

pieces of leather over a curvacious frame - love, love, and love it some more!!

Here's a closeup of the chair - isn't it sexy??

I'll have more pictures for you in another post.  Let me know what you think.