Junior League Holiday House Tour

I am pleased to be a part of the 30 year anniversay of the Holiday House Tour for the Junior League again this year.  Nicole (from Purple Lotus Interiors) and I are once again decorating a bedroom and bathroom for the ``Family Perfect`` home in Ancaster.

The Junior League is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.*

Each year they put on the Holiday House Tour of Distinctive Homes.  If you happened to tour the Burlington house last November you would have seen the "Natural Elegance" concept we created for a guest bedroom and ensuite. 

Our idea was to have a mix of natural, rustic pieces contrasted with with the sparkly elements of the season.  I am posting a few photos to show you what we came up with for these rooms last year.  

The birch branches displayed in a clear vase with sinamay and lights were a favourite idea for many guests.   These had the most impact when located in a dark area of the room. 

Many people commented on the dresser.  The "Believe" letters were surrounded by sinamay and lights, then accented with pinecones and tree ornaments. 

 

We were happy when a photo of our dresser vignette was published in the Burlington Post!

The tour dates this year are November 9 - 11.  Tickets are $25.00 in advance or $30.00 at the door.  If you want to know more please visit the Junior League website at: 

www.juniorleague.ca

I don't know how many of you have had the pleasure of touring the holiday homes for the Junior League in the past.  It truly is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening gathering ideas for the holiday season, as well as supporting a good cause.   Many women make a day of it with their girlfriends, grabbing a bite to eat inbetween stops.  Sounds like a good way to spend time on a cold November day don't you think?

Please come by and say hello when you visit the Ancaster home.  I will be there most of the weekend and would love to hear your feedback!

 Thanks!

 * quote of mission from the Junior League website

Emerging Trends and Colour Stories - Winter Wonder

Winter Wonder is a rich, textured look with plenty of contrasts.  It is, by far,  my favourite colour combination of the year.  Pairing a beautiful deep nordic blue, with greys, and shimmery whites gives it a luxurious feel. 

Think weathered woods, barnboards, faux cowhides and lambskins.  Add these natural smoky coloured elements with some shimmer but restrained use of colour.  Dark browns, bark and cableknits also get into the mix.

Now to translate that to a room setting,  here is an example of how well these elements work together.  This living room has a dramatic, yet serene appeal.  



 

a-touch-of-luxe

 

A dining room with dark blue walls and a rustic table can still look sophisticated. 

 

fromtherightbank.com

Winter Wonder is a versatile look you can have fun with.  Using the various textures with muted blue- grey tones makes for an interesting impression.  Below are some other combinations that work well using this winter wonder palette. 

 

 

 

Thanks for dropping by! 

 

I am happy to say I am again creating a festive room for The Junior League of Hamilton-Burlington Holiday House Tour this year with my fellow decorator Nicole at Purple Lotus Interiors.  In my next blog I will tell you all about that! 

 

In the meantime you can check out what they are all about on their website at:  www.juniorleague.ca      

 

Emerging Trends and Colour Stories - Autumn Blaze - Copper

pinterest

This colour story has the gorgeous copper and sienna shades we identify with for the season.  Look for the warm tones of auburn, russet and chestnut.  This year the trend is to merge these orange based colours with the earthy taupes or greys. 

This room uses the warm palette with darker, bolder colours. 

info.asmarainc

 Here taupe and orange is combined and has a completely different feel. 

houzz

 

As with the Autumn Blaze Scarlett Colour Story, the Copper one also injects brave patterns into the mix.  Have a look at the pillow below to illustrate what I mean. 

 

etsy

 

I will leave you with some fall ideas to use in and around your home. 

 

hiphipgingin.com

 

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georgiamacdonald


 

I just wanted to mention the big trend regarding painted pumpkins this year.  The great thing about that is you can colour them to suit your decor while still giving you that unmistakeable shape that shouts fall. 

 

My next post will be the final one of this trends and colour stories series.  Check back soon for my Winter Wonder blog.

 

Til next time - have fun with your seasonal decorating!

 

 

 

 



Emerging Trends and Colour Stories - Autumn Blaze

Ahh......Fall.  Its arrival has brought us cooler nights and some beautiful bright reds along with it.    


etsy.com

Red, Black and White are the dominant tones inside the "Scarlett Autumn Blaze" Colour Story.    Again the graphic patterns are used but mixed with softer metals.   The zebra pattern is used in its traditional black and white or in an unexpected red.

This bold red is also used alot through colour blocking.  Notice the dramatic statement the red wall makes in this room.

apartmenttherapy

This combination can look trendy and urban or classic and clean.  Who wouldn't enjoy relaxing on the stunning porch below?


deardesigner







Check back soon so you can see what the Autumn Blaze Copper colour story is all about. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 



Emerging Trends and Colour Stories - Summer Time

Following the watercolour colours of the spring fling palette, things get turned up a notch.  Summer time has a much more intense and vibrant story. 



sarahhearts.com

It has a vintage vibe that is pattern rich.  Bolder graphic are reminiscent of the 60's and 70's. 

eatdrinkchic

As you may have noticed chevron is the biggest pattern right now, especially in turquoise or tangerine.

spicyicecreamdesign

Think of all the brightly coloured jeans available, now translate those into home decor.  Throw pillows, some new art or other accessories will inject your space with some new life, just as adding a bright scarf or jeans to an otherwise neutral outfit. 

myfashioncents

Clear bright colours are used with a touch of whimsy.  Gotta love the punch of hot pink in this bedroom with the patterned quilt. 

blendtv

Next up is Autumn Blaze (Scarlett). 

Thanks for dropping by! 

Emerging Trends and Colour Stories - Spring Fling

Here is Part One of the "Emerging Trends and Colour Stories" series, as promised.

harlequin.uk

At the Designer Trade Show I attend last week, guest speakers included Dixon Bartlett and Caroline Hipple, who are consultants for the home furnishings industy.  They amount of research they do is mind boggling.  Worldwide trends that even include the up and coming yarn colours in the textile industry are studied.  Attending fashion shows is another way for them to determine what the most up to date patterns and combinations are.  After compiling all the information from many different countries they come up with the colour pallet for the year. 

modsensibility

The Spring Fling colour story is comprised of beautiful watercolours.  Bright, light translucent colours that use mint green, robin's egg blue, dove grey and fushia.  Garden themes with a mix of colour and pattern - think petal power. 

citycrafter

Green will be a very prevalent hue. Many rooms were shown using different greens layered together.  All in all it is a modern restful palette that evokes that spa feeling. 

 

NorwalkFurniture.com
 

Next up will be the Summer Time colour story - check back later this week for that one! Thanks for dropping by.

2012 Designers Tradeshow - Emerging Trends and Colour Stories

Hello Everyone!

There is nothing like attending a designers tradeshow to get me excited about whats new in the decorating industry.

 

It is inspiring to be able to take in all the new fabrics and textures available.  Many of the new books shown by the fabric suppliers have just been released this week for the upcoming season. 

Five colour stories were discussed at the seminar I attended.  They are divided into colour combinations based on seasons.  There is Spring Fling, Summer Time, Autumn Blaze (Scarlett), Autumn Blaze (Copper) and Winter Wonder. 

So my next 5 blogs will be dedicated to exploring each of these colour stories in more depth. Please come back to learn all about them!