Osborne & Little

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Beach Front Getaway - Before

What a charmer. A small turn of the century lakeside cottage gets a lift in colour and furnishings but the bones of a classic remain.

Soft sun bleached fabrics, in the colours of water and sand answered my client’s wish to “lighten up” the interior.

I chose to paint antique wicker pieces in a warm white, and soften them with pillow back cushions, and comfy seats in a collection of fabrics and furnishings.

Old bridge and floor lamps were given new life with parchment shades and paint. Stripes on the valance in the sun porch are a classic.

Plaid, stripes, textures and prints are used on the cushions, upholstery, and window valances in other rooms. Everything in washable fabrics that are always cool, fresh, and easy to maintain.

Bedrooms beckon to curl up and read, or catch a few ‘zzzs’ anytime.

A new table and chairs, in distressed paint finish, look fitting and family-friendly beneath the reclaimed iron fixture of beach birds.

It is the place to be for big breakfasts, or long mornings with the Globe and Mail or weekend New York Times.

Bare feet and bare wood floors, wood burning fire, and just enough modern day amenities to suit a sometimes “city weary” family. This cottage is the perfect escape.

Beach Front Getaway - After

That’s why I often choose this line for my clients who want a lighter look with classic touches, and great value.

Now celebrating 20 years in the business, these boys really know their stuff. It’s a huge line that features, living room, bedroom and dining furnishings, with a well edited line of tables, consoles, and lighting.

Some of my favorites include the “Michael” recliner, it’s a real winner. Comfort, style, scale, and best thing it doesn’t look like a recliner. I seem to always use it in leather.

The “Mao Now” collection of tables and chests features cherry veneers, lightly distressed in a warm finish, offering timeless appeal. Priced well, and make stunning bedside tables.

Another winner is the “Norton” collection of seating which offers clean modern profile, deep comfort and could work well in modern or transitional interiors.

Ok Tim, keep it short. See what I mean at www.mgbwhome.com.

Recently in Toronto, shopping with clients, we came across this amazing room setting at Elte, one of my favourite sources.

“That’s it!” my client shouted. ” That’s the look I want…. It’s perfect.” Clean, lean Euro style comfort with ‘Loft Look’ style. I’m often asked to build a room with these statements. Glamorous pillows in shimmering patterns and plains rest on a field of textured linen upholstery. The oversized table to handle books, drinks and hors d’oeuvres, rests on a toe tingling wool 9′ x 12′ area rug in a upscale geometric pattern.

And, yes, they wanted the soccer ball style ottoman, to soften the angular edges and apply the WOW factor. Sexy, smart and sensual. Feature this setting before a LARGE SCREEN, and flickering fire for two, or a snappy, hip cocktail party for 20 over the Holidays. This is my choice also when ‘Shabby Chic’ or ‘Ho-Hum’ rooms just isn’t your style.

Elte Room Setting

With a few minutes to spare between appointments yesterday, I peeked into Crate and Barrel at Yorkdale to see what’s new.   Eye popping displays in Teal, (that fabulous peacock blue), Avocado Green, and Deep Plum, caught my eye.  Leather side chairs in vibrant blue leather. Sumptuous alpaca throws, in a handful of great fall colours, and more than a dozen colours of rich velvety toss pillows.  ‘So good for pumping up the colour scheme in neutral interiors.  Checked out the bedding and glassware too.  Very smart, very now.

Thinking more about this back at my studio, I pulled a great collection of fabrics for upholstery and drapery in the same colour scheme.  I even have fabulous wallpaper to complete the look in stunning oversize patterns.    It’s all right here at 25 York Street.

Why not check out what’s new at Crate and Barrel online?

Check out the September issue of Canadian House and Home magazine and feast your senses on the stylish Paris apartment of Patrick and Lorraine Frey, of the legendary French firm Pierre Frey. In my studio this is my first choice when a client wants authentic French designs in fabrics, wallcovering, and accessories from lighting to carpets. Investigate my Inspiration page on my web site and indulge in the classic and contemporary vision that makes Pierre Frey such an incredible source of style and inspiration. If in Paris, I would encourage a visit to their showroom at 27 rue du Mail, Paris 2e. I’ve had the pleasure of Patrick’s guided tour through their fascinating archives located on the floors above. When Patrick comes to Toronto to introduce the latest collections for spring and fall … I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

For more Frey endorsement, look into  Elle Décor, July and August issue for the Long Island summer house of Aerin Lauder, the grand daughter of Joseph and Estée Lauder, for a room filled with exquisite French fabrics.

The September issue of Traditional Home, pages 36, 136, 170, 172-3 feature Frey fabrics.  August House Beautiful, page 32, features wallpaper, and  September issue page 44, wallpaper again is featured.  Metropolitan Home, September issue page 48 features the French touch in a small Manhattan apartment.

Call to set an appointment for a personal presentation of this ‘hip and glamorous’ line, sought by design professionals world wide.  Studio and in home consultations are available for choosing designs best suited to your home.

De-stressed

Before you set out shopping, knowing what you like and a helping hand will lower your stress.

Study: Gather visuals of shapes, colours, rooms that appeal to you.  Clip favourite images from magazines and keep them in a file for easy reference.   Some will stay, others will be short lived.  Soon you will develop a clear picture of your style; one you can refer to again and again, and use as a tool to discuss with your design professional.

Buying Furniture

Analyse: Take time to review how the furniture will be used, the overall size of each piece, and its placement in the room.  Will it be for daily or only occasional use?  Is this the main room for seating and used for adults, or must it be child and pet friendly throughout the day, with TV and the occasional snacks.  Ask a friend who’s style you admire, or consult a designer who understands space planning and traffic flow to guide your impulses constructively.

Measure: Make sure you have measured the rooms, where doors, and windows are and whether the pieces will fit into the front door, down the hall, or in an elevator.  Many pieces look fine in the showroom, but can be out of scale in your room.

Action: Always be prepared to buy.  Don’t leave home without your measurements, a tape measure, and photos of the room, paint samples, and fabric swatches.  You’ll need these when those rare treasures present themselves and a quick decision brings the prize home.

Style Search: Look to a source with a sense of style like yours…as in clothing.  Ask for referrals, or seek a knowledgeable designer you feel comfortable with and who is interested in your long-term success.  Build a relationship with someone who is there when you need reassurance, and to help move the process from endless waffling to confident pursuit of the mission.   Your designer will be experienced in “high-low” decorating, much like dressing…cashmere sweater, Gap jeans, and designer bag.  They are there to help you allocate resources and maximise your dollars, with cutting edge style and quality products, and you as their main priority.

Bold and Brave

The eye attempts to find pattern in everything it sees: pattern surrounds us and can be found in all sorts of unexpected places. Tiles on a wall, the repetition of a formal garden, and the pickets of a fence come to mind.

Now is an exciting time for using pattern in our homes. Many modern designers are once again using patterns with confidence, flair and, sometimes, a tongue-in-cheek, sense of humour.

Selecting patterns, and combining them in our home can be a challenge especially since we have become so accustomed to using plain fabrics in rooms with plain walls, and plain floors. The media and fashion have perpetuated the concept of plain is good, but the times are changing. Are you?

Decorating your home is an incredibly personal expression, based entirely around your likes and dislikes and how you want to live, and using pattern is just as personal. My ideal over-all print is another’s “busy mess”, so it really is up to you. I invite your to visit some of my links, and see what I mean. I hope they will inform and inspire you, offering insights into interesting, contemporary, and appealing ways to use pattern… for the love of it. I welcome the opportunity to introduce many of these glamorous and luxurious designs to you personally at my studio, and as always, your comments are appreciated.