A visit to The Modern Shop

My favourite Ottawa shop for modern home decor goodness is The Modern Shop. I have visited this shop on more occasions than I could ever count and have spent more money here than I care to calculate. :) The other day owner Michael Shaikin suggested the husband and I stop by for a visit as he had just finished a makeover of the shop - he didn't need to twist my arm! Some walls painted black, floors painted in Farrow & Ball's Calamine (like my dining room - WOOT!), and super fabulous and funky wallpaper (Studio Job Alt Deutsch Wallpaper by NLXL)...it's fresh and fun and looks fantastic! Plus he used my wallpaper/painter guy who is amazing so Mike owes me a serious discount on that Moooi rug I ordered I think for hooking him up. ;)

It was tough to photograph the pink floors properly in this light but the photo above is a decent attempt. Looks gorgeous with the Era Lounge Chair by Normann Copenhagen. 

Tom Dixon accessories. SO HOT. 

Jonathan Adler accessories. SO FUN. 

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Artilleriet Studio

Pop-up shops, particularly those staged in apartment spaces, come and go with regularity these days. The concept is tried and tested, after all who wouldn't want to be seduced into purchasing beautiful goods in inspiring interiors. Just like shopping your fabulously stylish friend's house. One could almost be forgiven for yawning "ho hum" at the mention of another such retail space ... except this is no ordinary pop-up shop. Oh no the new Artilleriet Studio in Gothenburg, Sweden is so breathtaking that the old chestnut about moving into the shop and never leaving has never held so true. I'll even take the dog.

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My top 5 online furniture stores

I came up with a list of my top 5 favourite online furniture stores conveniently located in Ottawa and Toronto and wanted to share because you all need to know about these shops. Why? Because they are awesome and owned by awesome Canadians. And you can shop them online! 

The first in the list of best online furniture stores is Furniture Maison. This is a new-to-me online store whose focus is on clean design with a simple aesthetic, including Scandinavian, mid-century modern and industrial influences. Furniture Maison develops direct partnerships with furniture designers that own their manufacturing facilities, eliminating the middleman and unnecessary mark-ups. Also, their online-only approach minimizes overhead which allows their relatively small operation to offer their products at affordable prices without compromising on quality. I know this for a fact because they sent me a sofa and it is FANTASTIC and incredibly well made. Here are some pieces they carry that I am a big fan of:

Concrete coffee table

My sofa! Part of their collection of mid-century modern furniture. The Ruby reversible sectional sofa. 

Not your granny's rattan! The Aloha chair

The Louvre TV cabinet. For all your stylin' media component needs. 

I need a room to fit this in. Seriously in love with the simplicity of this loveseat. The Leo 2 seater sofa. A great course for Scandinavian furniture online - check out more of their Scandinavian furniture best sellers. 

Another Scandinavian-vibing piece is the walnut media unit. 

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Brassica Restaurant & Mercantile

A follower of our blog named Louise wrote us about a restaurant and shop she has opened in Dorset, U.K. and kindly sent along lots of photos. I love this! I can totally see myself spending a Sunday afternoon shopping and having a bit of wine and a snack here.

Brassica Restaurant & Mercantile is an independent hospitality and retail brand located in the heart of Hardy Country - West Dorset. The restaurant offers an outstanding experience of delicious food, wine and service in a stylish environment. The menu is produce-led using seasonal food grown, raised, caught or collected in Dorset and the South West. The modern European dishes change daily. The menu has been designed to encourage an informal way of eating: people can share main courses, order a selection of starters or just pop in for a glass of wine and a plate of charcuterie. 

Mercantile is the retail arm of Brassica offering a bespoke range of goods that focus on the 'art of entertaining' and convivial gatherings. The shop next door and online sells a carefully curated number of lifestyle items selected from around the globe and which reflect the aesthetic used in the interior of the restaurant. The shop offers a mix of linens, candles, tableware, glassware and cookware, many of which are used in the actual restaurant. Specialist food and fine wine is available alongside books, furniture, textiles, homewares and a number of vintage items. (OMG I want this velvet bedspread!)

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Working on a Saturday

If I was an employee at Blush Flowers in the Auckland, New Zealand suburb of Parnell I don't think I would be actually working. No, technically I'd be floating on a cloud of perfumed beauty. That's why there is no one in shot in the shop. They are floating high, just out of sight, above the photographer's head. The design is by owner and creative director Kelly Karam with key pieces by Douglas and Bec.

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