New in - trivets and books

Some goodies have arrived lately in my mailbox that I wanted to share with you all, so here we go. First up are some gorgeous trivets from Canadian designer, artist and printmaker Lorraine Tuson. Her patterns are sooooo fun, and this one is my favourite. It's called Fingerprint Flower as it started off with her own fingerprint! She currently carries lumbar cushions, coasters, table runner, pouches and a few others, all made from 100% wool felt. While I plan to use my trivets just for decoration they have a cork backing so they don't slip and are water repellant and can be easily spot cleaned. She is selling her products at one of my favourite shops in Toronto, Green Light District Design, if you want to go check them out in person. We spoke about some new projects she's working on and I'm super stoked to see how they turn out! 

This first book I received is total eye candy and a perfect coffee table book you're going to want to flip through a couple dozen times. Out East: Houses and Gardens of the Hamptons is published by The Vendome Press, is written by Jennifer Ash Rudick with photos by Tria Giovan.

Out East captures the enduring appeal of shingled houses, modernist oceanfront designs, artists’ compounds, and Montauk surf shacks. Jennifer Ash Rudick, a long-time Southampton resident, leads an insider’s tour of more than 25 houses, cottages, and pool houses. Tria Giovan, a Sag Harbor–based photographer, captures extraordinary gardens, verandas, lakeside pavilions, farmhouses, and converted barns. This book is fabulous because it features such a wide variety of decor styles: from super traditional, to country, to mid-century modern and Scandinavian. This book has only been out since July 4th so go get yourselves a copy - trust me you will love it!

Click to read more ...

Rough Linen - everyday luxury

Have you noticed it? There is a quiet revolution going on. A stand against fads and the throw away. In a world that is getting faster and smaller and increasingly more wasteful it's about quality, craftsmanship and longevity. It's about luxury but not the store it away and hoard it type of luxury. Everyday luxury. Taking the time to source the best, the most beautiful and using it all the time.

I have loved Tricia Rose's Rough Linen for so many years now. The story goes that Tricia found a homespun, hand-sewn linen pillowslip while clearing her grandmother's cottage in Scotland. Made by her great-grandmother in about 1840, it had been in regular use for generations. When she found a natural linen several years later with the same wonderful homespun texture and feel, she started making bedding, each piece handmade, cut to the thread, pre-washed for shrinkage and to release the texture. Good materials, careful and mindful production. Her range of bedding (sheets, duvet covers, shams and more), curtains, table linens, pinafores and robes is strong, elemental. You don't need to fuss with it, just use it, enjoy it's beauty and practicality.

And then there's the look, the smell, the feel of linen. Once you've slept in linen sheets you'll never want to sleep in anything else. I love the feel of linen against my skin. The best part is that it gets better with use, softening, becoming almost lustrous. But there's nothing "precious" about linen. Machine wash with a mild detergent and I love to hang my linens out to air dry. No need to iron. The natural creases are part of the Rough Linen look. Could everyday luxury be any easier?   

These images of key pieces from Rough Linen's line were taken in a house in California's Wine Country, which belongs to a friend, designer Patricia Adrian-Hanson. Dan Hale the architect is a friend of Tricia's too, and she says "I LUST after his houses!" With photography by Laurie Frankel and styling by Christina Watkinson they epitomise the beauty, the elegant sufficiency of Rough Linen pieces. An object may be simple, practical, efficient yet it can be equally luxurious. The ritual of family meals is finished with a swipe of the lips with a soft linen napkin and everyday chores become just a little more delightful. Imagine drying dishes with such a lovely linen teatowel. I think that just about sums it up. Rough Linen is a luxury you will use every day.

This post is in collaboration with Rough Linen.

Rebecca Atwood - Living With Pattern

Brooklyn based designer and artist Rebecca Atwood is launching her first book in a few days and I was really excited to get my hands on a copy the other day. I love pattern and admittedly I am at times unsure how to mix patterns in a fun but cohesive way so this book was an eye opener for me and is packed with tons of great advice. In Living With Pattern, Rebecca demystifies how to use this design concept that often confounds and confuses, demonstrating how to seamlessly mix and layer prints throughout a house. 

Before I get more into Rebecca's book, check out all the little goodies that came with it! (Except the doilies - those are mine that I can't seem to be able to dye black. Maybe I should get some tips from her since her hand-dyed textiles are incredibly beautiful and she clearly knows what she's doing.) A side note: the cover is her beautiful Speckled Fabric in Navy.

These next few photos are a glimpse inside the book. Eye candy, and trust me when I say you are going to want ALL THE PILLOWS and ALL THE PATTERNS. 

Click to read more ...

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. 

Click to read more ...

Green Light District

Last weekend while the husband and I were in Toronto participating in the Fall Antique & Vintage Market we FINALLY got to visit Green Light District. Deborah and David started this shop here in Ottawa but a few years ago packed up and moved themselves and the store to Toronto. This was my first time in Toronto since the move so I was stoked to check out their new digs in the really fun neighbourhood of Roncesvalles (a short jaunt from downtown). We met them at the shop where I toured around drooling over all their wares and snapped photos, then we all went for dinner a 2 minute walk down the street at Hopgood Foodliner (amazing drinks and food - try the Newfie Fried Rice!). I really can't wait to go back to GLD and check out more of that 'hood. Thank you so much Deborah and David! Missed you guys!

Just beyond the Subway is The Chocolateria - OMG! Need to definitively stop in there on the next visit. 

Their sign from the Ottawa shop looking right at home against a beautifully restored brick wall. 

That petal table is so freaking cute. And such incredible craftsmanship.

They have REAL butterfly chairs complete with leather covers and steel bases. I have always wanted one of those. 

(Mom - you need this lamp!)

Click to read more ...