I love the comforting simplicity of a classic Nova Scotian Hodge Podge. Traditionally made during the summer months when fresh beans, peas, carrots and potatoes are readily available, this dish can be adapted to include local meats like bacon or lamb and any vegetables you have growing in the garden
Wondering how to mix décor styles without having your space look like a hodge podge mess? Here are seven decorating tips for mixing furniture styles
It is such an honour to have one of Canada's top design gurus visiting the blog this week! An internationally recognized designer, Brian not only contributes regularly as a guest expert on Cityline TV, has had his designs published in numerous publications but has had great success with the launch of GlucksteinHome. GlucksteinHome can be found in The Bay and Home Outfitters across Canada, a brilliant endeavour to bring affordable yet tasteful and classic decor by Brian to the average Canadian. Can't afford Brian to come in and design your home? Well you have have pieces designed by him at fabulous price points! Most recently Brian has partnered with Benjamin Moore to create custom colour palettes to coordinate with the Gluckstein Home line. Please welcome.... Brian Gluckstein He is... Brian captures the essence of timeless and classic design. Truly a master in creating luxurious interiors dripping with elegance. Here is a bathroom Brian designed, one of my all time favourite bathrooms! Can you imagine bathing in this room? When you read the interview you will see why this is "so" Brian! Here are a few images from their Spring and Summer 2012 Patio Collection! Tell us a bit about yourself? What is your background? Has design been something you have always been drawn to? I was drawn to design and architecture even as a young child. I was always sketching floor plans and building houses out of Lego. I really believe Lego is the best toy and every child should have it. Later, I studied at Ryerson and graduated from their interior design program. Have you always had a career in design? I've always worked in design. I've never worked in another profession. Even while I went to school, I worked for another designer. You are a well-known designer, not only nationally but internationally as well, whose work is featured in print and on television. How did you get your big "break"? How did you get to where you are today? I don't think I really had one big break. I feel like my business grew organically through my relationships with my clients. I was fortunate enough to be recommended to some serious art collectors and a few people with great style early in my career. Those recommendations perpetuated that circle of clients and my business continually developed. Your company, GlucksteinHome, has created fresh, unique and a hugely popular soft furnishings, accessories and furniture line. Where do you find inspiration for your designs? I typically draw inspiration from fashion. I read all the fashion magazines and go to the shows and constantly tear images from magazines. I;m also inspired by antique furniture and textiles, whether 18th century or mid century, and I love going to antique shows and markets. Our GlucksteinHome product line is designed with a collections approach to reflect our customer's personal style. So I'm also inspired by those lifestyles which range from traditional to sleek to cosmopolitan to glamorous. What trends do you see being strong this year in homes, furniture and accessories? We're going to see the integration of antique pieces- furniture and accessories. We'll create homes that don't look sterile but have personality that reflects the owner and draws on other cultures. What hopes and dreams do you have for your company? On the interior design side, I hope to continue to get inspiring projects both commercially and residentially. On the product design side, we'll continue to launch new products, expand our categories and partner with great manufacturers - like our current partners including Benjamin Moore, Sealy and Remington Homes - and bring our product to an international market. We recently launched the line at Lord & Taylor Home in the US. We've also brought GlucksteinHome brand to various social media sites including Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest and we hope to build strong relationships with our customers and the design community. We're excited about the conversations we can have there. How would you describe your design style? Timeless. How do you start the design process? What inspired the direction your design will take? For interior design, I look at the client's lifestyle and the architecture of the project and interpret it. For product design, I'll sometimes start with a textile or an antique piece. I always consider the five lifestyle collections we design under and then I create something unique to reflect each style whether it's modern, contemporary, casual, transitional or traditional. This really reflects the diversity of our customers. What advice can you give homeowners to bring a bit of splash into their homes without a lot of cash? For high impact with a low investment, I always recommend paint, accessories and art. You can add a great splash of colour to update the look of your space without changing the central pieces. What design faux pas you wish could be abolished? I'm not fond of spaces that are over thought and try too hard. Or interiors that have too many patters in one space. I like calm, meditative, beautiful spaces with several interesting focal points. What are some tips you can share with aspiring designers to help get their work noticed, to hone their skills? Work for the best. New designers will just learn so much when they have a great mentor. Getting published can also get an aspiring designer notices- whether it's through their own blog, traditional print media or television. What do you like to do in your free time? I like to spend time at my home in Palm Beach. I also love to read in the bath. You and your staff read blogs, and you even have one! What are some of your favourite reads? What tips do you have for design bloggers to get their blog noticed? I'm obsessed with my iPhone camera and shoot anything that doesn't move. I use my Tumblr blog {http://glucksteinhome.tumblr.com/} to share some of my favourite images - whether it's a peek at a client's home or something inspiring from an antique fair. Blogs allow designers to share what's happening in our world and I don't think we have enough opportunities to do that. I love blogs that have a specific point of view- it makes it a good reference and gives readers a reason to come back to it. What are your views on the role Canadian design plays on the world stage? Do you feel that Canadians have a unique sense of style, the way we design and decorate our homes? If so, what do you think sets us apart? I think Canadian designers are very sophisticated and there is a European flavour to Canadians. I think we produce some of the best fashion, design and architecture and interiors in the world and are now being recognized as such. It is truly a great time for Canadian design. Brian I am so incredibly honoured that you visited this week. As a long time fan of yours, I was thrilled to have had the opportunity to interview you! I love what you have accomplished in your career and look forward to seeing more amazing interiors and products designed by you! XO Barbara
Learn how to make mod podge. You have to try this easy homemade mod podge recipe with only 2 easy ingredients. So simple!
So glad to have this week come to an end. I just love Fridays, don't you? I did not get too many blog posts written or projects accomplished this week. Frankly, I did not feel like it. I was just not feeling "it," I lacked mojo. Despite not actually doing anything, I still caught up on blog reading, Pinterest pinning and magazine reading! That I can always manage to do. This is what caught my eye this week. Kristin at the Hunted Interior did it again with her patio reveal. Wowza, love everything this girl does! Who wouldn't want a princess birthday party like Chloe had? I am going to try this for sure on my blog. Loved this home tour on Canadian House and Home online TV. Sad to see this online publication go. Can't wait to check out some of the places in the Vancouver Guide on Design Sponge. I think everything Naomi touches turns to gold. She really rocked this kitchen! Tonight it is just the boy and I. I am afraid he isn't going to go for watching a chick flick, instead my evening will consist of watching something like Duck Dynasty or Swamp People. Please pass the wine bottle glass. What are your Friday night plans? Laying low or painting the town red? XO Barbara
My guest this week has been fabulously supportive and I have enjoyed getting to know her even more with this interview! Her blog is one of my must reads, my go-to source for all things related to colour and design. Please welcome.... Anne-Marie from 10 Rooms. Anne-Marie has such a fabulous eye for colour and is not afraid to embrace it in her home. She is also uber creative and has a knack for finding the most amazing things on Craiglist and thrift shops! She is my kind of gal! And the best part is I won a colour consult with her via her blog, she has given my some fabulous ideas for my living/dining room space. I can't wait get painting, but first I must finish my daughter's room. Check out her family space with dark inky walls. Nothing says cozy like dark walls. I love how the white sofa and large windows give balance to the wall colour. Love her roman blinds {she made them} and kelly green walls. Her front door, nothing says welcome better than a yellow door. Her fabulous dining room with the amazing light fixture she made! I love these juicy coloured mirrors in her powder room. They are thrifted {only $6!} and were a source of inspiration for me when I was shopping for a mirror for my daughter's room. Or how about this Campaign desk she found on Kijiji - can't you believe her luck? Her daughter's bedroom with Tiffany blue walls. Despite all the vibrant colours throughout her home, her living room all calm and serene. Check out her upcycled stool. Tell us a bit about your background? Your education? Has design always been in your blood? How did you come to be a designer? Well, as a child, my Mum says I asked for a Barbie house but no Barbies! I remember spending hours making furniture and decorating the rooms. Later I studied art, and became fascinated with color and the effect color has on people's emotional state. It never ceases to amaze me how the right environment can make or break a mood. How long have you had your design/colour consulting business? What challenges have you faced along the way? After I had children, friends started commenting on my home, and I began helping them choose colors for their own. Soon I was helping friends of friends, and a business was born. 10 Rooms has officially been in business for four years. I think the hardest part for me is the day-to-day accounting and so on - I'd rather spend my time looking at colour and design!! How would you describe your design style? Spare bohemian! Does that make sense?! I tend to love large areas of neutrals and pops of varied color, or large areas of one color with a very limited palette in the rest of the space. I like clean lines and geometric shapes, bold pattern, vintage finds and one-of-a-kind art - an original home is always the most interesting. How long have you had your blog? What made you decide to start writing a blog and what have you enjoyed the most about blogging? When I started the blog I really didn't know much about blogging! It came about as a marketing bit for my business - but then I got into the blogging world, and started making personal connections with people, and the whole purpose changed. I never in a million years expected to meet so many creative and supportive people, and it has really been a wonderful experience so far. Where do you find inspiration for your designs? Your blog? If you read the blog then you know that there is no schedule to 10 Rooms posts! I post about whatever is on my mind whenever I find the time, so usually it's something I've discovered on my travels or have been working out with a client. Really, anything can become inspiration - a recent trip to the local conservation area had me chasing around wild turkeys to try and get accurate photos of the color of their feathers :) Everyone just laughs now! What goals or aspirations do you have for your design business? For your blog? One of the biggest goals I have for the business right now is to gather some pictures of finished spaces I have consulted on. Often, I don’t even get to see the finished rooms. I would like to create a before and after section of photos on my website so people can really get a feel for the power of color. As for the blog, I hope that I can continue to have this great dialogue with other people who are interior obsessed as I am – it’s nice to know I’m not alone J Is there a common design mistake that homeowners make that makes you cringe? The only thing I can't stand is to see people decorate their homes around trends, rather than what they love themselves. Sometimes clients call me because they feel they need to update their home, when really all they need to do is embrace it, and trust their own taste. I love a home that reflects the people within it. What is one thing that anyone can do to update his or her home without breaking the bank? Paint! You knew that was coming, right?! The absolute easiest way to change up your space is to freshen up your walls and furniture. And buy vintage - the quality and prices are better. What tips do you have for aspiring designers to hone their skills? To experiment, and not take it too seriously. Offer to help friends and family with their homes, try things out, find your style - and read blogs J If you could meet anyone or do anything who or what would it be? My dream is to be able to travel extensively with my husband and children. Seeing the world from a thousand other perspectives gives you a better perspective of your own life, and I’d like to experience that with the people I love most. What do you like to do in your free time? If I'm not working on a project around the house, I'm usually outside for a walk in the woods or entertaining friends and family. Our home has an open door policy, which means we never know how many people are coming for dinner - and I wouldn't have it any other way. How do you manage to balance your family time, your work and blogging? Family comes first, before anything else. Blogging is a luxury, and sometimes it falls through the cracks (but not for too long - I miss you guys!!) Work is a necessity of life, and I love what I do, but we work to live here, not the other way around. What are your views on the role of Canadian design? Do you feel that Canadians have a unique sense of style, the way we design and decorate our homes? If so, what do you think sets us apart? Canadians are known for their multiculturalism. It follows that Canadians are interested in global style, and the mix of cultures makes for some interesting interiors. It also seems that more and more Canadians are buying local, vintage or green products for their homes, and that makes me very proud. Anne-Marie, it was such a treat to get to know you even more! I too had a Barbie house which I "remodelled" over and over again. And I need to hurry and re-do my living room so you can have some "after" photos! XO Barbara
two ikea sofas pushed together create a corner nesting couch... topped with a hodge podge of handmade dottie angel cushions and teamed with a makeshift coffee table all adds up to an eclectic hodge podge of a seating arrangement
Vintage furniture is a great material for cool handmade storage systems. Thomas Wold is a Berkeley-based custom furniture-maker make such systems and
My little break from blogging has had quite an effect on me….I got into some bad habits and need to get back into the swing of posting…. Paper Piecing Monday seems to be very ingrained…
My guest this week has some serious talent, yet she is so humble and modest, it was like pulling teeth to agree her to be interviewed. She felt she was not up to the calibre of my past guests. When you see her photos you will shake your head at that! Not only is she such a vibrant person she is stunning and so down to earth, you can't help but feel drawn to her. Please welcome the beautiful... Colleen Sawatsky from The Vintage Home She is ... Colleen is a purveyor of all things vintage. I have had the pleasure of being in her home for a blogger brunch this past summer, her home knocked my socks off! Everywhere you looked it was perfectly styled and there was something so pretty to look at. No surprise that Colleen is a stylist as well! Many items from her home and collections are used by local stylists for magazine shoots. As a long time decor magazine addict you start to recognize spaces and know who designed them. Colleen's spaces have always stood out with her unique vintage style, so when I first met her, I felt I was meeting design royalty! Her portfolio speaks for itself, her love of beautiful things and creating beautiful vignettes is so evident. Colleen's Home: Sharalee Prang Photography Sharalee Prang Photography Sharalee Prang Photography Sharalee Prang Photography Sharalee Prang Photography A Beach Cottage, her "stuff" used as props, styled by Heather Cameron. Janis Nicolay Photography Styled by Heather Cameron Janis Nicolay Photography Styled by Heather Cameron Janis Nicolay Photography Styled by Heather Cameron Janis Nicolay Photography Styled by Heather Cameron Colleen's pantry - yes, her pantry full of goodies! Colleen Sawatsky A shoot she styled for BC Bride. Tell us a bit about your background? Your education? Has design always beenin your blood? Our home growing up was a way my parents used their creative gifts and antiques played a part in that. In my 30's I went to Interior Design School (BCIT). Bob & I both had antiques when we married and they blended together well. Then we got the collecting bug, and some of it had to go! That is how we began, friends liked our look and it grew from there. I have clients referred from friends, and businesses & designers that buy our pieces. We also have a booth @ Village Antiques Mall in Fort Langley. How would you describe your design style? Eclectic eclectic & eclectic! Sorry, but we love most everything but are drawn to the mix! Our home is mostly traditional, but our look that we sell is very French/Shabby! We love mid century modern art deco and Hollywood Glam, but sadly those pieces can be hard to get and pricey. Where do you find inspiration for your designs? I really enjoy magazines in print or online! Blogs are amazing sources of inspiration! As much as I love architecture/decor tension I also find some homes are bossy, you just have to give it what it wants sometimes! Other inspiration can come from a piece of furniture you or your client loves, it can be a jumping off point & that is always a great start! I really try to see how much of the clients inventory we can use, reuse or redo. I am crazy for dressers used as hall pieces, beside a fireplace, kitchen islands, a bathroom vanity, or bedside tables! Move it about, you'll be surprised What tips do you have for aspiring designers in getting their design work published or to hone their skills? Hone your skills...well sometimes you have to work for family & friends for free, or start @ a big or small firm or store. Stick with it! Getting your work published... well I say, "Know your audience". The published work I am drawn to is called "Life Style" stories! We have been in Style At Home, Canadian House and Home, and Country Living and O Magazine. We still have a story to be published. I've had the privilege of working with Heather Cameron, I read her article for Victoria Magazine, and went to her Organic farm to introduce myself. I followed her print career. Years later I had some projects in mind and blessedly for me Heather liked them, it all worked from there. Heather did the work with the magazines so I can't give myself credit there. Janis Nicolay was the photographer for all the stories.... amazing work! If you want to be published jut submit some of your work to a magazine and see where it goes! Magazines have departments that highlight products, or a "store watch" that gives a shout out to businesses. I do know you should be careful how much you put out online yourself, if you are interested in publishing some of your work don't put it on your blog! You are known in our parts as the queen of fabulous vintage finds, what makes you decide to grab something to re-vamp or walk away? Well to be honest my husband is my "picker". Yes I do buy some stuff but Bob does most of the buying he has a great eye and great style! He will phone me sometimes if he is in doubt about whether I think it will sell or maybe discuss the price. we have clients that could be looking for a certain piece and I am the one that has the pulse on that! We...woops, he, spends a lot of time looking at garage sales thrift stores flea markets auctions & referrals. It is very time consuming, but its his "golf", I just have to sell everything! People wonder why they don't find the stuff...and its all about time, you have to be out there to find the treasures! And what comes home with us or what doesn't usually has to be boiled down to cost! If we can't sell it for a profit we don't buy it! Some pieces we can't pass up for reasons only your heart can tell and they usually stay in our home, that is till someone begs to buy it (and sometimes that takes years for us to part with it!) What is one design faux pas that you wish could be banished? Oh boy...hmmmmm.well I have to say not trying! (Probably not considered a faux pas) There are so many resources out there for anyone to tap into. Either hire someone, it’s cheaper than a mistake, or try to educate yourself. I know budget is a concern for most of us but we all need to feel warmth & joy at home, how we decorate can help, and we can do it well at any price point You have such an eye for details and styling, what quick and easy tips do you have that anyone can do to give their home a bit of chutzpah? Quick & easy: Paint & proportion. Not so quick...you really need to have an anchor or focal point, sofa or bed, to start the process. Once you have determined your priorities the small stuff falls into place. Have a paper file or e-file of inspiration, this is so helpful. I am the first to admit I have a roving eye, our home is always in flux, if that’s not for you pick your targets and stay on course. As a mother to 3 children, how do you balance your family life and your work? Well our eldest daughter and her husband live very close by. Our youngest daughter is a university student and lives at home, we make it a priority to spend time together. I am blessed to have a job where I can set a lot of my hours to work around family. When your kids are younger the time demands are different. I have a huge respect for the families that do it well. What do you like to do in your free time? Free time is an oxymoron in a home based business, free time for my husband and I may include looking for treasures! We love to entertain, volunteer, and I enjoy helping our daughter with her horse. I enjoy reading, spending time with friends and family. What goals or aspirations do you have for your design business and/or your blog? Just to keep selling wonderful furniture. I love it when someone "gets" the patina of an aged piece, or sees the details revealed with a bit of paint. I know "vintage" is not for everyone, in this regard we were "green" before it was a buzzword! As for my blog, well everyone knows that a good one takes a lot of time, so I hope to put more into mine. Blogs are an endless supply of creativity and talent, I am constantly reminded of the support and generosity of fellow bloggers, I wish to do better at all of these! If you could meet anyone or do anything who or what would it be? Do anything...hmmmm.... maybe rest! Seriously, go on holidays with my family more often. The five of us spent 5 days alone over the summer and it was pure joy to have those days together. What are your views on the role of Canadian design on the world stage? Do you feel that Canadians have a unique sense of style, the way we design and decorate our homes? If so, what do you think sets us apart? There is so much talent in this country! Its been said before but worth repeating, we aren't outspoken in promoting ourselves. There is now a well-deserved shift in attitude about showing what we are capable of! Our amazing designers and accessibility to wonderful homegrown products, and the ability to get the ideas and info out there has changed the landscape of design in the last 20 years. I believe that the unique sense of style we Canadians have, at times, is determined by cultural and regional input. What is unique in us is the willingness to take chances and to have fun! Decorate with what you love, honor you’re home by living the best you can in it. I would rather go for better than bigger.We embrace welcoming warmth and hip design! Wow Barb, thanks for the opportunity, I am so honored to be on the roster of your "so Canadian, eh". Barb you have, since the time I met you, showed organization great energy, enthusiasm, creativity caring and great spirit. I truly mean it when I say the generosity of fellow designers and bloggers is amazing. I was born before TV and have witnessed the generations of creativity grow stronger with each decade. Technology does not replace good old get down there and do it, yet it enhances our choices & educates us. Good design still needs the human heart & spirit to create a memorable idea, and a welcoming home. Colleen. Well thank-you Colleen. It was such an honour to have finally met you after admiring your work for a few years! You are such a warm and exuberant woman with such a zest for life and for seeing beauty in everything. Thanks-you for making me feel so special every time we meet. Hugs. XO Barbara
Wondering how to mix décor styles without having your space look like a hodge podge mess? Here are seven decorating tips for mixing furniture styles
Recently a commentor asked me what drape I buy at Ikea. I had mentioned in my post that I was heading to Ikea to buy my "go-to" drape. I almost always use Ikea's Ritva drapes in white. Ikea's white isn't really a true bright white but a off-white. The weight of the fabric is perfect, the thickness of the fabric filters light, so they don't need to be lined. I also like how the hanging tabs are hidden in the back, so the drape looks like it's pleated. And you can't beat the price point at $29 CDN. Ritva drapes are so versatile and customizable. Since we are renting...still...I am not spending money on getting custom drapes made. Ritva curtains have moved from house to house with me. As much as my dream would be to buy yards and yards of some fabulous Schumaucher fabric...it just doesn't make economical sense, not to mention I change my mind, so paying several thousand for fabric that I might not like in a year, isn't worth it. A good drape needs to hang right, one thing I add to my Ritva curtains is drapery weights in the hem, just at the corner. It is what creates a good "hang". You can pinch pleat, add trim, fringe, etc to give it a complete custom look for mere pennies! Here are some ways I have used Ritva curtains in my home or spotted around the web. My living room in my previous rental home. I sewed black stripes onto the curtains. source: Erica Cook | Moth Design source: Design Crisis Our games room in our previous rental home. In my daughter's room in our previous home. And I have them up in 4 rooms in our current home, which I hope to take better photos of real soon! XO Barbara
This year, we were super fortunate to be asked by the YWCA of Halifax to be a part of their stay home for the holidays home tour. It was to raise money for
It is such an honour to have one of Canada's top design gurus visiting the blog this week! An internationally recognized designer, Brian not only contributes regularly as a guest expert on Cityline TV, has had his designs published in numerous publications but has had great success with the launch of GlucksteinHome. GlucksteinHome can be found in The Bay and Home Outfitters across Canada, a brilliant endeavour to bring affordable yet tasteful and classic decor by Brian to the average Canadian. Can't afford Brian to come in and design your home? Well you have have pieces designed by him at fabulous price points! Most recently Brian has partnered with Benjamin Moore to create custom colour palettes to coordinate with the Gluckstein Home line. Please welcome.... Brian Gluckstein He is... Brian captures the essence of timeless and classic design. Truly a master in creating luxurious interiors dripping with elegance. Here is a bathroom Brian designed, one of my all time favourite bathrooms! Can you imagine bathing in this room? When you read the interview you will see why this is "so" Brian! Here are a few images from their Spring and Summer 2012 Patio Collection! Tell us a bit about yourself? What is your background? Has design been something you have always been drawn to? I was drawn to design and architecture even as a young child. I was always sketching floor plans and building houses out of Lego. I really believe Lego is the best toy and every child should have it. Later, I studied at Ryerson and graduated from their interior design program. Have you always had a career in design? I've always worked in design. I've never worked in another profession. Even while I went to school, I worked for another designer. You are a well-known designer, not only nationally but internationally as well, whose work is featured in print and on television. How did you get your big "break"? How did you get to where you are today? I don't think I really had one big break. I feel like my business grew organically through my relationships with my clients. I was fortunate enough to be recommended to some serious art collectors and a few people with great style early in my career. Those recommendations perpetuated that circle of clients and my business continually developed. Your company, GlucksteinHome, has created fresh, unique and a hugely popular soft furnishings, accessories and furniture line. Where do you find inspiration for your designs? I typically draw inspiration from fashion. I read all the fashion magazines and go to the shows and constantly tear images from magazines. I;m also inspired by antique furniture and textiles, whether 18th century or mid century, and I love going to antique shows and markets. Our GlucksteinHome product line is designed with a collections approach to reflect our customer's personal style. So I'm also inspired by those lifestyles which range from traditional to sleek to cosmopolitan to glamorous. What trends do you see being strong this year in homes, furniture and accessories? We're going to see the integration of antique pieces- furniture and accessories. We'll create homes that don't look sterile but have personality that reflects the owner and draws on other cultures. What hopes and dreams do you have for your company? On the interior design side, I hope to continue to get inspiring projects both commercially and residentially. On the product design side, we'll continue to launch new products, expand our categories and partner with great manufacturers - like our current partners including Benjamin Moore, Sealy and Remington Homes - and bring our product to an international market. We recently launched the line at Lord & Taylor Home in the US. We've also brought GlucksteinHome brand to various social media sites including Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest and we hope to build strong relationships with our customers and the design community. We're excited about the conversations we can have there. How would you describe your design style? Timeless. How do you start the design process? What inspired the direction your design will take? For interior design, I look at the client's lifestyle and the architecture of the project and interpret it. For product design, I'll sometimes start with a textile or an antique piece. I always consider the five lifestyle collections we design under and then I create something unique to reflect each style whether it's modern, contemporary, casual, transitional or traditional. This really reflects the diversity of our customers. What advice can you give homeowners to bring a bit of splash into their homes without a lot of cash? For high impact with a low investment, I always recommend paint, accessories and art. You can add a great splash of colour to update the look of your space without changing the central pieces. What design faux pas you wish could be abolished? I'm not fond of spaces that are over thought and try too hard. Or interiors that have too many patters in one space. I like calm, meditative, beautiful spaces with several interesting focal points. What are some tips you can share with aspiring designers to help get their work noticed, to hone their skills? Work for the best. New designers will just learn so much when they have a great mentor. Getting published can also get an aspiring designer notices- whether it's through their own blog, traditional print media or television. What do you like to do in your free time? I like to spend time at my home in Palm Beach. I also love to read in the bath. You and your staff read blogs, and you even have one! What are some of your favourite reads? What tips do you have for design bloggers to get their blog noticed? I'm obsessed with my iPhone camera and shoot anything that doesn't move. I use my Tumblr blog {http://glucksteinhome.tumblr.com/} to share some of my favourite images - whether it's a peek at a client's home or something inspiring from an antique fair. Blogs allow designers to share what's happening in our world and I don't think we have enough opportunities to do that. I love blogs that have a specific point of view- it makes it a good reference and gives readers a reason to come back to it. What are your views on the role Canadian design plays on the world stage? Do you feel that Canadians have a unique sense of style, the way we design and decorate our homes? If so, what do you think sets us apart? I think Canadian designers are very sophisticated and there is a European flavour to Canadians. I think we produce some of the best fashion, design and architecture and interiors in the world and are now being recognized as such. It is truly a great time for Canadian design. Brian I am so incredibly honoured that you visited this week. As a long time fan of yours, I was thrilled to have had the opportunity to interview you! I love what you have accomplished in your career and look forward to seeing more amazing interiors and products designed by you! XO Barbara
Looking for your Mod Podge Christmas crafts fix? Here are 70+ unique decoupage tutorials you can use to make gifts and decor in no time.
These shops are just as special as the books they sell.
ALL the secrets on how to mix design styles the right way so they don't clash or feel chaotic! Mix your partner's furniture with your's like a pro!
It is such an honour to have one of Canada's top design gurus visiting the blog this week! An internationally recognized designer, Brian not only contributes regularly as a guest expert on Cityline TV, has had his designs published in numerous publications but has had great success with the launch of GlucksteinHome. GlucksteinHome can be found in The Bay and Home Outfitters across Canada, a brilliant endeavour to bring affordable yet tasteful and classic decor by Brian to the average Canadian. Can't afford Brian to come in and design your home? Well you have have pieces designed by him at fabulous price points! Most recently Brian has partnered with Benjamin Moore to create custom colour palettes to coordinate with the Gluckstein Home line. Please welcome.... Brian Gluckstein He is... Brian captures the essence of timeless and classic design. Truly a master in creating luxurious interiors dripping with elegance. Here is a bathroom Brian designed, one of my all time favourite bathrooms! Can you imagine bathing in this room? When you read the interview you will see why this is "so" Brian! Here are a few images from their Spring and Summer 2012 Patio Collection! Tell us a bit about yourself? What is your background? Has design been something you have always been drawn to? I was drawn to design and architecture even as a young child. I was always sketching floor plans and building houses out of Lego. I really believe Lego is the best toy and every child should have it. Later, I studied at Ryerson and graduated from their interior design program. Have you always had a career in design? I've always worked in design. I've never worked in another profession. Even while I went to school, I worked for another designer. You are a well-known designer, not only nationally but internationally as well, whose work is featured in print and on television. How did you get your big "break"? How did you get to where you are today? I don't think I really had one big break. I feel like my business grew organically through my relationships with my clients. I was fortunate enough to be recommended to some serious art collectors and a few people with great style early in my career. Those recommendations perpetuated that circle of clients and my business continually developed. Your company, GlucksteinHome, has created fresh, unique and a hugely popular soft furnishings, accessories and furniture line. Where do you find inspiration for your designs? I typically draw inspiration from fashion. I read all the fashion magazines and go to the shows and constantly tear images from magazines. I;m also inspired by antique furniture and textiles, whether 18th century or mid century, and I love going to antique shows and markets. Our GlucksteinHome product line is designed with a collections approach to reflect our customer's personal style. So I'm also inspired by those lifestyles which range from traditional to sleek to cosmopolitan to glamorous. What trends do you see being strong this year in homes, furniture and accessories? We're going to see the integration of antique pieces- furniture and accessories. We'll create homes that don't look sterile but have personality that reflects the owner and draws on other cultures. What hopes and dreams do you have for your company? On the interior design side, I hope to continue to get inspiring projects both commercially and residentially. On the product design side, we'll continue to launch new products, expand our categories and partner with great manufacturers - like our current partners including Benjamin Moore, Sealy and Remington Homes - and bring our product to an international market. We recently launched the line at Lord & Taylor Home in the US. We've also brought GlucksteinHome brand to various social media sites including Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest and we hope to build strong relationships with our customers and the design community. We're excited about the conversations we can have there. How would you describe your design style? Timeless. How do you start the design process? What inspired the direction your design will take? For interior design, I look at the client's lifestyle and the architecture of the project and interpret it. For product design, I'll sometimes start with a textile or an antique piece. I always consider the five lifestyle collections we design under and then I create something unique to reflect each style whether it's modern, contemporary, casual, transitional or traditional. This really reflects the diversity of our customers. What advice can you give homeowners to bring a bit of splash into their homes without a lot of cash? For high impact with a low investment, I always recommend paint, accessories and art. You can add a great splash of colour to update the look of your space without changing the central pieces. What design faux pas you wish could be abolished? I'm not fond of spaces that are over thought and try too hard. Or interiors that have too many patters in one space. I like calm, meditative, beautiful spaces with several interesting focal points. What are some tips you can share with aspiring designers to help get their work noticed, to hone their skills? Work for the best. New designers will just learn so much when they have a great mentor. Getting published can also get an aspiring designer notices- whether it's through their own blog, traditional print media or television. What do you like to do in your free time? I like to spend time at my home in Palm Beach. I also love to read in the bath. You and your staff read blogs, and you even have one! What are some of your favourite reads? What tips do you have for design bloggers to get their blog noticed? I'm obsessed with my iPhone camera and shoot anything that doesn't move. I use my Tumblr blog {http://glucksteinhome.tumblr.com/} to share some of my favourite images - whether it's a peek at a client's home or something inspiring from an antique fair. Blogs allow designers to share what's happening in our world and I don't think we have enough opportunities to do that. I love blogs that have a specific point of view- it makes it a good reference and gives readers a reason to come back to it. What are your views on the role Canadian design plays on the world stage? Do you feel that Canadians have a unique sense of style, the way we design and decorate our homes? If so, what do you think sets us apart? I think Canadian designers are very sophisticated and there is a European flavour to Canadians. I think we produce some of the best fashion, design and architecture and interiors in the world and are now being recognized as such. It is truly a great time for Canadian design. Brian I am so incredibly honoured that you visited this week. As a long time fan of yours, I was thrilled to have had the opportunity to interview you! I love what you have accomplished in your career and look forward to seeing more amazing interiors and products designed by you! XO Barbara
Name: Haley and Michael Location: Northwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Size: 160 square feet Years Lived In: 6 months, owned Michael, a baker and craftsman, and Haley live together in a tiny house in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia. They both have builders and tinkerers in their families, so the idea of building their own home came naturally. And choosing a tiny house to reside in opened the imagination to the possibilities and benefits of living simply.
When Robby and I got married, we found the best gift in the attic:…
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Read on to learn how living in a medieval castle may have been better than living in a peasant’s hut, but wasn’t all it’s been made out to be.
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Refinery29.com takes you on a tour of Anna Sheffield's home.
Every week I feature bloggers and designers, but little did you know that behind the scenes of some fabulous homes, the ones whose wall colours and exterior paint colours just make the home sing are the fabulous painters that create the magic with a paint can, brush and roller! Please welcome... Heidi Nyline from Warline Paint She is.... Heidi and her husband Warren, are the owners of a successful and professional full service paint company that operates here in the Lower Mainland. Heidi, with a background in marketing and PR, along with her husband's painting know-how, have together created a top-of-the-line paint service with the customer in mind. Everyone knows that the easiest way to change a home's ambiance and bring it on trend is with paint! Warline Painting is doing just that. Not only do they offer painting service and colour consults but they cater to their customers needs and wants by the type and brand of paint they use. Not loyal to one brand or another, they select the brand that meets their customers and projects needs. Most recently they have also begun to work on historical home restorations as well, paying careful attention to the details and historical colour choices. In addition to managing their business, Heidi pens a blog where you can learn painting tips to her most recent blog post, "How to Clean Spilled Paint from Carpet!" That post is a definite must-read.....many things can be learned from their recent fiasco! Their gallery will leave you wanting to re-paint your whole house, inside and out! Some stunning before and afters! The magic of paint... {All photos courtesy of Warline Paint} Tell us a bit about your background? Your education? Has design/painting always been in your blood? Haha no. My background is marketing and PR. If you had told me ten years ago that today I would be running a painting company and blogging about colour, I would never have believed you. I have always loved pretty but never thought that it would become a part of my career. What made you decide to start a painting company? Well I guess it started when I married a painter 8 years ago. Warren got really sick and needed someone to check on a large new construction project he was working on. I volunteered to help and quickly found out a lot of what he did was project management, which I was good at. It started us talking about combining our talents and building a company that was based on our personal values, hard work and quality. We describe ourselves as being Not Your Typical Painters. Almost everyone has a story of a bad experience hiring a painter. Warren and I really want to change the stereotypes and reputation so prevalent in the painting industry. Everything we do at Warline is based on exceeding our customer’s expectations and raising the bar in the industry. Briefly tell my readers a bit about your company. The range of services at Warline is pretty broad. We do everything from large strata complexes to repainting kitchen cabinets and everything in between. Over the last few years we have really begun to specialize in the restoration of heritage homes. We love really challenging projects and unique houses where we sink our teeth into the work and show off our talents. When you start on a new project, what and how do you help clients choose the right colour and paint? What is the starting point? The first thing I always start with is what isn’t changing in or on the house. Those fixed features are going to dictate the direction we go in with paint colours. Whether it’s their furniture, the tiles in a bathroom or even the colour roof on their house you have to consider those things when you make your colour choices. Do you have a favourite paint colour? What is it? I love lots of favourite colours and they do change from year to year. Right now my favourite exterior house colour is Benjamin Moore Georgian Green. My favourite front door colour right now is Wenge. When it comes to interior colours my all time favourite colour is Manchester Tan. That colour has saved my butt on so many jobs it should be retired to the colour hall of fame. Any tips on painting a space, either inside or out? Yes. Hire a professional. I say this seriously and not to be impudent. Painting is one of the largest finishing features in your home. A good paint job starts with good prep. Nothing looks worse than a bad paint job, regardless of how nice the rest of the finishings are in your home. Do you believe that building materials and colour choice are affected by living here on the west coast? Absolutely. We get so much rain here in Vancouver that people are always looking for ways to brighten up their spaces. I think it makes a lot of people scared to use greys because they think it will be too dreary. When it comes to exteriors, we get lots of natural colours like stone and browns. That is definitely influenced by our natural surroundings as well as the greater amount of cedar we use in building. How would you describe your design style? I don’t think I’ve ever really have been able to define my style. I work in a lot of show homes and I would have thought my taste was similar to what I see in those spaces with lots of neutrals and large pieces. But I have just redecorated my living room and I was drawn to crisp bright colours and a real mix of collected pieces. My most treasured items are art from our travels, pictures my kids have painted and pieces that have been handed down through my family over the years. What is one paint faux pas that you feel should be banished? How about just faux painting on walls? Really, with the incredible wallpapers available today I have no idea why anyone would try and make their walls look like marble or suede with paint. What do you like to do in your free time? Travel. Owning our own business means we are always working or thinking about work. The only real free time we get is when we are 100% removed from the business and for us that means getting away. Tell us one thing that would surprise us! I’m really bad at painting. If you could meet anyone or do anything who or what would it be? Rid the lower mainland of every pink stucco house. What are your views on the role of Canadian design on the world stage? Do you feel that Canadians have a unique sense of style, the way we design and decorate our homes? If so, what do you think sets us apart? It is pretty great to see so many Canadian designers getting so much attention these days. We do have a unique style that sets us apart, which I think is influenced by our colder climate and our natural resources. Canadians like comfort and warmth. I see that over and over when people are choosing colours for their home. Heidi, I laughed when I read you were bad at painting! And I am in agreement with you about the pink stucco homes {sadly mine is one of them, but at least it is a very soft pinky beige....} Thanks for all your wonderful insight! XO Barbara
Learn how to make mod podge. You have to try this easy homemade mod podge recipe with only 2 easy ingredients. So simple!
Learn how to make mod podge. You have to try this easy homemade mod podge recipe with only 2 easy ingredients. So simple!