This Friday has come around very quickly. For no reason in particular, this week has just gone by in a flash. Waterloo is now covered in a blanket of snow, which, yes, is pretty, but reminds me that this is the first of many snowfalls from now until March. Sigh. It is also a sign that the holidays – and parties – are right around the corner. Anyone need a new pair of fancy shoes for such parties? If so, have a look at this stunning collection of sparkling footwear.
I have been collecting images of interesting light fixtures for a little while now (beyond this ribbon lamp that I have loved for years), so I thought I’d finally share a few. Here are ten fixtures at various price points – and in many styles – that have caught my attention.
glass disc chandelier, $374USD (on sale), West Elm
Petite Friture x Daniel Emma, Cherry White Large, $402 Euros
Lauzet chandelier, $6299USD, Aerin via Circa Lighting
Eleonor table lamp, $105.99 CAD (on sale), Wayfair
Safavieh Pauley table lamp, $220CAD, Walmart
Hanna table lamp, $179USD,CB2
Castle Peak glass lamp, $949USD, Kate Spade via Circa Lighting
Darbon sconce, $489USD, Aerin
Selfoss sconce, $799USD, Aerin
Simpson floor lamp, $439CAD, Casalife
How many times have I featured lucite here on this blog? Many, many, I know! But, the thing is, lucite has been around in home and fashion for years, and there’s no sign of an upcoming exit. Lucite pieces are flexible because they match any decor. A side table or console just easily blend into any style, and because the pieces are light, they give the eye a break from other furnishings, colours, wallpapers, etc. Lucite also reflects light nicely, so in a rather dark room, lucite pieces are used to bring in some brightness.
bar cart, $399USD, West Elm
Antonio chair, $439USD, CB2
lucite bed, $5000+USD, Anthropologie
lucite squirrel, $441USD, 1st Dibs
acrylic towel bar, $34.95USD, CB2
floor lamp, $299USD, CB2
In fashion, lucite pieces are light and flexible. Again, they work with a variety of outfits and styles, and you can add as much or as little as you like into your wardrobe. A stacked set of lucite bangles or lucite drop earrings are striking against a solid or colourful backdrop of clothing.
lucite drop earrings, $38 USD, Bauble Bar
Lucite bag, $88USD, Anthropologie
Lena drop earrings, $15USD, Bauble Bar
lucite hoop earrings, $206USD, Macy’s
 
Alexis Bittar lucite bangle, $98USD, The Real Real
Look at this bag…
Lady Fuster, LUPO Barcelona
and now look at this coat rack…
Thonet Hall Tree, 1st Dibs
See the similarities? Fun, right?
I know a lot of people may be keen on the H&M x Moschino launch in a few days, but I much prefer a more subdued collection, especially for the home. As if you didn’t already know!
Here are some of the lovely pieces that caught my attention this week.
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
One part of today’s pair is certainly Halloween inspired. I’m seeing diamonds (and not the sparkly kind) all around!
costume, H&M
Jessica Waks, via Style at Home
Before I talk about crystals as the title suggests, I thought I’d let you know that I’m taking a break from Trivia Thursday. What do you think? Did you like this series, or are you ready for something new? If you’re ready for something new, what are you interested in? Do you want more home decor inspiration, marketplace features, personal posts, travel-related posts, or a mix of all of the above? Let me know, please.
And now for some crystals.
Pretty, right? They’re lovely for your home and your jewelry collection. And I know many people believe in the healing power of crystals (e.g., learn more at GOOP), so they’re good for that, too.
You may recall that in the spring, I had new doors installed in my home. My Metrie Masonite Lincoln Park doors are gorgeous, and I’m so glad I invested in them. My hall closet was an especially good transformation as I said #byebyebifold with the help of Metrie.
While the closet looked great on the outside, the inside was pretty disastrous.
Gosh, it’s just such a mess! It hurts my eyes!
Since this is my only closet on my main floor, it must be effective. In addition to jackets, coats, and winter wear, this closet must house my vacuum, too. The closet is narrow – at only 43″ wide – so I didn’t have much room to play around with. I needed a section for long coats, a section for short coats, space for boots and my vacuum, and shelves for my winter accessories and purses.
Since I worked with the Home Depot Canada on this project, I headed over one night after work to pick up the ClosetMaid narrow closet organizer kit (in white, of course). There are several options for organizer systems, but I knew I wanted one with solid – rather than wire – shelves. I also wanted an organizer that would be affixed to the wall – rather than one that hangs from the rod. I had previously installed closet organizers, so I was already familiar with the general installation procedure.
When I knew I’d have a weekend free, I got to work! I first emptied out the closet, removed the support bars, and painted everything a fresh coat of white.
After I waited a day for the paint to dry, I unpacked the pieces and familiarized myself with the ClosetMaid instructions to ensure that I had all the right tools.
The installation process took me a couple of hours. The instructions were easy to follow, and I didn’t run into any issues. I got to use my power drill/screwdriver on this project, so I was happy. Who else loves tools?
This ClosetMaid organizer has corner support pieces as well as adjustable feet. Once the base piece was in place in the closet, I used my trusty level to make sure the piece was straight.
Once the base was in place and affixed to the wall with the support brackets (you can see them right under the corner pieces), I lifted the top piece and placed it on the bottom. I made sure this piece was level, too. And of course I had to make sure that my spacing measurements were right, so my vacuum would easily fit in place.
The last pieces to install were the rod holders. These are installed both on the wall and the side of the shelf unit. These ClosetMaid pieces were smiling at me!
Since my closet is so narrow, I knew the rods provided in the kit were going to be too long. The instruction guide advises to “cut the rods” if necessary. This is where I was a bit stuck because I didn’t have anything to cut the metal rods. So, rods in hand, I went off to the Home Depot Canada to buy a saw. The man who helped me told me that I could cut them myself at the cutting station. What? A cutting station? He brought me over to the aisle and showed me what to do. He was kind enough to cut the first rod for me (I had measured them and taped the cut line at home). In a few minutes, I cut the other three rods (one goes in another, so I had a few cuts to make). Easy!
The cutting station has a few saws to choose from. I went with the hack saw on the advice of the Home Depot Canada associate.
Back home, I installed the rods (yay, they fit perfectly), and put all my stuff back in the closet. 
And here’s the after:
My long coats are on the left side of the shelving unit. At the moment, there is room for four large winter coats. On the right side, you’ll notice my shorter coats that take me through spring and fall. I have other coats stored away in another closet, but that has always been the case. The ones in regular rotation have always been in this hallway closet.
The shelves hold my every day as well as my only-in-certain-seasons items. On the top shelf are purses I regularly rotate. Under those, I have winter accessories (scarves, hats, mittens) in clear storage boxes. Then I have a fairly empty shelf that houses two hats. The bottom shelf has my grocery/shopping bags and my blankets for my patio. Oh – and something you can’t really see in these photos – my patio cushions are on the very top shelf about the full unit. They fit perfectly, which was a pleasant surprise! I have really maximized the function of this little closet!
I considered styling this closet, so the photos would be ridiculously pretty, but then it wouldn’t be a representation of real life, so I opted for realness. The items that you see in this closet were in the before photos. These are things that I use daily, and I didn’t want a “just for show” closet to share with you. In true Jordana style, I did arrange my coats by colour. 
There’s room for everything in here now, and even a bit of room to grow. The clear storage containers (clear shoe box and clear utility box) will keep my winter accessories clean and organized when not in use.
Believe it or not – just about all of the items that were falling out of the closet in this post and in the before picture made their way into the after closet. I did remove two bags of bags (useless) and a couple of pairs of shoes, but I did add in two knee-high boots. It’s been great to experience the difference an organizer has made to the look and function of this closet! I’m glad the lovely outside makes way for the tidy inside!
Thanks to Home Depot Canada for sponsoring this post. All opinions and photos are my own.
I thought I had seen the end of tree stumps as seating a couple of years ago, but I think I was wrong. They are still around!
I absolutely love these splatter painted stumps that I saw a couple of weeks ago at Wills & Prior in Stratford.
photo by Jordana
And then I saw these bleached ones on Kaylee Giffen-Logan’s feed from her vacation in Vermont.
I love them both!
It’s #WhiteCabanaWearsPink Monday, and today I’ve gathered some pretty images and pieces from the world of fashion. Bows, tulle, and pink bring instant fun to an outfit!
Blair Eadie (note: her collection at Nordstrom launches today)
So Many Bows tulle top, €350, Viktor + Rolf
Isa Tapia Nicoleta tulle bow slides, $197 USD, Amazon
Mansur Gavriel mini bucket bag
Whether they’re real, faux, or DIY, cotton branches make an excellent centrepiece for fall and winter.
I first saw the Ribbon Lamp on Margot Austin’s Instagram page two years ago. I fell for it instantly (as one does for interesting lamps, am I right?).
 Margot Austin (Nov. 2016)
Since then, this sculptural lamp keeps appearing on her Instagram feed, and I keep eyeing it!
The Ribbon Lamp was designed by Claire Norcross exclusively for Habitat in the UK. I just love the white version. It would look wonderful in my office.
ribbon lamp, Habitat
Does anyone know how I can ship it from the UK at a low cost?
You’ve probably come to know Daniela, one of my contributors, for her thoughtful gift guides. Today, she’s caught the #WhiteCabanaWearsPink spirit and she’s curated a collection of great gift items for kids
***
Hi White Cabana readers!
It is an honour to write this post as #WhiteCabanaWearsPink for breast cancer awareness this month. I never thought I’d be the mom who loves pink, but then I had two daughters, and, to be honest, the dainty perfection of my girls in pink has made me gravitate to soft pink clothing when I shop for them.
Today I bring you some of my favourite pink items that are perfect gifts for any little ones in your lives.
Cuddle and Kind is a company that all about giving back! Each doll purchased feeds 10 children in need. The dolls are so well made and stand the test of my toddler dragging hers around everywhere. There are many dolls to choose from and for an additional fee the company provides a corresponding photo with an inspirational message.Charlotte the Dog featured here is adorable and soft pink. It’s the perfect thoughtful gift for a child in your life.
Charlotte the Dog, $60+ USD, Cuddle and Kind
Next up are Mini Moc’s moccasins. Not only are these shoes well made (in Canada!) and stylish, the are, most importantly, are hard for kids to kick off! No more missing shoes! These soft pink mocs are subtle in color and go with so many wardrobe options.
moccasins, $45 CAD, Mini Moc
Le Méchant Loup is a Montreal-based boutique that sources beautiful toys, accessories, and clothing for children and babies. I especially love the messaging of this organic cotton sweatshirt by UK brand Organic Zoo.
sweatshirt, $49 CAD, Le Méchant Loup
Posh Peanut is a brand out of LA by a hair stylist turned mompreneur. Posh Peanut’s loungewear feels like butter, and the company has great mommy-and-me matching loungewear and robes. Many of the items sell out quickly, and pre-ordering is always recommended. How adorable is this pink ensemble? It’s made with soft Bamboo viscose.
floral loungewear, $28.95 USD, Posh Peanut
Finally, I love the adorable collar on this perfect cotton dress from one of my favourite children’s clothing brands – Jacadi. Jacadi designs all of its clothes out of its Paris headquarters.
cotton fleece dress, $59 USD, Jacadi
Hope you enjoyed today’s #WhiteCabanaWearsPink for breast cancer awareness.
***
If you’re anything like me, then you read Daniela’s gift guide and thought to yourself: “But where does she find these amazing brands?” I’m thrilled with this gift guide, and I’m going to keep it handy for future baby gifts that I will need to buy for friends and family!
For those of you who are still getting to know Daniela, you should know that she’s an incredible fundraiser. She’s a two-time cancer survivor (Hodgkin’s lymphoma and thyroid), and she has raised thousands upon thousands upon thousands of dollars for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. She is a true #WonderWoman! I know Daniela is passionate about fundraising for cancer research, and I’m glad she was able to contribute to #WhiteCabanaWearsPink this year!
Thanks, Daniela! Let’s #conquercancer together!
I have to say (again) that of all the celebrations, Halloween is not my favourite. I’ve appreciated some of the simpler decorations that have come up in recent years much more than the traditional black and orange decorations, but I still don’t decorate beyond (maybe) a pumpkin. But that’s just me. Maybe you do! If you do, then this post is for you. Here are five ways to decorate for a white and black Halloween.
1. Include bats everywhere.
2. Add white pumpkins.
3. Add skulls.
4. Paint branches black.
5. Bake something spooky.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
After a weekend in Grey County with friends (#WhiteCabanaGoesToTheCountry), I’m enjoying a day in Toronto with family. Life is good. There’s a lot to be thankful for. Yes, even with all the not-so-great stuff that life has thrown at us, I am thankful. I hope the same is true for you.
I’m thrilled to share that I have already raised nearly $650 for the Canadian Cancer Society (see my personal page to donate). I’m grateful for family and friends who supported my 5K Run for the Cure and who continue to donate. I am appreciative of everyone’s generosity.
My #WhiteCabanaWearsPink series continues today. Since it is Thanksgiving, I’ve curated a collection of pink Thanksgiving table settings.
Christofle mood gold 24-piece canteen
Happy Thanksgiving!
Since it’s October, there’s now an influx of pumpkin patch photos creeping up on my Instagram feed. I don’t mind them, but I definitely don’t love them. It’s pumpkin overload! And too much orange for my liking.
I thought I’d share a few interesting facts about pumpkins to get in the fall spirit.
This is a sweet pumpkin bowl. How great would it look filled up with candy? Yes, please! Or you could fill it with punch or soup. Classic!
On Monday I shared my experience baking a Schichttorte cake. An essential tool for this cake is a springform pan because once the cake has been cooked, you can release it easily with this type of pan. If you used a closed pan, I’m sure you’d make a mess of the cake.
A springform pan has a clamp that is used to tighten the side around the base to form a seal. After a cake has been baked, you release the clamp to release the side. All that remains is the cake on the base. It’s very useful when baking thinks like cheesecakes, tarts, and, of course, a Schichttorte!
Springform pans comes in an array of sizes, so it’s best to have a few on hand for different recipes.
springform pan, $12.57 USD, Amazon
springform pan, $39.95 USD, Williams Sonoma
springform pan, $30+ USD, Le Creuset
I came across the D Pages and the D Shop on one of my tours around the Internet, and I was drawn right on in. D Pages features beautiful interiors and architecture in all of my favourite shades of white. D Shop is an extension of that design inspiration and carries a collection of the most beautiful pieces of furniture, lighting, and home accessories. There is so much that caught my attention which is why I’m sharing so much of it here today.
Mategot Natasaki chair, $639 USD
Sereno marble coffee table, $3600 USD
Beetle stool, $559 USD
Pacha lounge chair, $2369 USD
Shepherd’s chair, $3500 USD
Amare salt and pepper set, $195 USD
Dearborn large bowl, $80 USD
Signal globe, $1645 USD
Who tuned into the wedding between Chiara Ferragni (fashion blogger, CEO and more!) and Fedez (Italian rapper)? It was magical. And extravagant. And extra large! Chiara’s first wedding dress (why have one when you can have two? Designed by Dior!) was made up of a lace bodysuit and a massive tulle skirt. The hours and skill that went into this dress are impressive.
Chiara Ferragni’s wedding dress fitting at Dior
It seems that lace – and lace circle shapes – may be something we’ll see quite a bit of in the months ahead. Here’s just one sample of the design in a pair of affordable tights.
tights, $15 USD, Modcloth
These ceramic hands are sure to add a touch of whimsy to any interior space.
ceramic hands stool, $748 USD, Kathy Kuo Home
candelabra, $595 USD, Elte
Hello dear readers! I’m back! Did you miss your daily dose of white? I did! I took an extended blog break because after I got back from Florida, I was so busy with start of school year (I don’t have kids, but I do teach at the university) and my book that my one week blog break turned into two turned into three. But all that is in the past. I’m back, and I’m eager to return to my blogger way of life.
So Labour Day has come and gone. Does this mean there’s no room for white until Victoria Day in May? I think not! My love of white continues year-round, and I am all for breaking the “no white after labour day” rule for fashion and home decor. There are so many shades of white that the colour is great year-round! Just yesterday, in fact, I proudly wore my white sneakers while I shopped around Cambridge with a friend. Embrace white, I say!
Speaking of white shoes, my jaw dropped when I saw these party shoes on one of my favourite fashion bloggers – Blair Eadie (of Atlantic Pacific). They sure are fun!
polka dot and tulle pumps, $1115, Midnight
Here’s hoping these fun shoes are a sign of good things to come this school year!
I enjoy browsing the H&M Home collection each season as the company always seems to offer good looking items at various price points that can easily mix into existing interiors.
expandable laundry basket, $34.99USD
patterned cotton cushion cover, $5.99USD
porcelain cup, $9.99USD
porcelain plant pot, $24.99USD
textured plant pot, $19.99USD
glass paperweight, $17.99USD
porcelain cup, $9.99USD
jacquard-weave cotton rug, $49.99USD
How do you make your coffee? Are you loyal to one method? My coffee of choice these days is a classic latte made with my Bialetti – a stovetop espresso machine – you know, the one that just about every Italian person owns? I have multiple sizes of Bialetti machines, and I pull the appropriate one out depending on how many cups of coffee I need to make for me and my guests. I also put my Alessi espresso machine to use every once in a while, too, because it’s so beautiful.
I go in stages with my coffee, however. For a long while, I was purely a drip coffee drinker. My Cuisinart coffee maker is still serving me quite well.
In addition to my two go-to coffee options, I’m sharing a total of five ways to make coffee today. Feel free to let me know how you make your coffee in the comments below! I’d love to chat coffee with you!
1. Stovetop Espresso
Bialetti espresso maker, $43.99 CAD, Hudson’s Bay
2. Drip
Cuisinart coffee maker, $69.99 USD, Bed Bath & Beyond
3. French Press
Bodum Caffettiera, $15 CAD, Chapters Indigo
4. Pour Over
brass pour over coffee maker, $27.99 USD (on sale), World Market
5. Siphon
Grosche Heisenberg Siphon coffee maker, $71.99 CAD (on sale), Hudson’s Bay
Designer George Nelson was a director at Herman Miller from 1945 to 1972. During his time there, he managed to recruit other design greats such as Charles Eames and Isamu Noguchi. He also continued to develop his own designs – desks, clocks, and benches – what we now recognize as some of his trademark designs.
Nelson’s saucer lights, in particular, have become a favourite among designers (and white lovers like me!). The lights, manufactured by Herman Miller, come in a variety of shapes, but have common elements:Â white, steel wires, translucent plastic covering.
The Bubble may be one of Nelson’s most recognizable lights.
Nelson Saucer Pendant, $395-$1295USD, Design Within Reach
When I saw this earlier this year:
Tiffany & Co. sterling silver tin can
I automatically thought of this:
Piero Fornasetti was in Italian painter, sculptor, interior decorator, and engraver. He may be best known for his pieces that include the image of a woman’s face in black and white. The face is that of operatic soprano Lina Cavalieri. In addition to this face, many of his pieces include images of the sun, time, and architectural elements. Now, his son Barnaba Fornasetti continues to design in his father’s name.
Fornasetti’s plates are quite popular in the world of interior design. These and other Fornasetti pieces add whimsy and interest to many spaces as you can see in the images below.
Colette May, via Elements of Style
Colette May, via Elements of Style
 via Archimir
via Est Magazine
If you have some time to spare, I encourage you to watch some of these behind-the-scenes videos of the Fornasetti Atelier. I enjoyed watching a bit of the design and manufacturing processes of Fornasetti’s pottery, textiles, and metal work.
I know. I know. It’s only early August, and I’m talking about back to school. This does not meant that the summer is nearing an end. It just means that we’ve got back to school shopping on the brain! As per usual, I’m happy to welcome Daniela back to the blog. She’s a whiz at gift guides, and her Back to School Gift Guide certainly doesn’t disappoint.
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Whether you’re sending your children off to nursery school or Montessori or they are heading back to grade school this September, this list of must-have back to school items will ensure your child is well prepared for the year ahead.
First up is an item from the proudly Canadian Green’s Your Colour. I have owned a Green’s Your Colour bottle for a few years (and even featured it in this holiday gift guide). I use it daily for cold beverages in the summer and hot infused teas in the winter. This food grade bottle has the capacity to store many food and beverage items. Buying your child one for their upcoming school year will ensure they have a superior water bottle that can easily store a hot lunch or snack without leaving any flavour residue after it has been washed. I can attest to its durability and quality as mine is now three years old, and it still looks and functions like it’s new.
Dino Stomper, $35 CAD, Green’s Your Colour
Next up is an item from another Canadian company – So Young. The company’s owner, Catherine, is not only passionate about what she does, but she has overcome so much in her life. Read her inspirational story. So Young’s line of products is not only well-made and well-priced, but it has the cutest selection of bags for you, your toddler, or your child. Here’s the child-sized backpack, but note that many backpacks come in a toddler version as well.
backpack, $55 CAD, So Young
And don’t forget to add a So Young lunch bag and ice pack while you are at it!
unicorn lunch box, $35 CAD, So Young
ice pack, $13 CAD, So Young
Next up is this great lunchbox that ensures you can pack your child a variety of food items while keeping everything separate in an all-in-one container. The company – PlanetBox – has three options, but the Shuttle or Rover are recommended for children.
Shuttle lunch box, $39.95 USD, PlanetBox
Rover lunch box, $55.95 USD, PlanetBox
Tiny Trendsetter is a Toronto-based store that offers shipping across Canada and the United States. The store has you covered with the trendiest styles for your little ones. Tiny Trendsetter carries many mainstream labels we all love, but what I love most is their focus on smaller independent labels.
A must-have for fall and winter are these super comfy feels-like-joggers-but-looks-like-jeans. The Beau Hudson “jegs†are not only super stylish, but they are also super easy for your child to put on and off themselves, making for easier mornings (and easier washroom breaks at school, too!).
Beau Hudson Jegs, $59.99 CAD, Tiny Trendsetter
This packable, 100% waterproof jacket should be a staple in your child’s backpack. It is good for wind and rain ensuring your child is always ready for weather changes.
Packable jacket, $54.99 CAD, Tiny Trendsetter
A staple for my own child’s wardrobe is this zip-up hoodie from Toronto’s Mini Mioche. I have replaced my daughter’s hoodie every time she outgrows it as it’s light enough for her to wear all seasons, and she is always cozy. Those early fall mornings will call for an extra layer, and this hoodie, which comes in many colours, is the perfect wardrobe staple for back to school. What’s even better is that it is designed and made right in Toronto.
hoodie, $48 CAD, Mini Mioche
Hope you enjoyed my back to school gift guide! Until next time, happy shopping!
***
Thanks for this gift guide, Daniela! Of course I, too, enjoy a nice water bottle, since I’m never without one, and the little packable rain jacket reminds me of my old K-Way jacket!
Here’s a high/low challenge for you. Can you spot the difference?
top: Yves Saint Laurent – Loulou heart sunglasses, 305 Euro
bottom: heart sunglasses, $4.69USD
Did you guess correctly?
Serge Mouille was a French designer who is best known for his lighting. You may have seen his arm chandelier or sconces floating around design magazines and blogs for many years now.
Original Serge Mouille lights cost in the thousands of dollars, but as many iconic designs, there are plenty of reproductions online and in stores that cost a few hundred dollars. And you can see from the images below that Serge Mouille lighting looks great in a variety of interiors.
Julie Hillman, via The Decorista
Christine Dovey, via Style at Home
 via SF Girl By Bay
via Goop
One of my friends (hi Jess!) loves a good fanny pack. I used to poke fun at this little accessory, but now (just like I did as a young kid in the 80s) completely understands the appeal. With the fanny pack, you must be strict as to what you can carry (therefore avoiding heavy handbags) and your hands remain free (for coffee, dog walking, shopping bags). What do you think? A great little accessory or one to skip?
via Purse Blog
via Marie Claire
If you’ve been to a design museum, then you may have come across Vico Magistretti’s Atollo table lamp. The lamp was designed in 1977, and many people would agree that it is as beautiful today as it was 30 years ago.
via Mohd
via Remodelista
I came across Toronto artist Lindsay Chambers‘ on Instagram, and I was in awe of her paintings. The pieces of silver she paints look so real. Aren’t the paintings incredible?
Before she became Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle was seen in this striped Altuzarra dress.
via People
Could you imagine if she went all-out-for-stripes, skipped the black heels, and paired the dress with these matching mules?
Do you think the head-to-toe stripes would have received the royal approval?
Let’s go all out luxury today, shall we? I had a browse in the lighting department of 1st Dibs, and my jaw dropped as I scrolled through pages and pages of crystal. I’ve included the rough prices of each, but try to divert your eyes.
Bakalowits Crystal chandelier, $15K+, 1st Dibs
rock crystal chandelier, $6K+, 1st Dibs
Emil Stejnar Snowball chandelier, $5K+, 1st Dibs
Kinkeldey chandelier, $3K+, 1st Dibs
Rock Crystal Sputnik chandelier, $42K+, 1st Dibs
Last Friday, I went out of my fashion comfort zone, and I pulled out an all-over gingham outfit. I already had these pieces in my wardrobe, but it was only recently that I considered putting them together.
White Cabana (top: J.Crew, pants: Ann Taylor)
I was definitely inspired by Blair Eadie at Atlantic-Pacific and all the co-ordinating outfits that are popping into stores.
I hope everyone had a great Canada Day long weekend! I’m already finding it hard to get back into work mode after a few days of relaxation by the pool and BBQ with friends. I don’t think I opened my computer even once all weekend long, so forgive me if posts are brief this week.
Today’s pair are all about lines and structure.
friendship bracelet, $357 USD (on sale), Links of London
NOVA by Zaha Hadid, $5000, via United Nude
Recognize this wavy vase?
It was designed by Alvar Aalto in 1936, and it has been a design collector’s item ever since. Each vase is mouth blown at the Iittala glass factory in Finland, making each piece unique. The full Alvar Aalto collection includes other shapes, sizes, and colours, too.
If you’re in Canada, you can purchase Alvar Aalto pieces at William Ashley.
What’s Canada Day without a BBQ? For many Canadians, wearing red and white and having a BBQ with friends and family is the best way to celebrate Canada’s birthday. If you’re heading out to a friend’s place, you may be interested in reviewing Daniela‘s gift guide today. She’s curated a great selection of gifts – at various price points as per usual – for this weekend’s BBQ or any other summer event you’re attending.
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With our first long weekend upon us and children out of school, invites for summer BBQs will be pouring in. For your next invite, I’ve put together a list of some fun gifts to bring to the host.
Dish towels! Or as Williams Sonoma calls them – flour sack towels. Sure, you can get these at a lot of retailers, but I especially love the Williams Sonoma towels as they are extremely large and can withstand the test of time and lots of washes.
flour sack towels, $19.16 USD (on sale), Williams Sonoma
If you are invited to a bbq where the host has children, add this super fun stencil set (or another craft) for their little ones. It will make for a great summer activity on a rainy day, and the parents will love them too!
tea towel stencil kit, $26 USD, Yellow Owl Workshop
Going to a pool party? For the past few summers, I have brought the host one of these pool toys. They are the perfect gift for all ages and make for a great prop in photos. I personally love using these so my hair doesn’t get wet. 🙂
swan floatie, $9.99 (on sale), The Bay
unicorn floatie, $9.99 (on sale), The Bay
Did you know you can use your BBQ for a lot more than grilling hamburgers and veggies? Why not make pizza (my food of choice) on your grill? I love this as a hostess gift especially for someone who uses their BBQ all summer long.
grill stone, $48.49 CAD, The Well
Summer BBQ invites are all about fun in a casual dining atmosphere, so this next hostess gift idea is more a gift for all in attendance. Fill this piñata up with candy and bring it as an addition to the “dessert table.†It will prove tons of fun for all ages.
mini unicorn piñata, $5.60 (on sale), Chapters Indigo
And on the subject of candy grab a bag of these delicious squish candies for the host to enjoy the day after the party.
thank you mix candies, $14 CAD, Squish Candies
Finally, who doesn’t love an ice cream in the summer? Spoil the host with this great set, so they can enjoy their summer ice cream in style.
Kate Spade ice cream set, $46 CAD, Chapters Indigo
Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy all your summer gatherings with friends and family!
***
How lucky are we that Daniela is such a great gift giver? Each guide seems better than the last! I absolutely love the idea of a piñata…what a fun thing for adults and kids!
Greek statues and busts add a sense of refinement and interest to any space. These days, they come in all shapes and sizes, too.
bottle owner, $20
JKC Vintage Decor, sold
Well, I shouldn’t quite say I’ve “read” these books. I’ve actually listened to most of them in the form of audiobook. With all the driving I’ve done lately, the audiobooks have been a wonderful way to pass the time. I’m pretty much hooked, and now I listen while I walk, too.
1. The Story of a New Name (Book 2) by Elena Ferrante
I read Book 1 of this series many months ago, but I could not find the time to pick up Book 2. When I set out on one of my road trips, I started listening to it, and I could barely stop. It was wonderful. The book is engaging, interesting, and well-developed. It’s easy to connect with the characters. I’m definitely eager to get started on Book 3.
2. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanathi
I remember when I heard of this book via Joanna Goddard (Cup of Jo) a couple of years ago. I had wanted to read it since then, but I never did. It was one of the first audiobooks I downloaded. It’s a great read. True. Sad. Beautiful.
3. Wallflower at the Orgy by Nora Ephron
I’ve always liked reading Nora Ephron’s books. They’re a combination of funny, interesting, light, and serious. This book of short stories entertained.
4. Hungry for Love by Maya Sacher
This fits in the chick-lit category of books. It was easy to be engaged with the story line of a woman who has fallen in love with a man while her husband is in a coma. It’s a good summer beach read.
5. Landline by Rainbow Rowell
I opted for this chick-lit book because it came up in one of my library searches, and I was drawn to the cover. It’s an easy read about a couple going through a troubling time. The story isn’t highly original – individuals working too hard, trying to make their relationship work – but I liked how the dialogue evolved in the chapters, and it was overall a good read. I’d say it’s another easy summer read.
p.s. Did you know that June is audiobook month? A little something I learned at the Waterloo Public Library (where I’ve been getting my audiobooks).
One historical meaning of the rainbow flag is peace. Nowadays, the rainbow flag is a symbol for the LGBT social movement. The rainbow flag was created in 1978 by Gilbert Baker who was an American artist and gay rights activist. Each colour of the flag represents something: red – life, orange – healing, yellow – sunlight, green – nature, turquoise – magic, violet – spirit. In Baker’s original version, two additional colours appeared: pink – sexuality and indigo – serenity.
Tattly rainbow skateboard temporary tattoo
I’m happy to bring a little #loveislove to the blog today in support of Pride Month.
I know many of us love a good animal print, but what about prints with actual animal figures? Take these two items, for example. Do you give them the thumbs up or thumbs down?
zebra plate, $4.99 USD (on sale), H&M
zebra romper, $138 USD, Anthropologie
This summer seems to be the summer when everyone is wearing a recreation of Hermes’ Oran sandal. I’m seeing versions pop up on so many fashion blogger and Instagram feeds.
Oran sandal, $810 CAD, Hermes
Greece sandal, $79 USD, Steve Madden
The ice bucket – and the ice bucket bag – are in today’s two-of-a-kind spotlight.
ice bucket, $24.99 USD, Home Depot
The Ice Bucket Bag, $238 USD, Neely & Chloe
The Monobloc Chair – aka the stackable plastic patio chair that you may currently own – has been described (by Wikipedia and Treehugger at least) as the world’s most common plastic chair. My house came with a few of these stacked gems, and I kept them for a long while because they were convenient and stackable. I thought they would never wear out, but they did.
The Monobloc – a chair made of one piece of plastic – was introduced by Canadian designer D.C. Simpson in 1946.
With the warmer weather (finally) here, and Victoria Day just around the corner, it’s nearly time to bring out – and buy, perhaps – all the white dresses.
dress, $59 USD, Chicwish 
 ,Splendid crochet white dress, $69 USD, Chicwish
embroidered dress, $79.99USD, H&M
dress, $99USD, H&M
Sag Harbor Dress, $188USD, Anthropologie
floral appliqué dress, $187.49CAD, Ann Taylor
tie back dress, $198 USD, Kate Spade
chesapeake stripe midi dress, $428, Kate Spade
At this time of year, we definitely see an increase in woven textures in home and fashion. The airy design is perfect for warmer weather.
Ladders in the home are not just for dark, moody libraries. They’re used in kitchens and closets to reach high shelves, and they’re used in living rooms and bedrooms for hanging blankets. In my own home, I have a couple of bamboo ladders – one for storing extra towels in my bathroom (well, “just for show” towels), and another that is decorative in my basement lounge.
These photos show the diversity of this decorative – and functional – piece.
I’ve had a look around shops online, and I found some great ladders that could work well in a variety of spaces.
ladder, $102.99 CAD, Wayfair
ladder, $214 CAD, Target
ladder, $98 USD, Anthropologie
ladder, $99 USD, The Home Outpost
ladders, $80-96 USD, West Elm
Today’s the day! It’s the One Room Challenge final reveal day!
So, without even a moment more of pause, let me welcome you in to my new laundry/bathroom combo room!
And before I share more photos, let’s have a look at the before photos of the space. (Note: You can see more photos in this Week 1 post.)
I’m so excited to share these after photos with you. The last six weeks have been full of mess, clean-up, shopping, and styling. I’m beyond thrilled with the end result, and I am so grateful for the team of experts who helped me transform this space. I now have a bright space for laundry days, and my guests have a beautiful white bathroom to enjoy while they visit.
As I showed you over the last six weeks, we completely gutted this space. No surface was left untouched, and nothing from the original room remained. Everything is new – from plumbing to studs to tiles to accessories. This space needed an overhaul, and that’s exactly what it got!
I’ve always called this space small but mighty. I demand a lot from this space in terms of functionality, and the changes my construction team and I made have definitely improved every aspect of the space. It’s a combo room – laundry plus bathroom – so it’s really going to be put to work!
I am absolutely loving having a large laundry sink. After five years with a bathroom vanity sink, this change is a big one. I was lucky to work with Blanco on this project, and the company generously provided me with the durable Liven laundry sink. The Silgranit material is supposed to be “exceptionally resistant to heat, scratches, and impact,” which is exactly what I need.
To match the sink, I opted for the Blanco Urbena faucet. When the box arrived way back in the fall, I took the faucet out immediately, and was so impressed with its strength and substance. Now in place, this piece looks even more beautiful (and it’s even better in person). The pull-down faucet function is going to be great as I start making a mess in this space with indoor gardening projects, hand-washing delicate clothing, and more.
I had a custom cabinet made in Toronto. It’s painted Chantilly Lace, and it has the same door front detail as my interior doors (see below). For the counter, I went with white quartz, and a 6″ backsplash. The door pulls are from Ikea.
I have used some pieces in this space that I have already in other spaces in my home. Why change a good thing, right? For example, I have the larger version of the mirror in my powder room. And I have the same toilet and toilet roll holder in my powder room. I know many people like to switch things up in the design world, but I like consistency and simplicity, so I was happy to use these same pieces in my new space.
The addition of a beautiful new shower has really made this combo room that much more functional. This was a big job, and I lived with a trench in my floor for a couple of days as my plumber was working his magic. I opted for classic white 4″x12″ subway tiles, and my tiler surrounded the shower with them. I carried the hex floor into this shower space, too. The shower system is the Arris style by Moen.
The little “door” that you see in the photo below is a genius invention by my drywaller. It slides up and down, and it hides my main water pump/valve. It’s incredible. It’s so handy, and it looks sleek, too!
The floor is much more exciting than what you might see in these photos. Beneath these gorgeous hex marble-like tiles is Warmup‘s floor heating system. And it’s luxurious! The thermostat is easy to use, and I have been playing around with different schedule settings. I can even control the temperature from my phone. You know what this means, right? I can lie in bed on a Sunday morning and only get out to do laundry once my floor has been heated up! Genius! (Note: I haven’t added a bath mat to the space yet because I want to stare at the floors!)
The doors in this space are Metrie’s Masonite Lincoln Park. I used the same style in my #byebyebifold makeover, so it only made sense to carry them into this new space. Side note: In fact, I have replaced all of my interior doors, and the change has refreshed my whole home! The door hardware (just like everywhere else in my home) is the Milan in satin chrome from Direct Door Hardware.
The addition of the pocket door to separate this gorgeous space from the less-than-gorgeous furnace room has been an especially smart addition. I was beyond ready to get rid of the accordion door six weeks ago, and I was even more thrilled when my drywaller told me he could get in a pocket door.
To bring more beauty into the space, I reached out to my friends at pamuk & co., and they sent me the softest set of Turkish towels and a matching robe. I am so spoiled with these items! Each towel is a piece of art, in my opinion. And have I mentioned how soft they are? Absolutely luxurious! You can see the robe in #WhiteCabanaStyle action in this Instagram photo! (Side note: pamuk & co. has been spotted in Meghan Markle’s hands post-yoga and in her former Toronto home!)
from pamuk & co.: Maya bathrobe, The Cabana, The Soho
I have two pieces of art in this laundry/bathroom combo room. The top piece above the toilet is Clothespins 2 by Elliot Stokes from Minted. Under this is a photo my friend Suzanne took, and I printed. It’s a close-up photo of a large-scale piece by Marco Godinho called “Forever Immigrant.” If you’d like to see more of the art, I recommend this video.
And one final look before I leave you for the day (to explore other One Room Challenge participants’ reveal posts):
Thanks again for following along this renovation journey with me. If you’d like to take a walk down memory lane, check out my week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, and week 5 posts. And for more inspiration, click on over to the reveal posts from the One Room Challenge’s featured designers and guest participants.
Thanks to Blanco, Warmup, Minted, and Pamuk & Co. for collaborating on this project. All opinions are my own.
Thanks to my construction team for making my design come to life: Chris, Troy, and Tony. Thanks to Mom and Dad for your continued willingness to help out and get messy!
***
Sources:
sink: Blanco Liven (c/o)
faucet: Blanco Urbena (c/o)
floor heating: Warmup (c/o)
robe and towels: pamuk & co. (c/o)
art: Minted (c/o)
art: photo from a friend
hooks: Ikea
hangers: Ikea
cabinet and counter top: custom
cabinet paint: Chantilly Lace
mirror: HomeSense
doors: Metrie Masonite Lincoln Park
door handle: Milan, Direct Door Hardware
floor tiles: Toronto
wall tiles: Toronto
shower system: Moen Arris
toilet paper holder: Bed Bath and Beyond
toilet: Costco
ceiling lights: Costco
Who is getting their bodies in shape for pool season? I’m definitely on the slow side of this part of my life, but I continue to attend my barre classes, and I feel much stronger than I did a few months ago. The first item today is the classic dumbbell – in white! Great for bicep curls and triceps.
This second item – the UBarre – is definitely has a lovely aesthetic, and there are loads of Ubarre exercises to do for strength training. (Thanks to Swiss Miss for the intro.)
 
 
 
 