Design: From Home to Fashion

I love design, and I love fashion, so why not bring them together? Today, I took a room and turned it into an outfit by looking at some of the key elements in the space.

This living room has a strong, but light base with white walls, airy shelves, and a grey slouchy couch. A black leather egg chair and a pair of sleek side chairs inject the space with sleekness, and the round side table brings in welcomed warmth.

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via Behance

With the room analysis, it was easy enough to transform it into an outfit. I began with a light base of grey and white and brought in softness with the coat. The super sleek cut-out booties are reminiscent of the leather egg chair, and the necklace brings in the airiness of the bookshelf. The leather tote brings in the warmth just as the side table did in the living room.

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pants, shirt, coat, boots, bangle, necklace, bag

If you’re ever stuck on what to wear, go ahead and draw inspiration from your own living space (home design magazines work well, too!).

Fashion: The Opelle/Capsule Debut Collection

A friend recently sent me news of a fabulously chic collection of limited edition leather handbags handcrafted in Toronto. The bags are the result of a collaboration between artist and stylist Beth Nicholson Crago and Opelle.

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Prism Pochette, $260 (limited edition of 50)

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Lapped Clutch, $620 (limited edition of 5)

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M. Vanda, $488 (limited edition of 20)

Opelle is located at 1234 College St. West in Toronto.

Many thanks to Kathlyn M. for sending this story my way.

The Friday Five: Backpacks

Well, I was only half-certain that my PhD was going to be my last degree. I was right! Earlier this week, I learned that I have been accepted into an MBA program! It’s part-time so I’ll continue on with life as “normal”, and my studies will take up “just a bit” of my free time. Ha!

Anyhoo – I’m pumped! I’m excited to learn and to push myself in a new direction. I’m also excited to buy school supplies (let’s get real, right?!). At the top of the list is some sort of backpack. I’ve been using a one-shoulder tote forever, and it’s just not cutting it anymore.

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via Stylight

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via LA Cool & Chic

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via LoLoBu

Here are five backpacks that look to be super sleek and fashionable (any just may even hold a textbook or two!).

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via Kokosina

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via Amazon

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Stella McCartney backpack

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Asya Malbershtein backpack

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Harper Ave Philip backpack

I must got check out some affordable options in person one day soon!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Will you be back to school shopping?

Marketplace: Green Light District in Toronto

I “met” Deborah of Green Light District on Twitter many months ago and we instantly bonded over fiddle leaf fig trees. She gave me suggestions about how to take care of my tree, and our online conversations continue to revolve around design, plants, and food. Recently, I made a trip out to #Roncy (i.e., Roncesvalles area in Toronto) to have dinner with friends (at the Westerly, on the recommendation of Deborah). Since I was in the neighbourhood, and Toronto traffic cooperated, I had the chance to make a quick stop in to Green Light District to say hi to Deborah in person.

Owners Deborah and David Peets took my friend and I around the shop sharing news of the furniture and designers that fill up their store. I quickly picked out a few favourite pieces: the acapulco chair in the courtyard, the large wood dining tables, and the beautifully designed chairs. Oh, and the ceramics, the tree stump side tables/stools, the benches, and the mini bar also caught my eye.

Here are a few photos I quickly snapped during my visit:

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hand stitched leather and oak bench

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acrylic and kirel trees console

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soho chair

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hand stitched leather and oak bench + hand made pottery

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wonki ware + botanical print

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handmade pottery

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wonki ware

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handmade pottery + stitched leather and oak bench

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hand hooked rug + saddle leather chairs

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Jordana and Deborah (thanks for the photo, David)

The Peets source furnishings from around the world; Canada, South Africa, and Argentina were mentioned several times as I touched almost every item in the store.

Emma Reddington and Kim Johnson have always had good things to say about Green Light District, and the shop and furnishings have previously been featured in Chatelaine, Style at Home, Toronto Life, The Toronto Star, and BlogTO. I can totally understand why. The furniture is beautiful, and Deborah and David are such warm and welcoming owners.

If you’re in the area, be sure to stop in and say hello to Deborah and David, and when you do, be sure to tell them that you know me…you’ll likely get a chuckle out of them*.

*Apparently some of my friends from other Canadian cities (Hi Nora!) have gone around Toronto (well, not the whole city, but I have to exaggerate the story so it’s more amusing) asking people if they know me. “Hey, do you know Jordana?” Ha. I love my friends!