Sourcebook: September & October

ELEGANT - Ashbury Lamp from Crate & Barrel.  The glaze has a beautiful crackle finish and the shade is a gorgeous ivory silk.  The perfect accent lamp in  heavenly master bedroom. Crate & Barrel, $289

Every month I search high and low, on-line, in-store, and off the street for products and materials for my client's projects.   I make hundreds of carefully considered recommendations over the course of a month, some months its more furniture based sourcing some months its more building materials and hardware - it all just depends on my current projects.   Of course not all the options I source over the month actually make the cut.  The past two months I've been more in the sourcing stages so not as many final specifications and purchases have been made compared to recommendations.  But here’s a peek of just some of the winning picks that I’ve specified or purchased over the past 2 months,,,,,these are things my clients have purchased, things that I’ve specified for clients and things i’ve purchased for my own use.

These items are in random order and are from more than one project.  I do have to say that I'm deliberately selective in what I chose to share with you from my sourcebook as I can't give away all my secrets ; ) nor can I share all of the items I've specified for a client's project - so this is just a small sampling of things I particularly love for various reasons and items I think could be incorporated into many homes. You'll have to wait patiently for the 'After' photos to see just how these pieces were pulled together and where they now find home.

RARE FIND -  Vintge Grete Jalk coffee table from Toronto furniture store  Zig Zag

STYLISH READING - A beautiful coffee table book, from ELTE

SPLUGE -  Custom toss cushions for a sofa, made from this fabric by KRAVET called Lemon Drops, 26853.

GREAT FIND -  A moravian star fixture from Home Depot just $139.

TUB LOVE....this sleek contemporary drop-in style tub by DURAVIT from Gingers.  I love that its low profile makes it easy to get in and out of for all ages, especially in a tub/shower combo set up and its nice and low  for when mom and dad are bathing the kids.  But the best part is the price at only $456.  Honestly, I thought there was a digit was missing...

 

HIGH STYLE, LOW PRICE - Yes,,,,,another TOTO Acquia.  

TIMELESS -  Cararra bianca marble and noir basketweave mosaic floor tile for a bathroom.

ORGANIC - Acacia wood platter from Crate & Barrell.

CLASSIC CHOICE - Caesarstone countertop in Raven.

NATURAL TEXTURE - Seagrass ottoman from Pottery Barn.

DESIGING MINDS...think alike.   One of my best friends who is also a designer and I both have  birthday's  in the month on October.  We always get together to celebrate and usually exchange small gifts  - this year she gave me this lovely set of  Nigella Lawson measuring cups which I just ADORE, the perfect addition to the pale blue set of Nigella mixing bowls she gave me years ago.  And I gave her..........well,,,the exact same thing, but in cream!   It was truly a testament of how well we know each other and of our mutual appreciation of cooking and design. 

August Sourcebook:

Rico Espinet Chandelier by Robert Abbey

Every month I search high and low, on-line, in-store, and off the street for products and materials for my client's projects.   I make hundreds of carefully considered recommendations over the course of a month, some months its more furniture based sourcing some months its more building materials and hardware - it all just depends on my current projects.   Of course not all the options I source over the month actually make the cut.  But here’s a peek of just some of the winning picks that I’ve specified or purchased this past month,,,,,these are things my clients have purchased, things that I’ve specified for clients and things i’ve purchased for my own use.

These items are in random order and are from more than one project.  Unfortunately you'll have to wait patiently for the 'After' photos to see just how these pieces were pulled together and where they'll soon call home.

I had my eye on the chandelier pictured above for some time, wishing I'd have the opportunity to specify it for a project.  And this month I did!   I absolutely love that it has a bit of a vintage industrial feel to it, with its historical filament bulbs and sleek wire suspension instead of chain, its a modern take on the traditional ring chandelier.    Its a perfect way to bring a bit of edgey style to more traditional furniture pieces.   When I look at it I can't help but envision this fixture adorned with some simple fresh evergreen at christmas. 

Host Chair by Lee Industries

There's several reasons why a pair of these chairs were selected as host chairs for a clients dining room table, I love the understated lines of this modern wing back - it definitely makes a stylish impact.  But the fact that this chair comes with an optional slipcover means its practical for a family with young children and it gives you the flexibility of two different looks.

Rod Back Windosor Chair by The Windsor Workshop

Made right here in Canada and worth every penny.  These beautifully crafted chairs will be enjoyed by my clients for a lifetime and then handed down to their children to enjoy for another.   Truly the antiques of our tomorrow.  You won't find a more comfortable chair, the formed seat and contoured edges make this more comfortable than almost any upholstered chair I've sat in and the way the dramatic curved back cocoons you feels simply luxurious.  I'm having these ones finished in a custom, lightly distressed paint colour like the sample above.

Ankara Area Carpet by Restoration Hardware

A classic looking pattern in an an appealing palette of olive greens, silver sage, red and cream.  I like the fact its 100% wool so its all natural, hypo-allergenic, extremely durable and naturally stain resistant.   Its also on sale right now.

A pair of custom made upholstered chairs and ottomans, similar to these.  I'm having them upholstered in a wide kakhi/taupe stripe indoor outdoor fabric.

Potter Lamp by Mitchell Gold.  

A handcrafted look and a large scale!  Available at Elte.

Stump tables by Pottery Barn.   

I particularly like mixing these organic tables with contemporary clean lined pieces especially metal and glass.  Great multifunctional tables in three sizes you can move around an use as stools or side tables.

Tolomeo Mega Wall Lamp by Artemide and available at DWR. 

  Sleek, super functional and a modern classic.  I love to use these in unexpected places.

Thin veneer stacked stone panels by Erth Coverings.  

Natural stone, variation of light warm colours, and can be used indoors and out.  This month I've specified it as a new cladding for an outdated fireplace.  Its dramatic texture will add high impact and the linear cut adds a modern organic feel.

 

Natural hide carpet from Elte.

I'm crazy about animal prints and hides.  Placed assymetrical or off centre, I find the irregular shape makes them suitable for use in oddly shaped furniture groupings or in small spaces where I find sometimes a rectangular carpet chops a space up or makes it feel boxed in, their irregular shape just flows better.

Delano Chair by Toronto based Gus Design Group available at Style Garage.

Canadian designed and made in Canada.  A stainless steel frame and tufted leather modern lounge chair in unlimited custom upholstery options but offered in several standard leather colours for $950.  A modest price for a leather lounge chair with such high end style. 

Neo Bunching Table by Crate & Barrel.

Cube shaped tables are a great option for first time homeowners or anyone starting from scratch.  I like that this simple geometric cube can grow with you, start out by using a pair of them as coffee tables, then they could be moved to either end of a sofa as end tables,,,,or on either side of a bed.   

July Sourcebook:

This was one of several pieces of original art I purchased with a client this month.  Found at Art Interiors, Solitude by Rita Vindedzis, 12 x 48.

When I go out sourcing products and furniture for client projects, I always carry 4 things with me; a notebook, a tape measurer, a digital camera and my blackberry (soon to be 3 things when I get a new phone with integrated camera!).  

In my notebook I’ll staple samples of paint or fabrics for reference along with a list of what I need to source complete with sketches, dimensions or room layouts.  When I’m sourcing I make notes on every item i photograph, aside from the size and price etc.,,,I note whether its comfortable, sturdy, heavy, light etc... or if I’ve seen the same item at another store.  Typically I go thru one of these notebooks a month for miscellaneous projects, and if I’m working on a whole house reno, I start a sourcebook just for that project.  When the notebook is full, I keep it on file as I reference back to them quite often.  I know I could streamline this and do it all electronically,,,,but an old fashioned notebook and pencil is what I prefer for sketching quickly and attaching samples, besides the fact, if your battery on your blackberry or iphone constantly needs charging, then its back to the notebook.  It may not be a perfect system,,,but it works for me.  

Of course not all the options I’ve sourced over the month actually make the cut.  So here’s a peek into just some of the winning picks (non-custom) that I’ve specified or purchased this month,,,,,,these are things my clients have purchased, things that I’ve purchased for clients and things i’ve purchased for my own use.

Ready made frames.  I've purchased so many of these Thin Metal Frames the last couple of months for client's bathrooms, I don't think Pottery Barn has any left in stock in Toronto.  I love the wide white mats and the simple modern profile, I think the polished metal version works so well in a bathroom with traditional or contemporary plumbing fixtures.   A custom looking framed image for half the price.

Flush slab vanity drawers in Wenge wood veneer with clove stain.

Zen rectangular vessel sink by Neptune.

Cararra hexagon mosaic tile for floors in a bathroom because the shape is classic, the look is timeless, a great mix with contemporary plumbing fixtures.

Hand made ceramic subway tiles for bathroom walls, specified on several projects (I love the hand made quality vs the mass produced if the budget allows). Because they're timeless and classic and are a beautiful compliment to other marbles and stones.

A vintage teak sideboard.  This danish beauty measures over seven feet long, has gorgeous legs, antique brass corners and the drawers are the exact perfect fit for CD cases!  Simply stunning and one of my all-time favorite finds, this one's from Queen West Antiques in Toronto.

Eames Stool (left), what can I say, these are little works of art that you can use as a side table or foot stool.  This one was found at Studio Pazo in Toronto. 

Mixed media on wood under resin.  "To become" 12 x 48.

Mixd media on wood under resin.  "Secret" 48 x 60.

A client and I commissioned some original art work by artist Murray Duncan.  Samples of his work are shown above and his work is exhibited in his furniture store Hardware as well as at Parts Gallery in Toronto.  Murray does the most incredible work using mixed media under resin on wood, they have a deep high gloss finish that unfortunately just doesn't translate well in these photos.  He also does panels like these on credenza and armoire doors that are sold at his store. Totally unique & GORGEOUS!

White ceramic bird bud vase.  I spotted this at L'Atelier in Toronto and just had to buy it.  It was a perfect little finishing touch to some shelving in a clients office. (visualize this without the granny flowers.....sorry i didn't have a pic of my own.)

Woven storage boxes and magazine butlers for a home office, from West Elm.

Hardware for a bathroom vanity, Strand knob by Restoration Hardware.

Door and Drawer pulls for a kitchen island.  Contemporary pull by Richelieu.

Pair of pendant lights for over a new kitchen island.  Harmon pendant by Restoration Hardware.

Existing kitchen cabinets get new paint, BM Vapour, new hardware, Grafton pulls and knobs in oil rubbed bronze from Restoration Hardware and new Misty cararra Caesarstone counters.  This new look will give a young family of 5 a modern-traditional kitchen that will serve them beautifully for many years to come.

I've saved the best for last.....the Hemnes 4 Poster Bed by Ikea.  This bed has made it on so many top 10 lists, its become famous among design bloggers and shelter mags, its simply great value and great style.  Any other four poster bed on the market is easily 4 times the price of this one.  This spring the Hemnes bed was discontinued and by end of June Ikea had sold off their remaining inventory (at about 50% off).   But I didn't let that deter me, they call it a self-serve warehouse for a reason,,,,if everyone in the store tells you there's none left in stock, go and search the warehouse yourself to make sure.  I often find their computerized inventory is off by 2.  In this case, I went searching and much to the surprise of the staff, I managed to find not one but two Hemnes queen size beds sitting on a bottom rack with no tags.  And the best part is, when they did a price check, it was only $69!!!!!!.  Needless to say I headed for the checkout before she even finished asking me if I wanted it,,,,,all i could think of was "start the car!!".  What a steal!  And no, I don't have anywhere to put the bed right now (i've added it to my growing collection in the basement), but that's besides the point, this was a great find and one day I know I"ll find the perfect room for it.  In the meantime, I've already starting dreaming of the possibilities......