Have a glamorous weekend!

Huh?

I just had to share this non-functional timepiece by Vlaemsch. I suppose this watch is trying to transcend typical associations of status by encasing the internal watch in leather but at the end of the day how good can you feel about spending $300 for a watch that doesn't tell time? What do you think, too cool for school or file this one away with lensless glasses and fingerless gloves?

Retail Therapy: L'aviva home

This gorgeous Mexican hand embroidered coverlet, known as a tenango, is crafted by the otomi indians from the mountains of the mexican state of hidalgo. The colorful design is said to be inspired by the wall paintings on cliffs in the region. Made of 100% unbleached cotton muslin with cotton embroidery thread, it would make a divine bedspread, tablecloth or covering for an entryway table. While the coverlets are available in several colors, it's this vivid indigo shade that has me swooning!

Canada's Anna Wintour

Having spotted CTV's Fashion Television reporter Jeanne Beker twice in just one week, at a local Starbucks and high end department store Holt Renfrew, I take this as a sign that I must post about this local icon! What does Canada's most recognizable fashion reporter wear for a day out and about in the city? When last spotted, Ms. Beker was wearing an outfit similar to that below, but in true fashion insider style, she would be more likely to mix high and low items than dress in designer items from head to toe (think a fabulous black boyfriend blazer as investment piece and a graphic tee from H&M).

Jeanne Beker by Just Jane featuring Giuseppe Zanotti shoes

Thomas Wylde Shirt Punk
698 EUR - jades24.com
More Thomas Wylde t shirts »

Vince Boyfriend blazer | Browns Fashion
390 GBP - brownsfashion.com
More Vince blazers »

Gabardine cotton-blend legging pants
$350 - net-a-porter.com
More See By Chloe leggings »

Giuseppe Zanotti Design Leather Ankle Boots with Stud Detailing
505 GBP - brownsfashion.com
More Giuseppe Zanotti ankle booties »

Philippe Audibert 18ct Gold Plated Bracelet
$588 - asos.com

Photo credit: Toronto Life

Falling for Fall

I am truly inspired by what I'm seeing in fall fashion for 2010, and it is ironically the absence of trends that is most exciting! It's a breath of fresh air to see minimal, classic and wearable clothes back on the runway after years of excess. This trend is likely to carry over into home decor over the next year as well---can we really take another over-designed space full of painted furniture, large scale print wallpaper and trellis print? Just like the best rooms need some pieces to "just be" and not take center stage, the best new outfits allow you to shine. These images from Pink Tartan highlight what I consider to be the key trends for this fall.

Something red! What colour could be more powerful yet elegant? Whether its a dramatic accessory like this oversized scarf, a structured bag, or a hit of lipstick in this gorgeous shade, red is THE shade for fall.

Black is the new black! The LBD will never leave, but the most current way to wear black is with a rock and roll attitude, think multiple strands of heavy metal as accessory.

Color block! Energize the latest neutrals with a pop of color like this gorgeous turquoise shade.

The camel coat! This investment piece will look fabulous for decades and layer it today over beige, beige and more beige.

A genius in Wolf's clothing

As we move into the new year and look towards the hottest new trends, I like to take some time to reflect on where we've been and the designers that inspire me most. Enter Vicente Wolf, New York based designer and photographer, author of the decorating bible Learning to See (2002), and truly one of the most gifted and interesting designers of our time. His work is timeless and guided by instinct, but careful study reveals there is method to his madness. His palette is neutral with soft hits of color, but he's a master at playing with proportion and scale and creating tension between carefully chosen objects. His rooms appear breezy and effortless but there is genius in the complex layering of tones and textures. His spaces always invoke emotion and remind us that someone "interesting" lives there, wouldn't we all like to live like that?

Artist of the week: Erin Glover

Erin Glover graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design after spending a year studying in Italy and her work is found at Art Interiors in Toronto, a good source for affordable art from emerging artists.  Her pieces document everyday domestic tokens though a process of layering and I think they're brilliant.  The chandelier as subject is feminine, while the layering creates an edgy and modern effect. This piece would work so well in a glamorous boudoir or a stylish dining room.  

Decor eye candy

These quirky items are chock full of decor personality. Both chandeliers are unique in that they rely more on the vertical than the horizontal, and this change of scale makes them interesting. The half mirror is a talking point on its own and the hand carved side chair in school bus yellow makes it a daring choice. So take a design risk in 2009, often it's the items that seem most "wrong" that end up making a space look so right!

Retail Therapy: Lovegrove & Repucci

I have a weakness for blue and white ceramics but my modern sensibilities often keep me from incorporating them into my decor. This is no longer the case as I am crazy for these porcelain plates from Lovegrove & Repucci. The design duo takes classic Dutch Delft blue ceramics and hits the streets of London and New York. The resulting mix is so edgy and fresh, creating great tension between old and new.

Feeling blue this holiday season?

To me classic holiday décor isn’t the traditional red and green scheme, but actually blue and green. I love the new take on peacock blue and green, throw in some gorgeous mercury glass accents and you’re on your way to a very chic Christmas. A great idea I’m using this year to dress up the table is to use the peacock wreath as a centerpiece and fill with pillar candles of varying heights and add mini round ornaments to fill in the gaps and add some extra sparkle.

Drapery 101

Nothing adds drama like fabulous drapes.  Whether custom or ready-made, there are so many options available today. To lend a custom look to ready-made drapes, add a wide band of different fabric across the bottom or top, or sew a trim in contrasting grosgrain ribbon.  When looking for a custom option, for formal rooms, choose velvets, silks, fine cottons or heavy linens, and invest in good lining fabric. Installing a curtain rod can seem difficult, but the trick is if there is less than 12 inches between the window moulding and the ceiling or crown moulding, hang the rod directly below the ceiling to give the illusion of soaring ceilings.  If there is more than 12 inches between the window and ceiling, then hang the rod at the halfway point. Lightweight drapes look best just skimming the floor while more substantial fabrics should have a 1/2" to 2" puddle.

Photo credit to Wish magazine.  

Make an entrance

This gorgeous foyer from Wish magazine hits just the right note between classic and modern. I'm reminded just how fabulous blue, white and black can be in a space.  The white feels clean, the blue classic, and the black grounds everything and gives it some edge.  Love the combination of the breezy Madeline Weinrib rug (albeit completely impractical using a cream cotton rug in the doorway, but like a great pair of heels totally worth the pain) and antique chinese pottery.  Angus and Company is a great local source for high quality blue and white ceramics and Madeline Weinrib rugs can be found at Y & Co.  I think every entranceway needs a narrow console for storage, a great mirror and some seating (a one of a kind chair or bench). Add a fabulous rug, some artwork and flowers and you'll make a great first impression for your home.      

O Boy! Nate's Chicago apartment

Nate Berkus’s Chicago apartment as featured recently in Elle Decor is an eclectic inspiration. The look is masculine and sophisticated. I love the combination of dusk blue textiles and neutral furnishings against gold metals and pale grey walls. Most interesting is his use of original artwork and organic materials and objects to create interesting vignettes. I think it’s important when mixing and matching objects to still maintain some symmetry---either by repeating items or by maintaining the same scale (like the bookcase to the left of the sofa and the leaning artwork on the right). Here again we see the use of high impact pattern on the floors, instead of the walls, which is very on trend.