Decorating inspiration, architecture, renovation ideas and more.

Flower arrangement by Brendan Power-Martin Tessler

Decorate The Table For Summer Dinner Parties

Fresh ideas from the garden set the table—and the scene for summer entertaining.

Flower arrangement by Brendan Power-Martin Tessler

 

If you are planning a summer dinner party and want to decorate the table in a way that’s fresh and easy, here’s a spin on the current penchant for using formal table arrangements made of single flower variety in a single colour packed tightly into a vase. Read more

Aomori Nebuta House - molo

Products We Love From Local Molo Design

The latest architectural offering from molo, Canada’s magicians of light (both natural and manufactured)—plus four of our favourite molo products.

Aomori Nebuta House - molo

 

PRICELESS | This little story has nothing to do with our ongoing conversation about saving money, time or energy, but it is about celebrating hometown design heroes—molo’s Stephanie Forsythe and Todd MacAllen—and visually devouring their latest creation, an activity that’s absolutely free. Read more

Driftwood Candleholders - Heather Ross

Make These Driftwood Tealight Candlesticks

With the proper size drill bit, you can turn pieces of driftwood and tealights into elemental candlesticks.

Driftwood Candleholders - Heather Ross

 

THE CREATIVE SOLUTION | When you think of craft projects involving driftwood, does your mind meander back to the mid-1970s and wall hangings made of macramé and driftwood? Where 70s-style craft projects tended to be hippie-like and folksy, the current spin is toward Zen-like minimalism. Materials are organic and weathered, but shapes are defined and graphic, together evoking a calm, spiritual quality. In a word: elemental. These candleholders are my nod to the return of organic. Read more

Blue & White China-Clinton Hussey

Where To Find Asian Blue & White Dishes

Gorgeous, everyday blue and white dinnerware from around the Pacific Rim is inexpensive and plentiful. Here’s where to find it right now.

Blue & White China-Clinton Hussey

 

CHEAP & PERFECT | Sam Carter introduced me to the joy of collecting inexpensive Asian blue and white dishes. Carter, who is now professor emeritus at Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver and currently working on a variety of innovative international projects—including facilitating internships for Emily Carr students in China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines, Japan and Korea—has, for the longest time, picked up antique and contemporary blue and white dishes wherever he touches down. Read more

Photo Transfer- John Sinal

Turn Phototcopies Into Artworks On Canvass

Photo transferring used to belong solely on t-shirts. Here’s how to take this idea out of the closet and put it on your walls.

Photo Transfer- John Sinal

 

CREATIVE SOLUTION | The first thing that comes to mind when I think of photo transfers is the unoriginal projects first year art students have to do. But one day, while I was making some photocopies, I thought about how transferring images onto ready-made mini-canvasses from an art supply store would leave them with an impression that looks painted on but without the brushstrokes. Photocopy transferring, I subsequently learned, can turn any snapshot into art. Read more

Stenciled Sheers by Brendan Power - Martin Tessler

How To Stencil On Sheer Curtain Fabric

Printed sheers make stylish window covers. If you already have drapes, try slipcovering cushions in brightly patterned sheers.

Stenciled Sheers by Brendan Power - Martin Tessler

 

CREATIVE SOLUTION | I was never a big fan of anything stencilled until I tried stenciling on sheer fabric. Printed sheers are fashionable, make great curtains and are easy to customize on your own. Read more

Embossed Cards by Brendan Power - Martin Tessler

Fast Relief: How To Make Embossed Cards Quick

The perfect alternative to E-cards, these beautifully embossed greeting cards are super simple to make.

Embossed Cards by Brendan Power - Martin Tessler

 

CREATIVE SOLUTION | Embossing your own stationery is super easy. You will need 90-pound watercolor paper (although you can emboss on lighter papers), a burnishing tool and some sort of template to outline the image. Almost anything with relief will work; I used a metal drain tile from a plumbing store, a simple bracket from a hardware store and a leaf template I found at a graphic arts supply store. Read more

SYM Shelving - 18 Karat

No-Screw Shelving By Peter Cardew

Kick out the Billy (IKEA lovers will understand)! Replace it with no-screw shelving designed by Peter Cardew—on sale right now at 18 Karat. (VIDEO)

SYM Shelving - 18 KaratFURNITURE WE LOVE | To our list of favourite contemporary home furnishings designers/manufacturers (who just happen to come from western Canada)—Niels Bendsten; Omer Arbel; Stephanie Forsythe and Todd MacAllen of Molo—we would like to add the name Peter Cardew. A man better known both here and abroad for award-winning architecture, Cardew has, in recent years, turned his talent to designing furniture for 18 Karat (now back in business after an hiatus), and this collaboration has resulted in some fine furniture pieces, particularly in wood. Read more

Agapanthus "Streamline"

Use Outdoor Plants For Indoor Arrangements

Some outdoor plants look spectacular potted up for the house before they’re turned loose in the garden.

Agapanthus "Streamline"

 

THE CREATIVE SOLUTION | Cut flowers straight from the garden or the corner store are a fine if conventional way to bring spring indoors. But bedding plants, which are becoming more plentiful everywhere as the gardening season takes hold, make equally attractive, arguably more novel and definitely cost-effective arrangements.
Read more

Art stands 2- C. Hussey

Easy Make Stands For Your Little Art Works

Make this classic art support for small images from a simple block of wood.

Art stands 2- C. Hussey

 

While not everyone has huge pieces of art gracing the walls of their home, most people do have plenty of little pieces, whether they are favourite photos or original, miniature works of art. But just how do you display these smaller things? You can hang them on the wall in thoughtful groupings to create a tableau, or you can find a way to set them on a table. For years I had been looking for an elegant way to display framed art or photos on a table top. I have never liked plate stands and using an easel seems derivative; finally, I designed an easy-make support of my own. Read more