Today’s idea, mixing patterns in your home

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Suzanne Vachon

The art of mixing patterns is not as complicated as it looks.

Color, color and color, use a color and repeat it in different patterns.

Via http://www.ruemag.com/ Photo Kimberly Genevieve

Interior Designer Kathryn Ireland is really the queen of mixed patterns. In her living room she is using coral in different intensity, from lighter to darker coral and a creamy sofa as a solid color base.

In her bedroom she is repeating the color coral and the solid color ivory but this time with a mixture of patterns, flowers and stripes, small patterns, bigger patterns.

A room decorated with mixed patterns often looks like it has been thrown together by accident, but this is no accident, as you can see the wallpaper pattern is repeated in the fabric of the bedspread, and the pillows. The ivory neutral color and the coral are always present and create a continuity from one room to the other.

http://www.housebeautiful.com/Photo James Merrel

A few shades of green mixed with a more neutral solid color. Be daring you might enjoy it, mix your patterns have no fear.

Decogirl’s finds for mother’s day

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Suzanne Vachon

I know, it is last minute shopping for Mother’s day, but here are a few ideas that might just inspire you for a small gift for your Mom, ”There is still time”.

From Pier One a turquoise beaded necklace, I love turquoise, I think all jewelery should be turquoise, but I guess I am very partial. $14.40

From Pier One beaded bangles, every Mom should wear bangles, the more the merrier, they are very feminine and lively, they move as you move. $12.00

For a jewelery lover Mom, a bird jewelery holder from Pier One $24.00 www.pier1.com/

You can start a scarf collection for your Mom, we always are in need of lovely scarves. From Indigo $45.00 http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/

I was looking for a Tote bag, that berry color is perfect for summer at Indigo for $39.50

Moms are always in the mood for decoration, these Kiwi Blik bamboo to bring the outdoor indoor will create a corner of her own. From Home Depot $42.95 http://www.homedepot.ca/

I hope my last minute finds will help you in your quest for buying a gift for your Mom.

Today’s idea, words for your mom on mother’s day

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Suzanne Vachon

A few years ago my son Louis gave me this great book Called

”Mothers and Sons” in their own words, Photographs by Mariana Cook and introduction by author Isabel Allende.

To all the sons who still have their mom, I recommend this book, it will inspire you to write a few words to your own mom on mother’s day, which is a lovely gift, a present from the heart.

Steven Spielberg with his mom Leah Adler.

You still can find it at http://www.amazon.ca/Mothers-Sons-Their-Own-Words/ the paperback is 33.94

Stay tuned, for tomorrow’s Today’s idea, thanks for following us, have a great evening.

Todays idea, paint your ceramic tile backsplash

Posted on May 4, 2013 by Suzanne Vachon

Yes you can do it, if you want a big effect on a small budget in your kitchen you can paint your tiles.

1- First you have to degrease your tiles, you can use a degreaser such as formula 409 or ask anyone at Home Depot or Rona for a good tile degreaser.

2- Apply a glossy surface primer with a foam roller for a flatter surface.

An art enamel paint is ideal for tile painting, I found this one on the internet, you can find enamel paint in art stores, make sure you can use it on glass or tiles.

Via http://www.cotemaison.fr/

Kitchen before backsplash was painted

Don’t forget to test your paint on a tile before you paint the entire backsplash, if you don’t have an extra tile, try to get a sample tile very similar to yours.

Kitchen after the backsplash was painted black.

I definitely like the black tiles better than the caramel tiles, it harmonizes so much better with the grayish counter top and has a very new and dramatic look.

Via http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/handpaint-a-kitchen-backsplash/index.html

If you feel very artistic, once your color has dried up you can use a stencil or paint a free hand pattern on your backsplash tiles.

Perm enamel paint http://www.misterart.com/glass-tile-art/painting/delta-air-dry-permenamel-paints.html

I would not recommend painting your shower tiles, there is a lot more humidity in a bathroom. I have never painted tiles myself, but apparently it can do wonder for a quick fix.

Dressing up for the flu

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Suzanne Vachon

I have not been very present lately, the reason is I have the flu. I like to see la Vie en Rose, so I would recommend when you get the flu dress in pink.

Via http://funnyneel.com

Dressing in pink is very soothing, you might not get over your flu more rapidly, but at least you will feel better about it.

I think Justin B. also had the flu when he wore his pink underwear.

Jan’s Lazy Sunday in Rajasthan

Posted on April 28, 2013 by Suzanne Vachon

My sister-in-law Jan is having a Lazy Sunday in Rajasthan, this is her room, totally out of ”eat, pray love” she is staying in a 150yr old boutique hotel in Bikener.

Photo Jan Pearson

Jan’s sumptuous Room in Rajasthan, it’s hot, it’s colorful, it’s beautiful, I wish I were in India, one of my favorite country, no Lazy Sunday for me I am working today, but at least it is sunny, but it would be nice to try this incredible bed. Have a great day.

Todays idea, summery look for your dining chairs

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Suzanne Vachon

Spring is almost here, I have been saying this for almost a month now. Get ready for summer for it might just happened suddenly without a day of spring.

For a romantic look, a soft lavender Louis XV1 end chair can be so yummy around you dining room table.

I say, mix all different color chairs in your dining room.

You can buy new colorful chairs or you can also have your dining chairs reupholstered in these tender summery colors.

For the brave at heart, you can go with a deep Royal blue Louis XV1 dining chairs. You can find these chairs at wisteria.com.

Todays’ idea, go subway tiles in your kitchen and bathroom

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Suzanne Vachon

Metro tiles seem to be like Toile de Jouy, the more the merrier, in Montreal we call them metro tiles, because we use the metro not the subway, in London England they call their metro the Tube.

Via http://down2thewire.me/

Subway tiles were used in the New York subway when it opened in 1904, the walls were covered with subway tiles and it somehow became quite popular in subways and in homes around the world.

Via Absolutely Beautiful Things}

Top to bottom metro tiles behind your bathroom vanity using a gray grout for a light contrast with the white tiles.

Via Elle Decor

The metro tiles can come flat or beveled, white or multicolored, porcelain or glass.

For a more dramatic effect in your kitchen, use a black grout, very Coco Chanel, don’t you think so. By the way, Coco also said that ”La mode se démode” meaning that trend go out of style, but they are certain things that never go out of style like Chanel and the ”subway tiles”.

Via http://wirednewyork.com

New York subway with its white subway tiles.

Often mosaic patterns were inserted within the subway tiles, bu this is a more expensive venture.

New York subway tiles herringbone style, you can install your metro tiles at a 45 degree angle, but it is a bit more costly, allow for at least 15% more tiles.

Cleaning up on a Lazy Sunday

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Suzanne Vachon

Ooops, I have to confess that I am the antithesis of Martha, my desk is a total mess, I reallyyyyyyyyy have to clean it, so hopefully by tomorrow or Tuesday I will be in the clear, and might just share with you a clean and orderly desk.

A not so perfect Virgo desk, I don’t think I am a total Virgo because my desk would definitely not look this way, I wonder what astrology sign would influence me to pile up this way, if you know please tell me, and with all this genetic new technology I might be able to alter this disordely chromosome.

I have to go, I am late for a very important date, this desk has to be cleaned up by 2:00 as I am picking up my sister Louisette who is coming from Quebec city for a short visit. and I really really don’t want to see her frowning at the sight of this messy desk.

This is my sister Louisette, well this picture dates a little.

Todays’ idea, big effect with small budget bookcases

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Suzanne Vachon

By now you must know how much I like bookcases and how decorative I find books.

Via http://furniture.trendzona.com/

The more bookcases the merrier, if you have a long wall fill it up with bookshelves, it is amazing how they can transform a room. To have this long look effect, you can use the Billy bookcases from Ikea, the books are such a great decorative element in this white room.

BILLY Bookcase combination IKEA Narrow shelves help you use small wall spaces effectively by accommodating small items in a minimum of space.

With five Billy white bookcases you can get this long look.

White shelves with wooden shelves are a happy combination

BESTÅ TV storage combination IKEA Panel doors for hidden, dust-free storage of DVDs, accessories, etc.

The Besta TV storage, I would definitely mix the white with the wood in this combination. I would get the TV unit in wood the top shelves in white and the side bookcases in white, or you could get the top shelves and the TV unit in wood birch veneer. If you want to be a little more daring you could even get the TV unit in red with the white shelves.

BESTÅ TV unit IKEA Vents at the top of the TV bench helps improve air circulation around electronic components.