Designer Kelly Hoppen has shot some candid behind the scenes videos of her own personal home renovation that I found interesting. I had the [mis]fortune of studying under Ms Hoppen a few years ago as part of her design school and found these videos rather entertaining. Take a peek if you get a chance on her website. 
Paper cut map of Paris above and London below - L O V E !!
Outstanding!! A marriage of two of my most favourite things - silhouettes and London!! La Famille Summerbelle has created this masterpiece - a paper cut map of London!!!
images La Famille Summerbelle
I have found the most inspiring images on food blogs lately. I am amazed by the talented food stylists, most especially Sweet Paul. He has inspired me both as a designer and as someone desperate to turn out a healthy, tasteful meal. I would love a room decorated in these cabbage colours. Main colour would be the grey/taupe for walls and upholstery with accents in both citrus and richer greens and a touch of soft purple .... pretty!
L O V E these paper flowers especially on the black background. Very textural!
Divine!
My most favourite natural tones all paired together!
images Sweet Paul
Visited the newly renovated, post-bombing Taj Hotel in Mumbai and it was brilliant! Beautiful memorial in the lobby to lives lost in the horrific attacks. 
I heard that Ikea was going to release this fab daybed - haven't seen it yet but I'm hoping to soon!!! It would be brilliant on my deck!! Fingers are crossed!
I want to have lunch here!! The Royal Cafe in Copenhagen in Denmark! They have redesigned the open-faced sandwich into a piece of art. Looks yummy all around! Locations in Asia opening soon starting in Singapore.
images The Royal Copenhagen
Gorgeous example of Modern Architecture in Mumbai. The exterior of this glassed structure was wrapped in bamboo poles.
There was an Ayurvedic spa on site where we indulged in spectacular Keralan massages. Here are some shots of the treatment rooms. Beautiful!
Heading to the Arabian Sea!
Gorgeous sofas at our wedding reception - sooo fun!!
I was fortunate to celebrate a month long cermony of love, friends, travel and reunions! With some wee wedding vows tossed in!
A picture speaks a thousand words while I am left absolutely speechless!! Can anyone explain ?!? I couldn't help but share the insanity that is found within this picture!! .. and yes, that is Sarah Palin in her Alaskan office!!!
[image patricia gray]
When I watch a film, I always check out the set design and styling and sometimes enjoy it even more than the plot. This was true of a film I watched last night, Flawless with Demi Moore. The set styling was as incredible as the wardrobe styling and definitely kept my interest through the film. Tonight I watched one of my favourites , The Holiday, while I know this set has been referenced many times in the design community, I really wanted to compile some images for my own little blog!
[images Chameleon Interiors]
Exciting times are ahead for us wee Torontonians!! Our retail options are expanding in a very exciting way!! The very first Canadian Crate and Barrel will be opening later this month followed next month by the very first West Elm!!! Here are some things I have my eye on from West Elm!! Now if we could only convince habitat to move over to the North American market!!
[images West Elm]
I've really enjoyed the last 2 issues of Canadian House and Home magazine. This month's cover features the work of Quebec-based designer, Julie Charbonneau. Her site is definitely worth a look - classic and French. I wish I had more images to show you!!
[image des Poitiers]
[image Canadian House and Home]
I like checking in with Cookie Magazine for its playful children's rooms and featured homes. They are usually really eclectic and fun - and of course super -stylin'. Case in point...
[images Cookie Magazine]
This is exactly how I love to entertain outdoors - one long, table with benches down each side. I've always been intrigued by Balthazar Getty too and this happens to be a dinner party at his LA home.
[image Harpers Bazaar]
I've been asked for a portfolio recently and I must admit, I haven't really worried about photographing my work mainly because the majority of my work is referral basis. I decided I should take some snapshots to record them on my blog at least!! Over the years houses have been bought and sold and I now regret not photographing them. While we move on to new projects, I will be sure to photograph them!
Family Room - waiting on a couple more details to finish this room. LOVE the pillows!!
Promoting greener living. LOVE IT!! AND LOVE IT MORE!! Eco London is a great new concept in green retail and design. It's a store, showroom, consulting firm and interior design firm. Thinking green on any level - these are the folks to call - if you are in London of course!!! LOVE the live walls!! 
images Eco
This post is sooo long overdue!!! Today's Fashion Friday is all about The Red Carpet King himself, Jay Godfrey! He is a household name in celeb circles and we are talking hot celebs!!! Hayden Panettiere, Eva Longoria, Eve, Carmen Electra, Audrina Partridge and Lauren Conrad - yes LC is a fan too!! My most fave is the floor length ruffle bottom gown as shown below in Vive magazine - how stunning!!!! Beautiful effect!! Oooh he also did a fab job on America's Next Top Model last week. The guy is on fire!!
Here are some images from Californian interior designer Windsor Smith's portfolio. I am very fond of soft, creamy, wall colours mixed with pattern and colour via accent pieces and soft furnishings. I find it much more gentle than a strong wall colour - so here are a few portfolio images that struck a chord with me!
I LOOOVE the detail on this range hood below!!!
[images Windsor Smith]
Baby Gap Home has launched.
Now, we wait for the launch of Restoration Hardware's baby + child collection.
baby gap
baby + child
Jessica Nebel's take away sink is a clever idea!! A sink and a bucket in one! The footstool that pivots for wee ones is also a nice touch!
jessica nebel
Nasty, nasty spammers have forced some changes on how you can leave comments!!!! So sad!!! Now I have to moderate all those lovely comments because some nasty ones slip through. Sorry!!
This week was cupcake week on Martha Stewart TV and I caught a glimpse of this fabulous bakery - ok it was the cupcakes they made that really caught my eye!! Look at how fabulous this bake shop is!!! Such a strong, eye-catching graphic!!! Their neighbours look pretty cool too!
vanilla bake shop
Grazia magazine's Style Director, Paula Reed's house was featured in the last Living etc magazine and I really liked it!! I was envious of her beautiful wall of glass doors with a skylight as well - really not fair!!! I would love all that natural light.
Interesting shower/bathtub combo!
livingetc
How clever!! The beautiful millwork and herringbone flooring would look right at home in Versailles - but there's a twist!! The showroom was built entirely upside down!!!
viktor-rolf
In honour of Toronto Fashion Week and Fashion Friday, here are some fashion shots. I can only imagine the fashionista this little girl will become with such an early start - and a most magnificent start at that!!! The photo was taken at the Viktor and Rolf show.
[images sartorialist]
I got a fabulous new book today and I am just drinking it all up!! It is such a beautiful gift!!
I encourage you to check it out!
[image amazon]
Fall is such a great time of year - a time for new beginnings. I love hunkering down for the winter and immersing myself in my hobbies on those cold, wintery nights!! I've already enrolled in some screenprinting, felting and print transfer courses. I just need to find some letterpressing classes and my winter will be complete!!
Some of our favourite bloggers have also embraced the season and today is a brand new beginning for Poppytalk Handmade and Design Sponge. Poppytalk has launched Poppytalk Handmade an online market to showcase, buy and sell handmade goods from around the world. I just took a peek and loved what I found!!!
A few inspiring pics from Absolutely Beautiful Things!!! Anna is an Interior Designer in Brisbane Australia and also owner of fab shop Black & Spiro. Very inspirational!
I always love finding new talent in my little city - here's a real charmer!!! Toronto Illustrator Tai Kim McPhail's uniquely handcrafted figures and cupcakes are made from recycled wool/cashmere sweaters, vintage buttons & lots of whimsy! So cozy and loveable!!
[images Miru's friends]
[all images via the style files]
Ahhh to be a kid again - especially with all the fabulous furniture and toys available today!!!
My friend, Erica, reminded me of this fabulous stationery designer Lisa Hoffman of Ceci New York. Her work is absolutely glorious! How incredible to receive this beautiful silver paper weight as a reminder to save the date!! So beautifully packaged and addressed - makes you yearn for what's to come!!! I'm hoping to learn the art of letterpress this winter. It is so beautiful!!
(images Ceci New York)
I just picked up this Barbara Barry Lotus Table Lamp for a client and it took everything I had not to keep it at my house - true love!!! House and Garden magazine describes it as "demurely chic." I could only find an image of the floor lamp version - I will post pictures of the room once we are all finished - almost there!
[image houseandgarden]
I spent a mere 90 minutes in Heathrow airport but it was long enough for me to get my shillings out to buy the latest issue of Living etc!! I felt like I was home again!! There really is a classically English style that is light and airy with shots of colour - perhaps to compensate for the dreary, rainy days? An homage courtesy of Living etc...
(images Living etc) 
Well it seems all I have done this summer is pop from country home to country home - many thanks to my more fortunate friends! Having the honour of being named godmother to my friend's gorgeous daughter Isabella is what drew me to visit and how thankful [on many levels] am I?!?!? Here are some pics -
Ok - this is a site, Mediterranean Lifestyles, for a rainy day -you will want to lose yourself in all of these gorgeous pages. Here is a taste to wet your palette! This time of year reminds me of a trip I took years ago through France, Italy, Switzerland and Greece. I chose images from some of those wonderful places - hope you enjoy!
(images Mediterranean Lifestyles)
Had a great Canada Day weekend - filled with lots of friends! Hope yours was good as well!
(image flickr)
Not sure if you have seen these lanterns in a shop near you but I just have to say that they are absolutely incredible when candlelit!!!! I highly recommend you pick one up the next time you see them - you will have a lovely surprise when you get home!!! I love them so much I just had to buy 2!
(image from my garden)
A personal note to Kate Spade - Dear Kate, I really love the colourful dinnerware and accessories that you have designed for your Kate Spade Home collection. As a fan I plea to you to expand this collection - please give us more!! We need more and more colour!!! With great thanks!
Riempie
