The Blog

We arrived safely to our Hotel, The Hotel Mela.

FYI – did you know that Mela in italian means Apple?

After what could have taken 8 hours, actually took 11 & we faced a case of 

from O, my little guy. 

I have to say all in all for someone who has a problem spending more than 30 minutes in the car at a time, he was a real trooper, and after a good nights sleep he is back to his amazing little self.

Now B on the other hand, was awake at 4:45am and was so excited for the whole ride, fell asleep just as we entered Manhattan for 30 minutes, then was back in action until 10pm. 

She is our little Energizer Bunny!

Our Family Adventure awaits. 

I’ll be back Tuesday with a recap of #thebigapple

Happy Easter to all.

Hollie xo

Here has been lots of progress and decisions on the Hair Salon, so I thought that I would share what’s happening. We only have the month of April to make this amazing transformation, so timing is everything and stuff is getting ordered so it’s ready and waiting.

This Exterior option has been approved

This is the final for the interior

This new taupe / grey flooring was just ordered

6 new styling chairs in a charcoal leather are being manufactured as we speak

Cole & Son does it again with this little number, it’s also in it’s way for the washroom

3 of these are going to get a face lift with some glossy white paint and turquoise leather

&

the Shampoo Station wall is going to be completely covered in this

“If a NYC loft & a beach in Miami had a love child,

 that is what the New Rainbow Expressions would look like”

Well were off the The Big Apple today, and I will be posting on Friday, so stay tuned.

Hollie xo

I have been waiting with baited breath for the 

in my area to open 

I had visions of driving home like this guy

I was really wanting to see 

&

 There wasn’t much selection left, it was very picked over and many items we completely sold out,
but I did see a few things that might have to make their way into my home.

Now, don’t worry, I didn’t leave empty handed. 

I snagged the last one of these for Project Ensuite Evolution

In addition to this lovely gold dipped oblong bowl from Nate Berkus, I picked up a few new pieces for Spring

The front of the cardigan is a nice shade of blue in a very light weight knit & the back is a floral in a contrasting material, the colours are so pretty – it just says “Spring”  

These flats are “bad ass meets nice girl”,  I love them, with the mix of rose gold studding and pewter.

The colour of this minty faux suede cross shoulder bag caught my eye from a distance, it also has lots of compartments inside to keep me somewhat organized!

So all in all it was a good trip. To me Target Canada just feels like a re-vamped Zellers. Perhaps part of the whole Target experience was going over the border and feeling like you “got a great deal”. Yes, the prices were higher that the USA, but I didn’t feel that anything was expensive.  

Maybe in time and once the hype settles I’ll check out the home decor section and have better luck. 

Have you been to the new Target Canada locations? What did you think? 

Morning All

I want to start with a GIANT Congrats to my friend Christine of Bijou & Boheme and family on the safe and highly anticipated birth of child number 4, Jasper!

I thought I would share a bit about myself & how I came to be apart of the world of interiors.

From an early age I was exposed to interiors, sewing, & fabrics. I recall having many meals sharing the kitchen table with my Mom’s trusty Singer sewing machine. There were more times than I can even remember we had to drive around in our 2 door car with drapery rods and rolls of fabric sticking out the passenger window, while I sat in the passenger seat.
I now find myself doing the exact same – I think I was destined to work in this industry.

I did study and work as a make up artist doing everything from bridal makeup, to print work, movies, commercials & music videos.
That is how I met my husband & he still works in the industry.

Ten years ago I found myself working for my Mom at her store, a custom drapery showroom & workroom, answering the phone and booking appointments for clients interested in custom drapery & upholstery.
It’s amazing how many people purchase homes with lots of windows and don’t consider how they will be treated and then the cost, but that’s a whole other story.
I took some interior design courses, and went to work at an interior design firm, this is where I can say I did most of my hands on learning & that’s the best type.

I truly think design is in my blood, I love it. It’s amazing to see the thoughts in your head become reality, and to create a space that someone truly loves is the best part.

Now I have 2 kids and began my own interior design business 3 years ago.
 I try my best to work when the kids are at school or in the evenings, but it’s tough sometimes.

Last summer I decided to opened an Etsy shop

I love fabric and I love cushions.
They are the easiest, fastest and most cost effective way to change the look and feeling in a room.
Here is just a sprinkling of what my shop has to offer.

For those who live outside the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) I also offer what I like to call a
Design Box
It’s easy for the client, all they have to do is send me inspirational photos, dimensions & photos of the room in question and I will create a Design Box!
Essentially it’s a lovely re-useable black box that will have your design, floor plan, a list of the stores in your area where you can purchase the items specified and all the samples of paints, fabric, wallpaper, stains & anything else they may require to complete the space.
This takes about two weeks to complete & is a very affordable option.

Here are a few of my E-desgn boards

I have also been commissioned to hand paint fabrics for various applications.

The one above is the most requested, it has been created in many different colour ways.

  

My shop is having a 20% OFF SALE and it ends Sunday.
I am even offering up the Design Box & E-Design at 20% OFF, so go now and buy up some pretty cushions and give your room a little more colour for spring!!!

Catch you tomorrow:)

Hollie xo

We are going on a 

to 

The Hubs & I, B & O, my mom and her husband will be spending Easter in the Big Apple, one of my most favourite places. I’m trying to be positive but this family keep popping into my head.

Now, I know we are not the Grizwald’s, far from it, but 4 adults and 2 kids for 8 hours in a van will be interesting!!!

We will be staying at the Hotel Mela

we’ll be very close to Central Park

We may hit up the zoo or just let the kids loose and burn some energy.

My Mom & I are going to take B to American Girl. She is going to be in total heaven when she sees this place. While were there were having lunch in one of the sweetest restaurants.

They even set a place setting and serve your doll tea, too cute!

 We’ll visit the world’s largest toy store

 and the kids can try their feet on The Big Piano, Tom Hanks style

This precocious girl is a favourite at our house 

So we will visit her at The Plaza

Sip Frozen Hot Chocolates 

at this place, yummy!

The only thing I would like to do this trip, is to visit 

and see what goodies I can’t live without!

Lastly, no trip to NYC would be complete without a stop by

one of the largest candy stores EVER & it literally has every kind of candy you can imagine.

FYI – it is owned by Ralph Lauren’s daughter

It will be nice to get away for a few days, especially to New York,

because if you know me, you know I 

See you tomorrow

Hollie xo

Hello Lovelies

You know the room of the house that ends up being the “catch all”, well that is my office. 

I know you have one too! 

When we built our house I was hell bent on having a dining room, “we’ll use it” I kept telling my husband. Fast forward 7 years, & the dining room had been used maybe a dozen times. 

 I began my own design business, so we decided to sell the dining room furniture and have it become my home office. It has worked out well, but everything and I mean everything in our home, that has no home, ends up in there and it’s not a pretty sight, especially since you see this room from all angles.

I had the walls covered in Eco Chic, branches  

We purchased a chocolate stained oak sideboard with plenty of storage for papers and fabric remnants,

along with this desk with the high gloss top and stained oak legs

We moved the 2 black Barcelona chairs in there from the living room for seating and got a black and white hide for the floor, sounds nice right?

We’ll here is how it looks, 99% of the time. 

I have a new plan and it goes like this,

1) clear ALL crap out of the utility side of the basement – CHECK- we very easily filled an entire dumpster with junk from the garage and basement.

2) make a pretty sewing area, using the office desk and shelves we already have – for me

3) make a much nicer music mixing space – for the hubs

4) turn the home office into a family room for all to enjoy! 

5) do a switch-a-roo with the living room area rug & the office hide 

6) move the sideboard to it’s opposite wall, with a small tv

Here is what I have in mind

This really only involves moving our existing furniture around from different areas in the house.

Also, we will need purchase loveseat and 2 IKEA Malm 3 drawer dressers, that I’m gonna hack along with 2 wall sconces and I will DYI a large upholstered ottoman. 

I’m sure if my hubby is reading this he is rolling his eyes. I figure this is a large room, and with 2 growing kids it’s nice to have a more space for all to enjoy.

Oh, and did I mention I want to try and do this for a $1000!
 It is going to be a challenge, but I am going to give my self until the summer to have this complete.

Do you have any design challenges, that you need assistance with, I’d love to help you create a space you love.
Contact me for more info.

I will have some Project – Ensuite Evolution progress for you Monday!
Hollie xo

You have seen her work in glossy pages many times.

Kelly Behun

is one talented lady and her design philosophy is all about encouraging experimentation & to collaborate with contemporary artists pioneering designs

Below is just the tip of the iceberg of Kelly’s work

I love how Kelly’s style in design is very controlled, yet stands out with fabulous art, interesting lighting and statement furniture pieces. When these are set into a neutral scheme that’s when the WOW factor comes in.
To see more of Kelly click here.

Hollie xo

Hello lovely peeps

I had felt it coming on last week and began with a really sore throat. Then by Sunday my eyes were watery and red, like after you’ve had a really good cry. Walking down the laundry/ cleaning product isle at Walmart was a whole other story, with all of the scents it was like a symphony of sneezes & by the end if that long isle I had to stop and catch my breath.

I did go to bed last night at 7:30 after the little one went down. With the help of enough NyQuil &Neo Citron for a horse I did manage to get 12 hour of Zzzz’s & I do feel a bit better.

But today is Project – Hair Salon Presentation Day so even thought I feel crappy…

Here is a refresher of the main floor

The exterior also need some sprucing up so I assembled 2 options

Happy Monday

Sorry about no post Friday, I had lots on my plate that day!

I love finding new art / artists who do things that are fun, colourful, and not too serious.

Coco de Paris is an Etsy shop that I love for whimsical art. 

Vintage dictionary and book pages are used as the canvas, and due to the fact that he paper is old 

no two pieces are exactly alike because the paint take differently to the type of paper.

Made in Paris France, lovingly a brush touches paper to create an imaginative, one of a kind piece. 

Here is just a peek at what you will find at Coco de Paris

Aren’t these just perfect for a nursery / kids bedroom, powder room or as a unexpected pop on a gallery wall installation?

I know art on vintage book pages is nothing new, but I love these, they put a smile on my face, and at $9 – $20 a piece you can put on smile on your face too. I’d say that’s a great unbelievable deal for an original piece of art.

Go buy some, now, you won’t regret it, I promise!

Hollie xo

P.S. Stop by Pillotopia and take advantage of the 20% off SALE.
Use coupon code march2013 it’s on until the end of March- Don’t miss out.

Yesterday was very productive. I managed to complete my concept design board for 

Project: Hair Salon

At my client meeting I asked everyone to give me in a few words to describe the feeling that they would like the salon space to have.

Here are their words:

so based on all that, here is what I created

I chose to go with a neutral floor with a light greige colour. I thought it would be very effective with the masking of hair, dust and dirt. As for the walls, ceiling, trim & doors – the whole shabang- is all getting Benjamin Moore Oxford White, a slightly creamy white. 

In the seating area I was thinking about berger chairs, with nail heads and a little leopard.

Lighting is SO important in a design but especially in a hair salon. There will be plenty of pot lights, 3 hanging fixtures to run down the centre of the main room & a sconce on either side of the mirror. In the stair case the floating glass bubble fixture will give a rather boring spot some importance.

New stations will consist of a standing unit with a long mirror on the front to be painted in charcoal grey. The sides have both open and closed storage and slots for all the hot tools. This will help with both the clutter and the storage. The side and interior will be the Oxford White as the walls.

There existing chairs will have some sort of combination of soft turquoise, grey & creamy white.

The hair washing station will have it’s entire wall in a turquoise glass tile, a white solid surface counter and some floating shelves for towels.

The washroom is getting wrapped in Cole & Son Palm Leaves wallpaper, a new glossy wall hung vanity & smooth crystal sconces. A pair of french doors with a rod top and bottom fabric treatment will hide the storage space.

There is whole 2nd level that will be for colour application & perms and this will also have 2 shampoo stations. I haven’t quite gotten my head around what I would like to do up there, but I have put a little space aside for extensions, piercing and make up. 

There is stil lots to do besides the 2nd level, there is reception, window coverings and the exterior.

I hope that they like what I have put together. 

What do you think?

Hollie xo