National Home Show 2017 Toronto

Just back from attending the National Home Show 2017 at the Enercare center Toronto and came home armed with a suite of great contacts for materials and supplies. Here we share with you some of the highlights of the show and what impressed us the most.

First up was this gorgeous kitchen which was our absolute favorite. The clean lines, flat doors (no handles) and layered islands made this contemporary kitchen really stand out. My favorite was the stainless steel clad island - cleaning is a piece of cake with this! We liked how they combined three islands in different materials, heights and finishes yet kept it looking cohesive. All cabinetry was automatic and we liked that as the flat surfaces devoid of handles just added to the overall look.

Dhiraj checking out hardware for washrooms, we have 4 projects we are working on right now and we saw some great options here.

Another fabulous booth was this beautiful space designed by Glen and Jamie of Peloso Alexander Interiors. They combined the Benjamin Moore 'shadow' color of the year so well with the curved velvet furniture. Velvet is so back! Would you believe that marble effect behind the bookshelf below is a wallpaper! yes its a wallpaper. Such a great option when you have a tight budget.

Soapstone sinks. Soapstone counters. Dhiraj was very impressed with this option for future bars he is designing. Its a softer matt material which feels warmer than granite.

One of my favorites is cabinet hardware and we spotted some luxurious finishes here. Of course I veer towards gold and champagne tones the most but also spotted some great lucite and jade options too.

Always on the lookout for vanities and these options here  provided us with many ideas including all the sink options - crystal anyone?!

World's tiniest sink?!

Its always great attending these shows as we come away inspired and recharged for our oncoming projects. Follow us on INSTAGRAM for sneak peeks and behind the scenes footage. Soon to release the Rainpark project finished pics so stay tuned for more!

If you liked this post then check out the pics from last year's Home Show

• 2016 National Home Show
• 2016 Fall Home Show

WWW.WILDENORTH.COM

Top 5 Washroom Trends

Imagine getting home after a long day of work and stepping into your 'spa-like' bathroom to take a nice long soak. We all want - strike that - NEED our bathrooms to be the escape from a long maddening day. When upgrading your space today, you have a range of choices for tiles, colors and vanities to really turn it into a calm oasis where a glass of wine and soft music is all you need. And maybe a masseuse too! 

So here we rounded up our Top 5 trends  to guide you along in the process and also some of our favorite washrooms/powder rooms.

1. GRAPHIC TILES

Today tiles comes in all patterns, prints, colors and texture. No longer are mosaic tiles your only option for washrooms. Graphic prints are making quite the comeback with many options available in single or multi colors, personally I like the two toned options, but you could go cra-zay and pick a bold print if that is what you like. Also this is great way to inject some personality into a tiny space. For those wanting drama consider cladding the entire shower stall in a printed tile turning that into the focal point. For those who want a simpler look consider putting the pattern on the floor only. Check out the range of  printed tiles that we spotted during our various hunts, we practically live in tile shops!

(Via)

2. WALLPAPER

A beautiful graphic or soft print wall paper is a great accent for a small powder room where there is no moisture content. We are huge fans of this enlarged floral wallpaper used by designer Amber Interiors, and love the way she has combined it with a simple round mirror and a vanity with brass legs. The open vanity balances the heavy print and bring a sense of airiness to the space. Good design is all about proportion and balance and when you get that right, boom ! the room just comes together. Anewall is a great source for these gorgeous floral wallpapers.

(Via)

3. ROUND MIRRORS

With washrooms having so many straight lines for eg in the vanity, tiles, vertical walls, etc a round mirror is a great way to bring curves into the room to balance the linear effect. And the bigger the better. Here this delicately gold framed mirror brings much needed contrast and balance to a room that could have ended up cold due to all the marble. Great play with lines and circles - notice the curves in the sconces too, they add to the balance in a subtle way.

(Via)

4. FLOATING VANITY

Why are floating vanities so popular? for one reason only. They allow light to pass under thereby making the floor expand and the room bigger. Plus its easier to clean underneath too (for you neat freaks!). Some of our favorite floating vanities are from IKEA, they have a wide selection in various finishes and colors. In the Brannigan Gate washroom we remodeled we used the Godmorgon sink in black/brown from Ikea.

(Via)

5. PENDANTS

Most people put lights above their mirrors in washrooms which is actually the wrong place to put them up as they cast downward light on your face creating shadows in the wrong places. The right place is to have the lights at either side of your face casting a glow in the center. Therefore pendant lights handing on either side of the mirror make sense and they are a stylish option too. Here we mounted lights on either side of the mirror at the Cloverdale Washroom Remodel.

(Via)

Trends might all seem very chic today but the key is to pick one or two for your space letting that element shine and shine alone. If you feel you are stuck at this point then call us and let us help you out of this design rut. We practically live in tile & furniture shops and Ikea too!

If you liked this post then do check out more of our favorite washrooms here on our Pinterest Boards. And hop over to our website to see some of the WASHROOMS we have remodeled.

WWW.WILDENORTH.COM

Big Hugs

Lynda

Top 7 Tips When Buying A New Home

{GUEST BLOGGER}

Buying a home in today's market? A little delay and it could cost you must. With prices climbing the way they are, low interest rates and bidding wars, your dream home may be a little more distant than you think.

Having been in the industry for more than 10 years, I have come to realize that a little bit of prep work could save you a lot of time and money. When dealing with my buyers I understand that most of them have either never bought a home before and if they have it has only been once or twice before. So prepping them before they hit the market is more important than just the buying process itself. And the best way to prep is to figure out what are the Top 7 Things that they would look for in a house that they would call home.

1 - NEIGHBOURHOOD

What kind of neighbourhood is the home situated in? If it is in an older neighbourhood, there may also be older people living in the neighbourhood. As a buyer if you have little kids and if there are no younger kids on the street that may be an inconvenience in the future. Also research to check about the neighbourhood......have there been any crimes reported, murders, grow-ops etc.

2 - AGE

I have heard a lot of excitement in people's voices when they buy a brand new Freehold home from a builder. As nice as it is to move into a brand new Freehold home it does come with its own downfall. For one, there is no reason for the builder to give you a deal. Most pre-construction Freehold homes are priced 20% over current market value. The builder factors in the inflation rate, labour strikes etc when pricing the property. Also most of the pricing only includes the basic stuff and everything else is an upgrade including appliances with most builders.

Of course buying a newer home is definitely the way to go but what about a one or two yr old home instead where all the upgrades, appliances etc are in place already? Besides you know exactly what you're getting as opposed to trying to figure it out off a floor plan. It's not bad to buy an older home either especially one that is renovated and well kept. A well maintained house says a lot about the owners.

3. RENOVATIONS

If you do have enough money when buying your home to cover renovations as well, you can consider homes that need updating. If you are tight on your budget you may want to consider a home that has most of your requirements in place if not all of them. 

4. PRICE APPRECIATION

Just because a house is lower priced doesn't necessarily mean that it is a good buy. Before physically looking at a home, research the growth of the neighbourhood in the last couple of years. If the growth matches the current growth rate of the city, go ahead with viewing the house as  there may be potential.

5. TYPE OF HOME

Figure out in advance the type of home that you will be comfortable with. If a three storey home definitely doesn't work for you then avoid those from your search. Similarly if a Townhome doesn't either then why bother looking at them. Of course be realistic to understand what is it that your affordability can buy you in your area of choice.

6. PRICE

The first question that most Realtors ask a prospective buyer is " What is the price of the home that you want to buy?" I think the main question though is, "What is your affordability per month?". Consider the various costs involved per month, mortgage, home insurance, property tax, utilities, house maintenance, etc. Work backwards from here and based on your affordability now see what house you can buy for that money.

7. LOCATION

We're not kidding when we say location matters. Location of a home is critical in so many ways. Look for various things in the location of a home. Is the home located close to a school of your choice? How far is the transit/bus stop from the home. Is the home situated on a busy street / on a main road etc? You may love the home itself but will another buyer like it 5 years from now when you are ready to sell because of its location?

Buying a home is not like buying something from Costco, which you could probably return in 30 days if you're unsatisfied. Do your homework before you even physically see the home, this would save you a lot of time and money. Remember home buying is a process of elimination and then selection. Eliminate criteria that won't work for you, it will definitely help you select better.

If you want to make your home buying process an easier one, don't hesitate to call me for a one-on-one consult. In the meantime wishing you the best, happy house hunting. 

Brian D'costa

Sales Representative

Real Estate

www.briandcosta.com

"Impacting and improving the lives of people through real estate".

How to use Grey in Interior Decor

Delighted to share with you that we were invited to give our Top 3 Tips on "How to use grey in Interior Decor" and our post was published on the Discern Living website, a one stop destination for Home Decor & Interior Design. The cover pic featured our work from the Berryman project completed in Mississauga and we couldn't be more happier.

See an excerpt from the post here below and head over to the link to see the other tips on using grey in paint colors, furniture and accessories. The color grey is still very popular and is popping up not just in living rooms and bedrooms but nurseries too. It can be injected not just on walls but in art and accessories too.

Tip 1: How would you use grey in a home?  

Grey is one of the most popular neutral colours for a home. The palette offers a variety of shades and tones, ranging from a cool, bluish grey to a warm taupe-like grey. Introducing grey into your home is fairly easy when it is paired with lighter colours like blush pink, mint green or white. Try injecting these punches of colour through the artwork, cushions, drapery and rugs.

As pink is one of the Pantone colours of 2016 (Rose Quartz, to be more precise), it is already having its moment in the spotlight. While it may seem like a difficult colour to bring into the home due to its reputation as an overtly girly shade, it works very well when paired with grey. A great example of this pairing is seen below, where the pink and peach is used sparingly in the wall decor, rugs and cushions, helping to turn this space into a light-filled, cosy corner.

See Tips 2 & 3 on the Discern Living site HERE.

Thank you so much to Priyanka and the team at Discern Living for inviting us to share our expertise and be a part of the Discern Living vision.

If you liked this post then read more of our Design Tips HERE or subscribe to our website to receive them directly in your Inbox.

WWW.WILDENORTH.COM

Hugs

Lynda

Top Global Design Trends - Part 1

While we have been busy with numerous projects (Jeffcoat Basement, Cedarglen Kitchen and more) that we are shuttling between, some other cool stuff has been happening. We are so delighted to share with you that Wilde North Interiors along with two esteemed Architects from India were invited to share our views on Global Design Trends for Discern Living a one-stop destination for Home Decor & Interior Design based in India. We feel so honored to be included in this talented group and humbled.......

Thank you so much to Priyanka of Discern Living for inviting us to contribute to shaping the future of design. Go check out the full article HERE. Part 2 & 3 will be released in the coming weeks so stay tuned for more! Subscribe to our newsletter to receive these posts directly to your inbox.

WWW.WILDENORTH.COM

Big Hugs

Lynda

Summer Dining

Via

I'm so excited Wilde North Interiors have invited me to contribute to their awesome blog today. Thank you Lynda and Dhiraj! Lynda’s fun post on Outdoor Decorating was a great way to usher in the start of summer. By now hopefully your hanging baskets have been hung, your deck chairs dusted off and all traces of winter are tidily tucked away (don’t be like me and leave your winter jackets in your coat closet all year long! please!).

If you've implemented some of Lynda’s tips (or been inspired to) you've got yourself a fabulous outdoor space. Now all that’s left to do is enjoy it and savour every bit of sunshine this season has to offer (but remember the SPF!). An icy drink on a balmy evening, the smell of grilled meat wafting through the air, a heady buzz brought on by laughter and friendship.....what are you waiting for?

Via

My three step approach to an impromptu summer get together goes like this - slap some meat / fish on the grill, chop up a salad, and swig away at something cold (preferably laced with alcohol) while you wait to eat. Here are some ideas (courtesy of some great food / lifestyle blogs) for a quick, easy summer meal that you can enjoy tonight!

Let’s start with the good stuff: A refreshing Summer Cocktail. I christened this grapefruit Campari concoction ‘Summer Breeze’ after the Seals and Croft seventies classic of the same name (Summer breeze, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine of my mind…cue epic guitar riff…you know it!). The tangy grapefruit pairs really well with the bitter-sweet Campari and the color is just glorious. One sip and you will totally get why this drink just makes you go "ahhh....Summer Breeze". It’s also not too sweet or overtly girly, meaning even the most rugged among your friends circle may be tempted to put down his/her brewski in favour of this.

Side note - I'm always partial towards drinks that can be made in pitchers, that way guests can just help themselves to refills. Also I've always made this using regular Tropicana grapefruit juice from the carton but feel free to squeeze away if you have the time! 

Via

Next is the main meal courtesy of an article on street food I saw on Goop (I know what you are thinking but give Gwyneth a chance, her site is not all juice cleanses and chakra balancing - she featured real food too!). This meal idea is basically a de-constructed Greek Gyro wrap - perfect for a light meal. Marinate the chicken and throw it on the grill, chop the veg for the salad, and make or buy Tzatziki. Using store bought Tzatziki will work just as well and give you a head start on those Summer Breezes…..just saying…. (I skip the pita croutons and just serve with toasted pita which you can also throw on the grill before the chicken).

Via

Summer desserts are usually your standard issue watermelon slices or ice cream, which are fine, but .....these adorable popsicle moulds may persuade you to deviate from the norm? DIY popsicles are super simple, look gorgeous and are probably a whole lot healthier with way less sugar than the packaged kind - which is an especially good thing if you have little ones running around that you are hoping to wind down for the evening.  

My favourite combinations are a mix of strawberries/blueberries topped with coconut water, or mango/peach topped with orange juice (just place the fruit at the bottom of the pop, then fill with liquid and freeze). You can experiment and use whatever mix of fruit, juice/liquid you have to hand.

Via

Let us know in the comments below if you do give these recipes a try and how they turned out. Happy Entertaining folks!

XOXO...........Maya

Maya Ribeiro is a freelance copywriter living in the GTA. You can contact her at maya.ribeiro@gmail.com

3 RULES TO STYLING TRAYS IN YOUR VIGNETTES

Trays have become very trendy & versatile right now and I am noticing them everywhere.......on coffee tables, console tables, bedside tables and even kitchen counter tops. You may have several small items you want to display and grouping them together on a tray helps to make the items look cohesive and elevates their importance. 

There are certain rules for styling trays, they are not a catch-all but think of it acting as a 'frame' would for a painting. Grouping items in one space is what will make them look even more pleasing.

How to style your trays in vignettes: 3 Rules

1. Grouping items in odd numbers are more appealing, memorable and effective. Odd numbers create harmony and force movement and visual interest.

2. Combining items of different heights lets the eye dance around and not get stuck on one plane. Interesting that these same rules apply when I am setting up a composition for my oil paintings. 

3. Noting scale and proportion when picking items to display is just as important. The tray must not look too crowded or too bare. The size of the items need to be in proportion with each other. ...................its all about balance people ! 

The items could be of the same texture but different heights, or you could go with a combination of different textures. There is no fixed rule on this, as long as the vignette ends up looking appealing. Give it a shot and try it. A little bit of trial and error and you should be able to get it right.

BONUS Point: If you have an ottoman as part of your sofa set then placing a large tray on it gives an opportunity to add a vignette.

Here are a couple of vignettes I have styled in various client's homes and my home too.

This mirrored tray was styled at client Fenwick Basement in "the cute bar under the stairs".

Here I used a beautiful blue porcelain tray to hold a pewter mug of silk peonies, a coral and blue pottery. This was for client Fenwick Living Room.

A beautiful Mother-of-Pearl tray set up with some books, flowers and vintage magnifying glass, at Client Brannigan Gate Basement. 

This is my dining table center piece, the mirrored tray reflects the light back onto the flowers making them the show stopper in the room.

I even used a gold ceramic tray to catch all the mail in the foyer and topped it with a cute brass mouse. See HERE how I swapped out the foyer bench for this chest of drawers to provide for more storage for the kids scarves and gloves.

Target has the best selection of trays and this pretty blue one was from there, pity they left Canada - I do miss their Home Decor selection.

Here I styled a vintage silver tray to hold tea lights (re purposed onyx wine glasses) and a few of our kids baby pictures which made a great conversation starter.

Here a vintage gold tray holds my babies pics and other pretty decor items.

I even use trays outside, here a blue Moroccan ceramic tray sits on my front porch coffee table which is a re purposed tree trunk, holding candles that are so pretty lit up at night.

And lastly a vignette of fresh flowers, scrabble tiles and Cedric the turtle.

If you like what you see then subscribe to our Newsletter where we send you more Decor tips, Product deals and behind the scenes pics, no more than once a month.

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE.

www.wildenorth.com

Hugs
Lynda

Restoration Hardware Pit Stop

Made a pit stop at Restoration Hardware - nothing here is affordable but you get some great ideas for styling and recreating. When I am rolling in millions all my furniture will be from here, until then I will just pose and take out pics of everything !

Loved the light colored round tables as I am looking for one big round one right now for my living room but D has assured me he is making me one out of skateboards ! Don't ask me more - its all happening in his head !

The girls absolutely bored and lounging in the sofa section

This chain link chandelier.............incredibly cool and different

Eeek ! I spot a Swedish mirror ! and a Venetian one too ! 

Pining for a wood chandelier - they lend so much organic texture to a space

D in a Faberge chair............is it not the coolest chair ever ! 

Their furniture is designed so well with the utmost workmanship and quality. By far some of the best furniture in the market. Those are all the pics guys, now I'm off to dream of my millions and how I will spend it !

Hugs
Lynda