An Inspiring Interlude–#IDS2013

This week I’m heading to Toronto for the 2013 Interior Design Show, fondly known as #IDSToronto or #IDS2013 for those of us on Twitter.

It will be a whirlwind of activity including opening galas, after parties and glitzy hob nobbing!

Honestly though, the real reason I’m there is to be inspired.  Friday is “Trade Day”, where members of the trade are granted exclusive access to the show and it’s exhibitors, speakers and product.

The last few shows I’ve been to have provided inspiration on several fronts.

• The abundance of wood in design

• Lighting that dazzles

• Bathroom fixtures that amaze

• Works of art underfoot

I am looking forward to more inspiration this year – that and well, perhaps a little bit of the partying too *wink*!

Happy Decorating

Tray chic!

You've undoubtedly been noticing how popular trays are becoming these days. Over the last few months I've picked up a couple myself that I use in various locations throughout my home. One of them houses my "bar" in the absence of room for the increasingly popular Bar Cart.

Source: dustjacketattic.blogspot.com.au via Donna on Pinterest

Traditional Kitchen design by Oklahoma City Photographer Kate

Another houses a reading station on my coffee table. I use it to store recently received magazines, those little sticky page markers to mark my favourite pages and various pens and hi-liters.

Traditional Bedroom design by Minneapolis Interior Designer Martha O'Hara Interiors

Source: www.paloma81.blogspot.ca

 

Trays are great ways to set up these types of "Centres of Expertise" - to coin a phrase usually associated with the IT side of my life.  Here are a couple of ideas for trays in your home:

• Set one up by the front door to put keys, mail (incoming and outgoing) sunglasses, your travel mug or anything else you drop or pick up as you are coming and going.

Source: style-n-naina.com via Donna on Pinterest

• Use a tray as a "charging station" for your cell phone(s) or other mobile devices.

Contemporary Home Electronics design by Other Metro RedEnvelope

• Put a tray in your guest room to house toiletries your guests may have forgotten, a book or two they may enjoy, a glass of water you refresh daily, an alarm clock and some fresh flowers to brighten their stay.

source: www.bhg.com

Eclectic Bedroom design by Other Metro Media And Blogs Michelle Hinckley

• A tray in your bedroom is a great place to organize and display your perfumes or jewellery.

Source: www.bhg.com

Source: houseandhome.com via Donna on Pinterest

There are a myriad of uses for these little organizers, so pick one or two up and experiment a little.  You never know what magic you will create!  It will definitely be tray chic!

Make sure you check out my Pinterest board on Trays for more ideas!

Happy decorating!

6 Ways to Use Emerald–2013 Colour of the Year

 

Emerald – the Pantone colour of the year for 2013 is a bright, bold shade of green, that you will see incorporated into many interiors over the next year or so.  Will it work?  That depends.

Source: Pantone – www.pantone.com

This colour is a strong one and unless you are in love with it, you are not likely to paint your walls with it.  However, if you are trend conscious, there are plenty of other ways you can us this colour in your home. 

Here are 6 ways you can incorporate Emerald into your home decor:

1) Throw pillows are one of the easiest ways to refresh your decor and incorporate a new colour.  Depending on your colour scheme you could add bold emerald pillows, or you could go with patterns that incorporate a touch of emerald.

Eclectic Family Room design by Atlanta Interior Designer Cristi Holcombe

Source:  Better Homes & Gardens

 

2) Add an area carpet.  An area carpet is the foundation of every room.  Use them on hardwood or over wall-to-wall carpeting to set the tone for your decor.  Using an area carpet with emerald allows you to pull that colour throughout the room without it looking out of place.

 

Source: laylagrayce.com via Grace on Pinterest

Source: updatedallas.com via Update on Pinterest

3) Put emerald on your table.  Adding emerald accents to your dining table is a lovely way to incorporate the colour.  Pair it with a crisp white and you will have a bold clean look that will have you dreaming of springtime!

 

Source: inspiredbythis.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: Tobi Fairley’s take on an Emerald table via At Home Magazine via www.redoitdesign.com

 

4) Add accent furniture pieces in emerald.  Either in hard furniture or in upholstery, a pop of emerald will catch the eye and allow you to incorporate other elements, such as accessories or throw pillows in complementary colours.

 

Source: hgtv.com via Donna on Pinterest

Source: homedesign.marthastewart.com via Susan on Pinterest

5) Use greenery.  Whether flower arrangements or houseplants, real or imitation, greenery can bring the outdoors in.  And during the cold winter months it is a gentle reminder that spring is just around the corner.

 

 

Source: so-much-more-than-nl.blogspot.ca via Caroline on Pinterest

Eclectic Living Room design by Dc Metro Interior Designer Lauren Liess Interiors

6) Add emerald accessories or artwork.  Again that bright pop of emerald will catch the eye and add a wonderfully unique element to your home.

 

Eclectic Bedroom design by Orange County Interior Designer Domicile Interior Design

 

Eclectic Family Room design by Atlanta Interior Designer Cristi Holcombe

Source: Room designed by Amanda Nisbet via La Dolce Vita blog

However you do it, have fun with it.  Try a combination of the above, and where it make sense use groups of 3 or 5 (as in your accessories) so that the colour does not seem out of place.

If you do add emerald, I’d love to hear about it!

Happy decorating!