Just back from the CGTA show in Toronto. This meant hours and hours of walking through literally hundreds of booths on the hunt for new and exciting items to stock the store and inspire us. For true design divas it was pure heaven.
The show is held twice a year and is the largest in Canada. It takes up the entire floor space in The International Centre and also the Congress Centre, both located near the Toronto International Airport. I'm not sure exactly how many square feet this event covers but to say it is massive is not an exaggeration.
The show is open only to retailers and industry professionals. It includes everything from jewellery to home decor, to small appliances, kitchen goods, floral, tabletop, linens and the list goes on. Suffice to say there was a lot to take in.
The trend is certain, Black and White is still very hot. Entire booths were beautifully executed, designed and devoted to just these 2 colours. We, however, we on a mission to find some colourful accent pieces. I like words like earthy tones, coastal inspired, jewel colours, neutral shades and warm sunny tones.
We want Moving Designz to be full of colour and in turn, life. We found some great colourful home decor items to breathe life into your homes. Look for Moving Designz to be filled with warm knitted throws in a variety of colours, punchy accent pillows, vibrant coastal inspired artwork, gorgeous 300 thread count hotel chic bedding, lined baskets for storage, tabletop accessories in every colour of the rainbow, clear glassware for candles and flower arranging, wine and barware accessories and black and white accent pieces.
Just in this week a great selection of new lamps and lighting, upholstered pieces from VanGogh Designs, solid wood furniture from Riverside and our new line of hotel style bedding.
Susan
Friday, August 24, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Lighten Up
While paint is the quickest and least expensive way to change the look and feel of any room many people overlook the effect of lighting. If you are looking for a way to update your space it might be time to consider changing out your lighting fittings and fixtures.
Lighting has the ability to change the way we feel in a room, it can create just the right atmosphere. Let's think about candlelight as an example. I love it, under candlelight it is quite possible to suddenly become 10 years younger without any surgery. And who doesn't want to look younger? Yes I do love that candlelight... :)
Where does one start with the process when it comes to lighting your home? Take a good look around your house at your present fixtures and ask yourself a couple of questions. Are your lighting needs properly met? Are you living with fixtures that are tired or out of date? Have you bought any new table lights lately? Make a list of your priority rooms and start looking around.
The trend in lighting finishes is brushed white metals and oil brushed bronze which is more of a brown. Brushed gold also marketed as aged brass is also making a serious comeback on the lighting scene. And lastly black... been seeing lots of those black shiny chandeliers. Done in the right space it can look terrific but personally I find them kind of gothic and not for everyone. I am hoping a trend that won't last.
Chandeliers are a hot and lasting trend and not likely to go out of style. They are being used in washrooms and bedrooms, as well as, dining areas. They add that certain sparkle, romance and class just like that perfect piece of jewellry can accent your outfit. I don't know why but I always think of chandeliers as jewellery. Changing out your ceiling mounted lighting to chandeliers in either your bedroom or bathroom is a pretty quick and easy update. Note the word pretty.
Anyone who knows me knows I love jewellery and anyone who has been into the store will soon know I like room jewellery. My bar chandeliers over the sales counter and over the diningroom vignette are perfect examples and add to the overall ambiance of the space. The combination of chrome and crystals are stunning. I've been getting lots of positive comments on those babys. Seen below you can understand why.
Finding the perfect pendants to go with them took some serious sourcing and just when I was about to give up and settle, (I hate settling) I found the drum shade pendants also adorned with crystals. And all this happened just in the nick of time for the contractors and electricians needed to get on with the job.
Lighting a commercial space is basically not a lot different than lighting your home. You need good overhead lighting, good task lighting and then hits of accent lighting. It's all about the layering and of course the budget. A solid budget on any design project is essential. Even if you pick away at updating your lights you will be amazed by the difference it can make to your space.
My next post will cover my thoughts on The Canadian Gift and Tablewear Show from last week in Toronto. What is hot and new on the horizon.
Susan
Lighting has the ability to change the way we feel in a room, it can create just the right atmosphere. Let's think about candlelight as an example. I love it, under candlelight it is quite possible to suddenly become 10 years younger without any surgery. And who doesn't want to look younger? Yes I do love that candlelight... :)
Where does one start with the process when it comes to lighting your home? Take a good look around your house at your present fixtures and ask yourself a couple of questions. Are your lighting needs properly met? Are you living with fixtures that are tired or out of date? Have you bought any new table lights lately? Make a list of your priority rooms and start looking around.
The trend in lighting finishes is brushed white metals and oil brushed bronze which is more of a brown. Brushed gold also marketed as aged brass is also making a serious comeback on the lighting scene. And lastly black... been seeing lots of those black shiny chandeliers. Done in the right space it can look terrific but personally I find them kind of gothic and not for everyone. I am hoping a trend that won't last.
Chandeliers are a hot and lasting trend and not likely to go out of style. They are being used in washrooms and bedrooms, as well as, dining areas. They add that certain sparkle, romance and class just like that perfect piece of jewellry can accent your outfit. I don't know why but I always think of chandeliers as jewellery. Changing out your ceiling mounted lighting to chandeliers in either your bedroom or bathroom is a pretty quick and easy update. Note the word pretty.
Anyone who knows me knows I love jewellery and anyone who has been into the store will soon know I like room jewellery. My bar chandeliers over the sales counter and over the diningroom vignette are perfect examples and add to the overall ambiance of the space. The combination of chrome and crystals are stunning. I've been getting lots of positive comments on those babys. Seen below you can understand why.
Finding the perfect pendants to go with them took some serious sourcing and just when I was about to give up and settle, (I hate settling) I found the drum shade pendants also adorned with crystals. And all this happened just in the nick of time for the contractors and electricians needed to get on with the job.
Lighting a commercial space is basically not a lot different than lighting your home. You need good overhead lighting, good task lighting and then hits of accent lighting. It's all about the layering and of course the budget. A solid budget on any design project is essential. Even if you pick away at updating your lights you will be amazed by the difference it can make to your space.
My next post will cover my thoughts on The Canadian Gift and Tablewear Show from last week in Toronto. What is hot and new on the horizon.
Susan
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Word of mouth
It's been a month exactly tomorrow since we have opened our doors at Moving Designz Home & Cottage. And what a month it has been with each day continuing to be more amazing than the last.
We are so thrilled with the positive response from people within our community of Summerside, people coming from all ends of Prince Edward Island and the tourists from all over Canada and the world for that matter. I am truly grateful to all of you for coming in and telling us what a great store we have. Of special mention are those of you who are visiting us a couple times a week ( the design diva's) and also those people who are spreading the word about the store with kind referrals. It's been happening day after day. Thank you for supporting us.
Since the last posting I have been very busy with the store, consults, design projects and keeping up with the paperwork. We are also very happy to be featured once again in Island Living magazine. We have just completed a fabulous home we have been working on since January. It's funny how long projects take. It has become my mantra that everything always takes longer than you expect. I think the readers will find this home quite inspiring.
Sheri was with me on Friday as we fluffed, staged and photographed the home. It was a hot day and we worked hard for hours getting it perfectly set up for the photography and ultimately for the readers to enjoy. As we drove home later we discussed some tv shows that make it look so easy, in particular Design Inc. I love that show but how do they do it? While we looked and felt totally dishelveled ( it was 30 degrees) we wondered how they always look so fresh after all we are doing the same thing. Honestly they must have little elves working behind the scenes or very good editing. Perhaps a little of both?
Our next post will focus of what you can do to update your home. We're going to focus on lighting. Something most people overlook yet is so important in our daily lives and can have a huge impact on your home.
Thank you once again for coming into the store and spreading the word. I welcome your suggestions and comments. And please let us know what you would wish for or like to see carried in the store.
Susan
We are so thrilled with the positive response from people within our community of Summerside, people coming from all ends of Prince Edward Island and the tourists from all over Canada and the world for that matter. I am truly grateful to all of you for coming in and telling us what a great store we have. Of special mention are those of you who are visiting us a couple times a week ( the design diva's) and also those people who are spreading the word about the store with kind referrals. It's been happening day after day. Thank you for supporting us.
Since the last posting I have been very busy with the store, consults, design projects and keeping up with the paperwork. We are also very happy to be featured once again in Island Living magazine. We have just completed a fabulous home we have been working on since January. It's funny how long projects take. It has become my mantra that everything always takes longer than you expect. I think the readers will find this home quite inspiring.
Sheri was with me on Friday as we fluffed, staged and photographed the home. It was a hot day and we worked hard for hours getting it perfectly set up for the photography and ultimately for the readers to enjoy. As we drove home later we discussed some tv shows that make it look so easy, in particular Design Inc. I love that show but how do they do it? While we looked and felt totally dishelveled ( it was 30 degrees) we wondered how they always look so fresh after all we are doing the same thing. Honestly they must have little elves working behind the scenes or very good editing. Perhaps a little of both?
Our next post will focus of what you can do to update your home. We're going to focus on lighting. Something most people overlook yet is so important in our daily lives and can have a huge impact on your home.
Thank you once again for coming into the store and spreading the word. I welcome your suggestions and comments. And please let us know what you would wish for or like to see carried in the store.
Susan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
