Monday Meandering & Giveaway Winner

And here we are again! It’s Monday, the middle of October already! Hope you had a happy weekend!

1) My latest Houzz ideabook is live and it’s entitled “20 Finds for Staging Your Home” or just to freshen up your home and add personality.


I love this print by Yangyang Pan – the vibrant colours and composition are brilliant.  I have recently commissioned her to create an original painting for one of my client’s and can’t wait to see it when it’s finished.

2) Last week, I attended a book signing at CB2 hosted by Style at Home with none other than Bob and Cortney Novogratz.   Their latest book, “Home by Novogratz” features 20 homes that they have decorated so that you too can get the “Novogratz look.”  Read my interview with them here and read more about the event and enter to win a copy of the book in Style at Home’s post here.

Yep, just a regular night hanging out with our besties. :)  They were so charming and friendly and it was surprising to hear that even though they have lived in NYC for the past 20 years they have never visited Canada.

This table, chairs and area rug are part of their collection with CB2.

3) That same night, we attended the opening of the FLOR Toronto store. FLOR creates 20” x 20” modular carpet tiles in all sorts of cool patterns and colours.  You can arrange them to create one of a kind area rugs and runners. Here’s a fun photo of my girls and I at the photo booth – note the floor tiles in the background.

 
4)  The winner of the $200 Paint it Like New Giveaway (chosen by random.org)  is Michelle of Sweetsuite 10.  Congrats! Please email me so that I can pass along the details to you.  And please be sure to send me the Before and After!

Have a happy week everyone!

If you require decorating/design advice, please email me at vanessa(at)vanessafrancis.com.

Monday Meandering…

(a post where I share my goings on and/or links I loved this past week)

Hope you had a wonderful weekend. My painter came by on Saturday to banish the beige from my living/dining room. What a difference! The room has a sort of Scandi feel now – light, airy and calm.  I will share photos of the room when it’s all put back together.  It’s the same colour used in this room and blogged about here.  This is how it looked before.



This also prompted me to change my art wall over my sofa (yet again – we decorators have this affliction to change things up too frequently.)   I wasn’t 100% happy with it so I am adding more photographs and some new paintings, less blue so that it is a bit more quiet and loose.  This is all in prep for my tv debut!  So, hopefully it will look more unstructured like these art walls:

 

 

  Above images via here.

(quote from the last page of The Perfectly Imperfect Home)

Couldn’t have said it better myself Mr. Hadley. Have a wonderful week! 

Monday Meandering

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! It’s been awhile since I have done a Monday Meandering post where I share favourite links from the past week, events, products or sales – really anything that I think you may want to know about. 

1) I was happy to be featured again on the Style at Home site contributing to their post on Bloggers’ Budget Decorating Ideas: How to Use Paint.  You can read my tip as well as those from a few other fab bloggers here.  Thanks Style at Home!



2)  Geovin, one of my blog sponsors, is clearing out their floor models to make room for a completely new product line in March.  I can hardly wait! In the meantime, dining room and bedroom furniture are 50% off retail for the floor models.  Head on over.



For example, you can purchase these dining room chairs (with the table, etc.) – I just love them!  It would be really simple to change the fabric on the seats if you were so inclined.  I would use something like one of these blue fabrics from Galbraith and Paul’s Spring collection:


3) Back in design school, one of my favourite subjects was the History of Furniture. I have been enjoying Lisa’s series entitled Iconic Mondays where she writes about an iconic piece of furniture or designer. I had always hoped to write similar articles (and hopefully will at some point!)  This week it’s all about the Greek kline, the predecessor to today’s chaise. You can read it here as well as her previous entries.  Great job Lisa!



4)  Jen at Rambling Reno recently introduced a series entitled Blog Talk: Conversations on Blogging. It’s definitely worth a read whether you are new to blogging or have been doing it for a few years like myself.  You can read all of her previous entries here.  Be sure to read through the comments as well. 



5) Holly at Things That Inspire did a great round up of sectionals.  If you are considering purchasing one, take a look at the pretty images in her post. It doesn’t have to be brown leather! :)  You can read the post and comments here.


Stay tuned for a number of posts this week including a project sneak peek!  Have a good one!

Monday Meandering

I hope everyone is enjoying this last long weekend of the summer (here in Canada and in the US it's a holiday today).   Most summers seem endless but this summer for some reason flew by in a heartbeat.  I can’t believe it’s over.

The upside is that Fall is my favourite time of year and like the beginning of a school year, it’s a time for a fresh new start, a time to set new goals and make some changes.  (I’ll get right on that!)

So, here’s some holiday reading from around the web:

1)  Canadian House and Home staff picked their favourite paint colours for the Fall.



2)  Speaking of paint colours, if you are thinking of painting your front door, Fall provides the perfect weather for tackling this project.  To give you some inspiration, here are some images from my Pinterest account. I’m currently mad about yellow as a front door colour although it’s not that common in my suburban neighbourhood.















3) If you follow Michael Penney’s blog or you read the House and Home article on paint colours which said “former Style Editor Michael Penney,” you know that Michael left H&H.  Tomorrow he will be starting a new position working with none other than Sarah Richardson.  He will be working on season two of Sarah 101 with Sarah, Tommy Smythe and the rest of the team.  Sounds like a match made in heaven!

Sarah 101 is looking for homeowners who want to “redecorate or lightly renovate” their home - if interested read here.  (If you aren't chosen, then call me :) )

4) Hope all of the kiddies out there have a fun week back at school (I know my girl is not looking forward to it!) We head back on Wednesday.  Canadian Family has a Back to School Guide filled with tips to ensure a smooth transition. I’m looking forward to trying some of the breakfast ideas.

 
(PS See that cute little redhead on the cover, that’s Christine’s daughter.)

5) The wonderful, unexpected part of blogging is the friendships you make. Tim had a few of us over to his beautiful condo for dessert last week. Had so much fun chatting about blogging, design and what’s new with everyone.  Read his post here. (Note to self: don’t stand beside the oh-so-trim Tim in a photo. I look like twice his size – must be my top or the fact that I only went to the gym twice this summer!)

6) Don’t forget about the Geovin sale which ends on September 15th.



Have a happy week!



If you need decorating advice, please contact me at vanessa(at)vanessafrancis(dot)com.

Monday Meandering

Last week, I was away on vacation in upstate New York visiting with my in-laws, hence the lack of posts.  There was no internet connection or wifi so I was unable to email, post or tweet.  It was nice to be unplugged for awhile though.

Here are a few items of note that caught my attention this past week:

1) Today, Jack Layton, head of the NDP party here in Canada passed away.  He will be sorely missed. His letter to Canadians was heartfelt and moving and ended with:

“My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.”   Love this. You can read his letter here.



2) When I was in the States, I picked up a copy of Undecorate by Christiane Lemieux, founder of DwellStudio.  What’s a girl to do with no wifi!  While you are on the Dwell Studio site, check out their new line of furniture.



The book features 20 homes that reflect the owners personal style – nothing too precious, contrived or decorated.  The homes are somewhat quirky, filled with personal treasures and imperfections.  You can see some of the photos and outtakes here.

3) Speaking of creating a deeply personal home, Emma who writes the blog Marion House Book has done just that.  Her home is featured in the House and Home Makeovers issue which is currently available on newsstands.  You can see photos on her blog and watch a video tour here.  Congrats Emma!



4) Don’t forget about the Geovin sale for Decor Happy readers.  Read my post here and visit their recently renovated showroom to see all of the goodness in person.



Have a happy week everyone!

Monday Meandering

Happy Civic Holiday to my fellow Canadians.  Hope everyone is having a beautiful long weekend!

1)  The latest issue of House of Fifty is out and I’m loving the cover - well the whole issue really.  My friend Christine wrote the most insightful article on How to Build an Eclectic Space.  If this doesn’t stop you from “buying the set",” I don’t know what will!  Click here to read.



2) Recently stumbled upon this site. Love the photos pairing unlikely celebs like this one of Mick and Dolly.



3) I’m loving some of the new pieces in West Elm’s Fall preview.  You can see them here.

  

4)  Ikea will introduce some new products in mid-August.  Vibrant textiles, vintage boxes and magazine holders and life-size (to a toddler) fabric dolls which make me smile are just a few items that caught my eye.

(told you, didn’t these dolls make you smile?)

5) This post on ottomans was one of my first and I need to write an updated one as I am still a huge fan.
Sneak peek:  I picked up this ottoman and stuffed all 60” of it into my car to deliver to a client (the things we do!)  Isn’t it beautiful?  I custom designed it using a Thom Felicia for Kravet fabric.  My upholsterer did an amazing job on the diamond tufting.  It softens all of the leather furniture my client has (and wants to keep) and means that everyone can put their feet up while watching the tele!

Have a wonderful week!

If you need decorating help, I’m just an email away!  Please contact me at vanessa@vanessafrancis.com. 

Monday Meandering (Happy Links)

1) I’m so happy to be working with Lindsay, Jen and other bloggers to transform a garden for George Herman House in Toronto.  You can read Lindsay’s post here and feel free to contact any of us if you would like to be involved.  

2) I’m looking forward to the upcoming release of  two interior design books – one can never have enough!
Decorate by Holly Becker (of  the immensely popular blog Decor8 ) and Joanna Copestick will be available in May in North America.  Top designers and decorators “share over 1,000 professional tips, ideas, and solutions for every room and every budget.”  Over 500 photos, how-to’s and floor plans will  inspire you to create a home that you love.   This is the UK cover which I absolutely adore and the lucky folks over there will get their hands on the book this month.



Funnily enough the other book is titled Undecorate, the No-rules Approach to Interior Design by Christiane Lemieux, founder of Dwell Studio.  It will be released tomorrow (March 8) and Christiane shared a sneak peek on her blog today.

The rooms have a casual, collected-over-time look .  You may recognize the room on the cover as it was featured on the cover of House Beautiful last year.



Two books with opposite names but similar goals: to inspire you to have a home that speaks to you and is filled with items that you love.  You will definitely want both of these on your bookshelf.

3) Chelsea at Frolic wrote an informative post on her thoughts on crediting photos on blogs.  Whether you are new to blogging or have been doing it awhile,  it is a great read and reminder.  Read the comments as well.
I always try to credit photos but have been remiss in linking back to the photographer as it is usually unknown.  It is definitely a time consuming process but one that needs to be done.  In this post I list and link to 50 sources.  Not only should you be identifying the source but linking to it as well, like this:



Interior Design by Melissa Rufty via House Beautiful. 

In this case, the photographer’s name wasn’t mentioned but I would link to all three sites if known.  I love when bloggers link to the designer so that you can peruse their portfolio online and perhaps discover someone new.

4) In case you haven’t heard, Elte now has a warehouse location.  I can’t wait to check it out.  Oh, and their upholstery and lighting sale is on.



5) And last but certainly not least, the latest online magazine to hit the virtual newsstands is Dabble – design, travel, food.  It is the brainchild of Canadian designer and Editor in Chief Kimberley Seldon.  So happy for everyone that worked on their first issue – they knocked the ball out of the park.  The photography is stellar and after reading, I have a real need to travel and visit places as diverse as Prague and Nashville.



Also want to add that I will be attending the Dabble launch party on March 24th at Elte.  Here is the invite if you would like to attend. Everyone is welcome.  Let me know if you are attending – would love to meet some readers!

Hope you have an incredible week!

If you require decorating advice, please contact me at vanessa@vanessafrancis.com.

Monday Meanderings…With Love

1)  Around this time last year, I wrote a post on decorating with red.  I have touches of red in my own home and I think it brings warmth and personality to a room.

I just love this bedroom, especially the mix of red, coral and pink:



And I’m really into painting furniture glossy red these days:



Or the statement that just one red object in a room makes:



2)  Thanks Shannon for letting me know that Kelly Wearstler has a blog .  Like Shannon, I was most intrigued by the “vibe trays” for each of her clients which includes inspiration, finishes and fabrics for her projects.  I keep client samples in metal bins and wish I had the space to utilize these large trays where everything can be seen at a glance – brilliant!



3) I’m loving the judging panel on American Idol this season (yes, I’m a fan!), thanks in part to Jennifer Lopez.  It’s no surprise that her home is glamourous without being over the top – “Serene Glamour” as Veranda aptly describes it.   Michelle Workman, designer to the celebs,  says “the key to keeping everything in balance is the subtle gradations of color across the generously scaled rooms.”

Michelle also writes a blog here. You can see more images and read the article in Veranda here.

 


4.  Bryn let me know about this pretty kitchen makeover.  What I love about it is that the homeowner ripped out the existing granite backsplash and installed classic white subway tile (you know how I love subway tile), continuing it above the cabinetry to the ceiling.  There were no “befores” but I can only imagine how dark and dated the granite backsplash made the kitchen feel.  She also added a couple of shelves and a gorgeous chandelier she found at a consignment store no less. 



5)  I’m guest posting over at the talented and witty Matt Leblanc’s blog today talking about one of my favourite things – art walls.  You can read my post here.



I wish you all a Happy Valentine’s Day. Whether it means doing something fun with the family or that special someone or treating yourself special, enjoy!

Photo credits: 1 – High Gloss; 2 – bhg; 3,4 – Rue.