And just like that…

Summer is over.

Hi all! Hope you had a relaxing (long) weekend.  I cannot believe that today is the first day back at school.  Although we had an amazing summer, the highlight being our East Coast trip, I am sad that it is over. I know a lot of Moms who couldn’t wait for their kids to be back at school – routine, structure and all. I, on the other hand, had so much fun with my girl (and her friends and cousins) and our unstructured days – sleeping in, no alarm clocks...I didn’t want it to end.  But it did and since I have oodles of work to catch up on, it’s probably a good thing.

(This is my Monday Meandering post…a day late!)

1) First of all, thank you so much for all your support and comments on my last post (and on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc.) It seems like it happens a lot to other designers, unfortunately.

2) Blog Podium is less than three weeks away and I for one, can’t wait! Will you be there? If you have a ticket, then you can enter to win Tea with Sarah Richardson. How cool is that? But hurry as the contest closes tomorrow (September 4th at midnight). Go here for more details.

3) Did you move someone into university residence over the weekend?  If so, then you know that it’s sometimes tricky to personalize their dorm rooms.  My friends over at Posterjack have some great ideas including this photo clothesline using string, clothes pins and your favourite prints. Visit their site for more inspiration and photo ideas.

4) I loved Jessica Helgerson’s recent project featured here. It’s a library converted into a residence.
 

 
5) And did you see these spaces that Christine blogged about? I am so in love with this room:

 

and this art:

The rooms are in the home of this new-to-me UK blogger who writes 47 Park Avenue.

6) I posted this photo on Instagram of my bedroom makeover in progress with new lamps from West Elm and nightstand from Geovin.

 
 
And then I just posted this photo of fabric for my headboard – yet to be made. I finally decided on black and white stripes as I think it will go with everything like the pillows I already have, florals etc. (And terrible Mommy, while others are posting on Instagram their kids 1st day of school pic, I’m posting a decor photo!)

7) The Princess Margaret Lottery Showhome opens this weekend in Oakville. I blogged about previous year’s here. This year Brian Gluckstein and his team designed and decorated it. It is elegant yet approachable and I can’t wait to visit it in person. Here are a few photos from their site.

 

 
  

The home is quintessentially Brian including the books in the bathroom which he is known for!  He calls it “The ultimate entertaining home with traditional and modern elements for glamorous living.”

8) Lastly, stay tuned for a post later this week on an addition to my daughter’s room. Check one to-do off the list!

Hope all your kidlets have a great first day back at school! (for those that are back this week.)  I’m hoping to get back to more regular blogging!

If you require design advice, please contact me at vanessa(at)vanessafrancis.com.

Princess Margaret Lottery Showhome 2012

Happy Monday! Hope you had a fun weekend! 

Last week, I was invited to a Blogger Preview of the Princess Margaret Lottery showhome which is now open to the public. Once again, Canadian House and Home designed and decorated the 6,500 sq’ home located in southeast Oakville, Ontario. 

Here are my top 6 picks of what I loved. But don’t listen to me, do go visit if you are in the area!

1) The exterior and backyard: It was a beautiful night with music, drinks, appetizers, great company and of course the gorgeous surroundings.  I love the stone and siding, the folding door system and the patio stone/grass.

2)  The marble clad island with my favourite pendants and the grand wall unit/hutch. The base cabinetry is from Ikea, by the way!

3) The study with an indigo sectional (from Crate and Barrel) and silk ikat pillow fabric. Note the metal doors painted in Benjamin Moore’s Black Jack.

4)  As a former yoga teacher, this home gym/yoga studio is just perfect! 

  

5) The sculptural bathtub in the ensuite. Notice the small (1”) louvers on the shutters – much nicer than the bulky 3-4” ones. Do I spot a trend?

6) Interior doors: I was a little fixated on all of the doors like these French doors in the principal bedroom. It would feel like you are living in a treehouse with all of the greenery outside.

And these doors to the sewing room/laundry room.

These simple shaker interior doors are a nice change from the standard builder doors which usually have a raised profile:

All photos by PCM (the builder) except the backyard, laundry room and interior door photo above taken by me.

(PS I am biting the bullet and buying a camera shortly – a real “big girl” DSLR. No more crappy pics from my point and shoot.)

You can see professional shots of the house in the October House and Home and you can watch videos here.  And you can still sign up for free seminars with the talented House and Home folks here.

Also, you can read my posts on the prior year showhomes here. Yes,  I am a big supporter!

Hurry up and get your ticket (I’ve got mine!), deadline for the VIP draw with the chance to win a trip to Hawaii is Sept 14th.  Even if you don’t win, your lottery ticket purchase will “help conquer cancer.”  Let’s make that a goal in our lifetime!

Have a happy week!

2011 Princess Margaret Hospital Lottery Showhome

Every year, for the past  five years, Lynda Reeves and her design team at House and Home design, build and decorate a home to be won in the Princess Margaret Lottery.  The 2011 showhome is once again located in Oakville, Ontario and is 6,800 sq ft.

The inspiration and jumping off point for the entire decorating scheme was the Ralph Lauren leather camp chair seen below in the great room.  Lynda Reeves says the house is reminiscent of a wine estate you would see in the countryside of Argentina.  It is casual yet elegant, traditional yet rustic. I love the chevron wood floors and the Montauk sofa.

(Photos from PCM)

I loved the basement level which included a media room, bedroom, laundry room and wine tasting room.  All the furniture and accessories are from Ikea. (above 3 photos)

Beginning tomorrow it is open to the public so if you are in the Oakville area, stop in for a visit.  For those that can’t visit in person, House and Home has posted videos online so it’s like you are there.  Photos are also in the October issue of House and Home and more info is here.

Click here to order your tickets online.  You can read my posts on the last two showhomes here.

PS The Christie Antique show is on tomorrow. Will I see you there?

2010 Princess Margaret Hospital Lottery Showhome

Lynda Reeves and her talented design team at House and Home have done it again.  They have designed and decorated the latest showhome for the Princess Margaret Hospital which is on a mission to kick cancer in its you know what.  I posted about last year’s showhome here.

The design inspiration is a home in the Hamptons, specifically Diane Keaton’s home in the movie Something’s Gotta Give.  It is 6500 square feet of  comfortable yet luxe living in the town of Oakville. 



The kitchen cabinetry, walls and trim are painted Para’s Melt Down, a deep grey.   You would think that it feels dark but there is light coming in from windows on both sides so it is actually cozy and bright at the same time. 



What I love about this showhome, and previous ones designed by the H&H team, is that all of the sources are listed.  Paint colours, fabrics, furniture, flooring and cabinetry sources are all listed here.

If you are unable to visit in person, you can watch video tours here.  There is still room this Saturday (as of right now) for a DIY event at the showhome with H&H staff which I have signed up for. 

It’s fitting that I am writing this post now as a young mom to a classmate in my daughter’s class lost her battle with cancer this week.  She leaves behind her family including an 8 year old and 2 year old.  It’s heartbreaking.  Please purchase a ticket here.  You are supporting a worthy cause and have the chance to win this beautiful home - furnished, decorated and landscaped.

Have you seen the showhome yet?  What did you think? 

(I have been playing around with a new photo editing program, thanks to the Blogging Your Way e-course I am currently in with Holly and Leslie.  What do you think of the layouts?)

Princess Margaret Showhome 2009

Principle Bedroom - love this bed!

Living Room - the fabric on the ottoman is Ralph Lauren

by Kravet - stunning!

Basement Bedroom - loving the large scale

pendant from Elte.

The newest Princess Margaret Hospital Showhome is now open for viewing in southeast Oakville. Today I attended a special event where the designers from Canadian House and Home who worked on the home gave tours of some of the rooms and answered design questions. I snapped a few photos to share with you. I loved the beautiful, wide plank, hardwood flooring from Moncer, the neutral backdrop, gorgeous fabrics and the fresh take on farmhouse style. You have the opportunity to win this house while helping to conquer cancer.