Current Obsession: H&M Home

I am not sure when and how it all started, but before I knew it, I already placed over a dozen online orders with H&M Home within a short four-month period. The in-store and online customer service wasn't the greatest or the most organized, but its modern and warm minimalism home collection with a touch of Scandinavian style (they are Swedish after all) kept me wanting to go back for more. It's quickly becoming a routine for me to check their online offerings almost on a weekly basis, and I rarely left empty-handed. 

Here are a few tips on shopping with the H&M Home online. 

1. If you spot something you like, buy it right away. They do go out of stock very quickly online. But if you miss it, don't panic. Just wait for a few weeks and chances they will come back in stock. This whimsical hand vase in the picture below constantly went out of stock within hours, but it does become available again from time to time. 

2. If modern and minimalism is your style, you've come to the right place. H&M Home collection often takes a classic decor staple such as vase with handles or milk jug, and give it a more modern interpretation and spin. 

I was so in love with this stoneware vase with handles that I had to have one each at home and cottage. Less prominent handles and half-dipped finish gives it a more modern life. Picture below: H&M half-dipped stoneware vase with handles at home. The textured stripped rug is also from H&M. 

The same vase at cottage

3. Check the "Sale" section diligently. It often "pleasantly" surprises you. I found the rattan tray (which I used as a wall decoration) and the Moroccan pom-pom pillow at 50% off, which I would've gladly paid full price for. 

The stripped stoneware vase and the square Moroccan pom-pom pillow were also scored at 50% off. 

The bamboo woven basket (on wall shelf) and the basket on floor are also from H&M Home. 

And the black candleholder in the picture below.  

So have you ever shopped at the H&M Home? What was your experience?

Enliven Your Interior with New Unique Windows

Vinyl windows are very important element in any home, being in charge not only for lighting, but also for comfortable living conditions and heating in your house.

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Windows, which the manufacturers offer us today can be made virtually to any taste and of different color and type.  In this article we will talk about the different types of vinyl window systems, including their forms and sizes, and recommend which of them will be suitable for each room and part of the house.

The first step when shopping for replacement windows in Toronto and other cities is a selection of their type, as well as planning their location, size and convenience in lighting (if there will be the working area around), forms of window frames.

It is necessary to have a competent approach to the choice of the size of the windows. They should be neither large nor small, since in both cases the room will not give a proper sense of comfort and coziness. 

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Here we will have a look on the most popular types of window frames. When it comes to the form of the window, meaning it is the form of the window frame, installed in the wall opening. So,  the window frame can be quite standard (we are used to rectangular form), as well as in any other not standard version like:

• Round headed window is a beautiful element of architecture, which will have a refined look in every room. This type of windows is used in old buildings with cathedral ceilings.  
• Trapezoidal window has also very interesting form and is widely used in the attic and usually makes your house look more elegant.
• Triangular window is a very exclusive element, which also can be used in the attic in conjunction with the trapezoidal window on both sides of it. Also it can be widely used as dormer window.
• Round window is a very interesting element that can be used in the bathroom or in any other room and will make the atmosphere in your house sophisticated. Also in the kid's room is will look absolutely to the point. There is a famous type of round window that is called a rose and was used in churches and cathedrals of Gothic style in Northern France.
• Bay window is a very useful option if you want to create more space in your room and your window will be big and elegant. Bay windows are often uses in Baroque and Gothic architecture.

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If we are talking about of window opening, then there are several types depending on the type of accessories: 

• Fixed window. It is understandable that it costs much cheaper than any other, but it is less convenient. And you can not ventilate the room and washing it is the whole problem.
• Window with turning opening. The traditional method to open the flaps inside or outside the room.
• Fanlight window. It opens in a folding way. More often of course doors are opening downward, but in some cases for example in office buildings the opposite construction is used.
• Tilt and turn windows. This is the most popular option that buyers are selecting when purchasing the vinyl windows. The window can be opened both vertically and horizontally. Everything you need to do is properly turn the handle.
• Center-hung swivel window allows to open the flap at 180 degrees about the axis in the middle of the window, both horizontally and vertically. It is really popular to install round center-hung swivel windows in the attic, that will make the house look mysterious.

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 This detailed overview for the popular types of windows will help you to be sure which one to select to your own house and make it look exceptional and in good taste.

3 Window Decorating Tips to Jazz Up Your Interior Design

In order to save maximum of space in the apartment we really often have to go for some tips and tricks. For example, an original approach to the design of the window and area next to it will help you to maximize the functionality of a small room.

Photo credit: Apartment Therapy

Even if there is no need to save every square meter, these ideas will help you make the windowsill a real decoration of the interior.

Today a cozy window and area around it is becoming increasingly popular. After all, you can increase the size of window sill to ensure that it performs additional functions. Besides putting the flowers on it, which undoubtedly creates a special atmosphere in the room, also it can be a great place to relaxation for both adults and children. 

Many people have turned their sills  in sofas, tables and other interior elements. If you are thinking about your window with creativity, you can come up to a great number of interesting options and then make them practical and beautiful part of the interior.

Tip # 1
The first option that we are going to present to you is such a construction like a sofa window sill. If you are the proud owner of a wide window sill, then this idea is not difficult to implement. Mattress, pillows and blankets will make a window seat in a comfortable sofa that can become an additional seating area or replace a bulky pieces of furniture. If you have an ordinary sill and the area around it is not so capacious, it does not mean that you cannot use it. Everything you need to do is to set the wide counter top, fasten it and get it engaged in the design of your new sofa. But you need to remember that this option can be attractive just if your vinyl windows effectively keep heat and protect the room against drafts.

Source: RatedPeople

Or just get rid of the window sill in its classical form by replacing it on the podium.

Tip # 2
The second option will be very profitable for the people who need some extra space for their belongings, such as kind toys or the painting tools, that will organize the small things in your room. You can create a sill-dresser. There will be never enough such things like cabinets, chests, drawers and shelves. This idea will help you to organize the space in any room, whether it is for the child or living room. In addition, the sill-dresser can be simultaneously sill-sofa. Just imagine how much you can facilitate the interior of the room, competently having issued the area near the window.

Source: Houzz

Tip # 3
The third option is the perfect variant for workaholics who need to create their office right at home. The sill-worktop is a very easy thing that you can create. For the inhabitants of small apartments is the most difficult thing to allocate space for a home office. However, if there is no need to place additional items of furniture such as a table, then the task becomes much simpler. Using a modified window sill as a working surface may be the only right decision, especially when it comes to child. 

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But while making such reconstructions you need always remember that there are such factors like the type of the window, the location of your apartment, floor, the view from the window and how well the room is lightened.

Hope that you will get the inspiration in this article and create a stylish and unique design in your apartment.

This information was provided by Windowscanada.com vinyl windows replacement company in Toronto.

Elements of Style Book by Erin Gates

There is no shortage of design blogger books in the market today. I am not the type who would typically write a book review, but I have to say, I am really impressed by the Elements of Style Designing a Home & Life book by Erin Gates. I would even go so far as to say that this is probably my favourite design blogger book! 

Go ahead, judge the book by its cover! Erin went through a few iterations but finally decided on the black & white striped spine with a touch of gold. What a great decision! The book cover is clean, elegant, yet dramatic and attractive - just the type of style that would catch my eye!

 

I see a glamorous addition to my coffee book collection. 

I am yet to go through the book - this is the type of book I would need to take some downtime to savour, but I really like that the book organizes the contents by room.  

Each room has a clear sectional cover page - how could I have missed a gorgeous floral pattern like this?!

I am already eyeing this Schumacher Pyne Hollyhock pillow in charcoal. Oh so moody and romantic! 

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The book is packed with high quality images from Erin's home and projects.

I just can't get over how perfect this room looks. I want everything in it. 

For each room, Erin gives a few ideas of the looks you could go for and their key components. 

I also really love all the illustrations throughout the book. All the opinions are my own - I wasn't incented in any way to write this post. 

On an unrelated note, I found a crystal pineapple in our basement storage and I swear I must have come across it numerous times every time I went through that closet. This time I really wanted to donate it because I have so many smaller decorative objects lying around. For me, it has always been in with the new, and out with the old. But then an idea struck me - what if I tried to glam it up by painting the pineapple head in gold? 

And bam! it looks amazing! I gave a plain-looking crystal pineapple a new life in my decor world. 

Retro Telephones

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'd know how much I love to mix the old and the new styles in my décor. I am a big fan of 30's Regency, a touch of 60's Vintage Mod, and the everlasting Hollywood Regency Revival. 

Lately I am pretty obsessed with retro telephones, and seriously contemplating replacing the super modern & sleek cordless phone in our kitchen with one of these.

Vintage Princess Phone in Cream and Gold via Etsy. My parents got me one of these for my bedroom back in the 80's. My design sense obviously hadn't sprouted yet, and I was so embarrassed (so much so I'd hide it whenever I had friends over) to use something I deemed so "old-fashioned", and mocked my mom for having no taste in style. Eventually my mom took the telephone back and used it in her own bedroom which she later gave away. Well, guess who is laughing now huh?  

Vintage Princess Phone in Turquoise and Silver via Etsy. Is it dreamy?

GPO 1970's Retro Push Button Rotary Phone via John Lewis.com. Something so utilitarian and household back then can appear so chic today.

1960's Popular Princess Phones in Blue, Yellow and Pink.

I am pretty sure Mad Men's Betty Draper had one of these in Turquoise on her bedside table. Med Man's show put my desire for vintage accents on steroid.

And this is phone I am considering for my kitchen - the VTech's Retro Phone. Switching to one of the real retro phones featured above would be going a bit too far, I think, as it might look out of place in my kitchen. Not to say the inconvenience of using the telephony technologies from the past era. But something like VTech's retro phone seems to have a perfect marriage of vintage look and modern technologies.

So what do you think? Would you use a vintage-looking phone like this in your house, or would you go for the true retro piece?

Color Me Happy: Teal

I am on Banana Republic's distribution list and yesterday I received a newsletter about the latest color trend Teal. I couldn't take my eyes off the prettiness and richness of the color. Teal is a bluish-green that comes in many shades and hues. It is like a much warmer and more passionate cousin of Blue. I think I might just find another color for the "pop" effect. :)

From centre clock-wise:

1. Natalie Chan Bridesmaid Collection: Natalie is the wife of one of my cousins, and a super talented Kiwi milliner and fashion designer. Check out her design portfolio and online shop at http://www.nataliechan.co.nz/products-page/.

2. OPI "Teal Ski We Drop" nail enamel. Picture by Le Journal de Mademoiselle.

3. Banana Republic's Teal stone layered necklace, a perfect stocking stuffer.

4. Natalie Chan's teal silk rosette.

5. Young House Love's painted built-in in Dragonfly. I think I am going to the dark side for my basement Ikea built-in as well.

6. Banana Republic's BR Sparkle chandelier earring in teal. I am drooling.

7. French teal linen wingback chair from Istdibs.

Have you found a new color that you love lately?

Cuteness Alert

Lately I've noticed more and more designers are incorporating cute animal figurines to lighten up the mood for their overall design. Be it for the nursery or those simply young at heart, cute objects have certainly made their way into a more serious side of the design world.

I couldn't help but crack up whenever I look at this Leo Owl Bank from Urban Outfitters. 50 bucks says you agree.

Or how about this sort-after Burberry Owl Cashmere Sweater since Kate Bosworth made its debut?

I will take this Brass Hippo by Jonathan Adler as my Christmas gift, thanks very much. (hint to hubs).

I would love to have this whimsical Octopus Tea Towel by Thomas Paul in my kitchen.

A more affordable version from Etsy will do too.