Affordable Style

If you know me, you know I love a good deal. I’m exposed to some pretty pricey items in this biz, but I still love the thrill of finding the look for less. One of the best places to find unique and quirky statement pieces at a price you can swallow is at flea markets and junk shops.

This weekend I did a little flea marketing in Kingston, Ontario.

I lived in Kingston for a few years while I was a student, and found lots of interesting places to hunt. This past weekend, my wife Sara and I returned to our old university stomping grounds and brought back a few treasures.

This is my little treasure pile, on the floor of my office here at House & Home. (I actually laid on the floor to take this picture for you!)

These green bottles were a steal — $30 for both! We’re seeing these as accents in the pages of every stylish magazine (including ours, January 2010) and displayed in the chicest boutiques.

Here are a few at work…

Along with the bottles, I found the vintage flags, pictured at the top along with the rest of my finds — one being the much-sought-after Union Jack! They’re so perfectly tattered! I’m thinking of framing them.

Finally, this adorable little woven wastepaper basket was only $6 at the Kingston Value Village. I love the rows of loop-de-loops and can imagine it in a bedroom or office.

Kingston is a great place to hunt for stylish finds, so I hope you check it out. Some of my favourite shops are MJ’s Treasures — be warned, it's not the most posh shop you’ll ever see  — Turk’s and Alleycat Antiques. They’ve got tons of cafés and boutiques as well, and a lovely waterfront. So, why not do what I did and book a treasure-hunting weekend?

For more on how to use vintage pieces to create an eclectic look, read my Adding Soul With Vintage Finds post.

Photo credits:
1. NowPublic.com
2-3. Michael Penney
4. Marthastewart.com
5. Steven Gambrel
6. Kristen Buckingham Interior Design
7. From House & Home December 2009 issue, photography by Michael Graydon
8. Michael Penney
9. BusinessWeek

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I came across this gorgeous apartment living room in the latest Lonny. It belongs to a hip, young New Yorker, but is filled with grandma’s cast offs! I think this is a good lesson in using what you might have inherited, or even things you find at thrift shops. One look at this pad and you realize — granny’s got style!

Here’s an old-school sofa reinvented with neutral, modern (and casual) fabric. Some people might take this curvy sofa and go all girly glam on it, but I appreciate this more sober and effortless approach. The putty-meets-brown fabric takes the formality down a few notches.

Oh my gosh, I love those window treatments. This photo stopped me in my tracks, because the windows look so dang good. I never thought I’d love such traditional and almost stuffy window treatments, but I do! The colour is to die for and their relaxed slouchiness is yummmmmmmmm! Note the equally grandma chairs with tufting and caning.

And what could be more grandma than having a ledge stuffed with family photos?! This is the epitome of old school, and I love it!!! Must recreate this in my house.

There are a few elements in this apartment that keep it from being straight-up traditional and keep it young, fresh, and hip. Why not pick some of these items up to layer in with your old-school finds?

This Madeline Weinrib ikat cushion (left) is luscious in raspberry and wakes up an antique sofa. For the affordable version, head over to Luna Bazaar for this almost dirt-cheap version (right). Raspberry and coral — nice!

A little zebra print never hurt anyone, and you can see how it adds a little edginess to the living room above. This bench from Oly Studio is perfect with its sculptural and minimal metal base. For the affordable version, why not throw this zebra-printed hide down under your traditional coffee table? Here in Toronto, we like Perfect Leather, just down the street from the House & Home offices. Their prices are fantastic!

For your modern picture ledge, mix in lots of silver frames for a timeless look. Pottery Barn has a great selection, and HomeSense has tons, too!

See, I told you grandma’s got style!

For more vintage style tips, check out our Top 10 Flea-Market Finds.

Photo credits:
1-3. Lonny
4a. Madeline Weinrib
4b. Luna Bazaar
5a. Oly Studio
5b. Modern Dose
6a. Pottery Barn
6b. Pottery Barn
7. Flickr.com

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If you haven’t heard of Flamant style by now, you must be living under a designer rock.

In House & Home circles, the Belgian look of grey paint and bleached wood has had a huge impact over the past few years. Think of the 2009 Princess Margaret Hospital Showhouse (and look for the magazine spread in the April 2010 issue, on newsstands March 15!). 

The look comes to us via the internationally known store/brand called Flamant, based in Belgium. (You may recall that Lynda Reeves recently wrote a column extolling their virtues, as well.)

Aren’t their kitchens dreamy?

I don’t know about you, but I’m not planning to move to Belgium any time soon. So, I’ve gotta get my Flamant here and on the cheap! Let’s call it Frugal Flamant. And here with the goods is Crate & Barrel!

I love this table! It’s called the French Kitchen Table and sells for $1,599. You can call it your Belgian kitchen table if you like. I also love the other fantastic French-style accents from Crate!

Don’t you love this Artesia Tray for $37? It looks great leaned up against the wall in the Crate & Barrel kitchen above, and the tightly woven rattan reminds me of the authentic Flamant baskets used in the Princess Margaret Hospital Showhouse kitchen.

These Footed Soup Bowls are only $5! Tres chic!! French onion soup, anyone?

My favourite affordable café chair again (forgive the repeat!): Vienna Side Chair, $149. It's also available in white!

Loving the sunny hue of this Mario Batali Polenta Dutch Oven for Crate & Barrel, $110, as well. Yellow and grey is such a hot combo right now, and Flamant style is all about grey. I love how in the Crate & Barrel kitchen they painted the lower half of the walls in grey. It’s such a simple treatment with no trim — and so French! Crate & Barrel has two Canadian locations, Toronto and Calgary.

Bon appétit!

For more French country-inspired decorating, view our Country Decorating photo gallery.

Photo credits:
1. Flamant
2. Flamant
3. French Kitchen Table, Crate & Barrel
4. Artesia Tray, Crate & Barrel
5. Footed Soup Bowls, Crate & Barrel
6. Vienna Side Chair, Crate & Barrel
7. Mario Batali Dutch Oven, Crate & Barrel

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With so much to see at The National Home Show, I couldn’t possibly squeeze it all into one blog! Here is some more inspiration to drool over. (This blog and the Little Projects Guide are sponsored by NHS, which runs until February 28th in The Direct Energy Building at Exhibition Place in Toronto.)

If you’ve ever wondered what your kitchen counters would look like with natural stone, now’s your chance to do some research. The show has tons of vendors with booths full of stone samples. From granite to marble to soapstone, they’ve got you covered. Ask those burning questions and take a look at the samples up close and in person.

Here’s a gorgeous sink constructed of natural soapstone, a time-honoured technique that still looks fresh today. This one’s by Cabinet Works of St. Catharines.

For modern kitchens, head over to Muti Kitchen & Bath — so sleek and contemporary! Work with these guys and you’ll have the most show-stopping kitchen on the block!

One of the best ways to improve energy efficiency — and curb appeal — is to invest in quality windows. The National Home Show has so many examples to choose from that you’ll definitely find something to suit your house.

Or how about upgrading your garage doors? Anyone up for a genteel coach house look? These Richards-Wilcox doors are so handsome and timeless!

Back to the interior of your place. If you’ve been paying attention to House & Home lately, you’ll know that the urban farmhouse look is hot, hot, hot! Bring the look home with reclaimed wood floors. The Northern Wide Plank company booth will give you oodles to dream about.

Another great way to add timeworn charm to your place is through vintage maps. David Burns Antiques has a fantastic booth with vintage items at fantastic prices. They also have antique architecturals, botanicals and…

…late 19^th century hand-coloured BUG illustrations! So cool! 

Fredericks Persian Carpets has so many perfect rugs for all of your rooms. 

For some outdoor living inspiration, head over to Andrew Richard Designs for the best in contemporary and classic outdoor furniture. I love this chaise, and those printed cushions are so fresh!

Or for some classic Canadiana, try a colourful Muskoka chair from Bosman Home Front. They’re made from recycled plastics! House & Home staffer Lisa is test-driving this one for me.

If that doesn’t float your boat, this giant chair should. Doesn’t everyone need a gigantic garden chair at home? Anyway, you’ll need it once you’re done combing through all that The National Home Show has to offer. Now go check it out — I’m pooped!

Buy your discount ticket to The National Home Show online, and save $5 by using the promo code: HOUSE. The show is on until February 28th. Plus, get solutions to all your home decorating dilemmas (and a chance to win prizes) in our Little Projects Guide.

Photo credits:
Michael Penney

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“There’s no place like (The) Home (Show)…”

Much like Dorothy and Toto, I was recently swept up into an enormous wonderland that didn’t resemble Kansas in the slightest. This dreamland full of ideas, inspiration and products (but lacking in elves) is The National Home Show, on now in The Direct Energy Building at Exhibition Place in Toronto. (This blog and the Little Projects Guide are sponsored by NHS.)

It’s the perfect way to spend an afternoon and come away with tons of ideas for your own home. Check out all of the amazing finds I spied!

Bowring has a huge booth full of items you can buy, and many are deep-discounted! Check out this greyed wicker — so on trend!

Aren’t these cubes adorable? (Also Bowring.) Perfect for a family room or at the foot of a bed. 

I also really like this updated wicker dining set. A classic in a handsome hue.

If you’re not about to spring for a new patio set, though, try one of these natural lanterns on your existing table for an instant update. 

Next door to Bowring is the Bombay & Co. area with tons of elegant furnishings and accessories. Another great tabletop pick-me-up is a chic placemat. I love the fresh colours in these beauties.

Like these classic blue and white ceramics, too. 

You can even buy boxes full of plates and bowls. How amazing would those look displayed en masse in your hutch at home?

For all of you with husbands looking for a new leather chair — may I suggest this stylish example from Bombay & Co.?

For a more rustic look, head over to the Beaver Dam Antiques booth. Based in Oshawa, Ontario, they’re experts in vintage metal beds. This chest of drawers is truly the definition of charming.

ARB Teak & Specialties has amazing reycled and contemporary teak for outdoors and indoors. I can think of plenty of homes for that coffee table — so chic!

Here’s a sleek Mad Men-style sofa from Casalife to pair with that rustic teak coffee table!

Next, I saw this lovely and humble looking chair from Brice’s Furniture. This may look old fashioned to you, but Design Within Reach, Crate & Barrel and Industrial Storm all sell very similar chairs, so you know it’s hot!

Make sure to check out the 2010 Eurodale Dream Home for a variety of different looks, including the ultimate man-cave garage with all the bells and whistles, designed by Ramsin Khachi…

…to Janette Ewen's edgy pop-rock melange with hints of Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland…

…to a glam-meets-industrial living room (also by Khachi)…

…to a light-hearted kids’ room, designed by Sharon Grech, with the best bunk beds in town!

With so many products and inspiration spaces to explore, The National Home show is a MUST SEE. But wait! There’s more! I’ll be back with even more eye-candy in a second post on The National Home Show very soon! Stay tuned…

In the meantime, buy your discount ticket to The National Home Show online, and save $5 by using the promo code: HOUSE. The show is on until February 28th. Plus, get solutions to all your home decorating dilemmas (and a chance to win prizes) in our Little Projects Guide.

Photo credits:
Michael Penney

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I meet a lot of people who are stuck in their decorating journey. They know what they like, they’ve got a mental image in their mind of the finished product, but somewhere along the way they lose steam. The building blocks for a finished room are there, but they need help to push things over the edge and knock it out of the park.

It’s those all-important layers that really make a room. And to be honest, it’s the type of stuff we stylists bring to a house-shoot for House & Home magazine — many people just don’t finish their rooms in this manner. Well, if you’ve ever wanted your place to look like it jumped off the pages of a magazine, here’s what you need to know.

BEFORE: This room is fine (a lot like your average house). It has the basics of a good living room. Now let’s get styling…

AFTER:  This adorable bungalow comes to us from Country Living magazine and illustrates tons of tips! Notice the sofa, wing chair and wall colour haven’t changed. What makes this the AFTER is the styling. Anchor your seating area with a rug — it’s so important! It defines the area and pulls everything together. Drapes add softness and verticality to the room. Notice how this designer replaced one wing chair with a lighter and more open Windsor chair. This shakes things up and takes away that "matched-set" vibe. A metal coffee table also keeps the room from being about wood, wood and more wood.

BEFORE: This dining area isn’t too bad (although I'm not loving those chickens!!). But again — too much wood, not enough softness.

AFTER: I love how the designer painted out this round table with grey and a whitewashed technique! It looks like zinc! The painted chairs are a switch out, but they could have painted the previous ones cream. The drapes are adding softness again, and so is the braided jute rug. I didn’t mind the china hutch before, but this tray-table bar is a nice alternative, and a little lighter.

BEFORE: I love a twin bed! Actually, I’m hunting for a couple of them for a guest room right now (any suggestions?). But these ones look a little tired, agreed?

AFTER: Ummmm…don’t they look 1000% better now?! Same beds, better styling! Simple bedding (find it at your local HomeSense) with funky pillows, and lovely fresh wallpaper on the focal wall. Now that would be cheap! The little pendants are a fantastic idea and free up surface area for trashy novels (P.S. Suzanne Dimma says lamp cords are in). A sisal carpet never hurt anyone and yes, you can lay it on top of existing broadloom. No biggie.

BEFORE: Bathrooms are often the most forgotten rooms in a house. And styling doesn’t even enter most people’s minds for this utilitarian space. Doesn’t this sterile bathroom look familiar?

AFTER: POW! Look at that wall treatment! It’s actually pages from a botanical book pasted onto the wall! No need for bathroom reading material in this room! I especially like how the designer went neutral for the shower curtain and wowie-zowie on the walls. Most people do the opposite. A pretty bucket of flowers, simple dish for soap, and a Mason jar for the toothbrush and you’re done!

Now get styling people!

For more photos of makeovers, view our Extreme Makeover Gallery.

Photo credits:
1-8. From Country Living, photography by Lucas Allen

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The fate of these puppies is in your hands.

A while back, I scooped up these chairs in one of my favourite antique shops in Belleville, Ontario. They’re solid mahogany and came from a Montreal estate. They cost — brace yourselves — $50 each.

I would have missed them altogether had I not heard my wife Sara say, “Those are weird dining chairs!”  Well, they might not be dining chairs, but they are the perfect occasional chairs for our living room. SOLD!

Now comes the tricky part: What to do with my little finds? You’ve probably seen this style of chair in the marketplace today. Lots of companies have reintroduced their classic shape in many fabric, stain, and paint combinations. I’ve got lots of inspiration to choose from, but what do I want to do with mine?

Do I keep it simple and maintain the mahogany wood, adding a rich solid velvet?

Or, do I go with velvet and a painted finish?

What about a light and bright painted finish and a striped fabric?

I’m leaning towards this last option, but I need your help! Please, cast your vote in the comments section below and make any new suggestions. Maybe I can get a little help from my fellow bloggers? Andrea Mills, I know you want to put your two cents in…

For more on vintage finds and DIY projects, read our 15 Budget Decorating Tips. Plus, see my online TV episode in which I transform some other vintage chairs with a trendy Ikat-style fabric and black paint!

Photo credits:
1-2. Michael Penney
3-4. Regan Chair, Hickory Chair
5-6. Le Clerc Chair, Hickory Chair
7. Hickory Chair

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Hey everybody, Pier 1 has just released some fantastic products for the upcoming season! I’m especially loving a few of the items in the 2010 line up, so check ‘em out! 

First a fresh and modern take on the wing chair. I’m digging the simple, nature-inspired print and soothing colourway. Annie Wing Back Chair, $350.

Perfect for sectioning off a large space (think modern, open-concept homes), I would recommend buying this handsome screen in pairs. You could use them to flank each side of a room, or use them side by side for a well-proportioned room divider. I could see Vicente Wolf or Thomas O’Brien being into this. Parque Screen, $350.

Another very pretty chair. Soft greens and blues and an old-fashioned charming print beckon me to curl up. Try a pair of these chairs opposite a sofa or on an angle in your bay window. They would look smashing on a jute carpet. Larkspur Armchair, $650.

If you’re not ready to commit to patterned upholstery, add a splash of fresh colour via this expensive-looking cushion! This global print is right on trend and would wake up any traditional interior with its zingy burst of green. Tossed on a neutral sofa, it would do the same trick as a bowl of fresh green apples. Trust me, you can’t do much better for under fifty bucks! Green Chenille Damask Pillow, $45.

Next are a pair of luscious lacquered lanterns. These puppies are classic with their Chinese lacquer finish and would be so wonderful marching up a set of porch stairs. Bring them inside and use a pair on a mantle or buffet. Red Square Metal Lanterns, $15 (small), $40 (large).

Finally a fun beach chair! I know, it was snowing this weekend, but you’ve gotta buy garden furniture in the dead of winter! The sooner we accept this, the less frustrated we will be as shoppers come spring. Of course, this chair would be perfect sunk into some sand, and collapses for easy transport, but I think it could be a fun addition to a kids room, don’t you think? Sling Armchair in Red, $120.

Head down to Pier 1, people, for a fresh and cheerful 2010!

Photo credits:
1-6. Pier 1 Imports

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The family house is a concept near and dear to my heart. A place where families can live their lives in comfort and style and where a little chaotic mess just adds to the…ahem…layers. Seriously though, there’s no point in decorating a space with such a strict colour scheme or look that no ‘real life’ stuff looks good in the room. For me, a good family house is one with spaces for entertaining, nooks to read bedtime stories together, a yard to garden and play ball in and a kitchen with enough counter space to crowd together and fight over cookie-batter-beaters. 

This kind of house appears too seldom in magazines (although I think H&H shows lots!), so when I come across one I take note. Here’s one I loved from a staffer over at Martha Stewart Living. It’s a perfect mix of chic loft and real life. It’s loose and fun, don’t you think?

If you’re as inspired as me by this family home, why not add some of its signature style to your own place from some of our favourite affordable sources?

Doesn’t this child-friendly slip-covered sofa from Ikea fit the bill? $600! Love it!!

Pair the sofa with some caramel-coloured leather chairs from West Elm to shake up the look. The Martha Stewart home marries pretty blue and white patterns with natural elements and you can too! Chair, $700 USD.

If you don’t want to do a patterned sofa, you could always go for this reasonably priced blue and white wallpaper from Thibaut Wallpaper & Fabrics instead. Or try it in your bathroom and get the look of our inspiration room’s punchy shower curtain.

This storage cube from West Elm is adorable and can hide all those toys and craft supplies while acting as a coffee table (in a pair) or extra seating. Cube, $99 USD.

Crate & Barrel is my new best friend for bringing back the bentwood café chair in black at an affordable price. No, these weren’t in the inspiration home, but they could easily live there. Plus I just love them! And if you checked out the price tag on the bentwood chairs in our Trends issue, you’d love these cheapies too! Chair, $119 USD.

Okay I know it’s terribly out of style to like white stoves, but I do! Hate me if you want to, but stainless steel is not the only way to go. Look how cute the inspiration kitchen is with all that white. And the retro gas cooker is the star! Why not reconsider white like this guy from Sears? Maybe you’ll be the one laughing when people get tired of stainless…Gas Range, $700.

Finally, brighten things up with this cheerful red casserole. When we're shooting, we always use this type of thing to prop with when shooting a kitchen, and trust me, this one is waaaaaay cheaper than most! Casserole, $83, Sears.

For more family-friendly design, see our Kids Rooms gallery.

Photo credits:
1-5. Marthastewart.com
6. Ektorp sofa, Ikea
7. Tulip leather chair, West Elm
8. Julian wallpaper, Thibaut Wallpaper & Fabrics
9. Storage Cube, West Elm
10. Vienna Side Chair, Crate & Barrel
11. Frigidaire Gas Range, Sears
12. Oval Casserole, Sears

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