Add a Dash of Black

Guest Post Today By: Emily Baxter

DIY Christmas Ornaments

 

Coming up with a creative way to decorate your tree differently every year can be tricky. That is when I came up with the idea of creating your own Christmas ornaments that not only are fun but also add a personal touch. Creating the perfect  black ornament isn’t hard, all you need is a trusty can of black chalkboard paint and a few odds and ends to keep you’re working area clean.

 

Here is a full list of what you will need:

Chalkboard paint

Ornaments

Thread or string

Clothing hangers

Newspaper

Rubber gloves

Chalk 

 

 Head to your local Canadian Tire and find the size of ornaments you prefer and a can of chalkboard spray paint. When picking out the oraments refrain from using any that have glitter or a lot of texture. You can also reuse old ornaments that you may have in storage.

 

 

Cover you work space with lots of newspaper. Make sure the space is well ventilated, this stuff is strong!

Insert a piece of thread or string where you will insert the hook to hang the ornament on your tree. You will later be hanging these to dry. Hold the tip of the ornament and begin lightly spraying each ornament. I would recommend wearing gloves; chalkboard paint is hard to remove from your hands. When each ornament is finished being sprayed, tie your thread or string to a hanger and hang the hanger in a safe place. Make sure to protect any surface below with a drop sheet or newspaper. When they are hanging they tend to drip.

I left these over night and they were dry in the  morning. Remove the tread or string and insert a ornament hanger. Time to begin writing fun sayings, initials, names or anything that will personalize your tree!

 

 Viola!

 

 

 

  Thanks Emily!!

Until next time,
w&c designer girl!

Recycled Glass Renovations Done Right!

Guest post today by :Shahab Shokouhi

Recycled Glass Renovations Done Right

Don't you just love the idea of getting a second chance at life – a do-over, if you will?

Indeed, the very nature of upcycling embraces the philosophy that just because something ceases to serve the same purpose it started out serving, that doesn't mean it should be doomed to a useless existence from that point forward!

Consider the new world of possibilities that comes with incorporating recycled glass into your home décor. Whether adding the finishing touches to your kitchen or bathroom, recycled glass countertops and tiles provide a way for you to put your style stamp on your home and do your part for the environment in a single blow.

Here are some of the creative options at your disposal for giving glass a second chance at life in your home décor.

Colorful Creations
If you are just learning about the decorating trend of using recycled glass as a building material, you might think your only option would be "clear" glass. Fortunately, that couldn't be further from the truth!

When you consider how glass comes in virtually every color of the rainbow, you start to realize just how open your options are in terms of color palettes. And this potential for customization is one of the benefits of using recycled glass in your décor. If you can imagine it, someone out there can turn it into the countertop or tile backsplash of your dreams.

Countertops
Recycled glass countertops are made up of anywhere from 70-90% pre- and post-consumer glass products (the glass itself is 100% recycled) and a binding agent (usually a cement base) plus sealant coating (like resin).

Derived from beverage bottles, jars, mirrors, decommissioned traffic lights, auto glass and windows from residences and commercial buildings, the recycled glass bits and shards are as varied in their origination sources as they are in their color schemes.

Depending on how much you are looking to spend, you can purchase a completely unique countertop with a pre-determined color scheme (running anywhere from about $50-$125 per square foot) or you can commission your own color mix that will cost you more but contain precisely the color quotas you dictate.


Tile Backsplashes
Speaking of color quotas, if you are looking for more of a taste-specific style choice, iridized recycled glass mosaic tiles might be just the thing for you. This design embraces virtually every hue of the rainbow which makes picking a complementary accent color a pretty simple task: anything goes!

If you want that iridescent sheen but more of a subtle color palette, consider a sublime scheme of white and tan, interwoven with gold metallic flecks:








Notice how some of the tiles appear to have a Mother of Pearl finish and pops of pink sparkle? Bonus texture and flair!

Plus, this sheet of pre-mounted mosaic tiles takes the guesswork out of a DIY installation. Simply purchase the appropriate number of sheets to cover your wall space and wave goodbye to the days of trying to achieve a perfectly spaced grout line: these come with them already built-in so you get a smooth, consistent width throughout.

By opting for a more traditional subway tile laid out in a brick pattern on the pre-mounted sheets, you can keep the ease of installation without sacrificing that classic tile look.

Cabinet Hardware
One of the quickest and least expensive updates you can do to a room like the kitchen or bathroom – and even to outdated furniture that needs a bit of sprucing up – is replacing the hardware on doors and drawers.

Recycled glass door pulls, knobs and handles can add just the right amount of elegance and sophistication without going overboard. Try to envision "understated royalty" and avoid "gaudy and ridiculous" when selecting your glass hardware and you can find the delicate balance between standing out and sticking out.

What other ways have you seen recycled glass incorporated into home décor?

Shahab Shokouhi is a glass design expert at Dulles Glass and Mirror, an innovative manufacturer of glass table tops, glass shelves, and all other glass and mirror products. Follow Dulles Glass and Mirror on Pinterest or on YouTube to see how they're changing the way glass products are manufactured, customized and delivered.

Thanks so much Shahob!  Now I'm inspired to do a tiling project :)

Until next time,
w&c designer girl!

Make your room a sleep haven!

The feeling of waking up refreshed and ready to start the day is usually just in movies or a dream. We usually wake up tired and not wanting to start anything. Scientists tell us, and we know from experience, that sleep refreshes us, helps us perform better, and contributes significantly to health and happiness. And yet, there are millions of us suffering from ongoing shortage of sleep. A restful sleep should be a reachable goal, with just a few helpful changes in the mix I believe it can.

Online Link http://www.bttoronto.ca/videos/2779617439001/

Special Thanks to:

Target www.target.ca 

Smart Silk www.smartsilk.com

Pascoflair www.passion-flower.ca

Aerobed  www.aerobed.com

Wardrobe provided by www.Jacob.ca

Now that it is getting dark earlier and the time change is coming

up here are some of my tips to help you get the perfect night sleep!

1. Select your bedding carefully a good pillow can make all the difference when trying to fall asleep.  Great sheets and perfect comforter are not only visually stunning, but they also instantly put you in the mood to curl up and drift away. Smartsilk is a great Canadian company that offers silk filled bedding. Silk has a natural property of being a temperature regulator, so you stay comfortable all night long. Not only do they have sheets but they also have pillows, pillow protectors, mattress protectors and comforters.

2. Keep your bedroom cool, quiet and dark Blackout drapes are the perfect answer for an undisturbed sleep. Oversize them to help stop light from creeping through the sides as you don't want to disturb your beauty sleep.

3. Get a little help from a friendly herb. When your mind wont shut off with all you to do lists, try passion flower. I am speaking from experience. As a designer I often jump into bed exhausted and ready to sleep. I close my eyes and mind has a different plan for me. It keeps designing and planning for the next day. Recently I discovered Pascoflair, a natural herb made from a Passion Flower that I like to call y miracle pill. It literally turns my brain off, so I call fall asleep.

4. Dress it up. Spruce up your room with décor that makes you feel tranquil and at peace every time you enter the room. We all know that feeling when we see a comfy bed and a beautiful bedroom. we want to dive right in and sleep for days!  I recently discovered Nate Berkus' and Beaver Canoe's new line at Target and feel in love. Add some great accent lighting and a pair it with a dimming light bulb to set the mood, A trendy end table with lots of space is the ideal spot to stack you favorite magazines and books.

5. Bedroom Essentials. Here are a few of my personal tricks and tips. I like to keep a pen and notepad on my bedside table to jot down notes, sketches and any other to dos that come to my mind late at night. Caffeine is not always you friend. I try not drink caffeine after dinner. And my favorite is to curl up in a cozy bedding, grab my favourite book and read until my eyes get heavy.

Sweet Dreams everyone!

Until next time,

w&c designer girl!

DIY Chevron Wall Project

Want to know how to get this look?

Celebrity Painter Jim Connelly gives us the break down so you can achieve the trending look:

Chevron wall mural by Jim Connelly

Step 1: Make a Chevron template using cardboard making a three repeat image. An 18 inch in depth chevron was designed for the scale of our wall. Draw chevron template onto cardboard and cut out with a utility knife.

            

Step 2: Measure from ceiling the base line for first chevron, using a spirit level repeat four times.

                   

 

Step 3: Tape off base lines to position chevron template on a straight line.

                  

 Step 4: Measure center line on wall and trace the chevrons using a pencil working from left to right.

Step 5:Remove base line tape.

 Step 6: Tape off chevron image and use plastic spatula to smooth down the tape to good adhesion to wall.

 

Step 7: Using small roller, tray and paint apply thin coat of paint let dry and apply second coat.

                           

Step 8: Remove blue tape.

                           

Step 9: VOILA!

 

Thanks Jim!! For more information contact Jim @ http://www.jimconnellystudio.com/
(Paint by Para Paint)

Ceiling: JoJo Whitewash

Trim:  JoJo Whitewash
Walls: P-5164-34 Object of Desire
Accent Wall (ZigZag):  P-5164-44  Brunch with Friends
Zig Zag:  JoJo Whitewash

 

Happy Painting everyone!

 

Until next time,

                         w&c designer girl!                         

Savvy Multifunctional Pieces for Small Spaces!

LIMITED SPACE...well Jo has some clever solutions for

your small space!

 

If you miss it watch ONLINE, http://www.bttoronto.ca/videos/2674779234001/

 

Products from:

BoConcept www.boconcept.com / 

http://furniture-stores-toronto.ca

Resource Furniture http://www.resourcefurniture.com/

Gliding Shelf Solutions http://www.glidingshelf.ca/

 

Multifunctional pieces are a key component in small space design. Even though you don't feel you have the room for certain pieces, you would be amazed that you do once you see how compact furniture pieces can be! Just because you have a small space doesn't mean you won't be able to entertain anymore. Its all about pieces that can transform when needed.

Take a peek at these well planned/designed multifunctional pieces that can be introduced in many small spaces:

Would you ever think that this console table could turn into this?

 

Check out the video to see how easy how it transforms:

http://www.resourcefurniture.com/space-savers/space-saving-tables/goliath 

Seating for five anyone??
Check out the video to see how easy it transforms:

http://www.resourcefurniture.com/space-savers/space-saving-essentials/cubista

How many off you either don't have room for a dining table or just prefer to eat in front of the TV? Then you need this . . .

Offers more storage within a room plus table space just at the right height to enjoy your meal while relaxing on your sofa. Also great for the kids doing homework, or activities.
 When your not using it for the tabletop option it is a sleek and stylish coffee table!
 Comes is three the colours.

http://www.boconcept.com/en-ca/furniture/living/coffee-tables/8922/functional-coffee-table-with-storage

Stylish folding chairs is a great solution for those times of entertaining!

http://www.boconcept.com/en-ca/furniture/dining/dining-chairs/5752/oslo-folding-chair

When it comes to small spaces who couldn't use more storage?!
Custom built in shelving is more affordable then you think and utilizes the wasted cupboard space that you are given. It can be made to fit in any existing cupboard, cabinet or closet. And it is Canadian Made!!

http://www.glidingshelf.ca/pull-out-shelf-style.html

So don't get frustrated over your small space, you would be amazed on how many design options are available to make your size challenged rooms work for you!!

Until next time,
w&c design girl!!

How to decorate your home office - Chatelaine Magazine

Make sure to pick up Chatelaine's October issue to see Jo's clients home office!  We are pretty excited to be apart of their How to decorate every room (with tips from designers!)
Let us know what you think??




Check out the full online story at: http://www.chatelaine.com/home-decor/room-inspiration-how-to-decorate-every-room-in-your-house-with-tips-from-designers/?gallery_page=11#gallery_top

Product companies involved:
Para Paint, Harkel Office Furniture, Bouclair Home, and painting done by Jim Connelly!

Until next time,
w&c designer girl!

Back to School Decor with Jo on BT

If you miss the show Monday morning, watch it online @ http://www.bttoronto.ca/videos/2629853478001/

 

 

Products From:

Staples www.staples.ca

HomeOutfitters www.homeoutfitters.com

The most wonderful time of the year!

Inspire your kids to do work and get a head with stylish working and study areas.

It’s a great idea to start to teach them how to be organized now so when they do go off to college they have the right skills to succeed away from home. For those going off to school here are some cool way to stay organized!

 

It’s a great idea to start to teach them how to be organized now so when they do go off to college they have the right skills to succeed away from home. Staples is a great one stop shop for all their school essentials and electronics for a great price!

Just like buying back to school clothes you should also spruce up their working areas to get them excited to work as well.

1) Home Outfitters is Canada’s largest kitchen, bed and bath superstore – which means the best selection across the country.

2) "We understand student budgets…  Home Outfitters 2013 Back to Dorm Collection is not only stylish but affordable – everything is under $99!"

3) For your chance to stock up on all these Back to Dorm essentials, be sure to visit homeoutfitters.comand enter to win $1000 Home Outfitters Gift Card.

https://www.facebook.com/HomeOutfitters

Have fun and jazz up their working spaces with bright and motivating colours. Happy back to school shopping everyone!!

 

Until next time,

w&c designer girl!