Talk about Real Estate, Home Decor, and more related topics.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Fourteen years…

I married my sweet man on this day 14 years ago.

Knew him a few years before that.  He had just been transferred to Toronto from New York where he was born.

Funny how things happen.

image (It looks like his suit is full of lint – must be from when I had scanned it years ago!)

He looks so cute in his Harry Potter glasses – such a trendsetter as this was years before the Harry phenomenon. :)

He is a wonderful father and I just adore watching him with our daughter.  He spoils her to death and they have such a special bond.

Happy Anniversary babe! (I know you read my blog!)

Thanks for putting up with my craziness all these years!

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Monday, May 28, 2012

Blogfest 2012 – Day 1

Well, hello stranger!

So it seems that I have been too busy learning/being inspired at Blogfest 2012 and BlogPodium this past week that I haven’t found time to blog!

But I’m back, inspired and have lots to share!

Last week was Blogfest 2012 in NYC hosted by Kravet. I attended in 2011 and you can read my posts here. It was much of the same – hearing from the EIC’s of the top magazines in the US and from top designers, attending ICFF, visiting show homes and attending parties hosted by top brands.

There were 168 bloggers mostly from the US but a few of us from Canada and a couple other countries. It sold out in a few hours and there were 100 people on a waitlist!

I actually arrived on the Sunday before Blogfest, went shopping with Christine & Christine and then met up with some other talented bloggers for bevvies at Dublin6:

DSC03881

ICFF

On Monday, we went to ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair) which is similar to IDS here in Toronto but with more international representation (or so it appeared to me.)

I’ll be back with a post on textiles and wallpaper from the show as that was what I was drawn to and snapped a ton of photos of. 

A few other products/booths caught my eye:

LA lighting

I love Lindsey Adelman lighting and it was so cool to see artisans from her studio creating lighting on site.

hammeredsink

Native Trails create beautiful apron front sinks made of reclaimed copper hand-hammered by artisans – so unique and beautiful!  Here’s a better photo from their site:

JAsinks

Kohler partnered with designer and colour enthusiast Jonathan Adler to create four special edition Kohler colours available on select enameled cast iron kitchen and bathroom sinks.  The apron front sink in turquoise or navy is calling my name.

Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2012

margaretrussell

Margaret Russell, EIC of  Architectural Digest, kicked off Blogfest at the 40th Annual Kips Bay Decorator Show House.

Meeting Thom Filicia at Kips Bay was a treat.  He was such a sport when one of us said “Let’s all pile on the sofa for a photo.”  You’re not supposed to sit on the furniture at these show houses!  Also in the photo, Erica, Roslyn, Beth and Kimberly. Love all of these girls!

This is a vignette in the room Thom designed (yes we are on a first name basis.) Recognize the fabric? I used it on a custom designed ottoman which you can see at the end of this post. Interesting to see it used on drapes.  (BTW Toronto peeps – Elte carries his furniture line.)  Heather wrote about the room here if you would like to see more.

Meeting the lovely Erin from House of Turquoise (on the left) was a real pleasure as I have been reading her blog for years.

Pinned Image

via Houzz

I think this was my favourite room in the show house.  Although I don’t often advise clients to upholster a sofa in a graphic print, I couldn’t help but linger in this room and admire the sofa.  Designer Scott Sanders used a custom Scalamandre fabric.

And there was a party and after party but I won’t bore you with those photos!

I’ll be back with a recap of Days 2 and 3 later this week!

Have a great week!

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Saturday, May 19, 2012

Meeting Darryl Carter, Miles Redd, Timothy Whealon…

Well maybe not meeting them but definitely seeing and listening to them! Today I received the full agenda for Blogfest which kicks off Monday in NYC. Was happy to see the list of design talent that will be speaking.  I have admired their work for ages!

Darryl Carter

 

 

Timothy Whealon

Timothy Whealon Interiors

 

http://www.milesredd.com/portfolio/13-Graev-xl.jpg

Miles Redd

http://www.milesredd.com/portfolio/2-Graev-xl.jpg

http://www.milesredd.com/portfolio/rollins-15-xl.jpg

So excited to learn from them! I’ll post a recap in the coming weeks!

Have a great week!

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Friday, May 18, 2012

Button Tufting…for a Steal

Spied a few tufted beauties lately and just had to share.

This pretty tufted headboard that Style at Home design editor Jessica Waks sourced for her sister’s condo featured in the June issue is from…The Home Depot! Who knew?

Waks 1145 sister act: see the before...

Doesn’t it look perfect in her fresh and colourful bedroom? No excuse not to have a headboard at this price. If you save on the headboard you can splurge on quality bedding and cushions.

I’m sure you have seen this button tufted ottoman from Target that Danielle posted about.  But if you haven’t, it is ridiculously priced (in a good way!) and so stylish.  We don’t have Target in Canada yet, but it’s coming in 2013 last I heard.

Button Tufted Upholstered Ottoman - Navy.Opens in a new window

You can see the yellow version in Lizzy’s living room below.

If I had access to a Target, I would definitely pick one up and recommend them to clients.

I always scroll down to see where upholstered goods are made, as I try to buy/recommend Canadian first (North American second.)  I was happy to read that both of these items are made in the US! That’s the icing on the cake (or the tufting on the piece!)

Have a happy long weekend! I’m off to the Big Apple on Sunday a.m. so have a trillion things to cross off the To Do list before I go!

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Thursday, May 17, 2012

Guest Blogging at New York Spaces Magazine

When I attended Blogfest last year, I was one of ten bloggers chosen to guest blog for New York Spaces magazine (online.)

I knew I wanted to write about art and was waiting to shoot a few client’s homes with beautiful original art that we had sourced.  Well, that didn’t happen due to my clients’ budget constraints and other priorities.  I thought that with Blogfest 2012 kicking off next Monday, I should contact them to see if the offer still stood. I sent my article over yesterday and it is up on their home page today – so cool!

NYspaces 

There I am mentioned on their home page today!

You can read the article here.  Thank you New York Spaces!  I will be sure to pick up their kitchen and bath issue when I am in New York next week. Love the cover!

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Monday, May 14, 2012

Monday Meandering

Hope you had a happy weekend!

I visited my sister in Whitby and popped into MP’s new store (post coming soon), was spoiled on Mother’s Day, went on a hike and finally saw the Hunger Games (good yet disturbing!) All in all, an amazing weekend!
(This is a post where I write about goings on, upcoming events, things I loved around the web from the past week, etc.) 

1) My latest ideabook for Houzz is live. I rounded up a selection of sectionals with various styles and price points.  You can read it here.
2) Speaking of sectionals, thanks to those of you who voted for my moodboard but I don’t stand a chance of winning the sectional as there are others with way more votes than I. But if you are so inclined, you can comment or "like" here.  Thanks!
"I love the long, low lines of the Lola 2-pc sectional and I think it pairs well with the Champi cocktail table. I was inspired to create a light, airy Scandinavian inspired design with white washed floors, dark wood and touches of blue. The traditional feel of the aqua wallpaper is an unexpected backdrop to the modern Lola." -Vanessa F  http://www.decorhappy.blogspot.ca/
3) My friend Tim is participating in a Garage Sale this Saturday with a number of design savvy folks.  Apparently, last year’s sale was a success so this is the Second Annual. Just going by what Tim has for sale, it looks like it may be worth the drive into TO on Saturday. These are just some of the fabrics he has bundled together - instant pillows! You can read more about the sale here.

image

4) I’m heading to Blogfest in NYC again this year and can’t wait.  I leave this Sunday! A busy week ahead wrapping up a few projects.

5)  I have a couple of secret projects that I’m working on and will be sure to share soon!

Have a wonderful week!

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