Julie Charbonneau's Montreal home

Iwas just flipping through Canadian House and Home and came across Julie Charbonneau's home. I really like her French inspired style.

A small space is reborn into a grand front foyer. The graceful, curving staircase with a dark glossy handrail and spindles and marble tiled floor make a great first impression for this renovated Georgian-style home. Adding a chair and a nature-inspired statement table makes it an entry room, not just a transition space. Displaying art and decorating favourites — like a horn and stone pedestal urn filled with orchids — completes the traditional, polished look.

Period perfect oak flooring, deep mouldings and a new fireplace - decorated with living room furniture that complements the traditional but comfortable feel of the rest of her home's decor. Velvet linen wing chairs and gold sconces pump up the luxurious look.



Large, leaded glass windows in the dining room are a stunning backdrop for a French settee at the end of the Louis XV-style wood table. A sisal rug paired with the original white oak floor and antique furniture prevents the space from feeling too stuffy.

An unused bedroom was transformed into a regal home office during the major renovation. A furniture arrangement with a sitting area that features a large, comfortable rolled arm chair makes it inviting. Decorating with French style antiques like the sconce and old iron gate keep with the sophisticated style in the rest of her home.

Angled ceilings create a nook for the velvet upholstered bed with nail-head trim layered with deluxe linens. Julie used different bedside tables, a big comfy reading chair and upholstered ottoman to create a relaxed, comfortable retreat in her Georgian-style Montreal home.

A creamy palette and French antiques like the Trumeau mirror create a calming second-floor library. Built-in cabinets and shelves provide storage for books while overstuffed furniture creates many comfortable reading spots. A large pot of droopy branches instead of flowers lends a casual vibe.

Julie mixed kid-friendly decor, like a miniature tea set and lamb figurines, with gorgeous French-style antiques and a pretty lamp. It's a look that will last as her little girl grows. The designer created a unique art display by framing a large panel of silk toile and using it as a backdrop for a Peter Rabbit print.

Julie created this large bedroom suite for her daughter Alexia by joining two small bedrooms together via a former closet. It features antiques, a chandelier, a neutral off-white palette and a simple, large mirror that will age well as she grows. Julie designed the crib-sized girls bed to look like a sofa, which it can be once Alexia graduates to a full-sized bed. The focal point of the room, the fireplace, is original to the house.

Julie's master bathroom shows her signature feature: a double vanity cantilevered through a custom cut, oversize wood-framed mirror. This design trick reflects light and makes the room appear larger than it is. Marble floors and vintage French-style accessories complete the luxe look.

http://www.houseandhome.com/

Home offices

My office really needs updating..... so I've started searching for some inspiration. I particularly like the homes offices here with the bookshelves. I have so many design books and really need some built-ins.

I love the blackboard paint used here to create a working calendar:

Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves line an entire wall in this large home office/study. Light-reflecting flooring maintains the sense of spaciousness, and a classic wooden bench by Hans Wegner and a table by Jean Nouvel complete the look of sophistication:

An ergonomically sculpted desk made from solid ash is positioned beneath an elaborate wood-framed window so that it benefits from plenty of natural light. I love the retro-style red swivel chair:

Dark, opulent wallpaper, tempered by a pale wool carpet, gives this room instant glamour. A comfortable chaise with plump cushions and elegant dark wood furniture complete the look:

This Vintage map and bespoke walnut table balance work and play perfectly:

This space feels relaxed by mixing vintage furniture with a little pattern and colour. I love the bright pink and floral accents used:

A white lacquer desk with the profile of a kanji character works with a chair inspired by an obi sash to give a modern Japanese vibe. The scheme is grounded by a graphic blossom rug.:

A boldy coloured oversized canvas gives an instant impact to an otherwise simple office scheme:

Photos courtesy of www.housetohome.co.uk

London's latest designs

This Fall marked the seventh installment of the London Design Festival. The citywide event, which ran from September 19 to 27, was an international celebration of design that included 215 commissioned installations, exhibitions and shows, plus 150 events, launches, parties and viewings. Festival highlights included design star Jamie Hayon’s Tournament, a giant mosaic chessboard in Trafalgar Square, and the Art Car Bootique, a mobile exhibit displaying fine art from the trunks of artist’s wildly decorated vehicles.

Of all the City’s design destinations, the premier venue was undoubtedly the “100% Design” exhibition. In its 15th year, it has become London’s leading architecture and design event and the latest edition broke its own attendance record, with 27,000 visitors. The majority of exhibitors were from the United Kingdom, with an additional 25 countries presenting new work.
Here are a few of my favourites.

The Dock: Tom Dixon Collaborative. Cutting-edge designer Tom Dixon was the mastermind behind a multi-designer showcase presented in conjunction with the Festival at Portobello Docks. Installed inside a new development complex in Ladbroke Grove and spread over 40,000 square feet, the Dock contained Dixon’s wares, his new shop and his recently renovated design studio. Here, the floating teacups hint at the modern whimsy inside.

The Dock: Light Drops. Tom Dixon’s new shop highlighted his pressed cast-glass pendants in three shapes, including Bowl.

Canal Building: New Nautical Style. In the Canal Building at Portobello Docks, Hidden Art presented a pop-up shop, where Cornwall-based Charlotte Tangye exhibited variations on her nautical Falmouth Harbor collection of dishware, which is based on drawings of ships. Hidden Art is an organization that offers a platform for designers to exhibit and sell their work to key markets, as well as the public.

The White House: Hip Village. The White House, a curated building filled with fresh local talent, featured this modern playground stocked with Formica-covered structures reminiscent of Memphis Design from the 1980s and the Hatch, a pop-up café where eggs were the ingredient of choice. The exhibition was produced by Faye Toogood of Studio Toogood.

The White House: Clever Recycling. Monica Hughes’s wispy lights and lamp shades were made from shredded, recycled plastic shopping bags. Here, catch a glimpse of Confetti, a multicolored wall lamp.

Art Car Bootique: Trunk Show. The Art Car Boot Fair presented more than 20 artists who created portraits of visitors in a variety of mediums, from charcoal to photography. At outdoor stalls dealers sold original art, prints, vintage furniture and contemporary design objects straight out of the back of their trucks and cars.

100% Design: Twisted Classics. Thelermont Hupton is a partnership between designers David Hupton and Yve Thelermont, who combine their backgrounds in furniture-making and art. They presented interior accessories, lighting and tableware, as well as their Painstaking cabinet, a twist on a 1750s armoire in a lacquer finish.

100% Design: Philip Watts. Philip Watts, who is known for his “ironmonger” line of hardware and bath fixtures, showcased dynamic new lighting fixtures. His Blimpy pendant light was presented in a cluster, which gave the lights real presence. Blimpy comes in white, red or orange glass.

100% Design: Tropical Charm. Ayme Fitzgerald’s digitally printed wallpaper and textiles are vivid, colorful and wild. Her oversize floral and animal prints include this Wildside Funky Butterfly wallpaper. Fitzgerald also creates bespoke papers and patterns.

100% Design: Complete Lamp. Shade and base in one, the Motley 3 Collection contains lamps with solid plywood bases that blossom into unique ribbed shades. Channels Design is a British furniture design and manufacturing company that emphasizes organic form.

Established & Sons: Moody Palette. Five-year-old Established & Sons stayed close to home this year. The firm showed its latest furniture and lighting collections, which included launches from this year’s Milan Furniture Fair in shades of gray, black and white, in its office on Wenlock Road.

Mint Shop: Bling Lights. Penelope Batley, a recent graduate of London’s Royal College of Art, has come up with playful and inventive lights, including her Big Bling and Chandelier Earring lights; her collection won a Conran Foundation Award. The lights can be hung or used as floor lamps.

Brunswick House: Stunning Service. Continuing to expand his portfolio, Bodo Sperlein’s new tea collection includes teapots and cups and saucers, along with silver-plated tea strainers and infusers. The delicate pieces were developed in conjunction with restaurateur Alan Yau for Yauatcha Atelier.

Thanks to http://www.pointandclick.com/

Anthem turns one!

I'm very excited to be attending Anthem's 1st Birthday party this evening. Anthem is one of my favourite stores and in such a wonderful location on Sacramento Street in Laurel Village.

Anthem is full of absolutely gorgeous objects, vases, furniture, lighting, home goodies and much, much more. You can always pick up an unusual piece that just finishes off a room.

If you are Pacific Heights you should take a look. They are located at 3274 Sacramento Street. Alternatively check out their website:
http://www.anthemsf.com

Fulham, London

On my recent trip to London, I just had to make a visit to Fulham - that's where I spent part of my 20s and early 30s and it's a place very close to my heart. I was surrounded by my dear friends in a trendy part of town and I loved every minute of it. To my amazement it had hardly changed after my 12 year absence. Granted, the tube station is completely re-done - no more standing in the cold waiting for the train, it's all inside now! Although, I would normally take the No. 14 bus into town - long gone are the Route Masters (they were the old red London buses where you would jump on the back and the bus conducter would almost certainly be in a mood and would be busy shouting at all his/her customers - a great source of amusement I can tell you).

This was my tiny flat (apartment)... the bottom two windows to the left, above the pink fronted shop. You can see the estate agents next door - they owned the property and it had been decorated by a designer! It had linen cream drapes tied with rope tie-backs, cream wicker sofa, built in cupboards at either side of the fireplace and a dreamy cream bedroom. It was a fabulous find - espeically for me as a want-to-be-designer - which I was back in the day!


The whole area feels like a village... there are loads of delis and cafes. My friends and I would often meet at my place and go off and do a little shopping, have lunch, more shopping and then in the evening the place comes alive with little wine bars and restaurants.

Beautiful cobblestones:

Fulham is also home to many design stores... I will write more about Jane Morris, the owner of this fabulous store:

This is a great second hand store at the corner of Fulham Road and the North End Road. There's also a good fruit and vegetable market on the North End Road on a Saturday:

Lovely Moroccan inspired pieces:

Further down the North End Road are a few trendy restaurant and bars. The Sugar Hut has an Asian inspired menu and the interior is amazing:

One thing us Brits really enjoy is a good Indian curry - I wish I had more time to try out this place. Love the name too - The Bombay Bicycle Club, again on the North End Road:

Finally, back to the Fulham Road... as you head into the center of London, the Fulham Road becomes very grand.... nearer to Sydney Street you will find high end antiques dealers, interior designers, furniture stores and one of my all time favourites Bibendum. If you have read my guest blogs on www.Decorati.com you will know that Terence Conran is one of my all time favourite entrepeurneurs (he owns Bibendum).

This is not design related at all - or maybe it appeals to me architecturally, I just love this graveyard, slap bang in the middle of the Fulham Road..... it reminds me that Fulham was once just a village on the outskirts of town: