Design: Princess Margaret Home Lottery – Vaughan Showhome

Earlier this week I was invited to attend an event at the Princess Margaret Home Lottery Vaughan showhome. The evening included a tour with designer Jack Celli of Greenpark Homes, as well as wine tasting lessons from Krystina Roman of Rosewood Estates in Beamsville/Niagara, and delicious food and cooking instruction from Steve Gonzalez of Toronto’s Valdez (and Top Chef Canada – Season 1). Laura was our happy host for the evening, and design and food bloggers mingled and ate in a $4 million home. Not bad for a Monday night, right?

The Vaughan showhome is far…in the country…north of Woodbridge…almost in Barrie? Joking…it’s just north of Woodbridge, but it’s definitely in the countryside (and just over an hour drive from Waterloo). The massive showhome is surrounded by other massive homes and a beautiful landscape. The house is full of white so, naturally, I went a overboard with the photos. Black and gold are accent colours throughout the house.

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first floor hallway

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details in the dining room – moulding & art

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main floor family room – beside the kitchen

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open concept kitchen

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white bathroom ensuite – 2nd floor

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the elevator (yes, an elevator!)

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substantial doors throughout the home

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high ceilings & crown moulding

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Greenpark‘s Director of design – Jack Celli – in the master bathroom

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Rosewood wines: Riesling, Semillon, Mead (honey wine)

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chef Steve Gonzales in the kitchen (cooking up things like ceviche, arepa, & chorizo…yum!)

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Danica (Country Chic Renovator) & me with our Rosewood honey

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beautiful view from the lanai

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hakwood floors & oversized armchairs in the library

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winged art sculptures

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one of the 2nd floor bedrooms with ensuite

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master bathroom (the size of a football field – well, almost)

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his & her toilet rooms in the master bathroom

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door & floor details

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the runway room

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half a dozen switches in the master bathroom

While the house is much too fancy for my taste, it has a good layout, it’s really airy, and the lanai off of the kitchen & family rooms is a beautiful space that can be used year-round. I also quickly noticed – and liked – how substantial the doors, moulding, and trim was throughout the house.

I loved the Hakwood flooring throughout the house. My favourite room in the house was the library – it is currently set up with four large comfy chairs and shelves of vases and other interesting objects. If I lived there, I’d obviously fill those shelves with books. The room has good light from a large window, it’s near off the main foyer and living rooms, and it has a mini-kitchen beside it. How handy.

So, are you interested in this big ticket item? Have other prizes caught your eye? Have you bought your ticket?

Thanks to Laura Z. for being such a wonderful host and event coordinator.

Photos by Jordana. Additional photos here.

20 Below: Drip Maple Syrup

I LOVE waffles. Love ’em. I also love maple syrup. Put those two together and you’ve got a perfect (any time of day?) meal. Yum. Yum. Yum.

I read about Drip maple syrup in the LCBO’s recent Food & Drink. Great packaging, beautiful website, and I am sure Drip’s maple syrup is pretty darn delicious.

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The three maple syrup varieties – blond, copper, amber – are each $20 and can be purchased online.

Winner: Panasonic Giveaway

Thanks to those who entered and commented on last month’s Panasonic feature & giveaway. I am happy to announce that Boba is the lucky winner of the stainless steel microwave. Have a look at her old-world + modern appliances kitchen design. I love that the induction cooktop and modern wall oven look perfectly at home among the oriental rug, rustic wood table, and beautiful blue fabrics. I also love the inclusion of a classic white KitchenAid stand mixer and white Danby (I think) pots. Let us know how you love your new microwave, Boba!

Many thanks to Panasonic for sponsoring this giveaway and to Candace B. for her coordination.

Travel: More Photos from Paris

Okay, so over the last week and weekend I spent some time uploading my photos from Paris. It seems like the trip was ages ago, but I’ve only been back in Waterloo for two weeks. I’ve got another few things to share, hope you’re enjoying the recaps as much as I am!

I saw this photo image on a wall sort of near the Musée Picasso. Possibly a Banksy? What’s his trademark?

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I loved this ceiling in the children’s shop Bonton.

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I came across this doorbell somewhere in St. Germain. I thought it was pretty.

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I stumbled upon the Swedish Institute in Le Marais and I liked the tidiness of the café tables.

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This is the view from the Sacre Coeur. So cool.

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This white-on-white-on-white building was in Montmartre. The cobblestone streets are so charming, but can really wear down shoes.

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While I was eating lunch outside one day (yes, in February!), I spotted this guy. I was impressed by how he managed to transport the table (it’s white, how perfect) on his Vespa. Who needs a mini-van?

White-Cabana-Paris-8I took very few typical tourist shots on this trip. Regardless, I hope you enjoyed another collection of things I spotted in Paris last month.

Photos by Jordana.

The Friday Five: Place Des Vosges

Place des Vosges in Le Marais is one of my most favourite places in all of Paris. It’s beautifully rosy and completely symmetrical. The archways are lovely to walk under and the centre courtyard is the perfect place for throwing a frisbee (not me, but I’ve seen others do it!), lounging around, and taking a break from the noise of the city. It is the oldest planned square in the city and it has a long and interesting history (going back to 1604!) that included several name changes (Place Royale to Place des Vosges and back again). At one point it was simply a lawn for hosting duels. People like Cardinal Richelieu (French prime minister) and Victor Hugo (author) lived in the apartments of Place des Vosges (during various centuries). Like all of Paris, this place has a story to tell!

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Happy Friday everyone! Have a wonderful weekend!