This kitchen in Notting Hill, UK has so many stunning details. The marble, the moulding, the brass, and the floors have all caught my eye. And since there’s already a Bialetti espresso maker in place, I can basically move in. Yup. I could!
Blenheim Crescent kitchen by Blakes London
We are going all the way to South Africa today to Cape Town’s The Cellars-Hohenort. This 5-star hotel is luxurious and comfortable. Easy and welcoming. The mix of white and soft blue, pink, and green make each room unique.
I’m taking us into one of the sitting areas today and recreating the look for home.
via Cellars-Hohenort
arm chair, vintage bentwood rocker, sofa, mantelpiece, art, art, art, chair, ottoman
You may recall that I installed a marble herringbone floor in my foyer. A couple years later, and it’s still looking divine! Thinking about that fun DIY project inspired this marble-infused post.
via DecorPad
via Est
via Style at Home
How have I not yet come across this gorgeous, boutique hotel of white cloudy goodness in Paris? La Maison is absolutely stunning, and although I’m only showing you one photo here, I encourage you to check out its gallery. It’s a completely breathtaking hotel, and even if you don’t like white as much as I do, I’m sure you’ll be impressed by La Maison’s design and decor. If you notice a bit of a fashion influence, it’s because fashion designer Martin Margiela served as artistic director for this hotel.
Since I’ve recreated many bedrooms and bathrooms in this Hotel to Home series, I have opted for an office area from one of the hotel’s suites. Look at those sculptural chairs! Absolutely cool!
armchair, side table, desk, wallpaper, sheer curtains, chair
While I don’t like wallpaper in my own home, I definitely appreciate how others use it in their homes. Fellow designers/bloggers Tim Lam and Christine Dovey work wonders with wallpaper (have you seen their recent One Room Challenge reveals: Tim’s dining room, Christine’s basement), but I’m happy to sit on the wallpaper sidelines.
That said, I do love flowers, and these floral wallpapers have certainly caught my eye. I could easily frame up samples and add them to my office gallery wall or switch out my inkblot wall for a wall full of florals! Now, there’s an idea!
via Tubulences Deco
via Domino
via French By Design
via Planete Deco
via House Beautiful
via Domino
via Etsy
via The Everygirl
via Vanessa Francis
We are traveling to Bali today to The Laguna because when I spotted this hotel in one of Mr. Dobson‘s tweets a while ago, I was impressed by its beautiful aesthetic. The great views and perfect weather definitely add to my interest!
It doesn’t take much to recreate this look in your own home. Just add a lot of white and a lot of wood, and a touch of intricate embroidery.
canopy bed, linens, quilt, dresser, lamp, curtains
When I booked my May trip to Kingston, Ottawa, and Montebello a few months ago, I was not expecting to encounter floods and snowy weather. This, though, is exactly what happened.
I could have postponed the trip, but quite a bit of planning went into this trip, and trying to reschedule would have ended in an almost 6-month postponement. I was also mostly oblivious to the rainy weather. It was rain. I packed my rainboots. And my rain coat. And my umbrella. Done. After a stay in Kingston, and a quick lunch with Giulia in Ottawa, I drove to Montebello, Quebec for an overnight vacation at the Fairmont Le Château Montebello – the world’s largest log cabin! How amazing! I was so intrigued!
Here’s a quick overview of my itinerary:
Day 1
Despite the rain, I was in full relaxation mode. I arrived to the Fairmont around 3pm, and after I had checked in to my log cabin room, I threw on my rain gear and headed out for a walk. The grounds were beautiful, and the forest trail was so peaceful. There were only a few people around (on account of the rain, most likely), so it was a really peaceful walk. I then had a swim in the pool, a long hot shower, and dinner at the Seigneurie Bar. I watched a bit of French news, and fell asleep under a cozy white duvet.
Day 2
The next day, I had an early morning swim, then enjoyed a generous buffet breakfast at the Aux Chantignoles. I departed earlier than I had originally anticipated because I was nervous about the flooding in Gatineau/Ottawa, and I also wanted to catch up with another friend in Ottawa on my way back to Waterloo.
Now, about the hotel. Several Fairmont properties are full of history and charm. The Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello is no exception. It’s the largest log cabin I’ve ever seen, let alone slept in (well, it’s the world’s largest afterall). It definitely has a classic chalet vibe with its winter scene art, wood beams, enormous fireplace, and logs. Lots and lots of logs! So beautiful! It’s definitely a sight to see for anyone who is interested in architecture. (Note: some non-white photos below.)
A few sort-of-blurry iPhone photos of the fireplace, but you get the idea! It’s a grand chalet!
My room was cozy. My bed was ridiculously comfortable. The bathroom was smaller and more dated (but in keeping with the chalet theme) than I had anticipated, but the products smelled lovely, and I had everything I needed for a very comfortable stay. Yes, even with the miserable weather. I was warm and happy! I was even spoiled with maple syrup-infused treats. Merci beaucoup!
This was such a comfortable bed! I had a wonderful sleep!
For dinner on the night arrived, I opted for a classic meal of mint julep and poutine. Interesting combination, right? I was attracted to both items on the menu, so that’s what I went for even if it seems a little strange. Both were delicious, and I’d happily order the same duo on a return visit. Oh – and the cheese is from Montebello, so how could I resist? Delicieux!
I filled up at the breakfast buffet on my second day. The croissants and maple-syrup crepes called my name. I did have some scrambled eggs, too, to balance out all the sweetness. Service was attentive, pleasant, and bilingual.
One of the absolute best things about my stay was swimming lengths in the pool. Montebello’s pool is the largest indoor hotel pool in Canada, and I definitely enjoyed it. I swam later in the evening and early in the morning, so I avoided the crowds of families. If I did go at a busier time, I could have easily swam in the reserved lane. Great planning, Montebello!
While I don’t have a family, I would recommend the Montebello for a family vacation. There are a lot of activities to do year-round including horseback riding, trail walking, curling, indoor and outdoor swimming, and more. The property is beautiful, and the staff are friendly.
Another thing that I took advantage of during my stay was communicating en français! Living in Ontario, I rarely get an opportunity to speak French. I appreciated that the staff communicated in French with me rather than automatically switching to English.
Overall, I had a very relaxing weekend getaway, and I’d easily do it again. Since I’m not much of a snow-bunny, I’d likely make a return trip in the summer to enjoy the outdoor pool and sunny views of the Ottawa River. If snow is your thing, then definitely plan a winter escape as the log cabin must be beautiful after a dusting of snow.
I don’t want to end this post without touching on the lesser-luxurious side of my vacation.
On each day of my visit, I threw on my rain gear and walked out of the resort area to explore the little town of Montebello. Here is where I was really hit with the reality of the recent floods.
The two photos above are from the Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello’s property. Look how buried that bench is. Awful.
I know Montebello may not have been hit as hard as other parts of the region, but I saw sandbags surrounding homes and high water levels around the Fairmont Montebello and the town. In fact, the Gatineau/Ottawa highway that I needed to take was closed due to flooding, and even on the re-routed journey, I saw high water levels on either side of roads. Not good.
I am grateful that my journey went smoothly and that I stayed safe and warm while I was in Quebec. I know others in the region experienced plenty of stress. As such, when I came home, I made a donation to the Red Cross – specifically to the Spring Floods Relief – Quebec Designation. This is a great way to support a community in need. Clean-up is ongoing, and I encourage you to contribute, too.
All in all, I had quite the adventure from Waterloo, ON to Montebello, QC. The drive from/to Waterloo was pleasant and relatively traffic-free. The Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello was a perfect chalet immersion complete with delicacies from the region. I’m fortunate that I was able to explore a new part of Canada last weekend, and I would certainly recommend all travel-enthusiasts readers to do the same!
Many thanks to the Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello and J.W. for sponsoring my stay. All opinions and photos are my own.
So, I’m on a Relais & Chateaux kick at the moment. The hotels are just beautiful and unique. They ooze luxury. Plus, somehow they keep finding me via Twitter, so I figure it’s a sign. I will keep my Relais & Chateaux research going!
Today, I’m bringing you to the Palazzo Manfredi in Rome, Italy. As in – you can see the Colosseum from your hotel window! Che bello! The hotel offers pretty spectacular views and the rooms are certainly inviting.
Look at all the white loveliness in this hotel room! And can you see the Colosseum outside the window? Amazing.
If you’re loving this look, here’s how you can bring it home:
bed, bathrobe, coverlet, art, sheet set, curtains, round mirror, magnifying mirror, desk, Dedalo Pianca side table, lamp
What do you think? What’s your favourite piece?
Yesterday, BlogPodium – the Canadian conference for design and lifestyle influencers – announced its keynote speaker – Ms. Shea McGee of the Studio McGee. If you’ve been online searching for design inspiration, I’m sure you’ve come across some of Studio McGee’s work. It’s just one beautiful design project after another. Studio McGee brings so many gorgeous rooms to my laptop screen, and I love all the design candy! Here are just five of the spaces that may have you drooling…
Tickets for BlogPodium go on sale on Friday, May 12th. To see what’s happened in the past, check out my recaps of previous BlogPodium events.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
If you follow me on Instagram, you already know that I attended another memorable evening at Langdon Hall as part of the Congress of the North American Relais & Chateaux partners (#WhiteCabanaGoestoLangdonHall). One of the people that I met was Stephanie Gombert, owner of the gorgeous Chateau de la Treyne in France.
I lived in Bordeaux for a year as many of you may remember, so I definitely have a soft spot for everything French! The Chateau de la Treyne is a stunning property in the Dordogne region, and each room in the hotel has a unique style. The La Favorite suite’s gold freestanding tub drew me into the room, and so I thought it would make a great room for today’s Hotel to Home feature.
La Favorite – Chateau de la Treyne
Here’s my version:
tub, portrait, bed, chandelier, desk, lamp, flowers, night stand
About 10 years ago, I spent a month in Australia. It was as wonderful as you can imagine. While I spent much of my time in Surfers Paradise, I did some traveling along the east coast, too. At the time, I was very much a budget traveler, but if I went back now, I’d love to save up and stay in places like the Byron Beach Abodes. I’m only showing you one small bedroom today, but you must have a browse around the various suites and villas. Everything is just beautiful and inviting.
Really liking the look of the bedroom? Here’s where you might go to find similar items:
crystal doorknob, striped duvet cover, chair, air plant, shelf, wood picture frames, salvaged wood mirrors, lamp
We are crossing the pond again to go to the gorgeous Gilpin Hotel & Lake House in the UK. It’s another Relais & Chateaux property, so you know that it’s going to be top-of-the-top.
I could move right on into this room in one of the Spa Lodges:
And here’s my interpretation:
Constance Guisset Vertigo lamp, CB2 sofa, bench/coffee table, armchair, tripod side table, floor lamp, rug, fireplace
Last week’s Shangri-La Vancouver enticed me to look into other Shangri-La hotels. With this Internet adventure, I landed on the Shangri-La Abu Dhabi. And I want to go! The archways have got me…even though the design is much more ornate than I generally prefer.
Look at the grand foyer:
I’m using this space as today’s design inspiration.
palm tree, room screen, over-dyed rug, wall sconce, armchair, end table, curtains
I’m so eager to have a new laundry room/bathroom in my basement. The original owners actually wallpapered the furnace. Wallpapered. Yup. Beyond this special feature, my sink is a big ol’ mess, the linoleum clashes, and while my combo washer/dryer is certainly a relic from the early 90s. (Even though I have had it repaired twice recently, my repair man says it’s a good machine and I shouldn’t replace it.).
Mostly, I want the space to be more beautiful and more functional than it is at the moment.
My laundry/bathroom combo room is pretty small, but I’ve pinned these inspirational images because I’d like to channel the style and feel in my own space.
via Houzz
via Homes to Love
via Remodelista
VZug showroom via Est Living
Notice any patterns? I’m limited to having a vertical laundry/dryer set-up, and I’d love everything else to be white with (maybe) concrete floors (or grey of some sort). I need a big laundry sink, and I need a bit of storage for a few rolls of toilet paper, laundry detergent, and my drying rack (and potentially a few towels if I decide to install a shower in the space).
Any tips?
My apologies for missing last week’s hotel to home post. I realized too late that I hadn’t written one, and by the time I got home from work/school/activities, it was too late for me to finish a draft and post it.
But I’m back at it with a dining space from the Shangri-La hotel in Vancouver, British Columbia. It’s an impressive space and I had fun recreating it…in two versions – high and low.
via Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver
Here’s the high version:
vintage murano glass chandelier ($8521 CAD), curtains ($99 CAD), table ($1946+ USD), dining chair ($1297 CAD), tumbler ($278 USD), placemat ($48 USD), 5-piece flatware place setting ($690 CAD)
Here’s the low version:
E.F. Chapman chandelier ($1890 USD), curtains ($10 CAD), table ($289 CAD), dining chair ($189 CAD), stemless wine glass ($15 CAD), placemat ($13 CAD), 5-piece flatware place setting ($52 CAD)
Which version do you like better?
Does anyone get sucked into endless scrolling through Instagram photos? I try not to get distracted for too long since it’s the end of term, and my pile of work is pretty darn high. That said, sometimes I just cannot resist, and I click on through a bunch of gorgeous images that inspire me to be creative, engage with the community, and think about future reno plans (my laundry room…oh man…my laundry room…it’s been on the to list since I bought my house!).
Here’s a round-up of some of the beautiful spaces I have come across in my Instagram travels.
via The Blondielocks
via Studio McGee
via ana_morais
via amberinteriors
via yesmissy
via moetonmondays
via beckiowens
via tracey_ayton
via theranchuncommon
Do you agree that these spaces beautiful?
Let’s show some love to the land of gondolas today, shall we? I’m taking you inside the luxurious Palazzinag hotel in Venice.
Here’s my interpretation – complete with Venetian mirror, marble topped bistro table, and unique Fornasetti chair.
Venetian mirror, Fornasetti chair, bistro table, curtains, end table, lamp, white linens, drinking glasses
Not too long ago, I took you on a full tour of Kristie’s house in Chapel Hill. Today I’d like to take you on a mini tour of my family’s home. It’s stunning, too! And, yes, I’m biased! Nothing was styled – this is how the place looks just about all the time (you may spot balloons, books, non-fluffed pillows, and crooked chairs). This is real life.
Let’s start in the dining room. The farm table is massive and fits the whole family and then some. Much of the art in this room – and in the home – was done by my sister. Her Lady Agnew piece (seen in the second photo below) still amazes me. My sister painted it when she was in art class in Australia. It’s incredible! 
The living room is ridiculously bright because of the walls of windows and the 10+-foot ceilings. If I remember correctly, the furniture is from Anthropologie, Crate & Barrel, Joss & Main, and West Elm.
The kitchen is certainly a gathering spot for this family! The marble table is going strong almost 10 years later, which is great. It’s a beautiful piece. The chandelier is from Ikea, and my sister painted the artwork.
The library is another bright room in the house. The lemon trees grow in here like crazy. Yes, lemon trees. Yes, indoor lemon trees. Isn’t that amazing? The fabric for the daybed and pillows came from Ikea. 
I love this view. Look at those arches! This area is basically a great place for my nephews and niece to chase one another. And dance parties. This spot is great for dance parties.
On my next trip, I’ll be sure to take more photos. The bedrooms are quite beautiful, too!
See more of the powder room at Domino, their rental home in Chapel Hill, and their former Manhattan apartment as featured on Style Me Pretty Living.
Did you hear the news about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spending some time in Jamaica to celebrate a friend’s wedding? While I definitely read an article or two about the public outing and relationship status, I happily clicked onto the website of the Round Hill Hotel and Villas – the site of the wedding. There are so many beautiful spaces in this luxury hotel, but I’m zooming in on a beautiful white bathroom for today’s hotel to home post.
tub, vanity set, mirror, faucet, metal hotel rack, towels, basket, robe
I never tire of a white bathroom.
I think I have wanted to stay at every single hotel I have featured in this Hotel to Home series. And today’s hotel is no exception. The Ocean House in Rhode island is a gorgeous Relais & Chateaux property with spectacular ocean views.
Each room is pretty, but it’s this Beach Rose Suite that caught my attention because of its kitchen. I haven’t yet featured a kitchen in this series, so here we go!
And here’s my take on this very classic kitchen style:
kitchen cabinets, stainless steel knob, subway tile, fridge, oven, dishwasher, microwave, faucet, quartz countertop, utensils
One of the things on my North Carolina “must-see” list during my recent visit was “tour Kristie’s house.” Seriously. Have you ever asked an almost-stranger for a house tour? Because I have. Okay, so Kristie isn’t a complete stranger. She’s one of my sister’s good friends, and I have actually met her a couple of times.
So, on this visit, Kristie graciously opened her home to me for an after-school visit. And lucky for all of us, she allowed me to snap a bunch of photos to share right here on White Cabana (no styling involved, btw!). You may have seen a few photos floating around Instagram (the kitchen, the porch, the art), and I know that if you did, you were itching to see more. Well, today’s your lucky day.
Let’s get to it.
The foyer is bright, welcoming, and so beautifully curated. Kristie’s collectibles are from all over – furniture stores, HomeGoods, antique markets, the ReStore, consignment shops, and Craigslist.
The kitchen’s waterfall marble island and chandeliers are show stoppers. In fact, the lighting throughout the home is so well-chosen.
(custom cupboard doors will be painted soon!)
Are you drooling? Yes, I know you are! I had the same reaction, so there’s no need to be embarrassed!
Kristie made much of the art in her home including the colourful pieces framed in gold on the dining room gallery wall. Stunning!
(side note: I took a page out of Kristie’s design book, and picked up this swan for my bedroom. It’s nowhere near as refined as the one in this dining room, but I love it. #copycat)
The powder room is almost done. Kristie is just waiting on a mirror. I think it looks great as is, actually! 
In the living room you’ll see my most favourite piece of art – made by Kristie! It’s a 3D piece made of paper! In.cred.ible. The 10+ foot ceilings are a nice touch, too. 
 
Hallways were given attention, too.
ink art made by Kristie and her daughter (and a pineapple for good measure)
Kristie paid careful attention to the design of her kids’ rooms, too. I could move into either of them. I really wanted to grab the federal mirror off the wall and stuff it into my carry-on, but I thought her little boy might notice. Darn.
  
We’re just about at the end of this tour, unfortunately, but I’m leaving you with one of my favourite spaces – the screened-in porch. The porch is a common feature in homes in North Carolina. It’s a pleasant room for lounging and entertaining during the fall, spring, and summer months. I’d easily sip on a mint julep while lounging on this sweet soft blue sofa.
Kristie – or Dr. Kristie, I should say, since she has a PhD in textiles (who knew that was an option!?) – and her family recently moved into this home and undertook a great renovation where the kitchen space was re-jigged and expanded, walls were painted, hardwood was installed, and art was hung everywhere.
There are still things on the must-complete list as all renos seem to have, but for now, this place is set, and the whole family is enjoying their new home.
Thanks, Kristie and family, for letting us peek into your gorgeous home!
When I was living in France in my 20s, I joined a group on a ski trip to the Pyénées. I was fairly adventurous at the time, and even though I wasn’t much of a skiier, I was eager for the trip. I remember having a great time overall, but what I remember the most is going on the wrong chairlift, being dropped off on a mountain that was way too advanced for my skills, and walking down the mountain. Not fun. But also sort of fun because I was with a friend and we laughed as we hiked down. I think I have only skied once or twice since then. I think I’m more of a cross-country skier or snowshoe fan at this point in my life – even though I’ve never tried either.
All things considered, though, if I found myself in the ski area of Courchevel, France, and staying at the White 1921, I’d be happy. Look at the views! And look at this bright, modern bedroom.
Here’s my take on the look:
pendant light, wall decals, bed, duvet cover, Nespresso, pillows, rug, sheet set
Do you have any successful – or challenging – ski stories you’d like to share?
We’re traveling to Singapore today to check out the Naumi hotel. The rooms are unique and well-appointed, but it’s this bathroom that’s today’s focus.
tub, room divider, towels, tiles, mirror, vanity, flowers, candle
We are traveling to one of my favourite countries today – Switzerland! While I spent most of my time in the small – but extremely luxurious – town of Gstaad during my visits to Switzerland, I have been fortunate to see many parts of the country.
Zurich, for example, is one city worth visiting because of the art, festivals, and architecture. If you go, perhaps you’ll consider staying at today’s feature hotel – the B2 Boutique Hotel and Spa.
Here’s my take:
bed, bench, pendant lights, black chair, curtains, dining chair, table, blanket
I’ve been taking part in Apartment Therapy’s January Cure clean-up and organization challenge on a sort of regular basis this month. Buying flowers was easy, cleaning the fridge was completely satisfying, and donating boxes of extras was freeing. While I haven’t been able to keep up with the daily tasks, I think Apartment Therapy’s month of chores is well-planned and well-organized. It’s a good way to kick start the year!
So this brings me to the idea of organization. Check out these two pantries. Aren’t they beautiful? Yes, a beautiful storage area for food. That’s luxury!
via Zillow (this stunning house has sold!)
via Hayburn (house is beautiful)
We are going back to Europe, but today, we’re going to Poland! I haven’t taken you to Poland in this series, but I’ve been coming across a lot of beautifully designed hotels there, so it’s about time we see something up-close.
Today, I’m featuring a sleek white and grey bedroom in the Blow Up Hall 5050 in Poznan.
photos via Great Small Hotels
Tom Dixon mirror ball pendant, wingback headboard, pillow, curtains, throw, RH Modern swivel chair, white sheet set
I’ve been in my home for 3.5 years now, and I’ve been talking about tackling two bathroom renovations ever since. When I first moved in, I gutted and redid my main floor powder room. I still have two bathrooms to go, but they’re major undertakings, and I haven’t had time/energy/interest/money/etc. to move forward with either of them.
In the meantime, I’ve been browsing, pinning, and thinking about the possibilities. Fancy, artistic, graphic tiles have been a design highlight for the last couple of years, and I think the look will remain for some time. What do you think? Is it for you?
via Byrd
via Katie Martinez
via Dulux
via Oto Projekt
I’m not certain that patterned tiles are for me, but putting them in a black and white bathroom is definitely a way to jazz things up!
How do you stay warm during these ridiculously cold winter days? I have had my fireplace going up until a couple of days ago when it decided to stop working (how dare it just stop!). It’s a gas fireplace, and it warms up my basement lounge in no time. I’m eager to get it working again soon.
In the meantime, let’s have a peek into these gorgeous spaces.
via Washingtonian
via Elizabeth Heier
via Domino
via Elle Decoration
via Ideal Home
Do you have a fireplace? Gas or real? How often do you use it?
Have a great weekend, everyone! Stay warm!
Okay – so today’s “hotel” is technically an AirBnB option, but let’s ignore that for a moment, shall we? It’s a place to stay while you’re traveling, and I think it’s a perfect option for today’s hotel to home post…especially since I’m working with the apartment’s kitchen, and I rarely do kitchens (or have I ever?) on this series. Plus – it’s in Paris!
I’m not offering a full kitchen design, but more like some options for some modern and functional products for your existing kitchen. Have a look and let me know if anything strikes your fancy!
Ikea cabinets, Ikea faucet, Cuisinart toaster, Nespresso machine, wood tray, Ikea plant pot, mugs, cutting board,
I haven’t taken us to South America in my Hotel to Home series yet, have I? I honestly can’t remember, but my hotel searches rarely take me there. Maybe I’ll make more of an effort to explore the south in 2017.
Today we are heading to the hip Hotel Pulitzer in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This hotel is glam, chic, sleek, and inviting. While I do think the bathroom design is beautiful, I’ve opted to rework one of its bedrooms.
Hotel Pulitzer, Buenos Aires
Ikea curtains, West Elm headboard, white dresser, Etsy art, Etsy art, CB2 leather butterfly chair, CB2 desk lamp, plant
I haven’t taken us to France in quite some time in this series, so we’re going today. We’re off to Chateau de Berne, a Relais & Chateaux hotel, in the south of France.
classic room – Chateau de Berne
Of course, if you can’t make it to Provence, but you’d like to recreate some of the French flair in your own bedroom, here are some ideas to get you thinking.
bedside table, dresser, table lamp, silver table lamp, tufted bench, side table, faux fur pillow, silver pillows, cashmere throw, white curtains, duvet cover
Let’s talk luxury, shall we? Luxury is this bathroom:
via Kestrel Aviation
Why is this bathroom so luxurious? Why are the windows reflected in the mirror so small? Oh, you know, it’s because this is an airplane. An airplane! (See more photos via HGTV.)
If you’re looking to recreate this look on solid ground*, the design board below might ensure a smooth take off.*
vanity mirror, wall mirror, double vanity, Frette towels, Frette bathrobe, Chanel perfume, tile
*I cannot help myself. Hope you’re laughing!
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/canada/montreal/rooms-suites/signature-king
We are staying close to home in today’s Hotel to Home feature. We’re heading on over to the luxurious Ritz Carlton Montreal.
Ritz Carlton bathroom (photo via Expedia.ca)
This white bathroom is easy to recreate in your own home. Mix white tiles with a built-in tub and a marble-topped wood vanity. Add a plush robe and towels, too, of course!
terry robe, white stool, scale, magnifying mirror, mirror, sink faucet, towel, double vanity, flowers
Remember when I stayed at the Ritz Carlton Sarasota? It was a great treat!
It may come as a surprise to many of you, but when it comes to Christmas, I am quite traditional. I am always eager to get a real tree in my home (usually around December 1st), and I decorate with ornaments I’ve collected from my travels, and a few that I pick up locally each year. Other decorations around my home are from my childhood, belong to my growing collection of reindeer, or are part of my growing Christmas Spode collection (Am I too young to have a Christmas Spode collection? Nah!). You can see some of my decorations on this guest post I wrote for Rox-Anne at Celebrating This Life last year.
All this said, I’ve noticed a lot more white trees and Christmas decor floating around blogs, Instagram pages, Pinterest, and magazine spreads. They’re absolutely beautiful, and I commend those who embrace an all-white Christmas!
via Cat Therrien
via Kaatje Karin
via Blount Designs
via Rach Parcell
via MK Interiors
You don’t need to twist my arm to get me back to Italy. Let’s go take a peek inside one of the rooms in Positano’s Le Sirenuse.
The bright white room remains simple with white linens and slipcovers, and has a few wood pieces and colourful pillows to break up the white. You don’t need much in a room like this because the real focus is the beautiful views of the ocean!
If you’re looking to recreate this feeling in your own bedroom (or living room, actually!), you might be inspired by this:
sofa, duvet, curtains, art, sconce, coffee table, rug, pillow, pillow, slipper chair, tufted slipper chair, desk, lamp
I would like to go to Japan. It has been on my mind for a couple of years now, and I had it on my to do list last year, but then I had the chance to go to Italy, and I could not pass up on that opportunity.
But this year, Japan is back on my mind. Don’t be surprised if you see Japanese hotels pop up on my hotel to home series. Today, I’m sharing a peek into the Aman Tokyo.
bed, bed linens, throw blanket, rug, table lamp, console table, vase, art
I’m taking us back to the United States for today’s hotel-to-home post because I recently learned about the Quirk Hotel, and I was eager to recreate the design. Let’s head on over to this charming boutique hotel in Richmond, Virginia.
bed, scallop table, sconce, rug, curtains, art, bed linens, flowers
I saw this condo pop up in my Twitter feed, and I couldn’t help but clicking the link to learn more. The white and wood are absolutely my style. 
The Yorkville condo (high-end part of Toronto) is listed just under $1 million. Learn more via Sotheby’s.
I like fully tiled walls as much as I like Friday (and that’s a lot!)!
Architectural Digest (Meg Ryan’s loft in NYC)
Architectural Digest (Meg Ryan’s loft in NYC)
Ralph’s Coffee, via Kristen Nichols
The Style Nest (Jennifer Cavorsi Design)
Have a great weekend, dear readers!
I don’t think I’ve taken you to Bangkok yet on this hotel to home series. Shall we go check out a bright bed and breakfast? The White Ivory looks clean, inviting, and sophisticated.
White Ivory Bed and Breakfast, Bangkok, Thailand
bed, nightstand, bed linen, art, sconce, elephant bank
Cavo Tagoo in Santorini, Greece is a stunning hotel. The rooms are modern and bright, and the views of the ocean are exactly as you’d want them to be!
copper sink, faucet, quilt, shams, mirror, silver mirror, monstera leaf art, bed
We’re taking the long journey to Cape Town, South Africa today to Cape View Clifton‘s luxury guesthouses. These suites have beautiful finishes, functional kitchens, and the views are spectacular.
I’ve opted to zoom in on one of the white bathrooms of this hotel.
Here’s what I’ve recreated for your home:
sink, toilet, freestanding tub, art, chair, faucet, mirrored cabinet, glass shelf, towel
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Note: Affiliate links have been used. Get click happy (and buy if you’d like) and raise money for breast cancer research!
I’ll never tire of white kitchens. I’ve been blogging for 6+ years, and during this time, I’ve featured numerous white kitchens. They’re still my favourite when it comes to kitchen design.
designed by Jennifer Ferreira, via Style at Home
designed by Becki Owens, via Architectural Digest
It’s been another hectic week on my end, so I’m a couple of blog posts behind. Since it’s a rainy day, I thought I would take this opportunity to catch up and put on the final touches of some of my draft posts.
I’m taking us all to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia today to experience opulence. The Ritz Carlton, Riyadh is full of jaw-dropping design. White and gold combined with sculptures, grand staircases, and beautiful tile work in the spa make this hotel one to remember.
Here’s my creation inspired by the Ritz Carlton Riyadh (warning: most of the items I’ve included do not come cheap!):
life size cast bronze horse’s head, Oushak rug, brass and Murano glass floor lamp, meta pedestal, pearl marble dining table, Murano chandelier, Schumacher Nasrid Palace wallpaper, plant
I’ve been browsing the Luxury Retreats website ever since I saw that The Bucket List Family stayed at a gorgeous place in Mykonos, Greece (watch their video). I believe they stayed at the Okyroe, the villa I’m featuring in today’s hotel to home:
Okyroe, photo via Luxury Retreats
The Okyroe villa sleeps ten (5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms) and costs $1,307-$3,105 per night. This is not your average hotel. This is a luxury retreat!
I opted to recreate the living room because I really liked the look of the circular mirror above the fireplace. That was my starting off point for today’s recreation.
round mirror set, sofa, armchair, coffee table, floor lamp, ceramic vase, art
The total cost for all of the above items is approximately $1800…likely cheaper than a one night stay in the retreat!
Recently, I had a surprisingly long conversation with a couple of friends about towels. Yes, towels. We talked at length about the best way to hang towels so that they dry quickly. One of these friends is a mathematics professor, so she had a mathematical explanation about surface area and such (Hi, DK!). She insisted that the best way to hang a towel is lengthwise by a tab at the end. Towels that have hooks on the end, however, are hard to find (but she has found sets that she likes at Bed Bath & Beyond*).
Imagine my surprise, then, when I was at Ikea and noticed that their towels have end tabs/hooks, too! Maybe the Swedes (and my friend) are on to something here.
I hang towels in different ways around my home. I have the over-the-hook-hang-from-the-middle towels and folded-neatly-in-half towels. I have to say – everything dries at a reasonable pace.
Oh – and let’s not forget the just-for-show towels that never leave this ladder.
So, tell me, how do you hang your towels? What’s your theory about efficient drying?
*This is not a sponsored post. My friend actually talked so positively about the success she has had in Bed Bath & Beyond’s towel department.
I think patterned floors will really stay firmly in place in the world of interior design over the next few years. While some opt for florals and intricate geometric patterns, others prefer a classic black and white check. In kitchens, bathrooms, and foyers, a black and white checkered floor offers drama and interest to an otherwise all-white space. Just look at the five gorgeous spaces below:
via Savvy Home
via South Shore Decorating Blog
Karen Bertelsen‘s kitchen, photo by Donna Griffith for Canadian Living
And because it’s hard to sometimes stop at 5 beautiful spaces, check out this stairwell, this bathroom, and this kitchen. Aren’t these spaces just gorgeous?
Have a great weekend, everyone!
We’re traveling to Washington, DC today to check into the luxurious Jefferson. The hotel has high ratings, and absolutely stunning suites. The decor is traditional in style, but it doesn’t look stuffy or intimidating as I find sometimes can happen in these types of spaces.
I had a go at recreating the space. Here’s what I came up with:
vintage upholstered bed, slipper chair, side table, Bergere chair, lamp, cashmere throw, orchids, pillow
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I picked up a pair of Converse while I was in Florida last month as my black ones got too worn out and needed to be replaced. I opted for an off-white dainty Chuck Taylor,and they’re working out well so far. They’re great to slip-on for a bike ride, or a walk around town. The slimmer version also means they’re lighter than the original Chuck Taylor’s, and I think that they’ll be a nice change from my last pair of laceless slip-ons.
All this to say that my new kicks have inspired today’s two-of-a-kind post.
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star low-top, $50 USD
And here’s a bonus room that includes the white backdrop and red piping details:
