Aerin Lauder’s Cannes table lamp sure is good looking.
Cannes table lamp, $1815, Elte
Marketplace
When I saw Michelle’s Instagram photo of some bath products, I was honestly attracted more to the packaging than what was really inside. I love design, as you know, but I’m only now really learning a few things about beauty. So I was more than pleased when The Bathory offered to send me personalized bath salts.
Before I talk about the salts, I’ve got to tell you about The Bathory’s website. It’s awesome. It’s beautifully design, incredibly easy to navigate, and it’s amusing, too.
You follow a couple of simple steps to get your personalized salts. First, you choose the type of bath you’d like to create: bask, soothe, or detox.
You then pick one salt mix and three oils.
If you’re uncertain about the combo of salts and oils, you tell The Bathory how you want to feel.Aren’t the glass bottles and labels modern?
I followed the two-step process and placed my order for a bask bath soak infused with bergamot, grapefruit, and sandalwood oils.
I’m not sure about you, but I love it when things are all about me. I’m a Leo, so I’m meant to crave attention. It is for this reason that I adore personalized products. About a week after I placed my order, my salts arrived by royal mail (awesome, yes!)
You’ve heard me complain about my big bathroom, but I do actually feel spoiled with the jacuzzi tub. I have been taking more baths lately, and The Bathory‘s bath salts have come in very handy. They smell good, my baths are calming, and my skin feels pretty good after a soak with the salts. The formula must be working!
From start to finish – my shopping experience with The Bathory was smooth and enjoyable. I’d say The Bathory has something great going on.
Thank you to Brandi and The Bathory for sending me personalized bath salts.
I’m not sure if the Jansjo would provide me with enough light to work, but I sure do like its simple design.
Jansjo work lamp, $12.99, Ikea
A ping pong table that plays double duty? I love it. High five, Poppin.
black & white ping pong table, $3000, Poppin
Okay. I’m not kidding. There’s a desk named Jordana over at Joss & Main. Jordana! Can you believe it?
Jordana Desk, $216.95, Joss & Main
I need it. I want it. I have to have it. There aren’t even keychains/magnets/bracelets/pens/USB drives/lanyards/etc. with my name on it, but a desk? A desk! I mean – me and desks go together like peanut butter and jelly. It’s just too perfect.
Thanks, Corie, for sending me news of the Jordana desk.
I love back to school season! Of course I’m sad to see summer end, but I love the energy and excitement of September’s early days.
I’m heading back to back to school (I’ve never really left, actually), and one of the most essential things I have to have is my daily/weekly to do lists. I like to set attainable goals for my day/week, and if I don’t write down tasks and reminders, I’ll completely forget about them.
Garance Doré notepad, $5 (on sale at Chapters Indigo)
Isn’t this a classy notepad? That Garance Doré has got some style!
So, is that it? Summer is officially over now that Labor Day has come and gone? Say it ain’t so!
How’d you spend the long weekend? Do tell. I slept, cleaned, worked, hopped around the city, brunched, hammocked*, read, BBQed, socialized, and finally turned on my air conditioning (finally). I also spent a decent amount of time browsing the web and Instagram. On one of my Instagram travels, I came across this card that made me smile:
Moneyless, $4.50
Like any good blogger, I followed the link back to its owner, Skoope Home. Oh, jeez, the extended card collection has some real gems. Here are some of my favourites:
Sisterly Love, $4.50
Missed It, $4.50
I Texted You, $4.50
I love it when conversations are taken offline and put into snail mail.
* lounging in the hammock for an extended period of time
Etsy has something for everyone and every occasion, doesn’t it? Even after all of these years, I’m still so impressed with the creativity of the artisans and sellers on Etsy. Today I’m featuring five things that I think might help kick-start back-to-school season – Etsystyle.
Enjoy a breakfast of champions – eggs and bacon – in style.
vintage egg cups, set of 6 with spoons, $18.00
Forget the Google glass – walk to school/walk your kids to school/walk to work in these futuristic shades.
Silhouette 80s shades, $175
Pack a healthy lunch into a stylish and reusable bag.
lunch bag, $32
Keep track of time with a sleek wall clock.
modern wall clock, $49
Call a friend like you did in the “olden days” – using a landline.
vintage Ferrari phone, $81.15
Have a wonderful long weekend!
*Affiliate links have been used.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – blogging has an amazing ways of bringing people together. I recently had the opportunity to interview Charlotte Cosby, Head of Creative at the elegant and classic Farrow & Ball. (Amazing, I know!)
While I did try to focus my questions to Charlotte about how she uses white in interior design, I couldn’t help but ask her about what she loves most about her job (I’m nosey like that). Head of Creative – isn’t that an awesome job title? Are you curious about Charlotte’s day job? If so, read on…
***
Jordana: How did you come to the position of Head of Creative at Farrow & Ball?
Charlotte: It was really just a case of being in the right place and the right time, although a love of design, interiors and colour certainly helps as well!
J: What is the best part of your work day?
C: I like to be on the go so always enjoy it when I’m working on something new whether it’s experimenting with colour, drawing potential new wallpaper patterns or having ‘the idea’ with my team.
J: What is the most challenging part of your job?
C: Because the output and end product of my job is so subjective, this means that it’s often quite hard try to get something that everyone is happy with. However, I’m very lucky in that I’ve worked closely with my team for a number of years, meaning that we’ve been able to develop a style that everyone agrees on. It’s just getting agreement on each individual piece that can be harder!
J: Now, let’s talk about colour! At the risk of sounding childish, what’s your favourite colour? Why?
C: My favourite colour changes every week! Currently I’m really loving lush vibrant greens like Breakfast Room Green, Calke Green, and Studio Green as they remind me of tropical holidays and treks through the jungle! When mixed with a navy, like Stiffkey Blue, these colours can look extremely deep and mysterious.
J: What is/are your go-to colour(s) for your own home design projects?
C: I was obsessed with one of our new 2013 colours, Stiffkey Blue, for a long time as used on the walls, it really brings the whole room to life and makes all the furniture look amazing. I also really like the current trend of using copper and natural wood together as they go together brilliantly.
J: Now, at the risk of sounding selfish, let’s talk about my favourite colour – white! What are your thoughts about white?
C: I love white – it’s the one colour that allows you to be most creative. To me, white represents potential – it’s a blank canvas ready to be filled with colourful ideas!
J: What Farrow & Ball white would you recommend for the white enthusiast?
C: We really do have a white for every occasion! Currently, my favourite it Wevet – a delicate but extremely versatile white. One of our most popular whites is Wimborne White which works with absolutely everything! However, to be able to see the subtleties between them, you really need to have a reference point. For example, by putting both of these colours against All White, our cleanest and whitest white, you’ll be able to notice the very slight hint of colour that makes them so special and completely unique.
J: White can be used in every room in a home – even in children’s rooms. What do you think about using white in childrens’ bedrooms, playrooms, or bathrooms?
C: Children are among the most creative beings in the world so using white in a children’s bedrooms and playrooms would be a great way to encourage creative thought.
Not only would white be a great backdrop for the host of multi-coloured toys, it also means that if you did want to use a small amount of brighter colours, like our vibrant St Giles Blue, Yellowcake or Charlotte’s Locks, throughout the room – on furniture, woodwork or even in cupboards or shelving, using white on the walls and ceiling will really help to make these colours pop!
From a more practical point of view, white will also stand the test of time as they’re growing up.
J: What advice would you give parents who are hesitant to incorporate white (walls, furniture, toys, etc.) into their children’s spaces?
C: It’s easy to see why parents might feel hesitant to use white in their children’s rooms as children are well-known for being attracted to muddy places.
By using either of our Modern Emulsion, Full Gloss or Estate Eggshell finishes on the wall of your child’s room will allow for wiping away wandering hand and finger prints. These finishes are also more resilient and hardwearing meaning that the walls are less likely to scuff.
White rooms needn’t be boring and by adding a simple feature like a stripe, will instantly add fun to a plain white room. Another technique is to layer different whites on the walls which will help to add a real depth and softness to the room. You can get creative with this techniques, like we have here by painting a simple mountain scene onto the wall.
J: Thank you, Charlotte, for taking the time to speak with me about white!
***
So, how about that? Colour expert Charlotte Cosby loves white! I love that she thinks white is timeless, is a great backdrop for kids’ rooms, and represents potential. Amazing. Let the creativity shine on!
Here are the Farrow & Ball whites that Charlotte made reference to:
Wimborne White (there’s a sample there, I swear!)
All White (another sample image, honest!)
And here are a variety of rooms – not just for children – featuring gorgeous Farrow & Ball paints.
Naturally, I gravitate toward that sunny white office with wood plank floors! Isn’t it lovely?
What do you think? Would you paint your children’s room – or other rooms – fully white?
Thanks to Rebecca M. at Farrow & Ball for arranging this interview.
I have spent more time in school than out of school, so please believe me when I tell you that these are some of the most essential back-to-school items. Pretty much any age group would make good use of these items, I’d say.
1. Water bottle. I have a few reusable water bottles that I bring to school/work every day. A lot of university campuses now have good drinking fountains and water-filling stations, so there’s no excuse not to drink water all day long to stay hydrated.
2. Reusable lunch box/bag. I always pack a lunch because I get bored of university cafeterias and the quick grab-and-go meals at Starbucks or elsewhere are too expensive and high in calories.
3. A pencil case. I carry my pens and pencils in a small case so that they’re easy to find and won’t make a mess in my purse/tote/backpack.
4. Backpack. Speaking of backpacks, I don’t actually have one yet. I’m still looking for one that is lightweight and comfortable. I’m going to start this school year with my lightweight and washable HBC striped tote.
5. Pens and pencils. Although I love my computer, I take a lot of my notes by hand. Pens and pencils are a must. I always have a Sharpie or two nearby as well. Highlighters, on the other hand, I rarely use. Last year, I was given some Palomino pencils and I still make good use of them, They look so darn good!
6. Notebooks. Did you notice the plural? Yes, I stay organized by using a variety of notebooks. Each notebook has a job – work, home renos, school, etc. Most of my notebooks are Jordi Labanda or Moleskine, but I’m open to using basically anything that is cute and has nice paper (they are often black or white, but not always). I prefer lined notebooks, but I think unlined notebooks are great for people who want to really spread out over the pages. My writing is nowhere near neat, so I need the lines to help keep me steady.
7. An apple. Okay, the CB2 apple above is just for decor. But, still. It’s traditional. Eat one. Draw one. Take an Instagram picture of one. Bring one to a teacher.
8. Laptop and protective sleeve. I think I would be lost without my laptop. I keep mine protected in a basic MEC sleeve, but I really have my eye on this one from Ban.do.
These are the basic back-to-school necessities. A computer, phone, coffee mug, earplugs, library card, file folders, binders, etc. are additional items that come in handy and help me stay organized and focused.
Who is ready to learn something new this school year?
Details of items available at Polyvore.
I was recently contacted by UK-based Terry’s Blinds to share my top 5 design ideas for the fall, and to explain a little about where I draw inspiration for the company’s Designer Insights series. Here’s a peek…
My top five:
1. Ceramics – beautifully crafted, exceptional quality, simple design (e.g., Alessi’s Colombina Collection Table Set)
2. Lighting – glamorous and structured (e.g., Black Rooster Decor’s white glam saucer pendant)
3. Objets that encourage discovery (e.g., Barbara Barry elegant lens)
4. Nesting tables – easy, light, transferable (e.g., Mitchell Gold & Bob William’s Foster nesting tables)
5. Flowers – year round (e.g., beautiful white and green flower arrangements)
You can read the full interview here.
Such a sweet cami…and when is there anything less than $20 at Anthropologie? Awesome!
scalloped cami, $19.95, Anthropologie
Well, I was only half-certain that my PhD was going to be my last degree. I was right! Earlier this week, I learned that I have been accepted into an MBA program! It’s part-time so I’ll continue on with life as “normal”, and my studies will take up “just a bit” of my free time. Ha!
Anyhoo – I’m pumped! I’m excited to learn and to push myself in a new direction. I’m also excited to buy school supplies (let’s get real, right?!). At the top of the list is some sort of backpack. I’ve been using a one-shoulder tote forever, and it’s just not cutting it anymore.
via Stylight
via LA Cool & Chic
via LoLoBu
Here are five backpacks that look to be super sleek and fashionable (any just may even hold a textbook or two!).
via Kokosina
via Amazon
I must got check out some affordable options in person one day soon!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Will you be back to school shopping?
Okay, okay. Since you already know that I love my KitchenAid stand mixer, I’ll get straight to my recent bread making experience.
Although I was a bit hesitant to make bread from scratch, I was also very curious and determined. I opened up the handy KitchenAid recipe book that came with my stand mixer, and I flipped to the page that had the “basic white bread” recipe. I prepped all of my ingredients, I followed the directions exactly, and here is a photo-heavy recap of what happened…
basic white bread recipe from KitchenAid + packets of active dry yeast
butter, salt, sugar, milk melting on the stove
4.5 cups of flour to start (I probably ended up using 5.5 cups)
mixing 2 packets of active dry yeast with warm water in a warm mixing bowl
mixing all of the ingredients: yeast, water, milk, melted butter, sugar, salt, and flour
level 2 speed for a few minutes
mixing the dough with the dough hook until the sides are clean and the dough is sticky
sides of bowl are clean and dough is sticky
see – I told you – clean bowl!
dough in a oil-lined bowl
risen dough after 1 hour in the bowl
punched dough
rolling out half of the dough
rolling up the flattened dough
into the loaf pan it goes
risen dough after 1 hour in the loaf pan
after 30 minutes in the 400° oven
the recipe made 2 loaves (one is wonky because I had to DIY a loaf-type pan)
golden bread
crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside
the best way to enjoy fresh bread – with Nutella
The bread was FANTASTIC! It was perfectly golden, had a crunchy crust, was soft on the inside, and the recipe worked! It was as time consuming as bread making is (I think it took about 10 minutes to prep, 1 hour of wait time so the bread could rise the first time, 1 hour to rise the second time, and 30 minutes to bake in the oven). I did a bunch of other things around the house during the wait & rise times, so I really didn’t feel like bread making was a whole lot of work. Oh my goodness – I could probably live on fresh bread and Nutella*. It’s too darn delicious!
Oh – and I know I’m “supposed” to eat healthy, grainy, brown bread, but sometimes I just don’t care. White and simple worked perfectly for me!
* This is not a sponsored post, but if Nutella wants to offer me with a year/lifetime supply of Nutella, I’d be grateful, and I’d make fresh bread more often!
I “met” Deborah of Green Light District on Twitter many months ago and we instantly bonded over fiddle leaf fig trees. She gave me suggestions about how to take care of my tree, and our online conversations continue to revolve around design, plants, and food. Recently, I made a trip out to #Roncy (i.e., Roncesvalles area in Toronto) to have dinner with friends (at the Westerly, on the recommendation of Deborah). Since I was in the neighbourhood, and Toronto traffic cooperated, I had the chance to make a quick stop in to Green Light District to say hi to Deborah in person.
Owners Deborah and David Peets took my friend and I around the shop sharing news of the furniture and designers that fill up their store. I quickly picked out a few favourite pieces: the acapulco chair in the courtyard, the large wood dining tables, and the beautifully designed chairs. Oh, and the ceramics, the tree stump side tables/stools, the benches, and the mini bar also caught my eye.
Here are a few photos I quickly snapped during my visit:
hand stitched leather and oak bench
acrylic and kirel trees console
soho chair
hand stitched leather and oak bench + hand made pottery
wonki ware + botanical print
handmade pottery
wonki ware
handmade pottery + stitched leather and oak bench
hand hooked rug + saddle leather chairs
Jordana and Deborah (thanks for the photo, David)
The Peets source furnishings from around the world; Canada, South Africa, and Argentina were mentioned several times as I touched almost every item in the store.
Emma Reddington and Kim Johnson have always had good things to say about Green Light District, and the shop and furnishings have previously been featured in Chatelaine, Style at Home, Toronto Life, The Toronto Star, and BlogTO. I can totally understand why. The furniture is beautiful, and Deborah and David are such warm and welcoming owners.
If you’re in the area, be sure to stop in and say hello to Deborah and David, and when you do, be sure to tell them that you know me…you’ll likely get a chuckle out of them*.
*Apparently some of my friends from other Canadian cities (Hi Nora!) have gone around Toronto (well, not the whole city, but I have to exaggerate the story so it’s more amusing) asking people if they know me. “Hey, do you know Jordana?” Ha. I love my friends!
I love it when people send me photos of white things. The two photos below are of The White Company – a beautiful UK-based store that has everything from linens to kids’ toys to clothing. Michelle sent me the first photo ages ago (around Christmas time last year, I believe), and my brother-in-law Jeff sent me the second one from St. Pancras Station in London a couple of months ago.
Thanks to Michelle and Jeff for snapping these storefront photos. I’ll have to make sure to see them in person one day soon!
No, I’m not getting a dog. But I do think dalmatians are beautiful, and I love how dalmatian dots inspire art and interior design.
via Houzz
Dalmation stapler, $24, Anthropologie
via Pinterest
dalmation photograph, $27, Etsy
Naomi Campbell, photo by Peter Lindbergh for Vogue US 1990; source
dalmatian tote, $225, Milly
via Twirling Clare
Dalmation print, $7, Chapters-Indigo
via The Design Files
I use Fiskars pruners for cutting flower stems for both inside flower arrangements and outdoor pruning (of my small bushes). They’re affordable and they last forever.
Fiskars deluxe pruner, $19.99, Rona
People sometimes ask me if it’s hard to keep my white house clean. I always say that it isn’t. I’m generally a tidy person, I try to control clutter (hard to do in my office, I admit), and keep my objets d’art (a.k.a. knick knacks) organized. I do my cleaning chores once a week (but I always procrastinate when it comes to vacuuming), and I always feel a sense of satisfaction once I’ve got a clean home. I don’t actually mind cleaning, especially when my cleaning products work well. We have hard water here in Waterloo and even with the water softener, the water can quickly leave harsh streaks and spots on everything. I’ve had to try out a bunch of different products since I moved here, but here’s a list of my most reliable weekly cleaning supplies:
1. White vinegar, water, baking soda: I keep these in stock at all times. They’re inexpensive and highly effective. I spray my shower door with a vinegar and water combo a few times a week. It only takes a few seconds and it really helps to keep the shower door clean. I use a vinegar and water mix to mop my kitchen and bathroom floors, and I also use this combo to clean my kettle. I use a mixture of white vinegar, water, and baking soda to clean grout lines in my shower.
these grout lines were not always white
2. Bar Keeper’s Friend: I use this product to clean my kitchen sink. It’s strong, and it works. After I scrub the sink with this product, I wash it thoroughly with water. Sometimes I use it on my kitchen and bathroom faucets because it shines them up in no time at all.
clean sink, happy owner
3. Comet or Ajax all purpose cleaners: I use these cleaners for my bathroom sinks, shower, toilets, stove top, etc. I rinse very well after a bit of scrubbing. They work (quickly, too).
4. Universal Stone: I have mentioned this silver cleaning product before, but it still amazes me. It’s incredible. It works wonders on tarnished silver and requires minimal (or no) elbow grease. If you collect silver, I highly recommend this eco-friendly product.
a recent addition to my silver collection – before & after cleaning
5. Sponges: For many cleaning jobs, I use sponges that look like this but that are from Italy (if I can find them). I have tried imitations and they just aren’t as good. My last one from Sweden was okay, but not incredible. I’m not that fussy, but I do like how these sponges work. My mom has used them forever, so I know that I use them because that’s all I ever really saw her use.
I also use the blue J-Cloths for just about everything. They’re handy to have around, especially during home repair jobs.
I picked up some white microfibre-type cloths a few months ago and they are incredibly effective. You basically water them and then wipe the heck out of everything. I’ve used them on my stainless steel fridge, faucets, windows, and mirrors. They don’t leave streaks and don’t require any additional cleaning products. They’re also machine washable. Unfortunately, I don’t know the brand of my cloths, but I buy them from here. They’re little miracle workers!
6. CLR: Before I moved to Waterloo, I think I used CLR once or twice in my life. Now, I use it all the time. I mix it in with water and I use it for just about everything – dishwasher (running a cycle without dishes), shower, toilets, faucets, etc.
I do try to limit my use of products like Ajax, Comet, CLR, and Bar Keepers Friend, and I use vinegar/water/baking soda when I can. I have tried better-for-the-environment cleaning products, but they just don’t have the same results. I’d love to know if you have any other recommendations for cleaning products (especially if you have dealt with hard water issues). Cleaning – it’s such a hot topic for a Monday morning, isn’t it?
I’m sensing that we’ll be seeing a lot more hair pin legs in homes, magazines, and blogs over the next few months. The tables are light, sturdy, and can work in almost any space.
via Hackwith Happenings 
via Stella 
via kriselkeeper 
via West Elm 
via 1stDibs 
DIY version via Little Green Notebook 
via ABC Carpet & Home 
via 1stDibs 
via Candelabra
I have solar lights in my front and back gardens, and I love them. There are no bulbs that need replacing, they’re an inexpensive purchase, and they require zero electricity. Awesome.
Uberhaus solar garden light, $6.99, Rona
I’ve been back from Florida for less than a week, so naturally I’ve still got the beachy lifestyle on the brain. As such, today I’m featuring Florida’s go-to accessory – rattan. If you live on a Floridian beach, some dose of rattan is a must!
pair of decorative rattan mirrors, $3700, 1st Dibs
set of four bentwood and rattan chairs, $2800, 1st Dibs
pair of rattan sconces by Louis Sognot, $2502, 1st Dibs
hanging rattan chair, $304.17, Etsy
rattan arm chair & stool, $1900, 1st Dibs
Who am I kidding? Rattan works outside of Florida, too. I have a rattan set for my own patio, and I love it!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
p.s. I also think this bed is pretty cool.
I’m obviously not the first to recognize Coco Chanel’s influence on the fashion world. Not only have her designs stood the test of time, but so have her words.
Coco Chanel in her apartment at the Ritz, 1937, via Vanity Fair
Coco Chanel at work, via Redbook
via One Fab Day
You may know Paloma’s Nest for its sweet ring bowls and beautiful holiday ornaments, but did you know that owners Caroline Colom Vasquez and José Vasquez-Corbalan are now offering custom house portraits? What a beautiful way to celebrate a new home purchase.
Custom House Portraits, $200, Paloma’s Nest
If you haven’t already come across Canada’s art shop Citizen Atelier, let me introduce it to you.
Citizen Atelier was founded by art dealer and PR pro Alessandra Salituri with the help of her web whiz cousin Gabriel McCay. Alessandra curates a highly interesting collection of art from around the world and the pieces in her online shop are certainly unique.
Although there are many dreamy pieces at Citizen Atelier, these are some of my most favourite works that are currently in the shop.
Amy Friend – Atlantic City, 1948, $695-$1495 (Canada)
Amy Friend – They Still Bloom, $695-$1495 (Canada)
Amy Friend‘s pieces are delightfully sparkly.
Georgianna Lane – Versailles Chandelier III, $75-$175, (USA)
Speaking of sparkle, Georgianna Lane‘s collection of photographs from Versailles are so uber-glam and sharp. These images make me want to just go ahead and book a flight to France!
Krysztof Wladyka – Animaly 15, $825-$2850 (Poland)
Krysztof Wladyka – Animaly 22, $825-$2850 (Poland)
Krysztof Wladyka‘s animal prints are whimsical, dreamy, and completely amusing. I love pretty much every one of them because they are so out of the ordinary. Come on, that elephant? Awesome, yes?
Vanessa Paxton – Ballerina I, $120 (Canada)
Vanessa Paxton‘s collection of ballerinas are at once strong and delicate. There’s serene movement in Paxton’s images, and I can see them making a dramatic addition to a bedroom.
I encourage you to go ahead and click on through to the artists’ bios. You will be completely impressed with the artists’ experiences, awards, and educational achievements. I totally was!
So how exactly do these gorgeous pieces of art look in real rooms? Have a look at some of the photos from Citizen Atelier‘s lookbook (styled by Christine of Bijou and Boheme, photos by Toronto-based photographer Ashley Capp).
art by Antonio Mora
art by Ashley Woodson Bailey
art by Michael Wou
I was thrilled when Citizen Atelier’s owner Alessandra Salituri agreed to answer a few of my questions about her work and approach to design. Read on to learn about Citizen Atelier’s beginning and what inspires Alessandra.
Jordana: How did Citizen Atelier come to be?
Alessandra: I have always had a love for interior design and art. My mother is a painter and I grew up in a creative environment, attending art fairs and gallery openings. Becoming an art dealer was a natural progression. Though even in that line of work, I always felt there few places to purchase art in Canada that fit my style and also offered the option of some affordable pieces. Over the years and through my travels in Europe and the US, I had come across the work of some very talented international artists. I wanted to share their pieces with a Canadian audience.
J: Where did the name “Citizen Atelier” come from?
A: The name was very much inspired by my hometown, Montreal. In the city, having your own atelier where you produce creative work, whether it be art, jewelry and sculpture, is quite common. I too have an atelier where I store and display the work of artists I represent. I wanted the store to feel homey and approachable, as though you were spending an afternoon touring a friend’s French-inspired studio. And I liked the word “Citizen” because I wanted the name to have a little edge to it. Citizen Atelier literally means “the people’s studio.”
J: What three words would you use to describe Citizen Atelier?
A: I would say that three words that I hope define the brand are dreamy, luxurious and accessible.
“Dreamy” because I have always been attracted to art that has a magical quality. A lot of the work in the atelier is surrealist photographs where the photographer explores the inner world of dreams and their intersection with reality. I personally have filled my home with this type of art and find it inspires me to live my best life.
“Luxurious” because I wanted to ensure that every piece in the atelier was special and made with the highest-quality materials, like long-lasting archival canvases and Hahnemühle photo rag paper which has a beautiful smooth surface. I also wanted to offer some pieces, even large-scale statement artworks, at a more accessible price point.
J: How do you go about curating the Citizen Atelier collection?
A: My vision for Citizen Atelier was bringing together both well-established and emerging artists/photographers from across the world. I pick the art based on what I would have in my own home (and my home is actually filled with many pieces from the store!). I found the artists and photographers while visiting galleries, attending art fairs, searching online and some I had previously collaborated with as an art dealer. It took a year for me to curate the initial collection. The exciting thing is the site is ever-evolving and we have some wonderful artists/photographers joining the atelier throughout the summer and fall.
J: What is the best part of your job?
A: The best part of my job is definitely meeting and connecting with the artists. They are all such creative and kind individuals who chart their own path. There’s also such a thrill in finding new artists and photographers whose portfolio takes my breath away. And getting to work with my only cousin who does the website design and development is such a blessing too. We were born one week apart and live on opposite ends of the country. It allows us to keep connected on a regular basis!
J: What is the most challenging part of your job?
A: The most challenging part is probably balancing it all! With Citizen Atelier, I wear numerous hats: creative director, marketing manager, (learning-as-you-go) financial officer! I also work as a public relations consultant for a Montreal firm. It requires a lot of organization and long hours. At the end of the day though I am lucky to be doing work that is creatively stimulating and makes me happy. You’ll often find me at my favourite coffee shop on a Sunday brainstorming on how to make Citizen Atelier the best it can be. I do try to fit in as much downtime when I can, whether it be playing tennis, dinners in Montreal’s Le Plateau neighbourhood or relaxing with a pile of magazines and my dog!
J: Describe your favourite space in your home.
A: My favourite space in my home is definitely my bedroom. It has a monochromatic palette with a lot of white and textures like faux-fur throws and wood furniture. I wanted to keep the design minimalist and serene to have a quiet place to relax in at the end of the day. My room faces a local park so my favourite part is definitely feeling like I live in a cozy little treehouse!
***
Alessandra, thank you so much for sharing the Citizen Atelier story with us. I appreciate your approach to curation and commitment to a balanced work life. Like many of my readers, I’m sure, I am inspired by places and people I come across in my travels, and I love how art completes (or inspires) a space. How fun (and difficult) it is to fill your shop with such beautiful pieces of art!
Many thanks to Alessandra.
Would you use this for your groceries?
Chanel shopping basket, photo via Stairway to Fashion
Chanel F/W 2014/15 shopping basket, via DonzWebb
You would obviously need a second Chanel purse for your belongings.
Do you think people who buy the Chanel shopping basket actually do their own groceries? I doubt it.
long tassel keychain, $14, Chapters Indigo
How do you all feel about “industrial chic” style? I could pretty much move into any of these rooms even though I generally prefer things to be a little more delicate.
via Trendenser
via Soft & Chic
via Pinterest
via House to Home
Warm woods and soft textures do effectively tone down hard-core industrial spaces. While I’ve never really embraced this style, I do sometimes find myself drawn to industrial-type lamps and accessories. If you type “industrial chic” into the search bar on Etsy or Pinterest, you’ll get pages upon pages of industrial items and ideas. Here are some from Etsy that I found interesting:
vintage industrial pendant light, $215
New York water tower print, $29
L-shaped desk, $2087
vintage molds, $15
vintage door knob & hardware, $35
shelving unit, $2384
So, tell me, what’s your take on this approach to design?
I didn’t get my act together this year to find a place to play tennis in Waterloo, but I still have my eye on some cool tennis gear. This chic racquet and case makes me really want to get out there and play!
Colorfield Tennis Racket Holder, $89, Mark & Graham
It’s been a while since I featured Minted – one of my absolute favourite stationery store. Since my birthday is less than one month away (hooray!), I thought it would be the perfect time to feature five essentials that set the backdrop for a pretty celebration. 
rice paper globe, $8
white petal fan, $5
white paper cups, $4
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
In a couple of days, I’ll be celebrating my one year anniversary of home ownership. Yay! The past year has been rewarding, happy, and full of hard DIY work. I’ve loved it! Sure, it’s been a year, and I still have artwork to hang, and walls to paint, but my home has been transformed and I’m so pleased with the progress.
I didn’t quite know what to expect when I moved to Waterloo a year ago. I think I had only been to visit twice before I started house shopping! I had zero sense of direction, and I really didn’t have a clue as to what the city or region had to offer (no, not a scary move or house purchase at all). Thankfully, I have really enjoyed discovering this region of Ontario! The people here are so nice, it’s easy to get around, there’s no traffic (except maybe from 5-5:30pm on some roads), and my quality of life has been pretty darn great.
The village of St. Jacobs is about 10km from where I live. Tia and I rode our bikes there recently (along paths from Uptown Waterloo – amazing!), and I try to make regular trip to the St. Jacobs farmers’ market and antique shops.
When my parents came for a visit a few weeks, I took them to the village of St. Jacobs. I was completely amused when they picked up their walking pace and headed quickly into Hamel Brooms. Apparently my parents love corn brooms. Who knew?
I had never been into Hamel Brooms, and I was completely mesmerized by the broom making process (owner John Davenport makes them by hand!). I encourage you to watch this video of broom making.
If you’re in the area, I encourage you to visit Hamel Brooms (and buy a broom, too). It is in the old blacksmith shop, and the floors in the place are crazy cool. Unfortunately, I don’t have a really good photo of them, but just imagine almost flattened chunky trees (knots and all).
Photos by Jordana and video from JLM.
The photos below show the versatility of the settee. The small dainty piece of furniture looks perfectly in place whether in the hallway, bedroom, dining room, or porch. Have a look…
via Pinterest
via Houzz
via Pinterest
via Cup Half Full
via Greige
via Design Sponge
via Every Day Pretty
via Decor Pad
If you’re looking to make a purchase, you might want to visit Black Rooster Decor, Jayson Home, One Kings Lane, Restoration Hardware, or 1st Dibs. I’ve also seen some lovely options at Home Sense. If you really want to go for an authentic French settee, I’d recommend making the trip to Paris’ Marché aux Puces to view loads of settees there (Why not dream big?).
It’s FIFA World Cup time!
white Kartoni fooseball table, 69 Euros, Kartoni
deluxe soccer goal, $63.99, Target
youth soccer set, $34.99, Target
soccer sandals, $12.99, Target
toddler backpack, $20.00, Etsy
To be honest, I don’t actually watch the games, but I do like to follow along from the sidelines. My dad and a few friends keep me in the loop. I know, for example, that Brazil won against Croatia yesterday. I always end up cheering for Italy or France.
Will you be watching any matches? Who are you cheering for?
I am happy to welcome Toronto-based fashion and lifestyle blogger Fatima Sabri to White Cabana today. She thoughtfully put together an all white outfit for the occasion, and she’s here to share her approach. Over to you, Fatima…
***
Hi Lovelies!
I am Fatima, and I am very excited to be guest posting for Jordana today! I blog over at Love, Fatima Sabri. I met Jordana at BlogPodium last year and had the opportunity of running into her again at a Chapters Indigo event a few months ago. She is one of the sweetest people I have had the opportunity to meet.
Jordana gave me a challenge of doing an all white outfit for her today. I must say it wasn’t easy because I always love a little colour. However there is something so crispy and clean about an all white outfit. I am a gal who sure wouldn’t be able to wear all white everyday because I am bound to drop something on it. I couldn’t resist adding a little dose of colour in my sandals but everything else is an off white.
cropped pants, sandals (similar), purse (similar), top (similar), bangles (Little India Bazaar)
I wore this outfit the other day for my anniversary date with my sweets. 3 years and it seems time has just flown by. It was a warm day so I decided to dress it up but went with sandals to get in the summer spirit. For an evening out, dress up this outfit by swapping the sandals for a gorgeous pair of heels. This pair would be perfect.
It was a pleasure being here today! Feel free to visit me over on my virtual home. At Love, Fatima Sabri.
Have an amazing day!
Xx – FS
***
Thanks for taking so much care with today’s post, Fatima! I have to say that I can’t really live without my white shirts…I wear them year round! White pants/jeans, on the other hand, are on my shopping list this summer!
Typographer’s Mug, $9.99 each, Mark & Graham
While I do love spending time in my home, I’m very happy to travel near and far as well. Anytime is a good time to travel in my opinion, but as I’ve lived the student life forever, I got very used to planning trips over the summer break. In recent years, Florida has been my go-to destination and I’m looking forward to making the trip south in a few weeks.
Today, I’m sharing four items that I think are essential for summer getaways. They’d make perfect gifts for the traveller in your life (or you!).
white patent passport case, $20, Chapters Indigo
Frends Layla headphones, $150, Chapters Indigo
sunscreen, Ombrelle
tote, $44.99, LLBean
So, tell me, will you be travelling this summer? Where to?
Apparently birds appreciate good design too!
wooden Cape Cod birdhouse, $74.90, Plow & Hearth
I’m in love with my KitchenAid stand mixer. I’ve used it several times and it hasn’t let me down. It’s pretty darn mighty! After baking up a few delicious treats over the last couple of weeks, I thought it was time for me to make some pasta. KitchenAid generously sent over the pasta cutter trio and I was pretty excited to test them out. Short story – I love them. Long story – keep reading.
KitchenAid’s pasta roller & cutter set
I grew up helping my mom make pasta with the classic Italian crank pasta machine. My mom always took the lead on the dough making, and I was on crank and fluff-with-flour duty. I’ve made pasta with my own machine, too, even though my Italian parents were pretty shocked when I told them that my cheaper machine was Made in China. “You need one that’s Made in Italy, Jordana.”, they said. Um, yeah, it’s a touch life, I lead, I know.
Anyway…
Fast forward to last week when I opened the KitchenAid package and learned that the pasta roller and cutters were Made in Italy. Awesome. Way to go, KitchenAid!
top to bottom: fettucini cutter, spaghetti cutter, pasta roller
I decided to use the pasta recipe that was in the KitchenAid recipe book…4 eggs, 3.5 cups of flour, 1 tbsp water…mix with dough hook for 2 minutes…etc.
Unfortunately, this recipe didn’t work out for me. It was a big fail. My dough, even after more than 2 minutes with the dough hook, was so darn crumbly! Not sure exactly why. I tried adding more water, then another egg. It was a mess.
crumbly dough
I couldn’t save this dough
I didn’t give up, though. Instead, I tried out my mom’s recipe. It goes something like this…an egg per person, some handfuls of flour, just enough water. So vague, I know. This is what all of her recipes are like! But, just like probably every Italian Nonna has ever said, you just need to feel the dough and recognize when you’ve hit the right consistency and texture. Anyway, I put the ingredients in the mixing bowl, attached the dough hook, and gave it a spin for a couple of minutes. Things were looking pretty darn good! I then spent a minute (or less) kneading the dough by hand.
after kneading – top: my failed project;
bottom: my mom’s winning recipe
When I reached the right texture (smooth, not too wet, not too dry), I knew I was ready to move on to the attachments. The instructions that came with the attachments & stand mixer were clear, and inserting the attachments was really easy and straight forward. No problem there.
First, I used the pasta roller to flatten out chunks of dough. I started with the knob at 1 (widest space between rollers), and then worked my way to 5 (much smaller space between rollers). I set the machine to level 2 – not too fast, not too slow. Once the machine was on, the rollers got a-rollin’.
Next, I switched attachments to make spaghetti and fettucini. I floured everything up so that nothing would stick.
I ate some for dinner (I made pasta carbonara), obviously, and I froze the rest. Amazing.
The pasta roller and cutter attachments make easy work of pasta making. Let me tell you, they’re really awesome and work so quickly. Incredible. I thought about my Nonna who used a wooden roller the size of a dining table to roll out the dough and then cut it into strips all by hand. Gosh, I don’t think I could have done it her way – I’m much too impatient!
Oh – and I also could never be a no-carbs gal. I’m too much of a pasta fan!
Many thanks to KitchenAid & Hayley for sending me the pasta roller and cutter set.
The Swiss definitely have time under control. Their reputation for well-crafted and reliable timepieces continues to remain strong. Victorinox’s newest timepieces are white, bright, and perfect for summer!
Victorinox timepieces – the white collection
Although I’ve been thinking about the KitchenAid stand mixer for some time now, I only finally bought myself one last week. Everyone and their brother/mother/sister/friend seems to have one and they all rave about how great it is, so I had little doubt that it would be fabulous. There are plenty of colours to choose from, but it was an obvious choice for me. I’ve used my KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer twice already and it’s worked out very well! No surprise there, right?
The first thing I ended up baking with the stand mixer was the brownie recipe that was listed in the instruction/information booklet that came with the mixer. It was very easy and straightforward and the end result was ab fab chocolate goodness. I also made madeleines and they turned out perfectly. I love the fact that the mixer can do the work while I measure out the ingredients. The convenience factor is awesome!
I used the plastic pour guard at one point, but I didn’t really need it. I was just trying to use as many gadgets/attachments as possible. I used the paddle attachment (above) for the brownies, but I used the whisk attachment to whip up the eggs for the madeleines. Switching the attachments is easy and quick, as is cleaning them.
I am very happy that I opted for the lift-arm mixer rather than the bowl-lift mixer. The arm lifts at the flick of a switch and the bowl attaches securely and simply to the base.
Here are the brownies before I put them in the oven:
It’s a stylish machine, yes, and it looks wonderful on my counter (a stylish appliance? really? this is what I’m talking about these days? how old am I?), and so it seems I’m joining the “it’s so great, everyone should have one” club. I’ll share a few more photos in the upcoming weeks as I’m eager to try the pasta roller/cutter attachments!
Why let the French have all the fun? They’re known for making scarves look effortlessly chic and have taught the rest of us quite a bit about how to tie one on. From about September to May, you can usually find me wearing a scarf – light pashmina in the fall, thick cashmere in the winter, soft silk in the spring. I recently learned about the Sophia Costas collection of scarves and I love that they are available in various fabrics (lightweight rayon or heavier wool, for example). More importantly, the Sophia Costas scarves are all handcrafted in fair-trade work environments (in Nepal, for example) that aim to preserve traditional artisan practices.
Sophia Costas – modal sheep scarf, $29
Sophia Costas – rayon elephant scarf, $39
Sophia Costas – lightweight wool elephant scarf, $59
Sophia Costas – wool penguin scarf, $129
Sophia Costas – wool llama scarf, $129
These and a full selection of colourful scarves are available online at Berglund and Flying A NYC.
Thanks to Flying A NYC for sponsoring this post. Thanks also to Xena & Liz.
I spotted a version of the photograph below on One King’s Lane a while back. Although I was too late for the sale, I keep coming back to stare at the image. It’s thrilling, calm, fun, and scary all at the same time. What do you think?
I hope everyone is having a great week. I’ll be sharing photos from NYC as soon as I finish uploading them! I did post a few on Instagram, if you’d like to have a look. I hadn’t been to Grand Central Station in a few years, so I went a little photo crazy in there. Such a gorgeous (and very busy) place!
In case you wanted to buy a Zebra pillow to match your inflatable Zebra, I found one for you.
Zebra pillow, $65, Hunters Alley
Chapters-Indigo is one of those stores that is continually improving. Each season brings new home decor, fashion, beauty, and food and entertaining items, not to mention a variety of new and interesting books. I know I’m not alone when I say that spending an afternoon at Chapters-Indigo is really relaxing. If only I had more time, I would read every one of those best-selling books!
Anyway, I headed to Toronto’s Eaton Centre a couple of weeks ago to attend Chapters-Indigo spring kick-off. I snapped some photos of some of the things that caught my eye.
Mugs…why am I such a sucker for a good typographic mug? I’ve got most of the ones featured in these photos (I spoil myself regularly, it seems):
The fashion/style department is the largest I’ve seen it, what with the jewelry, scarves, totes, clutches, and watches. The items are super cute.
Chapters-Indigo has partnered with Etsy and has featured collections from 8 Etsy designers. Way to support artists, Indigo!
I was surprised to see the Nest thermostat in the electronics department. Then again, I shouldn’t have been that surprised considering what a hot product it is for the design conscious customer.
The selection of gourmet food and home decor items seems to be expanding. I loved the little jars of salt (reminds me of the jars I picked up in France earlier this year).
And some books…of course…wouldn’t be a bookstore without a great selection of books!
Photos by Jordana.
I know we’re all super hi-tech now with iPhones and iPads and blue tooth and wi-fi, but I am in the market for a basic – and stylish – clock radio that I can put in my kitchen. I’d like something small but mighty – and white (obviously). I haven’t found anything in stores as of yet, but my online searches keep bringing me to the very sleek Lexon collection.
Thkyo radio designed by Marc Berthier
Titan LED clock radio designed by Jeremy & Adrian Wright
Prism clock radio designed by Joe Doucet
Hybrid designed by Mathieu Lehanneur
Flow radio designed by Philip Wong
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
Easter is just around the corner. While my Easter revolves around chocolate eggs, I know others out there enjoy decorating their homes with any and all types of rabbits. Here’s my round-up of rabbits that are easy to grab a hold of.
Hunter’s Alley: white handmade finger puppet, $19; recycled metal rabbit, $68; modern ceramic rabbit sculpture, $39
Crate & Barrel: Eleni’s bunny cookie, $11.01; papier mache bunny, $34.55; bunny plate, $8.81; bunny place card holder, $5.47
Etsy: stuffed bunny toy, $25; bunny iPhone case, $42.60; Easter bunny baby hat, $25; Herend rabbit, $95; white rabbit earrings, $8.62; white bunny party picks, $4.99
Williams-Sonoma: sculptural bunny spreaders, $26.48; sculptural bunny tiny taper holders, $26.48; white ceramic bunny 12-egg platter, $59.65