Design: Land of Nod in the Kids’ Room

My sister recently sent over some photos of the progress she has made in her kids’ room. The Land of Nod helped us personalize this bedroom for my 3 nephews and niece who currently share it down in North Carolina.

First…a couple photos of the cuties… White-Cabana-Land of Nod-Children-2 White-Cabana-Land of Nod-Children-3Now, the room:

The youngest kiddo is in a crib, the second youngest is in a toddler bed, and the older two share a bunk bed. On the window wall, you’ll see the crib and the toddler bed. White-Cabana-Land of Nod-Children-6The Bon Voyage luggage storage cases are filled with the kids’ goodies (but I’ll admit that they rarely stay neatly piled on the chair as in the photos). My sister hung the half dot rainbow garland across this wall to add some fun colour. It also ties in very well with the two pieces of art that my sister painted. White-Cabana-Land of Nod-Children-7 White-Cabana-Land of Nod-Children-8 White-Cabana-Land of Nod-Children-9

(so much colour for White Cabana!)

Each bed has a letter pillow to personalize them for the kids. In the above photos, you’ll also notice the flea market bench (the kids are also sitting on it in the photos above). We love this kid-sized bench, and the munchkins actually use it to play, read, put on socks, etc. Here I was thinking that it was going to be a just-for-show-bench! Nope – they actually use it!

My sister created (most of) the artwork in the bedroom, including the scattered colourful squares and the kids’ silhouettes. The art hung on the clipboards? Those are the kids’ masterpieces! It is their room after all!

Thanks to The Land of Nod for sponsoring this post.

The Friday Five: My Mom’s Favourite Blogs

How long does it take for something to become a tradition? For the last two years, my mom has shared her top blogs/websites with White Cabana readers on the Friday before Mother’s Day. She’s ready to take over the blog again today. I’d say that this has now turned into a traditional post, wouldn’t you?

When I asked my mom for her top five blogs, she obviously could not resist expanding her list to her top six. Such a classic Italian mom – always filling your plate with more!

Here they are, in no particular order:

1. The Enchanted Home

IMG_1690-768x1024via My Enchanted Home

2. Mark D. Sikes

House Beautiful HD #42 1108_AN_HouseBeautifulvia Mark. D. Sikes

3. Thistlewood Farms

farmhouse-kitchen-decorvia Thistlewood Farms

4. Preppy Empty Nester

kitch5via Preppy Empty Nester

5. Summer in Newport

August Wren-artAugust Wren via Summer in Newport

6. Jenny Steffens Hobick

spring-pasta-peas-prosciuttvia Jenny Steffens Hobick

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! Thanks for sharing your reads with us!

I wish you all a wonderful weekend!

Read my mom’s blog and website picks from 2013 and 2014.

Design: Alessi Gets Dressed

By now, you may know that I am a collector of Alessi. This Italian company works with designers around the world to produce collections that are classic, useful, whimsical, and statement pieces.

The Juicy Salif citrus squeezer designed by Philippe Starck is still one of my most favourite Alessi pieces. It’s such an unusual design and noone else has attempted to recreate anything quite like it. The trays and bowls are functional and friendly, and I have a few pieces hanging around on my sideboard (you can see one tray in this photo). I dare you to come to my home and resist touching my mini Anna G. corkscrew. It’s so cute! I remember buying each piece of Alessi that I own, which makes each purchase quite special.

So what’s going on with Alessi these days? Well, when I saw the newest collection by Marcel Wanders called Dressed, I was pretty excited.dressed-sugar-bowl-Alessi

Dressed sugar bowl, $121

dressed-butter-dish-alessi-marcel-wanders

Dressed butter dish, $99

dressed-egg-cup-marcel-wanders-alessi

Dressed egg cup, $66

dressed-table-set-Alessi-marcel-wanders

Dressed table set, $121

dressed-spoon-Marcel-Wanders-Alessi

Dressed spoon with soft boiled egg opener, $44

dressed-biscuit-box-Alessi-Marcel-Wanders

Dressed biscuit box, $198 (there’s a bell on the lid!)

These are just some of the pieces in the Dressed collection that I think would pair well with my existing pieces. I mean, that biscuit box with bell, how great is that?

Marketplace: Angus and Company in Elora

If you live in Toronto or you read House & Home magazine, chances are you already know about Angus and Company – a beautifully curated shop for housewares, owned and operated by designer Michael Angus. angus-and-company-logoWhen I was putzing around Elora a couple of weekends ago, I was completely surprised to stumble upon Angus & Company in its new home in Elora. How did I miss the news of its move?

The store is so well-styled, and I could easily take it all, transport it to my home, and be very happy. I was able to chat with Mike for quite some time, and he seems to be very happy about the new location of his store. I mean, it backs on to the water and faces the town square, so it seems pretty ideal to me!

Angus and Company_Elora_1 Angus and Company_Elora_2this hutch is a beautiful shade of blue and it is filled with the shiniest pieces of silver
Angus and Company_Elora_3 Angus and Company_Elora_4

Angus & Company carries a mix of new and vintage home wares, furniture, and art. This bright white store has so many pretty vignettes, and it easily draws you in. And Mike’s styling is enviable.

If you end up sitting on the couch and flipping through a book while you’re there, I’ll understand. Even though the store is certainly filled with some very luxurious blankets, antique consoles, oil paintings, and scented candles, it is casual, easy, and inviting. I just love the mix.

Thanks, Mike, for taking the time out of your day to chat with me! I wish you all the best in your new home!

Design: Real Estate Toronto

After years of watching the Toronto housing market, I shouldn’t be surprised by what I see. But, I am.

This place in Toronto has some gorgeous bright white rooms. How much do you think it is listed for?

52-Shaver-Ave-Toronto-5 52-Shaver-Ave-Toronto-3 52-Shaver-Ave-Toronto-2 52-Shaver-Ave-Toronto-1 52-Shaver-Ave-Toronto-4 52-Shaver-Ave-Toronto-652 Shaver Ave. S., Toronto

This modern rebuild in Etobicoke (near Kipling subway station) is listed for just about $1.8 million. Yes, that’s right, almost $2 million dollars. How close was your guess?

Thanks to Daniela for sending this my way.

1 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 72