Online Sources for Affordable Art + My Current Favourites

Art can easily be the trickiest part about decorating a space but when you do find that perfect piece, it’s pure magic! When my husband and I were decorating our place, we couldn’t help but feel that something was missing until we found art we truly loved. It adds the perfect finishing touch plus an extra oomph to any room. Not only is there so much choice out there, but it’s also a challenge finding unique art at an affordable price. This is why I thought it would be cool to compile a short list of my favourite online sources for affordable art + my current faves. 

One Must Dash

I discovered this online shop recently while looking for some prints for a client’s dining area. She was craving a Scandinavian vibe and this site’s art truly fits the bill. I picture these prints within a minimalist design. Their selection isn’t huge but if you’re into the monochrome look, this shop will definitely be your new addiction. 

1) Honey Honey print  //  2) A Day in May print  //  3) Small Talk print  

Society 6

I can easily spend hours at a time on this site! There is so much variety to choose from in terms of modern photography and art prints. Keep an eye out for their email promotions and free shipping deals!

1) Marianna by Ruben Ireland //  2) Pineapple Top by Cassia Beck //  Dissolve Me by Daniel Taylor

Etsy

Etsy. Duh. Although this may be an obvious one, a great feature about Etsy is that you can filter items based on your location, saving you shipping costs. The prints featured here for example, are all by Canadian artists. 

1) Wood Stove by Mathilde Cinq Mars  //  2) Montreal on 27 April 1967 by Raymond Biesinger  //  3) Fiddle Leaf Fig by Richelle Bergen 

Art.com

It’s very easy to get overwhelmed on this site since the selection HUGE. Photography, abstract art, illustrations.. this site has it all. If you’re looking for that Andy Warhol print you’ve seen a million times but still can’t get enough of, this is the place to get it.

1) Untitled 1C by Jaime Derringer  //  2) Jean-Michel Basquiat, 1982 by Warhol  //  3 Sunbeams in Grand Central Station

The Infamous White Wall 

What’s always remained a hot topic in the design community is the aesthetic of the white wall. It never goes away and that’s because people have such strong reactions to it. They either love it or loathe it. While I was working on three different living room concepts this weekend for a client I realized that all three of them had white walls and a fairly neutral color palette. Ok fine, one had pale grey as the main paint color but I really had to push myself for that. Had I too become comfortable with the ever popular all-white look? As I paused to think about this first world question, I came across this interesting article on Design Sponge, titled,  The White Wall Controversy: How the All-White Aesthetic has Affected Design. The author discusses how the look may have started, people’s reactions to it, and what it says about how we decorate today. 

We’ve all seen it all over our Pinterest boards–crisp, white interiors filled with leafy green plants, lots of wood accents and kilim pillows. I think the reason a white backdrop is so popular is because today, a lot of us are in constant movement;  renting vs. buying, traveling a lot for work, so we simply don’t have the time and are not in a situation where we can invest heavily into one place and put down permanent roots. We’re also a society that craves change and wants it fast. I guess you can say we’re a bunch of commitment phoebes. If I’m craving a change in my condo, it’s a lot more practical, quick and affordable to switch up some accessories than it is to start painting or undergo some kind of renovation. 

We’re also constantly being exposed to billions of images via blogs, Pinterest etc. so we’re constantly getting ideas and we want to implement them almost as fast. Plus, a simple, fresh white wall allows personal items to shine such as art, your latest vintage find or things passed down from family members. 

Something I keep hearing over and over from clients is that they want a space that feels fresh and airy. This is almost always most easily achieved with some white paint. Don’t get me wrong though, especially with Fall arriving, I’m a sucker for a dark, moody interior. What do you think of this white wall aesthetic?

Photos via

Out with the Old, In with the New (Sort of)

We finally got rid of the grey curtains that were in our condo when we first moved in. I normally don’t mind grey but I found the curtains a little too heavy- looking and the texture also had a sheen to it which I really didn’t like. I wanted something natural and light and ended up finding it in the most unexpected place–our closet. I was going through some of our older stuff, trying to free up storage space and came across these linen-ish IKEA curtains Alex used to have at his old place. I actually helped him pick them out when we were dating but had completely forgotten about them after the move! I guess they got lost in the mountains of bags and boxes but I’m oh so glad they’ve been found.

IKEA 2017 Catalog Sneak Peek

Getting Personal

I was checking out Apartment Therapy and was ecstatic to find a sneak peak of the IKEA 2017 Catalog! It always feels like Christmas when it gets released! Pouring over it with a cup of coffee as I dog-ear the pages is one of my favourite things to do when I have a moment to myself. If you prefer browsing through the app then I’ve got good news–a new catalog app is on its way! Goodbye Expectations. Hello you! is the theme of this year’s catalog. From what I’ve read, the IKEA team wanted to reflect on how much pressure people face in their day-to-day lives to be perfect and instead present people with products that help them live in a way that’s true to themselves, caring less about other people’s opinions and more about what they want in a home. In other words, less catalog and a little more lived-in personality–of which I’m a big fan! This personal approach extends to a new feature in the catalog where 13 individuals and their spaces will be featured. The stories will be sourced from all around the world.

Keep reading

Living Room Updates for the Summer

Hi Strangers! Life has been busy to say the least. Between work and wedding planning, I haven’t had as much time to blog but now I’m back at it again and am also going to set aside some time this week to post a proper before and after post about the changes we made to the condo since we moved in. My friend Amanda who’s an awesome photographer came by recently from Montreal to photograph my place and I’ll be including those photos in the before and after post later this week. You will be spared my photography skills for once! 

In the meantime, I thought I’d share the changes I’ve made to our living room. I love switching up my decor once in a while and especially with the seasons. I get bored easily. I’m also a freelancer and while working from home has its perks, it can also leave you feeling very restless/annoyed with your surroundings. Or maybe I’m just a freak like that. So, I think it’s very important to feel calm and actually like what you’re surrounded by most of the time. Same goes for people. Look at me, doling out life advice ;)

You can switch up your decor without spending a mint. My favourite way to do so, especially when summer rolls around, is with plants. They add such a fresh feel and can last if you do your research and select the appropriate plant for your space. I’m pretty much a plant serial killer so I looked up which plants require the least care and came across the Pachira or “Money” tree. Our place gets lots of light but it’s a lot of indirect light and that’s what this plant apparently thrives in. Plus, it only needs water every ten days or so and has this gorgeous braided trunk. I picked it up at the grocery store and I believe it was around 20$. It’s been doing well and I love the tropical look it has to it!

Keep reading

Bohemian Chalet in the Alps

This looks like one of those places you’d see in an Airbnb top ten list. I definitely wouldn’t mind escaping whatever remains of the winter and curling up with a good book in this bohemian styled chalet. It was once a 19th century farmhouse that was recently converted to a cozy retreat in the French Alps by Belgian designer, Lionel Jadot. He’s known for his bohemian and global influences and not only did he transform the interior, but much of the original structure was restored as well. The oversized windows look out onto Mont Blanc and you can enjoy the view from a beautifully nordic, sheepskin-accented outdoor nook. The kitchen island is definitely a standout, covered in pixel-like Bisazza mosaic and that black range hood contrasts beautifully with all the wood. I love how nothing’s too matchy…the colorful textiles, the mixed materials and patterns, it all comes together for a relaxed vibe.

Via

Chairish Diva Den – Midcentury Casual

The folks at Chairish contacted me about creating a mood board for my own personal getaway room, a certain Diva Den as opposed to the common Man Cave, if you will. I obviously jumped at the chance seeing as how I love creating mood boards. I do it for clients, my own home projects, basically everything. If I could plan my life using mood boards, I would be way more organized!

I was so happy to discover Chairish because it combines everything I love about interior design. Every featured piece is hand-picked due to its unique character. Its a curated, online vintage marketplace where design lovers can buy and sell furniture, artwork and accessories. 

I picked out the Findahls Danish  bar stools first. I was drawn to the emerald green cushions combined with the pale wood. Since I’m more of a neutral kind of girl I knew they’d also provide the perfect pop of color in my light, airy room. I wanted to create a casual, eclectic feel with midcentury accents so I chose a tulip-style pub table and warmed up the modern pieces by adding some global-inspired patterns like the rug and vintage teak lounge chair. Above the wine cabinet, I picked out an antique round leaf mirror. Round mirrors are everywhere lately and I couldn’t be happier. They give so much personality to a room. I decided to anchor the room with the Modern Workstead Brass Chandelier because I’m just a sucker for anything brass and with bare bulbs! For me, an ideal getaway spot in my own home involves lots of wine, cozy seating and a great book–which is why I made sure to add a book shelf to create a little reading nook.

Grey ~ The Old Faithful

Every time design writers or industry insiders try to predict that grey is finally “out”, I laugh. I’ve heard it for the past two years yet I continue to see the most gorgeous interiors feature this warm, familiar and friendly shade. This 721-square-foot Swedish home contains so many of my go-to favorites–grey paint for a cozy feel, charcoal kitchen cabinets, white subway tile complimented with dark grout and colourful textiles to pop against the grey in the living room. The kitchen is pretty sizeable, especially considering its square footage! The flooring and grey walls add a touch of dark elegance while the subway tile backsplash and unique lighting really brightens up the space. I’m loving those white vintage dining chairs and the pattern on their seat covers. Another standout is the Moroccan tiled hallway at the entrance and the arched window in the bedroom. An honourable mention goes to the quirky artwork. Especially the monkey lying casually in the grass on what looks to be the same pillows that are in the living room–nice touch.

Via