Wishing you a Happy New Year!

2012 has definitely been a year of progress and change. New transitions, travel to far flung places and lots of plans made for the future. I can't wait to see what the coming year will bring! At the close of this year I'm sitting down to write down some of my dreams and goals for the year ahead and reflect on so many things I am grateful for. Right now I wish you all a happy start to the New Year, a moment to reflect, savour and celebrate being right wherever you are right now and what lies ahead...

Happy New Year!

{Photos: Karen Mordecai of Sunday Suppers + Ariel Dearie Flowers}

Tropical Getaway

While a little bit of snow can be beautiful, after trudging through the snow with groceries, I have admit I'm already looking forward to warmer days far ahead. Right now I'm fantasizing about how nice it would be to escape on a little tropical New Year's vacation. The Brazilian home of Charlene de Ganay would be the perfect venue. With it's open, all white interior and floors contrasting against warm thatched roof and honey coloured wood and indoor/outdoor living throughout- it's bright, inviting and the perfect fit for a tropical vacation. 

A wispy white canopy and crisp linens get a boost of colour from the bright yellow vintage suzani on the bed. The bright pink art above a more rustic wooden desk adds a bit of edge.

A very spacious master bath with a sunken tub that looks out into the garden.

Every room appears to open out onto a verandah that wraps around the whole house. 

Love the simplicity of the shower in the guest bathroom, opening right up to the outdoors.

The kitchen is very fitting for this tropical setting with lots of warm wood and woven baskets.

One of my favourite aspects of the home - the outdoor kitchen that calls for dining al fresco. 

A large Balinese teak bed is the perfect spot to lounge outdoors and soak up the sunshine.

{All photos: Simon Upton for Elle Decor}

The Nutcracker Ballet

This year marked the 120th anniversary of the first performance of  Tchaikovsky's Christmas based ballet, The Nutcracker in St Petersburg, Russia. It has become a holiday tradition across the globe and it's magic still has not faded. Countless hours are involved in the preparation - exquisite costumes, fantastical sets and of course, the beautiful, beautiful performances of the dancers and the results are nothing short of spectacular. Here are just a few moments celebrating the magic of the Nutcracker Ballet.  

{Photos: 1, 2- unknown; 3, 5, 7- Bruce Zinger for National Ballet of Canada, 4, 6 - The Royal Ballet} 

Black + White Christmas in Denmark

Not being much of a traditional red and green Christmas person, I always find it refreshing to see beautiful holiday decorating in my all-time favourite palette - black and white. It's unsurprising that the source of this holiday palette would be in Scandinavia. This is the home of Danish artist Tenka Gammelgaard, whose affinity for black and white is true not only in her decorating but also in her art , which is found throughout the home.

The magnificent large white tree is simply adorned with small pieces of art tied on with ribbon. The all white wrapping on the gifts below adds to the drama of this beautiful display.

A whole array of oversized black and white cushions on a plush black carpet provide the perfect spot for lounging. I love the idea of setting up pretty festive trays like this one (below), with a few decorations, some sweet treats and of course a favourite hot beverage. These would be easy to move around the house on a coffee table, kitchen counter or even a bedside table adding a bit of festive charm to any little corner. 

Christmas in the kitchen - these charming little vignettes including mini tinsel trees and trays of glittery candles add a bit of festive cheer to the kitchen table.

Cute little Japanese paper lanterns add a bit of charm and a pop of colour all year round.

While there may be a bit more conservative or 'grown up' palette happening in the rest of the home. I think it's a really fun idea, to create a special children's Christmas area. Unlike the rest of the home in black and white, this all white room is filled with pops of bright colour. Two mini white Christmas trees flank either side of this cozy reading nook, piled high with colourful cushions. For a very simple festive touch, individual ornaments are hung right on the wall. 

{Photos: Morten Holtum, Pia Olsen for Bolig Magasinet}

Holiday Table Setting: White, Wood + Whimsy

For some reason this Christmas season has seemed to have a subdued feeling over it. Despite numerous attempts, I can't seem to get into 'holiday mode'.  So when it comes to thinking of Christmas decorating and potential table setting ideas, something a little more understated feels like a much better fit this year.  I loved the simplicity of this holiday table by New Zealand designer Claudia Zinzan who owns the very charming little shop Father Rabbit in Auckland.  In all white with little whimsical details - like small deer, wooden cloud shaped placemats, miniature globes and white paper stars - the arrangement still feels very special, just perfect for an intimate holiday meal with friends. 

{Photos: Louise Hyatt, Styling: Claudia Zinzan for Fete Press}

A charming children's shop at Christmas

I couldn't help but be instantly smitten with the beautiful holiday storefront of the Leuie Pop Up shop in Vancouver.  It's simple, natural styling seems so perfect and almost quaint in a world of flashing colourful displays around this time of year. Simply decorated with natural greenery and white lights, a pale blue door with a simple wreath tied with a plush velvet bow and a charming little rabbit outside. 

  Leuie is a wonderful children's store started by design blogger Sarah Klassen, who writes one of my longtime favourite blogs, Haute Design. Sarah's classic sense of style with a strong French influence is apparent throughout Leuie's collection. Not over done, and a far cry from some of the garish branded toys that have become so common these days, it's style is reminiscent of another era. It's look of traditional simplicity with just the right dose of whimsy takes you back to a time when life seemed just a little bit simpler. 

If you are in the Vancouver, you really should stop into their Pop Up Shop during December, it would be the perfect place to pick up a lovely gift for a favourite little one. And for those of us who are not lucky enough to stop in person, be sure to visit the Leuie site and shop online. 

{Photos: 1- Luis Valdizon, 2-5 James Moes for Leuie}

Holiday Wish List-ing

Every year around this time, a certain someone complains that they have no idea what to buy me for Christmas. Because the art of subtlety is lost on some, I thought I'd make it abundantly clear with the help of personal wishlist...




1. Things That Matter by Nate Berkus - I've been a longtime fan of Nate's and have heard nothing but great things about this new book. It's a definite must-have in any design lover's library.
2. Bodum Eileen French Press - lately I've been using my French press much more often, sometimes even just filling it with thin slices of ginger and lemon. This pretty gold piece would be a beautiful addition to my counter top. 
3. Dauville gold and white ceramic bowls by Canvas Home - if you've read this blog awhile you may have already detected that I'm a little obsessed with white and gold ceramics. These pieces are a pretty and practical little luxury, perfect for jewellery by the bedside. 
4. Golden Viper Journal at Anthropologie - along the same lines, I decided at first glance that I simple had to have this pretty journal in gold and white snakeskin - beautiful!
5. Ballerina Project photograph - this beautiful image of ballerina Heather Ogden silhouetted against the  Toronto skyline has been a top fixture on my mental wishlist ever since I first posted about it here. 
6. Stardust Suede Pouch at Anthropologie - this cute little clutch is the perfect combination of pretty and practical in a soft tan suede with a little bit of sparkle. Perfect to slide into a larger bag to keep it organized, or use a clutch all on its own. Love the clasp!
7. Sequin Rhino Sweatshirt from J Crew - versatile enough to dress up or down, this piece would add a bit of a playful twist to even just a blazer and jeans. One of the highlights of this year for me was our Kariba safari and spotting a mother a baby rhino. This pretty piece would be a lovely memento for this year. 
8. Touch Eclat by Yves Saint Laurent - I'm yet to try this much fabled beauty wonder for myself but its promise to transform tired eyes into radiant and refreshed mean that it might be a necessity for the busy year up ahead. 
9. A French Bulldog - I had to throw it out there. This is a combined request from both Javier and myself. Is it likely, or even possible? Not at all, but you just never know. I would name her Miss Billy Jean Holiday (a doubled up musical tribute) and life would be wonderful together.
10. Get it done notepad by Rifle Paper - the year ahead is already filling up with so many exciting things coming up. Staying on top of the ball is key, and this cute notepad will make it just a little bit easier.
11. Personal embosser - the perfect way to literally put your personal stamp on and elevate even the most basic of paperstock into pretty stationery.
12. Bow note set by Sugar Paper - failing the above (or even better, in addition to) this pretty stationery is destined to encourage the writing and receiving of special little notes.
13. Classic Navy Blazer with Brass buttons by Two Penny Blue - a longtime fixture on my wardrobe wish list, I know this classic wardrobe staple would be worn to death. This beautifully cut piece has been carefully designed with lots of attention to the little details. What's better - each purchase from Two Penny Blue will donate a school uniform to a girl in Africa. 

The Best Holiday Windows around the World

I'm a great admirer of shop windows and am often impressed by the creative talent and hard work that goes into creating the stunning displays that lure us in and make our shopping experiences so much more memorable. The holiday season is always the time of year when all the stops are pulled and the displays are that much more spectacular.  

Windows Wear is a new site that allows fashion fans around the world to look into the window displays of their favourite luxurious boutiques and department stores. As department stores in particular are known for their extravagant displays, I thought it'd be fun to tour around some of my favourite ones around the world and peer into their dazzling displays. 

Bergdorf Goodman, New York

Bergdorf Goodman, New York

 

Bloomingdale's, New York

Bloomingdale's, New York

Galeries Lafayette, Paris

Galeries Lafayette, Paris

Galeries Lafayette, Paris

Harrod's, London

Harrod's, London

Harrod's, London

{All photos via Windows Wear}

The Ice Hotel, Quebec

Located just outside of Quebec City, the fabled Hotel de Glace (Ice Hotel) has piqued curiosity and delighted visitors for over a decade. Every year, the hotel is redesigned and reconstructed each December for the new winter season and then closes and is taken down in April. It is built with metal frames and its own special mixture of snow. 

With a different design each year, the hotel takes 60 employees over a month to reconstruct annually. The team includes talented ice sculptors who take great pride in creating the spectacular and very unique displays. 

In addition to carved pillars and decorative patterns, the hotel boasts ice chandeliers and even furniture. Coloured light is used throughout the space to illuminate the ice and show off the beautiful carved details. 

The hotel has become a popular wedding destination for winter lovers with its own chapel. With soaring arched ceilings, ice benches covered in fur throw and completely illuminated with a myriad of glowing candles, it really is the ultimate wintry romantic setting. 

Each guest suite is uniquely designed with carved ice walls and even an ice bed covered in thick hides and blankets. 

{Photos: 1- Hotel de Glace, 2 + 6 - Luc Rousseau, 3-5 - Xavier Dachez}

One quick + clever idea: metallic baskets

As we enter the holiday season, things seem to be a-glittering almost everywhere you look. In the bleak darkness of winter, the little bit of extra sparkle really can add a bit of much needed warmth and light. I absolutely loved this simple, clever idea from one of the crafting gurus at Martha Stewart earlier this summer. A plain woven straw basket gets a glamorous makeover with a quick coat of metallic spray paint. I'd love to have a couple of these in my living room for magazines or an extra large one for firewood. It could be fun to experiment with pattern and create stripes using tape on the baskets before painting too. See the original tips and instructions here. 

{Photo: Martha Stewart}

Dreaming in Indigo

I often enjoy perusing Scandinavian design magazines online, while I generally have no clue what they're talking about they do speak very clearly through the language of great design. Lately I've been obsessed with all shades of indigo, ranging from navy blue to dark purple. A little softer and warmer than dramatic black and white, there's something about this moody shade I find a little intoxicating. This Danish home has done what so many Scandinavian homes do so well and used a very neutral base (all white) and accented with this one shade throughout the entire home. 

Painting just a portion of the wall dark in this entrance hall and keeping the floor very light keeps it light, bright and airy.

This image (above) has confirmed my suspicions that my drab all white kitchen needs a dark blue wall. 

Personal pieces, vintage touches and honey toned woods accented throughout the home give it warmth and prevent it from looking too cold.

Love this formal cabinet with open glass doors used for storage in the bedroom. And of course, the stack of plush velvet pillows in deep purple and dark blue. 

{Photos: Mikkel Adsbol for Bolig Magazinet}