Spotlight - Cocoa Lane Sweeterie

This past weekend, I attended the Deer Creek Wedding Show with a client whose wedding decor I am helping with. It was great to learn about the many wonderful local businesses out there, and see some friendly faces (like Mint Floral and her beautiful arrangements). Durham Region certainly has some creative entrepreneurs. One company in particular stood out to me for it's beautiful booth. Cocoa Lane Sweeterie is a Brooklin-based bakery, with an absolutely gorgeous feminine aesthetic. Pinterest worthy to say the least--I mean how cute is that set up?!

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Crushing On

This holiday season, I am crushing on the Charlie Brown Christmas tree (the designer version of course!). As much I love a good ole' fashioned real-pine tree, I know there are people out there (myself included) that don't have the space or ability for the classic Christmas staple. Which is why the smaller, "free-spirited" trees I have been seeing a lot of are so appealing. They are way more fun, and leave plenty of floor space for those holiday dance parties ;) Decorated or bare, lit up or natural, in baskets, or on counters, the options seem to be limitless for the smaller trees. I will be sure to share some snaps of my decorated mini-tree soon, and let me know how you will be decorating this season!

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Check out my Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Board here, and see all of my pins, here.

Thanksgiving Inspirations

Burnt oranges and deep hues of red are quintessentially Fall. However, I thought it would be fun to look outside the norm and find inspiration in these non-traditional Thanksgiving tables capes. After all--purples, greens, blues and golds might be better suited to your home's pre-existing decor and china. Working with what you already have, will create a more cohesive and complimentary table design.

Purple Thanksgiving

Gold Thanksgiving

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Green Thanksgiving

Purple

Pink

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Green and Gold

Purple and Green

White

Check out my Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Decor Board here, and see all of my Pins here.

25th annual holiday house tour

I am excited to once again be apart of the Station Gallery's Holiday House Tour. This charitable event allows you to step inside some of Durham's most beautiful homes, decorated for the holidays by local designers. Michael Penney will be lending his talents to a gorgeous Tudor-style home on Connaught Street in Oshawa. So grab your girlfriends and get ready to be inspired!

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Tickets are $30 each and can be purchased online here. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Trending

It seems wood has gone by the wayside in terms of kitchen design. In its place, painted cabinets and islands in tones of grey, blue and green.

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Blue

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Coloured bottom cabinets and neutral upper cabinets are a fresh alternative to coloured kitchens.

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blue bottom

green bottom

And of course, who doesn't love a statement island?

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grey island

blue island

Check out my Painted Kitchen Cabinets and Island Board here, and see all of my pins here (Chloe Rose).

Crushing On

One of the best ways to determine your personal style and design aesthetic is by pinning (or cutting, snipping, saving) anything and everything you like without much thought. Then go back and see the common threads. I recently went through my Decor Pins and saw that almost all of my kitchen posts and likes included open shelving. I love the relaxed vibe and the personal touch open shelving can add to a space.

Shelving

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True, open shelving is often feared by those of us living a not-so-tidy, not-so-picture-perfect lifestyle, but I believe with some planning and editing, it's possible.

1. Pick a theme. Perhaps it is a coffee/tea station (like Martha Stewart's Espresso bar below!), or a bar featuring your prettiest glasses and tumblers.

Coffee Station

2. Design the shelving around your pieces. Highlight your most cherished collections.

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3. Edit. This is a great excuse to go through your kitchen supplies and narrow it down to only your most used items.

Edit

Check out all my Pinterest Boards here.