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?!

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!

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

Fall Flowers

A new crop of flowers have arrived at Pineapple Street, just in time for creating your Thanksgiving table centre piece or grabbing your hostess gift! Sold by the stem--you can create your own arrangement, or have them arranged for you. How perfectly Fall are those orange Daisies?

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.

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!

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

Just Because

Just because... today feels like the most picture-perfect Fall day, and Pineapple Street is Autumn ready!

Make sure to check out Whitby Heritage Day this Saturday, Sept. 20.

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.

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

And of course, who doesn't love a statement 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.

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.

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

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

Check out all my Pinterest Boards here.

Trending

This may be the Penney rubbing off on me...

but I am loving mint! It is one of those accent colours that seems to work with everything--grey, white, purple, even coral.

It's an easy way to add interest to a neutral palette, like these mint tea cups in my kitchen.

This vintage mint-green rocking chair at my friend Emma's house is perfection.

It's also popping up in the baking world, as seen in Butter Baked Goods, by Rosie Daykin.

I helped my girlfriend with her wedding decor last summer. The theme? Mint of course!

Are you using mint?

Gratitude Journal

My aunts are a force to be reckoned with! So when a milestone birthday for my Aunt Donna arrived, they got together and threw her the most elegant Indian Tea Party. I am grateful for my family every day, but especially this week. Check out the photos of this beautiful Sunday spent in the garden.

Trending

I have seen burlap being used in decor for awhile now. In fact, I have a burlap pillow from Restoration Hardware in my living room!

I have also been eyeing this burlap ottoman from the 'McPherson Boutique.' It looks great in here, doesn't it? Wink. Wink.

But it was when my girlfriend asked me to help her with her wedding decor, and presented me with this spread as her inspiration, that I knew it was a trend worth mentioning.

A quick search on Pinterest and I am already full of ideas. I am loving this elegant table number--it is the perfect balance of feminine and rustic.

Looking for a subtle and cost-effective way of incorporating this trend into your home? Try using a burlap table runner, available at Pineapple Street.

Crushing on... White Decor

White decor is more than a crush for me, it's a lifetime love! I have always dreamt of one day "summering" in a white-washed, Cape Cod style beach house (who doesn't?). Living in white does something to the soul--it's fresh and crisp, leaves room for inspiration and calms the spirit.

However, mastering white in decor can be tricky, which is why I was excited to pick up a copy of House & Home's bookazine "Decorating with White."

I recently switched over to my Summer bedding, a feminine palette rooted in soft whites. The key for me in this white space is the mixing of textures--linens, lace, faux-fur, quilting and wood. Of course, I cannot resist a pop of purple (my favourite colour) and some vintage pieces to add character. Also, it's important to remember to include things, regardless of colour or room, that mean something to you. Plain and simple. If it puts a smile on your face, it's the right piece!

Product list: Purple throw, Chapters; White quilt, similar from Sweet Violet; Decorative pillows, similar from Penney & Co.; Grey poof, similar from CB2 .