The Mix

Posts Tagged ‘colour’

0

Spring into the bedroom

June 3rd, 2010

Spring into the bedroom

With spring in full bloom there is no better time than now to enhance your sleeping quarters with the beauty of the season. Take advantage of the bright colours Mother Nature has provided and rejuvenate your space with imagination. This time of year offers so much variety in colours, textures, and styles. Two incredible local retailers can enhance your bedroom, and also have products to extend into other areas of your home such as the ensuite or kitchen. Be prepared to walk away with some personalized treasures!

Visit Bella Casa Design Center to see how they can create the bedroom of your dreams from bedding to chandeliers. Additionally, Jilly’s Home & Lifestyle provides an eclectic array of accessories to decorate your home to perfection.

Bella Casa Design Center

Bella Casa Design Center

What’s in store: Bella Casa has become a local icon through their ability to offer incredible quality, exceptional personalized service, and products that are uniquely Canadian. Upon first arriving in the store your senses will be overloaded with ideas for every room in your home. The personalized bedding program offers customers the opportunity to create exactly what they want. From an array of fabric choices, pillows and comforters, there is much to behold and savour. Owner, Karen Visser, brings in 16 years of design experience to help solve her customers’ design dilemmas. To help bring the entire space together they also offer area rugs, Hunter Douglas blinds, drapery, and matching towels. Check out the consistently changing bedding displays for inspiration or admiration.

Jilly’s Home & Lifestyle combines the best of many worlds. They take the extra step to not only bring you accessories for your home but go as far as to bring in accessories that match your life via hand bags, jewelry and clothing. You have the complete package here to showcase your style and individuality. Take a look at the unique picture frames or vases to add some sparkle at your bedside. Ask to join their customer newsletter to take advantage of great seasonal specials and announcements. Consider taking home a dainty necklace to match that special outfit — which in turn also matches your new comforter perfectly.

Find them: Visit Bella Casa Design Center Ltd. at 9646-142 Street; Jilly’s Home & Lifestyle is located at 14227-23rd Avenue.

0

Patio Oasis – Mixing function & style with container gardening

May 7th, 2010

Spring brings the desire for patio get-togethers, whether it’s on Whyte Avenue or in the privacy of your own home. Bursts of colors are drumming up inspiration for patios of all sizes. Plants and the right accessories can take even a modest-sized pad and turn it into an outdoor retreat. Determine what type of functionality and style you desire or need, and intertwine the space with decorative containers. Do you need an outside dining table with an area for the barbecue? Do you dream of a quiet corner to read a book? Do you want to grow fresh herbs and vegetables? The best thing about having a patio and container garden is the versatility. If you don’t like the way it looks, simply rearrange it!

The garden experts at EarthTones and Ellerslie Gift & Garden provide a wealth of knowledge to help you determine the best use of your space. Container gardening can be as low or high maintenance as you want it to be.

Charm of the patio: There is a common misconception that if you live in a condo you do not have the room to create a fantastic patio garden. There are different points to consider with a condo, townhome, or house. One must consider the amount of wind, sun exposure, condo board restrictions, architectural controls, and actual space you have to work with. There are many types of trees, plants, and containers available for personalizing your private retreat.

EarthTones offers a fantastic selection of water features that are perfect for any patio, unique accessories, and a huge selection of containers. With an eclectic selection you can create a sleek modern look all the way to a more classic look with European

inspired detailing. You definitely do not need to limit yourself to the “usual”. They offer unique tea cups to use as planters, garden gnomes to add some humour, and a great selection of greenery to enhance any style.

Ellerslie Gift & Garden also offers a colourful array of containers, every plant for every function, and a beautiful gift shop that will be sure to charm any gardener. Take one of their many classes available throughout the summer, specifically Container Gardener, May 15th or June 12th where you can learn which plants thrive on your patio and how to care for them.

Container gardening tips:

  • Check moisture level daily and ensure each pot has adequate drainage.
  • Create small vignettes to add visual impact through screens, water features, wall plaques, or café tables. • Mix up styles from sculptural to floral or grasses.
  • Place fragrant plants near entryways or sitting areas for a sensory boost.
  • Be aware of growing requirements such as height and spacing.

Find them: EarthTones Garden Shoppe, 14020 Stony Plain Road; Ellerslie Gift & Garden, 10330 Ellerslie Road SW.

0

A floor to adore

March 31st, 2010

There are many options out there when considering an eco-friendly floor. One environmental choice is Marmoleum. It’s one that lends itself amazingly well to kids playrooms, offices, kitchens or mudrooms. This unique floor is a hidden gem that certainly has its place in the market.

The Flooring People on St. Albert Trail carry a vast variety of options for colour and layout ideas. Take a look through their showroom for more information on Marmoleum and other eco-flooring options.

The charm: Marmoleum has been a mainstay floor covering for over 100 years because it is one of the few products made from primarily natural raw materials. It’s comprised of linseed oil, rosins, and wood flour, all adhered onto a natural jute backing. The natural raw materials, its durability and anti- microbial properties are the result of the continual oxidation of the linseed oil over time.

It is a tough yet visually striking floor covering, highly resistant to heavy rolling loads and foot traffic. Being a natural organic product, its performance is enhanced by time as exposure to air serves to harden and increase its durability. But even with hardening over time, the floor remains quiet and comfortable under foot.

The features: Marmoleum is all natural, comes in a rainbow of beautiful colours, and has no foul odours that can off-gas into your living space. Being asthma and allergy certified-safe in addition to being SMARTTM certified as a sustainable product, Marmoleum is a perfect complement to any LEED residential or commercial project.

Made with natural ingredients without any harmful VOC’s or other toxic chemicals, it’s natural and sustainable. It can be bought in sheets or in sections. Marmoleum sheets are installed with solvent-free adhesives and the Marmoleum Click Tiles are installed without any adhesive.

Natural antibacterial properties prevent micro- organisms such as salmonella and staph from multiplying because of the continual oxidation of the linseed oil. If you’re looking for a dust-free environment, the anti-static properties not only reduce the potential for electric shock, they also make the floor easier to clean because dust and dirt do not adhere to it. It’s also 100 per cent biodegradable so even disposal is
environmentally friendly.

Other options: Reclaimed hardwood is another eco- friendly flooring option. If you love the look of hardwoods, but can’t reconcile yourself to having trees cut down, think about reclaimed wood. This flooring is made with timbers recycled from old structures, such as barns, schoolhouses, or libraries.

Find it: Visit The Flooring People at 12736 St. Albert Trail or online at www.theflooringpeople.com

0

Art and Flowers – A Playful Valentine’s Day.

February 16th, 2010

No matter how many Valentine’s Days we have experienced, it never gets old to say “I love you” in a special way. Go beyond the traditional dozen roses to excel your partner’s heart rate — entice them with something bold from The ArtWorks. An Edmonton icon nestled perfectly in downtown since 1982, The Artworks offers the perfect unique gift you will be looking for.

They offer: Old with new. An eclectic mix of merchandise guaranteed to satisfy the most astute consumer: flowers, jewelry, home décor items, stationery, journals, customized art framing, and many other kitsch items. Emphasis is placed on small production items to bring both quality and uniqueness into your home. The porcelain collection by Klein Reid (New York) offers hand-detailing with unsurpassed beauty you will not find elsewhere. New York jewelry designers Philip Crangi and Jill Platner craft statement pieces that will definitely ignite a fire. Floral arrangements showcase the best the season has to offer with a focus on quality over quantity. Interesting texture and colour combinations, offered in each floral masterpiece, will make any heart flutter.

The charm: Witty and intriguing. With a very loyal customer following, Edmonton has grown to expect both the unusual and beautiful to come from The ArtWorks. This

store moves beyond disposable goods into unsurpassed quality that will last for generations. Owner Peter Turner, has taken great strides to mix old with new in both presentation and merchandise selection ultimately resulting in a truly inspirational atmosphere. When you receive a floral arrangement from The ArtWorks it is more than just flowers — it is a sculpture to behold. Every item tells a story — small vignettes make it easy to visualize how you will be able to work the items into your own home. The jewelry pieces are one of a kind and worth every compliment.

Gift ideas: For ‘her’ use the customized floral program (flowers for each day of the week or once a week or month), wrap a necklace or bracelet around a bouquet of flowers, pick out a bold vase or carafe to place your perfect arrangement in, or simply place a ring around a single long

stem. As well, beautiful scarves and purses await loving embraces.

For ‘him’ slip some small cards that whisper sweet nothings into a funky business card holder, clip a few of your favorite photographs or date ideas with a shiny new money clip, wrap a bracelet around a new journal, make sure he is never late with a new watch, or buy some new wine glasses to celebrate.

With a feeling of nostalgia and modernism twisted into one, The Artworks is a real gem to visit.

Find it: The ArtWorks is located downtown at 101B in Edmonton City Centre.