23 Wednesday Jan 2013
Posted in Design Tips & DIY projects, Interiors
I’ve been doing some much needed freshening up around our house this month. We’ve been long overdue for the basics – some fresh plates, pillows and towels – and, for once, the sales going on have aligned with my needs.
20 Tuesday Nov 2012
Posted in Design Tips & DIY projects
Have you started shopping for gifts yet? We’re still in November and some people are already well into their shopping while others have barely given it a thought. I made my first few purchases yesterday and I thought I’d share some of them with you in case you’re looking for ideas or inspiration.
06 Tuesday Nov 2012
Posted in Art & Accessories, Design Tips & DIY projects
I came up with this DIY project on the weekend when I was trying to think of a fun, original and personalized gift for a special little someone. As you can see, it’s an illuminated initial on canvas and, since it couldn’t have been simpler to make, I thought I’d share the how-to with you all.
24 Wednesday Oct 2012
Posted in Design Tips & DIY projects, Interiors, Real Rooms
Tags
bedroom, decorating tips, design, DIY, Home, interiors, upholstered heaboard
I can’t believe it’s taken me this long, but I’ve finally made an upholstered headboard. I’ve been wanting to make one for what seems like forever, but for one reason or another I’ve only just gotten around to it recently. I almost feel like I deserve a badge for this milestone DIY accomplishment!
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17 Monday Sep 2012
Posted in Design Tips & DIY projects, Reviews, Trends
I can’t believe it’s already time for the October decor magazine round-up!
As you can imagine, most of the October issues are all about Fall with pumpkins being featured prominently in the vast majority of them. I love how artfully Country Living has transformed their pumpkins (above). It’s amazing to find out that they’re such quick and easy DIY projects.
Here’s the lowdown on the DIY: With a foam brush, give each pumpkin two coats of acrylic paint, waiting 30 minutes between coats. Then apply weather-resistant vinyl decals of your choice. Easy peasy and so impressive.
12 Wednesday Sep 2012
Posted in Design Tips & DIY projects, Interiors
Tags
accessories, design, DIY, Fall, Home, interiors, Knit decor
It’s been a fantastic summer, however there’s no denying that Fall is just around the corner. Although it’s already mid-September, in the Toronto area we continue to enjoy warm and sunny days but our nights are getting much cooler, and with this change come thoughts of getting cozy inside.
Warming up the look of our decor often comes from adding warm colors to our walls or accessories, but this year I’m most enthusiastic about the idea of warming things up by bringing in a variety of textures for Fall. I love these chic ideas for knitted pillows, throws and stool covers from Martha Stewart which seem simple enough for a knitting novice like me.
10 Monday Sep 2012
Posted in Design Tips & DIY projects, Interiors, Real Rooms
It’s finally time for The Big Reveal! This is the result of my armchair makeover and, I must say, I’m quite pleased.
In case you’re just tuning in, this is how the chair looked before, in all its glory:
03 Monday Sep 2012
Posted in Design Tips & DIY projects
There’s a corner of my bedroom that’s been crying out to have a comfy armchair for ages. Of course, I’ve been on the lookout for the perfect piece for many months but each time I find one that has the right size, shape and feel, it’s way over budget.
Then along came this (soon to be) beauty! My parents were parting with it as obviously it’s seen better days. It has the perfect proportions for a tight corner, a comfortable high back, small arms and, best of all, tufting! The downside, naturally, is that it’s upholstered in dusty rose from the 80′s. It’s also missing a button.
30 Thursday Aug 2012
Posted in Design Tips & DIY projects, Interiors, Trends
Lately, I’ve been noticing safari and tribal trends in furniture and home accessories creeping into more and more stores. It’s been quite a few years since I’ve seen so much of these looks. Done right, rooms inspired by these trends are classic and timeless without appearing to have a theme. To break down this type of decor let’s take a look at some beautiful photographs of an authentic group of South African lodges at the Londolozi Reserves.
For starters, choose sofas or armchairs slipcovered in white, gray or muted tones. Then add a pair of leather, cane or wicker living room accent chairs. Around a wooden dining table, chairs could be either wicker or slipcovered to continue the flow.
20 Monday Aug 2012
Posted in Design Tips & DIY projects, Interiors, Real Rooms
Tags
accessories, design, hallway, interiors, office, Photography, Toronto Decorator, Warren Brown Photography
Copyright Warren Brown 2012
Recently, a mid-town Toronto firm requested my help with their design dilemma. They had just moved into a new office space in a contemporary Yonge Street tower and quickly set up their desks and equipment in an arrangement which was highly functional and well-suited to their needs. Being a corner space, most of their walls are floor to ceiling windows which allow for plenty of light and decent views, however they were perplexed as to where to go with their narrow fifteen foot corridor which leads from the front entrance of their office into the main work space.
