Festival Tower

There are plenty of new condos in Toronto but none quite compare to the development by Daniels at 80 John St.  One of the Condobox's most recent listings is this brand new 577 square foot "Monroe" unit with a huge 126 square foot balcony.  

It's located in the heart of the city in a luxurious building with 5 star services and top of the line amenities including a meditation garden, cinema and spa.

Designed by the Condobx, all furnishings were sources from our Canadian suppliers. It was furnished with sleek, modern living in mind.  The design allows you to entertain comfortably both inside and out.   The large sectional seats 5, while additional seating can be found at the desk area, in the kitchen and on the patio.

The bedroom is fully equipped with extra storage solutions.  The tall dresser gives plenty of storage while the bed has 2 large drawers that open on either side.  The closet has also been re-finished for the best potential 

use of space.

ABC's of condo window coverings

Living in a downtown Toronto condo has plenty of advantages.  You can find your own personal refuge right in the thick of things, just steps to your favourite shops, restaurants and favourite activities.  However, in many instances, buildings are so close together that privacy can become an issue.  Making sure that you have the right window treatments is paramount to ensure that you feel comfortable in your own home.

While there are plenty of drapery and blind options on the market, some are more suited to certain applications than others.   Here’s just a quick overview...

Roller blinds are a very popular choice for condominiums.  They have a clean modern design and are available in a variety of opacities which range from complete black at 0%  to 1%, 5% etc. Openness, depending on how much light you would like to allow through.   

Vienna blinds have a honeycomb structure which is a little more transitional in design.  They allow for privacy when both open and closed and can be purchased in light filtering and total black out models.  These tend to be a little higher in price than roller blinds as their manufacturing and final product is a little more complex than a standard roller blind.

Drapery panels are also a very popular choice for many.  They very quickly soften a room visually and can bring lots of colour and character into a space.  I often use drapery panels in conjunction with roller blinds for clients who want the esthetics of the one, and the practicality of the other.   Drapery can be purchased in pre-made panels or custom made from your choice of fabrics.

While roller blinds, vienna blinds and drapery panels are all available in many different colours, it’s important to remember that most condo boards insist that the backings of your window treatments are white!

Preparing for your first grandchild

Hearing the news that a baby is on the way is always exciting but is especially so when it’s your first grandchild!   There are so many details to consider however as a designer, I always begin by thinking about how the design of a home will have an impact on how easily people will live in it.

The arrival of a first grandchild is both exciting and stressful but there are simple design principles that can be implemented to make sure that your home is ready for all of the fun activities that are sure to come!

First thing first, babies do spend a lot of time on the floor until they are able to run and play.  Making sure that you have the right kind of carpet is essential.  This beautiful shag run feels great underfoot but can act as a magnet trapping in it pretty much anything that falls to the floor.  Shorter pile rugs are better but if shag is what you prefer, make sure you have a great vacuum!

I find a lot of clients inquiring about what colours and materials should be used on a sofa when there are kids in the home.  While lighter colours are always much more sensitive, if white is best for you, I’d probably suggest leather.  This way, whatever is spilt can be quickly wiped away before it’s properly absorbed.  In terms of fabrics, always refer to the manufacturers label to see the cleaning code and abrasion rating to determine whether or not it is a good fit for your space.

Of course, with children of any age come lots of toys.  These clever storage ottomans are a great way to tuck away toys of all shapes and sizes.  You can even colour coordinate ottomans for individual grandchildren as your family grows!

Last but not least, young and old, everyone in the family will love to look at the memories you’ve created together if you have a photo collage.  Simple frames can be mounted to your wall in organic or symmetrical ways to reflect your personal style.  It’s so easy to quickly update them too when you capture a fun moment shared with loved ones.

Summer in the city!

Summer in Toronto is upon us!  The weather is fabulous, the days are sunny and warm but the nights can sometime still have just a hint of chill in the air.  On those night especially, nothing beats sitting around a fireplace!  

Ethanol fuel burning fireplaces are all the rage for condominium dwellers.  With plenty of styles to choose from, they are available in indoor and outdoor models, wall mounted, free standing and even table top versions.   The Ethanol fuel burns clean and is environmentally friendly. 

 This is the Prague fireplace which is currently on display in our showroom.  It is a wall mounted version that is so easy to install, all you need are a couple of screws!  Even when not lit, it’s quite the conversation piece with its modern, clean lines.

Below is the Milan, a free standing unit which is easy to move around your space depending on how you are entertaining.  It’s design is spectacular as it practically floats above the ground!

                                                                       

     This table top fireplace is called Venise.  It’s perfect for setting the mood for an outdoor dinner party on your terrace.  What could be more perfect that a warm summer night with cocktails and friends around a cozy fire! 

                                           

With so many new condominium developments popping up around the city, it’s easy to be tempted to move to a new space.  All of these fireplaces can be brought with you to be enjoyed wherever your life should take you!

Bringing Nature Indoors

Inspiration for the design of your condo can be found in so many different places.  One source that many are intrigued with surrounds us all ... nature!  As a designer, I often contemplate different ways of bringing the outside into my client’s homes.  While this can be done through colour, light and the clever use of mirrors, one obvious way to do this is by simply using a floral motif in the space.

This piece of art is by Celeste Brunel, a wonderful Canadian artist who takes her photographs, super-saturates the colours and then has them printed onto metal.  Extremely graphic and modern, it’s a great way to liven up any living space.  www.celestebrunel.com

This trip-tich by Danielle O’Connor Akiyama is a watercolour that integrates Western and Japanese paint techniques.  The flowers are practically dripping from their canvases and the colours are soft and sensuous.  More of a “transitional” piece, this type of floral is appropriate for modern or contemporary spaces. http://www.danielleoconnorakiyama.com/

If you are more of a traditionalist, then of course there are floral prints that are perfect for you too!  The fabric used on this drapery frames the window and compliments the otherwise neutral decor beautifully.  And don’t forget, if your partner is less than a fan of florals, it’s perfectly fine to add some stripes into the mix.  A little compromise actually can have a great impact on the design of your space!