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Patio Time ~

Canadian summers are short, but that doesn't mean you can’t enjoy the months that you have. I took inspiration from a warmer climate, California, to transform a patio into an LA style getaway in the middle of Toronto. For those of you who are seeking inspiration to jazz up your small patio or balcony space, I have some fabulous design tips to help you get started.

Firstly, how do you want to use your space - lounging with friends, or dinner around a table with family? I opted for a living style hangout area, where I could sun on the sofa when I need to relax, but also have enough seating available for entertaining friends.

 

Always keep in mind sizing, especially in a small space. I choose to go with small profile L-shape sofa with lower backs so that I didn’t close in the space or make it seem cramped. I found this great outdoor sofa in greys and tans at Homesense so that my LA theme could truly come together.

I couldn’t forget the bar cart area a must for those summer parties. Again, Homesense is my go-to when stocking the prettiest of bar-carts

 

When dealing with a balcony in the city, privacy is always an issue. I created a modern free standing privacy fence with 1x6 wood bought at a Lowe’s. I installed the boards horizontal to save on wood but to also create that more urban modern look which is a continuation from the inside to the out. 

I added an umbrella, not to block the sun, but to block the view of the neighbours above me. Taking away that fish bowl feel and creating a relaxing room. 

 

 

Adding planters of different heights to any balcony helps to keep the space interesting. Choose low maintenance plants so you aren’t fussing with them all summer and the space always looks great.

I ended up mixing faux and real greenery for easy care. If you have trouble keeping plants alive, switch to faux. If you have a green thumb, go real/living all the way, but if that’s not you, go faux. Great new faux options have all the beauty of living, offering a green, lush looking patio, without any of the work.

 

In small spaces try to stay away from adding to many different colours with plants and décor, keep it simple so that it is easy on the eyes giving the illusion of a larger area. I added a touch of pink for that punch in my indoor outdoor pillows designed by me joalcorn.ca and can be purchased on Etsy.ca and then found a cool sign for the back fence to really make the space POP! 

The final addition was a water fountain. Not just visually pleasing, the soft gurgling of the water gives the illusion of being near a lake and helps to drown out road traffic. It also happens to be a great conversation piece.

As you embrace the warmer months, get out and enjoy an extension of your home in the great outdoors. Let your creative juices flow as you create a perfect outdoor space for your entertaining or relaxing (or both!) needs. Happy Patio Season!

Until next time,
w&c designer girl!

Source guide:

All furniture, rug, décor, faux plants, sign, bar cart, and accessories Home Sense homesense.ca
Pillows, Jo Alcorn Indoor Outdoor Pillows joalcorn.ca collection on Esty.ca
Fence, fountain and real plants and planters, Lowes.ca  
 

Creating that Cottage Feel

Looking for ways to create a warm and inviting inside space that is inspired by the outside? Look no further! Jo shares her top tips on how to create a great indoor retreat for rainy spring days so you can still enjoy that outdoor feel.

 There is nothing like adding a raw edge piece to a space to make it feel like you’ve brought a touch of nature inside. They are an investment worth the price tag. http://www.artemano.ca/

 It’s utterly easy to switch out your art to really update your space. If you are looking to add a little outdoor feel to your space, think about changing your artwork to something nature inspired. http://www.posterjack.ca/

 On a dreary, rainy, spring day it is imperative you have a cozy comfortable spot to curl up on. I love the look a sectional gives a room. http://www.urbanbarn.com/

 When choosing lighting, there are so many wood inspired options. If you want to infuse wood into your décor, it’s an easy way to test out the trend.  http://www.urbanbarn.com/. You can also consider a cool sofa table like this one made of drift wood from http://www.artemano.ca/ - everything they have is truly original and nature inspired.

 

 The easiest way to update your décor may just be with accessories. Add some wood pieces or décor accents. Accessories are where you can really have fun when trying out a new motif. www.bouclair.com

 If you truly want to make a statement in your space and want to create a feature wall, I’d suggest starting with a single wall and trying a stone veneer. It’s easy to install and makes a huge impact in a small space.  http://erthcoverings.com/

I also love using throw cushions with animal prints on them to bring a light and airy feel to any space. http://www.urbanbarn.com/

 

I love to add rugs to really tie a room together. Carpet tiles allow you to mix and match a pattern and shape to make your space comfy and cozy. http://www.flor.com/

There is nothing like a cozy little nook on a rainy day to cuddle up in. Find a big comfy chair and some toss cushions and you are all set. These pillows are from my collection and can be found on Etsy now.

Let’s also not forget about our furry friends! They too need a great place to snuggle up on drizzly days!  On Etsy.ca https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/JoAlcornCollection?ref=hdr_shop_menu

 

 Until next time,

w&c designer girl! 

Toronto Furniture Show

Come on by the Whittington & Co showroom this Furniture Show to see my new 2016 Furniture Collection! Along with some other new products . . .

Full list of retailer locations to be posted soon on joalcorn.ca

 

Until next time,

w&c designer girl!

 

Mother's Gift Guide

 For everything mothers do, Mother’s Day is a perfect time to say thanks. But how to show your thanks can be a challenge. You probably want to get mom something special that she’ll treasure, something to pamper her, or something useful. Here are some gift suggestions I know my mom, and many mothers I know, would love to receive.

There is nothing like a creating art from a special photo to make mom happy on her special day. Posterjack is my go-to for turning my photos into art. http://www.posterjack.ca/

This year consider an acrylic prints or blocks that are sure to wow! You can load up your own personal pictures or choose from their stock photos as well. http://www.posterjack.ca/

Your mom is one of a kind, so why not delight her with a one of a kind item from Artemano? From serving bowls to hanging lights, from nesting tables to tea cups, this is a store where you can choose a gift that is as unique and elegant as she is. www.artemano.ca

If your mom is anything like mine, she is probably hanging onto old serving dishes and trays. This year surprise her with something new that’s functional and also brightens up her table. www.kitchenaid.ca

 I love the KitchenAid Nesting Ceramic 4-Piece Set in almond cream. There are so many classic and trendy colour options, you’re sure to find something Mom will love.  www.kitchenaid.ca

Does your mom love to have gatherings over meals? Or enjoy entertaining outside? The PC home goods and dishware from Real Canadian Superstore for the spring are stunning! Available available at Real Canadian Superstores nationwide and select Loblaws.

When you’re not sure what to get mom, and just need to have inspiration hit, take a trip to Bouclair. They have so many cute and inspiring pieces to choose from. This year my favourite might just be their new mug’s just in time for Mother’s Day. www.bouclair.com

 Wicker Emporium is a great hidden gem for gift ideas for mom. Their stores offer gorgeous solid wood furniture and lovely home decor accessories. From vases and baskets to candles and linens this store promises to delight. www.wickeremporium.ca

Got a stylish mom on your list who seems to have it all? Pop into Sporting Life or order online. They have great trendy gift ideas from the stylish mom to the sporty mom you are sure to find something that suits yours. www.sportinglife.ca

I may be a bit biases here but I think adding a pop of colour in the form of a pillow is a great way to spice up any décor. My line of throw pillows are is fully washable, including the cover and the filling; simply toss the entire pillow in the washing machine and it comes out looking and feeling like new. Jo Alcorn Collection available at www.etsy.com

Or why not win her a stylish NEW HOME - visit https://www.hometowin.ca/ to sign up!!

Tune in Sunday's at 10pm to watch the episodes on HGTV!

 

Until next time,
w&c designer girl!  

HGTV HOME TO WIN

 

WHO WANTS TO WIN A BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED HOME DONE BY ALL YOUR FAVORITE HGTV PERSONALITIES!!!!

 

Tune in APRIL 24TH AT 10PM ET for the Premiere

Are You Ready To Compete to Win?

We're casting three eager competitors to appear on Home to Win. The winner will walk away with a key to a gorgeous home, renovated and designed by 20 HGTV Canada stars.

Get the details https://www.hometowin.ca/ 

 

Home To Win is a new powerhouse reality series on HGTV Canada that offers Canadian viewers the opportunity to compete for the biggest prize in the history of HGTV Canada – a gorgeous, fully-furnished home!
For the first time ever, 20 of our best-known HGTV Canada builders and designers will gather under one roof, bringing their extraordinary expertise, creativity and reno know-how to this massive project. Together they will completely transform a ho-hum house into a magnificent masterpiece! Home-winning hopefuls from across the country will vie to compete for this spectacular house in the dramatic series finale.
JOIN THE STARS AS THEY WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE A ONE-OF-A-KIND HOME



It is going to be a crazy ride:

Follow my social sites each segment for more behind scene/updates of the show!!

 

Until then,

Jo

 

Give Your Space a Hotel-Worthy Makeover

Watch Segment Online: http://www.marilyn.ca/HomeDecor/segments/Daily/Feb2016/02_18_2016/HotelDesignInspiration

 How to apply inspiration from restaurants and hotels to your space.
Products Featured

Wallpaper supplied by Lowe’s Canada

Walls Republic R3707 Contemporary Faux Wood Nature Tree Stump Firewood Wallpaper  $115.00
 

From Elte:

Cecily End Table $995

Yates chair $2,895

Hemisphere cocktail table $1,295

Rug - ACHILLES GREY/IVORY  $1,565.00

 

From EQ3:

Klere Bookcase $899.00

Abra Floor Lamp $229.99

 

Accessories provided by HomeSense Canada:

Faux Fiddle Tree: $149.99

Black and White Chevron Throws: $39.99 each
 Decorative Ceramic Vases starting at $19.99
 Faux Succulents starting at $9.99
 100% Cotton 5'x7' Rugs: $129.99 each
 Decorative Cushions starting at  $24.99
 Coffee Table Books starting at $24.99

 

Until next time,

w&c designer girl!

Tiny Bathroom Challenges & Solutions

The two rooms I am asked to work on time and time again are kitchens and bathrooms.  Bathrooms in older homes and some builder homes are often tiny and poorly laid out.

 In a small space, I tend to lean towards lighter colours to help open up the space. I often choose http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-ca/paint-color/cc-40 to freshen it up and make it as light as possible.

 

 

I also recommend sticking to primarily white accessories and some funky accent pieces in blues and greys to accent the space; https://www.bouclair.com/ is a great source for fresh, light and affordable accessories and linens.

 

 

 

 

 

I love maximizing space by choosing a vanity that has storage, especially if it’s a guest bathroom or main bathroom where you might want to tuck things out of sight. This vanity in a shade called Morning Dew is from http://www.cutlerkitchenandbath.com/ and can be found at Lowe’s (I love that you can get it at a big box store but it really has a boutique feel).

 

  

The faucet is really the jewel of any bathroom that finishes off the space just right. This is a perfect place to splurge. I love http://www.deltafaucet.ca/index.html options for a sleek and modern option that commands attention.

 

 

Heated floors are a luxury I like to add to any rooms with tile or engineered hardwood. It’s economical in a small bathroom and can act as your primary source of heat. In this setting I used http://www.nuheat.com/ mats which are standard and delivered in no time.

 Finally, a product I have been in love with lately: plank flooring. I recently used http://erthcoverings.com/ planks in style called Tivoli. While modern, it’s also warm and homey. It’s easy to maintain, durable and attractive option for any space, and ideal for this one. With the warmth radiating from this flooring, it will warm more than just your feet!

 

Small spaces can be a challenge, but when you work from a healthy base, even the smallest of spaces can become a functional and elegant area you are happy to spend time in. Go on, glam up your small space!

 

Until next time,
w&c designer girl!