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!

Tips to Brighten your mood and keep you warm and cozy this Winter

With the dark days (and nights) of winter upon us, it’s hard to stay upbeat and not want to curl up in a ball and hibernate until Spring. Fortunately, I have some tips to help get you out of that winter funk, embrace our cold and dark climate, and stay warm at the same time.

 

Colour

– You’d be surprised by the impact colour can have on your mood. Add colour into your space with your pillows and accessories – my Jo Alcorn dog beds and pillows have great colours to choose from www.joalcorn.ca. A great trick I use is to fill a mirrored tray with white or bright accessories – this is an easy way to create a nice centerpiece that can be changed with the seasons.  Another easy winter DIY is to spice up your bland and outdated accessories; sometimes all is takes is a can of spray paint and some bright colours to really add punch to a space. I have used Krylon to spray bathroom drawer pulls, vases and even kids accessories that need new life, and new colour!
http://www.krylon.ca/

 

Cozy Corner

– Honestly, there is nothing I love doing more than curling up in front of a fire with a glass of wine and a good book on a cold winter’s night. Create a corner in your home that you can use as your chill-zone (without the chill that is!). If you’ve been thinking of installing a fireplace in your space and have access to natural gas, I love the look and feel the KozyHeat Birchwood unit (the price point is also one of the best on the market) http://www.kozyheat.com/product/birchwood20-direct-vent-gas-fireplace/
. If you are in a condo, or don't have access to natural gas, there are great electric options out there (I even have one in my own home). Dimplex has a huge assortment of units that have such realistic flames people often mistake it for a gas unit. These units are great for condos, small spaces and also make a great addition to a feature wall. This year they have launched a new Prism Series that is perfect for small spaces www.dimplex.com.

Outside-In
– I love the look and feel of natural fibers inside the home. My go to for anything nature inspired is Artemano. They are a Canadian company that makes great one-of a kind pieces that are nature inspired. Grab a couple of comfy chairs or stools made from tree trunks, light some candles, and settle in with a good book. http://www.artemano.ca/

Window Wonderland

– If your house is drafty, that should be the first order of business in the winter. Fix the gaps or even consider new windows and doors. Did you know that in the winter months some window companies will offer you a discount since it’s not their busy season? Total Home Window and Doors is a great Canadian company that can turn windows and doors around for your home sometimes in as little as two weeks. http://thwindowsdoors.com/

Mood Lifters –

If you really can’t snap out of your winter funk, a few additional things I do is to ensure I get outside each day with my dogs for a brisk walk (even that little bit of sunshine and fresh air helps). I also love anything natural that helps boost my energy and mood so I always have my kettle handy (I love Kitchen Aid’s blue stovetop kettle) http://www.kitchenaid.ca/en_CA/shop
and a selection of herbal teas or Neurapas Balance, which is a combo of St. John’s wort, valerian root and passionflower, to perk me up.  Finally, I love fresh flowers and think everyone should have them in their home year-round. http://www.pascoe.ca/product-list/neurapas-balance

 

Get Floored this Winter
– A cozy rug is a great way to create a warm and inviting space (and keeps your feet toasty in cooler months). Flor carpet tiles are a great way to add colour to your space and, since they are tiles, it’s easy to mix and match so in different seasons you can change up the pattern.

http://www.flor.com/

 

Use a few, or all, of these tips and suggestions to brighten your mood this winter. Wishing you warm and cozy days!

 

Until next time,
w&c design girl!

The Trends of 2016

– and How to Bring Them Home:

With the ringing in of a New Year I always find it a great time to update your décor and add in some new trends, colours, textures and accessories to update your look for the coming year. Here are my top six trends for 2016.

 

Mixed Metals –
Platinum, gold, copper, steel…as long as they've got a metallic sheen, they go together. It's bling like you've never seen before in 2016. One simple and stand out way to make a statement in your kitchen or bathroom is by changing your faucet. I love the diversity that Delta www.deltafaucet.ca/  provides; their Vero Collection will make a huge impact in your décor this year.  Artemano www.artemano.ca/ also has great choices when it comes to mixed metals that will truly make a statement in your home; add some of their one-of-a-kind pieces to really make an impact.

 Pastel Colours – 
Adding hints of pastel will infuse a room with energy! Whether it’s from your accessories or the walls themselves, there are so many ways to bring a new colour into your home. If you are nervous about pastels, incorporate the trend methodically with some accent pieces to get you started. Decorium www.decorium.com/ has some great pastels in their line up – try an area rug or pillow to see if you like the colour and you can add more as you desire. I also love trying out a new colour in my artwork. I love using Poster Jack www.posterjack.ca/ which is an online service where you pick the art you want to use (or you can use your own photos or choose from their photography), pick the frames, colour and they ship it all to your door. Changing your art to match the trends can be a very cost effective approach, while changing up your look completely.

 

White Delight – Clean, crisp, fresh white walls, white accessories, white furniture, you name it! White is going to make a name for itself this year!  You can’t go wrong with Benjamin Moore’s Simply White to freshen up your space or dated pieces of furniture. Another great way to add white to your home is to use a white bathroom vanity. Cutler Kitchen and Bath www.cutlerkitchenandbath.com/  (a great Canadian company) is introducing a high gloss white floating vanity in 2016 available through big box stores as part of their boutique collection.  Gloss white is easy to keep clean too!

 

 

Shop locally - Local and Canadian made products will be buzz words for 2016 and shoppers will love to brag about supporting the trend too. My Jo Alcorn Collection of pillows and sofas are all designed and made in Canada www.shop.ca/c/jo-alcorn and www.joalcorn.ca . Low carbon footprint is an important trend to support.  

  

Greens – They’re not just found in the kitchen this year! In 2016, greens will be scattered throughout the house; available in large, medium and small options, you can choose whatever fits your home decor! If you are like me and can’t keep a plant alive to save your life, try some faux options; Bouclair has so many to choose from, and they add a nice hint of green to your décor. www.bouclair.com/

 

Go Vertical – A great way to make a statement with your walls in 2016 is with wall decals. They are easy to install and make a huge impact. A great online resource for ideas and www.uwdecals.com they have patterns to suit all styles and are super easy to install. www.uwdecals.com/

 

 

Wishing everyone a stylish and prosperous 2016!