Create you own mosaic wall with old magazines. It must feel good to repurpose old magazines in such a beautiful way. It can even be a conversation starter.

Classify the magazines by format (width and length). First, you need to make your bricks by tightly tying magazines together. Discuss with your handyman on the best way to proceed to assemble the wall. You must be sure that your wall will not fall apart if something or someone hits it.

+ via PoppyTalk and Home by Sunset

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Many apartments and condo units do not have a formal entryway. This is without counting the increasing number of units that lack a coat closet. Even if you have a coat closet, chances are, that it is almost full by all your coats needed to accommodate 4 seasons. For all these reasons, we often need to install a coat rack for our guests.

A coat rack can be more than utilitarian. Why not select a coat rack that will make a lasting impression? I found 5 coat racks that should become a conversation piece.

For the Art Lover or the Family

The Flying hooks are almost an art form. Instead of putting it on the wall, each hanger is attached to the ceiling using a stainless steel cable. Each hanger can be hung at any height. A family can decide to hang a few coat hangers extra low. This way, the young kids can reach their hanger. I am torn between the Flying hooks and the treehooked to elect a favorite.

For the Urban Girl

AlissiaMT (amt) designed the treehooked. They come in green or white soft-coated steel with screws and spacers in a matching color. Treehooked was inspired by organic form but when I looked at it, I see a subway map. You can put several together for a bigger impact.

For the Bachelor

I imagine the Dart coat hooks hanging on the wall of a game room, a teenager bedroom or a bachelor pad. At this price, you can stock a few for the Christmas gift exchanges.

For the Modernist

At more than $250 a piece, the Kangaroo hook is eye catching for two reasons. But you have to admit that this concept is ingenious. The two lower arms act as a coat hangar while the 2 upper arms can hold hats or coats. Overall, you can either put 3 coats or a coat, a hat and a scarf or 2 coats and a hat on a single hook.

For the Twitterer

The Umbra Birdeye rack reminds me of the Twitter bird. Besides the entry hall, this multi hook stand would be cute in a girl bedroom.

SOURCING:
+ Flying hooks designed by Ariette Bos and Tom Couvee 4 hangers $158.10, 9 hangers $300
+ Treehooked by amt $90 USD
+ Dart Coat Hooks by Suck UK $24.30 USD for pack of 3
+ Umbra Birdeye Multi Hook $13.49

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Looking at the November 2009 preview of Living etc, you really get the feel that warm and rich colors are in vogue. As someone who loves burnt oranges and rich yellow tones, I could not be happier. The more daring can enliven their home with cerise.

As you can see rich vibrant colors are used as accent colors against neutrals. The rise of yellow, which started last year, is still going strong when I look at home accessories. Opposing rich spice colors to dark maroons, grays or khakis will create a more classic look that will last longer.

The good news about what is hot for fall 2009 is that you putting a few accessories can be enough to update your home. Put your attention on getting a few throws, cushions, on changing a lamp base or adding vases here and there. We always need a few throws anyway for the cold months. UK retailer Toast carries this season richly colored blankets and throws in a wool/mohair/alpaca yarn. The nankeen yellow Chunky Handknit Throw is superb.

This trend is not just on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. Just look at the last two issues of Metropolitan Home to see that it is also going on across North America.

SOURCING:
+ Mohair Alpaca Throw £125 at Toast
+ Chunky Handknit Throw £125 at Toast
+ Living etc – photos from November 2009 preview
+ Metropolitan Home – cover page photos: Oct. 2009 and Nov. 2009

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It is not the first time that I mentioned that your home office can have more panache and feels more comfortable than a corporate office. With many home offices resting in a mezzanine or open space, style is a must not an option. But if you work from home, your office should also be efficient.

Graphic designer Jodi Vautrin of Our Haus certainly understood all these imperatives. Look at her gorgeous home office. Jodi infused a sense of style while keeping close what she needs to work. I totally agree with her on the fact that clutter looks neater when you use multiples of the same desktop storage boxes.

Select storage boxes, files and binders in vibrant colors to cheer up the space. Think outside the box when you hit a constant. See how Jodi took advantage on an awkward stair in her loft office. Get storage boxes, files and binders in vibrant colors to cheer up the space. Make it a place where you feel good.

For more inspirations and clever tips, read what Jodi had to say about her home sweet home office on Our Haus. By the way, I published this morning  a sure way to keep your inbox empty on my social media blog. If you have a full inbox, it is a must read.

MORE:
+ photos by Our Haus
+ via Apartment Therapy LA

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Every month, you can get a glimpse at the next issue of Living etc. I say next issue because in Canada, or at least in Montreal, we are always one month behind. I spotted cool ideas for when you entertain.

First, I look forward for the eye-catching tapas prepared by Donna Hay for the October 2009 edition. In case, you cannot wait, the recipe for the Smoked trout and garlic potato croquettes is available on the Flip through Living etc feature. Then, it is the turn of an idea to bring more style to your living room.

Interior designers on TV and magazines are not always right

Designers always try to hide the big flat TV. It always made me laugh when it is from a design show on TV. I saw many ways over the years but none was as striking as this modern wood panel. The effect is gorgeous but the TV is way to high.

Gavin Sykes at Bang & Olufsen explained how to avoid two common mistakes when buying a TV. First, the rule is to measure the distance between where you will sit and where you wish to place the TV. Divide this distance by 4 and you will get the perfect TV size. Furthermore, avoid placing the TV over the fireplace, like you see here. The most comfortable height for a TV is when the center of the screen is slightly below eye level. The reason is that we all drop our head when we relax.

MORE:
+ Living etc October 2009 preview

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We stayed to the newly opened Fairmont hotel when we went to Boston at the beginning of August. We stayed there for almost a week. I now prefer the Fairmont Battery Wharf to the historic Copley Plaza hotel. The Battery Wharf won for its location and its modern design.

Little Italy

If you have ever been to Boston, you know that at night, it becomes a quiet city. I am always amazed to see how early everything close, even on week-ends. During our previous visit to Boston, we were going to Cambridge at night.

The Battery Wharf is located along the Waterfront, and is next to North End, which is Boston’s Little Italy neighborhood. North End is lively and you have accessed to many delightful restaurants at walking distance. What else can you ask for as a tourist?

Modern Design

We stayed in a standard King size bed room. The marble bathroom is spacious. I had no problem putting my makeup while I share the bathroom with my husband. I cannot stay that of many hotel bathroom.

The most clever design idea is definitely the closet. It has doors that open from both sides: from the bathroom and from the bedroom. This is an idea that you must remember if you are renovating your master bedroom with its ensuite bathroom.

Another detail that is worth mentioning is that the designer thought that we need to recharge our cell phones, digital cameras and much more. On the side of each night table, they placed electric outlets. Finally, the flexible arm lamp on the bed frame adds to our comfort of we wish to read in bed. These are small details that enhance your stay.

MORE:
+ Fairmont Battery Wharf in Boston

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Using bold colors and patterns requires more than an eye for design. One luxury company who is known for their bold use of colors is Missoni. The Italian brand opened their first hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland last June. Four more hotels is scheduled to open over the next few years.

As you would expect, the room decor is inspired by Missoni’s line of fabric. Although I do not like all their room decor, I find that some of are well-done. I wish to share my favorite ones with you. The secret is often to use solid colors taken from the bold pattern palette. You do not wish to add new colors. Then, you can oppose textures and finishes (ex: mat vs shiny).

The richness of the more subtle scheme rooms comes from a major element done in a metallic finish. If you like it, check out the Golden Age Silver collection by Missoni.

Although the entrance is a bright yellow, the main walls of the room have an almost plain beige wallpaper. This is what you need to not compete with a bedding.

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Putting a rusted finish metal bookcase in your living room may not be everyone’s cup of tea but the organic shelving is really awesome. The picture shows 3 bookcases side by side. This is the perfect example of the style of bookcases that you can use to separate spaces.

Many new homes and condominium units miss a clearly defined entry hall. It is unfortunate since the entryway is the first impression to someone’s home. It does not feel right to great your guests on what is your living room or the dining room.  I imagine one or two units to create an entrance for the great room in a condo.

This is not a new concept. Look at this 1950’s divider that separate the entryway from the living room. I like this aesthetics.

Going back to the Autumn bookcases, the rust effect is obtained through an hand-treated and lacquered process. David Sanchez designed it for the Italian modern furniture brand Domodinamica.

MORE:
+ Autumn bookcases by Domodinamica
+ features of this apartment on hoom-sthlm – Filijonkan on Flickr

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If you wish to carry out the alphabet prints and word graffiti wall decor trends over your home, take a look at these side tables. It is not just for living room. Use any of these tables to put your stamp on a reading nook or as bedside table with your initial.

The Alphabet side table at Andrew Martin spreads to the entire 26 letters of the alphabet. You could write a 3 to 4 letters word and if you wish, put a glass surface on the top. It is not simply for letters. Depending of its design, an A can become a 6 or a 9, an E can act as a 3. Have fun scribbling words with your furniture.

SOURCING:
+ Andrew Martin Alphabet Side Tables £995 at Amy Nicholas
+ Oak veneer Alphabet Tables by Siskô in France

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If there is a place in your house where you can infuse an array of colors is your backyard. You use mostly in sunny days and at night under candle lights.

Most manufacturer of outdoor tableware and accessories produce their products in 3 to 5 colors. Take advantage of that fact and mix colors. The key is to create a sense of repetitions. You can accomplish that through different methods.

Here is a technique that produces a sophisticated look. Select a pattern with four or five distinctive main colors as the starting point and select the rest of the accessories or furniture in solid colors of the main colors in the pattern. This is what happen with the sun loungers and the paper lanterns.

Getting the items in all colors will create a sense of continuity as long as there is always the same number of items per color. To make it easy for you if you are unsure of what goes with what, look at color packs.

I found all these affordable products that could transform your backyard in a festive oasis at UK-retailer Next Home. I wish they have a store in North America because I would visit them often.

SOURCING:
+ Small wood parasol, director’s chairs and Panama dining table parasol £30, chairs and table £50 each
+ Mesh lounger and Floral Lounger £25 each
+ Patterned Paper Lanterns £10 for set of 3 – two floral and one green
+ Plain Paper Lanterns £10 for set of 3, orange, pink, green
+ Bright Mini Lanterns £12 for 4 color pack
+ Plastic tableware
+ Glass Votive Tealight Set £12 for 4 color pack

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Sometimes you look at a picture and it feels strangely familiar. This how I felt when I first laid my eyes on the cover of the June 2009 edition of Canadian House & Home. It took me a while to put the fingers on it because what is familiar is a small detail.

My best friend gave me for Christmas the year I moved to my first apartment the A to Z black ceramic bookends. These bookends followed me in every place I lived. Right now they rest on the top shelf of my bedroom bookcase.

The couple who lives on that nice stylish apartment are bargain hunter. I suspected they found the A to Z bookends at a flee market or a garage sale. As you can see by  taking a tour of their living room, H&H style editor Michael Penny and his wife created a beautiful home on a shoestring budget. My bookends are also a BILLY bookcase from IKEA. I did not add the thick trim; maybe I should. The magazine shows the rest of the apartment. The article is full of good saving tips.

+ Photo by Angus Fergusson for Canadian House & Home

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I met and chatted a little with Grace of Design*Sponge last February when she sat on the Design Bloggers panel at IDS 09. She is a sweet girl.

Canadian House and Home wrote a two-page story on her. Grace told us to check the work produced by contemporary Australian and Mexican artists. She loves the way contemporary artists of both countries are informed by their indigenous culture. It results in vibrant color art pieces that feel fresh.

Canadian House and Home also asked Grace to select her favorite products and homes of the moment. You can admire 10 rooms that inspired her.  Grace is into vintage wallpapers. She shown us the vintage floral wallpaper she selected as the place setting for her wedding. I share her love for Thomaspaul pendants and lamps.

Grace currently favors Sherwin-Williams Verdant 6713. I included a picture of a green that is an easy to live with. When selecting a wall color, check what it looks like under the lighting conditions of your room. Select a color that could cheer you up during the day and be sophisticated at night for your dining and living rooms.

SOURCING:
+ Thomaspaul – Trees 3-Shade Pendant Lamp $550 – $595 USD
+ Vintage Wallpaper nr 64 50 € at wallpaper.be
+ Grace Bonney’s 10 Favourite Homes
+ June 2009 Canadian House and Home magazine

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