Lynn Spence at Wicker Emporium

I recently was invited to, and attended an event hosted by Wicker Emporium, at their Heartland location in Mississauga, called “Inside Out:, bringing the indoors out with Wicker Emporium".  The guest speaker was the delightful and humorous Lynn Spence, seen regularly on Cityline.  Lynn presented several tablescapes capturing an elegance in the dining and entertaining experience.

Being that Mother Nature is trying her best to bring about spring and summer I wanted to see what Lynn would do at this event and I really wanted to meet and talk with her.  She is just like on TV and so gracious and so talented.  

Wicker Emporium has several locations and fantastic products and pricing.  I have shopped there for myself and for clients and an thrilled with everything that has been purchased. Wicker Emporium is a family owned business which originated in Halifax and has moved west and will continue to grow.  I have met the owners and they really do care about product and customer satisfaction.   If you are reading this and have not visited a Wicker Emporium showroom, you must!!  They carry many pieces, not all wicker and have exotic woods like teak, acacia and rosewood to name a few.   They have everything, including some wicker and a fairly large selection of ready made drapes, cushions, throws, lamps, area rugs, accessories and the list goes on and on....

I am incredibly supportive of this company and write a monthly post on their recently created Blog -  check it out.

Lynn created several tablescapes to create different moods as seen below and then some indoor vignettes as well.  There were three dining table settings and one game table set up.  Which is your favourite??

I

The table setting below was my favourite, however I would be 
happy with any of them.  Using the aqua accents gives it a 
'beachy, hamptons' look, using a teak table and a mixture of 
chairs and a bench

The second tablescape was a little more casual, perhaps a nice
brunch, done in bright and happy colours of orange & yellow



The third dining setting was a driftwood table with more of the soft
blues as well as two larger head chairs made comfy with the addition
of throws for a cool evening.

For a little fun, Lynn created a 'game table' setting using a round, 
pedestal Mango wood table and Acacia wood stools.

Lynn also took us around the showroom highlighting some of
the wonderful vignettes she created.  This cozy area below beckons
one to take a little time and read a good book

   A lovely piece that would make a wonderful island in any kitchen

          Yours truly with Lynn Spence

Jamie Alexander shares Spring 2013 Trends from High Point

This morning I attended another fabulous event hosted by SoFA and was so inspired by the presentation by Jamie Alexander who has an incredible knowledge about Design, Working with Clients and is great to listen to.  He shared many points on how we as Decorators and Designers can work maintain control over our projects with very excellent tips for us to follow.

 

Some of the topics were - 

- New Trends
- Trends "Gone Wild"
- Suppliers in the "New"

How to sell furniture to your client
- From your office to their home
- From your local retailer to their home
- When the client takes over the online deal

Seeing is believing
- selling the piece without the client touching the piece
- choosing fabrics with an end result you and your client is happy with
- the basics of case goods
- Your "Go To" list the supplier listing you cannot live without 

The second portion of Jamie's presentation dealt with the 2013 Trends he spotted while at the recent Highpoint Furniture Market.  Here's some of what you will be seeing...'

• Refined Asian done in black (not high gloss)Antique & reclaimed pieces - New Antiques that are created to look like real Antiques by using some of the old furniture making methods
• The reclaimed look is still strong however it is new pieces made to look very old
• Room Divider Screens which makes sense with the popularity of the Open Floor Plans today
• Art that represents Architectural images, prints
• Tufting is still big and staying that way
• Faux Fur - not only throws or area rugs, but now on sofas, ottomans
• French Style - but with new finishes and fabrics; more updated
• Retro reborn,  e.g. the Arc Lamps
• Colour is now found on Walls, flooring and accessories and large pieces of furniture is neutral
• Wing Chairs made more tailored and smaller
• Mixing metals is still hot - hammered and matte finish.  Gone is the high gloss silver
• Trunks, tins, boxes
• Lots of pillows on sofas
• Mirror, inlaid pieces on lamps, black mirror used on furnishings;  Lacquer is out

HAPPENINGS AT SOFA

Don't forget to sign up for the Vendor Showcase being held at SoFA on May 29th.  This year there are several very interesting seminars being held throughout the day at different times so you can potentially have the opportunity of attending all of them.  Below is the invitation and further down is the list of available seminars remaining.  They are being filled up so if you are interested,m register today by visiting SoFA and checking the Events Tab.

SOFA Presents: Vendor Showcase 2013 Seminars

May 29, 2013

Agenda:
New This Year....
SEMINAR SPEAKER SERIES

• Ventilation 101
  Session 1: SOLD OUT
• Learn How to Best Deal with Contractors from Start to Finish
  Session 1 & 2 : SOLD OUT
• 3D Dream Design by ViewIt Technologies
  Session 1 & 2 : SOLD OUT
• Landscape Seminar: Designing Inside Out
  Session 1 & 2 : SOLD OUT

Seminar:	Profit Success for Designers, Suite 209 Marketplace, Beauti-Tone Seminar Room
Time:	1 pm to 2:30 pm
	Are you blessed with a flair for fashion? Do you love bringing happiness to customers? Discover how you can: Attract More Quality Design Clients Show Window Fashions, Upgrade to full service & Earn 50-60% PROFIT Sponsored by the View Window Fashions
Seminar:	Selling Blind Motorization is Easier Than You Think, SOFA Design Lab, Session 1
Time:	2 pm to 3 pm
	Hosted by Allterior Design
Seminar:	Selling Blind Motorization is Easier Than You Think, SOFA Design Lab, Session 2
Time:	3 pm to 4 pm
	Hosted by Allterior Design
Seminar:	Ventilation 101, Suite 206
Time:	2:30 pm to 4:00 pm
	What Every Kitchen Designer Needs to know! Hosted by Distinctive Appliances Inc.

SPRING, SUMMER AND BEING OUTDOORS

For any readers who follow me regularly you will know I do a monthly post for Wicker Emporium and have recently written for Reno and Decor Magazine and both of those articles were on the topic of Spring Decorating though different in focus. One spoke to getting the indoors ready for warmer weather and the other was dealing with outdoor decor.   Spring and Summer are my favourite times of the year as I love being outside and will remain out there until the temperatures are so cold, not even a warm throw keeps me warm.    My neighbours have seen me out spray painting and planting in my garden when a few flurries were starting so you know I am an outdoor person in warm weather that is.  Since I have written and given ideas on the above topics I thought I would just share some great photos I found of outdoor areas that might get you in the mood to get out there and create your own oasis.  Some are very elaborate but some are quite attainable. Check them out!  I am now going outside to work on my own garden

 

 

  These are some photos I took at my friend Brenda's home last summer.  The lush gardens were created by her husband Keith who has an amazing green thumb!

 

Whittington's Speaker Series

Last week many in the design world attended a lecture on The Psychology of Furniture for Designers hosted at Whittington & Co.with Gordon Peteran a professor at Ontario College of Art and Design and an award winning artist and scholar. Aside from the presentation we enjoyed a light lunch and had the opportunity to browse the showroom.  Tony Belbeck & Dan William, furniture designers at Whittington also joined in the conversation about designing and making exceptional furniture.

Below are some photos of their latest pieces .....

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