Are Big Box Retailers Reading Blogs?

I'm not a regular shopper in big box stores but today I was looking for some new wine glasses and headed out to HomeSense.  I was gobsmacked to see how many products they are carrying that are making their rounds in blogland.  Wow, someone's paying attention.

Here's a sampling of what I saw...

So what do think?  Are bloggers influencing the choices of retailers or are bloggers copying what's out in the stores?

Time to Make a Gallery Wall

I realize I'm a big late to this party but I finally created a gallery wall in my house.  I didn't start out with the intentions of creating this but things got a little carried away and here we are.

 My Tips for a Great Gallery Wall ...

1.  I prefer the look of only one or two different coloured frames.  I chose gold and black and by using some Rub 'n Buff magic I was able to reuse some white frames that were about to go to the thrift store.

2.  I framed some of my recent fabric acquisitions.  Fabric or scrapbook paper is a great way to bring colour to wall.

TGIF.  I hope you have some fabulous plans for this weekend.

Why Yes, That IS Designer Toilet Paper

How do you make toilet paper cool?  You ask mega sensational designer Jonathan Adler to help, that's how.

Last week in Toronto, Cottonelle held a media event to launch its "Respect the Roll" campaign and presented the new toilet paper covers created by the design genius.

You all know how much I adore Jonathan Adler and now in my own personal game of 6 Degrees of Separation I can say I'm only one degree away.  My good friend and super talented Prop Stylist Christine Roberts was the lucky gal chosen to style the bathroom vignettes and the reception room.  

Purdy & Talented

Here's what she did...

images from here except for Chris' photo which I stole from her Facebook page:)

So what do you think?  Is there going to be some Jonathan Adler in your bathroom soon?

Curtain Love

What is the easiest way to add drama to a room?  The standard answers are lighting and paint but I have a different answer.  It's draperies!  In my opinion, nothing adds drama and warmth to a room like a beautiful pair of panels.

I just whipped these up this weekend.  There are so many tutorials online that I didn't even bother to slow myself down with picture taking.  If you're interested in a good tutorial, Isabella & Max Rooms has a great one here.

I agonized over the fabric selection but finally settled on Dwell Studio Bella Porte in Charcoal.

I'm getting close to the first room reveal of our new house which will be this room.  A few pillows need to be made first using some of my fabric scores.

Here's a sneak peak at which one I might be using.

Giveaway Winner

Happy Friday everyone!  It's so fun to be able announce the winner of a giveaway on Friday to get things going.

The winner is #30 and that would be...ChristineJan 16, 2012 03:01 PM

green curry and saltwater taffy and I "like" on facebook :-)

Sometimes I say TGIF and I kinda mean it but this week I REALLY mean it.  It's been a long week.  I''m looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow and waking up to a long and leisurely coffee instead of gulping it down as I multitask 30 or 40 things.

via

We'll be doing a little skiing

And there may be just a teensy bit of wine

via

And not a weekend goes by when I don't hope and pray that we order thai food.

What are your plans for the weekend?

Be an Organized Shopper

There's so much talk of organizing our homes lately but what about your shopping?  I tend to write a list for groceries but nothing else.  This means there's been more than one time when I saw the perfect item for a room but didn't have the paint swatches or room measurements to confirm it would work.  Hallelujah to these brilliant people for making our lives easier!

Durable Paint Chips - So much smarter than plain old paint chips because these guys won't get ripped in your purse or left in your pocket at home.

Addicted2Decorating

Here's another variation on the same idea.

natty by design

Pocket Sized Floor Plan - I've brought home rugs and furniture on spec because I wasn't properly prepared and then had to lug them back when I find they don't fit.  This would have definitely helped me avoid that!

Apartment Therapy

Receipt Folders - I will admit that I have wasted an hour or two searching my purses and pockets for the one receipt that seems to have walked away.  Keeping a handy pouch like this in your purse or in the car means you immediately file and organize as you go.

BHG

What's your best tip for being an organized shopper?

Don't forget to enter the draw for Buddha Bowls from Flavour Design. The giveaway closes on Thursday night at 6pm and winner will be announced Friday.

I am Still Resolved

I don't normally make New Year's Resolutions because I feel like a loser if/when I can't stick to them.  This year was different though.  Instead of resolving to give up something I decided to resolve to actually do something that I have been wanting to do for a while...P90X.  

I'm just finishing week 2 and surprisingly it hasn't killed me yet.  After the holiday food and drink-athon I'm hoping to fit into my jeans again very soon .

What about you?  Are you still sticking to your resolutions or did you kick them to the curb already?

Giveaway

The Ikea dresser I transformed and revealed earlier this week (see here if you missed it) was featured on IkeaHackers this week.  Kind of exciting to see so many visitors from Europe on my little site.

Earlier this week I introduced you to my newest sponsor Flavour Design and raved about the amazing products.

Well today you have a chance to own 2 of your very own Baby Buddha bowls.  If you love to sit at the computer or in front of the tv while you're eating then this is the perfect dish for you.  They sit right on top of your palm while your thumb slides into the hole for support.  They the perfect soup or cereal bowl.  They're completely microwave and dishwasher safe.  Can you tell I love these products just a teensy bit?!

The giveaway is open to all residents of Canada and US excluding Hawaii (sorry Hawaii but you have warm weather and beautiful beaches!)
To win: 
- Be a follower of The Design Pages
- Visit Flavour Design and look at the Buddha bowls.  Come back and tell me which 2 colours you will chose if you win.
- For a second chance to win "like" Flavour Design on facebook and leave me another comment letting me know.

Contest closes next Thursday at 6pm  The winner will be announced next Friday, January 20.

Have a great weekend!

Fabric Dye Fail

Moving to a new house means that some things that formerly worked perfectly may not work at all in the new space.  Such was the case for these linen look-alike curtains in a soft sand colour.

We have windows in every single room that need curtains so in an effort to reuse and recycle I thought I"d try dyeing these curtains.  I wanted something dark blue so I went with Rit Dye in Royal Blue.

Since our washing machine needs to be replaced I wasn't afraid to go that route (and secretly hoped it would stain the machine so I could replace it:)

Pour powder into a container and add 250 ml (2 cups) of hot water and a little salt.

Add the mixture to the hot water in your washing machine, immerse fabric and let it run through the cycle.  Pop it in the dryer and you are done like dinner!

BUT the promised Royal Blue looks more like Faded Denim Blue and is NOT what I had in mind.

I'm going to give it another try with a black dye and see if we can fix the problem but in the meantime there is someone who approves!

Meet My New Sponsor - Flavour Design

Way back when I owned a retail store I was introduced to Flavour Design and immediately started carrying their amazing products.  Theirs were some of the very best sellers in the store and to this day the Baby Buddha Bowl is still my #1 go-to whenever I need to buy a present.  

Flavour Design is the brainchild of a talented young entrepreneur in White Rock, British Columbia, Canada.  Her designs are unique and contemporary and no home should be without them, seriously.  We use them daily in our house.

I'm not alone in my love of the Buddha Bowls.  Oprah magazine featured them on the O List...impressive!!  

Take a look at the range of gorgeous products or check out Flavour Design website.

Come back on Friday when Flavour Design will host a giveaway.