We roll up to Essentia Calgary on a clear early spring day. The store is fresh and minimal, and in addition to the lack of excess packaging, signs, and junkage—one of the first things I notice is the lack of smell. I breathe in deeply, and smell only air moist with melting snow—and a faint whiff of cotton. It's a moment I've been waiting for for a while. I've been curious about Essentia since I read a story in the Globe and Mail last year—as Tazim mentioned in yesterday's post—they make all ...
soft furnishings
Living Room Before & After – New Curtains and Rug
Here is proof that a few changes can make a huge difference. We didn't change anything too major - just some soft furnishings. Using our new Laura Ashely NX800 Brother Sewing Machine, we put together some new curtains for our living room with fabric from IKEA. We also bought our rug from IKEA. Here is the sewing machine extraordinaire, incase you haven't read my review post - As you can see, we have some awful checkered linoleum floors and some rather plain curtains. Of course, with the ...
CB2 Spring 2011 New Décor Finds
I am loving some of the new items from CB2, an off-shoot of Crate and Barrel. Luckily, Canadians (at least those in Toronto) will soon be able to shop and this American store. For now, and since I live in Vancouver, I will have to amuse myself by looking at their online shop. Here are just some of their new items that I wouldn't mind having in my home: ...
Brother Laura Ashley Innovis Nx-800 Sewing Machine Review
A Designer's Dream Machine In our experience, one of the simplest and most radical ways to transform a space is through soft furnishings. From cushions to slipcovers, a lick of fabric can extend the life of old furnishings, transform dowdy pieces into debutantes, and make your home more comfortable. Yet upholstery is often overlooked. Some of us are terrorised by the whimsy of previous generations—lace doilies, dusky rose florals—or worse, avante garde eighties get-ups, like the pink sateen and ...
