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I am convinced, it is the small things in life that make us happy. Everyone has his or her own small things and mine include the finishing touches in my home. Embroidered Turkish bath towels, an organically-shaped ceramic vessel, a bunch of peonies on the windowsill (only in May of course, I accept substitutes for the other 11 months of the year). These two items, that I happened to spot at the flagship Umbra store last month, are not particularly inspiring but they definitely take something purely functional that you encounter everyday and make it just a little bit more interesting and beautiful.

Take the Crunch Recycle bin - at $25, I would rather look at this receptacle everyday rather than the big, bright blue, grungy looking bin that currently resides at my back door. And the Postino Mailbox - the $105 price tag is very reasonable for a great-looking, modern, stainless steel mailbox. I know because I am looking for one for my front entry and of course the ones that I like are from Europe and cost $700. I would love to buy this one but I don’t have the width for it and I am still coming to terms with the look that I want.  I love contemporary stainless steel house hardware like mailboxes and house numbers but it clashes with my quirky, aged brass door knocker that I bargained for in the souks of Marrakesh. And of course, I can’t part with that, it is one of my small things. I will let you know what I decide…

Photos: Umbra.com

What have I been doing for the last 45 minutes? Flipping through all 219 of the gorgeous pages of last month’s online edition of Lonny Magazine. For all of you addicts of quirky, contemporary design that are still crying in their beer (okay, Prosecco) over the demise of Domino, here is your saviour. That little nagging feeling of emptiness you have been feeling over the last few months? Simply a lack of a great home design magazine that showcases fabulous, lived-in homes and designers that drum to their own beat. You need to fill the design inspiration void and here is your source. And before you crinkle your nose at the less-than-glamorous moniker, I believe it is derived from LON-NY i.e. short for LONDON-NEW YORK i.e. the meccas of home design inspiration. Watch for the next issue coming soon.

Photos: Lonnymag.com

I was introduced to a new Canadian site last week called ModernKaribou.ca. It really fills a nice gap in the Canadian online market for design elements for the home including furniture by Gus* Modern, and home accessories by eco-conscious designers FLUF (who have closed shop in Toronto to focus on wholesale so this is a great resource for its followers). They seem to carry a few of my favourites who I have mentioned in the past: ferm LIVING (fantastic wall stickers and gorgeous wallpaper), and OFFI (affordable dining chairs and funky stools). This site is a perfect way to avoid cross-border duties and shipping and to find new and exciting Canadian design. They are offering free shipping on orders over $100 - which is pretty easy to reach with their tempting array of items. What do I have my eye on? FLUF Landscape pillows and the Gus* Modern Bathurst Cabinet…appearing soon in a living room near me. It has all of the elements Canadian online shoppers dream about: 5 stars.

Photos: Modern Karibou

Do you find your space is lacking those last side tables, lamps, artwork and curios that make it look magazine-ready? These ‘filler’ decor items or accents tend to give a room its personality so add some fun with a Tiki Stool for US$60. It comes in a selection of colours and acts as a stool or a retro-inspired side table to store books and hold your drink. Made from molded polypropylene, it can be considered eco-friendly since this manufacturing process does not produce dangerous emissions and it is recycleable in your normal curbside recycling bin. Although if you ever want to get rid of this cute little accessory, passing it on to a new owner is much more environmentally friendly. I personally like the black and white but the lime green would be a great addition in the backyard or in a kid’s room.

Photos: Stacks and Stacks

Not only is it tv premiere week it is the Canadian premiere of US home decor retailer, Crate and Barrel. Those of us who have lived or at least shopped in the US were secretly wishing for this day to come to provide us with a solid go-to when outfitting our pads, especially in the tabletop category. Perhaps they saw their opportunity with the recent closing Caban? Who knows…who cares…I say welcome.

Canadians have been able to shop online at crateandbarrel.com for many years however not all items are available for purchase (always the ones you want) and of course, duty is atrocious on items made in China. I have found it to be a great resource for all-white modern dinnerware, glassware and for some reason lamps - they have a wide selection. It opens September 25th in Yorkdale Mall, Toronto. And while you are there, check out the newly opened Bath & Body Works, another large US beauty retailer to hit the Canadian market on Sephora’s heels. A mini-miracle for all of those Canadians obsessed with their anti-bacterial handwash. Don’t ask why, it’s just a fact. (Not yet available for purchase online.)

Photos: Crate and Barrel

Wallpaper might not be on your mind as you day dream of your next day at the beach but if decorating is your plan this Fall you might want to take advantage of some great deals this month. Judit Gueth, Toronto-based designer and illustrator, has her most popular line of wallpaper, Koi, on special until the end of July for $90/roll. The silver colour-way, shown above left, is a beautiful but subtle addition to a bedroom, living room or bathroom. She has many other classic looking patterns to suit your decor, such as the Lilies pattern shown in green on the right. Her papers contain no PVC and use a clay-based adhesive so you don’t have to worry about any toxins being released into your home. She also does a line of rugs and soon, a line of pillows but these are not yet available online for purchase.

Photos: Judit Gueth

I was delighted when I encountered these towels in the pages of the June/July Domino. I admit I have a thing for any fringed Moorish or tribal textile but these plush Erica Tanov Turkish Towels will make your bathroom feel like a 5-star beach resort on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast. Why wouldn’t you dish out the $32 per towel (or $48 for the bath sheet for that matter) to make yourself feel a little luxurious every morning? I absolutely love these and am ordering a set of four for our master bathroom as we speak. Check out the bath sheets used as chic poolside bed covers in boutique-owner Carina Schott’s home.

Photos: Domino, Erica Tanov

As some of you know, finding affordable eco-friendly fabrics has been on my radar for awhile. The latest issue of Domino features a great discount at Rubiegreen.com where you can find fun prints on upholstery-weight organic cotton. The fabrics are regularly $90/yard but until July 14th, you can receive a $40 discount on each yard of fabric…almost 50% off. Unfortunately they can’t process international orders online but they will gladly fulfill your order via an email request. It is totally worth it since it is tough to find fabric you like, let alone the organic variety. I love the East Village zigzag print in raspberry - it would look fantastic on a navy sofa. The zebra “Mary” print in natural is a refreshing and softer alternative to the black and white classic.

Photos: Rubie Green

I first learned of Wenlan Chia’s design talents when I purchased a Twinkle by Wenlan silk skirt in San Fran 2 years ago. I still love the skirt with its quirky but feminine details, lasting design and of course the compliments I get when I wear it. I was very excited when I discovered that she also does a home line called Twinkle Living with the same whimsical elements and colour combinations. I love the idea of having your rug act as a work of art around which you build a clean-lined, modern furnishing scheme in classic colours. The Abstract wool rug, above left, would be perfect for such an endeavor. The Ikat Throw Pillow, on the right, combines unlikely colours that look fresh and traveled at the same time. Amazingly, it is also a perfect match for the tribal Persian rug in my living room and I think I need one - okay, two. Decorating is funny that way…add two new pillows and all of a sudden you need to rearrange the entire room. I am already moving chairs in my head.

The site estimates shipping to be $96 for 2 pillows totaling $136 - UPS Worldwide Expedited. I have a feeling that they would accommodate a less expensive option for Canadian customers if you requested it, this seems awfully steep for pillows coming from New York.

Photos: Twinkle Living

I had a vision for the mats that I wanted for our city garden - colourful to liven up my little outdoor square and plastic so I could leave them out without worrying about the weather. I searched everywhere and had no luck finding something affordable and chic. I used to sell ones from The Koko Company when I owned a store in Boston so I went looking for them online, hoping to find a Canadian resource - nope. I did however find their consumer site Kokotrends.com. Here you can shop their selection of whimsical and bright bedding, pillows, quilts, throws, drapes, accessories and of course, floormats. I went for the classic in green but am also a fan of the optics duotone in teal and turquoise - it comes in 5×9 if you need extra large coverage. It arrived in just over a week and although I wasn’t charged duty and taxes upon purchase, there were no extra charges at the door. Shipping was a reasonable $25 - for something that is 4 feet long, that is a good price.

While you are there, check out their cotton embroidered kids pillows. Every season they come up with delightful new patterns that are so much fun they make you want to redecorate.

Photos: Kokotrends.com