Leopard Love

It started in high school.

I found a silk leopard printed scarf and it became my signature bit.

tied in my hair, on my bag, as a sash..

that scarf could have told some stories :)

Oh yes, the knee-length faux leopard coat was so hot in 1999..

moving from the city to the burbs, I still wore it out to the grocery store,

much to our neighbours amusement.

Onward to my first apartment, which looked nothing like these spaces below, LOL.

 My first purchase was a leopard carpet - I was sleeping on a futon, but had my carpet!!

 There is always a few leopard pillows floating about our place..

it never fails to impress me how versatile this print is - 

moving from room-to-room with ease..

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Currently, I am trying to convince D. that the old Chippendale sofa 

sitting in our bedroom could really use a little leopard love..

It may just skip off to the upholsterers one day, ready to be re-invented...

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I like animal prints when used with RESTRAINT- 

they add that bit of kitsch and take the edge off.

Do you use any?

Which is your favourite?

on a side note, I was trying to find an example of a chippendale sofa done up in leopard to sell D.,

and have learned that searching chippendale leopard in google will bring up many results,

 most of whom are male and scantily clad :) 

didn't impress him, for some reason!

til next time..

Plaid Madness.. Feeling Fall

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I woud never ever wish away summer.

Love the sunshine and the warmth, the time with my kiddies..

but ever since I saw this sofa in Lonny

I've been daydreaming about plaid. And fall.

Just discovered it's from Anthropologie - of course!

If anyone could goad me into desiring the return of cooler days, it would be them :)

the plaid madness ensues..

a quick fix:

one of the best kept secrets north of the border, Joe Fresh Clothing - 

designed by Joseph Mimram, the man who gave Club Monaco it's signature style.

This line is available at my local grocery store - which sometimes makes the grocery budget swell!

Not too much, though these trousers are only $39!

Ralph Lauren always gets plaid right..

How about plaid on an upcycled ottoman?

an easy DIY from instructables

Love the fanciful feel of mix-and-match plaids..

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A dollap in an entry..

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just a touch of tartan may do..

The Ace Hotel in NYC sharing the love..

I admit, it's not just the plaid I love here - check out their hip loft suite..

Amidst this tartan sea.. I had a realization:

Black Watch Tartan has navy, black and green - the colors of my home.

After searching for a slightly subdued pattern, incorperating those colors,

 for living room and dining room window panels for several months -

I have a had a eureka moment!

Off to the fabric store today to have a closer look and get some samples..

What do you think of plaid?

Would you use it in your space?

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Maybe in smaller doses :)

til next time..

Block Print Love

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Block prints make me my heart skip a beat.

Particularly the ones from  Les Indiennes...

ah, paisley, my love...

the texture of natural linen, the quiet beauty.

Enchanting.