Master the Flea Market!

July 10, 2018 by Nina Neimarlija

It's no secret we have a slight obsession with flea markets - and for good reason! Each one is a new opportunity to continue to grow our personal collections, feature unique antique pieces you may not know much about and finally, create a curated collection which we can share with you on Our Finds - to allow you to bring these pieces into your home for a second life!

Now, we get asked time and time again - How do you know what to buy at the flea market? Should you barter? How can I be sure that I am actually purchasing a collectable and not a reproduction? Is it okay to ask if something is authentic? Will they tell me the truth?

OR, our favourite line..

"I like the look of antique pieces, but I want it to be incorporated into my fresh and modern home - oh and I also don't have a million dollars to spend. Can I still collect?"

So let us solve all of your antiquing troubles and break it down for you step-by-step. The bottom line is that flea markets are full of passionate, knowledgable and what we find to be.. simply lovely people! Most vendors welcome questions when it comes to their treasures - including the background, the history, the authentication documents/certificates that come with the piece (if that applies to a higher priced item)..and yes, they are even open to a few bids that you may have in mind! Remember, it's important to be fair - nothing of value comes without a cost. For many antique vendors - this is a way to make a living so you want to keep in mind that both parties should be happy with the final price!

Now for what we think may be the most important piece of information when it comes to antiquing, collecting and home decor. There is always a difference between 'getting the look' or 'completing the design.' One is not better than the other and it's certainly not a matter of right or wrong. However, it is absolutely noteworthy. Like we mentioned above, the famous 'I don't have a million dollars to collect antiques or incorporate them into my daily space' is a common misconception people hold when it comes to antiques.

First things first, antiques come at a multitude of different price points. You would be surprised at how reasonable some start off at (..hint, hint, just flip to Our Finds to see those entry level pieces!)

Second important fact to know, is sometimes we are all guilty of loving the finer things in life! As in, you never knew how much an antique of that would cost but once you found out you were heartbroken knowing that could never be a reality for you.. Despite this rarely being the case, this is an opportunity to 'get the look' without the purchase price. Not all antiques are equal - a silver plated tea set from any country other than England can be purchased at fairly reasonable price point. A silver plated tea set from England would be considered a mid-range price point. While a 925 sterling silver tea set originating from England would be substantially more than the previous two options.

All three of these can 'give you the look' that you are going for - however, they all come in a range of values. Throw in a well-known factory that produces the sterling silver tea set, with a stamp and it dating back to the 17th/18th century and you've got yourself one of those 'a girl can only dream' pieces on your wish list!

In other words.. you could purchase an antique, hand made Persian rug that is 100% wool which showcases beautiful artistry or you could purchase a 'similar' rug that is machine made, with a poly-blend. In the pages of House and Home, both rugs could be styled to look impeccable - but would remain different on paper. We all go through different phases in our lives - and for some of us that is reflected in our design tastes. We want to be minimalist, we want everything to be clean and modern.. we want to collect treasures that are 100 years old, we want to go grandma's house and learn the stories behind all of the family heirlooms she's kept for all those years. As we evolve, our interior tastes change and we decide home much we can 'afford' to spend on our what makes us happy or adds value to our daily life. Whatever that amount is, wherever you 'choose' to spend it, we hope that it's on something you love. We hope it makes you feel something, we hope it makes you remember a fond childhood memory, we hope it makes you want to keep it, love it, cherish it for years to come - and collect it.. for someone else to love after you. Because after all, thats how this whole antique thing works. Now go on and master your next flea market!

Xox

One bed, two ways - But who's counting?!

June 24, 2018 by Nina Neimarlija

If you're like most people - you rarely give making your bed a second thought. In fact, 'making' your bed seems like too much of a daily hassle from Monday - Friday. Which only leaves two days to really have one made and who's spending their weekend doing that?!

You guessed it.. we are! And we've got plenty of GREAT reasons for why you should care about what your bed looks like. For one, a made bed makes your bedroom come together. Think.. fewer things on the floor and a space that triggers relaxation. There is nothing relaxing about mess and chaos everywhere - so for that simple fact, trust us with this one!

We wanted to show you how one bed - in the same bedroom can be done up two different ways and give off a completely different feeling. This concept really highlights the importance of understanding the fluidity of interior spaces and giving yourself the freedom of switch things up.. and enjoying a clean and tidy space with your bed made!

The first way we've put together the bed above is by choosing to stick with a softer palette of colours. The French tapestry in the background sets the tone perfectly to pull out the colours on the velvet Bella Notte and the Missoni accent pillow. The white linen sheets and lace coverlet add a sense of freshness to the overall look. This look is both simple, elegant and could be considered to be more feminine. All in all, we absolutely can't get enough of it!

In this second look, we've kept the white linen base the same. It's like a fresh new canvas and it really allows you to play with the pillows and throw to switch up the feeling of your bedroom. We've also kept the tapestry the same to showcases how little has to be changed when switching up your bedding!

Here we've added a softer blue hue along with a dark charcoal navy. Most people think that these two colours are too far apart on the colour spectrum to be placed together but since they stay within the same in colour gradient - it absolutely works! We've also kept the same Missoni pillow for a neutral base. Notice how it works effortlessly in both set ups! Now, this really is an insider interior design tip - most clients are always reaching for colour when they want to infuse new life into their rooms. Despite this being one way to inflict a sense of change - you're always going to need neutrals that can be carried from one look to another. Invest in these first!! You'll be so glad you did!

So when should you switch up your bedroom look?! It's totally up to you.. sometimes it makes sense to bring about changes with the seasons. Think white and light linen for the summer and heavy fabrics and throws for the winter months. Or for example, if you find that your room feels too dark and gloomy and you're not ready to undertake a paint colour change on the walls.. then lightening up your bedding and accent pillows will greatly contribute to that swift change!

Regardless of what your daily routine looks like or what kind of current bedding you have - try to make a habit out of making your bed. Try different ways of doing it.. find one that takes the least amount of time and then sneak that in every morning before the chaos of the world begins. You'll learn to enjoy your living spaces and ultimately, feel more at ease when you come home from work.

Believe it or not, both beds that we made here took us less than 5 minutes.. and we had plenty of fun doing it together!!

Xox

Opposites attract!

February 28, 2018 by Nina Neimarlija

The age old design question - Can I mix a series of styles together? Or.. My home tends to have different feels in different rooms and I would like it to be more cohesive. Can I mix and match with the pieces I have? You've guessed it.. we say yes, yes, yes! All day, everyday! There are a few simple tricks to making these looks come together..but once you get the hang of it - you'll never go back to coloring within the lines!

Three reasons the above look SHOULDN'T work:

1) The monochromatic feel of the black and white oil painting sets the tone for a very modern and minimalist room - and this room is anything but

2) The whimsical checkered black and white Mackenzie Childs pillows are loud pieces on their own and should be paired with solid colors - again, this room has anything but

3) The Moroccan inspired ottoman is eclectic and would accent warm tones that surround it - and you guessed it, this room has anything but!

Three reasons the above look DOES work:

1) All of the above!

So here's the skinny.. or the rules to stick by when it comes to mixing in pieces with different styles/feels:

1) Be willing to play around with the item's you have - TRY IT OUT! We tried 5 different type of pillow sets before we put this one on and surprised ourselves. You will know what looks pleasing to your eye..keep going until you find what looks just right!

2) Try to look for the not so obvious tie in elements - the Mackenzie pillows work with the painting because of the commonality of the strong and bold black color. The Moroccan ottoman actually softens the feel of the painting and picks up on the light brown/tan parts of the painting to make it look less stark. If we move this ottoman away from the painting - what appears to be the tan color on this painting becomes almost off white. It is amazing to see how pieces play off each other! Remember, not everything is as it seems!

3) Mix textures and colors - Be a risk taker. This can pay off majorly with design elements. And nothing is permanent. Every painting can be moved, every ottoman can be reupholstered and every pillow case can be changed. Have a room painted emerald green? Put a mustard yellow accent in it. Have a loud red and white printed decorative pillow? Put in on a royal blue chair. The pages you gawk at in your favorite interior design magazine made it in there because they broke all the rules.. not become they followed them!

So off you go to style the next space in your home - you'll have fun living on the wild side of design!