HomeGoods. No, HomeGreats.

We Canadians have a tendency to complain mention how shopping is always better in the US. Well, I have to say that after two trips to my local Toronto HomeGoods store in the last month, I really have to disagree! I am shocked at the affordable furniture and accessories they have for my eyes to feast on and have not been disappointed at all, not even a bit. For some economical furnishings, I am coming back to this place. I can't say what the quality is like, but for the prices, HomeGoods is worth a try.

I believe this had a $600 price tag...solid, heavy wood people!

I know these chairs were only $200 each because I would have two for the ends of my dining table if I had my house by now...

Loved this for our cottage, maybe it will come home soon. Can't remember price but think it was around $300...

Yes! If I had my office, this would be delightful. It was $500...

ps - the table, not the ottomans :)

A fun little mirrored chest...

These Wegner wishbone stool knock-offs were $96 each!

And the only thing that actually came home with me from this list, a pair of wire farm baskets. Ah hem - $12 each!

I also picked up an adorable little glass and steel terrarium greenhouse thing that I love but didn't take a photo. I will show it off when my bedroom is finished at the cottage. We also loved this raw-edged shower curtain for one cottage bathroom, displayed so beautifully by my daughter for my mum via text.

Target + Missoni

I just read about Target's next designer collection with Missoni and almost fainted. Wow. I need a little Italian jewel-toned joy in my home accessories collection, and thus I've already started planning a short road trip to our friendly southern neighbour in mid-September. 

{via Missoni}

Cannot wait to see the home-wares, of course, but I'm also hoping to find something to add to my closet (and its lonely Missoni scarf). Coming to Target September 13, 2011.

Project: Muskoka Bedroom

I've started to think about our cottage bedroom and have been getting my hands dirty with some minor projects for it lately. While we are trying to save all of our money for our first house purchase, I am attempting to reuse old furniture and items my parents have hanging around - many of which were already one step out the door and on their way to the dump!

Here is a little peak at one item I salvaged from my aunt and uncle who have a cottage next door. This turquoise number has started its transformation...

It is an old, dovetail joint tool box from Scandinavia that has been waiting patiently for a facelift. My dad's uncle gave him an almost exact match which was never painted and it looks beautiful in the cottage entry. I can't wait to see this one in our bedroom! You will have to come back and see how I plan to use it...

Project: Muskoka Front Door

It has been hard finding time for blogging with this great summer weather we are finally experiencing in Toronto! As I promised a few weeks back, here are some after photos of our cottage front door, all painted and pretty!

We wanted something that worked well with the putty coloured faux-wood board and baton and shingles, and the orangey rough douglas fir accents. We were also trying to stay away from the usual cottage suspects - dark green, deep rust and brown. 

The solution: BURNT ORANGE

In order to minimize, or play down, the orange colour of the fresh douglas fir, we chose a burnt orange. It may seem the opposite, but by using an analogous colour-scheme (where colours are from the same side of the colour wheel) and using a colour that blends in with the redwoods, it actually makes the orange shade of wood less noticeable. Analogous colour-schemes are more relaxing and pleasing to the eye - perfect for easy living at a cottage! If we had chosen a blue or green paint, the colour-scheme would have been more dynamic complimentary scheme (where colours are from the opposite side of the colour wheel) and the douglas fir would have actually appeared more orange. 

the perfect napkin

While at the cottage and sipping away on these...

...and browsing through the June issue of Better Homes & Gardens, I found these PERFECT napkins. The best of both worlds, MYdrap are made from real fabric (cotton or linen) but breakdown after six washing machine cycles. I love how I can offer guests real napkins, in an assortment of gorgeous colours and patterns, and don't have to worry about keeping them free of stains forever.

They also come in various sizes from cocktail napkin to placemat, and are handily unrolled like paper towel. So cool!