Scoop du Jour: Sarah Richardson Dining Chairs

Do you remember these fabulous chairs that Sarah Richardson designed for Geeta and Jerry's dining room on an episode of Sarah 101? Unfortunately, the chairs weren't quite to the homeowners' taste, and always willing to please, Sarah helped them find something more to their liking.

Well, if you liked the springy floral chairs, you're in luck because they are currently available for sale at Of Things Past (a consignment store mecca here in Toronto). Hopefully, someone will fall in love with them and find them a new home!

Lucky Girl!

I'm not the lucky girl in question, though I wish I was! Do you remember where I posted about this casting call for Sarah Richardson's new show, Sarah 101? Well, one of my dear readers read the post and applied for the show - and lo and behold she was selected!! So not only will this reader and her hubby have their dining room made over and get $10,000 worth of labour, fixtures, and furnishings, but she will get to hobnob with my absolute favourite designer & her sidekick Tommy.

Seriously, I'm so happy (and a tiny bit envious) of your good fortune. Maybe if I'm nice, dear reader will let me stand in the bushes outside and stalk the TV shoot ;)

Scoop du Jour: Sarah Richardson Casting Call

Hmm, I just noticed that most of my scoops seem to be about Sarah Richardson. Yes, I am one of her biggest fans, but if this keeps going on, it might border on 'stalker-ish' behaviour, don't you think?

No matter. Just got word of a scoop that I have to share with you: Sarah is casting for a new show! This one is focused on homeowners or renters who want a room in their house redecorated. That's right - no big renovations (a la Design Inc. or Sarah's House) - just simple, chic, makeovers from Sarah & her sidekick Tommy. Are you game (and live in the Greater Toronto Area)? Then click on over here and sign up!

On another related note, I just won tickets to hear Sarah speak at an event in early November. Yay! She's taking questions from the audience so I'll have to think something up to ask her. Any suggestions??

Scoop du Jour: Calling all Sarah Richardson fans!

Ever wish that Sarah Richardson (she of HGTV's Design Inc., Sarah's House, and Sarah's Cottage) could design your dream home? Well, for $895,000 (Canadian $) you can have your dreams come true. The house that Sarah redesigned in Sarah's House II is back on the market. I guess the recession has hit everyone since there's been a price drop on this house since it was first listed in September last year.



I would consider this house a bargain. It is signature Sarah... great use of neutrals, pleasing fabrics, fabulous tilework in the bathrooms, and bedrooms you never want to leave. Seriously, I would be a permanent guest if you offered me a night in that fab black & white bedroom!

P.S. Thanks to Anonymous who gave me the scoop on this scoop!

Scoop du Jour: Pier 1 Closing?

The internets are abuzz with word that Pier 1 will be closing its doors by December 2009. I'm not sure if this true of all stores in the US and Canada, nor if this is true at all, but for sure I'll be popping into my local store soon to see if there are any deals to be had. I haven't bought too much from Pier 1 but find its one of those places that occasionally has hidden gems if you look hard enough. A few things I've spied in their online catalogue:
This tufted chair would be lovely as an accent chair in a bedroom. Or pair six of them around a dining table. I like how there is a coordinating damask fabric on the back.

These chairs have a wonderful, colonial type feel. A nice chair to have in the kitchen.


A sparkly mosaic shell mirror. This would be divine in a washroom. Love the gold tones in it. Did you know gold-tone faucets are coming back in vogue?


This leggy console table would look fab in an all white room.

Love this bamboo chair in black. I'd pair it with a bright floral print cushion and put it in the sunroom. If I had a sunroom :o\


I am crushing on four poster beds these days. This one is so versatile too, and I like the simple shaker design.


A nice lounge chair in ikat fabric. The green and brown is a lovely combination. I like the curvy feet too. Two of these would look great in a living room, alongside a roaring fireplace.



Mmm, nailhead trim. Love that detail. And the tight back. Love that too. This sofa could work in a traditional or contemporary setting.

Scoop du Jour: cobi

Cobi Ladner, former editor of my favourite design mag Canadian House & Home, is trying out a new hat. She's launched her website cobi which stands for "collection of beautiful ideas". Her philosophy is that homes should be personalized, unique spaces; a reflection of you and not your decorator or anyone else's recycled ideas.

I kind of agree with her. Show me a piece of furniture/fabric/wallpaper/lighting that you love and think is so 'you', and I'll show you 13 blogs, 2 magazine articles, and an HGTV show where that same item has appeared in other people's houses. With the speed of design today, good ideas become stale ideas when too many people jump on the bandwagon (trellis pattern, anyone?). I'm guilty of this just as anyone else (you have noticed my ubiquitous white shaker kitchen with stainless appliances, haven't you?) so I'm interested to see what cobi brings to the table. Then again, I think Domino magazine tried to promote the same idea, that different is much more appealing than sameness, and we all know how that ended.

Scoop du Jour: Sarah's Cottage

Anyone who reads this blog knows I'm a big fan of Sarah, so I'm eagerly looking forward to her new 6-episode series, Sarah's Cottage. Filmed last summer, this series chronicles Sarah's makeover of her own cottage - while she's 6 months pregnant! I've seen what Sarah can do with a swank city space, so it'll be interesting to see how she beautifies a rustic, casual cottage. Painted floors, a bunkie, living 'off the grid'...can't wait to see what its all about! HandyMan has a cottage that is in dire need of a makeover itself so I'll definitely be taking notes.


The series premieres March 31st, 9pm, on HGTV Canada. For you US folks, I've heard rumours that the series will be shown in the US sometime later this year under the title "Sarah's Summerhouse".

Double Scoop du Jour: Scoop up Sarah's House

HandyMan and his eagle eye spotted the real estate listing for Sarah's House II that I just blogged about. Got an extra $930K in your pocket? See all details here... or don't, and wait to watch the upcoming series to see all the design surprises!


UPDATE 09/26: Hmm, seems like the selling price may have been off on this one. The mls.ca listing has been removed but I'm sure it'll be back up soon.

Scoop du Jour: Sarah's House II

My favourite designer, Sarah Richardson, returns to the airwaves with Sarah's House 2, on Tues. Sept. 30 at 9pm ET/PT on HGTV Canada. Sorry, you US-folks won't be able to catch this awesome show, but you may be able to find reruns of season 1 in your local listings.

Its an intriguing show... over the season, Sarah takes you through the house selecting and buying, the demolition, the design, and the entire renovation. That's right, she renovates a place from top to bottom, then sells it at the end of the season - hopefully for a profit! She offers renovation and design tips along the way that any homeowner can appreciate. Sarah was also pregnant throughout the filming of this season (her second daughter arrived about a month ago), has a 2-year old, is filming another show (Sarah's Cottage) simultaneously, and runs a thriving design practice so it'll be interesting to see how she juggles all those demands! Its quite a different house this time around - a more suburban looking 1950's ranch backsplit. I'm thinking this one will be a bit more contemporary with mid-century elements.

Here's some pics from Season 1 to show you what the fabulous Sarah can create:

*a little insider's story for you: Sarah asked the purchasers of Sarah's House 1 to leave her a note saying if they wanted to include any of the furnishings in the purchase. She found a post-it note on the front door with one word: Everything! Now that is what I call 'move in condition' ;)

Scoop du Jour: House & Home Makeover Issue

If you love Canadian House and Home magazine, you won't want to miss their upcoming special issue, Makeovers. It promises 34+ Before & Afters, flea market finds transformed, and small changes with big impact. I bought their previous special issues (Kitchens, Condos Lofts & Apartments) and they were chock-full of great ideas. The Makeover issue hits stands on August 18th.


On a side note, the new editor of House & Home has been announced and its her. I'm not a fan of hers so I hope this doesn't impact the calibre of work the magazine has produced under former editor Cobi Ladner.

Scoop du Jour: DWR Toronto

Toronto fans of modern design can rejoice! Design Within Reach, a chain store with 68 locations throughout the US, has just opened its first Canadian location. The store sells fully-licensed mid-century design classics by the likes of Mies, Bertoia, and Eames. On their site, they've announced a grand opening event:

Grand Opening Event
Thursday, March 13, 6-9pm

We invite you to stop by and say hello during our Grand Opening Event on Thursday, March 13. Plus, from March 13 through 19, we'll donate 10% of all Toronto Studio sales to Design Exchange. A museum and cultural center, Design Exchange, like DWR, is committed to raising awareness and understanding of design. Join us.

DWR Studio is located at 435 King Street West (at Spadina Avenue)

Scoop du Jour: Baby & Child - Restoration Hardware

This is a new section of my blog where I'll try and alert you dear readers to interesting design news items. First up, the new Baby & Child collection at Restoration Hardware arrives in stores this summer! No word on the designs or items yet, but I'm picturing white wood cribs with exquisite detailing, adorable linens, and an expansion of their plush line of items. How irresistible! You can sign up for their upcoming catalogue here and get the early scoop.