Move over Ikea

H and M is venturing out into home textiles and accessories early 2009! Per the press release, the range will be exclusively available online and through a directional mail order catalogue, this is H and M’s first foray into the interiors arena and will offer shoppers the opportunity to stylishly transform every room of the home. The first collection will be available from February 2009 in the markets where distance selling is already established: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. (Too bad North America is not on the list yet, but I’m sure it will make its way here soon if the outcome is good!)

The collection will be divided according to the different rooms of the home with categories such as Graphic, Colorful, Natural and Classic.
I love this one with the vintage trailer!
A little pillow talk?
Love the vintage bathroom set up – reminds me a lot of Anthropologie!

I think it’s a winner – I will keep my eyes open for this one – hopefully coming closer to home……soon!

Spring is in the air

William Sonoma Home is out with their spring ’09 looks. I often go here for ideas for my own personal space as I tend to lean towards this style of home décor.

American Country I am not sure how original the American Country theme is – a little dated in my opinion. Overall, not very exciting – and this comment coming from someone who normally would like this style!

British Colonial
Now this I think is classic and nice – really a timeless look. But again this collection is SAFE and NOT very forward thinking.

Neutral Territory Neutral territory is anything but…. Bright, and vibrant colors make way in this collection. I was hoping these factors would make the line smashing – but no such luck. Other then the accessories I think it lacks the “wow” factor and is not tempting me in any way.

On the whole – nothing I am drooling over this season – sorry WS.

Pretty as always

February is usually the coldest month and the most dreary were I live. So with February behind us and the first day of spring approaching, I've been searching for hints of spring through out the web. And let me tell you it is refreshing, the hope that the day will soon be here. Packing away the warm throw blanket from the sofa, replacing the duvet for a coverlet – ahh…..I can almost smell the flowers. How wonderful to have hit one of my fav websites – Anthropologie. The new spring catalog is out and as always there are beautiful pieces to inspire your pre-summer décor.

Here are a few pics I found inspirational.

Yes – these are shower curtains – how beautiful!
NEWS ALERT:
Amazing news for any and all Canadians!

There are plans are in the works to open Anthropologie stores in Toronto and West Edmonton. I am not sure of the exact date for the openings, but in Toronto it looks like Yorkville will be the destination of choice as well as a new mall in the Don Mills area. For Edmonton – I couldn’t find much information – but first thought was the big West Edmonton Mall? I will keep you posted once a date and locations are confirmed.

I have seen job postings on the web for positions so it can’t be too far away from opening day!

A dream come true

Barbie's Malibu dream house comes alive - and it only took 50 years!

On the eve of her 50th birthday, interior decorator Jonathan Adler has decked out a real-life 3,500-square-foot pad overlooking the Pacific Ocean to look like the blond doll's outrageous home.

Adler, who was commissioned by toy maker Mattel Inc. to decorate the house for Monday's party, said outfitting the sleek mansion (a property that's frequently rented for film and photography shoots) took six months of planning and a few weeks to install.

Adler lined Barbie's bedroom with wall-to-wall pink carpeting emblazoned with her initial.

The closet is filled with 50 pairs of pink peep-toe heels while her kitchen is stocked with cupcake-making ingredients.

An in-house museum features 25 vintage Barbie dolls on display.

In the garage? A pink Volkswagen New Beetle with a motorized pop-up vanity in the trunk.

Following the celebrity studded festivities, most of Barbie's custom decor will be shipped to the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas to furnish a special pink-tinted Barbie Suite that will be available for bachelorette parties, birthdays or anyone who wants to live like Barbie.

Other items will be available from the "Jonathan Adler Loves Barbie" collection launching in September – I can’t wait to see this!

Oops - one more...

Zara Home specializes in home furnishings with a focus on textiles such as bed, table and bathroom linens, with ranges of tableware, glassware, cutlery as well as many ornamental offerings. Zara Home is made up of the following ranges; Contemporary, Classical, Colonial and White. The product range is constantly updated, ensuring that the home offerings are as fashionable as the label's clothing designs.

Regent Street is the home of the flagship store for Zara Home, covering two floors worth of the most luxurious displays.

One step in and you are guaranteed to get the decorating bug!

Dwelling the web....

Dwell (#5 and the final on my list) Home Furnishings was founded by Christiane Lemieux in 1999 in an effort to bring modern textile design to the world of home.

Their collections are crisp and the prints and patterns are always fresh and original. They have locations almost everywhere, and several retailers carry their lines. Their website (http://dwellshop.com/) is very inspirational – with several images of staged rooms that are ohhh…. so pretty. They carry lines for every aspect of your home and life; I guess that’s why the name Dwell works so well. From bedding for you and the entire family to wonderful tabletop items – it’s all here! Here are a few pics from their website for you to enjoy!