GTA West Chapter Summer Luncheon.....

June 21st,  the beginning of summer was marked by our chapter luncheon.  We had a fantastic turnout including several of our fabulous and supportive affiliates.  Our venue was Il Fornello in Oakville and a great time of networking and just catching up was had by all.  What a great way to start summer - good friends and good food!!

We will be continuing our monthly meetings in a more casual manner during the summer months of July and August as we did last year with our "Summer Sourcing Days" where we as a group visit different industry showrooms..  It was met with great success so we are doing it again.  Our first Sourcing day will be in Toronto at 'Designers Walk' on July 17th.  Keep watch for more details....

SoFA Vendor Showcase and Jane Lockhart on Colour

Many of the CDECA Members as well as others in the design community turned out to the Spring Vendor Showcase at SoFA. 
Leading industry vendors were  on hand to showcase their product lines and offered us in depth, detailed product knowledge!

Here is a list of participating vendors: 

Alendel, Antex , Avant Garde , CDECA, CSP International, ' Cambria Canada,
Coast Appliances,Dann Imports,Designers Gallery,Distinctive Appliances - Opening Soon ,
Eddystone, Elite Window Fashions,Equus,Fawn Chang,Hunter Douglas,IDRC,
Joanne Fabrics,Kravet,Maxxmar,Maxwell,OTB Marketing,PPG Pittsburgh Paints,
Pride of Paris,Prime Walls,Saletex,Sequins, Shade-O-Matic,Sheridan Nurseries,
Soletex,Sun Glow,Renaissance ,Robert Allen,View It Technologies,Watermarks Kitchen and Bath Boutique

This event was sponsored by Alteriors, Pittsburgh Paint, Umbra and Indigo/Chapters.  Overall they provided prizes, refreshments and lunch.  Thanks to all.

Following the showcase event we enjoyed a lovely luncheon and then many attended the Jane Lockharts presentation "Colour Foundations for Design Professionals" which was an ARIDO CEU approved credit.

Speers Paint Event

Our GTA West Chapter's May Meeting was sponsored by Speers Paint in Oakville.  We began the evening with refreshments and a short business meeting. 
Following the business meeting, Carlos Pignataro, store manager, provided us with information on preparing general specifications, including estimates, scope, examination of surfaces, surface preparation and workmanship. Wayne Woodley of Penwood Painting and Craig Lowe of Lowe Painting discussed wallcovering installations, painting systems, working with contractors and managing expectations of clients.  The area representative of Benjamin Moore was also in attendance to discuss characteristics of Benjamin Moore paints and recent developments.

Enjoying refreshments provided by Speers Paint while we have our business meeting 

Audrey introducing Carlos 

Carlos  & Guido picking winners for their draw

Save The Date!

Thursday, June 21, 2012

12:00 noon

GTA West Chapter season finale at Il Fornello, Oakville

More information to come.

Janette Ewen at SOFA

April 3, 2012

"Stuck in a Design Rut" with Janette Ewen

A very inspirational visit was had by all recently at SOFA with a
standing room only presentation from Canadian Stylist Janette Ewen. Best known for her regular appearances on City Line, and more recently co-hosting HGTV's 'Inside the Box' with Ty Pennington,  Janette discussed the top trends in home decor, and  where to look for inspiration to develop and maintain a creative mind.

She shared her inspirations, from travels around the world, to walks in her neighbourhood, and included some sites to find and organize ideas.
http://www.houzz.com/
http://pinterest.com/
http://www.sweetspot.ca/SweetHome/janette_ewen/page/1/

Thanks to SOFA for organizing this event, it truly was inspirational, and a pleasure to meet Janette.

Speers Road Broadloom Event in April 2012

GTA West at Speers Road Broadloom

Many CDECA decorators attended an event at Speers Road Broadloom entitled 'Hands On' Installation and gained extremely valuable knowledge.

Carl French from Speers Road Broadloom organized a professional flooring trainer to attend. His name is Dave Adams. He is a real specialist that works with a number of flooring products.   We we given information on the newest in vinyl flooring; Polypropelene Carpets and how easy they are to live with as well as wood step covers. 

 

 

 

 As in the past Carl arranged for lovely refreshments provided by Janna French-Kugler of SPECA Marketing and Event Planning.www.specsplanning.com 

 Thanks to Carl for arranging to have his suppliers on hand for this informative evening.

Gardening Tips for Decorators

A Good Time Was Had by All

All eyes were forward in eager anticipation as some 50 plus decorators and designers watched the designers of Sheridan Nurseries perform their magic. No one was disappointed.        

The SOFA Spring Container Design Seminar was packed with information and tips for successful container gardening. Proper drainage, enriched potting mix, slow release fertilization, and proper watering all contribute to success. The perfect container, the thrillers, fillers and spillers, all customized, create the complete design.

Thank you so much to SOFA and to the inspiring designers from Sheridan Nurseries. I know this decorator made a detour to Sheridan Nurseries on the way home to set up my Corporate Account, which entitles me to 20% discount off regular retail price. Happy gardening fellow decorators.