GTA West Chapter Decorators 'On The Road Again'

Attention Accredited & Student Decorators

Over the summer we will not be having 'formal' meetings, however we have arranged a sourcing day. Join us for our Third Summer Sourcing Day. This year we are heading up to Vaughan to visit a few of our Affiliates Showrooms. When: Monday, July 8 Time: 10 a.m. Where: Vaughan - We'll meet at 10 a.m. for our first showroom which is Zilli Home Interiors at 672 Chrislea Rd, Vaughan. We will then proceed to other destinations such as Prima Lighting and Oro Mosaics. (see list and directions attached). We have also scheduled some time for lunch at Vaughan Mills Mall. Please bring along your credentials so you can register for the for Trade Discounts at the showrooms we visit, and begin to take advantage member discounts and benefits. This invitation is also extended to and student members as well, and we encourage your participation. Our hope is to help to develop mentoring opportunities. Please R.S.V.P. for this event by June 24th to: Jeannette Wisby – jw@designsavvy.ca Car pooling is recommended, so please inform me if you would like to drive, carpool etc. and what area you are in. Looking forward to seeing everyone!

GTA West Chapter Spring/Summer Luncheon

Yesterday many of our chapter decorators and several of our great affiliates joined together at Il Fornellos in Oakville for our annual summer luncheon.  Affiliates presented information on their products, new connections were made and a fabulous time was had by all.

SoFA presents: Cobi Ladner " Building a Brand from the Inside Out"

Many decorators and designers attended the recent presentation at SoFA on Building a Brand by Cobi Ladner.  Cobi Ladner is one of Canada’s leading decorating and lifestyle authorities. 

Since 2008 Cobi has enjoyed her conversation with design professionals and homeowners through her popular website cobistyle.com. As a successful entrepreneur, Cobi turned her thoughts and ideas into a full- concept home decor product line, based on the bold notion that a home should be as unique as its owners, and put a smile on their face when they walk in the door. 

Now an emerging national brand, cobistyle is expressed in many product categories ranging from furniture, fabric and drapery to accessories, lighting and soon-to-be bedding and bath. In three short years, Cobi’s collection of beautiful ideas’ has found a home in over a thousand stores across Canada, and she is thrilled about engaging her peers with this new and exciting, very personal vision, called none other than, cobistyle.

Join us in the Canadel showroom to learn how Cobi built her brand from the inside out.

Cobi left the magazine to pursue her passion of 'fun, colourful and affordable' home furnishings which include everything from furniture, fabric, drapery, lighting, pillows, accessories, throws, teapots and soon to come bedding.

Cobi's name also stands for " 'creation of beautiful ideas'  which she completely believes in, has embraced colour and her presentation dealt with creating your own brand as she has.  One must build their brand.  How people decorate their individual homes is what your home says about you.

Cobi talked about other famous brands and how they identify a distinct product or person.  As decorators and designers we need to be building our brands.  It should reflect your own personality and a feeling we create.   We need to be individual and promote our personal style. 

Below are a few photos of Cobi's style 

It's A Steal Consignment Showroom in Oakville

It is intended to be a source for the decorating community for lifestyle transitions, staging and replacement pieces.  Items that sell include nightstands, upholstered pieces, buffets (but no hutches) and bedroom furniture.  What doesn’t sell is dining room sets, hutches and headboards.  The agreed-on price is valid for 60 days and is reduced at intervals to 30% and 10%. The listed price cannot be negotiated.  Sales are split 50%-50%.  If an item does not sell, it can be picked up by the owner or sold for charity.  Kathleen noted that charities generally prefer money to goods.  More information and a copy of the agreement can be found on www.itsastealfurniture.com.

Furniture and decor finds are displayed in stylish vignettes created by design partner, Kathleen Steele. We help customers see the look and get the look they want for their home.  Want to sell something? Great!  Send us a picture of your couch, loveseat, chair, dresser, night stand, dining room suite, kitchenette, settee, lamp, rug, artwork, cushions... the list goes on and on. Our fabulous Design Partner, Kathleen Steele will take a peek at your treasures and be in touch with you. If technology isn't your best buddy, just give us a call and we'll figure something out together. It's a Steal Furniture Consignment and Decor Finds is the real deal when buying and selling the consignment way.

Whittington & Co Speaker Series

Last week many in the design world attended a lecture on The Psychology of Furniture for Designers hosted at Whittington & Co.with Gordon Peteran a professor at Ontario College of Art and Design and an award winning artist and scholar. Aside from the presentation we enjoyed a light lunch and had the opportunity to browse the showroom.  Tony Belbeck & Dan William, furniture designers at Whittington also joined in the conversation about designing and making exceptional furniture.

Below are some photos of their latest pieces .....

Sheridan College Interior Decorating Awards

Monday night Sheridan College hosted their annual Interior Decorating Awards Event.  As in the past, CDECA provides a one year complimentary membership to the winning student.  This award is awarded to the student who has shown outstanding performance and contribution to the Interior Decorating and Design Industry.  This year Ina (Rosie) Roh was the recipient.  Congratulations to Rosie!   

 

An evening at Bergsma's Paint & Decor in Milton

Last evening many CDECA GTA West Chapter Decorators attended our monthly event at Bergsma's Paint and Decor in Milton.  Wow... what a fantastic showroom and the seminar was great as well.  Jeff Bergsma who knows this business inside/out gave us the scoop about the newest in C2 Paint which will be of interest to all of us undertaking paint projects.  C2 has the best pigments of all paint and they use anywhere from 5 - 8 different pigments in varying amounts to create incredible saturated paint colours.  This paint has a built in primer which speeds up the labour time, thus lessens the cost.  One of the interesting details about C2 paint is that they do not use black colorant, since it absorbs rather than reflects light.  By using many different colorants to create their colours they are able to produce luxurious and pure colour.  Currently they have 496 colours in their palette, and will be rolling out 56 new colours within the next month.  Of course this paint qualifies for LEED credits and has 0 VOC.

Of particular interest is the newest collection they have introduced - their Cabinet & Trim paint which can also be used on Floors.  The technology is amazing in that it provides an 'oil' like finish and silky hand, however is water based.

The second part of our evening was spent learning everything new in the lighting business which is changing for the better every day.  Phillip Todoroff, a Lighting Representative, Designer and Educator shared the latest in LED technology and the most up to date in bulb innovations from Phillips.

We enjoyed lovely refreshments compliments of Bergsmas and toured their great showroom.  This is a must visit location!  Thanks to all for providing us with a fabulous and educational evening.