Chic Birdcages

Bird cages from William Ashley's Christmas window.

Since this Christmas I kept seeing Birdcages used as chic decorations in store windows and for the home. The Birdcages from the William Ashley store in the picture above looked so magical on their Christmas window. They decorated their store window with golden Birdcages filled with the birds and owl China figurines hand crafted from the Royal Crown Derby. Then this month, while stopping by at one of my favourite stores here in Toronto, I saw this huge birdcage from Pottery Barn used as a curio cabinet for the Living Room to display your plants, books, photo frames and other knick knacks that you can fill it with. I thought the Birdcage was so chic and functional at the same time to display your items inside the house instead of using a traditional glass cabinet. Here are some style inspirations using the Birdcage inside the home. What do you think? 

I love this style idea from Pottery Barn. 

The birdcage has double doors behind it in order to put in your collections and to display in your Living Room.

The Pottery Barn Birdcage in a Living Room setting.

Photo credit: Pottery Barn

A birdcage on display on a table. 

Photo credit: Habitually Chic Pinterest

May you have a fabulous and inspiring week! 

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Creating Inspirations And A Giveaway

Last Thursday night, I had the pleasure to attend my first ever Book Signing Event, In Conversation With Heather Clawson, at my favourite Bookstore here in Toronto, the Chapters-Indigo Bookstore on Bay Street. It was also the first time that I have actually met an actual Blogger in person and of all people, she is Heather Clawson, New York City based Interior Designer and Blogger of the famous blog, Habitually Chic. Before I even started my blog, I have been reading Habitually Chic and it  has been my favourite for the longest time. Her blog offers a very stylish, intelligent, well organised features about Design, Fashion, Travel and Lifestyle. She shares her stories on famous People who are well known in Design, Fashion, the Arts and Culture. She is now currently on a Book Tour around North America to promote her first ever book, Creativity At Work. 

 According Heather, her book is to inspire people to be creative and realise their dreams. The book actually featured popular Americans like Jenna Lyons, Creative Director of J.Crew and Bunny Williams, famous Interior Designer, among others, in their own work place. Heather wrote the book herself with the help of her Editor at Powerhouse Books and  photographed all of the pictures in the book by herself.  It is really a very inspiring book and gives us a glimpse into the creative work life of these talented People. 

The event featured both Heather and her close friend, Tommy Smythe, Canadian Interior Designer and co-host of Sarah Richardson's Design show on HGTV. Tommy did a splendid job of interviewing Heather. It was like two best friends having a wonderful and lively conversation with each other. They actually call each other "kindred spirits."

Tommy Smythe and Heather Clawson. They were so friendly to even pose for me here.

Heather  shared with us that when she photographed the people featured in her book in their creative work place including "the artists' mood/inspirational boards was like looking into their minds."

What is the source of your inspiration and how do you keep a record of it?

About blogging, Heather also shared:   'A blogger these days need to be a writer, editor and photographer in order to stand apart.'   She explained to us her policy of  "sharing with kindness" in her blog. That she always look for the positive things to share in her blog and will never share or comment about anything negative in her blog. 

Here are some pictures of my favourite Bookstore here in Toronto, Chapters-Indigo on Bay St. Every time I go shopping in the area, this place is always my last stop to check on the latest magazines, books and other gifts like diaries, picture frames and there is even a Starbucks inside for a drink. This is definitely one of the places that gives me inspiration. Sometimes I go in there with nothing in mind and then suddenly, I see something that inspires me and gives me ideas. I enjoy going to this place. 

These books are on my Wishlist...

The interior decoration here features some very stylish vignettes. It feels like home with books around, a fireplace design, sometimes a live piano music playing and there are chairs all around the bookstore for people to sit down and read. Shopping here is a very comfortable experience.

'The creative life is the best life of all'

-Chuck Close, Creativity At Work.

Here are some beautiful diaries for sale. I am still quite old fashioned in a way by still using a Diary to write down ideas, things to do and other things. My friends tell me, why not just use my IPAD for my schedule and for my notes? I still prefer to carry my notebook and a Pen in my bag. 

Besides books, Chapters-Indigo sell other products for the home to accompany the book that you purchase in the store. Just like this book about Tea and why not purchasing your own Tea set?

The Alphabet coffee mugs.

Kids Corner.

Thank you so much to Chapters-Indigo Bay St.Bookstore for allowing me to photograph the store.


A Giveaway....

To share the inspiration, the Giveaway is a signed copy of  Creativity at Work, written and photographed by Heather Clawson. 

In order to participate in the Giveaway:

1. You are welcome to join my Blog site on GFC and Twitter and please leave a comment.

2. For existing members, please leave a comment. 

I will announce the winner of the Giveaway on Saturday, 24 November 2012.

'I find inspiration everywhere I look. It often comes when I think I see something and realize it is something else. It can come from a building or a bridge, an object, a plant, or even a shadow.'

- James de Givenchy, Jewellery Designer, Creativity At Work. 

May you all have an inspiring weekend. 

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Tory Burch at Home in New York City

Tory Burch on the cover of Philippine Tatler, October 2009.

Tory Burch's apartment in New York City was designed by New York based Filipino Interior Designer, Daniel Romualdez. Daniel is famous among young New York Socialites to design the interiors of their homes. I have previously featured Daniel Romualdez Interior Design in my blog - Aerin Lauder's Aspen Home, November 2011. Here is a glimpse into Tory's own home...

Tory did not grow up as a Park Avenue princess. She was raised on  a Pennsylvania farm. She studied at an exclusive all-girls school, then took Art History at the University of Pennsylvania.  Tory explained: 'When I was little, I was a tomboy because I grew up on a farm with three brothers, so I wasn't particularly into fashion. Then I saw how fashionable my parents were. It was interesting to watch them dress themselves and see how my father designed all of his clothing. My mother was a former model and an actress and incredibly chic as well.'

Tory with her three sons. Black and white photo of her fashionable parents. Also a picture of her green Living Room and Orange Library. Tory used the same shade of Orange for her store.

According to Philippine Tatler Magazine: "The New York Times proclaimed her  the pillar of New York's  young social set."
Tory explained that  'I just worked hard. People were incredibly surprised by the quality and the price range of  my products when the store opened. It's important to me to be a role model and encourage women to work or be a working mum.'

A Fashion advice from Tory: 'If you take a trend too literally, you will become a fashion victim. It's about understanding your age, body and who you are.'

Tory's whole apartment was a collaboration between herself and Interior Designer, Daniel Romualdez (who also designed all of Burch's US Boutiques).  Tory explained that Daniel designed her apartment from a drawing on a table napkin one night. She said "It's very complicated. I lived in this apartment five years then we combined it with two little apartments and the hallways. Daniel is so great at taking people's taste and making it better. To be someone who can jump into your world and understand it and make it better, it's a great personality.'

One of my favourite blogs is Habitually Chic by Heather Clawson. For more pictures on Tory's house, please check out her blog post: http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/2010/02/tory-burch-at-home.html



References and Photography: Philippine Tatler, October 2009.

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