The more things change...
It was 10 years ago this week that I wrote my first article for the Winnipeg Free Press. It's hard to believe that I've had the privilege of helping you with your decorating issues for over a decade.
In that article, I wrote: "Many people think that they don't have a creative bone in their body. I disagree. If you can put together a wardrobe you have already established that you have a sense of style, colour and texture. More importantly you have a sense of what you like. It's as simple as that. You must decorate from the inside out. That is, from the heart and from your desire and not from the outside sources that are, at best, unrealistic for the majority of us."
Here I am, years later, still cheering for the underdog out there who wants to have a great home on a reasonable and sometimes even meagre budget. I hope along the way that you've garnered some insight and a little bravery with your own space. I've met many people who have had success on their own merit, and the joy it brings is immeasurable for both of us. If you're still "stuck," stay tuned. I don't plan on going anywhere for the next decade or so, with tips and ideas that may help you achieve the look you want for your home.
"The more things change the more they stay the same" is a fitting testament to the last decade. Back then, Martha Stewart was in her heyday; today, not so much. She influenced our decorating trends a lot back then but, as the years progressed, we dropped the "country charm" stencils and "Welcome Friends" signs for a more sophisticated, Earth-friendly space.
We dropped wallpaper borders and replaced them with meaningful wall quotes and words. We got a lot better at lighting our decor properly, which makes everything look better. Today, we're more relaxed and creative with items like kitchen cabinets than we were years ago when all you had to choose from were matching cabinetry pieces. We still yearn for the perfect wall colour, sense of comfort and style in our homes. I don't think this need will ever change.
The plumbing changes alone are worth the journey. Energy- and water-saving bathroom fixtures are more beautiful and functional than ever. We're finally realizing that we should pamper ourselves, especially at home. Spa-like fixtures and accessories are much more prevalent today than they were even five years ago.
The choices in flooring have come a long way as well. There are many products that are easy for the homeowner to install with beautiful results. This gives us options and helps us save money along the way.
We have come to realize with certainty that our homes are a place of rejuvenation and healing. We are also being kinder to the Earth with more and more home-decor and renovation products. We've come a long way, and there's still so much to see and do. It's an exciting time in home-decor fashions.
What's new out there
On a recent forage for new, exciting decor items, I popped into the new Urban Barn location which just opened on Ellice Avenue. There was so much to see and so many beautiful new items to explore that I actually had to sit down halfway through my visit and just take it all in. I particularly loved the rose toss cushions which look great on a sofa or bed.
Everything in the photos with this column is from Urban Barn, and they were kind enough to set this up so that I could show you some of the neat things they have to offer.
Hot off the truck are the globe lamps seen here. They really blew me away. What a gorgeous way to give a room ambience, and what an unusual design. This set is a bit retro, a bit hip, but able to fit into just about any contemporary space.
Urban Barn has great furniture as well, in particular a metal coffee-table set that looks like it was cut out of an old submarine; complete with rivets and a distressed paint finish. These tables would look amazing in a modern loft with sleek, industrial finishes. Another coffee-table set was completely made of mirrored surfaces, right down to the legs. A little Hollywood glam that would be visually stunning in the right space.
Urban Barn carries some of the Umbra line which offers stylish products with a simple beauty. Among them I actually found an item that solved one of my small decorating dilemmas in the kitchen. It's called a Chariot, a small, chrome stand with a bar to hold your dishcloth and a base for a pot scrubber. It serves its simple purpose with an unobtrusive design, allowing the dishcloth to air-dry quickly before it gets funky. I really love it.
Another new Umbra accessory I found was a set of five mirrors in the shape and size of various hand mirrors -- a tongue-in-cheek set to hang on the wall of a bathroom or vanity area.
Of course there are many other stores in Winnipeg that offer great items. I just haven't hit them all yet, but I will eventually. When I find something interesting I'll certainly let you know.
Thanks again for the kudos, emails and letters over the past decade. It's great to know you're out there reading my articles and it inspires me to continue the pursuit of great ideas for the home.
Connieoliver@shaw.ca
