It's all in the architectural details

At first blush this entrance hall looks so simple. Stunning but simple.

McGill Design Group

It is deceptively simple looking. Seems easy to achieve doesn't it? But look closely. This room is a study in details; look at the architectural detailing. From the wall paneling to the deep baseboards and appropriately deep crown molding. 

What makes this entrance stunningly warm and inviting is the layering of clean and simple furnishings over the formal, traditional details of the home. Imagine the walls bare with only standard baseboard and crown molding. The room would look cold, bare and unfinished...as if something were missing. 

Architectural details can not be overlooked. When you are considering decorating a room start with the walls themselves and build upon the architectural details you add. The furniture is one of the last things you need to think about. Almost an after thought.

I love :

• The Robert Abbey semi-flush fixture, called 'Bling', just visible at the top of the photo. It's on my list for the atrocious home we are in. 
• The contemporary wall sconces are lovely and almost unexpected in an entrance foyer.
• The millwork...on my list. It will run up the stairwell, as in this photo and throughout the 2nd floor hall. 
• These dark stained treads draw your eyes up the stairs and give a greater sense of depth to the entrance. Again, on my list. We have 'honey' oak stained stairs. Hideous!
• Hardwood floor, natch. We have 12'x12' ivory ceramic tile covering about 1/2 of our main floor...I'm so embarrassed! And my little piggy's are always freezing! 

For the suburbanites in the cookie cutter homes many of us live in this single photo is an excellent example of a jumping off point to take your blah builder basic to a show stopping shelter mag worthy home. Put the builder's model homes to shame! Show the builders and neighbours (I'm Canadian, eh.) how it should be done. 

• As the nosey parker that I am I love that the mirror allows us to see in to the kitchen. Wouldn't you just love to live here? Nothing is over done it is simply...perfection.

For the modest investment of cash and a couple of weekends of work for 2 you will always be excited for the moment you walk in the door. Sure wallpaper would look fabulous but will it appeal to a future buyer? Not likely. Wallpaper would cost about as much as the millwork but would date your home and potentially reduce the value...unlike this home. 

Sophisticated never goes out of style.

Snowed In

It's been snowing for some time and it doesn't look like it will be stopping anytime soon. The sky is quite black out over Lake Ontario. I just want to crawl back in to bed with a good book. Unfortunately I finished reading the third and final book in Stieg Larsson's series (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played With Fire + The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest). I've nothing new to read...and I can't fathom what could possibly be better than the one I finished last night!


Well, at least I know which bed I'd like to crawl in to!

I've lost my reference for this image. Any help to provide credit would be greatly appreciated.

I love the inky depth + subtle texture the grass cloth paper brings to the room. The heft of the dressers as bedside tables anchor the bed while the feminine shape of the headboard along with the fur throw, frilly pillows, scalloped coverlet and soft blue keeps the room from feeling heavy. Quite possibly perfection.


I hope you all stay bundled up, warm and cozy during this cold snap!