Ask DW: Oh kitchen pendant where art thou?

So my friends M & G are busy tackling a kitchen reno with pre-schooler running around not to mention an 8 month old baby starting to crawl. Good times I say. So they have asked me to help with narrowing down some kitchen pendant light options for their lovely mid-century bungalow. They are going with a classic white kitchen, white subway tiles and throw in some black countertops for good measure. They only want one pendant for a sloped kitchen ceiling and are leaning towards a indusrial chic look. I've listed some options below...what do you think?

Option 1 - Vintage Streetlight from Restoration Hardware. So far M&G have their eyes on this one.

Option #2- School house pendant also at available at Restoration Hardware. A classic and an easy fix. I would probably pick the bronze finish.

Option #3- While we're hanging out at Restoration Hardware, I have to say that this is one of my favourites, but not sure if it will give enough light. Filament pendant available at Restoration Hardware.

Option# 4- Okay maybe a stretch but wow...this one would grab your attention. Petra Pendant lamp available at Crate & Barrel.

Option #5 - Look at this modern piece? M & G..to modern eh? I like it though. Available at Morba.

Option #6 - love these Tom Dixon 'Beat Lights' and they look even better in person. Maybe an arrangement of 3 grouped together. You can pick up versions at Morba. love.

Okay maybe not an option here either but is this a crazy pendant light or what? Loving this Edison Chandelier. Available at Pottery Barn.

if you HAD to pick...

An entrance foyer is the first impression of your house right? So how would you kick it up a notch?  With the options below,  if you HAD to pick just one which one would it be?

A traditional touch? Image via the Horchow Collection.

Or a little bit of wow. Image via Elle Decor.

Monday Must Have...

Last week of August already. Wow, where did the summer go? All my weekend plans with the kiddies were foiled this weekend as I ended up staying at home nursing a sick 3 year old. Thankfully he is pretty much over his dreadful ear infection.  So I had a little time to surf the wide world web and found this lovely piece. I'm sure R thinks he could DIY this himself. I'm sure he could...but something tells me it wouldn't look this good.

I'm always s sucker for stripes. Rosenbaum Fine art titled "Spilled Stripes" available at Horchow.

Looks great paired next to this leather sofa. Available here.

We should all have purple bookcases...

Another week done. A bright weekend ahead with no big plans other than hanging out with the kids all by my lonesome. R is heading out for a golf weekend with the boys. So its just me and the kids.  Looking forward to it. Although, I'm not going to lie....I wouldn't mind a glamorous night out now and again. In the meantime, I'll get my glam fix with this purple bookshelf.  Happy Friday folks.

Wow..can you imagine working and relaxing in a space like this? The purple would make me smile all day long. Image via Elle Decor.

My desi home....a new favourite

As I mentioned in one of my earlier posts here, R and I (well, mostly me) were eager to knock things off on our 'house list'. One of those items was to get a new chair for a family room. So naturally I was leaning towards my favourite Hans Wegner Shell chair and lucky me headed over to one of my new favourite  Queen street stores Home Craft Decor and picked up a version for myself. I'm smitten with how great it looks in the space and how comfortable it is! I have been finding it funny how most people who come around are reluctant to sit in it and are surprised how sturdy & comfortable it really is. Yep, definitely my new favourite.

Looks great in this corner of the room. Available at Home Craft Decor. Those crooked photos drive me crazy...the price you pay when you put them at kiddy height.

Now orginally I wanted a walnut version of this chair and got this dark brown version.  R likes it all matchy matchy, but I REALLY wanted the Walnut  colour and Ameet from Home Craft Decor has assured me that he will swap it out as soon as he gets one in. See how great this service is?

sorry a boring pic I know...but just wanted to show the space this fun chair lives in. Oh ya, I have a 'no coffee table rule in this family room'. Just for now as the kids love the open space. Although I could use some new pillows or something to add colour as the space feels a little flat. Suggestions anyone? I struggle with pillow selection- perhaps a post for another day. All images via me.

If this saree was a room...

Colour me happy.

I can definitely wear this colour now why can't I be bold enough to paint it on my wall like this foyer by the Pink Room UK. Sorry lost my reference for the hot pink churidar suit.

I don't think I'll ever tire of this yellow. Makes an impact everywhere. Lengha dress by Shantanu & Nikhil featured on South Asian Bride and Gorgeous bedroom designed by Kishan Perera Design.

I have the urge to buy something...

Oh these days I have been dangerously lingering on Etsy just tempted to buy something. I'm trying to be so good and give my wallet a break but it is so hard. Especially when you find fantastic artwork like the pieces from Autumn Rose on Etsy. Seriously, any second I may reach over to get my wallet and click buy to any one of these gorgeous pieces! The hardest part is choosing which one.

How gorgeous is this piece. N if you are reading this...buy it. Available on Autumn Rose.

Amazing right and such a great price. Available here.

Oh this one reminds me of summer....lovely and fresh. Available here.

oh another fabulous piece. Seriously...so hard not to pull your wallet out right? Available on Autumn Rose.

Monday Must Have...

A good old monday morning to you all. Hope your weekend was a pleasant and chilled as mine. We celebrated my friend C's birthday at a fun new Toronto restaurant (Williams Landing) and of course in that neighbourhood we have some of my favourite home shops like West Elm & Casalife. Sadly, I was not lucky enough to puruse any of these places as they were already closed for the evening, but that never stops me from quick window shopping. I managed to glance through windows as my friends were finding some parking and well spotted a few beauties that are going to cause me to visit these places again.

love love love! I think I have to go back for these lovely hand blocked pillows! Available at West Elm.

Lovely white Cada Table lamp that might just be the one for my master bedroom. Available at West Elm.

Glass jar pendants. Ok I didn't see these in the Window but come on...great in any space...loving them. Also at West Elm.

This one is very interesting. Fun. Available at Casalife.

This one has been a favourite of mine for a while. Available at Casalife in all different colours. 

Drumroll please....

The winner of the Jess LC Diversey Lariat Style Paisley Necklace is.....

which is...

Congratulations Jane! Please send me your mailing information and I will send you this lovely piece right away!

Thanks everyone for participating and have a great weekend!

My kinda front door.

Now can you imagine getting all dressed up and heading out of this door? I'm loving this door and that chair. Happy Friday folks!

Modern entry design by Toronto interior designer Jodie Rosen Design featured on Houzz.com

Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY. Contest closes tonight & I will announce the winner tomorrow!

Ask DW: Mirrored bedside tables?

So my newlywed little sister is looking to outfit her bedroom and is need for some bedside tables to go with her upholstered bed. She is asking if she should go with mirrorred end tables? I say absolutely yes! Sure you may need a little more Windex in your life, but mirrored bedside tables lighten the space and don't look to heavy against a bed. Plus I like the twinkle. What do you folks think?

A traditional look that is paired fantastically with another mirror! Eclectic bedroom design by Dallas media and blogs Jamie Laubhan-Oliver featured on Houzz.com.

ooh love this one. Great if you only have space for one nighstand. Image via Phoebe Howard Design.

Another modern version looking perfect with purple. By Zoldan Interiors

A contemporary look that I am definitely leaning towards. Go for it N. Bedroom design by Toronto interior designer Jodie Rosen Design featured on Houzz.com

Classic in blue. Bedroom design by Boston architect LDa Architecture & Interiors featured on Houzz.com

Cute.  Bedroom design by interior designer The Couture Rooms featured on Houzz.com

A perfect fit. Bedroom design by James Michael Howard.

Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY that ends tomorrow!

If you HAD to pick...

Dinner party anyone? So which one would you pick if you asolutely had to PICK just one?

A pretty pale blue? NR Design Studio featured on Decorati.

Or some Nate Berkus love? Image via Nate Berkus Assocaites.

Desi Art: Water carriers...

Nothing beats finding that gem when perusing on Etsy. My little Etsy gem today are wonderful watercolour paintings by Samiran Sarkar. This guy has some serious talent and has his work shown in many galleries. I love how delicate and bold his watercolours are. Seriously, I think I need a separate budget just for Etsy finds. These paintings below would look fabulous on any wall. Simply stunning...another one on my wish list.

This is my favourite piece. I love how the fabric just flows on the women. Watercolour painting by Samiran available on his Etsy shop here.

I love the texture in this piece. Available here.

Monday Must Have...

Totally spotted this and really want it....a must have for me. This piece is making my Monday feel good already!

How gorgeous is this acrylic Philippe Starck Ghost buster table? I'm in love. Oh why don't these guys ship to Canada? Available at Graham and Green.

Don't forget to enter my Giveaway!

Calling all brothers....

Image via Flickr

Wishing all siblings today a Happy Raksha Bandan!

To all my brothers out there I'm lucky to have you in my life! Little bro, I'll bring the sweets today you get your wallet ready!

My desi home...A new addition

It is amazing how much you can get done around the house when you know you have house guests coming! R & I tried to get done as much as we could (well, I was the mad driver behind it all) before my sister's wedding so the house could be in tip top form. Ambitious much? A little, but I did manage to squeeze in a few things in my home and  this fantastic new wooden stool for our front entrance was one perfect addition! I was looking for something for my kiddies to perch up on when putting on their shoes (and our grandpa for that matter) and when R & I spotted this at Home Craft Decor on Queen Street we knew we had to have it right away. That rarely happens when the both of us immediately agree....so I have to take advantage of that opportunity when I can! Happy Friday folks.

This piece is so strong. I had tall grown men sit in it to prove it to me again & again.

Although most people think its too delicate and don't even use it!

Ameet from Home Craft Decor was a huge help and he has other fantastic finds in his store. If you are on Queen Street definitely go check it out!  

This little stool makes me so happy every time I leave and come home. I love it when you buy right.

Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY!

500 posts...time to win something right?

500 posts already and over 200 followers...hooray for me!  You have no idea how fortunate I feel when some of you pop over and pay a visit and actually leave me a comment. All these posts later and I still get thrills reading comments!  It gives me a warm fuzzy feeling that more than 3 people actually spend a moment in their day to read some of my desi design ramblings. I love the connection and for that, I thank you all very much. What better way to say thanks than to give something awesome away? Well here it is folks. A Jess LC Diversey necklace!  I ordered one a long time ago for myself and love it. Get tonnes of complements on it and its one of those pick up and go pieces that make you feel a little prettier when you wear it. Jessica has loads of fantastic pieces so check out her shop here and of course has a very inspiring lifestyle blog. So what do you have to do to win this baby? Easy peezy. Become a Designwali follower and pop on over to JessLC shop and leave me a comment telling me what your favourite piece is. So simple! This contest is global  (I will personally ship it out to anywhere in the world) so for my readers abroad...go nuts. Contest closes on August 19, 2011.  Good luck folks!

Is this a fantastic piece or what? Come on, you know it will look good on you. You'll win this one.

Lovely right?

What are you waiting for? A couple clicks and you are done.