Life of a Foodie!

Hello! I know it has been awhile since my last blog post, so I decided to start this week off right with a post of my weekend adventures. For some time now I have been talking about how I want to try new restaurants in Toronto, as oppose to always going to the ones I am familiar with. On Friday night it was a good friend of mine's birthday; and he had us all go to Barque Smokehouse in the lovely Roncesvalles Village. This is an area of Toronto that I have always loved, but never seem to make my way over to to explore! If you need a reason to make your way to this great pocket of Toronto; Barque is reason enough!

The interior was very intimate, featuring warm wood finishes and a corner location with lots of windows looking directly onto Roncesvalles Avenue. The restaurant is a small to medium sized place, seating approximately 50-75 people. 

I loved the arts and crafts inspired danish chairs that accompanied the warm wood tables and storage. The exposed concrete walls gave it that cool contrast to balance out the abundance of wood. 

Again with my obsession with salvaged wood beams, here is a bar made entirely of them! I also loved the stools they selected, they suit the ambiance of the space quite nicely. 

Now onto the best part; the food. Since it was a large party of us (15 people), we decided to the the fixed menu family style option. We all paid 25 dollars and had shared appetizers and entrees. If you are going with a large group this is the way to go; plenty of food to go around that left all of us holding our stomachs by the end of the evening unable to move! It started with honey garlic glazed chicken wings and deep fried calamari with a basil pesto lemon dip. Our selection of main entrees consisted of rotisserie chicken, rosemary dry rub rack of ribs, and beef brisket. All of which could have been the best barbecue I have ever had. The sides included the creamiest scallop potatoes I have ever had, and lovely sauteed veggies. 

One of the highlights of everyone meal was the bacon-rimmed caesars that we had heard so much about. They drizzle honey along the rim of the glass, and roll it in real bacon bits... need I say more? I am crazy about caesars and this may have been one of the best yet! 

All in all, a successful Friday night; good food, great company, and amazing drinks!

Sunday was another day for trying out new places, I have been wanting to go for a good brunch in the city for awhile now, and my friend Danielle who knows anything there is to know about good food suggested we go to The Stockyards on St.Clair West. Another smokehouse; this place featured a Sunday Brunch that was southern inspired. 

Again, it was my style of design everywhere! The place was very small, in fact the only places to sit were up on the bar facing the grills and deep fryers, along the opposite wall, and four seats in the front window. The ceiling was an amazing feature, it consisted of (surprise) reclaimed barn boards! with recessed pot lights and industrial inspired pendants over the bar top. 

The place was loud and full of life with friendly staff, and line out the door... for good reason! The menu is small but they have some incredible options. I decided on the "stockyard" breakfast sandwich. It consisted of smoked thick cut bacon, a deep fried poached egg (yes deep fried), and aged cheddar cheese on a homemade biscuit that melted in your mouth. For just a breakfast sandwich it was one of the most filling things I've ever eaten!! It was amazing so much flavor and taste. My friends Danielle and Seana decided on the southern classic fried chicken on waffles with a honey glaze. Let let me have a bite and let me tell you, its worth every calorie. The flavors from the homemade seasoning and fresh waffles compliment each other so well! 

So in conclusion, I had a very food -filled weekend, and am even more excited now to continue my food education and try more independent restaurants through out this amazing city!!

Toronto Neighbourhoods

Lately I have been taking on a real interest in learning more about the Adobe programs such as Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. I have always known the basics of each programs, but now I am starting to really try and gain an in depth knowledge of each of the programs since it really is amazing what you can do with them.

I have always enjoyed simplistic line drawings and graphic elements. I find a simple line drawing can be quite beautiful because it is not complicated or overwhelming when you look at it. I have seen a number of variations of neighbourhood map drawings done on programs similar to the adobe ones, and thought I would take my own stab at it.

I think that these simplistic designs would look wonderful as a framed piece of work; on it's own or part of a series. I must say I am pretty happy with the final result! If anyone is interested in a print I would be happy to do it for any neighbourhood, in any colour. The file can also be formatted for any size! 

Style at Home Shoot!

During my internship last year with Feasby&Bleeks I had the opportunity to work side by side with them on a photo shoot for a Christmas special. The space was one that I worked closely on during my time with this incredible residential firm; helping out with furniture and finishes selection, and really learning the ropes of residential design. When I got news of Style at Home selecting this space for a Christmas shoot I was so excited! To have the opportunity to help out with set up, decorating, and all the odd end jobs that come along with it was a real treat. I have admired Style at Home for years and it was a truly incredible experience to witness all the behind the scenes action.

The theme for this space was feminine with a touch of traditional. The home is an old Victorian rowhouse located in the beautiful Roncesvalles Village of west-end Toronto. The overall ambiance of the space is warm meets glam; raspberry, deep reds and purples give life to the space, in contrast with warm white walls and metallic accents found through out. The historic home features soaring high ceilings, and original baseboards and crown molding giving the home that sense of traditional character.

The crown molding and exquisite detail in architectural features are some of my favourite elements within this space. I believe that the wallpapers, paint colours, and furniture and lighting selections really allow for the original elements to stand out. All of the Christmas decor and detailing was done with the home's colour palette in mind; accentuating the bold tones and patterns. The greenery was all real evergreen, filling the home with a wonderful Christmas scent. 

The tree itself is by far my favourite feature in this home. It's soaring height really emphasizes the height of the ceiling, and the mirror propped behind it makes it that much more powerful. I love the ribbon that wraps loosely around the entire tree; and is also found in the garland on the staircase and mantel. As mentioned in the article; the ribbon is an inexpensive addition to any Christmas decor, and is an easy change in years to come should you choose to change up your colour palette.

The overall ambiance of this space (particularly the dining room) is so very Christmas-y. The warmth of colours and lights, in contrast with metallic place settings and fixtures really bring this entire space together. Erin and Cindy are two incredibly talented designers; and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work closely with them as my first job in the interior design industry. 

  

Houzz - My Obsession

Whether you are in the design industry, have a passion for design and decorating, or just a homeowner looking for new ideas for a remodel or fresh new look, Houzz is everything you need in an online resource and more.

You have the ability to create your own idea books and categorize them in any way you would like. There are hundreds of thousands of pictures to browse through all organized in such a way that you can search by room. There are also great features including a Professional tab which allows you to access professionals in the industry that can be contacted should you choose to turn your browsing into an actual home reno. There is also a products tab that tags products used in the images; allowing you to find out the manufacturer, the price, and where to purchase that particular item.

If you haven't checked out this online resource yet I highly suggest it! It is an incredible design inspiration for everyone, and I can guarantee you will be hooked after your first visit!

Statement Hallways

I find that hallways are a feature in a home that have a tendency to be over looked. Instead of looking at a hallways as just a transitional space, I have an admiration for hallways that act as a design feature in a home. There are countless options one can do to achieve this...

Shelving in  a wide hallway is a fantastic way to turn what would be a dull transitional hall in a beautiful showcase of family pictures, books, and other personal memorabilia. The curved ceiling is a strong architectural element as well; the white beat board in contrast with the dark wood beams really makes this space dramatic with the added height and beautiful detailing. I also love the lantern pendant in the middle it draws attention to the space as more of a room as oppose to a hallway.

Here is another example of a wonderful use of detail in a vaulted ceiling to really draw attention to the transitional space between two rooms in a house. I think by now it is pretty obvious that I love dark wood and white wood combinations. I love the contrast between the two and I really love the way the dark wood boards look in this vaulted ceiling. The pendants also pull the space together as its own, separate from the two rooms that surround it. 

 This may be my favourite example so far... mostly because I love windows I would live in a house that is all windows if I could. Living in Toronto as a student I went from one dark and dingy basement apartment to another, needless to say I have a new found appreciation for the beauty in daylight. I love the double french doors that go all along this hallway, it brightens up the entire space and really makes it stand out as a focal point.

DIY Necklace Holders

Ever have those long necklaces that get tangled no matter how carefully you place them in your jewelry box? I know the annoying task of taking necklaces out of knots all to well, and I am sure many others can relate! So I have decided to make my own stand so that they are easily accessible, and one that looks great too!

I love the conversion of this old vintage tool box in a complete jewelry stand. It provides ample amount of storage, provides hanging space for longer necklaces, and adds a wonderful sense of character to a space. 

I love finding DIY pieces that take on a whole new meaning, like this cutlery organizer turned necklace holder. Once this simple wooden piece is turned vertically it is the perfect piece for hanging in a bedroom! 

My favourite style would have to be this one with the different unique knobs on an old piece of driftwood. I am leaning towards doing something like this for my room, mostly because I have extra wood from my barn board head board. I love the use of different colour and style knobs it really adds character to the piece, and works really well for those long necklaces of mine that keep getting tangled! 

One Amazing Kitchen

Lately I have really been drawn to industrial meets traditional design, and when I came across this kitchen space it was love at first sight.

The warmth of the stone wall and wood features, the bright white paint and chairs, and the cold industrial metals in the exposed hvac and appliances really pull this space together. It is the perfect balance of modern industrial and cozy traditional. I find many people are hesitant in putting concrete floors in a home from fear of it appearing too cold, but I think this kitchen design shows that it is a wonderful finish for a space like a kitchen, and with the additional of an area rug it can be very home-like. The mix-matched dining room chairs are also a personal favourite of mine in this beautiful and striking entertaining-worthy space. 

Inspirational Workspaces

Being a visual learner, I am all about work environments that visually spark imagination and creativity. Like most designers, my dream work space would house beautiful images, pictures, textures, fabrics to get my creative juices flowing.

I will be the first to admit that I am an easily distracted individual; luckily that tends to work to my advantage in my industry. Creativity never sleeps, so you want to make sure that you are constantly surrounded by inspiring belongings; particularly in the office where most of your work is being done. A large pin board of "this and thats" is a perfect example of a creative outlet in the workplace. Its a place to put images you came across in a magazine, post-its of ideas you jotted down, swatches of various finishes, etc...

A designer's work space can become cluttered very quickly with sample swatches, furniture and fixture brochures, among other things so organization is essential whether your work space is a corner of a room or an entire studio. My "10 year plan" consists of owning my own residential firm; perhaps with a friend or two from school. I would love to one day have a space like the studio in the last picture that I have every resource I need right at my finger tips. I love the brightness of the entire space, the warmth of the wood, the industrial feel in furniture and fixtures, and the organization of resources, its like a dream come true. Hopefully one day!! 

No Words For

A quote by the very talented Georgia O'Keeffe that I believe many or most designers, artists, and anyone creative can relate to.

Rustic Barn Home

A number of months ago I came across this project from the New York interior design firm S.Russell Groves. It is a historic barn originally from Canada, that was moved to Washington, Connecticut and completely revamped into a residential masterpiece.

Most of the original elements of the barn including the wood beams and wide plank flooring were restored to maintain their naturally distressed appearance. The barn was opened up between the two storeys in main areas including the family room to expose dramatic vaulted ceilings. 

One of my favourite architectural elements of the entire space is the exposed structural wooden beams across the ceiling. The rustic and weathered appearance really adds a sense of comfort to the home, along with the flagstone detailing in the fireplace which adds a great contrast in colour and texture. 

The kitchen area is definitely a highlight in this space, with its traditional shaker inspired beat board cabinets in a soft grey complimenting the warmth of the wooden beams. I also love the added wooden detailing above the hood range, the change in stain of the wood along with mosaic tile backdrop really makes this a feature wall in the kitchen.

The original rough hewn floors found through out the home are a consistent element that compliment the chosen shaker inspired furniture that was made by a local work shop. Contemporary design sneaks it way into this home as well, such as the very clean deep oval tub in the ensuite bathroom. The mix of modern and traditional design elements gives this space the uniqueness that the home owners were striving for.

All in all, the design of this once barn turned cozy home is the definition of successful design. I love everything about this space, and hope to see a lot more creative residential designs like this in the near future. 

My DIY Headboard

So I am sure you have seen images for reclaimed barn wood head boards on various blogs and pinterest, but I completely fell in love with the idea and decided to make one myself! My Aunt and Uncle own a beautiful farm in Fergus, Ontario and on their property is an original barn with wood boards that have been through years and years of weathering. Each board was unique in its colour, wash, and texture which added character to it. I love it so much more that the barn boards are from their farm; a place I have attended countless family gatherings, Christmas celebrations, and three beautiful weddings for my cousins. I love the way it turned out in the end, and thanks to my Dad and Aunt Jo-Anne for their help in prepping the wood and assembling it.

The prep work took the longest, the boards had to be washed thoroughly and sanded. It was recommended to use a sealant on the wood, but I really enjoyed the rough salvaged look that the original barn boards had, so I decided to skip that step and keep the wood as authentic in it's weathered look as possible. After that it was just a matter of measuring twice and cutting once, adding the boards to a set of 2x4 legs, and bolting them to the metal bed frame. I added an additional 2x4 in the middle to avoid warping. All in all I am very pleased with the end result, and am happy to have created a personal headboard that I can be proud of. 

Love for Staircases

One of my favourite elements in a home would have to be a beautiful staircase. I love the grandness that comes with a feature staircase, it has the ability to really open up an entry way and give a home that wow factor the second you enter.

My favourite staircase designs take on a more traditional style, with a strong contrast between light and dark colours. Wood paneling and wainscoting are a design element must-have in my books to achieve that cozy home-like feel. I love the simplistic features of the banister, spindles and posts, it really sets the tone for the rest of the house.

Let's Design!

One of my favourite images ever; mostly because I loathed science and math in high school (just ask my best friend Nicole, I don't think I would have completed those credits if it wasn't for her).

Welcome!

Hello! My name is Katelyn Rempel, and I am a recent graduate of the Interior Design program at Ryerson University located in the heart of Toronto, Ontario. Design has been my true passion in life for as long as I can remember, from early childhood colouring books to a full time career. I believe that good design has the ability to transform a space into something truly wonderful, and that it possesses a positive impact on the way in which we as humans live. A person's home is their most personal possession; you can tell a lot about a person based on the design of their home because it directly reflects them, and who they are. It was this thought that made me want to specialize in residential design. To help people design the house of their dreams, where they feel it is completely unique to them is something I feel great accomplishment in.

My intention for this blog is for it to act as a source of inspiration for those interested in interior design. It will be a collaboration of both great design ideas by others and a few of my own, along with random thoughts and rambles. I hope that you enjoy the posts that are yet to come, and if  you ever have any questions, or wish to work with me on creating your perfect home, please feel free to drop me a line.