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  1. Retro Patio Furniture

    May 21, 2013 by michaelpenneystyle

    I just can’t shake the idea of retro metal patio sets!  Maybe it’s because I’m just tired of all the dark wicker-look sets I see out there, but this light and airy metal and glass set with a punchy umbrella seems just right.

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    I just want to pair this old set (fixed up of course!) with this red and white umbrella from Ikea

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    Makes me think of St Tropez!

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    So retro chic!

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  2. Long Weekend

    May 20, 2013 by michaelpenneystyle

    Happy Victoria Day Weekend Everyone!

    Hope you’re relaxing, having fun and soaking in this gorgeous weather!

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  3. NEW! At Penney & Company!

    May 18, 2013 by michaelpenneystyle

    It’s a gorgeous Saturday morning in Whitby and if you’re anywhere near the shop, be sure to stop by and see all of the new and exciting items at Penney & Company!  So many things to choose from and lots of unique finds to make your home more ‘you‘.

    Penney & Co Vintage Finds

    Penney & Co Vintage Finds

    Penney & Co Vintage Finds

    Penney & Co Vintage Finds

     


  4. Town House Upgrade

    May 17, 2013 by michaelpenneystyle

    Check out this home tour from houseandhome.com!

    It’s got tons of useful tips and tons of inspiration.  Goes to show how some stock moulding, soothing paint colours and classic furnishings can take a typical new build home and make it a stunner!  I especially love the home office and you might remember when it was on the cover of House & Home a few years ago – it was one of my favourites while I worked there.

    P.S. the kitchen counter treatment is exactly what I recommend to lots of my clients – honed black granite the looks like soap stone.  Now you can see what I mean…

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  5. Penney & Co Headboard All Gussied Up!

    May 16, 2013 by michaelpenneystyle

    At Penney & Company, we sell some pretty gorgeous headboards at some pretty gorgeous prices.  This queen size headboard with nailhead detailing costs only $459 .

    Believe me, a headboard can really transform your bedroom and make it feel finished and polished.

    Penney & Co Queen Upholstered Headboard with Nailhead $459

    Penney & Co Queen Upholstered Headboard with Nailhead $459

    Case in point, this shot from The Little Green Notebook blog.  Here Jenny’s used the very same headboard in her punchy and sumptuous bedroom at home.  I just love the pairing of this Penney & Company headboard with rich colours and hotel sheeting.

    littlegreennotebook

    littlegreennotebook.blogspot.ca

    You can get this look too, so come check out the many headboard styles at Penney & Company today!


  6. Decorating With Maps

    May 15, 2013 by michaelpenneystyle

    Last time I was on The Marilyn Denis Show, I saw my friend Margot Austin demonstrate some fun and fresh cottage-inspired decor DIYs.  My favourite was her vintage map that was blown up by poster jack into a large scale wallpaper.  Watch the video below!

    marillyn.ca

    marillyn.ca

    It got me thinking about other examples of decorating with maps that I love.  It seems timely with cottage season just beginning and it’s always great for a kid’s room or family room.

    Check out these ideas – you might see one thats just right for you!

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    This image goes to show that maps don’t have to look too masculine.  This little map looks sweet in a little girl’s room.

     

    Steven Gambrel

    Steven Gambrel

    Steven Gambrel has wallpapered in a collage style with these beautiful subtle maps.  The colours aren’t too bold so the effect is still high end and sophisticated.  The bottle glass lamp furthers the costal feel.

    Steven Gambrel

    Steven Gambrel

    You can even get map printed wallpaper right on the roll from Ralph Lauren through Kravet Canada.

    Ralph Lauren Wallpaper

    Ralph Lauren Wallpaper

    Here’s the Ralph Lauren wallpaper in action in a classic bathroom with bead board.  Tempering the effect with painted woodwork half the way up the wall is a smart idea.

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    Finally, here’s an exciting image!  This was a map Kent bought at Penney & Company recently.  He took it to Theresa at Frame By Design in Whitby (just up from my old location on Brock) and had it framed.

    Looks like a million bucks to me!

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  7. Fun Day With Family

    May 13, 2013 by michaelpenneystyle

    As many of you know, Penney & Company is closed Mondays since I work Saturdays and need to carve out some down time and also time with family.

    Many Mondays still get swallowed up with work, but today was just perfect.  Sara, Violet and I travelled as a family to Toronto to pick up a huge pile of custom-sewn pillows for the shop (and that was IT for work, believe me!).  I can’t wait for you to see them, there are so many great patterns and colours!  Violet slept both to and from the city and was the perfect travelling companion.   We had tea and she met her first kitty cat with our friend and sewer-extraortinaire Pat.

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    The rest of this family day was made up of naps, playing, shushing, story reading and capped off with a fresh batch of banana muffins (Violet lost interest in the how-to and had to go down for her nap) and some cuddles.  So all-in-all a pretty wonderful day for our little threesome.

    Hope your Monday was just as good.

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  8. Garden Possibilities

    May 9, 2013 by michaelpenneystyle

    I’m thrilled to say that the tulips I planted at Penney & Company in the spring have come through the winter and are beginning to bloom!

    Just remember what this spot used to look like…

    Penney & Co October 2012

    Penney & Co October 2012

    And this morning it’s a cheerful little garden complete with antique brick edging!

    Penney & Co Spring 2013!

    Penney & Co Spring 2013!

    Recently I was introduced to some of the exciting new plants coming to a Loblaws garden centre near you.  Here are some of my favourites…

    IMG-20130501-02726I love dahlias and these annual versions are perfectly charming!  I had to scoop up a flat of the white ones for our front yard!

    Toronto-20130501-02728These purple and white verbena were calling my name too.  They’re great in containers so I’ll keep that in mind for the May long weekend.

    Toronto-20130501-02730I don’t grow any vegetables at the moment but these little lettuces have me tempted…fresh salad anyone?

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    And a few more deep dark dahlias cause I just couldn’t help myself!  Can’t wait to get growing this spring and summer.  But my tulips have me smiling for now.

     

     

     


  9. Penney & Co Renovations

    May 7, 2013 by michaelpenneystyle

    Well as many of you know I’ve been struggling to know how to best use the back section of my shop, Penney & Company.  It’s still quite a mash up of elements – cinder block, plywood, concrete floors that slope to a drain and a garage door!  Remember, this shop used to be a mechanic’s garage!

    Penney & Company

    Penney & Company

    I’ve ordered a pair of tall book cases with ladders to add storage and have a contractor on his way today to address the plywood hole.  Hopefully some paint and elbow grease will get this area into shape soon.  Keep you posted.

    Here are the shelves – hope they look good in person!

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  10. New Book: Tom Scheerer Decorates

    May 6, 2013 by michaelpenneystyle

    One of my all time favourite decorators, Tom Scheerer has come out with a new coffee table book.

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    I cannot wait to give it a good cover-to-cover read.  Tom Scheerer is known for his relaxed traditional take on decorating with clever decorative references and gorgeous colour combinations.  It certainly appeals to the young foggy in me and he always adds a fresh twist.

    I’m anticipating a review copy of my own this summer and will be sure to report back with the many amazing ideas and inspirations it’s sure to include.  Can’t wait!  In the mean time be sure to head over to tomscheerer.com to see his portfolio and whet your appetite!