October 31, 2011 by admin
I’ve been so busy I almost forgot to say Happy Halloween!
Styling by Stacey Smithers; Photography by Michael Graydon; House & Home Magazine
Wishing you all a spooky, thrilling good time tonight trick-or-treating or whatever!
And now for some scary-good ideas from the dream team of holiday decorating… the editors at Martha Stewart Living…boo!
Category Classic Martha, Do It Yourself | Tags: | 1 Comment
October 31, 2011 by admin
Well ladies and gentlemen, this here is the 300th post on michaelpenneystyle.com! I can’t believe we’ve gotten here already – it hasn’t even been a year yet! Since I started this blog in January 2011, I’ve been sharing my passion for design, decorating, gardening, old houses and all things stylish and I’m so happy you’ve come along. Here’s to the next 300!
P.S. Can someone send me a cake just like this to celebrate?
Category Uncategorized | Tags: | 10 Comments
October 28, 2011 by admin
There’s something so gorgeous, so inspiring about the colours in nature. If you train your eye to appreciate the subtle variations in, say a stalk of grain you’ll be amazed at the rich beauty that can be found. Last fall I styled up my front hallway for a fall decorating story for House & Home. This wheat sheaf (from a local market) is all the decoration this space needed. And a luxurious brown ribbon from Mokuba never hurt anyone.
Why not try your hand at decorating with nature?
Styled by Michael Penney; Photography by Janet Kimber; House & Home Magazine, Oct 2011
Category Uncategorized | Tags: | 5 Comments
October 27, 2011 by admin
I’m kind of obsessed with lamps.
Maybe it’s because it’s next to impossible to find good looking lamps in most stores, and the ones you do find cost a fortune! I’m always drawn to them – their shape, their colour and the accent they can add to a room. That’s why I was so thrilled to see these Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams gourd lamps that come in custom colours! You can order them an a rainbow of shades, most of which are perfect, nuanced and sophisticated colours. I love their substantial, squat proportions and the shades are lovely too.
Colourful ceramic lamps can really add a playful pop to a neutral space – OR they can be that perfect layer to a full-on decorated space like this one by Miles Redd. Either way you use them, coloured lamps like these gourds from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams are a great idea!
Design by Miles Redd; House Beautiful Magazine
In Toronto, you can find these lamps at Elte.
Category Uncategorized | Tags: | 2 Comments
October 26, 2011 by admin
One of my favourite stores in Toronto is Angus & Company. Honestly I just love basically everything in there! It’s so inspiring and since I’ve had the opportunity to visit over the last few years, I’ve gotten to know the staff and the owner, Michael Angus. He is a wealth of information, great taste and style. He has created a beautiful store and you should definitely visit – if not just to get your fill of ideas!
You can find Angus & Company at 647 Dupont (Dupont and Christie) in Toronto, or call 416 537 4104. Or visit angusandcompany.com
Category Out And About | Tags: | 4 Comments
October 25, 2011 by admin
I almost forgot to share the other houses I snapped one morning in the late summer. All looking for someone to put in a little elbow grease and polish them up to a shine. Just dreamy!
This one looks like a farm house in the middle of the country! But it’s actually in town and has a huge piece of property.
Now this one I really like, but it’s on a really busy street. So stately though.
Here’s a side view of this one.
This one’s in really bad shape but still calls my name. Those tumbling vines! I’ll keep dreaming if you do!
Category Out And About | Tags: | 3 Comments
October 24, 2011 by admin
As the air grows crisp and cold, we all start living more indoors. Layering our homes and adding a bit of time-worn patina seems right somehow. And for this, there’s nothing better than something antique! Below are images from a beautiful story from Martha Stewart Living in 1999. This story was all about American colonial furniture but so many of the pieces and ideas are applicable anywhere.
Created by Stephen Earle & Scott Schy; Photography by Jason Schmidt, MSL Oct 1999
Framed silhouettes look graphic and mysterious clustered together this way. I love the pea green walls and the secretair has been faux painted to create a finer grain.
Created by Stephen Earle & Scott Schy; Photography by Jason Schmidt, MSL Oct 1999
Above is a stylish glossary of colonial motifs including finely carved ball and claw feet, the gate leg table, tilt-top tea table, chippendale drawer pull and comb-back windsor chair. Keeping an eye out for these classic motifs at thrift shops and flea markets is a great way to add substance and history to your home.
Created by Stephen Earle & Scott Schy; Photography by Jason Schmidt, MSL Oct 1999
Now isn’t this a cozy living room? A mix-and-match approach to upholstered pieces feels curated and interesting. I love the variety of colours and the interesting silhouettes of the pieces. And hey, that chandelier makes me feel good about my own little vintage one!
Created by Stephen Earle & Scott Schy; Photography by Jason Schmidt, MSL Oct 1999
Three of my favourite dining chairs in one space – the windsor chair, the shield back and the chippendale. All good ones to consider pairing with your own dining table!
Created by Stephen Earle & Scott Schy; Photography by Jason Schmidt, MSL Oct 1999
Created by Stephen Earle & Scott Schy; Photography by Jason Schmidt, MSL Oct 1999
Yes to the quilt! Yes to the constitution mirror painted white! Double yes to the white painted chest of drawers with dark chippendale-style pulls! If your space is feeling a little too show-room new, consider adding something antique – painted or not.
Category Classic Martha, Do It Yourself | Tags: | 3 Comments
October 21, 2011 by admin
Autumn is the season of crisp apples, caramel colours and cozy delights! Why not make up some caramel apples at home? Celebrate the season and all of it’s goodies.
Photography by Simon Watson; Martha Stewart Living October 1999
Caramel Apples - Martha Stewart Living, October 1999
If the caramel becomes too stiff to coat the apples, rewarm it slightly over medium heat until it softens. In place of store-bought dowels, you can gather twigs that are about 6 inches long, and us them for the handles.
2 cups nuts, such as almonds or hazelnuts
6 small Granny Smith or other firm apples
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup dark corn syrup
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spread the nuts on a baking pan. Bake until they are fragrant, several minutes. Transfer the nuts to a bowl to cool. If using hazelnuts, rub them while warm in a clean kitchen towel to remove the skins. Roughly chop the nuts, and set them aside.
2. Carefully wash and dry twigs. Insert a 6 inch twig in the centre of each apple. Set the apples onto an 11×17 inch baking sheet lined with parchment or waxed paper. Set aside. Fill a medium bowl with ice and water and set aside.
3. Place the sugar, corn syrup, heavy cream, and butter in a small saucepan, and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring to combine. clip on a candy thermometer, and boil the mixture until the temperature reaches about 260 degrees, it will take about 20 minutes. Immediately plunge the saucepan into the ice water to stop the cooking. Working quickly, dip the apples one at a time into the caramel, and place them onto the lined baking sheet. Roll the bottom of the apples in the reserved toasted nuts. Transfer to a serving platter as soon as set, and serve immediately.
Category Uncategorized | Tags: | 6 Comments
October 21, 2011 by admin
Just getting ready for bed and another early morning. Tomorrow morning I’m going old school and doing a little photo shoot! We’re taking some still photography of one of the finished projects we’ve completed. And I get to work with Stacey Brandford once again! He’s a top photographer who creates images for clients like Holt Renfrew, House & Home and Ikea. He’s a total pro and so great to work with (and he’s from my neck of the woods!).
Check out his portfolio at staceybrandford.com and in the mean time here are some photos we worked on together in the past.
Styling by Sarah Hartill and Michael Penney; Photography by Stacey Brandford
Styling by Sarah Hartill and Michael Penney; Photography by Stacey Brandford
Wish me luck!
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October 18, 2011 by admin
Take a look at this beautiful table! It has an amazing inlaid design and I love the round shape and stylish legs. The price isn’t bad either! $210!
Too bad it sold! You snooze you lose!
Category Affordable Style | Tags: | 1 Comment