April 17, 2013 by michaelpenneystyle
As my friend Ernie said this morning, “Weather like this is good for the soul”. I couldn’t agree more! The sun is shining and I got to do one of my favourite things this morning – fill my hatch-back up with garden centre goodies! Goodies like potting soil, planters, flowers and twigs! I thought the front door of the shop could do with some brightening up. Of course I had to include some Pansies and Violas – which you could stretch and say are Violets…hehe.
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April 16, 2013 by michaelpenneystyle
More often than not, I find myself recommending solid coloured sofas.
In the store and with clients, this usually seems to be the sensible solution. And in most cases, I still find this to be true (a solid is less likely to feel dated, you can always accent with patterned cushions, accent chairs etc), but what if we were to throw caution to the wind?
What if we reconsidered the patterned sofa?
I mean a bold blue and white fabric like this would just make the room wouldn’t it? Note they toned things down a little with the natural fibre carpet…
This charcoal and white all-over vine pattern is small in scale and has a modern lady-like quality I quite enjoy. Patterned carpet too! Still natural with the basket and table though…
This Miles Redd example is just what we expect from this bold decorator with saturated jewel tones and ruffled minty drapes to top it off! Every piece in this space is of extremely high quality and I can’t help but think that’s partly how he pulls this off. You just know this room cost a fortune!
Here’s a slightly prettier, more achievable look with soft pink and some zebra to punch it up. Two patterned sofas are better than one aren’t they? Ha!
More blue and white, more lady-like elegance. I think if this sort of statement suits your style and personality, this is one way to make the patterned sofa work in your home today. The fabric is classic, clean and a larger scale. The colour combo is simple and the colours classic and breezy. It has a retro vibe, but when paired with other refined items or sober accents it is do-able.
And of course here’s the patterned sofa that started off my love of this look – the David Hicks upholstered camelback from Domino Magazine. Ruthie Sommers knew what she was doing didn’t she? A bold and cheeky twist on a classic. This is what inspired my own patterned camelback creation when I opened Penney & Company…
I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer here – it depends on your own style and decor-bravery – but what do you think? Might it be time to reconsider the patterned sofa?
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April 15, 2013 by michaelpenneystyle
Sometimes its so hard to find a good lamp, don’t you think?
Something with an interesting shape, good scale and a fun colour. And even if you find this mythical lamp with scale, shape and colour, it usually costs a fortune! Skip the headache and create your own custom lamp by shopping around at thrift shops or flea markets for a vintage lamp and simply spray paint it!
Lamp by Michael Penney, Photography by Roberto Caruso, Chatelaine Magazine
Here’s one I created that was featured in Chatelaine Magazine recently. My insider tip is to go to an artist store like Curry’s for the best selection of spray paint colours. Of course if you’re doing black or white the hardware store is the best bet for spray paint, but if you want a specific colour (like this coral-melon hue) an artist supply store is a great source.
Just shake up the can and get spraying!
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April 13, 2013 by michaelpenneystyle
UPDATE: Some pieces below are NOW SOLD. See notes below each items for details.
I told you it’s been a busy week at Penney & Company? Well I wasn’t kidding!! There are tons of unique pieces just arrived to the store so take a peek to see if there’s that special something to finish off a room in your home.
Penney & Co Vintage Painted Coffee Table $240 SOLD
Penney & Co Drop Leaf Table and Chairs $399/set
Penney & Co Vintage Painted Dresser $379 SOLD
Penney & Co Vintage Painted Highboy $395 SOLD
Penney & Co Vintage Painted Solid Maple Chest of Drawers in Distressed Graphite Finish $495
Penney & Co Antique Distressed Chest $225 SOLD
Penney & Co Mid Century Painted Highboy $289 SOLD
Penney & Co Framed Art Prints – Paris, Rome, London New York $135 each
Penney & Co Vintage Painted Highboy with Glass Knobs $395 SOLD
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April 13, 2013 by michaelpenneystyle
I’m thrilled to announce the next exciting event at Penney & Company!
I know you are all fans of beautiful things and there will be plenty of them on offer when Penney & Co is transformed into a gorgeous Stella & Dot trunk show! Many know of and love this exciting line of unique and high quality jewelry and now is your chance to get your hands on some of your very own! Even better, each purchase will support a local charity near and dear to my heart – the Multiple Sclerosis Walk of Pickering Ajax.
Many of you who’ve visited Penney & Company will have met one of my very best friends, Kristin who is a young woman and mother living with MS. She is a vision of strength, fortitude and hope and has become part of the local planning committee for the Ajax Pickering MS Walk this spring.
Each year our family joins with Kristin’s and many of our friends and community to walk in support of MS research. Each dollar raised matters and this year Kristin has partnered with Stella & Dot to host a jewelry party just for you! Come and buy something pretty with proceeds going to the MS Walk!
Here’s a sampling of what our exciting event has to offer on April 30th!
Join Kristin and I together with Stella & Dot in support of the Walk to End MS! Join us April 30th!
To learn more about how research is helping people living with MS, visit www.mswalks.ca
To connect with this event on Facebook, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/147110252129889/?ref=ts&fref=ts
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April 12, 2013 by michaelpenneystyle
It’s another drizzly (kinda snowy!!!) day here at Penney & Co, but we’re busy painting up a storm! Can’t wait to show you the finished product! So many goodies!
Painting Projects at Penney & Co
Painting Projects at Penney & Co
Speaking of goodies – there’s no goodies goody than Susan from the food allergy chronicles blog. She’s been a great supporter of Penney & Company and yesterday she knocked my socks off with this gorgeous handmade gift for baby Violet. This sweater even has a little blossom closure and stripy sleeves! It suits the Penney family to a T.
Thank you Susan for your beautiful handiwork and incredible generosity. We’ll cherish this for years.
A handmade gift for Violet
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April 11, 2013 by michaelpenneystyle
Just an update for the items posted on Saturday – these unique items are now SOLD. Check back soon for fresh finds!
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April 10, 2013 by michaelpenneystyle
It’s a drizzly, rain soaked morning here in Whitby, but you know what they say – “April showers bring May flowers!” I popped into Home Depot this morning and they had a few racks of pansies and violas ready to be unwrapped and it made my heart skip a beat! I just love spring.
In my hunt for springiness, I read this dreamy post about Ben Pentreath’s visit to the Cornwall coast (in the U.K., not Ontario!) and was just spellbound by these gorgeous images. One day I’ll see the daffodils in spring in England! I will!
In the mean time, enjoy this spring inspiration…
benpentreath.com
benpentreath.com
benpentreath.com
benpentreath.com
benpentreath.com
In other spring time news, Violet has a new cousin born last night in Toronto. He’s a healthy loooong blondie like his uncle and daddy and he and Violet are going to be buddies for sure! They’re just 7 weeks apart! Congratulations to Jason and Kate, the new mom and dad. Can’t wait to meet him!
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April 9, 2013 by michaelpenneystyle
We had a very successful second event here at Penney & Company on Sunday – an afternoon with Coriander Girl’s Alison Westlake! Alison is an extremely charming and talented Toronto florist with an easy, effortless style. Her garden-inspired arrangements have received rave reviews in House & Home, Toronto Life and several other magazines.
With such an impressive resume, it was a special treat to have her out to Whitby and Penney & Company to teach our sold-out class of ladies the tricks of her trade. The flowers looked and smelled gorgeous and we were doubly treated to a stunning selection of gourmet cupcakes from Cordon Sue Sweets! Sue crafted the most adorable and detailed garden-inspired cupcakes and piled them high on pedestals and platters for all to enjoy. Not only were they beautiful, but they were rich, moist and delicious!
Thank you Cordon Sue Sweets! And thank you Coriander Girl for an unforgettable afternoon at Penney & Company!
Coriander Girl – 1604 Queen Street West, Toronto
(416) 532-3333 coriandergirl.com
Cordon Sue Sweets – 215 Mary Street East, Whitby
(905) 668-2722
Alison teaching us all her secrets…
Cupcakes by Cordon Sue Sweets Whitby
Cupcakes by Cordon Sue Sweets Whitby
Alison and I – we’re like long-lost siblings!
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April 8, 2013 by michaelpenneystyle
Since you all seemed to like the last House & Home episode from back in the day (DIY Mirrored Windows) I thought I’d share another with you! Looks like House & Home is pulling out lots of my early videos on houseandhome.com these days! Oh man, I can’t even watch them! But you can pick up a few tricks of the trade (and chuckle at my tie sweater vest combo). Enjoy!
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