Change in Blog Venue.

Due to problems with Blogger and Blogspot we have switched this blog to WordPress. com

Sorry for the inconvenience, but because of Blogger not being honest about when their services are going to be back in functioning order. We’ve decided it’s better to switch to WordPress whom has stated on their site that this won’t happen with their services.

WordPress.com is restrictive of what they allow as apps on their sight, but I feel much of what this blog needs is here. We shall see. Please feel free to leave me a message about what you think of this new blog site.

Parentingblindbydesign's New Home

Sincerely,
Wendy Martin Turley

Introducting Wendy M. Turley Interiors

It's official I have started the paperwork to open Wendy M. Turley Interiors.  I hope to open my doors in June 2011.  So keep coming back for the introduction of my company's new website. 

I will be offering consultations in colour, furniture, space planning, finishes, organization, and redesign packages.  Due all projects being of a unique nature, contact me (Wendy Martin Turley) for quotes on your project. (416-567-2873 wmartinturley@rogers.com)

I'll be keeping this blog going also.  So stay tuned to for pictures from Crate and Barrel Mississauga Tweet Up #cbmisstweetup I really had a great time and some great pieces could be found there.

I've a few other things in the works to so through everything I will try to post at least one blog post a week while I'm recovering from surgery in May.  Building a business plan, knitting some home decor (No I'm not knitting lap rugs, I'm a little past that these days. But I did fall asleep with a pattern in my head last night, so let's see if anyone else likes it.)

I am very excited over this turn of events and intrigued at how quickly it's happening.

Until later,

WendyMT

Update on the thesis work

I've handed in my thesis project on time, though it was really a crunch for time.  Some of the other students were actually at the printers at 3am yesterday.  Okay, I wasn't that bad, I got to the printers at 2pm Sunday only because I stopped to add a leg of lamb to the oven for Easter dinner. 

I did get Easter dinner made, but I didn't get the apartment cleaned up before the family converged on my place, so please don't see me as a Martha Stewert type. 

Now that graduation is in sight I'll be reconsidering a new site where people can find out how to contact me, the locations I will be serving and the types of services.

I need to have an operation and will be taking the month of May/June 2011 to recover.  Then I will start the process of setting up shop.  The types of services I'll be starting with are Colour consultations, Organization services and space planning.  Other services will be offered through direct consultation with me.

I've already put my application for membership with CDECA (Canadian Decorator's Association) and IDRC (Interior Decor Resources Canada). 

I hope in May/June to roll out my business logo and marketing materials, flesh out my portfolio with some before and after photos in June/July of a bathroom and boy's bedroom.

There will also be more guest blogs mentioned here and further blog posts on home decor that looks great and has benefits often the designer hasn't thought of.

Until then

WendyMT
Interior Decorator

Just got the chance to look at Elte/Ginger's Spring 2011 Catalog

Okay, I just got my hands on the Elte/Ginger's Spring 2011 Catalog and I've found a number of great pieces in it that fit really well into my design philosophy.

Elte/Ginger's Spring 2011 Catalog

What do I mean? Well the trends Elte are following are many layered and tell a story. The way they are doing this is with a blending of styles so that you get a feel of reflective surfaces, exotic patterns, textured surfaces, mixed finishes, modern neutrals and hints of bright colours.

The textured woods remind me of naturally aged wood that just tells it's well lived story through it's gritty grain.  So homey and with the addition of reflective metals it keeps at bay the overly rustic, cottage feel of the piece.  These are truly contemporary pieces.

With the economy the way it is, more people are entertaining at home.  But, we all want that well travelled feel in our spaces and this catalog provides many great examples of the exotic feeling pieces and you don't need to theme a room in total zebra print to get a great conversation going.

Pieces that I love from this catalog:

   -   Modernist II Floor Light - It's great because you can tuck it into a corner for a simple reading nook in a small space without it interfering with getting in and out of a chair or the traffic flow.  It also won't over power a room design.  It's definiately a piece to invest in.  In a room, this piece could tell a sight impaired person exactly where they are just by the feel of it.
   -   Fifteen Tails Ceiling Light - this piece addresses a pet peeve I've had with similar pieces, the metalic lower half of the bulbs lessens the glare when you look up at it and reflects more light into the room. 
   -   Mendoza Cocktail Table - It's a piece with a story, the life the wood has lived is preserved.  You can almost see the wisdom in the wood, while the mirrored metal legs keeps it from looking like it belongs at the cottage.  This is a great representation of a contemporary piece.
   -   Sayers Arm Chair - okay I know this style of chair has been over done, but I still love it for it's elegance and this one has the twit of the minimal finish of the wood.  It looks like it's been around forever and has it's own stories to tell.  I can see my cat taking a nap in this chair, she's always had a taste for elegant things.
   -   Cow Skull - This is a guy thing, great for a man cave. It's a textural and a piece of art that someone could really feel.  It's relaxed on it's own but with the Strathmore Console Table reflecting the form of the skull it's not trapped in a Cowboy Themed Bar.
   -   Pintas Rug - I currently live on the ground floor without heating in the floors, so I love rugs.  This rug reminds me of a structured pelt on the floor.  I love to get on the floor and play with my son and this rug looks so soft and welcoming.
   -   Carlton Pendants - these lights would be great for a simple kitchen island or over a stair case.  They are simple and not over powering of the space, letting other things take the stage of conversation.
   -   Gold Leaf Mirror and Zikat Ottoman - These are great examples of the travel inspired pieces that are used without overpowering a room.  I love the mirrors.  Never be afraid of pattern, it's not what you necessarily use, but how much.  The same with colour.
   -   Second Life Rugs - What can I say? Old rugs, bleached, redyed, and reassembled into a whole new rug.  Love them.  The colours are bold and bright, you can see hints of the old patterns too, which gives them that hint again of a story to tell.  If you have a neutral room, this is a great place to start to add colour to the room without fearing to go over the top.  I love the Second Life Orange and Second Life Patchwork Flag.  The flag rug would be where I'd start off an entertainment room with for myself.
   -   Door knockers and Antique Door Knobs - Reflective metal letter door knockers, I love this piece and need something right now.  My personal favorite door knob is the Colette door knob, because it reminds me of the door knobs I grew up with.
   -   Timeless Glass Urn and Mercury Glass Covered Jar -  These are great throughout the house, I like them because no one is looking at my q-tip collection and wondering why I need so many.  They are great to catch the keys at the end of the day or even to hold an interesting collection of things on a cocktail table to add to the conversation.

It's a great offering and I recommend you take a peek at it too.  It's just full of inspiration and ideas to make a space a great place to be.

Last Push for Thesis Project and Guest Blog Posts

Well I'm well on my way into my Thesis Project and enjoying every minute of it.  It's only a little over a month to go before I graduate and there's so much to do.

I've not posted before this because I've been seriously ill, but I'm on the mend and working hard to keep up with my Thesis work.  I hope to get back to posting again regularly in May.  I've not been idle.

You can find guest blog posts by me at:

Eco-Greenies: Eco-Blog and News Site
http://ecogreenies.com/greenreview/eco-news/organic-and-fair-trade-flowers-not-just-for-valentine%E2%80%99s-day-anymore/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
I write about how we all can make little changes in our choices, in this case cut flowers, in our lives and in our work.

Stagetecture
http://stagetecture.com/2011/03/guest-blogger-creating-outdoor-spaces-for-special-needs-to-enjoy/
This article is on how to design an outdoor space with Special Needs family members and friends in mind while building a place that people will be happy to enjoy.

I'm working on other posts for this blog and these others.  I hope to have them out at the end of April.

Until then hope you will enjoy this.

Finding things out with Google it's about Accessibility

I happened to be with a professor today whom decided they were going to be smart and they googled my name.  To her surprise there seems to be pages of information.  I've never been a private person.  I honestly don't see the point on making it a challenge for people to find out anything about me.  Can't be blackmailed with something if everyone knows about it.  Also I try to make a point of doing things that wouldn't get me into a situation like that in the first place.

Anyhow, we came across an article a journalism student, Gurpreet Ghag, wrote for the Humber College News paper HumberEtc Issue dated Thurday, October 29, 2009.

http://issuu.com/humberetc/docs/20091029-humberetcetera

It's about the stink made by the outcome of a Human Dimensions Assignment we had to do.  As many know my husband is blind, I have a small child and my Mother-In-Law uses a walker (She's often around as she lives in the same apartment building as us and is an angel sent from heaven.) 

Anyhow, this article got action I'm happy to say.  This semester signs for washrooms and elevators have been finally posted all over the campus'.  This was seriously needed, but it took over 120 students to test things out and make it publically known that there were serious issues to get something done.

But, if we can do this within a College atmosphere, isn't it time we do this within our communities and homes?  Don't we all deserve a chance to function at our best without every minute of the day second guessing how we are going to get anything done and how much longer it will take.  The effort some days to find utilities that should be right in front of us, because it's not asthetically pleasing to people that don't need to use them.  It's time for this to change and acceptance to change be celebrated.

I'm watching the TTC(Toronto Transit Commission) rebuilding subway station after subway station to make a fully accessible Transit System.  No more having to book a special bus that may or may not arrive on time.  If you miss it you're stuck.  No more cancellations a day before your doctor's appointment, because their bus broke down. 

This is a life of a person in a wheelchair alone in Toronto, having to spend more on Accessible Taxi's and always having a backup plan to get home.  These are people that live on Disability Pensions or Old Age Pensions.  Most are barely at the poverty line. 

I just want to see Interior Decorating and Design to see that there's a big varied world of people out there and they are in a position to make the best of everything. 

This is an aging society that's even more active than generations before.  We can't expect them to stop living in the style they are accustom to just because their health has changed a little.  Today, there are waiting lists for homes designed just for the aging, but then you miss out on those with disabilities that are young.

As a society we assume that they have the same lives as us.  Grow up, get married, have children, etc.  More today are.  More are having careers and with careers often comes social obligations.  Entertaining collegues, associates, friends and family within their own home.  These people need a working environment everyday for themselves, but they also need to feel that their environment is also comfortable for those entering their home.  That means a blind husband who brings a client home for dinner, wants to know that he can trust that his condo is tasteful decorated and safe for him to move about in.

Close your eyes and see how many things you knock over and bump into in your own home.  Spacing between furniture.  Secure three dimensional art.  Colours that work together.  Textures to identify one thing from another.  A place for everything.  A scooter is large but does it need to sit at the front door?  Does the place it's stored actually have the ability to charge it?  Can a wheel chair move easily through the space?  What about the counter heights?  I have family whom are considered dwarves.  You can only carry a stool around so long or climb on so many chairs before someone gets hurt or something gets damaged.

Okay, enough about my rant.  I just had a long day on the TTC where I could not reach the rail above my head and it was a LONG ride.

Canadian Art Deco Hope Chest Found

I finally got proof today that a Hope Chest I bought at a garage sale years ago is actually a piece of Canadian Art Deco.  What a find!

I found it years ago before I decided I would get into Interior Decorating.  I fell in love with the simple lines of this chest even though it was covered in chipped paint and a couple of damaged areas and a missing lock.

If anyone knows how I can get another lock and key for this chest I would be greatly appreciated to know.

After taking off about seven layers of paint and shellac. I discovered that it was solid red and white cedar with a bookmark grain!!! It looks like a butterfly I can't believe people painted over it!!!

This had been abandoned by a family after a relative died in a nursing home.  The yard sale was items they didn't want to throw away.  I got this chest for $100 with a bookcase and a lamp.

This chest was made by the Chesley Chair Factory in Chesley, Ontario.  It was part of their Heirloom Collection and they stopped manufacturing them in 1939.  This town is in Bruce County in Ontario, Canada.  So it never left the country as far as I know, but I'm most likely the second or third person to own it.  You can still smell the cedar when you take the linens from it.

This was a piece people could afford and so there are many on the market right now; however, I only found one that is similar in style to this one, but I prefer the grain on the one I have.  I don't know if the ones on kijiji.ca are being sold by people that know what they have as they are asking for about $300-$500 for them.  I'm afraid I used varathane to finish this before I knew what I had so I may have lost some of it's value, but it's been returned to how it was when it was first bought.  They used shellac to finish them originally.

There is a bookcase now beside this chest and not the blue totes you see.  These totes were a temporary holding place for a book collection of my husband of books we just don't want our son to destroy because there is no way of getting replacements.

As you can see I'm using it to keep our linens in it, the real linen closet holds towels and cleaning supplies.  I wanted a lock on the cleaning supplies when my son became obsessed with cleaning.  I love the fact that I can use this beautiful piece and hope to get the rest of my bedroom to reflect it.  Maybe not in art deco but in the warmth of family and tradition.

Paris in a Cup

I this cocktail shaker and glass at Carlton Cards Shop near me.  I couldn't resist.  They must be part of their Valentine's Inventory because they were 75%.

I love that they convey romance without being all bubble gum pink and covered in hearts while they are still fun.

Canadian Design Being Defined

RemoteStylist.com is advertising a truly Canadian take on Interior Design and Decor.  A real chance to define true Canadian Trends and people making it. 

Take a look at this:

http://mp.remotestylist.com/index2.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=39

and on twitter #cdndesign

Enjoy!

Just added to my online portfolio.

Today has been busy with family day, taking photos of my school work for my online portfolio and actually uploading, editing and arranging them on Behance.com.

All the pages of my work can be seen at: http://be.net/wendymartinturley

This includes all my major course projects, highlight assignments and the Textural Nursery.

Textural Nursery Part 2

I've just started to explore Google's Sketchup Program and find it fasinating.

Below are a few pictures of my first attempt to turn the Textural Nursery into a reality again.  Just in time for my son, Ben to ask me to repaint his room too! Well at least this last paint colour lasted 4 years.

For those that don't know what I'm talking about this is a rough reproduction of the Nursery I created for my husband, whom is blind, so that he could be a fully functioning father.  Yes! This means he never complained when changing a diaper or burping his son! 

On the shelf above the crib is a green lamp that has 1 15W chandelier bulb in it.  The back of it was later removed and attached to the wall, the switch is on the cord. It has a picture of Teddy bears playing in a treehouse.  The frame actually has a teddy bear wearing a sweat and oddly someone gave my son a teddy bear named, "Jaden" that looks almost identical to the teddy bear in the picture.

The brown pictures were a couple of small puzzles I found with teddy bears in them that I put together with glue and card backing.  With 3M picture velcro used to keep them on the walls, Ben has removed them so many times to "look" at them that I've lost count.

The baskets are sorted to hold all the things needed for an individual job.  Just grab and do. No worrying about mixing up the baby lotion with the baby body wash.  With no rug on the floor, it meant no hazard for tripping.  We did later add a green curtain that matched the bed, but it obscured the window in the photo.  The baskets were actually lined in the same dark green too.

This was done with less then $800 CAN, the bed was left behind by a roommate.  I made the curtain which slid on an adjustable shower curtain rod.  The crib and change table were from Sears and later destroyed after the second recall on them. 

The white container was for cloth diapers, we had an environmentally responsible diaper service clean and keep us stocked.  This is a diaper pin free nursery, another request from my husband as he feared poking Ben and himself.

The blue bin is a rubbermaid container used to store the copious amounts of stuffed animals.  It now says Ben's Stuffy Box in I'm afraid bold black marker.

I will take pictures of his room as it is now before I redecorate it this summer.  He wants green and race cars, such a boy.

12th Wedding Anniversary Post Part 2 (Photos)

The flowers I found at my doorstep on the 13th of February.  This is how Peter set the theme for the day.

My son Benjamen giving me a critique of where each flower should go.  He was fasinated by the variety of shapes, colours and smells.

After two years of my going crazy over school and he feels the need to remind me that we still matter after 12 years of marriage.  Ladies this man is physically blind and still found ways to surprise me.  No man has an excuse now!

This is Peter after a full meal at Kelsey's.  This is NOT the time to tell him I have a sinus infection.

The waitress spotted the camera and insisted on taking the photo for us when Peter spilt the beans about it being our anniversary.

We had a great time just the two of us. Having time together is so hard and it makes it more special.

12th Wedding Anniversary

Okay, I've taken the night off work and such to go for dinner and a movie with my husband for the first time in over 2 years. 

Left the little guy with Grandma and wouldn't you know it.  He gets a fever!  Happy Anniversary to Us. 

Pictures to come in the next blog as I've tired myself out too much right now to upload them.

Just a tip.  If you love a true feel good movie that leaves you feeling like marriage really has meaning and people do have potential to overcome anything.  The go see "The King's Speech".  My husband who's blind got up at the end and said, "That was well worth the price.  I enjoyed it."

I loved the details they added to the different sets.  From the Estates and Palaces to the comfortable home of the common man to the basement office of a poor man who was only trying to help those that needed and wanted help.

I believe this movie will give recognition that everyone that's got a "social"/"physical" barrior is also truly a human on the inside.  We all have feelings, issues and experiences.  Just let us express them in our own ways and just maybe we all will learn something.

IDS11 Inspirational Trip

I've only now recovered physically from the trek through IDS11.  I was there just soaking up everything and I must have taken over 200-300 photos, but I'm going to post a few things I just posting the great ones.

Enjoy! I know I did!

Brilliantly coloured paper products are making a splash of colour again in the Kitchen and Bathroom.  It's a conversation piece I can't wait to find a use for.

I fell in love with the Opera Chair by Hauser also. I just love the drape of the solid material and it's indoor/outdoor and found in many colours too.

Okay Here's a piece I find that fits within my scope of interests.  I often find my own husband frantically feeling about for the toast that has "gone into orbit" as he calls it. A simple set of wires put over the top of a toaster and the problem is solved.  This is by Krups.

I couldn't help but stop by and find out about the latest in the "Blackwatch" tartan by Alfred Sung.  It's the Scottish in me that gravitates to it I think. However, I did sit in one of the chairs and I have to say that for those short legged and can easily fit someone like my 6'-2" husband who's not skinny comfortably and without fear that it would break.  It's a limited outdoor set with a coffee table and sofa also.  But if I were forced to go and hurriedly change out the furniture in my living area, I'd put this in just because it seems so stable, durable and easy clean(big deal around here).  They do have cushions also.

I did stop by to hear most of what Thom Mayne had to say.  It was really interesting and my eyes didn't glaze over as I feared might happen.  He really did make sense when he was explaining about how he designs his buildings and inner spaces.

I was seeing the British flag here and there.  It seems that this trend is continuing and being fuelled by the Royal Engagement.  Elte has a rug created from bleached antique rug pieces that have been redyed Up Country was showing a sofa too.

These electric fireplaces caught my eye by Napoleon Fireplaces.  They would be great for little nooks in the wall of a livingroom like that little odd fifth wall some places have.

This next shelving comes from BLUM and I love it because short people like myself can actually open and close it with a touch. Push the door and it opens up.  Push a button found on either end of the cabinet and it closes.  Less dangerous than grabbing for the dining chair.  It's easy enough for people with arthritis to open and close also.  Perfect vertical storage space.

I'm afraid I didn't write down the designer's name of this bowl or the company selling it.  But I'd been dreaming of something similar for about a month now and I'm kicking myself.  I so want it.

School had me stop by the Ikea booth so here I am with their new shaker detailed dark cabinet kitchen doors and drawer fronts.  I've been sad ever since they stopped producing solid wood doors for their Billy bookcase series.  I just can't see it being safe to bring glass doors into my home yet.

Now I used to work with wood as a part-time business while I looked after my ailing parents.  So I have fond memories of making small folkart pieces in my father's basement. This coffee table is just lovely and the perfect conversation piece of a living room that sees lots of sun and chats over coffee. It's made by Urban Tree Salvage.

Para Paints had this great display and I see the trend of antique bird cages as display pieces are still around and here they are decorated with the 2011 Trend Colours.

Distinctive Appliances brought this range hood with a beautiful cityscape on it.  I could easily see this in an open concept kitchen in a beautiful condo.

This was something I found highly interesting, it's handmade and numbered.  Made to your tastes, it's inside is made of wood, you select the wood and what goes inside these is up to you.  I love the smooth shape and the surprise when opening it.  It reminds me of a faberge egg.  It's called the Aeropod by Dean Jackson these are limited only 49 will be made.

I know it's not original but when space is limited why not turn your wine collection into a temporary sculpture? Okay, I'd need steps to get to the top ones, but...by Visex Concept.

Ok, but anyone that grew up in my generation just can't resist the fantasical patterns of Rollout wallpapers.  I've seen a chair they designed in this same pattern and just thought it was cool.  This is the company that creates the scan wallpaper too. Scan the wallpaper with your iPhone and get a picture.  So cool!

Whimsy never had it so good.  Function meets fun in these pieces of furniture.  Made by Alain Belanger and Jocelyne Sylvain.

I was rushing past this piano and couldn't help but take a picture.  I'm afraid I was bad and didn't note anything about the picture and now wish I did.  A purple upright with such sexy curves so contemporary, yet retro '50's in colour.

This picture tells you who makes it and I just love the hot vibe this take on a windsor type outdoor chair.

So 1960's it's called the "XXX" and it's found in the Avenue Road Stocked 2011 catelogue.  I love it! It's made of thick tempered glass, so it's not going anywhere and not easy to chip!

This is the sofa in the room designed by Glen and David Dixon.  I have to admit Glen is as animated and great to talk to as he is on TV.  I didn't catch his round bed on film, but it was just as Hollywood Glam as the sofa.  Glen said they made them round to encourage chatting and conversation as opposed to have to lean around people to talk to someone at the other end of the sofa.  Great idea if you have the space.

This is the ceiling of the Dixon room, it's all garden trellis like grid with oragami birds hanging from it.  I'm so glad I didn't have to fold all those but it's beautiful to see.

I caught Sarah Richardson's rooms also that she did with her brother, Theo Richardson.  They are both so talented and I love the Country Relaxed feel as opposed to the Dixon's Hollywood Glam.  I too love the feel of giving each room it's own character by giving it its own colour if you can.  With open concept it can be difficult. I was told Theo made this coat rack.  I love it because of it's random pegs can be moved as needed.

I love the different chairs being brought together my this cheery red.

I get the relaxed feel in this room and the idea of slowing down the creative flow and stress while work may just work here.  I think I might try this when I redecorate my small space.

All I can say is the Headboard! I love it, bold and bright, the detail of it reminds me of a Canadian Maple Leaf.  The lighting is perfect.

Well, other then posting photos taken for a very large class assignment I've finally unwound. I hope this isn't too long and it's given you some inspiration.  Yes, I'm as ecletic as the pictures above, but somehow it all comes together.

From labels, photos and Art

      I've had such a busy few weeks I'm just taking a second to add this post to update on all the things I've found lately, from old school friends to a couple of Canadian Mom Companies that offer great products and services.

     First off, Kris Bovenizer an old friend from grade school has just started up a website on her artwork.  It's a must see, great sculpture and dimensional paintings, she's in the process of adding more to her site as I write.  Toronto born and raised, this is an artist with strong feminine feel to her work.

http://www.krismadethis.com/

     Next up is a great company started by a couple of Moms looking for labels for kids stuff that actually live up to their claims.  With great colours, logos and personalized names these labels vary from iron-on, permanent stick, shoe labels to labels for pencils.  They've now ventured into kids stationary sets, kitchen, storage and electrical organizing labels.  Follow the site below and they will donate some of the proceeds to Easterseals.
http://www.easterseals.mabel.ca/
Here's the way I've used their photos to easily identify one ingrediant from another within my own pantry.

     Here's a photographer who's in demand.  Specializing in portraits and portraits for special needs families.

 www.susancosgrovestudios.com

Susan really works to capture the true person and not just an image of a person.  Below is a couple of photos of my son and my self she has taken.  From intimate to professional she has the talent to provide the photos you need.