I recently found out about a great source of tile called Rustico Tile & Stone. They are a small, family-run company based in Leander, Texas (just outside of Austin). Not only are they the largest manufacturer for authentic Saltillo tile in Mexico, but they are also a leading supplier for Cement Tile and Cantera Stone. And the best part is they ship worldwide! I wanted to share some of my favourite patterns they carry and some inspirational photos of spaces with their tiles and similar ones.

I have to start with the cement tile because it is one of my favourite tiles and comes in such amazing patterns. I almost went with this type in my kitchen/foyer but in the end went with something alot smaller. I love the result but I am still dying to try some of these…maybe in my next kitchen. Their cement tile is reminiscent of older style encaustic tiles. Cement tile is available in many designs, shapes and sizes.  It is extremely durable, easy-to-maintain, and can be fully customized in colors specific to the space where it is installed.

(design in photo above by Egue Y Seta – one of my all-time favourite homes I have blogged)

I pulled out some inspirational photos we have featured previously. More reasons why these tiles are the best!

CUT architectures

Apartment Therapy

deirdre doherty interiors

jette creative

Meritxell Ribé

Shialice

NFA-ARQUITECTURA

Widawsky Studio Architektury

Saltillo Tile is a type of terra cotta floor tile that is handmade with rustic characteristics. It is available in 3 finishes – Traditional, Manganese and Antique Saltillo. All finishes comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and have natural color variations. This is the perfect tile for a rustic southern, Mexican vibe.

Cantera stone is architectural stone that is cut and hand-carved.  Available in many colors, Cantera is commonly used as columns, tile, balusters, range hoods, fireplaces, and surrounds.

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This post is in partnership with Rustico Tile & Stone. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.

There is a time and a place where classy, elegant decor is suitable. A BBQ restaurant definitively calls for something casual and I absolutely adore the vintage industrial vibe that interior designer Jordan Littler went with Red’s True Barbecue in Sheffield, England.

‘On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all of his work.’  Genesis 2:2

On their seventh restaurant, Red’s wanted to evolve the concept and introduce a neighbourhood feel that would connect with the people of Ecclesall Road in Sheffield. 120 covers spread over two floors, the design takes it’s inspiration from Sheffield’s strong musical heritage combined with the authentic atmosphere of Rainey Street in Austin, Texas, to create a house party vibe at your Grandmas house. A collection of junkyard trinkets decorate the glass fronted bar alongside delicate tiffany lights, frilly standing lamps and traditional rugs, all set off against a rough, unapologetic interior utilising Red’s iconic batting cages and exposed lath walls. Our very own carefully curated teenage VHS collection was incorporated into the concealed door on the first floor connecting to the trippy, hallucinogenic corridor leading to the toilets. Photos: James Brown

As someone who has bought several Montreal condos in the last 15 years, I have worked with several interior designers. My experiences with them have been mostly positive, although I’ve also had my share of problems in the past.
Whether you’re planning to remodel your condo or buy new property, hiring an interior designer is a big decision. Most people who hire a decorator don’t have a concrete idea of what to expect, and this often leads to anxiety and problems along the way. But you don’t have to make the same mistake (which can be costly at times). Read through the suggestions that I’ve outlined here so your experience will be generally positive and you can expect a much better outcome for your home improvement project.

1. Preparation is a must!
A very common mistake that homeowners make is that they expect their interior designer to simply know what they want. The first time I hired a decorator, I merely told her my budget and shared a few ideas. Three days later she presented me with a design and as it turned out, I didn’t like most of it. It was then I realized that if I had only showed her some pictures of the concepts I liked, then maybe she’d present me with a design that I would approve the first time.
So before you meet with a potential decorator, you should have at least some idea of the style you like. You can also show your decorator the color schemes you want. Doing these will save you time and money.

2. Set realistic goals.
We see HGTV shows and start dreaming of high-end window treatments, hand painted wall designs, and shiny ebony floors. But you have to be realistic. Don’t expect your living room to look like a million bucks if you’re only willing to spend $5,000 for this project.
On a related note, it’s also important to be practical with your timeline. If you’ve been watching too many home improvement shows on TV, then you probably think that everything can be done in 3 days (or less!). But that’s usually not the case. Many interior decorators spend a week planning and creating the design alone. The whole project can take a month or so depending on how much work needs to be done.

3. Finally, have confidence in your designer.
Of course, it also pays to actually do your homework and find a designer that has the experience, training and track record. Ask around for recommendations and be sure to check their portfolio before you even consider them.
Once you’ve found your interior designer and you’ve already agreed on the design/concept then it’s time to let them work their magic. Designers should be open to your ideas if you’ve been thorough and explicit about what you want. Remember that your interior designer can visualize the completed project for your condo’s interior and veering from their design plan might lead to an unsatisfactory outcome.

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This post is a contribution by a guest writer

I just got a hold of some photos of this fabulous renovation project by London design firm LLI Design and had to share. LLI Design was hired on to complete a total redesign and refurbishment of a 4 story 1970’s townhouse in Highgate, London. The house had tremendous potential and the new owners, a young professional couple, wanted to embrace the 1970’s feel, rather than try to ignore it, albeit not in a cliched way. Top of their wish list was a contemporary glass and steel open tread staircase and a master bathroom with a distinctive WOW factor. In included one before photo below of the lower level to give you an idea of how much work this project was. I think the resulting contemporary home (it won an award!) is classy, welcoming and a great use of the space. Check out a couple more projects by LLI Design here and here. 

(Photos: Alex Maguire Photography)

I was approached recently by Garaga, a Canadian manufacturer of garage doors, who offered me a brand new garage door of my choice. I was elated, as garage doors have always been a bone of contention with me. Here in Ottawa builders always install cheap, run of the mill garage doors on houses and you are guaranteed to see this on every house in the suburbs in particular. Something that has rattled my cage for as long as I can remember is how much I hate that most homes have garages that are set forward from the rest of the house so it is ALL you see. Yet no one seems to put any thought into the design of their garage doors. My current home is located in an old neighbourhood (1940’s) and most garages are detached and located in the backyard at the end of a long driveway. Lucky for me because my garage is a bit of an eyesore. It really needs to be re-built one day as it is in rough shape and leaning to one side which is why I turned down the offer of a brand new garage door (soooo bummed). It would just look ridiculous. I will however absolutely take Garaga up on that offer when I have a new garage. 🙂

To show you why I am so bummed, here are samples of some of the fantastic garage doors they have designed, starting with some modern ones…. 

And some with a bit more of a traditional/country look

I wanted to also reference a couple of new designs Garaga recently launched:

This one is called the Prestige. An elegant and sophisticated option. 

This is the Vog. Sleek and contemporary and a bit more minimal than most doors. Download this brochure for more info, and check out this link for their 4 new designs. 

Their website is really great – it lets you select all of the different options to build your own door, has a large image gallery, offers a free quote and provides locations of all of the dealers in your area. Around these parts there is Ram Overhead Doors in Ottawa and Domac Garage Doors in Gatineau in case you want to go get yourself one! And on that note, if you do decide to get yourself a new garage door, send me before and after photos and I will share them on the blog!

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This post is in partnership with Garaga. All opinions are my own.