CMID: 2018

How To (Tastefully) Decorate for the Holidays

13:17

It's that time of year again where we tear down the fake cobwebs and dust off the real cobwebs from our holiday decor storage bins. The items inside these bins are treasured items gathered over the years from family and loved ones or memories associated with holidays past. The joy we get from red, green, silver and gold will never get old but it does take a toll on our eyes when mom puts up that one decoration we made back in elementary school or strands of 99 cent garland from the dollar store. We're here to teach mom how to keep the traditions alive but in a sophisticated way everyone will appreciate.

Stick to a colour scheme

The easiest thing to give your decorations an elevated look is to stick to a colour scheme. Look at the items in your home that you don't change over seasonally; toss pillows, area rugs, or even accent furniture like ottomans. Pull colours from these pieces and add one of the season's traditional colours like red or green. You can also match to your existing metallics on accent tables or lamps and use those finishes for a cohesive theme. If you prefer one colour or finish over the rest, use that as your main inspiration and just dabble in the other colours - it's tough on the eyes when there are equal parts of every seasonal colour.

Avoid 'cookie cutter' decor

Every family has their own traditions and religions to celebrate the Holidays and Dollarama shouldn't be one of them. The Christmas Market trend is getting more and more popular and local shop owners and artisans put a lot of work into showing their products at these events. Not only are you helping small business owners but the items have a personal connection and feel unique. This is the type of warmth we want to spread during this time of year!

Light it up

How is it that we put the lights away in a nice wrapped bundle and 10 months later they've danced their way into a twisted mess? We might never know the answer but if you're ready to breakup with your strand lighting, we fully support that! Holiday decor trends change and lighting is often overlooked. Try using 'fairy lights' for a soft glow on your mantel - these little strands are typically battery powered and provide a delicate twinkle. Christmas lights come in so many shapes and sizes there's no reason to go back to Canadian Tire year after year.

Odd number layering

One trick in the interior design world is to layer items in odd numbers. 1 wreath, 3 mini trees, 5 candles.. it's up to you what you display but the brain responds to odd numbers and we just don't know why.

Minimal decor? No problem!

If you are a minimalist and still have that one box of decorations, keep them neutral. White, black, clear or metallic, this will work with anything in your home and if you forget to pack them up until April, nobody will even know!

Accessible Accessories

13:25

Bringing a room together with accessories seems like such a daunting task. Minimalism design is very trendy and clutter is not - so how do you know what to buy and where to place it? Don't worry, we got you!

If you're not wanting to get into the tchotchke game, try adding seasonal items like toss pillows and blankets; lighter colours and patterns in the warmer months, and plush fabrics and textures for the cooler months. Our brain recognizes the colours and textures which then tickles our senses.

Small scale furniture can make a room seem more personalized without being too heavy. Accent stools and cocktail tables add a sophistication and functionality that's hard to ignore.

Family portraits are sentimental and shouldn't be displayed for all your guests to see. Keep those photos in areas that aren't occupied by your guests like a home office - you'll still appreciate the photo and your guest won't be constantly reminded about that family vacation you took to Disney World.

Think of your decorative items as jewelry for the home. Curtain rods are functional but the right finial and finish can add a statement to simple drapery. Mixing metal in a room has become more and more accepted in the design world so if you have chrome furniture, add some brass curtain rods, and copper accents to make it look like it was done on purpose.

Designer accessories can start to add up, especially if you're trying to fill your whole house, but big retailers have staple items you can mix in to complete a room. We've found some great looking accents that will help you achieve a high-end look without breaking the bank:

H&M
Sweedish retailer H&M has recently gotten into the home decor market and has unique accessories that don't disappoint. These small metal baskets come in a variety of trendy finishes and can help you organize your clutter.

La Maison Simons
A Quebec staple in clothing and home decor, Simon's recently opened a store at Square One in Mississauga and it's worth the drive from downtown Toronto. These kitchen towels feel like toss blankets for Barbie dolls, you'll feel bad using them around the house for cleaning purposes.

Umbra
Well known brand with a flagship store in Toronto, Umbra offers a variety of modern accessories from wall hooks to toilet paper holders. Their curtain rods can fit into any budget - so that room that you've been putting off buying drapery for, there's no excuse!

IKEA
If you haven't heard of IKEA, you must be living under a rock. I'm sure we've all been there for 75¢ hot dogs and Lingonberry juice, but they've really started to up their ante to compete with other furniture stores. These serving trays are the perfect inclusion to any weekend brunch or maybe you're feeling really classy on Monday morning - you do you!

CMID Design Details

12:48

Counter. Productive. Selecting the Perfect Countertop.

05:12

When you hear the words "kitchen countertops" you probably think granite because it's been the go-to material for countertops for the last 20+ years. Interior design trends are constantly evolving and countertops are right there in the mix. Forget everything you know about granite surfaces - we'll help you make the right selection with today's newest and greatest materials!

The first thing we think about when selecting a material for countertops is natural stone versus man-made materials. Each has it's drawbacks and we're here to make this a simple process for your next project.

Natural stone materials such as granite, marble, and quartzite are drilled, chiseled and blasted out of quarries in large blocks. These blocks are then put through special milling machines and are cut into workable slabs - the product we see in the warehouses after they're imported.

Quartz countertops are man-made engineered stone countertops which are formed by combining 90% ground quartz (a natural hard mineral) with 8-10% resins, polymers, and pigments. This process is what forms the very hard 'granite-like' surface.

The properties of each material can vary so it's best to look to the supplier for it's durability, heat resistance, and maintenance. Some natural stones require conditioning and sealing in the same way we apply moisturizer to our skin. Without this, foods and liquids will stain the material.

Quartz has taken the kitchen market by storm and is today's hottest countertop option. I'm sure we've all been told quartz is impossible to scratch and heat-resistant, but you should still take care of your countertops in the same way you would a natural stone. Quartz is less porous than marble, so it will retain less bacteria, and will be tougher to stain or crack. Dark colour quartz, however, will show any scuffs or chips so it's in high traffic kitchens, a lighter colour can take the abuse of a busy household.

Due to the properties of natural stone, not all slabs are the same size. It's important to check the size of the island and countertops before material is selected. If the material is too short for one full slab, the fabricator will need to make seams and when you're using a material with veining, this artistic pattern will be lost. Man-made stones also vary in size between supplier but a typical size is 56" x 120". Ask your supplier about jumbo slabs!

Once you've decided on the material, make sure you see the full size slab from the current stock available. Small samples don't always show the full properties of the stone so veins and discolouration won't be apparent. Suppliers will typically tag a slab for your fabricator with a deposit so what you see is what you get.

It's important to meet with the fabricator before the material is cut. Stones with veining or multiple colours should be templated and presented to show the final layout before fabrication.

So you've picked your material, the fabricator has templated, and they're ready for installation. Don't forget to look at your cabinetry colour samples and plumbing fixtures to make sure they all work together. After installation, you're ready to host a dinner party in your new kitchen and make sure CMID is on the guest list!

Meet The Team

07:29

Take the HARD out of HARDWOOD

12:50

The feeling of wood underfoot is difficult to compete with. These days it seems like everyone has flooring product on the market and the price points are so drastic. So what gives? We have the inside scoop to help you make the right choice when it comes to a renovation project or a new build.

Corey Eisler from Prestige Custom Hardwood has a boutique showroom on Dufferin with consultations available by appointment. Many of our projects end with a smile from Corey after the final coat of stain has been put down and it always leaves us speechless.

Why are there so many species of wood? What does "engineered" wood mean? We have all the answers!

Believe it or not, hardwood colour trends change so frequently that we're almost at a stage where any colour is acceptable - in the right setting of course! The most common species of wood for residential use is European White Oak due to it's hardness rating, durability and susceptibility to taking on all stain colours properly.

When it comes to plank sizes, the new standard width sits around 5" wide and will soon make it to 7" wide. Industry standard used to be 3 1/2" but due to open concept living, the boards appear too small and don't have the same impact. Plank lengths can vary, and this is where you might get shook by sneaky salespeople. Select & Better refers to boards at a minimum of 6' long and any grade above so be sure to check the grade of the planks. Higher end retailers specialize in minimum 12' planks and cost a pretty penny, so make sure to do your homework.

Been by a hardwood showroom lately? Most of the samples you'll see are prefinished - a process that stains the boards in the factory before they are shipped to the retailer. Because of the installation process, these products have a micro-bevel - a small rounded edge that is visible between the wood once it's installed. Site finished hardwood is installed in it's natural form, filled with a wood putty then sanded down for a seamless installation. Our trades then go in with the stain and finish the job with a sealer. Both methods have their pros and cons, but site finish is still our favourite process.

Engineered? What does that mean? Simply put, a thin piece of solid wood (typically 3/8") is adhered to a crisscross of plywood. This plywood backing helps the boards from warping or "cupping" as it's known. Due to our climates, humidity, etc. the engineered wood is preferred over a solid construction.

OUR CURRENT HARDWOOD CRUSH!

Matita By Fogile D'oro available through Relative Space

Fogile D'oro is an Italian parquet maker who collaborated with Studio Rotella to create this unbelievable modular hardwood paired with marble and brass! Can you say, "Nailed it!?"

If you are looking for unique hardwood Relative Space is your place located at 330 King Street East. Their bright and beautiful showroom is the perfect backdrop to showcase all their beautiful and truly unique engineered hardwood.

Still confused? We would be happy to set you up with the right supplier who can answer all your questions.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye out for the type of material you’re buying. Just because it's the perfect colour, doesn’t mean the quality of wood is the right choice.

- THE CMID team