I hope this edition of the newsletter finds you settling back in to your regular routine after a relaxing holiday with friends and family. It was a busy fall and I've got the scoop for you on interesting new product launches, design talks and seminars with some celebrity designers (including a fave of Oprah's) and an exciting success story for a worthwhile charity.
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"Chair Affair" Raises $64,000 for Furniture Bank
In the last newsletter I told you about the Furniture Bank's first Annual "Chair Affair" charity event at which one-of-a-kind chairs would be auctioned off to raise funds for the charity.
In this edition of the newsletter, I'm proud to announce that on a chilly night at the end of October, the Chair Affair fundraiser raised over $64,000 for the charity!
Global TV's Susan Hay was on hand to MC the event and Jack Layton led an entertaining live-bid auction for a select number of chairs. To see Global TV's coverage of the event or read more details on the artists and their chairs go to Furniture Bank's Facebook page.
As it turns out, the winning bid for my chair was from Cynthia Findlay of Cynthia Findlay Antiques. Her shop has been a regular haunt for the city's designers and magazine stylists for years now--and if you stop by you can see my chair on display in her store.
 | | www.jennifersimondesign.com |
Ready to De-Clutter? Why not help needy families?
The Furniture Bank is always accepting donations of gently used furnishings and housewares--if you have something you want to get rid of consider giving them a call. Furniture Bank
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What's Going on...
New Product Launches
Fall is an exciting time in the design world with lots of new product launches to keep us inspired. This past fall was no exception...
Robert Allen Fabrics and Dwell Studio Team Up
It had been some time since we saw anything new from Robert Allen Fabrics and then this fall they announced an exciting new partnership with DwellStudio. Dwell is a young, innovative company (started by a Canadian no-less) known for taking classic elements and twisting them into a modern setting. Their new fabrics for Robert Allen are true to this aesthetic--with a sophisticated colour palette and an exciting use of pattern that feels new and fresh. I've already started putting them to use in a current project and can't wait to see how the line will evolve over the next year. The chairs in the photo below are a great example of how a classic form can be injected with new life by using unexpected pattern and punchy colours. Check out the entire line at www.robertallendesign.com.
Joanne Fabrics Introduces Wallpaper Line
Joanne Fabrics is another Canadian success story, with a wide variety of well-priced and quick-to-ship solid and patterned fabrics. This fall, they introduced a line of wallpapers that quickly had local designers talking. At the Toronto trade show where they debuted this fall I could barely get my hands on the book to take a peek there were so many other designers clamoring to see the new colours and patterns. Luckily they've now updated their website to include some great examples from the new line, and my rep assures me that they are now well-stocked with samples!
Below are a few highlights, but check out www.joannefabrics.com for the full catalogue of beautiful colourways and interesting modern and classic patterns from Joanne Fabrics' new wallpaper line.
 
Falling for Velvet
There was a time when velvets were considered stuffy and dated, and for some the word still conjures up an image of Elvis on a gaudy background. However, the past few years has seen a resurgence in this tried and true fabric--and the options now available are incredible. I'm loving the velvet I used on a recent custom headboard project. Combined with the nailhead detail, this velvet adds an understated hit of glamour to the client's master bedroom. Nowadays, when I hear the word velvet I think plush, durable and luxurious--don't you agree?
| | www.jennifersimondesign.com |
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Queer Eye's Thom Filicia at Elte
A few years back, Thom Filicia gained international fame as one of the charismatic hosts of the popular show "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy". Nowadays, Thom is busier than ever--he's hosting a new program on the Style Network ("Dress My Nest"), just launched a new fabric line for Kravet and is a regular on shows like Oprah and Ellen. So it felt like a great treat to have him here in Toronto to debut his new furniture collection in person. Just as charismatic in real life as he is on TV, Thom entertained a design industry crowd at Elte's showroom with tales of the inspiration for his furniture and some beautiful examples of his design work. The eagle table featured in the shot below is one of his new pieces--surely a classic in the making. Select pieces, including this one, are also now available in the showroom at Elte.
| | www.thomfilicia.com |
TV's Jane Lockhart at Fall Design Showcase
Currently the host of W Network's Colour Confidential, TV's Jane Lockhart was on hand to speak to a packed house of designers and industry types at the International Centre's fall design showcase. I've seen Jane speak before and she is always full of interesting tidbits on design statistics and trends. Jane made some great points about the value of window coverings in the bedroom (a place that people often scrimp on the budget), explaining that even a small amount of light at night can actually upset the natural rhythm of the body and have long-term effects. So consider investing in some good-quality, light blocking window coverings and you may feel more refreshed in the morning.
Speaking of Window Coverings...
I'm now working with a new supplier offering some amazing options for roller blinds. Roller blinds are a great alternative for kids rooms since they provide light control without the cord-safety concerns of regular blinds. The Artisan collection features sophisticated fabrics, trims and pulls that elevate the standard roller blind from boring to beautiful. With so many custom touches you don't have to feel as though you are sacrificing style for safety--which is a great thing! I've included a few images from the Artisan collection below, send me an email if you'd like to find out more about this exciting new option.
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Heading into the New Year 2011 promises to be exciting and busy! The Canadian Home Furnishings Market takes place in only a few short weeks, followed closely by the 2011 Interior Design Show --so I'll be sure to report back in the next newsletter. I'm also busy working on some exciting new projects and hope to be able to update you soon. Until then, Happy 2011!
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Jennifer Simon Design is a full-service interior decorating and design consulting business. My business has been built on referrals from satisfied clients. If you know of someone who might need the help of a designer please let them know about Jennifer Simon Design and feel free to pass along this email.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Simon
www.jennifersimondesign.com
jennifersimon@sympatico.ca
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