House & Home October 2020 - Fall Decorating & Great Kitchens

Apple, the Apple logo, and iMac are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. House & Home is an independent publication and has not been authorized, sponsored or otherwise approved by Apple Inc. Photography courtesy of Realtor.com (Jennifer and Alex’s home)/Jennifer Lopez via Instagram (Jennifer’s portrait)/by Maya Visnyei (crostini)/Angus Fergusson (condo)/ Janet Kimber (home office)/courtesy of Grillo Designs (Medina’s portrait)…

IT’S BEEN A CRAZY SUMMER in the world of design and renovation, and fall is showing no signs of letting up. We aren’t complaining! Here at House & Home and Maison & Demeure, we feel grateful for the huge interest in all things home, and we’re relieved to know that our community of suppliers and most of the retailers we count on are busy selling again. Contractors are booked up, building materials are in short supply and “out of stock” is too often the message at the end of that search for the perfect pendant. It may seem trivial to be thinking of embellishing our homes when so many are struggling to get by. I think about that a lot. I’m sure the people making those pendants and tiles and floors…

Congratulations, and thank you for your “Life on a River” article in the July-August issue of House & Home. I was very happy to see you venture beyond the GTA and Muskoka to feature what is Ontario’s best kept secret — the Thousand Islands. This area that runs from Kingston, Ont., to Brockville, Ont., has all the granite and sculptured pine trees of Muskoka except for one thing… black flies! — GRANT ROGERS, Brockville, Ont. The July-August issue of House & Home arrived in my mailbox today! I’m very excited, and very thankful to you diligent workers who have put an issue together under difficult circumstances — it’s much appreciated. I would have understood if it proved to be impossible to continue working, but I’m happy you found a way. — LORRAINE SKINNER,…

SAMANTHA EDWARDS Writer, “Style Files: Profile” (page 25) Samantha is a busy writer who lives in Toronto’s west end with her boyfriend and cat, Marble. Feature you’d like to add to your kitchen? More open shelving — I’ve been collecting vintage glassware for years and would love a spot to display it. How do you decorate for fall? I’m a big fan of decorative gourds and keep them in a wooden bowl all season long. ALY VELJI Designer, “Style Files: Hot Take” (page 25) Calgary-based Aly is a resident design expert on The Marilyn Denis Show. Advice for creating a warm and inviting kitchen? I love pairing a muted, neutral cabinet colour with a honed counter to create that relaxed feeling. The first thing you do when autumn arrives? I pull out my…

Fresh off of designing their country chalet in the Eastern Townships, interior stylist Chloé Lina and her husband, Louis, fell head over heels for a nearby storefront in the heart of Lac-Mégantic, Que. It was the ideal spot to open the boutique Shoppologie, Chloé’s passion project, complete with a second level the pair turned into a new home for their family of four. After they bought the place, they divided the main level into two stores, then Chloé got to work bringing her shop to life with whitewashed walls, antique furniture, boho throw pillows, bundles of sage and local treasures by Québécois makers. Wooden utensils and serving platters by Atelier La Louve are parked in the centre of the 600-squarefoot space while La Marcotterie bar soaps line a vintage dresser…

“MY PIECES LOOK BACK AT THE HISTORY OF FURNITURE-MAKING, AND THEN DISTIL IT DOWN INTO A SIMPLE, CONTEMPORARY FORM”— Mary Ratcliffe WHO: Furniture designer and maker Mary Ratcliffe, Mary Ratcliffe Studio, M.R.S. WHERE: Toronto CONNECT: maryratcliffe.studio, @maryratcliffestudio THE SCOOP: After a childhood spent crafting in her father’s home workshop, Mary Ratcliffe launched her own studio in 2013, where she designs contemporary furniture rooted in historical influences and techniques. She’s recently built sculptural bases for a new dining table employing a method traditionally used to make whiskey barrels and, after visiting the former home of Leonardo da Vinci during Milan Design Week in 2019, she was inspired to create subtle curves in her new Lyndoe seating collection. “I loved wandering around Milan to see how traditional architecture blended with more contemporary design,”…