Saturday, February 20, 2010

Feeling Inspired

While going through my pictures for last week's post on Unionville, I came across these photos I took in The Queen's Pantry, a cute interior design store on Main Street. I loved the bedroom displays they had and seeing this again, I'm starting to get the itch to redo the pillows in my bedroom.

I love the dark knit pillow in the middle of this bed. It just looks so cozy and the textures really play off the other fabrics on the bed - like the quilted throw and the elaborate paisley bedspread.

But then again I love the lighter colours of this bed too. The soft blues, creams and tans. It makes me thing about Spring being just around the corner. This chandelier is one of my favorite pieces that they have there. Unfortunately I can't wire anything in my apartment, otherwise I would have one of these hanging up in an instant.

While walking through Pottery Barn the other day (post-holiday clearance sales, woohoo!) I fell in love with some of the new patterned duvet covers that they have. I am not a big paisley fan, but I really liked the wild vibe of this blue set.

I even love the same pattern in this sunny yellow colour - although I think its a bit too much for me.


I think I'm leaning towards cool blue colours like this bedroom from MyHomeIdeas.com. My bedroom is already such a dark room, that it might be nice to let some light colours in.

Well, thats what I think I'm going to start looking at this weekend. I've got that early Spring clean up mood going on, and maybe I should just roll with it and see what comes to mind. Whats better to do on a cold February Saturday morning then hang out in your PJs looking at design websites? Bring on the herbal tea and muffins!

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Unionville

A while back when I was home for the holidays, I took a driving through the quaint Main Street of Unionville, Ontario. Its one of my favorite towns I've ever been too, and funny enough it actually was the location for part of my favorite fictional towns from a hit television show. I'll show you a few pictures first and see if you can guess it! ;)

There is something about this town that I have always loved. Its hard to believe that this is only 30 minutes away from downtown Toronto, yet it feels like another world.

Its all the detailing in the architecture of the buildings and little touches like bricked sidewalks, old lamposts and perfect fences that add to the ambience of the town. I'll have to come back and take more pictures to show you in the summer, because these barren winter shots don't do it justice.

There is even a horse drawn carriage that goes through town during the holidays. How great would it be to take a tour through town all bundled up under sheepskins?

This is by far one of my favorite buildings in the town - The Old Firehall Confectionary! This used to be a sporting goods store but now its turned into sweet tooth heaven. They have walls of baked goods and decadent chocolates, and even make homemade hot chocolate daily. In the summer there is always a line up for their fresh smoothies and ice cream.

Are you starting to recognize this town? I'll give you another hint...

Does this store kind of remind you of a small New England town? Maybe one full of some quirky townspeople?

Here is a shot of that same building in the first episode of the series. With a blurry image of one the lead stars walking across the street. Have you guessed it yet?

Well, maybe this will help you a bit more. I was walking by this dress shop and I immediately fell in love with this storefront.

The beveled edge of the glass catches so much light and I love the pattern. Do any of you recognize this storefront?

Again, here it is on the show. Do you see the sign?

 
It's Luke's Diner from the hit tv show Gilmore Girls! Thats right, for part of the first season of Gilmore Girls they used Unionville, before they moved on to a larger set.  For years I've always been a big fan of both the fictional town and the real life one and I had no idea that they were in fact one and the same. You'll notice that they actually change the structure of Luke's Diner later in the tv show, but they keep this shot in the opening sequence.

And that church that I drove past on my way into town?

Its the church in the opening scene of the series!

So many of the buildings in Unionville really do remind me of Stars Hollow.

Couldn't this be the antique shop? :)

Or the barn behind here could have been Miss Patty's Dance Studio

Even more modern buildings like this one have been made to fit into the style of the rest of the town.

If you're not a fan of the tv show then maybe this won't mean anything to you, but I hope that you can still appreciate this adorable little town.

Are there any quaint small towns near you that are just too sweet to pass up? I'm always looking for good roadtrip stops :)