With Easter round the corner I am looking for ideas on how to set the table for our family dinner. Thought I would share some of my findings with you in this post. Obviously I spend way too much time decorating the table and not enough time cooking. Fortunately my guests know me well and bring the food! 

Here are some ideas  to consider when putting your tablescape together. Keeping budget in mind and a creative mind you can make your table shine and impress your guests with a beautiful presentation.

1. Au Natural 
If you want a simple natural look then consider using fresh flowers, neutrals and linen. Keeping a limited palette of neutrals and textured fabrics is a very Scandinavian style and makes quite the impact. We do like the black hardware here as it stands out against the neutral table linen.

2. Mixing it up with vintage
We call ourselves vintage hunters but really it should be vintage hoarders. Love how this table is mixed up with vintage brass candle sticks and paired with lavender. Not everyone will have a stash of brass rabbits so a smart replacement would be the gold chocolate Lindt rabbits.

Or consider using something completely unexpected like air plants. No green finger? then use the faux kind which are priced the same and last forever.

3. Creative centerpieces 
Adding a lil something special to the center of your plate is a nice touch and most of these items can be found at your local art store. Keeping your layering to one or two colors will make your setting elegant and classic.​ Mini eggs are typically what is used but I like the pie option in the second pic. It also serves as dessert!

4. Keeping it fresh
Nothing compares to fresh flowers so if you can splurge on one thing, make that fresh flowers. You can choose from your traditional choice of tulips and daffodils or go one step further and consider lily of the valley, lavender, pussy willow or even white roses. 

We like to bring in branches of the spring blooms like cherry or apple blossoms, even Magnolia branches with the pink flowers in full bloom. I do hope our trees flower in time this year, it's been so cold for so long.

5. D'Souza Residence Tablescape 2018
And this was our tablescape last year. Our guests felt so special and welcomed when they saw the effort we made. We used simple kraft paper as the base and layered it with baby's breath flower arrangements and marbled details. The centerpiece was made with a piece of burlap ribbon that was stapled together to form a nest and placed in a paper cup cake holder.

There are so many ideas here guys, have fun creating an impressive tablescape. I know it's all about the food but just imagine the food being set on a table like this. Your guests will love it. 

Have a wonderful Spring and Easter celebration with your families. Big hugs.
{All pics via Pinterest}

We took time out last month to give our master bedroom a bit of TLC. We had initially renovated it when we first moved into our home 10 yrs ago and there really wasn't anything wrong with it but we did feel it was time for a refresh.

​It all started with finding a storage solution for Dhiraj who had his clothes on a bench for the longest time (because the kind man gave me the entire walk in closet for my shtuff!) And then that snowballed into re-covering the headboard, fresh lick of paint, additional lighting and upgrading our doors & trim.

Since we did away with the ceiling fixture we needed additional lighting in the room and added these retro pendants circa Ikea 2003 above the white Malm chest of drawers. Further lighting was added with table lamps on the burl chest of drawers and all lighting is voice controlled via Google assistant. No more getting out of bed to turn switches on and off!!!

Doors, trim and baseboard were upgraded to a clean contemporary style that was painted in Factory White by Benjamin Moore that popped against the blue walls. We went from 1.5'' baseboards to 5.5'' baseboards and that alone made a huge difference to this sixties home. The doors were changed from flat slab doors to paneled rounded arch textured doors and all hardware was upgraded to satin nickle handles.  

Most times we are so caught up with our clients projects and do not have enough of time to complete our own renos. It was fun to finally give our bedroom some lovin. Did you like this makeover? do tell us what your favorite part of the room is.​

We attended the Home Show TO last week to check out what new home products have hit the market and here are some of our favorites. Starting with the Dream home which was a stunning design in black with fresh details on the inside. We do like a black facade on anything.

Beautiful details like this eclectic flamingo wallpaper in blue and contemporary lighting designs were some of the things that caught our attention.

Dream Home built by Bonneville with Interior Design by Bedford Brooks Design Inc. Furniture by Casalife and paint by Sherwin Williams. Art by PI Fine Art and linens by Linen Chest.

With a number of washrooms lined up this year for us we were sure to check out bath products like this stunning free standing tub faucet and this small vanity for a tight space.

Always on the look out for great hardware we found a new company called Pomelli designs who had a range of well designed hardware that would look great on any bar we design.

And of course we had to check out tile designs at CIOT. We do lean towards a classic black and white combo but this grey geometric one was my favorite. Imagine a kitchen with upper white cabinets, a black island and wood accent shelving to pull out the warm tones of this tile,..........dream kitchen for sure! 

We are armed with so many ideas for our 2019 projects and can't wait to share them with you. Spring is round the corner lovelies and if you haven't checked out my last post on ''Tips to add Spring decor to your home'' then keep scrolling.

This winter has been long eh! We are so over the piles of snow and ice and wearing winter boots in March. The good news is that Spring is just a few weeks away and then we can expect apple blossoms, tulips and daffodils popping their heads everywhere. Spring is my most favorite season of them all but then I say that about Summer and Fall too.

So while you wait for Spring to arrive, here are a few tips to bring the freshness indoors and "pretend'' like Spring is already here.  These small changes will instantly brighten and liven up any living space. Do not restrict these tips to just your living room but consider using these tips to add color to your entrance, bedroom, kitchen and washrooms too.

Tip 1 - BRANCHES & FOLIAGE
Add an over sized vase of tall branches of leaves or budding blooms on any table and instantly you bring in the outdoors. I do like something sculptural and these large banana leaves are something you would find in my home. You can either get the real ones at florist shops or good quality faux ones at your local Home goods store.

TIP 2 - FLORALS
Nothing can be better than fresh flowers in a room. I quite like the simple arrangement below of if you want something seasonal then a bunch of tulips would work too. You can achieve this with fresh flowers from your local grocery and with the cooler temps right now they should last a minimum of two weeks. My Valentine roses lasted a whole 20 days, I kid you not!

TIP 3 - PLANTS
If you can keep a plant alive then I would recommend going for a real plant something large & sculptural like a fiddle fig, a banana tree or the current craze: the Olive tree. I sure have a thing for the banana plant don't I?! But seriously green is a magical color, it completely transforms a room bringing a sense of life to a space. Another tip if you are not a plant person is going for prints of plants in art, cushions or throws. 

TIP 4 - FRUIT
Another great trick is using large bowls of fruit to bring color & freshness to a room. Try using something eclectic to hold the fruit like a cake stand, large mixing bowl or wood bowl. An interesting vessel makes the arrangement even better. I like using artichokes, pineapples or pomegranates in large brass bowls for my arrangements.

TIP 5 - SOFT FURNISHINGS 
​Changing up your cushions and throws is an affordable way to bring in seasonal touches to your home. Maybe a shot of yellow to signify daffodils or a hint of pink to represent tulips. A well kept secret is the range of accessories available at the H&M home store in Eaton Center. They have a fabulous range of home goods that come in great designs and easy on the wallet too.

TIP 6 - SCENTED CANDLES
Never underestimate the power of a candle. Last night I stole my daughter's mango candle and lit it up in my bedroom and it was the most beautiful nightly experience ever. The flickering light, the smell, the pretty peach glass vessel it came in............all senses were relaxed. Try floral scents of Jasmine or green apple too for that fresh smell.

Have fun with bringing Spring indoors friends. If you are looking for more inspiration then check out our Pinterest boards where we have tons of pins to peruse. Or follow our Instagram where we share more tips daily.