Creating the ultimate bedroom can be a very personal experience. The furniture, the lighting, the artwork – creating that perfect look, that lusted-after feeling that you want to evoke… well, as they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day. One can’t presume to spend an afternoon power shopping and expect to achieve a room in which they feel their most comfortable. These things take time –  especially when there are multiple opinions to consider.

In life, there are 3 decorating stages:

The Beginning, in which you spend your early years where your parents determine everything.

The Solo, in which you have your own place – free reign to do whatever you want!

The Couple, in which your opinion needs to be considered before execution of design.

Once you’ve been released from the family nest, it’s time to go out and invest in some key pieces to make your home truly yours.  However, like any good investment, you have to think of the long-term: when your bachelor/bachelorette days are over and you marry your one true love – and their furniture. How might some key pieces potentially carry forward into your future living situations?

The Solo: Masculine Man Cave

Men like dark spaces. Whenever you hear a man describe his ultimate personal domain, it always has the word “cave” in it. And like any good cave, dark furniture sets the tone for a room filled with hard lines, deep colors and strong statement pieces.  A dark wall color sets the mood in a room filled with espresso-coloured furniture and charcoal and navy blue textiles. In a room like this, the Meridian collection is a perfect partnering for the Ella bed. The combination creates a space that is mysterious, moody and brawny – all characteristics of the perfect man(cave).

Items featured: Ella Bed, Meridian Nightstand, Wall Street Bedding, Fable Forest Print, Gustavo Table Lamp, Buddha (white), Grandfather Clock, Vivid Rug, Tessa Pleated Pillow (charcoal) – all products from Urban Barn

The Solo: Glamorous Diva Quarter

Women love beautiful things. We thrive on creating the ideal lifestyle: beautiful clothing, fabulous friends and the perfect bedroom. We love things that glitter, light colors, and sensational textures.  Why not add a little glamour into the bedroom by bringing the Reflection dresser together with the elegant Boudoir bed? By painting your walls a pastel lilac and introducing white and taupe elements through the use of textiles, accents and lighting, you can create a sensual space filled with all things that sparkle.

Items featured: Boudoir Bed, Reflection Dresser, Adora Bedding, Liza Table Lamp, Shoe Envy, Lira Cushion (Grey), Geometric Cushion (Grey)

The Couple: Masculine Diva Quarter: The Best of Both Worlds

With 2 sets of values/styles/opinions, finding that perfect balance in any relationship is tough. Finding it when decorating the bedroom: NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. The key to finding that perfect mix of his and hers is to blend together the essential elements of both male and female. It’s important to keep colors neutral, but punchy – light and airy, yet hard.  Taking the Ella bed from the man cave and pairing it with the gorgeous Reflection dresser allows for a happy marriage of a strong, hard masculine piece with soft and glamorous design. It’s important to keep both parties’ personalities in tact in the room – you want both to feel comfortable and at ease in the room.  Lastly, while with larger pieces of furniture it’s always nice to repurpose in a new space, take the time to shop for new accents to help bring together your vision: the cohesion of 2 bedrooms, 2 looks, and 2 lives.

Items featured: Ella Bed, Reflection Dresser, Gustavo Lamp, Wall St. Bedding, Lira Cushion (Grey), Geometric Cushion (Grey)

I love shopping – any kind of shopping. I can spend hours in any store – whether it be a chic clothing boutique, or my neighbourhood Loblaws. However, I understand that shopping is sometimes a challenge! But it doesn’t have to be. As long as you keep these tips in mind, shopping for your next custom furniture piece can be as easy as 1, 2, 3, (4 and 5!)

1. Come with inspiration. You don’t need to know exactly what you are shopping for, or even how you want it to look. In fact, having the picture perfect layout in your head sometimes makes it even more difficult to find the perfect piece for your space. I know the most challenging shopping trips I have ever endured have been when I knew exactly what I wanted – because it never exists!  However, having a general idea of how you want your space to feel or function will help us steer you in the right direction.

2. Measurements are key. It’s very important to shop for furniture with a sense of your space. Builder plans, hand drawn floor plans… anything that provides a sense of the amount of space you are working with can help narrow down your options. Remember to also measure the stairway, hallway or elevator! You don’t want to fall in love with something that your building has determined you can’t have. See tips on how to measure here. Our Room Planner is a great tool for planning out your space!

3. Don’t be afraid to share your opinion! If you like what the sales associate is showing you – say it! If you don’t – let them know that too. By getting a sense up front of what you like and don’t like, you’ll have an easier time finding a design that suits your personal taste.

4. Come with an open mind.  The best shopping experience is when you feel like you can trust the person you are working with. While I know not everyone has the same sense of style , your sales associate will do their best to educate you on all your options, styles and colours. It’s a great idea to take home some of the fabrics you’re interested in –  it’s helpful to live with your options for a day or so, see how they work with your existing pieces of furniture or paint colours, and how they look at different times of the day. I always recommend that clients lay out the fabrics in the space they want to put their furniture and check on it a few times a day.

5. Love it – and be proud of it!  Once you have explored all your options, spent time with your fabrics and checked out all you measurements, it’s time to make the final cut. Whatever you decide, be proud of the consideration and time you’ve put into your choice.  Just like that fabulously-cut blazer, you will be more confident about your home when you love everything in it.

With the Grammys this past weekend, and the Oscars just around the corner, awards season is coming to a close. What better way to say goodbye then to throw a fabulous bash? Whether you’re planning a high rolling soirée or just kicking it with the ladies, no send off affair is complete without the following:

1. Mood Lighting

No party is complete without some mood lighting. Let’s be honest, lighting can be a girls’ best friend – or her worst enemy. What better way to create a pleasing ambiance than to fill the room with strategically placed candles and let the lighting set the tone of your night? If you’ve been into an Urban Barn recently, you’re sure to have noticed the arrival of the ever-popular Trina lamp’s sister, Liza. Complete with Table, Floor, and most recently the Pendant lamp,  there’s no better way to add a bit of glam to your home.

Liza Table Lamp in White

2. A Delicious Recipe

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – food can make or break any event. You want your guests feeling as if they’ve just entered a gourmet restaurant (without you having to slave over the stove all day). My go to favorite: Garlic Butter White Wine Shrimp Linguine. Sounds luxurious, but it’s a mouth-watering dish that doesn’t break the bank.

To make, simply dice 2 medium-sized shallots and cloves of garlic. Let sweat in 2 teaspoons of olive oil. In the meantime,slice about 8 large mushrooms and throw in the pot as soon as the onions start to brown. Sauté until mushrooms soften, then add in 1/3 cup of white wine, and 1 tbsp of butter (delish!). Once butter has melted, throw in shrimp (uncooked) and let turn pink. Add salt and pepper to taste, serve with linguine (or your fave pasta) et VOILA!

Garlic Butter White Wine Shrimp Linguine

 3. Gorgeous Serving Ware

Now that you’ve rustled up the main attraction, you need something with pizzaz to show it off! Why not throw tradition to the wind? Instead of using your tried and true dish set, try something unconventional. Something functional.

Assorted Serving Ware

4. Fabulous friends

Last but not least, to make any party a success, you need your most fabulous friends in attendance! Check out Evite for some great awards night themed invites. There are less than 2 weeks to go, so you’ll want to start sending them now!

With tips like these, you’ll be sure to let everyone know you’re a rock star hostess.