Design for Living
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Sir Noël Coward, the legendary English playwright, actor, singer, director and composer was also known for his flamboyant wit and personal style. -
Immortalized in this stone statue, Coward sits forever in his beloved garden, peering out onto an almost unchanged glorious natural coastline. -
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Inside, rooms are filled with Coward’s original furniture, artifacts, paintings and photographs. -
A photo of good friend, Marlene Dietrich sits atop the piano. -
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East of Oracabessa, Jamaica sits Firefly, named after the glowing insects indigenous to these lush hills. Noël Coward’s famed mountaintop estate offers an unparallelled view of St Mary’s harbor, the original lookout for the notorious pirate Sir Henry Morgan (of rum bottle fame).
My sense of importance to small. On the other hand importance to myself to the world is relatively hand my sense of my own myself is tremendous.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGELA AUCLAIR
Pumpkin Patch DIY
Cast a spell on Halloween with these devilishly-dyed doily-covered pumpkins. The eerie display is — to die for.
Follow the DIY Guy’s 5 easy steps to create your own earily beautiful entrance this holiday season.
Read the entire article ‘DIY Guy - Pumpkin Patch’ in Issue 10 of Dabble.
How to Properly Use Painter’s Tape
A great paint job begins with solid preparation. Proper masking technique for paint protection is key to achieving sharp, clear paint lines that will make any project have professional results. The following steps will help you prepare for almost any paint project.
Preparation:
* Use sandpaper to smooth the wall.
Read the entire article ‘DIY Guy - Faux-Panelled Walls’ in Issue 1 of Dabble
Step up the Style
Step up the style quotient in your dressing room, says DIY Guy Nicholas Rosaci. Make a decorative ladder to display haberdashery and accessories.
Read the entire article ‘DIY Guy - The Height of Style’ in Issue 9 of Dabble
My Date with Wolverine
It’s no secret: I enjoy a good challenge, from designing spaces to coming up with an awesome new DIY.
Recently, Dabble challenged me to go on a hike for the launch of Wolverine‘s patented ICS Hiking Shoes. These shoes use disc technology as a way of customizing the level of support the insole provides the foot, based on comfort and the way a person walks.
The wonderful people from Elevator Communications Inc. were on hand at Evergreen Brick Works to help the group of hikers gear up for the day. This dynamic public park, located in the heart of Toronto, was named one of the top 10 geo-tourism destinations in the world by National Geographic.
Feeling quite prepared, I couldn’t help but wonder if my new hiking shoes would get me through all of the obstacles in the vast outdoors. I must be honest: I had never gone hiking in my life and the thought of bugs and grass stains terrified me. But, in the spirit of self-evolution and a challenge set by Dabble, I stepped out on my first trail.
The park was an excellent venue for the day with an abundance of different terrain to give the shoes a good workout. After what seemed like hours to me-only to be corrected by one of the hikers who said it was only 7 minutes-we reached a mammoth mountain of rock and boulders. OK fine! Perhaps I’m exaggerating a little, but it certainly was a big hill.
The hike was followed by a beautiful lunch under a tent. The tables were dressed with white linens and the plate chargers were made of sliced tree stumps (great inspiration for a DIY). Marvelling at my accomplishment, and my chic new pair of Wolverine shoes, I realized that hiking and the woods really aren’t that bad!
Rockaby Birdie
Nicholas Rosaci’s DIY dreams branch out into an enchanting and elegant baby’s room decoration. Print out this templates and make your own.
TO MAKE THE BIRD:
TO MAKE THE FLOWER:
Read the entire article ‘DIY Guy - Rockabye Birdie’ in Issue 8 of Dabble.
At Dusk
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Orange and blue are complementary colours that work in harmony with the pool. -
“I dabble in... entertaining. There’s nothing I like more than having my close friends over”. ~ Matt -
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Matt prepares tangy martinis at the tiki bar. -
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RIGHT Simple and stylish appetizersare crowd pleasers. -
Send a message to guests on slate plates from Crate and Barrel. -
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Dabble’s DIY Guy, Nicholas Rosaci takes a well-deserved seat in the lush setting he’s created for his client. -
"Attention to detail is what really gives a home a feeling of quality and style. Every detail should work in harmony to create a space that truly sings." ~Nicholas
At dusk….that’s when this newly transformed backyard looks its starlit best. How fitting, since the house in question belongs to crooner and jazz vocalist Matt Dusk.
In designing an at-home retreat for the globe trotting musician, designer Nicholas Rosaci artfully combines two of his client’s passions—travel and vintage Hollywood.
Starting with a great backdrop helps any decorating project and Nicholas was pleased to see the combination of buff brick on the house and terracotta on the patio floor. Against these fixed elements, the daring designer added bold aqua blue and fiery orange to, “Ahem, jazz things up.”
“Orange is current and urbane,” says Nicholas, “and it complements the watery blues of the swimming pool.” To give the casual dining area a sense of ceremony, Nicholas circled its perimeter with breezy white drapery panels by Sunbrite Drapery. Moroccan lanterns lend sparkle to evening events and set an exotic mood.
Favourite element? “Oh, it has to be the tiki bar,” says Matt. “And I make a mean martini too.”
The World on a String
Create a romantic mood by hanging all-weather light strings reminiscent of an Italian piazza or Tuscan courtyard.
Dream a Little Dream
Before purchasing a patio set, find some online design images for inspiration. End of season deals are always a possibility.
The Best is Yet to Come
Treat the patio with the same reverence as the living room. Dress the fence with art, mirrors and sculpture.
Memories are Made of This
Once the project is complete, christen it with friends and a festive celebration.
