Audrey + Gem Prints

You might have noticed Dans le Townhouse has a new sponsor: Audrey & Gem.  Longtime readers will know Gemma: we did a my take/her take DIY project together and have even shared our thrifting adventures (I found my seagull when we were thrifting together).  Some of you even won her beautiful prints in a giveaway we did!  Since then, Gemma has added some gorgeous new designs to her Etsy shop:

But don't worry, Gemma still offers her signature vibrant watercolour prints too:

Isn't she talented?  I especially appreciate how affordable her prints are ($16) and that she welcomes the chance to personalize prints for people, to commemorate an event or celebrate a place.  If you or someone you love needs a dose of something pretty and uplifting, take a peek at her Etsy shop here. 

If you're curious, you can also see some of her art in her own home on her blog, The Sweetest Digs.  For Ottawa folks, Gemma has a second business too (she's one busy Mama!), renting vintage finds for weddings and events.  Check out her Pieces of Love shop here.

Speaking of advertisements, you might have noticed I've scaled back on my sidebar ads.  Although I certainly appreciate the perk of being compensated for the time I spend writing, editing photos and dreaming up cute projects, I just didn't feel good about promoting companies I knew little about.  Now I'm trying to reserve sidebar ads for companies I personally know are completely awesome and have switched gears to do more product reviews so I can actually see and use the products from companies that support my writing. 

Truly Swedish Design - An Ottawa Decor Store

When we needed to buy a few cute, cheap things for our temporary apartment in Hungary we ventured out to an Ikea.  Have you been to an Ikea in another country?  I was floored by how similar the display rooms looked to the ones in Canada.  Are they all the same?  I love Ikea (like everyone, we have a couple of pieces of Ikea furniture - a wall unit and my much-loved Expedit) but walking around the packed store I had this weird feeling that in 20 years, everyone in the world might have the exact same rooms. 

If you love Swedish design but want a more intimate shopping experience or crave more unusual, high-style Swedish designs, try Truly Swedish Design, an Ottawa-based store that also has a well stocked online shop.  The Westboro location is petite, but chock full of gorgeous Swedish textiles, kitchen wares, and decorative items.  Here's a little peek (click here for address and hours):

I highly recommend stopping by if you're in Ottawa.  Annika, the shop's founder and owner, is a Swedish native and style maven.  I am so impressed by how knowledgeable, stylish and down to earth she is.  She loves to discuss design and can suggest the perfect items for your home.  Annika is also available for no-strings, one-on-one shopping outside of her business hours, which I think is a fantastic option for busy professionals or people who need a little direction.  She even recommends bringing some photos, so together you can figure out some design solutions. 

For my readers not based in Ottawa, here's are some of Annika's favorite items but you can take a peek at the website for many more!

Tray Bonan

Hinza Bags

Mira Rug

Nordic Light Candelabra

Truly Swedish Design is the newest advertiser on Dans le Townhouse (you'll see her ad in the sidebar), but I was not paid to write this post and all opinions are mine.  I just love the shop and wanted to make sure you all received a proper introduction!

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Reader Q: Shades of Light

I have received many emails from readers asking about our various light fixtures and table lamps.  Unfortunately, many are vintage or were bought pre-blog, back in the day when, "We got them at that place that closed down, beside the hotel my parents stayed at when we were renovating," was a sufficient answer to the question, "Where'd you get this cool light?"

I don't know what brands most of them are and the store has closed.  How useless am I? 

Luckily, Shades of Light, the newest company to advertise on Dans le Townhouse, has a fabulous selection of lighting and I hand-picked a few light fixtures and table lamps that are similar to ours for folks looking for something like what we have.  Hope this helps!

Oil Rubbed Bronze Fixtures:

We picked oil-rubbed bronze fixtures for our upstairs hallway, stairwell and main floor half bath.  We liked the bit of punctuation against all-white walls.  These stylish Fresnel Glass Restoration Bath Lights (with two or three lights) would be something we would pick if we were renovating again.  So chic!

White Drum Shade Pendant:

I think I probably get the most questions about our simple, drum shade pendant in the dining room.  Shades of Light has so many to choose from I couldn't pick just one to show you, so here are my favorites: ones that are simple, but have thoughtful details.

Clockwise, from the top left, I love the subtle pleating of the Pintuck Pleated Silk Drum Shade Pendant and the unusual metal accents of the Loft Shade Chandelier.  The soft shape of the Flower Drum Shade Pendant works perfectly with the on-trend gold hardware, while the last option, the Sheer Champagne Shade Chandelier, is a pared-back fixture made more fancy with a sheer drum shade.

But there's more I like!  The double shade of the aptly named Double Drum Pendant looks so fancy but if you really want sizzle, take a peek at the Dripping Crystal Shade Chandelier.  It looks like a snowfall!  The trim on the flower-shaped Fluted Shade Lantern Pendant makes it look a little different from the rest, while the Springfield Linen Lantern Shade Chandelier is very refined and classic. 

What I Pine For:

For our next house, though, I've already been lusting over something a little more dramatic, but my taste is pretty eclectic, ranging from a sparkly (turquoise!) Fluted Murano Style Glass Chandelier to the cool Modernized Rustic Iron Chandelier.

Vintage Lotte-look & White Table Lamps:

A few of our table lamps are vintage, so it breaks my heart when readers ask where to buy them.  But I found a few table lamps I'd like to make mine, so maybe one will tickle your fancy too?  I pinned the Sizzling Colour Geometric Ceramic Table Lamps ages ago but still heart it.  Of course I love the white, but it comes in bright pops of colour too.  Next up: the lovely Long Neck Ceramic Table Lamps reminds me so much of the Lotte lamps in our living room and guest room.  I get so many questions about those but this option is just as cute - and less expensive!

We are currently shopping for a flush mounted fixture for our in-progress laundry room reno, and this is what I'm eyeing: the super funky Convertible Ceiling to Wall Colour Pop Sconce, or . . .

. . . the matte black Nantucket Ceiling Light or maybe the ultra simple Dual Ring Ceiling Light?  There are too many gorgeous options!!



Hope this helped any readers shopping for similar styles!  Be sure to check out Shades of Light for other styles (plus rugs, mirrors, and other home decor items).  And if you have any other Q's for me, shoot me an email: dans.le.townhouse@gmail.com.  I love hearing from you!

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