Living Walls, & Cottage Paint greens, the Camellia.

 The colour GREEN represents healing, Life, the start of Spring, new grass and so much more. Cushion moss is used in the white bowl, along with reindeer moss dyed lime green. The colour 'Sour Apple' Cottage Paint was used to paint the old chair, which eventually will sit in a garden bed. The colour 'Lichen' Cottage Paint ( Serenity) is a soothing greyish green and looks beautiful on a wall. 

Cushion moss balls are a great, low-care alternative in Garden design. Green is soothing. How beautiful is this stone urn with a giant moss ball! 

Fresh green Ivy .......simple, yet stunning in a garden. 

A living wall ...with muscari plants. What a beautiful spot to have an outdoor washbasin! A living moss wall needs an irrigation system of watering tubes to keep the wall healthy. 

A Peacock with all his beautiful feathers - various shades of blues and greens. There is so much beauty around us. We just have to look around us!. 

When it's really cold outside ( just like it is now, -40 C), the green of living plants is very welcome, although the lack of humidity tends to make leaves a little brown on the edges. A light misting should be done every day with ferns and orchids.

Here is a small moss wall which is in progress. Moss walls add that green element in a room, and this one has an inspirational saying stencilled onto a black ash round. We will have Living moss walls for sale at the #SpringhomeandGardenShow2019 taking place April 5, 6, and 7th. at the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition grounds. 

Want to add a touch of Spring green to your decor? paint something green. 

There are many greens in the Cottage Paint line. From top to bottom: Pea soup, Sour Apple ( the colour in the jar), Lichen, Revere Green, Chive and Forest Shadow.

Come into our store, The Camellia, at 30/32 Hacquoil Rd. to see our selection of Cottage Paints. We have green wreaths for your spring decor, green-themed flower and dried bouquets, and much more. 

Open Wednesday through Sunday. 

p (807)475-3551

www.thecamellia.com

What are we doing with our Time? January at The Camellia, Slate River, Ontario

It's a common complaint.....I don't know where the time went, how can it be 4pm. already? Where did the day go? 

I don't have enough hours in my day. 

How can it be the middle of January already? where did the time go? 

If only I had more time. 

I'm so busy! How about you? what are you up to? 

Did you plan a trip lately? You probably spent hours looking on Hotels.com, Trip Advisor and maybe Sunwing. Hours spent looking at reviews from those people  who stayed at the same Hotel you are thinking of booking. We have this insane need to know everything before we go anywhere....360 degree views of the hotel ! By the time we board the plane, we have spent hours trying to get the best deal on various Travel websites. 

Here we are at Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, in the Laundry Room. The amount of hours that went into doing the laundry! 

We are lucky we don't have to spend hours, or days, doing Laundry. Now we have all kinds of Washers and Dryers where we load the clothes, push a button and walk away. We all know people who are spending so much time on the internet - buying all manner of nonsense on Ebay and Amazon. We may get carried away with online auctions, and end up buying items we don't really need. 

What most of us really want is more Time, time to stop and smell the Tulips. so the question we need to ask ourselves is this: what are we spending our time on? What would we like to be doing instead of our 'Have-to-get-done' list? 

Here's an idea....you can take a Paint Pour Class at The Camellia. How fun is this? 

You may want to try baking from scratch. Look at this yummy Apple bake.
What to get more done? Then working fewer hours is the key. 

http://www.happinez.com/blog/2019/1/05/want-to-get-more-done-work-fewer-hours

We have this wonderful cookbook from Joanna Gaines in our store. 

Stop for a second and think about the contrast of how much daily living consumed our lives centuries ago, and now, we have everything so much more streamlined and it's still not enough. We continue to push more and more into our lives. Enjoy the Journey, and come visit us here at The Camellia. Take a Class, and get some Spring inspiration. 

www.thecamellia.com

The Camellia, 30/32 Hacquoil Rd. Slate River, On. 

p 807-475-3551

Open Wed. through sunday. 

Historical Paint combinations that still work today, Cottage Paint, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Sometimes we can get all wrapped up in the latest trend in colour, or lack thereof, at the moment. You may be tempted to paint all your walls white, and grey, rip out all your carpets, and throw out most of what you own in Home decor. Trends are well, Tr-ends, the very word itself ends with -end. Trends end, they come and they go. Don't get caught in the Trend of the moment. If you're going to be in your house for the next 10 years or so, paint your walls with colours that make you happy. How happy will you be with drab, grey walls in the middle of winter? Don't be afraid to add some colour to your decor.  

Today we look back at Historical colours  - what was popular in early Virginian homes?  Board and Batten, Mouldings and trim painted in various hues, these all add interest to rooms. 

Someone confessed to me, the other day, that she had a thing for antique chairs, and collected them at auctions and yard sales. The green of the chairs stands out from the blue of the walls, yet it all works beautifully together. 

This is a wonderful example of a two-colour distress technique. One colour is layered over another, and then distressed. This gives a piece of furniture a wonderful, old patina. 

Visit our store, the Camellia to see Cottage Paint furniture charts, sample charts, and much more.  Yes you can buy Cottage Paint to try out. They come in 8oz.jars, quarts, and gallons. 

The Camellia, 30/32 Hacquoil Rd. Slate River, On.

p 807-475-3551

www.thecamellia.com

When is it going to be shorts and sandals weather in Thunder Bay? Searching for Summer...

Aaaah Summer! The very word conjures up visions of hot, sunny days, fanning oneself, drinking tall glasses of Lavender Lemonade, wearing shorts and sandals, and being outside in the Sunshine. Imagine sitting on a beautifully decorated Patio, with beachy Lanterns, outdoor rugs and comfy Patio Furniture. 

Reality in Thunder Bay has been Rain, cool temperatures, and more Rain. It's almost JULY...Canada Day long weekend is almost here, and yes, surprise, it's been raining all day!! It's enough to drive a Summer-loving person crazy! As for going Camping, well, it's not too much fun in the pouring rain, with blackflies bugging you. 

We tend to sometimes dwell on all the things that we want to do, and can't, because it's RAINING AGAIN!! One thing you can do is look around inside your Home or Garage or covered deck, and do one of those jobs that need doing, like this tiling job that's been in limbo for 2 years. Do you have jobs waiting around for the right time to do them....?

There is always the dreaded Closet clean-out. We might not want to tackle it, because we have clothes we are hanging onto ( in case we lose weight), or clothes we have never worn ( but spent a lot of money on), or a mountain of Summer clothes we can't wear because we have no Summer! Once we clean the closet out, (we hate to admit it),   we can find our clothes easier and the whole room seems to just feel better.  

Rainy days are great days to get to those pieces of Furniture that need painting. We have this antique Schoolhouse chair which would look so much better if it was painted with Cottage Paint. Maybe Cloudy Day like the bookcase...or maybe Sea Turtle or a combination of both? What have you got laying around unused in a corner, or in the basement, that you could revamp with #CottagePaint? 

Here is a bookcase that was bought secondhand from someone who was moving...it was a  woodgrain ( faux wood)  look before, and we painted it with Cottage Paint - colour Cloudy Day. What a difference! It now has a coastal feel to it. Can #cottagePaint go over mdf? Yes, it can, most of the time. It does not go over Thermofoil. 

What do you do on rainy days?

 For #Lake & #Coastal-inspired Decor, and #CottagePaint, visit The Camellia, 30, Hacquoil Rd. Slate River, On .

p(807)475-3551

www.thecamellia.com

How to add Nautical details... Perfect for Camp Decor in Northwestern Ontario.

Camp -that's what they call a home by the Lake in Northwestern Ontario. A.k.a cottage, or Beach Retreat, or second Home away from Home. It's usually on a Lake, situated near forest and breathtaking views. And well, sometimes the decor in these Camps can be a mish-mash of old, unwanted items or the decor can be over-the-top too fancy for a Lakeside Retreat. You want to feel like you are getting away from it all, and above all, you want to be able to relax and enjoy yourself. 

All right, where do you start? Pick a colour scheme. Draw inspiration form Nature, look at all the various shades in these shells! These shells represent a fairly neutral palette. If you live and work in a busy place, then neutral is your palette. 

Nautical details are so in for Camp decor.....you can imagine yourself on a ship, leaving all your worries behind. 

Look at the colours on this large Lobster who just got pulled from a Lobster Trap in Jamaica. Shades of terracota, dark browns, ivorys and dark yellows, these are all warm tones, also perfect for Camp decor. What will you choose as your colour palette?

 Then there is all that blue, a million shades of blue. Draw inspiration from the Ocean and the Lakes. 

Blues are soothing...sitting on the dock of the Bay watching the water in the Summer. Blues and greys look well together. 

STEP # 2:  Decide what Furniture is going where. Paint your Furniture with Cottage Paint, which you can buy at our store, The Camellia, at 30, Hacquoil Rd. There are 50+ colours to choose from. Check out this old Sklar-Pepplar record cabinet which was dark and dreary before it was painted with Cottage Paint. 

 STEP 3: decide what Nautical details you are going to use such as Roping,  Rocks are fairly inexpensive and can be used to accent decor in your Camp. 

Enough talking ...let's show you what a Lake/Coastal themed Camp could look like. Today,we are headed to our favourite B&B on Salt Spring Island...we head over on the ferry, and get to this beautiful retreat, all done up in a Coastal Beachy/Lake theme. Wire baskets holding pieces of Driftwood, collected on walks. Starfish and vases with candles. Blues....echoing the blue of the water beside us. 

This is the Kitchen area...our hosts have left us homemade granola and a Quiche for Breakfast. Sheer heaven to be in  such a beautiful place with nothing to do but Relax. 

Shiplap walls..., and that comfy Bed. You can imagine just plunking yourself down on it. 

Nautical and Beach and Coastal Decor - for some of us this is  Paradise. Head to The Camellia in #Thunder Bay and #SlateRiver for Camp and Coastal decor. Have a Camp and need some help with decorating? Send us some photos and book a Design consultation. 

The Camellia, 30, Hacquoil Rd. Slate River, 

p (807)475 3551

www.thecamellia.com

Visit the Camellia at Spring Home & Garden Show 2017, Thunder Bay, C.L.E.

Bamboo 6pce. Queen sized sheet set ( 4 Pillowcases) $39.95 ea.

Hello! Get your Spring on at the Spring Home & Garden Show...starts TODAY at 4p.! Visit The Camellia, we are in the Coliseum, Booth #3. Who is thinking about lounging on the PATIO, soaking up the Sun, and enjoying a wonderful meal outdoors?  Our PATIO TABLECLOTHS have arrived! 3 sizes: 60"round, 54 x 72" rectangle, 60"x 90"rectangle. We have them for sale at the Garden show- all sizes $29.99 ea. 
 
We know many of you have tried (and love) our indoor/outdoor Tablecloths which repel water and are stain resistant. We are excited to announce a new model ..this is the Outdoor Patio Tablecloth which has a hole in the middle, allowing you to have your Patio umbrella on the table. The Patio Tablecloths have a hole in the middle with zipper. They come in bright colours, and have matching cushions.

At the Garden Show we will have Cottage/Chalk Paint for sale, plus a number of sample Kitchen cabinet doors which we have painted with our Cottage Paint, including navys and blacks.
Focus this Spring On Lakeside Living, we have Lake themed
  signs, pillows, paint, and much more. CAMP should be a tranquil, beautiful space, not a place where all your unwanted, mismatched furniture ends up. Take a Spring Wreath class, Make a Flower Crown, or take one of our Paint & Stencil Workshops
http://www.thecamellia.com/classes-at-the-camelia.html

HOURS for Garden Show ( C.L.E. Grounds)
Friday 4-9pm
Saturday, April 8. 10am  - 6pm
Sunday, April 9th. 11am-4pm

Like their Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/Springhomeandgardenshowtbay/ . 

Are we Open at our store on 30, Hacquoil Rd. this weekend? Call first and let us know what time you would like to come, p.475-3551 . Many hours of planning and set-up go into Trade Shows, do come out and see us at the Garden Show!
 

  
  
 

Cottage/Chalky Paint

Our Patio Tablecloths..new! Just In!

Camp & Lake decor. 

See us in the Coliseum Building, Booth #3. 

p (807)475-3551

Trying to hold onto your sanity when doing Bathroom home renos...Happy Jan 1st. 2017! The Camellia.

It's January 1st. of 2017!  A New Year...full of possibilities, new ideas, and dreaming about Home Renovations. 

We dream about a new Bathroom..a Sanctuary...our sanctuary...devoid of  Rubber duckies, dirty clothes strewn  on the floor, and worse yet, stinky toilets with seats left up. A place where we can relax, and restore ourselves and our sanity. 

Some of us have Ideabooks on Houzz, we have Pinterest boards on our Dream Bathroom, but never get beyond the dream-about-it-stage. Time to change all that, it's a New Year, and with the Holidays out of the way, this is the perfect time to plan your new Bathroom. 

Your Bathroom doesn't have to be as elaborate as this beauty in the above photo, it can be simple and basic, depending on your budget and time frame. It goes without saying that all ideas should be discussed with your partner before you start contacting a contractor and tradespeople. Some of us get stuck at this stage...we end us fighting..."The Bathroom is fine the way it is, why do we need double sinks, I don't care what the Property Brothers say, what do they know..? " Is it too soon to start finding a contractor? No, the best ones are booked way ahead of time, and you have to join the line. 

#BarnDoors are so in ...are you DIYing and want a more cost effective #BarnBoard? Come into The Camellia and ask about our #CottagePaint #Barnboard paint techniques. 

Bathroom at #WhitewaterGolfHomes condominium.. built by Di Gregorio Developments, and styled by #TheCamellia. This home was part of the Spring #ThunderBayArtGallery #HouseTour 2016. For more information on these Townhomes  visitwww.digregoriodevelopments.com. 

This is a Master Bath at Whitewater Town Homes, If you have an old cabinet which is Oak, and looking a bit tired, you can paint it with #CottagePaint. No stripping, and no mess, and no smell. And 55 colours to choose from. 

Here is a china cabinet which one of our clients painted. This is the Before. Where can you buy #CottagePaint? At The Camellia in Thunder Bay, On. 

Here is the AFTER. Beautiful Cottage Paint makeover! Getting back to the mess of renovations, how does one get through it? We start, and just want to fast-forward to the finish line! Most of us are bored with plumbing issues, and drains, and vents and the list goes on. We want everything to be done quickly, and work perfectly. We may obsess a bit ( or a lot) and drive our plumbers and other tradespeople crazy. Our tradespeople may drive us crazy by taking on too many jobs at the same time.

And we forgot about the mess, and the dust, and the constant cleaning. And the stress of having to make decisions, and then waiting for stock to come in. We may have chosen some sinks purely for their looks, not their practicality.  Anyone ever used a Vessel sink with a tall spout, you turn on the tap, and water shoots out, hits the vessel sink, and sploosh onto your clothes...( now you look like you had a bathroom accident...sigh...) Not to mention all the stuff that was in your Bathroom, which is now homeless and strewn all over the rest of the house. This is also when you realize how much unused Hair products and make-up reside in your Bathroom. 

What is our advice to you? Expect Mess, cost overruns, and delays. In the end, you will have a fabulous bathroom, and it will all be worth it.

Come into The Camellia today to discuss your DIY Renos, and to get #CottagePaint and #FarrowandBall paint, along with custom Florals  & accessories for your bathroom. 

The Camellia, 30/32 Hacquoil Rd. Thunder Bay, Slate River, On

p (807)475-3551

www.thecamellia.com