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

Camp hacks from someone who lived near the Amazon Rainforest, May long Weekend in Northern Ontario

It's HERE!! May long Weekend..the start of Fishing season..and Camping..and getting the Boat out, and ....we know, you can hardly contain your excitement! you have waited all Winter for this. 

You eagerly look forward to walking by the Lake, to Barbecues and good times spent by the Firepit. 

You are happy to see all the Mommas with their babies, and Life is just wonderful. You pack up the boat, buy groceries, pack a supply of books and fun things to do, and head out to Camp. You get there, and just walk from your vehicle to the doorway of your Camp, and then you notice you have ticks crawling quickly up your leg. Screeeeaaam.......!! 

Bugs....and ceepy-crawlies...don't you just hate them? Here's advice from someone who used to live close to the Rainforest in South America: 

1. No exposed skin. Cover up!! If it's hot, wear some cotton long pants and thin long-sleeved shirts. Mosquitoes and sandflies come out in the evenings, so make sure you are covered up. 
2. Army boots and pants tucked into socks when walking in the grass. When you get indoors, check for ticks, or undress and change into different clothes. Have a mirror by the door so you can check for ticks. 
3. Buy a Mosquito Net from The Camellia. Our Mosquito and no-see-um nets are a life-saver, hang them over your bed or sofa, and sit or sleep in peace and relax. They are especially useful for new babies, hang them over their crib or bassinet. Ours fold up into a small flat package when not in use. 
4. No perfumes or heavily scented body creams, use a natural bug repellent which is safe for you. 

Yes, you don't have to worry about Piranhas, or snakes such as Boa constrictors, or Rattlesnakes which were common where I grew up, however Ticks can carry very serious diseases. And these diseases are masked as something else, read this article http://www.nextavenue.org/kris-kristoffersons-dementia-now-believed-caused-lyme-disease/

You head into your Camp, and take a look around, and while you love the familiarity of some old pieces of furniture, and mismatched cabinetry in the Kitchen, you've just been watching HGTV's Home to Win, and you may catch yourself  dreaming about some much needed renos. But where to start? At The Camellia we can help you come up with a plan, first step is for you to take some photos and email them to us. We can help you with  colour schemes , painting your wood panelling and cabinetry and /or furniture, new cushion covers, and some new Lake decor & Vintage pieces. A Fish/ Waterside Lake theme is well suited for Camp. Find this Tin sign and many others at our store, The Camellia, at 30, Hacquoil Rd. 

Look at this Kitchen Makeover ( in progress) , done with #Cottage Paint from The  Camellia.

Our prints are coated so you don't need glass, which means no glare from the glass, and no glass to break if it falls. See that Barnboard wall? This is done with a paint technique from #CottagePaint. Take a Barnboard Class at www.thecamellia.com

Don't forget the right gear, our camo leggings and MultiKap Bug Hat. Nothing worse than having blackfly bites by your ears. 

With the recent Ice storm and bad weather, some of our Robins died. However, we hope that the ones that survived are starting to build nests and lay these lovely coloured blue eggs. 

Happy MAY Long Weekend! Don't forget to try out our Camp hacks, and stop by The Camellia for Camp & Lake decor, Bedding, Mosquito Nets, Cottage/Chalky Paint, Camo leggings and much more!

Open Wednesday through Sunday. 30, Hacquoil Rd. p (807) 475-3551

The Camellia is OPEN on May Long Weekend

Happy MAY long weekend!! The Camellia is open all weekend,  Barnboard class on today, and Friday, May 20th. ( same class both days)

Happy dance - it's MAY long weekend!   Our store on Hacquoil Rd. is OPEN  Wednesday through Sunday, and we are open MAY long , FRI.  11-5, Sat. 11-5, and Sunday 12-5. Barnboard classes are on  today, May 19th. and Friday, May 20th.  Our Beginners' Cottage Paint class on May 26th. is full, we are adding a class on  Friday, May. 27th. Do phone if you would like to come on May 27th.     Heading out to Camp this weekend?  Stop in at The Camellia first, to get Mosquito nets and No-see-um nets. Place them over your bed to stop you getting bitten, and to stop ticks from getting into bed with you. Sadly, the news is correct, the ticks are bad this year.  We have NAPA Valley diffusers, and Beekman 1802 products to help get rid of that musty, locked up smell. of course, don't forget the faux flowers, these add beauty without the fuss and mess of fresh. And our favourite magic Tablecloths, which are a must out at Camp. We have the Cottage Life Bedding collection here at The Camellia, and lots of LAKE signs, and fishing-themed framed prints. The bedroom in the top right is in a B&B on Salt Spring Island, what a treat to wake up to the ocean and trees & blue skies! There were also magnolias in bloom ( bottom right photo).   Our classes & Workshops are  on the blog, click on this link  http://www.thecamellia.com/classes-at-the-camelia.html.  Happy  MAY long, see you this weekend at The Camellia!

See you soon at The Camellia!! HOURS :  Open every day except Monday and Tuesday. Wed. 11-5, Thurs. 12-5, Fri. 11-5. Sat. 11-5. Sunday 12-5p.  Visit our website for information at http://www.thecamellia.com.    Twitter Website Email Come Visit The Camellia.   How do I get there?   We are 10 mins. from the Thunder Bay Airport, heading south on Hwy. 61. Turn left onto Hacquoil Rd. We are 1.6km. on the left.    Phone 807) 475-3551   Shop online at http://www.thecamellia.com Visit our blog at http://www.fromnaturetohome.blogspot.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Camellia-From-Nature-to-Home/145600168837975 http://pinterest.com/thecamellia/boards/

Spring Blooms Open House 2016 on now at The Camellia

Welcome Spring! Finally we are getting some warm temperatures here in Thunder Bay. You are invited to our Spring Blooms Open House at #TheCamellia! 

How to get to Camellia's? Head south on Hwy. 61, go ten (10) minutes past the Thunder Bay Airport, turn Left onto Hacquoil Rd. We are 1.6kms. on the left. The 1st building is the store. 

Open Wed. through Sunday.....p (807)475-3551

www.thecamellia.com