How's everyone doing? July 26, 2020. The Camellia, Thunder Bay, Ont.

It's July in Thunder Bay, and it has definitely been hot and humid. The heat makes it even more uncomfortable to wear a mask. It's now the law that you must wear a mask in Thunder Bay. According to the Thunder Bay District Health unit's website, " As of Friday, July 24, 2020 at 12.01 am. all businesses and organizations in the Thunder Bay District Health Unit area must adopt a policy that requires all members of the public and employees who enter or remain in an enclosed public space to wear a mask or face covering, under instructions issued by the Medical Officer of Health."

More information can be found at https://www.tbdhu.com/mandatorymasks

Most of us are fed up with the whole Mask/noMask debate, and just want our lives to go back to "Normal", or what life was before Covid-19. If wearing a mask helps us to cut down on the spread of Covid-19 , then just wear it. When coming to our store, do bring your own mask and put it on before entering our store. 

Our gardens are loving the heat, and recently we have been having tropical downpours, so we have beautiful Blooms and our Veggie gardens have been prolific with beans, kale, lettuce, peas and more. 

This is despite the recent invasion of Japanese beetles. 

Now, more than ever, it is important that we take some time for self care. Soaking in a bathtub and reading a good book is good for taking your mind off all the what-ifs. Visit our store, or call us (we offer delivery and curbside pickup), to pick up Lavender bath bombs, and Napa Soap bars. 

We know many of you have been using this extra time at home to do some painting with Serenity Cottage Paint.  You have been painting old Kitchen Cabinets, walls, and furniture. Thinking about painting your old oak Kitchen Cabinets? Go here to get the How-to: http://www.paintoldkitchencabinets.com/

Here is a dining room set which was given a Cottage Paint makeover, with the colour Expresso on this chair's frame, with some yardage from our store, this is a beautiful Delph blue Waverly toile fabric. 

Serenity Cottage paint can be sprayed, this is an old metal shelf sprayed with the colour 'Country Manor.'

It is important to add texture to your Home, and fabric is perfect for that. This bright Provencal blue burlap will add colour to your outdoor or craft room projects. 

Visit us here at TheCamellia.com. for #CottagePaint, Home decor, Cotton and linen fabric, and much more! Open Wed. through Sunday. Do bring your own mask, we do offer Delivery( $), and curbside pickup. Our Shopify store will be up and running soon, you will be able to order Cottage Paint, for pick-up or shipping in Canada. 

https://iwindowshop.ca

How-to make Home Renovations happen in 2018.

Welcome 2018! It's a New Year, a time when we make plans for things we would like to accomplish in the New Year. Some of these plans may include Home Renos, which are long overdue. And for some of us, the New Year starts with a knock-them-down, full-out fight over Home Renos. Has this ever happened in your Home?

One partner has looked at paint swatches, pinned images on Pinterest, talked to a contractor and maybe has some Contractor estimates ($$$$) , while the other partner says, No! No home renos. are needed, let the next owner change everything! The battle is on, and it's not a pretty sight. The D-word gets thrown around as frustration mounts ( Divorce).

What is a person to do? Getting angry doesn't help. When you are trying to bring someone around to your way of thinking, it always helps to have your facts and figures in hand. Arguing or having a discussion ?.....it just goes better when you can pull out some statistics, price quotes, etc.

Start with each Room ...list what Renos. need to be done. Let's take a Basement, there is a Bar in a corner with mirrored tiles, and this bar dates the entire room! In 2018,  the trend is towards a family room with a central island with storage for games or crafts, maybe a coffee bar, a wine fridge, a TV viewing area, and so on. If it's dark and dingy down in the basement, then lighten up the walls, update lighting, replace the flooring. List all renos for that room, then the next step is sourcing out materials, and the next step is getting price quotes. What is the renovation for the basement going to cost? 

Where do you get ideas? Our favourite TV show is Fixer-Upper with Chip and Joanna Gaines of #Magnolia Home. You can check out Joanna's blog for detailed information on past episodes of House remodels. https://magnoliamarket.com/blog/

Other places where we gather ideas from are HGTV, Canadian House & Home, Houzz.com, Scott Mcgillivray, Sarah Ricardson Design, Restoration Hardware, and Rachael Ashwell. 

Remember that the same things that are bugging you about your House, will most likely bug a prospective Buyer.

So go ahead and do this for every room that needs a Reno.

Next step, look at the Comps in your area. What have houses nearby sold for and what features do these Homes have? Most Real estate agents will know how to access this information. 

Look at your estimated Reno costs. Have a Real estate agent look at your Home and give an opinion on what your Home would be worth if you put it on the Market today, as is. Look at the costs of the Renos you want to do, and figure out your Return on Investment ( R.O.I).

Now you are much better equipped to figure out what Home Renos. need doing. You have a Plan, you have estimated costs, and you know whether these proposed Renos will bring you a better price for your Home when you are ready to sell.

If you fail to Plan, you plan to fail. Having a Renovation Plan going into 2018 will ensure that your Renovations will happen, and not stay in the Dream it...stage.

For help in Planning Home and Kitchen Renos. with Cottage Paint, visit The Camellia, at 30/32 Hacquoil Rd. Thunder Bay, Slate River, Ontario.

p (807)475-3551

www.thecamellia.com

Wow! It's Falltime at The Camellia, Slate River Valley, Thunder Bay, On

    Here we are at the end of August, and it's been feeling like Fall here for the last 2 weeks. What happened to Summer? We've had frost 2 nights this week, the windshields on our vehicles have been iced up. Most of us here in Thunder Bay feel like we have barely had any Summer, and now an early Fall. Well, there is SO much to like about Fall. The colours of Fall - rusts, browns, beiges, cinnamon, dark greens, yellows and so many more colours that exude warmth and images of snuggling under a warm throw. 

I know it feels like you have barely gotten the Patio set out on your Porch, and your Garden, well, enough said about that. I was embarrassed about the state of my gardens yesterday, when I was showing a client some of my fast-growing perennials. We spotted 2 huge holes dug up by some critter. And a falling down Delphinium. It's hard to keep up with all the yardwork and weeding. 

Sunflowers always add a splash of colour to your Fall decor. Not a fan of yellow? We have beige and neural tones in the store. 

Here is a small #cottagepaint project you can try on your own.....paint an old muffin tin and turn it into a jewellery holder, or a place to store all those thingamajigs that collect on your counters. We stock Cottage Paint here at #the Camellia. 

If you are stencilling, #cottagepaint is your #1 paint as it is water-based, and very easy to clean off your stencils. Check our website for our current #classes. www.thecamellia.com

Sometimes, it feels like the 100 Mile journey playing out here. We sometimes get phone calls...Do you have a store IN-TOWN? Hah...what..? Our store is one-quarter of a mile outside City limits. That's a quarter of a mile, not 100 miles, not 3 hours from Thunder Bay, just a simple 10 (TEN) MINUTES from the Thunder Bay airport. 

Once you get here, you'll be glad that you did! Plan to visit The Camellia this Fall!  

We are OPEN Wed. 11-5, Thurs. 12-6, Fri. and Sat. 11-5, and Sunday 12-5. A simple way to remember is that we are Open every day except Mondays & Tuesdays. 

Note we will be closed from Sept. 17, and will reopen on Oct. 4. 2017. 

p (807) 475-3551

Making guests feel Welcome in your Home, the Camellia.

Welcoming Summer Guests to your Home.   View this email in your browser

Summer  brings  Visitors. Make them feel welcome with a lovely Guest room, with comfy 100% Cotton bedding (pattern shown here is Brad, with neutral strips of grey and taupe).  Outfit your Guest room with light-blocking drapery panels.Use clothespins to pin the pleats into place, leave them on for a few days, and  when you take the pins off, your drapes will hang nicely.  Use rods that project far enough away from the wall so that drapes will hang properly. Don't forget to leave a note with your Wi-Fi password, books & magazines, and Tourist Maps and brochures.The Handmade in Thunder Bay  Map is a great listing of all the speciality shops in and around the Thunder Bay area, Here at the Camellia we are proud to part of the Handmade Map. Treat your guests to Beekman 1802  "Fresh air" collection. Josh & Brent won the Amazing Race in 2012 (They're from Sharon Springs, New York) , and when you stay at hotels in NYC and Boston, you'll find their Fresh Air products in your hotel room. Our fav is the Room Spray and the shower gel, and their Body Lotion is wonderfully moisturizing. Stop in at The Camellia, and try our testers of FRESH AIR BEEKMAN 1802.  And due to popular demand, No-Crack hand cream is back in stock, in 4oz. jars, 8oz. jars, and 16oz. jars, NEW is an unscented version, prices starting at $6.95 a jar.  No-Crack hand creams are designed to soften, moisturize and protect dry, cracked, chapped hands, feet and elbows until natural oils return. Ideal for Healthcare professionals, Farmers, Construction workers, OCD , Gardeners & everyday use.  If you been waiting on any Cottage Paint products, the shipment is in, and most items are back in stock. Have old framed prints or photo frames laying around? Revamp them with Cottage Paint, and create a Gallery wall. Need hangers and brads...go to the Framing Post on Camelot St., they have a framing workshop where you DIY, or they can do it for you.  SHOPPING TIP: Before you visit The Camellia, if you are looking for something specific, measure first and leave that information in a folder in your vehicle. Take a pillow sham, or a plate from your china, or a fabric swatch. That way you'll save TIME, and we'll be able to find you exactly what you need.  See you at The Camellia!!   We are OPEN Wed. 11-5, Thurs. 12-5, Friday 11-5, and Sat. 11-5, Sun. 12-5. If you need to come at other times, phone us at 475-3551.

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/

Keeping your sanity during a Renovation

Planning a Renovation? Wondering how you are going to cope amidst all the dust, reconstruction, and a 100 where-did-you-put-thats? View this email in your browser

We are just going through a Window renovation now, and no matter how prepared you think you are, it seems to quickly become a giant swirl of things moved and misplaced, trying to arrange schedules with installers, all while attempting  to peer discreetly around the corner to make sure installers are not destroying the walls or floors and using the dropcloths you have laid out for them. Never mind that you have houseguests coming in from Europe in 1 week, and rooms have to be ready and clean. And when you get to that magical moment when they announce..."We're done!!"  RELIEF!!!   Let's talk money, specifically what is your reno going to cost? Spending on Home renovation has been rising steadily for the past 15 years and reached $63.4 billion in 2103. There has been a lot of talk lately about replacing your outdated Oak kitchen cabinets. Oak is not hot anymore, it's Maple and birch. Maple is even more expensive than Oak. There is a cheaper option: use Cottage Paint to paint your oak cabinets. The trend is to do your upper cabinets in a lighter colour, and your lowers in a darker tone. Come into The Camellia to see sample doors which we painted with Cottage Paint. I am still recovering from my trip to the Granite countertop store yesterday, having found out that granite to cover an island will cost $6,000 , this does not include the other counters in the kitchen. No comment on this. Where do you start? Work backwards, pick the 1 item in your reno. that is going to be the most difficult to source. In our photo above, we picked the grey tile, with matching glass tile, then painted some sample boards with Cottage paint to see what was the best match. If you are doing a bedroom, pick  bedding first, then paint the walls. Doing a Living room? Choose furniture first, match up carpet or flooring, then paint. WORK BACKWARDS!   Finished your Renovation? Don't forget that very important  finishing touch, Flowers for your rooms. It's the Icing on the cake. Flowers are in style again, bring in your photos and let us custom design one just to fit your rooms.

OPEN: Wed. 11-5, Thurs. Noon-5, Fri. 11-6, Sat. 11-5. Sun. 12-5.     Visit our website for information at http://www.thecamellia.com Read our blog at http://www.fromnaturetohome.blogspot.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/

Share Tweet Forward to Friend

Things to Do on Canada Day long Weekend, The Camellia.

 It's almost Canada Day, and everyone is looking forward to the long weekend. What are you planning to do? If the thought of venturing into the wilderness ( beating off blackflies & Mosquitoes) holds no appeal for you, why not go visit some of the places you've been meaning to go out to? Visit The Camellia and get inspired, shop, and browse for ideas.

 Healthy Room fragrances that are good for you and your home.

 Fresh Magnolias blossoms seen in Durham, North Carolina. So..oooo beautiful, and fragrant!

Order a faux floral arrangement for your Home, we custom design all kinds here at The Camellia, ( like this beauty above),  bring in your fabric swatches and photos of your room.

 Look around your Home and see what you can revamp with Cottage Paint, sold here at the Camellia.

 Here is a light oak kitchen cabinet door, painted with a glaze to turn it into a dark, expresso finish, with no sanding or stripping.

 Don't you just love old houses....this beauty sits Lakeside in Duluth, MN.

 Time to decorate your Garden  ...with our metal Sunflowers , hand-made by Elaina.

 Choose from our whiteware ceramic pieces ...clean, white, and always in style.

Come visit us here at The Camellia, Slate River, Thunder Bay, Ontario. We are open Wednesday through Sunday, Wed. 11-5, Thurs. noon-6, Fri. 11-6, Sat. 11-5, Sun. Noon-5. If you would like to come out at some other time, call us at 807-475-3551.

Summer Whites, the Camellia, Thunder Bay

 Life is all relative. We spent so much of the Winter looking at white stuff outside, longing for green. It's summer now, and the colour White seems fresh and clean and somehow full of life, and white does goes with any room.

 The faded beauty of a Garden rose.

So Fragrant are the Lily of the Valley - now blooming in the garden.

White wreaths are calming and again, they will go with any room, so you move them around your Home.

Here at #TheCamellia, we have beautiful, yet functional white vessels. Teapots, jugs, cream and sugars. And they make impromtu flower vases.

Kitchen cabinet doors painted with antique White Cottage Paint. We stock a full selection of Cottage Paint and glazes.

White is a natural when it comes to wedding bouquets...you can do DIY classes at out store. Visit www.thecamellia.com

Keep the smell of Lily of the Valley year-round with our Canadian made Soy candles.

Mini Rose wreaths make a great addition to a Wedding shower.

Just in....cotton pillowcases, with lovely embroidered details. A good choice for a Wedding or shower Gift, $25.00 for the pair.

Visit #TheCamellia, at 30 Hacquoil Road. Thunder Bay, On

Open Wed. through Sunday. 

Wed. 11-5, Thurs. 12-6, Fri. 11-5, Sat. 11-5, Sun. 12-5

p-807 475 3551