August vibes, The Camellia, Thunder Bay, Ontario

                                                  Thunder Bay Flower & Gift shop

We are fortunate here in Thunder Bay, as far as this Summer's weather. It has been sunny and a few hot days, but no heat wave, with Lake Superior keeping things cool, and a little shower every day, keeping things green. This photo above was taken in Sister Bay, WI, as you can see the grass around the planter is all burnt up. How has your summer weather been? 

Everyone has been travelling, with driving to your destination being very popular. (No wonder with the current mess at Pearson airport, in Toronto. Read about it here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/toronto-pearson-airport-winnipeg-passengers-1.6544249?fbclid=IwAR23_iFL2lYAGtjt_I0gFQuGqawCS1GYFAolwUjSKkIBnG1uJ7WjZW-HRX4).

This is the Ferry to Washington Island, in WI. It takes about 30 minutes to cross over to Washington Island. 

With the prospect of Winter looming ahead of us ( we all know how long last Winter was!), it's important to go travelling, or go to Camp, while the weather is warm and there is no snow and ice on the ground. Where have you travelled to this Summer? 

There are many Weddings taking place this year, and for the next few years. We have been busy designing Wedding flowers, and are now booking for 2023 Weddings. Those of you visiting Thunder Bay for a wedding celebration, stop by and shop in our store, the Camellia, at 30/32 Hacquoil Rd. in Slate River, just outside Thunder Bay. Visit our Wedding website at https://www.lakesuperiorweddings.ca/store/c1/Featured_Products.html

This beautiful arbor above is at Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm, on Washington Island, WI. https://fragrantisle.com/

Beautiful pink Peonies, grown in our gardens. 

August is the best time to get at your Furniture pieces that need Painting with Cottage Paint. The weather is warm, and if your pieces of Furniture are big, it is easier to paint them in your garage. We do not recommend painting if your piece is directly in the sun. The colour above is Hidden Lagoon, by Cottage Paint. We have a large selection of Cottage Paint in-stock, and are excited to be offering Paint classes again. There are 58 colours in Cottage Paint, for more information, shop here https://iwindowshop.ca/collections/cottage-paint

The Camellia, Open Wednesday through Sunday, 12-5p. 

p.807-475-3551. 

IG@camelliafromnaturetohome

https://iwindowshop.ca/

Find The Camellia online at Artisans Northwest, and Craft Revival TBay.

Thunder Bay Flower & Gift shop

As Christmas draws near, we are excited to be part of 2 Virtual Hand made shows, Artisans Northwest and Craft Revival Thunder Bay. 

Craft Revival's site will be live from Nov. 21 to Nov. 26th. Here is the link to their site: https://www.thecraftrevivaltbay.com/. Once you are on their site, search for us under the GIFTS category. Payment can be made securely on our website (https://iwindowshop.ca/collections/handmade-vintage), you can phone us at 807-475-3551, or if you prefer, you can pay by email transfer. You can pick up your items at 30, Hacquoil Rd. or we can arrange for delivery.  

For Artisans Northwest, please visit their site at https://www.artisansnorthwest.ca/, then look for the link for Camille Overmeer, the Camellia. This show runs from Nov. 22. through to Nov. 28th. 2021. You can also view our items for sale here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4716353801762566&type=3

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

p.807-475 3551

Escape Winter in with an Island getaway in your own home! The Camellia, Thunder Bay, On.

It's the middle of Winter in Northern Ontario, and even though it's been a mild Winter (so far), some of us are thinking of an Island getaway. But wait! What about the getting on a plane and being in close quarters with people...and what about the Coronavirus? Why not stay home, and decorate your Home in Beach style! Read on to find out more about adding Caribbean beach vibes to your Home. 

Visit The Camellia for unique ideas for decorating your Lakeside Camp, we also carry Cottage Paint, Clara Clark Bedding & Paarizaat mattresses. We are located at 30/32 Hacquoil Rd. Thunder Bay. 

p. 807-475-3551

www.thecamellia.com

Valentine's Day Gift delivery in Thunder Bay, & Slate River, Ontario.

Valentine's Day 2020 is Friday Feb. 14th.  What are you planning for Valentine's Day? Valentine's Day is traditionally where we spoil our loved ones with Flowers, Roses, chocolate, maybe a romantic dinner, or perhaps a trip somewhere special. Whether you have been together for 40+ years, or 2 years, or whether you're celebrating being single, read on for some great Gift ideas for Valentine's Day for delivery in Thunder Bay and Slate River Valley, Ontario. 

Why not send  a Valentine's Day Spa basket, filled with artisan soaps, Goat Milk Bath bombs, and luxurious body lotions? 

Happy Summer Solstice! The Camellia, Thunder Bay

It's finally summer in Northern Ontario! We're so lucky to be surrounded by Lakes   ... the great Lake Superior and many inland lakes. Summer means Fishing season has begun. Time to head out to Camp. Summer solstice is the longest day of the year and there are many ways to celebrate Summer Solstice. Click on the link below to see how the Scandinavians celebrate Midsummer. 

https://www.calmmoment.com/escaping/how-to-celebrate-midsummer-the-scandinavian-way/?fbclid=IwAR03jPych7GMx1Xdg-5BhzU-oTtaPEN7d8rYuNiQyC1EjxtScWF32uBwubQ

We celebrate by planting in our gardens....so nice to see Green outside instead of white! What did you plant in your Garden this summer? Flowers or Veggies or both? 

This is a Danish Mid-Summer Rose bloom. It's a bit late this year, but is now starting to bloom. You remember that sweet Rose smell ....this variety has plenty of that. 

Photo by Danka & peter on Unsplash.com

Summer means heading to the Lake to enjoy some wave splashing activity, and some outdoor ME time. What day of the week have you set aside this Summer for outdoor hiking and sitting by the Lake? Or do you fill your days off with errand running, grocery shopping and cleaning? This summer is your Summer to make a change. After all, summer is a short 90ish days long. It does go quickly. 

Here at The Camellia in  Thunder Bay, we are purveyors of Napa soap which is handmade in small batches in St. Helena, Napa Valley, Ca. This is the best soap, it lathers up beautifully and is soft and silky feeling. The smell is not overpowering. New is Eucalyptus Spa - this bar is reminiscent of a Day at The Spa, with Eucalyptus and Peppermint Essential Oils. Come into our store at 30, Hacquoil Rd. to buy some Napa Soap. 

Our most popular bar is Lavender Napa Soap...this bar makes a great hostess Gift. Buy and keep a few at home for those occasions that come up suddenly when you need a thoughtful Gift. 

Another special Summer Gift is our #MusselsnMorePottery - all handmade, and most pieces are oven safe and dishwasher safe. Lovely dishes for someone who lives at the Lake, or has fond memories of  living by the Lake. 

Visit The Camellia, at 30, Hacquoil Rd. in Slate River, On. 

Open Wed. 11-5, Thurs. 12-5, Fri. 11-5, Sat 11-5, Sunday 12-5. 

p 807-475-3551

www.thecamellia.com

Adding summer to your Northern Ontario Home, The Camellia, Thunder Bay, On.

Well, it's June in Northern Ontario and everything is finally green, we have had so much rain and our rivers in Slate River are swollen to the point of over flow and flooding. Robins are busy nesting and chirping. And there are so many blackflies. Today we had sun, warm weather, wind, rain, and then hail. All in 1 day! 

Summer means hanging by the Lake, with a picnic lunch, and some loungers. It's refreshing to sit by the Lake on a really hot day, with the Lake breezes blowing in your face, whipping your hair around. No phones, nobody asking you to do something for them, just Peace and relaxation. Summer in Northern Ontario. 

Summer means that our Gardens are growing again... and the return of blooms, like this lovely Peony bloom which grew in my mother-in-law's Farm. We transplanted this peony bush into our Garden, and every year it blooms faithfully. This colour of Peony dries to a deep burgundy pink. Summer means lush Flower gardens. 

Summer means Kitchen renovations...look at this beautiful Farmhouse Kitchen! Cabinets are being painted with Serenity Cottage Paint, backsplash will be done in old brick, and counters are all solid wood. If you are thinking of painting your Kitchen cabinets, come visit us at The Camellia to take  a look at our sample paint boards for Serenity Cottage Paint. For information, go to cottagepaint.com and www.paintoldkitchencabinets.com

Are you thinking of updating your Lakehouse? If you have a mix of old and unwanted furniture, why not update by painting right over the fabric with Cottage Paint? Get the how-to in our store, The Camellia, and choose from 60 colours of Cottage Paint. 

Look at all these blues and greens and aquas.....take a look around you and see how you can Summerize your Home with Lake decor and Cottage paint from The Camellia. 

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

  Open Wed. 11-5, Thurs. 12-5. Fri. and Sat. 11-5. Sunday 12-5p. 

Bring your photos, measurements and swatches. 

p 807-475-3551

www.thecamellia.com

Whites in Spring designs, The Camellia, Thunder bay

Using WHITE in your decorating is timeless, and never goes out of style. This upholstered chair is left in its raw state and would easily fit into the decor of any sitting or Living room. You can always add seasonal colour with a throw pillow. 

One might assume that old fashioned Bears are not in style anymore, and cushions, well, some decorating styles deem them a nuisance and tell you to toss them away. These cushion covers are old, and in great shape, and yes, I couldn't resist and bought a pair for my home! Cushions are perfect for reading in bed, and just plain lazing around. Here at The Camellia, we have many different styles of cushions for sale, most of them have removable covers and are washable. 

These are washable cotton duck pillows, and are made in Canada, they are perfect for a white Spring theme. 

Here you can see how pops of colour can add life to an all-white colour scheme. Delph blue and white is a classic combination. What are your go-to accent colours ? Photos taken at Brocanterie Deja-Vue in Holland, https://www.facebook.com/www.brocanteriedejavu.nl/

Let's not forget the Flowers in a room - the piece de resistance! Here at The Camellia we custom make Flowers to fit in with your white decor scheme. Simply email us a photo of your room, specify dimensions, likes and dislikes, and we will get back to you a price estimate. Take a look around, and see what you need to finish up your White rooms.....  then come visit us here at The Camellia for Inspiration, decor items, and Flowers. 

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

Open Wed. 11-5, Thurs. Noon to 5, Friday 11-5, Sat. 11-5. Sunday 12-5

Follow us on Instagram 

https://www.instagram.com/camelliafromnaturetohome/?hl=en

The welcome effect of Spring, after a long, cold Winter.

via GIPHY

It really has been a long Winter here in Northern Ontario...never-ending amounts of snow, shovelling snow, long weeks of cold temperatures with no day or so of warmer temperatures, which might give us some much-needed hope. What has your Winter been like? 

Maybe you live in  a place with no Winter. I grew up in such a place, a few degrees below the equator, warm temperatures every day, tropical and humid heat with 2 seasons...Dry season and Rainy season.

In the evenings, we would head to the ocean, to catch a cooling breeze, and listen to the waves. Our parents would make us wear a sweater afraid that we may catch a 'chill' from the evening ocean breezes. It was probably still 75 degrees F. Hey, if that was the coldest temperature you had ever experienced, then in your eyes, it was well, chilly.

Another thing one gets completely fed-up with in the Winter is the amount of clothing you have to put on, in order to go out in the cold. You long for the Spring, for sandals, for that time when you can throw on a light jacket and quickly head out the door. 

You start hallucinating about green leaves and Flowers. You run over to your Plant collection which you tried to save from last year's Garden, some of which are flourishing and green and healthy. You rush out and buy Spring potted bulbs, they provide a temporary relief from the winter blahs. 

You pore over your photographs from your trips to Holland in the Springtime. You continue to dream about Camping, and fishing, and you find you really have to work at being positive, and remembering that Spring will come. 

Here at The Camellia, we are hard at work on our Lake/Summer line of products. Blue seems to be a favourite this year as seen in Ikea's Spring forecast below. 

Photo credit: www.Ikea.ca 

Wouldn't this make a great outdoor shower area? This is part of the OTTSJON PHI59488, from Ikea's Spring 2019 Collection. Are you planning on sprucing up your Lakeside retreat? Navy blue paired with crisp white is always a popular choice. 

Why is Blue so popular? It's the colour of our skies, the Lake, Rivers and Ocean. It's calming and goes well with whites, greys, yellows, and so many other colours. We sell #CottagePaint here at The Camellia, visit our store to see our palette of almost 60 colours!  

We often need a change in the Spring, something to get us excited about Life again. A quick and affordable change is to makeover your furniture with Cottage Paint. Painting is therapy.  Stop in and see us here at The Camellia, at 30/32 Hacquoil Rd.
The Camellia, Slate River, On.
www.thecamellia.com
See us at the upcoming #Springhomeandgardenshowtbay 2019. We are excited to take part in #SpringCraftRevival which takes place on Sunday, May 5th. 2019 ( 10am. to 5pm.)