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

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

MOTHERS' DAY GIFTS and It's a Spring Thing at The Camellia!

Hello there! You are Invited to "A Spring Thing" at The Camellia! Let's celebrate Spring and Mother' s Day which is this Sunday, May 14th. 2017. Here at The Camellia, we sell Cottage/Chalky Paint, Patio Tablecloths and cushions , Fashion Purses & clothing, Camp & Lake decor, Bedding, Wreaths and much more! 

If your Mom loves Gardening, this gift pack with gloves, garden tools, no-crack hand cream, Jiffy pots, and locally grown Petunias, would be lovely. Here at The Camellia, we deliver in #ThunderBay and #SlateRiver. 

Pansy flowering pots are a lovely Gift idea. 

We have beautiful hanging baskets like this one, suitable for a semi-shaded patio. 

You could send a potted Gerbera Daisy with #Beekman1802 Goats' Milk Skincare. 

Order this Gift at The Camellia. Call (807)475-3551

If Mom loves Vintage, this is the perfect bag for her, rustic with that Parisian flair. 

Maybe your Mom is a Dog lover, then this is her pillow.

This is our Lavender Love basket. filled wit hand-made, all natural products and a copy of #Victoriamagazine.  

Wooden Love saying for Mom. 

Fresh garden Pansies with an Artist drawn Pansy notecard. 

Inspirational word banner...$9.95. 

This is a Garden Basket for Moms who can't wait to get out in the Garden. 

For Moms who are no longer with us, this moss cross is a lovely tribute. Order from us here at The Camellia. 

A Hangry Teatowel...with a Gift certificate from #BlissCafe in Thunder Bay. 

Potted plant with hand-made soaps and soy candles. 

We have loads of Gift ideas for Mom, so stop by and visit The Camellia! Head south on Hwy. 61, turn left on Hacquoil Rd. we are on the left, #30/32. Or phone us to order a gift for delivery at (807)475-3551. ( Our minimum order for delivery is $50.00) .

Colour brightens a damp, gloomy Spring Day. The Camellia, Thunder Bay

You get these days in Northern Ontario, where there is lots of grey and a damp mix of rain/slush/snow, and it seems like Spring will never come. The trees are pollinating, the grass is growing, and Robins are busy building nests in our trees. And all the Songbirds have returned. The only thing to do on days like these is to look at photos from your Tropical vacays, And put some colour on your Walls.... don't get carried away with the current Grey and Neutral craze. Try the #CottagePaint array of colours...did you know that #SerenityCottagePaint can go on walls? 

On the left is Robin's egg blue, and on the right is Naples Blue. 

Green is a favourite of so many, Look at the play of Green against the whitewashed brick and that blue sky! I can feel the warmth of the sun that day, we are on the remains of an old Sugar Mill in Antigua. 

Bimini Cottage Paint, a bold choice, great for a piece of Furniture or as an accent in your Home. 

Naples Blue. 

Slate. 

Such an intricate structure, historically the Caribbean's main industry was Sugar production. 

Our favourite Reds in Cottage Paint include #CrimsonRed and #Medieval. Red can be counted on to add an extra dose of Drama to your space. 

Medieval Cottage Paint

Crimson red Cottage Paint. 

Red Flag Cottage Paint

Cottage/Chalk/Paint can mimic the look of an old, painted door, such as this swinging cafe door from an old Pirates ship. Want to learn more about Painted finishes? Take a class at The Camellia! Want to paint something with Cottage Paint?  Visit at our store on Hacquoil Rd. for help and be sure to view the Cottage Paint videos online . Visit www.thecamellia.com

There are many Neutrals in Cottage Paint such as Cottage White, Driftwood, Antique White, and Creme Brulee. There are 50 + colours in the Cottage Paint palette. Visit www.cottagepaint.com to see the palette. 

We are Open at The Camellia, at 30, Hacquoil Rd. Wed. 11-5. Thurs. 12-5. Fri. and Sat. 11-5. Sunday noon-5p. We are 10 mins. south of the Thunder Bay Airport. 

p (807)475-3551