NEW YEARS GOALS- 2016

January 3, 2016 1 Comment

A fresh, organized start to the new year- all around.

A new year brings new hopes, dreams and promises. It’s a time of reflection and self-awareness. It’s a time for improvement and change. It is not however, a time to set unrealistic goals that are unlikely to be attainable in a calendar year.

Is your goal to have a more organized home?

To finally tackle that home renovation project?

Or to plan your dream wedding without the stress?

An organized home is a matter of using your current space in a better, more efficient way. Below are some clever uses of space that allow for easier access to often used items.

It is always a good idea to sort through drawers and closets several times in a year. It is alright for things to build up over time, but sorting through things more than once a year will keep things from becoming too hectic or overgrown.

Once the excitement and celebration has settled down from the holidays and your life’s ‘to-do list’ comes flooding back into mind- home improvements become a focus again. Research is an important part of any project. If you are looking to save up a bit more money after the expense of the holidays, spend some time now researching and brainstorming. This will be helpful when you begin the project or look to hire a pro. One of the first things a professional will ask you about is your style and functionality preferences. This is where your research will pay off.

Check out these images from one of our most recent project, where used Paris and the client’s warm nature as inspiration for the space.

http://www.houzz.com/projects/1484205/soft-feminine-den

Another consideration is to take the time to prioritize your home improvements to know which project to tackle first. Not everything can be done at once, regardless if you have the budget to do so. There is a process that occurs with every project and some aspects are contingent upon the completion of other installations. The more prepared you are to begin your project, the smoother it will go.

If you are engaged or newly engaged- firstly- Congratulations! Secondly, we know there are a lot of things to do for your wedding- and we’re here to help. Planning a wedding can be stressful because of the many decisions to make and tasks to complete. To help you get organized, consider the accessory tasks or activities that you need help with, aren’t interested in, or don’t feel that you will have time to do. These can be things like building welcome baskets for your out-of-town guests, maintaining and following up with RSVPs, or planning and organizing your rehearsal dinner. There are plenty of resources available online to help point out the tasks to be completed. For example, The Knot is great free source for wedding inspiration and guidelines. Alex & Lily will help you complete all of these tasks and reduce the stress of planning!

So, creating a fresh, organized new start to the year is all about the small planning steps to do prior the start of your project. Though it may seem daunting in the beginning, take it one step at a time, take care to think about what you want and need before seeking a professional’s advice and have fun with the idea of a satisfying project that you can be proud of!

***To gain a better sense of what a wedding concierge can do to help you and your fiancé with your wedding needs, attend the Swank Wedding Show in Vancouver on February 6^th at the Vancouver Art Gallery and visit our booth!

Alex & Lily

HOLIDAY DÉCOR MADE HOMEY

November 29, 2015 Leave a comment

Alex & Lily’s top 3 holiday décor ideas.

The holiday season is a busy time for all. Life does not stop but more items are added to your ‘To-Do’ list. Instead of worrying about all the possible things you can do, just focus on a few. We have kept it simple this year and have chosen our three favourite holiday ideas to give you a complete, easy and fabulous holiday season!

This holiday season, we encourage you to keep it simple and find the charm in our three favourite things.

KRAFT PAPER

In our world, Kraft paper is KING (or QUEEN)! This simple, plain, multipurpose paper is a blank slate for your creative mind when it comes to wrapping. You may add anything to it to personalize your gifts and to create a theme. We love how it can be used any time of the year and the details added to it are what make it festive. Try doing a red and green paint splatter on your craft paper for Christmas time. For some extra sparkle- try gluing on festive sparkles or sequence for an illuminating touch.

kraft paper decor sparkle tags

HOMEMADE COOKIES

Nothing says homey like the smell of freshly baked cookies. Not to mention the fun-filled afternoon of decorating cookies with your family or friends! Homemade cookies are a great way to get into the holiday spirit and can be given as gifts (to save on the budget), or for you to enjoy at home. Don’t worry if you aren’t the best baker in the land, sugar cookies are a very simple recipe and you can decorate them however you like!

We love wrapping cookies and sweets up in holiday cellophane packaging to give away as gifts.

chirstmas cellophane

GROWING TRADITIONS

Holidays are about traditions: ‘we always eat turkey’, ‘we always put our tree up on December 1st’. The Christmas tree, for example, is one of the most overt displays of tradition in your home. It is beautiful and decorated and the centre of Christmas morning.

Instead of going out and spending a lot of money on one hundred new ornaments for your tree, buy what you like, buy things that relate to each other (either colours, styles, or shapes), and slowly build your collection over time. Over the years, you will receive ornaments from friends or family, find new things you love in places you travel to, and slowly add decorations to your tree that will help to tell your story. Each year, you can have something new and meaningful that will evoke a fond memory of the year you received/purchased it. So don’t break the bank the first time you get a tree of your own–let it grow and change with your life and your celebrations.

We hope that these simple tips of ours will help you have a special, personal and unique holiday season!

Alex & Lily

WHY IS A REGISTRY IMPORTANT?

September 2, 2015 Leave a comment

Alex & Lily explore the value of registering for a wedding and how they can help.

Marriage is the joining of two people in a lifelong commitment. It is a new chapter in a couple’s lives and deserves to be well-equipped.

Registering for a wedding is, in our minds, crucial. Regardless of what size your wedding is, how formal or informal it is- every couple needs some form of registry. If you are the type of couple who would prefer to receive money at your wedding-I can guarantee that a grandparent, great aunt or neighbour will insist on purchasing a tangible gift for your wedding. Why risk receiving three of the same set of towels or candlesticks when you can specifically request only the items you want and need in the quantities you require them in?

Another benefit of registering is it forces you to evaluate the items you have in your home, discover gaps and sort through old items that you no longer use. This is an important step to ensure you are not doubling up on unnecessary items in your home (see our Home Organization page for more help with this).

Most registry retailers will give you a certain percentage off purchasing items you have registered for but did not receive for your wedding. This is another benefit of going through the process of registering in general. With all of this being said, Alex & Lily add a very useful and personal experience to wedding registries. With a background in interior design, Alex & Lily will visit client’s homes prior to shopping to view the personal style and lifestyle of the couple. This evaluative step postiviely impacts the items needed to live happily and completely in the new couple’s home. After the home visit, we will go shopping with you to the recommended retailers for your needs and help you choose appropriate items.

By establishing the ground theme for a registry, Alex & Lily will help couples organize their registries and make it a worth while experience- instead of a waste.
We are so pleased to offer this service to our clients and look forward to making the most of the registry process!

Book a FREE consultation now!

In the meantime, where should you be looking?? Here is a list of places to start!

Alex & Lily

BACHELORETTE PLANNING AND TIPS

April 19, 2015 Leave a comment

How to create a fun and thoughtful Stagette/Bachelorette!

I love weddings. Always have. And this year weddings are a daily subject of conversation due to my involvement in many other people’s weddings. I am proud to say that I have some wonderful people in my life who have asked me to be a part of their bridal parties. So, one of the biggest duties of a bridesmaid is of course, planning the Stagette/Bachelorette! Here I’ll share some tips to help make your stagette a fun and successful one!

Firstly, speak to the bride about her schedule and figure out an approximate time of year that both makes sense for the brides, as well as for the timing of the wedding. Typically, the Maid Of Honour (MOH) will lead and organize the general parameters as well as be the liaison for the bride. That being said, the bridesmaids need to contribute too!

Figure out the strengths of the bridal party: Who loves décor? Who is all about the games? Who’s strength is logistical work? Once you’ve determined this you can divide up the work. This is very important so that the MOH is not doing everything herself and also, to ensure that everyone contributes to the event.

So- what do you need to plan a bachelorette?? Of course the details will vary for each party, but here are the guidelines…

1-LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Are you going away for the weekend or staying in town? Will you be in a bar? Hotel? Home? Think about the environment where you will be and whether it yields itself to calm atmosphere or a party one. Consider the size of location and whether it will accommodate the guest list as well as the general mood you are looking to capture.

2-THEME

The options are endless but it is always fun to have a theme be carried throughout the party. Plus- it looks so pretty to have coordinating colours! You can keep it simple by using the wedding colours and playing off the theme of the wedding itself.

The theme should also suite the type of bride you are planning for. Does she like to party? Does she love the outdoors? When planning a party for the bride it only makes sense to cater it to her likes and hobbies.

3- COMMUNICATION

I cannot stress how important it is have good, clear communication not only within the bridal party, but with the bride and the guests as well. A bachelorette relies on the involvement of others to come together, contribute and celebrate. Common decency says that guests should be informed of the details and expectations of the party. Speaking of guests, have the bride send you a list of those who she would like to invite. Invite everyone on the list- even if you have never met them before! Also make sure that guests have a way to contact you in case they have any questions.

4-FOOD AND DRINKS

Will you be eating out all the time? Or staying somewhere that has a kitchen? And further to that, is there someone in the group that cooks??

It is a good idea to provide some alcohol for the group (as long as the group drinks). In some cases if you are not going out for drinks, you can work the entire cost of alcohol into the overall budget.

5- BUDGET

It is good to set a budget – and stick to it. How do you determine the budget? Consider the activities you would like to do, the cost of stay and the guest’s level of comfort with spending money. Clearly, the lower the cost the better so that guests are not put off from attending the party due to cost constraints. Charge every guest that same price and don’t forget to minus one person from the numbers to cover the bride’s portion. An average budget for a weekend away will vary, however, the cost should cover: any activities you are taking part in, some food and drink, accommodation, group apparel, and some extras here and there.

french 75

6-DETAILS!

This can be anything from a Welcome Drink to a special book prepared by the group for the bride. The details are the little pieces that help pull everything together and create a greater impact. They are seen in the (optional) favours, the adjusted menus for those with dietary restrictions, adding a personal touch to the decorations, hand-made treats or a surprise element for the bride.

The most important thing to take away from this is that your bachelorette planning should have the bride in mind the whole time. This is for her and her chance to celebrate her new chapter of her life with her nearest and dearest. Going the extra mile for your bride will be noticed a appreciated- I promise. So put your thinking caps on, get your girls together and contact Alex & Lily if you have any questions!

All the best,

Alex & Lily

Rustic Whistler Style

March 15, 2015 Leave a comment

Whistler has always been a source of influence for both its surroundings and for its design. Growing up on the Pacific Northwest coast, one cannot help but be influenced by nature. The trees, creeks, rivers and mountains are all a source of inspiration filled with an abundance of natural materials.

A ski town at heart, Whistler’s style was originally based around the ski lodge aesthetic and therefore, full of warmth, comfort and beauty. Being embedded in the mountains, Whistler’s design draws from its surroundings and is based on the naturally occurring materials in its environment. The extensive use of natural materials like wood and rock creates such a warm, comforting and sturdy atmosphere. If nature can depend on these materials- why can’t you?! Whistler style is anything but unassuming- it wows with natural, raw materials and grand spaces- all while creating a homey and lounge-worthy atmosphere. This is perhaps one of the best aspects of Whistler style. Whistler is home to many beautiful, expansive, rustic homes that cost a shiny penny, but at the end of the day, the natural elements combine together to create a homey, comfortable space that makes you want to warm up next to the fire and be lazy all day.

Though not everyone can have 15 foot ceilings (similar to the ones above), draped with cedar beams, sitting on a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, you can still implement a piece of Whistler into your home. Try using chunky applications of stone as opposed to silky smooth; big and bulky wood pieces instead of thin and bare; work with natural finishes instead of dark stained pieces (unless, of course, they naturally occur this way). As well, adding wood into your home automatically adds warmth. And even though slate and rock can be seen as a ‘cold’ material, placing it beside neighbouring materials that emulate their natural environment, they are seen as a complete picture. In saying this, it is easy to introduce more modern elements or style into a space because this ‘complete picture’ acts as a neutral backdrop. Therefore, it is possible to incorporate modern furnishings against rough, natural materials. However, I will caution against going too far in the opposite direction with modern furniture to avoid distracting the eye too much. For example, adding clean-lined furniture and fixtures look lovely, whereas ultra-modern, low-rise couches with a black lacquer coffee table will simply look out of place. In these ways, you can bring a bit of the rustic, natural, ski lodge feel into your home.

Due to the plethora of natural elements and materials, location, backdrop and environment, Whistler will continue to be a huge source of influence for Alex & Lily’s personal as well as professional design inspiration.

Let us know how your Whistler style is coming along!

Comment below,

Alex & Lily

Yaletown Apartment

January 31, 2015 Leave a comment

Living in the city, especially one like Vancouver with housing prices getting the best of you, one cannot always afford the space that they desire. This however, is not an excuse to leave home design by the wayside. Instead, it is even more important to use the space you have efficiently and effectively to maximize your footprint!

This project is a sweet apartment in Yaletown, Vancouver, BC, one of the most sought after downtown neighbourhoods. The building are tall, the apartments are small, but the vibe is lively! The style of decor in this space is a mix of rustic, homey charm with a transitional flair. There are a lot of natural materials used in this space, like wood, leather and antlers! There are several personal pieces in the space that add to its homey feel. There are soft materials like wood and leather that are offset by the occasional hard material from a steel leg or metal table.

I really like that this space has personality and even though it is right downtown, it feels unique to its neighbouring apartments. The apartment is full of natural light due to its many floor to ceiling windows, which helps to make the space appear larger. There is also not an overload of furniture in the space which leaves room to walk from one area to another unobstructed. This is very important in a small space- if you add too many pieces or try to cram too much into a space, you limit the room to move around and also make the space look small and cluttered.

There are some great lessons to be learned from this project. If you are looking for a way to create a homey yet sophisticated space, here are a few tips:

Mix your materials- use natural (wood, leather) materials with man-made ones (steel, metals). This will create dimension in your space and avoid your space looking too similar throughout.
Make big purchases wisely. For large pieces of furniture, chances are you will have them for a long time. So, you want to be deliberate with your choice and make sure that you will love it for a long time, and that it is of good quality that it will last a long time.
Add personal touches. Some designs favour the white gallery walls and clean-lined, modern furniture. However, if it’s a homey feel you’re after, adding personal items from travels or DIY art or pieces are a great way to differentiate your space and make it your own.

For more advice on Interior Design and more, contact Alex & Lily Home.

Have a wonderful weekend!

STYLISH DESK

January 25, 2015 Leave a comment

Your desk should be a reflection of your personality. Of course, there are the necessary items that make a desk or workspace functional: a computer or laptop, pens and paper, a light source, storage of some nature…But even within these items you can find styles to suit your personal taste and personality. Then there are those extra items that pull everything together. For example: art work (bought or made); notebooks (standard or trendy); stationary (don’t even get me started….); and other supplies like tape dispensers, staplers and the like.

Now, just because you have a desk or home office space, does not mean that you need EVERY SINGLE ITEM THAT COULD POSSIBLE GO ON A DESK. Believe me, I know how very, very tempting it can be at a stationary store NOT to buy everything in site! I myself, am a lover of pens…you will most definitely find me in the pen aisle at Staples, regardless of the fact that I own more than my fair share of pens!

Moving On: Outfitting your desk to your personal taste means that you can display a certain style of desk accessories and supplies. For the Glitzy Girl, you may find hints of gold and soft feminine colours like this. Clear acrylic trays are a great way to gather items and at the same time, not overload the visual space on your desk.

For the Design Lover, there may also be inspiration in the form of art or magazines at hand. As well as one exceptional accessory or sculpture. Or perhaps some unique, colourful and clever desk accessories from Samuel Wilkinson will do the trick!

Samuel Wilkinson

Richard Sweeney

poppin

For the Earthy Girl, your accessory can be a potted plant (if the work space gets any natural light) or terrarium and can have an awesome wood tray to display your plant on. This desk organizer from Karolin Felix is a great way in introduce natural wood and stay super organized at the same time!

West Elm

Houzz- Earthy Organizer

And for the True Professional, access to all of your devices in one reach will surely help the professional process. Grovemade does an excellent job of this and the overall look is so sharp, organized and streamlined. The professional can also have space to store and organize their files, in a chic way.

Grovemade

West Elm

Regardless of your style, in order to keep your desk looking sharp and stylish, make sure to tidy it weekly and have a place for everything. For more advice and assistance in your stylish desk or home work space, contact Alex & Lily Home.

H & T’s Wedding

January 19, 2015 Leave a comment

In August this past year, we celebrated H & T at the beautiful Botanical Gardens in Vancouver, BC. The theme of the wedding was casual, country chic- featuring some of the most beautiful table runners I have ever seen! The burlap and lace runners were definitely a feature of the decor. The whole wedding was light and bright, with help from the many windows overlooking the gardens that allowed natural light to come through.

The intimate wedding was accessorized with rustic wood place card holders and table numbers, burlap table runners and ‘Mr. & Mrs.’ sign, home made jam favours and peach and green flowers adorned with succulents. It was a pleasure to be a part of H & T’s day and their union was truly celebrated.

Thanks to Shaughnessy Restaurant and to Mathias Fast photography!

Preparing for the New Year

December 31, 2014 Leave a comment

Party tips and Holiday Organization

While the holiday season is coming to a close, there is still time for some last minute New Year’s Eve (NYE) party tips and tricks! I always find it lovely to go to or host, a house party for this time of year. It is nice to be able to CHOOSE those that you want to ring in the New Year with, as well as avoid the line up at the bar and the dreadful hunt for a cab at the end of the night.

The first thing that NYE brings to mind is the start of something new and fresh! Why not make a signature cocktail, with some added bubbly, to celebrate the night! I love this recipe with a fresh, citrus taste.

Another thing that NYE brings to mind is SPARKLES! I have always been a lover of glitter and all things shiny. Perhaps it’s the ceremonial fireworks that are set off throughout the night, but adding a bit of sparkle to the evening is fitting and fun! It can be incorporated in the décor, like this lovely PRINTABLE banner from Etsy, or in these playful coasters from Lofty Living. For you ladies, adding a bit of sparkle to your nails is also a simple and playful way to add some sparkle to the night.

As for those New Year’s resolutions: if you are going to make them, your greatest chance of succeeding in these resolutions is to write them down! Believe it or not, the simple act of physically writing out your resolutions gives you a greater chance of fulfilling them. Writing out your goals hold you more culpable to those words and also creates a visual record of what you promised yourself.

Here are some examples of New Year’s resolutions:

This year I will organize and clean out my purse once a month.
This year, I will save up enough money to finally redo my powder room.
This year, I will make sure to start planning and organizing a party at least a week in advance to avoid unnecessary stress.

This year, I will (finally) clean out my closet (possibly with help from a professional), and donate the items I no longer use.

So, if you are the type to make these resolutions/promises/goals–Write It Down! (and if you’re a stationary fiend like me, write it down in a lovely notebook like this one from Kate Spade.)

On Another Note…

As we ring in a new year, it is also time to think about cleaning up the holiday décor like trees, wreaths and lights, etc. Even though you will be bringing out the same decor in a year from now, it is still important to pack things up carefully and thoughtfully. Remember that ornament organizer from Target (see @alexlilyhome Instagram post)?? Now’s the time to use it! Place ornaments carefully into the box, with delicate ones wrapped in tissue for safe keeping. If you have a fake tree make sure it’s nicely placed in its’ box to allow easy unpacking the following year. It is well worth the initial effort of carefully and purposefully packing up holiday items for storage to save yourself time, energy, and twisted-light-strand headaches next year!

New Year

Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy and Stylish New Year!

See you in 2015!

Alex & Lily

HOLIDAY HOSTING

December 13, 2014 7 Comments

Holiday Hosting

Believe it or not, my father taught me all I know about being a good host. From years of watching him at family gatherings (most notably Thanksgiving and Canada Day), family dinners, or various entertaining evenings, he has set a standard of what it looks like to be a great host.

Regardless if it’s preparing for a big holiday party or a quiet get together, hosting a party is a role that must be filled. The job of a host/hostess serves to help guests enjoy their experience in your home all the more. Guests are just that- Guests. Whether or not your guests have visited your home previously, it is always suitable that each guest feels taken care of. That being said, here are four simple tips to help you become the most hospitable host ever:

PLAN AHEAD:

This, in my opinion, is the most important step. Without planning, you are running by the seat of your pants and may not present yourself as a good host.

Think about the number of guests you want to invite, the type of atmosphere you want (casual, formal, themed), and of course the food and drink you would like to serve. These factors should all be sorted out before guests arrive.

The planning does vary depending on how detailed of a person you are. The more detailed you are, the more details you will pay attention to and include in your party. Don’t feel bad if you do not resemble Martha she is after all, the Queen. As well, the details of your party will be determined by factors such as the number of guests you have, any chosen theme, and what and how you are serving food.

GREETING:

Upon guest arrival, always offer to take their coats and have a place to hang them (or drape them). As well, inform guests of what they can do with their shoes- do they keep them on or take them off? Once they are free of their coat, offer them a beverage!

This is very important, as well as good manners. Offering guests a drink allow them to more readily adapt to the environment and helps them get settled into the party. For some holiday season drink suggestions, click here.

REPLENISH:

The job of the host/hostess is not over once all guests have settled in, but continues throughout the night. The ongoing task of replenishing is important for your guests’ experience. Try to keep in mind what each guest is drinking, so that you are able to offer them a refill once their glass is getting low. Of course, for alcoholic beverages make sure to ask guests if they would like a refill before pouring. Keeping the bar well stocked is very important for a smoothly run party. Here is a simple outline for your bar essentials- whether you have a built-in bar area or a make-shift one for the night.

The second part of replenishing is the food. Keep an eye on platters or snacks you have out. Keep crackers filled up so that guests can eat the cheeses and meats you have put out, for example. After all, you want your guests to eat and enjoy the food!

TIP: make sure to have water or another non-alcoholic beverage on hand for those who are not drinking or guests who are driving.

CHECK IN:

To assure yourself that guests are in fact having a good time, check in with your guests from time to time. This does not mean you have to ask questions like “How are you?” or “Are you doing ok?”, but instead, “Are you hot/cold?” or something more conversational like, “Have you tried the brie yet?” This question brings attention to the food and helps to gage whether or not the guests are enjoying food as well as letting them know that they are welcome to it.

WRAP UP:

Not all parties are created equal: some parties require a lot of work and planning and others are more casual and straight-forward. Therefore, your hosting role will not be the same for every gathering you have. Click here to see some real tips from Canadian women on their view of being a good host.

Overall, taking on the role of a host/hostess is about making guests feel welcome, comfortable and are treated like a guest in your home. Keep in mind that you can share hosting duties with your partner! Either divide and conquer or collaborate!

So get those pouring skills tuned up, pick up some of your favourite cheeses and get hosting!

For some added fun, click here to see what kind of Party Personality you are!

Happy Hosting!

Alex & Lily

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