I was so honoured to be included in the May Canadian Family – and did we ever have fun! The kids had the best time picking out my outfit and the Canadian Family team made us feel so comfortable. Here’s a fun little secret- there are actually 4 children in this picture…

That’s right, we’re expecting (again)! You can see the tiny beginning of my bump here in this photo taken by the lovely Katherine Holland. We are due in November and are very excited. For a few short months I will have 4 children, 4 and under (exhausted just writing that)! We are beyond thrilled and are so excited to bring another little Canning into the world. Also thrilled that Smythe blazers (like this lovely blue one above) are tailored perfectly for pregnant bellies. Room to grow!

With my exciting news out of the way, on to announcing the winner of my PileOfPillows.com giveaway. Thanks to everyone who entered. I wrote down all the entires and put them into a good old fashioned hat and the lucky winner drawn is… Jaimie of Redleafstyling! We’ll be in touch Jaimie to get your pillows shipped to you and thanks again to everyone for entering.

I have recently been introduced to PileOfPillows.com, a stylish Canadian e-boutique that features beautiful quality, and beautiful looking products for your home and bed. I love their carefully curated variety of designer and earth-friendly products. I am going to be ordering a set of sheets for a new King bed purchase I’d love to make (Mother’s Day gift to myself?).

I was very happy to see the Mazizmuse line as part of their product assortment. I blogged about them a while ago and have always been a fan of Laura’s use of pattern and colour.

PileOfPillows.com has graciously gifted a pair of outdoor Mazizmuse pillows for my blog readers- open to my readers all across Canada! Perfect timing as we dust off our patios and get ready for more outdoor living.

To enter, please leave a comment below telling me your favourite thing about Canadian summer. For an additional entry, tweet this contest including my twitter handle @lisa_canning and @PileOfPillows. For a final entry follow Lisa Canning Interiors on Facebook!

Contest closes Tuesday May 14 at 11pm and winner will be chosen at random.

I must admit the sleek design is what I love the most. In a small space like mine I don’t have room for many devices- the 2-in-1 capabilities of this little machine save me closet space and it’s compact size allows it to sit on a mantle or on the floor unobtrusively.

The product tilts and rotates allowing for heat or cool air to flow around a room. With the winter like weather we had recently I had it on full blast a few evenings and it did a decent job of heating my small living room. I love that the technology that Dyson is so known for includes that this unit is bladeless- so no worries with my little children and their little fingers.

Last design point- I love that the remote sits via magnet seamlessly on top of the unit. Good design and great technology- my kind of product.

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FAUX PAS ONE: Drapes that are too short. Drapes should always just skim the floor, or for a more romantic look puddle with about 2″ – 4″ of excess fabric. I personally don’t like puddled drapes in most cases but what irks me even more is drapery that is even 2″ too short- they look like flood pants- like you ran out of fabric- and it should be avoided! Skim the floor or puddle.

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FAUX PAS TWO: Rugs that are too small. A rug should not look like a postage stamp in comparison to the size of the room. Rugs are meant to warm up a room, be played on, be walked on- so let’s make them large enough to do their function. Rugs should extend past the legs of most of the furniture in a grouping. If you’ve purchased a rug that is to small consider placing an identical one beside it to create the illusion of a larger surface.

FAUX PAS THREE: Light fixtures that are too short or two low. This could be it’s own dedicated blog post but the main offenders I see are in regards to dining table fixture heights. We recently had as a client the CEO of major lighting company and he gave me a great rule to follow (thanks Robert!)- the bottom of the fixture should be double the height of the table from the floor. No lower, no higher. Bonus points if the width of your fixture is about half the width of your table.

FAUX PAS FOUR: Accent walls. I am not against these in principle, but I find that when they are done without the help of a professional they can look like you ran out of paint. Instead of paint, I like to use wallpaper as an accent wall and pull the paint colour from one of the tones in the pattern.

FAUX PAS FIVE: Matching, overstuffed, brown or beige leather like couch sets. They are wrong. A sofa is such a main piece in a living room so let it have good shape, be pretty, and look the opposite of a lumpy sac of potatoes!

That’s my small rant for today, please feel free to add to this list in the comments below Happy weekend everyone!

Sorry for the gratuitous pictures of my daughter Evelyn but she looked so ridiculously sweet today I had to share. A little mommy moment over here. Happy Easter!

This adorable umbrella. How cute and vibrant is this? So convenient it can be bought online.

Green. It was never a fav colour of mine in decorating but I must admit it has grown on me. This collection at HomeSense screams spring to me.

Bouclair’s new wallpaper line. It’s so cheerful, so colourful, and so cheap. Love the instant impact that patterned wallpaper provides.

Again with the green with a few fabric selections for a new client. Chevron- still going strong in my books

Finally, my husband just picked up a new suit and I couldn’t help fall in love with these socks at Harry Rosen. Fresh and vibrant- makes me want to purchase some men’s socks.

Here’s to a speedy start to spring!

We finished and shot (with Larry Arnal) a fresh and clean bathroom in north Toronto.

And in the same house a completely different vibe but equally gorgeous bathroom. Love this space.

Some orchids get to find a home at The Kit magazine offices as we start to layer in the pretty.

And a new project in Toronto’s Greek town begins as we plan a main floor renovation. This is a prelim sketch for an office / breakfast area in the living room.

And to end our week I am going to be willing spring to come to Toronto at the National Home Show and Canada Blooms. You’ll find me (when not answering design dilemmas at the Reno and Decor booth on Saturday from 12-1:30) among the flowers pretending they are growing outside.

Speaking of the Home Show- happy to announce that the winners of this week’s ticket giveaway are (selected at random)… Rita, Stephanie and Gina! Thanks for all your entries and see you at the show!

I have three pairs of tickets to give away to the National Home Show, currently open at Exhibition Place. I will again be at the Reno & Decor booth answering design questions on Saturday March 23 from 12-1:30pm so please stop by!

To enter, let me know who you would take to the show in the comments below. Winner will be randomly drawn. Contest closes Wednesday March 20 at 11pm and winners will be notified by email. Good luck!

1. SATURDAYS HAVE GOTTEN EVEN BETTER with Kate Spade’s new line of products coming this March 2013. As is to be expected with her eponymous brand, it’s bright, feminine and graphic- and more affordable, such a bonus. Images from Kate Spade Saturday Instagram.

2. TARGET COMES TO CANADA really soon and I just can’t wait. The entire shopping experience is a well designed experience- from their store fixtures to their product. And of course their designer lines, like this image above from the Nate Berkus collection are always on trend and friendly on the wallet. Image from Target.com.

3. A NEW VIEW FOR 2013 is in store for the Canning house as it is the year I am FINALLY going to make improvements to my own home. A  black window and door are in the works and I am taking lots of inspiration for Donna Karan’s Manhattan apartment shot by Richard Powers.

4. A TREAT FOR MY SEAT the “Ergo“, designed so that the body slightly moves while sitting to build core muscles intrigues me. I was debating getting an exercise ball to sit on at the office but realized it would be impractical (massive, roll away, I would fall off, etc.) and stumbled upon this little pretty. I might just get it and share a review with you.

5. Coco Rocha- even on her Instagram is so pretty. This monogramed Rebecca Minkoff purse is so me- down to the cobalt colour. Logan Real- please respond to my email and paint a little LC on one? Pretty please? Just can’t wait to add this to my collection.

Happy Friday!