Vested Interest: The exotic side of Callander



 

Vested Interest is back in Callander, and continues to take us on exotic and flavourful trips around the world. 

Filled with peaks and rafters and a beautiful wooden staircase, the bright red building that houses the new store is almost worth a visit in itself.

Although Vested Interest has something for all seasons, it's in the summer that the store excels, with its colourful accessories that will bring joy to your home. 

Here are some of my favourites from my first visit to the Callander location last week:

Fish swimming in formation, adding a touch of fun

to any summer display.

More fish. I love this trio of hot pads/trays.

I was thrilled to find this stylish and sturdy design classic

among the kitchen accessories! The Margarethe mixing

bowl by Swedish designer Sigvard Bernadotte, makes 

whisking, beating, or stirring delightful. Great for a hostess
gift!

All-weather cushion in happy colours.

Paddles with patina

will bring interest to a

lonely corner.

Great for lounging on the deck, headrest included.

Interesting cups and decorations in a thin layer of tin.

Vested Interest reemerges

A new location on Seymour Street and new items being unpacked every day... A visit to Vested Interest in North Bay is always a fun experience. These are some of the items that caught my attention:

Cool off in the shade in these colourful all-weather loungers.

If you want to introduce an 

organic vibe to your home, a

side table is a good place to

start. This piece combines glass

atop an intricate wood surface... 

...whereas this interesting piece
is made up of small tree branches.

This cute friend is made from banana leaf. 

Paddle shelves are a natural addition to any 

cottagy space. 

Break up all the hard, square shapes 

that are so common in our homes with 

a round, textured wood decoration.

Do you see what I see? The 

feminine silhouette of this root 

bench makes it especially unique 

and interesting.

Also for your cottage-style home:

a clean-lined, Ontario-made bookshelf.

Holiday knick knacks

A birds-only Christmas tree at Holiday Comforts.

Definitely unique and quite effective with its purely 

white and red colour scheme.

With one hour to kill in this final week before Christmas, I find myself in the Northgate Shopping Centre checking out last minute details and inspiration. The Mall is buzzling with people, lights and activity, exactly what one would expect for this time of the year. What I didn't expect though was to be greeted by chattering feathered friends in some of the Malls' Christmas trees. Take a look for yourself; these pieces are sure to  make your holiday home sing!

There is also a landing spot for multicoloured 

birds at Holiday Comforts, like this sparkling 

green friend

Glass objects, like these sculptural candleholders 

from Holiday Comforts, feel festive and reflect 

light around the room.

More glass, this time on glass plates. The plates'

fluted surface gives them an extra sparkle (see 

below). Added bonus: they are on sale at 

Vested Interest.

These shiny moose napkin rings are

one of my absolute favourites. So cute 

and what a great gift they make!

Accents by Design.

Imagine this bowl with bright, orange 

mandarines. Definitely festive! Holiday 

Comforts.

The wine will taste even better when served
from this glass decanter. Holiday Comforts.

For a rustic, genuine style, try Maxwell Pottery's 

handmade pieces on your Christmas table. The 

colour is so right!

Golden apples in a wooden bowl. Deep and rich

festive tones. Accents by Design.

These white-and-red porcelain balls will give the 

Christmas tree a beautifully simple and old-fashioned 

look. Holiday Comforts. If you prefer more colour,

you might want to go with these mini balls from 

Accents by Design (below).

Celebrating your cottage in style

White plank floors and walls provide a fresh
and clean base for your decor. Red and white
is a classic summer combination. Be consistent
and stick to the colour scheme also in the
smallest details (note the red geranium plant!).

Summer time, cottage time. Easy living is the order of the day, and that also applies to how you organize your summer home. Ideally, it has to stand up to sandy feet and dripping bathing suites; it has to accommodate visiting relatives and improvised corn-on-the-cob dinners with friends; and it has to invite you to crawl up and finally read that treasured book. All this and you still want it to look stylish! How do you achieve it? My solution includes a crisp, white base which you combine with one major accent colour, natural textures and accessories, and an effort to always try to limit your furniture and things in general to the essentials. I hope these pictures will inspire you to create your own easy, breezy summer haven!

A white-and-blue floral slipcover is

quintessentially cottage! Seek out 

local thrift stores for old tables that

you can refinish.

Enjoy a peaceful breakfast surrounded 

by stripes - a safe summer choice for
upholstery and cushions.

New and old - furniture as well as guests -

typically share the space around the summer 

table. The bright red mirror and chairs give

the room some needed punch - and tons of 

style! 

And here are a few accessories - all found in North Bay stores - which will complete your home's summer look:

Pot from Stewart's Decorating

Centre.

Lanterns from Winners.

Weathered mirrors from Winners.

White table from Manchester's 
Sleep Centre and Spas.

Wicker stool from Vested Interest and sisal rug from Stradwick's Carpet One.

Vested Interest: The world at your doorstep

Whenever you feel like going somewhere exotic, save your plane ticket and visit Vested Interest Trading instead. Stepping into this store is like taking a trip around Asia and back to northern Ontario again. Inspiring and educational! I like how the wide product range appeals to all senses: scented placemats, interestingly shaped wooden objects, soft textiles and locally produced specialty food... An extra bonus is the dedication to Fair Trade. 
The store's furniture sale has been extended until the end of April, so I decided to check out a few favourites. Some unique accessories also made it to my list. Have a look at this: 

   

 

The different shades of blue make this bowl shimmer. $34.99.

This mat made of softly rounded stones is incredibly cool and probably very comfortable for bare feet. $79.99.

Chill out in this fun, all-weather bean bag chair this summer. It comes in a variety of colours – orange, lime green, red, burgundy, black, grey, brown, bright blue. Great on the deck, on the dock, in the tv room – just about anywhere! The all-weather lounger is the store's summer special at $99 (regular price $150). 

Book end or stand-alone sculpture. This expressive stone figure will add interest to your bookshelf. $34.99.

Shabby chic bench, which could also work as a casual coffee table. Various sizes, $179.99 to $199.99.

Cabinet with double diamond doors and carved flowers. $1,200.

I like slatted furniture, including this chair. $839.99 for a pair.

Nautical-looking frames in cool hues, $8.99 to $17.99.

Is it a table or a bowl? It can be both! $149.99. 

One example of Vested Interest's many root benches. $475.

Hang up a number of these beehive-shaped candle holders. Several colours available. $24.99.

I always find interesting things in the discount corner, like this textured blind. 35" wide, $39.99.

Elegant rattan chair gives warmth and texture to a dining room. $249.99.

Teak wood dining table. $1,499.99.

Wood pieces reclaimed from old Asian boats have cleverly been transformed into decorative wall art. $399.99.