Canadian Debut: Miss Mustard Seed At The Toronto Fall Home Show

The inspirational Marian Parsons, a.k.a. Miss Mustard Seed, makes her Canadian debut at the Toronto Fall Home Show, September 18-21, 2014. Marian is a blogger, designer, author, and President of Miss Mustard Seed. She loves to paint and refinish old furniture and thought it would be amazing to have a line of Milk Paints in colours she loves. Thus the idea of Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint was born. What started as a small notion, exploded into a full line of products carried by over 230 retailers in five different countries. Before you see Marian at the show, please enjoy her interview with Toronto Show Manager, Tina Holmes.

MEET MARIAN PARSONS, MISS MUSTARD SEED

Toronto Show Manager, Tina Holmes (TH): What's happening in furniture painting in the upcoming 2014/2015 season?

• Marian Parsons (Marian): "I'm seeing more primitive-looking paint techniques...layering paint colours with crackled and worn finishes. I think DIY-ers are also becoming more aware of the products they are using and what ingredients are in them."

TH: What advice have you got for aspiring new DIY painters?

• Marian: "You have to start somewhere, so don't be afraid to start. Work on a piece that was free or cheap or that you just hate as it is. That way, there's no pressure!"

TH: What would you say are the biggest colours, the hottest trends for fall?

• Marian: I'm seeing a lot of shades of white on Pinterest. I think we all like how clean they look in pictures. I've also been seeing a lot of indigo, but the blues always catch my attention."

TH: With your book Inspired You: Breathing New Life into Your Heart and Home and the new "Look Book" launch, you bring to life your paint colours and furniture. Do you have a favourite Milk Paint colour?

• Marian: "I am a blue and white girl through and through, so I love Ironstone, Grain Sack, Shutter Gray, and French Enamel. It's really hard to pick though, because I like them all!"

TH: What's the most common question you're asked?

• Marian: "I get asked what to do with a piece. People will send me a picture of something they want to paint, but they don't know what colour to use or how to finish it. I can't answer all of them, but I try to give them a point in the right direction."

TH: Where do you get or go for inspiration?

• Marian: "I enjoy looking at magazines, Pinterest, other blogs and decorating books. I especially like looking at older decorating books to see what design choices have stood the test of time."

TH: Most memorable career moment to date?

• Marian: "Going on The Nate Berkus Show was a pretty special moment. I also had a pinch-me moment when I got my book contract. I never imagined my business would take me here."

TH: What famous figures inspire your career?

• Marian: "I think I get a lot more inspiration from women entrepreneurs who aren't famous, but have been a wonderful example to me of success coming from hard work, talent, and determination. I can relate to them more than someone who is really huge like Martha Stewart. Lisa Leonard, a jewelry designer, and Reni of Bliss & Tell Branding Company come to mind."

TH: What are three things nobody knows about you, but you wish they did?

• Marian: "I'm a vegetarian. I played Pluto at Disney World as my high school job. I have been all over Europe and to Russia, but this is my first time in Canada!"

TH: What's your personal mantra?

• Marian: "If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you."

TH: What is your favourite app on your smartphone or iPad?

• Marian: "My Fitness Pal is an amazing free app and I love looking at Sky Guide."

Miss Mustard Seed will be appearing daily on the Main Stage at the Toronto Fall Home Show, check out the complete schedule for more information. Plus she'll be be doing book signing at the Homestead House Paint Co. Booth #931. Don't miss out - grab your tickets online now. And get the inside scoop on Marian's first trip to Canada by connecting with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Special thanks to Toronto Show Manager, Tina Holmes, a.k.a. @TinaLovesPinto, for introducing us to the talented Miss Mustard Seed.

Special thanks to Homestead House Paint Co. for bringing Miss Mustard Seed to Canada.

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The ABC's of the Toronto Fall Home Show: Where It All Comes Together!

The Toronto Fall Home Show is coming to the Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto, from September 18 - 21. Get inspiration for your home and renovation projects. With over 300 exhibitors showcasing their best and newest products and services - you won't want to miss all the great opportunities our show has to offer you and your home.

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Discover the season's latest with Show Manager Tina Holmes' alphabetical rundown of what to see at Toronto's largest Fall Home Show. Check out the ABC's of the Toronto Fall Home Show below.

Advice from the Pros at the Main Stage, inspired by Artemano. From decor, renovation, entertaining and DIY, local experts and celebrities will offer insight, inspiration and advice for all your home projects. 

We believe that daily life is the most beautiful journey - Beyond simple furnishings, our creations bring to light the organic beauty of wood. 

BILD presents Free Condo Buyer's Seminar. Whether you're buying, selling, or investing, this seminar offers a comprehensive analysis of the GTA's condominium market. Join real estate expert Simon Giannini, interior designer Glen Peloso, and renovation expert Brendan Charters. The seminar will be moderated by Erin McCoy, real estate expert and host of The Real Estate Talk Show. Taking place Saturday, September 20th at 11am. 

Chefs. Don't miss our stellar line-up of chefs and culinary experts whipping up specialties, serving tips, and tasty samples. Experts include Kevin Durkee, the Big Cheese, Cheesewerks, Culinary Expo Adventures, and Chef Lorenzo Boni, Executive Chef, Barilla America. 

Design Dilemma. What's Your Design Dilemma? Presented by Reno & Decor Magazine, this feature gives consumers the opportunity to ask about challenging design dilemmas. Professional interior designers and celebrity experts will be on hand to offer free one-on-one consultations.

Celebrity experts include Glen Peloso and Jamie Alexander, Peloso Alexander Interiors. 

Evelyn Eshum, Interior Design, appearing Thursday and Friday. Bathroom Bliss! Designer tips on creating the ultimate luxurious bathroom. The do's and don'ts when renovating your bathroom. 

Fall Favourite Finds... Discover the latest products with my selected Fall Favourite Finds, which highlight the many innovative new and trending products that can be found at the Toronto Fall Home Show. 

The Samsung Ultimate Immersive Experience showcases the World's First Curved UHD TV.

Garage ideas and inspiration! We have something for everyone. Transform your garage into a functional, organized and valuable room in your home. Inspiration from Garage Living.

Home + Style Studio Tour and Sale. In support of Canadian HIV/AIDS causes, it is celebrating its 15th Anniversary! Walk away with great buys on a huge selection of quality furniture and home furnishings at the Exclusive Access Sale. Plus join Benjamin Moore's Sharon Grech, regular guest expert on Cityline, for an exciting weekend stage presentation followed by one-on-one time to get answers to your design questions.

Ideas, inspiration with over 300 exhibitors.

#justright. Modern Living #justright designed by FLOROHome, featuring Casalife. Through a new and inspired inner courtyard layout, combined with today's off the floor furnishings, see how you can make your modern home #justright. The feature engages the senses with a year round green courtyard, and shows that with the help of architecture, functional interior design, and contemporary stylish furniture, how you can warm it up for our unique climate.

Gorgeous gold accessories, Casalife.

Kitchen - The heart of the home. Nevern Cambria welcomes a new design to the family: the Waterstone™ Collection. Nevern boasts a compelling palette of creamy taupes and browns, wisps of berry, and a subtle silver shimmer that flow together. 

Nevern, the Waterstone™ Collection.

Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault, presented by Rust-Oleum. Whether you're craving a weekend furniture refresh or a full kitchen revamp, Leigh-Ann will share expert DIY tips and budget conscious tricks to transform your home for fall. Appearing Saturday & Sunday. 

Miss Mustard Seed. Canadian Debut of Marian Parsons aka Mustard Seed, presented by Homestead House Paint Co. Appearing daily, plus an exclusive book signing. 

Night. The Toronto Fall Home show is open until 9pm on weeknights. Plus FREE parking after 4pm on Thursday, September 18th. 

Outdoor heated mats. Kemf introduces HotFlake Heated Rubber Mats. Melt snow on contact and keep stairs and walkways safe and secure in winter. Visit Kemf at Booth #830.

Paint. Discover the colours found in Fusion, a new line of mineral based furniture paint, perfect for your home decor. Delivering an exceptional matte finish, this 100% acrylic latex paint requires no priming, sanding, or top coat!

Fusion - inglenook.

Questions answered. Destination Renovation by BILD (Building Industry and Land Development). Expert renovators offer unbiased advice and renovating tips in a FREE one-on-one appointment for homeowners. Meet face-to-face with renovators and builders for a no-nonsense construction consultation that will save valuable time and money.

Reno experts. In the world of home renovations, knowing the little things makes a BIG difference. See Michael Upshall, Probuilt by Michael Upshall and Dan Hall, Hall Developments, and get renovation tips from the pros.

Sleep Country. Official Mattress Sponsor of the Fall Home Show. As Canada's #1 mattress retailer, Sleep Country is THE best place to get a great night's sleep. Better sleep at a better price with better service...Sleep Country Canada. Visit Sleep Country Canada at Booth #646.

Tommy Smythe, TV design personality. It's overwhelming for homeowners to tackle decorating one room, let alone every room in their home. Tommy will show you fabulous options for every space and budget!

Appearing Saturday, September 20th at 2pm.

Upcycle Challenge. Back by Popular Demand - Habitat for Humanity GTA Upclcye Challenge: Stylize, presented by Rust-Oleum. Celebrity experts and emerging style, decor and DIY bloggers will source and repurpose a household item from one of the nine Habitat for Humanity GTA ReStore locations. Categories include: Country Rustic, Industrial, Eco Chic, Vintage Glam, and a Twist of Modern. The upcycled masterpieces will be on display and auctioned at the show.

Vitamix. Satisfy your smoothie cravings with the Apple-Pie Smoothie from Vitamix. 

Apple-Pie Smoothie

Xtra savings! Buy tickets online to the Toronto Fall Home Show and save $3 courtesy of StateFarm.

Yellow. Mustard Seed Yellow is a warm, buttery yellow - bright without being too bold. Milk Paint can be used on any porous surface without a primer, and doesn't chip or peel. Distributed in Canada by Homestead House Paint Co.

Distributed by Homestead House Paint Co.

Zoocasa real estate app for smartphones & tablets. Perfect for looking at house listings while on the go. Visit Zoocasa at Booth #1163.

From A to Z there's lots to see at the Toronto Fall Home Show!
Grab your tickets online now and plan your visit - we can't wait to see you there! 

Special thanks to Toronto Show Manager, Tina Holmes a.k.a. @TinaLovesPinot, for sharing her Toronto Fall Home Show ABC's with us! 

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Summer Obsessions: Tina Holmes' Seasonal Favourites for the Home + Garden

Summer's here, so it's the perfect time for outdoor living. Embrace your space! With plenty of sunshine to soak up, patio parties to attend and time to relax, this is the season! Here's a few of our summer obsessions from Tina Holmes, Toronto Show Manager. Whether you’re looking for a fresh summer salad, a pop of colour, or to brighten up your garden, add some sunshine to your home and garden.

Fresh Flowers

Image via Love My Simple Home

When the days are longer and the air is warm, throw open your windows and enjoy the days of summer. Bring the fresh look of summer into your home. Add fresh flowers and plants to any room, from your bedroom, living room and even the guest room. Enjoy colourful, cheery, summery bright colours. Live with what you love!

Chair Crush

Image via Tina Holmes (@tinalovespino Instagram)

Ah, the Acapulco chair. So colourful and summery. Sitting pretty, spotted at Green Light District (Roncesvalles) new outdoor space. Perfect for creating a simple little outdoor space, the Acapulco lounge chair is available in fun bright colours.  

Brighten up the Garden

Image via Colin & Justin Instagram

Brighten up the garden and even the patio. Bring in some fun bright colour accessories! I fell in love with these Colin & Justin home watering cans.   

Summertime = DIY Time 

Image via My Painted Door

Upcycling continues to be contagious with the ease of the summer months. There are so many great upcycle ideas and inspirations out there. 

Upcycling has been done for years, but it's only with the recent do-it-yourself movement that it earned a title. It's like recycling, but the goal is making the item even better than it was before. It was love at first sight with these Mason Jars painted with Miss Mustard Seed's milk paint in boxwood and curio and torn napkins added to cover part of the jars.

A favourite summer retail therapy stop is a Restore, that inspires the DIY in all of us - you'll never know what you'll find.  

Summer Salad: Yellow Couscous Salad with Pomegranate Dressing

Image via Healthy Recipe Ecstasy

Simple and easy summer salad. The perfect recipe for your couscous obsession: yellow couscous salad with pomegranate dressing. Couscous readily absorbs the flavours of the ingredients that are added to it, so what better way to celebrate summer flavours than with mint and pomegranate. 

Click here for the recipe.

Did you know that couscous is not a grain at all, but made from semolina (the hard grains left after milling durum wheat) that's combined with flour, salt and water (and sometimes roasted) to form tiny, pasta-like pellets?

Flavoured Ice Cubes

Image via Spoon Fork Bacon

With outdoor entertaining in full swing, it’s all about serving cool, refreshing drinks on a hot day. Super cool! Fresh fruit obsession, a perfect addition to summer. The summer season brings us lots of local fresh fruit from local farmers markets and culinary adventures. Fruit frozen into ice cubes livens up your simple summer drinks.

Summer Season Craving

Image via Food Network

Chef Corbin's Smoked Bacon Wrapped Corn on the Cob with chili & fresh lime. Summer is a perfect season to enjoy our local fare, and Ontario Corn is one of the best of Ontario Summers. For the recipe click here.

Outdoor Living

Image via ElleDecor

During the summer your most coveted space is outdoors. Brighten your backyard for those warm summer nights. Enjoy outdoor living long after dark with these illuminating ideas from white lights, patio lanterns and summer loving candlelight. 

Summer Songs

Songza is the new tunes obsession for summer. Great tunes streaming from curated lists, perfect for the home, vacation and cottage too. Make your summer patio parties, barbecues, and rooftop shindigs bigger and better with Songza. Songza is 100% free, with no audio ads, all you need is a wifi connection. A fun Summer Playlist is 'Summer Escapades' curated by Train. These bouncy beats and sweet melodies will get you excited for summer adventures with friends and family.

 

Special thanks to Toronto Show Manager Tina Holmes a.k.a. @TinaLovesPinot, for  sharing her Summer Obsessions!

Enjoy your summer! 

Toronto Home Shows "We've got you covered"

Toronto Fall Home Show (Sept 18-21, 2014)
GTA Home & Reno Show (Feb 13-16, 2015)
National Home Show (March 12 -22, 2015)

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