Carden-Cunietti wins prestigious design award

Audrey Carden and Eleanora Cunietti

Eleanora Cunietti is a Toronto girl who has made it big in London. The graduate of Branksome Hall and the Ontario College of Art and Design moved to the United Kingdom in the 1990s where her field, interior design, led her to a partnership with Audrey Carden. The team of Carden-Cunietti has become a virtual household name in British and European design and build circles. Now Cardern-Cunietti has added the Home and Gardens Magazine award in design which recognizes British designers who have made a significant contribution to their field. The award was made March 7, 2013, at the British Museum. Audrey and Eleanora beat the fabulous Martin Hubert and Paolo Moschino to win the coveted award. Carden Cunietti is well known for its personal, hands on approach to each  client's needs and seeing all stages of each installation come to fruition. The breadth and depth of the company's fame and acceptance is shown on its website where the partners note that they are now completing two large new build houses in Dublin and Herzelia. They are also working on projects in London, Dublin, Warsaw and Jersey. A personal note, Eleanora is my elder daughter -- Trish 

Many seder plate options at Homefront

Yes it is almost here. Passover begins the evening of March 25th and it is early this year. Homefornt has some creative ideas for a change from the traditional seder plate. Franca has put together different shape platters with bowls that can be used for seder and then later for other events. We have many unique hostess gifts some pre wrapped form 10.00 to 30.00 or many different plates, platters , stands, and bowls to put you home made treats on and leave with your hostess. also in the store are small gifts for children under 10.00 We are well stocked in glassware so if you need to replace or increase we have the selection. Clean up the appearance of you front entrance with a new door mat. We have a large selection of styles to choose from Don't forget cocktail napkins and guest towels. We have paper, cloth and monogram styles at all prices. Our gift wrapping is even more beautiful this year because as you know presentation is everything Hoemfront is open every day so come by and see all our new arrivals. (416) 488-3189. Trish Stuebing . Sent from my iPad

50% off sale to make room for new stock

We have to make room! Homefront is selling off fine linen runners with border and mitred corners in cream and (difficult to find) pale blue for 50% off.  These beautiful runners are  72 inches or 90 inches long, for vertical or multiple horizontal use, originally priced at $70 each now $35 each  Also, Homefront has elegant  Accacia Wood Salad Bowls, 12 inches in diameter originally priced at $60,  now priced at $38. How about the popular Glass Jug with easy grip hole in handle originally priced at $60 now half price at $30  We can wrap it beautifully for gift giving. All of this is to clear room for  large shipments of Sophie Conran, Nachtman Glass and Sabre Cutlery. There are many new pieces to see in our table top collections.  A big shipment of  Chilewich door mats in Shag, Basket Weave, Kono and Bamboo has been shipped today and we expect to see it  by Friday, March 1, 2013. With holidays fast approaching, be sure you have the correct tablecloth sizes and glassware.

Bread bin part of new Sophie Conran shipment

Homefront has received a large shipment of Sophie Conran dishes and baking pieces.  The shop now has inventory on display which represents among the best selection of this popular china line to be seen locally. Among the numerous large pieces now on display is the recently created Bread Bin (inset). In addition to the Conran line, which is made by Portmerion, Homefront has the Royal Selanger glass line, Nachtman, now replenished. The very popular reversible cake plate and appetizer presenter is available now.  Homefront, 371 Eglinton Ave West, just west of Avenue Road  (416) 488-3189

Century of wedding dreams in Homefront window

Homefront's Wedding Registry window contains a century of wedding dream. It features a gorgeous heirloom bridal gown which was designed by 1950s Manhattan couturier Eleanora Garnett. The gown was presented to the first bride in 1958. I was that that first bride. It's made of oyster coloured duchess satin and originally had a mandarin collar and wide obi front sash. It was worn in that design by the first three brides and the fourth redesigned the neckline and sash which you see today. The gown is 54 years old and still a classic. Now for a story more than a 100 years old. The veil displayed in our Homefront window is made of silk tulle and embroidered with brussels and rose point lace. It was purchased shortly after 1900 by my grandmother when my mother was just an infant. It was to be worn by my mother at her wedding, and in 1929 it was (upper right). The outdoor wedding took place in September and she walked down a spruce pathway and was married in a pine grove serenaded by madrigal singers. Centre right we see the veil worn by a wartime bride with her RCAF groom. This lady lives today at 97 to recall her fond memories. At the bottom right is a photograph of me wearing the veil.  In all, the veil has been worn by 10 brides and each time it looked different as  different headpieces were used. Today the gown and veil belong to no one bride as they have sailed into history and have become heirloom classics Trish Stuebing, President, Homefront.  Homefront is at 371 Eglinton Ave. West (416) 488-3189 

Floor mats arrive just in time at Homefront

Homefront has received (just in time) a wonderful selection of floor mats, door mats and runners at all price points. Georgette shows us a colourful pattern  (right).  The weather is messy and these will solve your problems with tracked in snow and ice. If you buy from stock, two of these mats we will give you 15% of the price. We are open Monday to Saturday 10 until 6 and Sundays 12 until 5. (416) 488-3189  Don't miss these beautiful and durable faux silk mats in many colours and designs. Trish 

Trish Stuebing's Wedding Registry advice

When making selections make sure of two important things. If possible always get your fiancé involved in the selection. This is something you should share with him, and two always select a variety of price points in the gifts you would like to have. Everyone has certain financial restrictions, and you may not know that they cannot afford a three hundred dollar item. Select things for yourself that you know you probably won’t be able to buy and will love 10 years down the road. You won’t always live in that starter apartment and one day you will have storage. Homefront has an toll free North America number and we can handle orders and ship all over the world. 1 800 641 4555 Homefront can store these gifts which allows you to organize them and eliminate the ones you don’t want and put the money toward the ones you do want after the wedding and when you are ready to receive them.

 Appropriate retail prices for gifts:

 Shower: between 25 and 50 

 Engagement: between 50 and 80 

 Wedding: 

 This depends on income and how close you are to the couple. One rule of thumb is the cost of your dinner but that does not apply if your guest cannot afford it. Encourage your guests to NOT bring gifts to your wedding. They can buy and deliver before the event or they have a year to select something after the wedding. You do not want to be coping with gifts on the wedding day and they need to be discouraged from doing this. This is something Homefront can help you with when your guest purchases the gift.  Homefront (416) 488-3189.