A touch of nature
Karen Bertelsen: Décor expert, blogger and collector
You’ve probably already seen the inside of Karen Bertelsen’s house.
If you’re a fan of lifestyle blogs, home improvement, home decor, or of the bubbly former TV personality who has hosted shows on HGTV, W Network, MuchMoreMusic and CFMT, you’ve probably already seen the inside of her house.
The same house that has been featured in The Spectator by Kathy Renwald, in the New York Times, Canadian Living and on Bertelsen’s popular blog, The Art of Doing Stuff.
Because Bertelsen, 50, who left the world of broadcasting to launch a full-time blogging career in 2010, has expertly restored her 140-year-old Dundas cottage, tackling one project at a time — many of which she documents in witty blog posts that will make you wish you were her best friend.
Stepping in off her front porch, you can’t help but notice the natural elements inside her cosy living room and entryway: weather-worn woods mingle with marble table tops and gilded frames, a glossy acorn, a stack of firewood and antlers — deer and elk — everywhere.
“I like things a little bit rough,” says Bertelsen of her decorating style. “I don’t like things that are totally perfect or whatever. And probably the same with clothing.”
Yes, Bertelsen brings a touch of nature to her wardrobe, as well.
She collects authentic natureinspired Aboriginal clothing and jewelry in handcrafted leather and stone because she admires the craftsmanship and history of each piece.
And despite being an animal lover who has rescued and rehomed many, she does admit to a love of vintage furs.
“That started from Carrie on ‘Sex and the City,’ where she had a great, big vintage fur coat that she wore on that show and I found one almost exactly like it,” says Bertelsen.
“I don’t really wear them, I just sort of buy them and look at them and feel kind of guilty.”
She is something of a minimalist when it comes to her wardrobe, she says, and these days does most of her shopping online. (“I spent a lot of time in the grocery store buying my clothes, for many years. But even just this year, I’ve decided I’m not going to buy my jeans next to the cheese. I’m just not going to do it anymore.”)
But despite owning a few items that she describes as “big, wild stuff,” like a
handbag shaped like a chicken, Bertelsen describes her personal style as classic, with an edge.
“I don’t like things that are necessarily super trendy,” she says.
“Because I don’t think it looks good on everybody. Just because something’s in style doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to look any good on you.”
The statement piece of the typical workday outfit she wears here is an understated pair of black Hermes riding boots that she scored at the Christie Antique Show and Sale.
She pairs them with grey heather leggings from Roots, a dark grey Tshirt and dove grey mock neck sweater, both from Aritzia.
Bertelsen accessorizes with three silver bangles from Thailand, a silver Tiffany and Co. cuff and ring, and a gold and diamond ring that was her father’s.
Most eye-catching piece:
A vintage fur coat that I got at … Mizener’s (Antiques and More Market). And it’s Christian Dior. I’d never buy any of this stuff new … it’s ocelot, to make matters worse. Do I think people should be going out killing ocelots for coats now? No. No, I do not … oh, and it was made for Holt Renfrew. It’s Christian Dior made for Holt Renfrew, so it’s pretty eye-catching. It was already dead and I like the history of it …
Quirkiest wardrobe item:
The Original Chicken Handbag from Firebox. Yup. A friend who owns The Kitchen Witch store in Dundas surprised me with it one day.
Wardrobe must have:
Jeans. Good jeans … usually skinny jeans, medium wash, they’ve got to have a crazy amount of stretch in them because I need to be able to bend down, move around, be comfortable, take pictures, lie on the ground.
Best purchase:
These Hermès boots. Because I’ll have them my whole life. That’s the thing about trendy — part of what I don’t like about trendy — is that it just doesn’t last, you don’t have it for years and years.
Regrets buying:
Probably anything fur. But honestly, it was already killed. I’m just attracted to it. When I go to flea markets, I’m always attracted to fur, whether it’s rugs or coats.
Loves to shop at:
I like the store Aritzia, I like Club Monaco. I sound like a real snot with all these places. I used to buy everything at Joe Fresh … it used to be, pick up milk, cheese, bra ... and in keeping with the riding theme, when I go to the Royal Horse show, they have lots of really nice clothing vendors.
Ridding her closet of:
When I was on CFMT, Suzanne Boyd was the editor of (Flare) Magazine and she’s the coolest woman in the world. So when I was at CFMT, I was in the makeup room and (Suzanne Boyd) was there ... I love clothing, have always loved clothing. I walked in and I was wearing … have you ever put something on in the morning and the whole day you’re thinking, I feel like a dweeb? This is gross. This is awful.
And that’s what I was wearing when I walked in and met (Boyd) … the coolest woman in the world. And that day I said, I’m never going to have anything in my closet that if I run into someone like her again, I’m going to be embarrassed.
I never ended up doing anything about it. And I maintained my closet filled with things that I put on and go out, thinking, I hate that skirt, why am I even wearing it?
But 20 years later, this (past) December, I went through my closet and by the time I’m done I’ll probably only have about four things left, plus a bunch of stuff I can wear in the garden — like, total garbage stuff.
So I’m getting rid of anything (I) don’t feel great in. I’d rather have three things that I feel like I look good in and I’m comfortable in, than have a closet full of options that you feel they don’t fit right.
Splurges on:
I just started this in November — eyelash serum. Omigod, it works. Latisse. Which is the only one you need an actual prescription for. You need to go to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon’s office and they’ll give it to you ... I think it’s about $100 a month … for a tiny little tube. But it goes forever.
Beauty product she can’t live without:
Mascara … because my eyelashes are clear … now I use L’Oréal Voluminous.