The Chateau Laurier in Ottawa

                                                                                                                                     © Christine Mastroianni, all rights reserved

So it would really be fine with me if my living room were to exude the character and class of the lobby of the Chateau Laurier.. I love that there is so much space but yet the furniture is arranged to instigate intimate conversation or perhaps a spirited exchange of opinions or even some provocative banter. How could any interaction be mundane while surrounded by rich, stately mahogany walls adorned with exquisite evidence of Karsh's photographic wisdom and artistry.. nary a lego brick or beheaded Nintendo figure or diminished crayon in sight. I love elementary creative play, but this.. this is a place for elegance and sophistication.. at least it is in my mind:

I step onto the lush carpet, breathtakingly adorned in a crimson floor-length Vera Wang gown and sky high Christian Louboutin pumps. The plunging neckline is gracefully bare, providing a silky backdrop for the sparkling chandeliers that are dancing suggestively from my earlobes. I am promptly greeted by the one smiling face that I intensely wanted to see and soon find myself the recipient of some proficiently delivered compliments that coat my ears like warm literary chocolate.  My expression ameliorates into a unavoidable smile as I accept the warm, outstretched hand that hovers before me and drift through the door in a swirl of satin leaving nothing behind but invisible streams of air delicately infused with Chanel No. 5.