Friday, December 31, 2010

Paint It Black

I will forever love a room wrapped in a crisp coat of white paint, but I'll admit I'm drawn to the drama of a black wall. I'll take it in a high gloss or matte like a chalkbaord - I love them all.
Here is a sampling of my favorite images.



images via apartment therapy
I've posted this one before. I love the wall, the door, the chandy.. 
via house of turquoise

Things look so beautiful against a black wall.
Placing a black dresser against the wall allows the mirror to take centre stage.

via fresh design blog


Someday, I will be daring and have an acid green door just like this one.
Well maybe not, but isn't it beautiful?

via living etc

 The Morrish Stencil. I still love it, especially on a black wall.
I don't think I've the patience to do it though.



google images

Happy New Year!

Thursday, December 30, 2010

New Pillows Sewn by ME!

I did it! I learned to sew... well at least a little bit! Enough to make a couple of pillow covers:)
My sister was home, this Christmas, from Ontario, and I made her promise that she would "help" me sew some covers with the fabric I ordered from fabric.com. By help, I meant that I would watch and learn while she make them. Just kidding.... but, being the teacher she is, she instructed and I did most of the work!

She couldn't understand how come she had learned to sew at school and from Mom, but I hadn't. I remember making a tote bag and a pair of boxer shorts in grade 8 and 9, but I think that was the last time I touched a sewing machine.

I'll admit, I don't think I could thread the machine without using the manual, but I'm sure I'll learn soon enough! The hardest part was not the actual sewing but rather measuring and cutting. The first one was too big and we had to redo it a bit.

me cutting the fabric:)

Mom's trusty old sewing machine.. does the trick!

Here's how they turned out. While not perfect, not bad if I do say so myself!



I think next time I would made them a bit smaller. I left an inch seam allowance, but IKEA pillows are not super full, so I think you could get away with none at all.
And, here they are on the couch in the office.




I may be addicted now... where else do I need new pillows?

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

New Blog Design :)

I'm so excited about my new blog design! I can't thank Lauren from Designer Blogs enough. She was extremely patient with me throughout the whole process. She started the design during the busiest week of the year, but always seemed to promptly reply about all of my questions and requests.
I wanted to keep it simple, but I don't know if that ended up being simple for her too:) It took a bit of time, but she came to understand what I liked and ran with it.
I would really recommend Designer Blogs to anyone interested in a new blog look!

Popular Posts 2010

I created this blog in May of this year and there were a few posts that stood out to my readers. Those posts also happen to feature a couple of my favorite rooms in my home. Let's take a peek back.

By far, the most popular and my favorite room of all was the kitchen. See more in these posts:
Kitchen Transformation Part 1 and Part 2:


before
after

Another popular post was the porch makeover and bench project.
before


after


after



It will be interesting to see what projects the New Year will bring!


Sunday, December 26, 2010

Happy Holiday!

This post is a little late, but I wanted to wish all my blog friends a Merry Christmas!

via style at home
 We had a wonderful few days of eating, exchanging gifts, lounging, playing games and eating some more. It's funny how quickly all your holiday decor loses its sparkle once the tornado of gift opening storms through. I think I'll leave things up for a little while longer though :)

Speaking of storms, a little bird told that we are getting a nor'easter tonight. Doesn't Mother Nature know that those are only for school days?

I'm still snug in my new jammies. Beaufort enjoyed his new snuggie for a few short minutes, but his toy monkey was a big hit - while it lasted! I think the kids all have enough toys to entertain them until next Christmas, and I, for one, am never eating again.

Have a great Boxing Day!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

A $2 Tree Skirt

This year, I searched high and low for an affordable tree skirt. I wanted something simple, in a white or cream. I saw lots of really beautiful ones, but I have a hard time paying $40 or $50 for something I would use for only a couple of weeks.
So, I was browsing through the Dollarama one day and came upon their felt tree skirts. I bought 2 of them and took them home.
One I left intact and the other one I used to make little felted rosettes. I would explain how to do it, but Ellen at Creative Passage offers the best instructions, so you can find them here.
Mine were just cut freehand while watching tv, so they are certainly not all the same size, but I like them that way. I glued them all in a random pattern all over one section of the skirt.





What do you think? Not bad for $2?
Don't mind the bad pictures. I've been playing around with Picasa.. not so successfully:)
 

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

A Bit More Christmas..

With Christmas very quickly approaching, I wanted to post a few more pictures from around the house. A few little details that make me smile when I walk through the house. At the same time, it makes me sad to think that in less than two weeks I'll be taking it all down for another year!

Here's a peek at the staircase. I filled an artificial garland with fresh cedar and pine.
Then, clustered some Christmas balls together and added a few feathers.


Just before the house tour, I realized there was an empty wall in the entryway. It's funny how you don't notice things when you walk by them everyday! I needed something in a pinch, so we hung an old frame I had painted and strung up a few crochet snowflakes. A bit of greenery and voila!


The chalkboard door in the kitchen bears a sentimental Christmas message:)


A simple little arrangement in the kitchen.


A greenery arrangement in the living room trimmed with tiny glass balls. 
The little penguin is one of my favorite decorations. I leave him out all winter!


It has been wonderful taking a glimpse into so many bloggers homes the last few weeks to see how they decorate for the holidays. I am inspired by the creativity - so many wonderful ideas! I hope you all find the time to sit back, relax and admire all your hard work!


Monday, December 20, 2010

Hello Honeysuckle!

As I mentioned before, Pantone has released its Color of the Year for 2010: Honeysuckle.


They describe it as a color that allows to "face everyday troubles with verve and vigor. A dynamic reddish pink, Honeysuckle is encouraging and uplifting. It elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life.” Their prediction is that we will see this color everywhere from lipstick, nailpolishes, dresses, pillows and even appliances?

It is definitely a bright and bold color, like last year's Turquoise. Inherently it's color that seems to lift our spirits and bring a sense of optimism. I always say that wearing pink is like an instant natural blush! Plus, it's just plain pretty!

I'm unsure about using too much in room without becoming too Miami Vice. But, I think it is a perfect choice to punch up a neutral space.

Here are some "pink" rooms that I find inspiring:









 Most it of all, it reminded me of the living room designed by my beloved Sarah Richardson and Tommy Smythe for Sarah's House.


Just enough pink... I mean honeysuckle.


I would love to know what you all think. Love it? Hate it? Are you all rushing out to buy honeysucke accessories? Do you find it too feminine?
And one more.. I'm curious. Just for fun.. what do you think of this one? Too much honeysuckle? Those cupboards are amazing but the color I'm not so keen on.. :)



Sunday, December 19, 2010

6 More Sleeps!

I am heading to Charlottetown today with my mom and sister. Hopefully we'll finish off any shopping we have left. For now, I wanted to share a picture of our little Beaufort decked out in his Christmas outfit.


I hope everyone is enjoying the preparations! Christmas will be here before we know it!

Friday, December 17, 2010

A Look Back at Turquoise

Pantone just released the Color of the Year for 2011. It's called Honeysuckle and the color is not what I expected from its name.


It is, however, gorgeous. But more on that later.

I want to take a look back at the 2010 Color of the Year: Turquoise. Not all colors have the ability to pack a punch or lift your spirits like it does! As we headed into the winter months, a dose of turquoise was just what we needed. Maybe because it reminds us of the color of the ocean or of a bright sunny sky?

I remember thinking it was too bold. I didn't think that it wouldn't catch on much further than through accessories. I'll be the first to admit that I was dead wrong on that one. I've been some beautiful accessories and some entire rooms done in turquoise and I think it's pretty terrific.

Did my home get a big dose of turquoise? No, but a couple of touches for sure. I picked up these lamps at Winners one day. They add a nice punch to my dining room.


Here is a collection of my favorite rooms that feature the color turquoise in some way or another.

What's not to love about this room by Jonathan Adler. I've seen it dozens of times and it still stops me in my tracks. The chippendale chairs are amazing and the chevron rug gets me everytime.



Turquoise works in a more traditional country setting too.


via country living

Gorgeous room. Very me, I think. And do I spot an IKEA coffee table?


via decorpad

 A great room to entertain in. Tons of seating. I suppose the size of the room helps!
via decorpad

Such a simple room with an incredible rug.

via house and home

 Maybe I should have painted my cabinet this color? Nah, I love the white:)

via house and  home

I don't know what it is about this image that I love. I guess it is that door. It takes the room from good to great in my opinion. I think I've saved it in every folder I have. It all just works.. even though I bet that kitchen is teeny!


via decorpad


Lots of color for me, but I love the grouping of black and white photos and curtains.

 Athough, me and chocolate brown are on the outs these days (not feeling it), nothings pairs better with it than a little turquoise and a bit of pink!

via decorpad

I'll be back soon with my thoughs on Honeysuckle!
Pretty excited that I now have 101 Followers:) Thank-you!