Wednesday, May 25, 2011

DIY Trellis Wall

I am super excited about the project I'm sharing with you today! My friend Shellilee is the DIY queen. She always has a project on the go and doesn't seem to ever sit still. A bit of an energizer bunny! She shares my love of white and isn't afraid to paint anything. Seriously. She'll paint anything! I'm pretty sure spray paint is her best friend!:)

A while ago, she was lamenting about her staircase. It had ugly pink carpet and there was a huge empty wall in her staircase that was keeping her up at night. Should she do a large gallery wall? Wallpaper it? Stencil it? In the end, she decided to do a large trellis pattern using painter's tape. She send me some before and after pictures and I just had to share. Check out the pink walls and carpet!

Before:

The carpet was removed (apparently a huge job which included lots of staple and glue removal. Not fun).
The railing and the stairs got a coat of paint. So much better:)


But the large wall was still weighing on her mind. So she coaxed her husband into helping her tape out a trellis pattern on the wall. I can't imagine that this was an easy task!



Then, a coat of grey paint and off came the tape!


Isn't it awesome?




Lots of work but miles away from where it began. I'm telling you, this girl has vision!
Love it Shellilee!

Guest Posting at Simple Dwellings.

I'm over at Simple Dwellings today participating in Amber's series If My Blog Was A Room.
I would love it if you head on over and check it out!
Thanks for having me Amber. It was fun!

I'll be back later to share a fun DIY project:)

Friday, May 20, 2011

Featured at LeBaron Interiors

Happy Friday everyone! I'm so excited that it's a long weekend. We finally had a taste of some beautiful weather here yesterday. A little sunshine never fails to lift your spirits!


Today, Kayla of LeBaron Interiors is featuring my home in her Design Done Right series!
I'm so flattered that you included me Kayla!
I'd love it if you'd check it out!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Apparently I'm Avant-Garde?

A while ago, I snagged these beauties at a vintage shop. It was love at first sight. Well not really.. I thought about them for a few days then went back and made them mine.

Well. apparently my suspicion of they coolness has been confirmed. While perusing Style at Home's recent issue "100 Best Designer Secrets", I discovered the IDENTICAL bird on page 22, reminding us not to forget about vintage items.

I'm smiling because I saw them first:)

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Jewellery For Your Coffee Table

I know it's not necessarily practical but I totally love beautiful coffee table vignettes. I say, the more details and embellishments on the table the better. Who cares if there is no room for your laptop, your coffee or (who are we kidding) your feet? So what is it that makes the perfect coffee table vignette? Let's take a peek.












Source: google.ca via Jane on Pinterest

Source: google.ca via Jane on Pinterest





Source: google.ca via Jane on Pinterest


Source: None via Jane on Pinterest

Here is what I spy:
  • Lots and lots of books. You can never collect too many beautiful books!
  • Trays to corral your items in groupings.
  • Interesting, pretty objects
  • Candles
  • Fresh flowers complete the look. It just doesn't seem right without them!
Styling a vignette on any piece of furniture is a real art. Some people are just good at it. I struggle but at the same time, I find it really fun. For me, the easiest way is to lay out all the things that could work then play around with groupings and placement. It sometimes takes several tries but eventually you get it right!

I'm still working on mine. I must say, I was really unsure of my coffee table when I painted it white. But as I add accessories, it seems to be growing on me! Must be something about my love of white with pops of color!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Featured at The Fancy Life

A thank you to Leanne, a fellow Canadian blogger, who blogs over at The Fancy Life about all things home design related! Today, she featured some before and after shots of my home. 


Head over and check it out. Her blog is full of beautiful and fancy images to inspire you!

$1 Light Fixture

The other day I showed you this fun find from the rainy day shopping trip. It's actually a vintage heater scored for just a buck.


Here it is, rewired as a light fixture and hanging in all all $7 (including light kit) glory! It found a home in a small hallway in Steph's home. I love the rustic industral feel of it. It really suits the space!



I think it needs an Edison light bulb or at least a clear one. What do you think? Not bad for a $1?

Monday, May 16, 2011

Happy Happy Rooms.


I bought the new Style at Home magazine the weekend and I poured over every page. It was their decorating issue and I loved all the beautiful artwork, spring vignettes, and coffee table and mantel styling ideas. I'm feeling more inspired... despite the terrible weather we've been having. I hate complaining about the weather but seriously Mother Nature? It's been raining forever and the forecast calls for rain this week until Saturday. I kid you not. I wish I were more like these people.

free print via here

Lately, I've been thinking about how my own tastes have evolved. I've always loved white spaces but more and more I'm so in love with white paired with a healthy pop of pattern and color! It screams spring and more importantly - fun!
Here are some of my favorite colorful spaces.








house beautiful

Don't they just make you happy? I've been feeling to need to inject some color and fun into my own place so here is my own feeble attempt to bring this look into my own home. The hallway in the entrance needed a little something so I framed a piece of pretty fabric. It actually sort of looks like a watercolor. Sort of:)


Hard to take a good photo in the little space!

Have a great week everyone!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Three Years.


I am terrible for missing important dates. I missed my blog's first birthday (sorry little blog) and I almost missed my house's birthday too! I just realized tonight that I have owned my home for 3 years today! It's come a long way and there are more projects to come.

I promise you, dear little home, that your front porch will get a face-lift this summer. It's looking a little tired and I'll get to it, I swear! :)

Here are some fun before shots.





I think the kitchen is the most dramatic change but refinishing the floors and installing new windows are also changes I appreciate! Check out the house tour tab to see how far my little home has come!