Nightly Musings...

photo: Square America.com

I love evenings. I always have. I love the process of readying my home for the evening - closing blinds, turning down my children's beds (which, yes, I still do!), putting that last load of clothes in the dryer, and pouring myself a cup of tea...my version of a nightcap. I also enjoy turning on the "night lights" scattered throughout my home - the star light that hangs in my foyer and subtly illuminates through the window of my porch, the simple candle lights in my living room window, and Sophie's chandelier, that hangs above her window seat in her bedroom. I love the coziness of such lighting, and resent bright lights intruding upon the relaxation which I so covet by the end of each day.

The only thing I will miss about the winter and its shorter, colder evenings is the way it draws our family together by default. We gather in front of the fire - the boys stretched out before it like cats - watch a bit of television and wind down as a unit...coming together after a busy day spent juggling our collective pursuits and responsibilities. The summer, in comparison, sees us scatter after dinner, and we have to drag the kids inside and ourselves away from outside jobs. The days are longer in every way, and you can always find me watering flowers, tidying up the yard, winding up hoses, basically all of the things that my kids should also be doing. It seems that they take the carefree days of summer literally and tidying the exterior is not high on their list of priorities. I am the family "crazy lady" who needs to relax and let sleeping bikes lie. Guilty as charged...

Hectic evenings or not, I am so looking forward to flopping onto my porch swing, glass of wine in hand (to replace my cup of tea!), and watching my kids squeeze every last minute of daylight from a summer's day. Flickering lanterns and dancing flames from our copper fire bowl become my new nightlights, and gazing at the stars replaces our favourite television shows...because we all know there is no good t.v. in the summertime.

And so I am ready...ready for a new kind of nightlife. Bring it on!

Easterly Winds Blowing Through...

After the stop/start of our spring this year, I have been less than inspired to decorate for spring this year. While the softer colours throughout my home supports the pastels of Easter, I have found myself to be quite resistant to bringing out my decorations when snow still carpets the landscape around me. In fact, it feels a bit silly to think flowers and chicks when nothing is there to support their survival...

Enter my eight year old daughter. She cares not about my seasonal reservations; in fact, she fairly insists on scattering eggs and displaying bunnies throughout the corners of our home. Who am I to argue? So, on Friday I half-heartedly decorated for Easter, and I must admit - a little Easter goes a long way to inspire feelings of spring. Now, let's hope it is enough good karma to keep the persistent snow at bay...!!!

What about you? Do you decorate for Easter??

A Winner!!

It turns out a whole lot of you love a good chandelier! Without further adieu (because it is a seriously beautiful day here and I'm going out in it!).............. the winner of the chandelier decal is......Gina, from An Unpink Life.

Don't forget: if anyone else wants a chandelier decal, check out Wilson Graphics and treat yourself to one!!

Hope everyone's having a great weekend!!!!

Chandelier Anyone?

It sure has been a long time since my last give-away...

Because I have the BEST readers and blogging friends EVER, I figured it was about time I did another. Remember the post I did about Wilson Graphics? Well, they sent me a chandelier decal which I am offering as a give-away prize. You know the rules: leave a comment to enter, and for a second entry, mention this give-away on your blog. It's that easy.

Who doesn't love a chandelier??

How 'bout a round of applause?

If you haven't visited the Moggit girls before, you are seriously missing out. I woke up on the grumpy side of the bed, but I'm grumpy no more! Check out this insanely funny series of posts, entitled, Diva Speak, and be prepared to laugh, chuckle, hoot, whoop, snort, guffaw, and giggle in delight, agreement, and disbelief. And while you're there, check out the rest of their site. Puts the decorating world in a great perspective, in my opinion...I just hope I never see my home on there!!

Very Entertaining.

Go on and take a bow, ladies...

From spring to snow...

When life hands you snow...

...make snow cones!!!!!!!

Made with (ahem) all natural, freshly-fallen snow. And yes, I have been known to eat a little snow myself.

Because I'm wild like that...

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I guess that's what I get for ushering in spring too heartily!

Sea of White...

White, cream, vanilla, bone, custard...layering shades of white in a space can be one of the most difficult things to get right. I should know. I am in the process of a kitchen project that has evolved into a bit of a "white room". Possessing a tiny footprint, I want the room to feel as though the walls are easing back to make more space for all that needs to fill it. I initially thought I wanted a soft butter shade one the wall, but decided I had painted enough yellow kitchens in my lifetime; so I settled instead on a shade called Slipcover (from the Canadian Home and Country series, made by Beauti-Tone paint, a Canadian company). It still has a hint of yellow making its presence known, but I think I'm okay with that.

The issue I am having with the Slipcover shade, is whether or not it is a non-colour. Non-colours (my word for them) are different than neutrals. Neutral shades are like the quietly supportive spouse of their flashier partners. They look good, but take nothing away from the other components of the room. They complement, rather than distract. Non-colours, on the other hand, add nothing - and are potentially boring, while draining valuable energy from a room. I am still undecided if I have saddled myself with such a colour...

The kitchen cabinets are also a shade of white called Nearly White (same company), which offers up a hint of warmth and is a great alternative to painting cabinetry a bright white. The appliances are also white, and I have selected a faux tin backsplash that is also in a bright, creamy shade of, you guessed it, white. The counter-top has not yet been selected, but it will definitely have to work well in this sea of white. The floors will be offer a nice balance, as they will be a dark wood laminate. Accessories will be how I will introduce some fun and colour, but this experiment with white and all its shades, is turning out to be both a fun and hand-wringing experience. Luckily, the client is me (but not my kitchen...I will explain more, later) and the photographic evidence will have to wait until everything comes together.

Enjoy these all-white kitchens (all from House to Home.com), and let me know if you have pulled together all-white spaces, and the challenges you encountered in doing so.

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Meanwhile, here is a quick list of some designers' and decorators' favourite white shades:

Pointing (2003), Farrow and Ball House White (2012), Farrow and Ball
Cloud White, Benjamin Moore
Atrium White I-79, Benjamin Moore
Natural Wicker, Benjamin Moore
White Dove, Benjamin Moore
Soaker's Tub (P5223-24), Para Paints
Decorator White (ND039), Beauti-Tone (Canadian)
Nearly White, Beauti-Tone
Dover White (SW6385), Sherwin Williams
Crumb Cookie (217-1), Pittsburgh Paints

*What is your favourite shade of white?*

Spring in my step...

Spring has arrived! While it was still a cold day, it seemed the sun shone brighter just to encourage us and give us hope that it would soon give winter its final kick in the rear with our name on it!

It was a great "first day", and I finally finished taking down all evidence of winter decor and organized a few cupboards. But what really made it great was this:

(If it's on the road, written in chalk, then it must be so!)

and them...

(secret hand shakes and feats of strength)

(personalized chalk outlines)

Vintage Girl...

photo source: Country Home.com

It is no secret that I love all things vintage. I love the notion that beautiful things are there for us, just waiting to be re-discovered and loved again. Dusted off and rescued from the dark recesses of dank basements or cluttered thrift shops, vintage pieces areaknown to shine and pose once given new found respect and attention.

While visiting Value Village (similar to Goodwill) in my mum's hometown, I found myself searching the aisles and shelves for what I guess are among my favourite vintage finds. Vintage aprons are always on my wish list, though I haven't yet properly displayed the ones I have!

I also scan for vintage kitchen implements. Bowls, embossed glassware, Bakelite cutlery, Sunbeam mixers and dishware that I can put to use in my camper always find their way into my cart. I implement a "shop and drop" approach to much of my shopping. I pile what catches my eye into my cart, and do the final decision making while in the check-out lane. My latest trip yielded a retro cooler of sorts in a kitschy floral vinyl that will serve nicely on spring picnics. Fluted white bowls, a child's embroidered apron, and some early Corelle mugs made the cut, too. I found a cute, wooden stool that I will take on camping trips with us, and the grand total came to less than $20...my kind of shopping!

photos above and below: Coastal Living.com

I have also scored big in thrift shops, too. I found a large schoolhouse light shade for a dollar last year, and uncovered my "new" favourite chair in the perfect shade of aqua blue hanging high up on the wall of one of my favourite antiquing spots. For me, it's all about owning a little piece of the past. I worry not about pedigree, purpose or popularity. I buy what I like and what fits the bill for my home. It doesn't have to actually work (like my non-functioning retro phone just like the one below), but it has to add beauty and make me smile. Perfection is not a priority, but the price has to be right. I will save it if I can afford it, and if it appeals to my eyes and makes my heart skip a beat.

What about you? Do you rescue old timers, too??

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Because you could say I'm "Hooked on Vintage Style", I have joined in Julia's Hooked on Houses weekly blog event. Check out what others are hooked on here!

To the Extreme Home Makeover...

I am back. I took a quick jaunt home to see family, taking advantage of my children's March Break. Now I am back in full swing...back to the grind, so to speak!

As I fix dinner each day, I often turn on the television to HGTV. Although I don't have a set in my kitchen, I keep an ear on the programs, and it is probably the only TV I "watch" during the day. Many days, I can hear the familiar, scratchy voice of everyone's favourite handyman, Ty Pennington shouting in the background. Not only does he have washboard abs, but he also has excellent design sense, and flexes it on each and every episode of Extreme Home Make-Over. Now, I must admit, I more than admire the premise of the show. Who doesn't want to see needy families get the homes of their dreams? But does anyone else also get a bad taste in their mouth when the dust settles and the hour is over?

Sure, certain things have to be done in the name of television and its easily bored viewers. But really, don't the homes the EHM team create seem beyond excessive? I find myself alternately oohing and aahing, then scolding "television Ty" for going way over the top in the name of satisfying an ever-hungry audience of reality-T.V junkies.
speaking of T.V. junkies...

If I could bend Ty's ear (or the producers) I would lecture them on the importance of "sharing the wealth" - taking the budget and stretching it to create maybe three homes and its fittings and thus change the lives of even more families in peril. Because isn't that what it's really about?

I mean, come on: in these financially challenging times, doesn't it seem almost grotesque to see so much excess displayed in one flashy show? After all, if you asked the homeowners what would improve their lives, I am fairly certain the home of their dreams would be a whole lot more modest than what Ty gives them? No?

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(all photos: Extreme Home Make-Over)

In Living Colour...

above photos: Designer Guild.com

We all get cravings. I am having colour cravings, and photos like these are working to tempt my sweet tooth. But, if your tastes are more of the vanilla persuasion, check out this creamy confection:

(photo source, Design Inc.)

I also love living rooms, and there is a whole lot of living to be done in these great rooms. These are no humble abodes; in fact, they are more like runway fashion shows laid out on canvases that we call living rooms, great rooms, parlours.

photo: House to Home

No matter what you call them, aren't they so lovely all dressed up this way?

Colour Your World...

Spring is on its way.

I can say that with certainty as there have been a few solid signs supporting it. Easter chocolate and candy is firmly planted on store shelves, darkness no longer arrives as we are eating dinner, and all of the blogs and websites are being refreshed for spring. I am thankful for all of it.
With spring comes fresh, new colours to warm the palette of our days. I am not sorry to see the end of all things white, and instead welcome the softer hues associated with Easter and the cheery tones that hint at the flowers that will soon be peeking up from the ground. Nowhere did I see better examples of such colour than at Matthew Mead's new spring website. True to form, Matthew has put into pictures the images we dream of; and as soon as you arrive there, you will be welcomed by splashes of colour that can't help but usher in spring a little faster!
Head on over and see for yourself. Matthew has also created a beautiful flip book and collage which are free to be enjoyed by all his visitors and he also gives you a free code if you want to look further. His site is all about color, and your senses will thank you. Delicious recipes, Easter crafts (using surprisingly easy supplies), and a look ahead to which collectibles to be on the look our for once yard-sale season begins.

Indeed, inspiration abounds everywhere I go lately. I am more than ready to embrace the return of spring, and I know you are, too. I just might even break out the Easter decorations soon...!!

(all images, used with permission, courtesy: Matthew Mead)

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More door inspiration and questions answered next week!

No Ordinary Door...

Not all doors can be so genetically blessed...

(source: Flickr.com/maluni)

I have long professed to being a bargain hunter/do-it yourselfer, and will cross my heart that the satisfaction I feel because of it beats instant gratification and spending big bucks hands down. Well, for most things anyway...

One of those things is refurbishing what you have and making it just as pretty as its pricier counter-parts. Case in point: interior doors. A good friend of mine asked me if I could point her in the direction of some creative makeovers for slab doors, and it got me thinking that if she's looking, then some of you might be also. Slab doors are the no-man's land of interior finishes. They are also in a good majority of North American homes built in the sixties and seventies. Replacing them with new doors is always an option in theory; but for those of us not willing or able to fork over the hundreds of dollars it would cost to replace them all, then a creative solution is to pretty them up! Decorative mouldings and trims - even wallpaper, chalkboard paint and mirrors - offer a much cheaper and easier alternative...and will leave both your wallet and sense of achievement more plentiful.

Check out this wallpaper option to tricking out your door. A few mouldings, a little adhesive and pretty, pretty doors!

photo source: Country Home.com

Here are more examples of trimmed-out doors using cost-effective mouldings (and a little paint)purchased at your local building supplies store:

photo source: BHG.com

And a link with instructions to do both!

I think this one is my favourite:

How clever is that? A faux French door using a simple mirror, some mullions, and double-sided adhesive. You can get the instructions here.

Need some hand-holding? No problem! Here is a link to a video detailing the steps involved in adding mouldings to your slab doors.

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Want more ideas?

• This is a great example of how a little moulding, paint and great taste combined to make a perfectly inviting front door.


• And from the same creative gal, here are the directions for making a chalkboard feature out of a slab door. I would add that a nice picture frame moulding around the chalkboard would look even nicer! Oh, and if you find the black too jarring, or wish you could have a chalkboard in your favourite colour, your wish is Martha's command. Check out this tutorial on making your own custom-coloured chalkboard paint.

Now, get to work...and don't forget to share photos of your door makeovers with me. I'll pass them on to the rest of you and we will ooh and aah over your creativity and craftsmanship!