New living room photos

I may not have been blogging much lately, but I can't seem to stop tinkering with the house - I do it almost unconsciously!  One day I feel the need to change up the mantel, another day I am switching pillows around.  Our friend and babysitter came over on Friday after having been away for a while and couldn't believe how many changes I had made.  Because I have been doing them bit by bit and been so distracted by my work and business course, I really hadn't taken in the cumulative effect of all my little tweaks.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

Yes, I am very, painfully, aware that so far Spring has been the mother of all disappointments.  Seriously Universe - ICE PELLETS?  Yeesh.  But, although the tulips are slow in poking out their heads, the Garage Sales have begun (Cue the music! Start the skipping!).  That is right my thrifty friends, yesterday my mother-in-law and I went to my first yard sale of the season, in the posh area around Old Mill.  We were there just at the end, which means we probably missed some good stuff, but got some great deals.  For example, this cheerful, hand-stitched wool shawl.  No holes, no snags.  $5.  Perfect to inject a little colour into a room or outfit. Love it.

Fall/Winter Bedroom Makeover

As the weather gets colder and the days get shorter and darker, my DNA seems to be pushing me to hunker down and get cozy.  My crisp white bedroom wasn't quite doing the trick.  I dreamed big dreams of getting this bedding from West Elm:

However, after a short and sweet discussion with the hubster, we decided groceries would take precedence.  Being a true Taurus, I did not let this financial fluff interfere with my vision, and instead purchased a couple of boxes of RIT fabric dye and attempted my first dye-it-in-the-front-loader.  After the basement disaster and the pipe fiasco, I figured that if things came in three's, wrecking the machine would at least end our streak. (I did not share this methodology with my husband.)

I grabbed a white Ikea duvet set we had on hand - my go-to white cover before the lovely West Elm one entered my life - crossed every conceivable extremity, and began pouring the inky black liquid into my defenceless machine.  It worked!!  It did turn out darker than these photos show it, although I certainly could have done with another couple of boxes of dye.  But overall I am pleased as punch.

I draped these Afgani pillows from Aunt D over the frame of the bed to help warm it up a little more.  I McGivered them on with my handy office clips so they wouldn't slip off every time we moved.  I put a spare rug we had over the foot of the bed, but it's the wrong colour and I kind of wish I had noticed and taken it off before I took the photos. I also took off the white bed skirt to show more of the rug.

Someone's camera-happy kid needed to get in the shot...amazingly with no funny face.

The Buddha is a very recent Value Village find - after paying the plumber for the pipes I needed to so some stress-relieving thrifting! He was a sad, peeled and chipped dark red colour for $4.99, and was just crying out for the my gold spray paint. I am very happy with the way he turned out, and he reminds me to just BREATHE. :)

Now I really want to change out the art for something richer... and maybe see if I have any darker curtains squirreled away somewhere...  But so far I like my bedroom change-up, hopefully it keeps the chilly weather at bay.  What do you think?  Any ideas for art?

My take on simple vintage wedding decor

I haven't been able to do much blogging lately - the past couple of weekends have been wedding madness.  Two of the most special people in my life - Karen and my brother Malcolm - got married this month (to two other people) and my heart is just busting with happiness for them.  Honestly, I feel all giddy when I think about these two happily married couples - they renew my faith in love.  *SOB*

I was lucky enough to have been asked by Karen to help with the decor for her big day, and I thought I would share because this idea could work beautifully for a wedding you might be working on!

I spent the summer thrifting for candlesticks and chalices with a nice patina (it was a rough for me, as you can imagine...).  I was looking for a mix of heights, styles, and metals.  This collection comes from estate sales, flea markets, garage sales, and of course, Value Village and Goodwill.  They ranged in price from $0.50 to $8, so it makes for an affordable and unique option.  Plus, everyone has their own collection, and you could borrow from friends and family if you needed to fill a lot of tables.

Thrifting in Saint John

Of course there was no way I could NOT visit the Value Village in Saint John.  They had some amazing stuff there - so much of it I would have snapped up in Toronto, but my mom was with me and her enthusiasm was... underwhelming. :)  However it was seniors day and she got me an extra 20% discount so she did make herself useful (plus she probably saved me from having to pay extra for an over-weight suitcase.)  But how awesome is that huge brass seagull above??  SO awesome, that how awesome.

I kinda liked these quirky brass duck bookends too.  They got an eye-roll from mom.  

How about this pretty hand-painted set?  They would be great espresso cups.

The amazing this about thrifting in SJ is finding local pottery like this lovely planter by Crimmins Pottery.  Mum was more interested by these ones, although the top one had a crack, and we decided we didn't love the pattern on the vase below.  The butter dish in not Crimmins, but rather another NB potter and it came home with me (it got the mum-stamp-of-approval).

Seriously??  A piano?  And not a bad looking fireplace screen beside it either...

And forget antique stores - how about this antique sewing machine and table for $30 bones??

This silkscreen from Nova Scotia almost came home with me - I thought I could reframe it  and really show it off.  Yeah, probably should have nabbed that one.  Ah well.

This print of the Rothesay Netherwood School was tempting me as well, not because I went there, but more because it just reminds me of home.  Again prettier in another simple black frame...

I ended up with some costume jewellery and a pair of Crimmins candle sticks, plus the butter dish.  Not too shabby!  Plus it was fun to go with mum, despite my grumbling.  She was that little voice on my shoulder, except standing beside me and up-ing the ante with frowns and eye-rolls.  Not that she isn't also gifted at thrifting - in fact she picked up most of our beach toys from Value Village, and they were a huge hit, and I am super pleased with the butter dish.  When we got home she showed by a beautiful bowl she had from the same potter.  What do you say mumma, shall we hit the VV's in Toronto next visit? xo

Sailing Style Decor Inspiration by Tricia Foley

I mentioned that my parents have a library of home design books - I wish I had time to read through more of them.  Definitely one of my favourite ones is this Sailing Style by New York Designer Tricia Foley.  Although it is a good ten years old, I think it is fresh and timeless, much like the nautical style it describes.  Instead of being packed with perfectly styled images of Nantucket homes, Foley focuses on the essential components of nautical style - white sails, rope, worn brass, maps, and weather vanes - and fills the book with beautiful photos depicting the mood and romance of living by the sea.  The photography by Michael Skott is amazing and captures the fresh salt air, natural textures, and timeworn simplicity of the style.  I highly recommend it for anyone looking for inspiration!  I took some photos of a few of my favourite spreads - sorry about the inconsistent quality (and the rock is just there to hold the pages flat!).

Beautiful cozy reading room (or is there a TV off camera?) love the simple framing of the prints.

Not sure I would keep the enormous dead fish on my wall... but the rest is divine!  Love the oars in the corner.

Gotta love the white slipcovers, and that coffee table...

Beautiful bed, and I love the clean, spare bedding of a blue gingham sheet and single white pillow.

Old quilts and iron beds - and an open window.  Heaven.

Love the styling, green colour, and well-worn feel of this bookcase.

Shells.  Cream everything. So simple, so pretty.

What a great painting and chair, and beautiful barometer on the wall.

Hurricane lamp, chalkboard, bottle/vase - this could be in any magazine today.

GREAT blanket and bed.  I always used to make my bed this way as a kid, with an old white coverlet.

Pretty weather-worn cedar shingles.

Not a bad spot for a bite of lunch! (bet it gets windy though).

Not your typical white kitchen, but how about those open shelves, brass fixtures, and that stone sink??

White and worn cedar.  And look at the curved garden bench.

That curved and panelled breezeway makes me want to weep.  Not to mention the shingles, the windows, the door, the VIEW...

What I wouldn't do for a pantry... I can already hear the squeak of those drawers...

The back section of the book also includes more inspiring resources, stores, magazines, and designers specializing in this nautical style.  If you see this book anywhere - nab it!  My only problem is trying to figure out how to incorporate this style into my house in the city - far away from salt water of any kind...not sure my neighbours would appreciate a lobster trap in the front garden... :)

New Rug for the Bedroom

There was an estate sale in the fancy neighbourhood behind us last weekend, so I actually got up early on a Saturday morning (unheard of for me) and lined up outside.  I came home with a few nice things, mostly books and games for the boys.  However... At about 2pm, when I knew it was ending, I decided to swing around and see what was left in case I could do any haggling.  Well.  I left with my car stuffed to the gills (earning the silent treatment from my better half for the good part of the afternoon).  Guys, it was epic.  I got a laundry basket full of Fiestaware for my mom (who has a beautiful collection) for $80.  So many pieces, including a gorgeous teapot and serving platter.

And this rug, above, I saw in the corner on my way out, all crumpled up.  I thought I remembered it as a worn rug from one of the rooms upstairs that had a ridiculous price on it earlier that morning.  I brought it home for $100.  I unrolled it on the front lawn and was temped to do a cartwheel on it.  (Good thing I didn't - after rolling it back up my left eye swelled shut.  I think they must have had a cat!) Part of it was more worn than I thought - but I put that under the bed.  I cleaned it up, put it in the bedroom, and sat back feeling vindicated.

On a roll, I also cleaned up the bentwood chair I had found on the street that had been languishing in the garage and stuck it in the corner, and put up some crisp white curtains.  My teddy bear likes it.

I am thinking maybe I need something less graphic over the bed now - what do you think?  Any ideas?