For the Love of Toss Cushions

Toss cushions have to be the fastest way to refresh an existing space, and my bedroom was in need of a cheap and cheerful update. With a few inexpensive Ikea down forms and some of my favourite fabics, I'm really happy with this colourful update! My sewing skills are another story (I have little patience/skill for it and tend to put my full body weight on the pedal to quicken the job)....

Fabrics: Schumacher 174582 Shantung Silhouette in Wisteria, GP Baker R1390-4 Paradise Bird Mauve/Sage, Dickson Howard 5200TW

A World of Accessories

I've heard the name Nina Campbell many a time, but I had never visited her website until recently.

A client was all moved in and looking for finishing touches for several bathrooms in the house. Of course, this called for the glamorous task of hunting for everything from tissue box holders to toilet brushes....on to Google I went!

Restoration Hardware is always my go-to for this sort of thing, but their ensuites called for something more unique. Low and behold, Nina Campbell came through for me with her jewellry-esk collections:

Didn't this somewhat humbling search open up the world of Nina to me - accessories for the home, backyard, bathroom and office.

I'm a firm believer in designing a space in its entirety, not just selecting furniture and finishes and walking away. As much as I love to shop, sometimes these specific tasks are tedious and exhausting. But when a vision is well executed, and a fine balance between over-decorated and unfinished is achieved, it is no doubt design perfection. Toilet brush holder included.

Rapture and Wright

If you're any bit the fabric fanatic that I am, you'll be in love with this collection by Rapture and Wright.

Founded by Rebecca Aird and Peter Thwaites in 2002, this budding company prides itself in using the very best materials, process and designs. Holding strong to its British roots, the fabric is woven, designed and printed in the UK, which I think adds further charm to their already beautiful fabric.

Rapture and Wright sells fabric, wallpaper, custom lamp shades and furniture. Go have some fun: http://www.raptureandwright.co.uk/

I Needed a Little Marble in My Life

This little nightstand is nothing fancy. In fact, it's a cheapy from Home Outfitters many years ago, but I like it and it fits beside my bed perfectly.

I've been a craft/DIY lover since I was young, but lately I find it difficult to leave any off-the-shelf item untouched. Nothing is ever quite perfect until it has a coat of paint or "custom" detail to complete it. 

Here's one of the nightstand shelves before...as in, sprayed melamine. Good thing I styled this photo with Kleenex, inhalers and two books I haven't read since October.....

Anyway, these shelves pop off the pegs very easily (part of the heavy duty construction, I suppose) and make DIY-ing incredibly easy.

Before I go any further, I should confess that I'm a huge fan of anything marble, particularly Calcutta and Statuario. I love the crisp white with bold veining. Even this marble quarry is a thing of beauty...

Here's an installation of bianco carrara that I love (in addition to the freestanding tub).

After finishing a project, I was left with a single 12x24" polished marble tile. Typically this would be tossed aside, but it was too much a thing of beauty to just dispose of or leave for future projects! I held on to it and decided this single piece would be enough to refinish two of the nightstand shelves.



The tile was cut to fit on top of the existing shelves.

A little silicon caulking was enough to secure it in place.

The top shelf fell a little short in depth, so a smaller strip had to be inserted. We aren't expert tile fabricators, but a little more caulking glued everything in place. After it dried, the excess scraped off easily.

Drum roll...here's the finished product:

It's certainly a very minut piece of marble compared to the large marble slabs I typically lust after, but even this small improvement made the nightstand feel more luxurious. The idea of turning something ordinary and big-box into something personal, that incorporates marble no less, is my favourite kind of DIY project.

Process

 In baking, and in design, the end result is worth more than the sum of its parts.  These photos were published in Ikea's (yes, Ikea's) baking coffee table book, Homemade is Best, last year. 

Heffel Balagno

Blogger and I can't seem to agree on formatting right now, but I want to leave you with a (cut-off) taste of this incredible design work.  Heffel Balagno, an interior design firm based in British Columbia, has the most beautiful portfolio.  Be sure to visit their website to view more of their past projects!