Impromptu DIY

Benvarden by Osborne and Little

I absolutely love Sundays. They're a great excuse to relax, do what you like and...be lazy. Gone are the days of multiple coffees and a drafting table, hurrying to finish school projects. The day is mine! I love to spend them cooking and baking, watching movies, and occasionally dreaming up new DIY projects. This Sunday, I was mid-shower when I decided to repaint my desk for the 700th time. (I've had this desk since I was a kid and it has been victim to most of my creative mistakes.) Within an hour, I was at Benjamin Moore having the latest colour mixed up.

Lately, I've been loving this "Sarah Richardson royal blue" that has a slightly purple undertone...it's bold, bright and feminine. I debated painting the top of the desk in this colour, and the rest a bright white. That idea died within about 5 minutes, when my resistance to anything too colourful took over. Back to the drawing board...

Insert Chelsea Textiles. Glossy lacquer. Neutral palette. This is so me.

Then I start dreaming of the hardware possibilities. Brass. Loving brass (when will my coworkers finally agree??). Maybe a glass and brass combo - feminine, traditional. We're getting warmer.

I must learn to let even the slightest bit of colour in. Open up the paint deck. Gray, with a hint of purple. Sea Life. Sold.

The girl helping me at Benjamin Moore is so sweet and recommends Aura paint in a pearl finish. Less odour, faster drying time and that lacquer look I love. Sold.

Colour looks amazing (running between Grammy performances and second coats). Go online to find hardware while it dries....at Restoration Hardware. Deal of the century - Quincy Pulls in Antique Brass on 50% off (maybe I am the only one loving brass?). Let's keep being impulsive. Sold.

Now I'm forced to learn patience...the hardware will arrive later this week. In the mean time, I finally buy a frame for my gorgeous Leigh Viner print. End up spending more on a custom mat than the frame. Can't win 'em all. Mat will be ready for Friday....all good things are worth waiting for?

Back with photos very, very soon.

Not Your Grandmother's China

I know that "investing in good china" is not something that we (the younger generation...) pride ourselves in, but after seeing the blogosphere go crazy for Target's new collaboration with Liberty of London (for example), I couldn't help but share Eloquent Ink's beautiful pieces.

Handcrafted in the US, Eloquent Ink uses 23 karat platinum and gold on vases, bowls, plates and platters that are incredible works of art. They are food safe, but I don't think I could bare to actually use them! I think they'd be gorgeous in a beautiful display cabinet, hung on a wall or mounted in a shadow box. And with wedding season around the corner, I think it's a great gift!











Remember this episode of Sarah's House 2? She framed inexpensive parrot plates in shadow boxes for artwork....love it.

Sit down. Relax. Stay Awhile.

Lately, I seem to be so interested in beautiful armchairs. The oversized rolled arm chair has been replaced with a more simplistic, tailored style; one that emphasizes the craftsmanship of both carpenter and upholsterer. Small casters or slender legs are like the piest de resistance! It seems that to me, right now, there is nothing more glamorous than the sight of such a thing.

I've done a little sourcing of my own, at Lee Industries and Barbara Barry. Sarah Richardson has also won me over with her wonderfully chic Quinn daybed [shown above].

These photographs are all taken from Metropolitan Home's Glamour "Making It Modern" book. I'm sure I've already mentioned how great this book is as a resource for design ideas (and they're not all modern!), but here are a few of my armchair favourites.

(Arm chair....dining chair....I know I'm stretching it, but isn't this a beautiful space!)

This is the cover photo for the book, and I'd love to interpret this design in a bedroom setting.

Everything in Moderation

Photo courtesy Sarah Richardson Design

Every time I dream of having a neutral home with layers of all things white, I see something colourful and cheerful that reminds me how fun and playful a home can be. In our climate, what's more suitable? On a cold winter day, is it more comfortable to be in a modern off-white room or a bright eclectic space?


When it comes down to it, the colour palette you choose speaks to the kind of life you lead, and how you think your house should function. Where neutral palettes are often meticulous, organized and mature, colourful schemes feel fresh, casual and youthful. Sometimes a little texture, or the use of natural materials like wood, are all a room needs to feel both clean and casual.


I realize I've drawn on designs from two ends of the spectrum, but take a look at some of these pictures. Which ones are you more drawn to?

I suppose my favourite design is one that requires a little compromise; a little sophisticated, a little fun. The best example I remember seeing of this was in July's InStyle magazine featuring Kristen Bell's L.A. home. She's used primarily neutral furniture with bold prints and bright colours injected in accessories. Love this look!

Check out decorpad.com, apartmenttherapy.com and countryliving.com for more of these pics!

All Things PINK

In recognition of October being Breast Cancer Awareness month, I've decided to dedicate this post to all things pink! Yes, all things 'home' in every shade from baby girl to wild flamingo pink.

We've all seen those pre-teen bedrooms that look like a can of hot pink paint exploded on everything - fuzzy pillows, satin duvets and a million rhinestones. Maybe this sounds all too familiar to some of you? I've actually found some incredible examples of how pink can make a room look sophisticated and bright without being over-the-top girly. In fact, pink is supposed to add calmness and relaxation to your life!

Any Sarah Richardson fans? I love her shows, and I'm sure you'll recall this Park Hyatt hotel suite she was hired to design for an episode! She's used lots of stripes to soften the deeper shades.


Another incredible designer, Suzanne Kasler, used a deep shade of blush pink on the walls of this client's bedroom. I think it looks gorgeous!

This stunning room from House Beautiful uses brightly upholstered chairs, fresh roses and a pale shade on the walls to create an elegant and feminine living space.

These rooms are definitely bold, and I can see most guys turning their nose up at the pink kitchen shown above, but even small touches of pink are beautiful. Consider these great pink accessories I came across...

Stanley's Young America line makes this casual night stand in every colour under the sun......but for this post, PINK:
Of course, IKEA has its share of colourful accessories, including...

Beautiful fabrics like this for only $6.99 a metre....
Or this adorable lamp for only $29.99...
Doesn't this remind you of a much cuter version of those blue chairs from grade school?
I hope that some of these photos inspire you to add something pink to your house this month! Of course, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation website also has a shopping section of pink items that share proceeds with them.