Saturday, June 30, 2012

Summer mix

Je vous souhaite un très bon weekend avec ce mix d'images estivales du dernier numéro d'Elle Interiör suédois!

I wish you a lovely weekend with this mix of summery pictures from the last issue of Swedish Elle Interiör

Source 1-4. styling Saša Antić / photo Idha Lindhag, 5-8. styling Lo Bjurulf / photo Stellan Herner, 9. styling Tina Hellberg / photo Magnus Anesund, 10-12. styling Filippa Egnell / photo Patric Johansson

Thursday, June 28, 2012

chugging along


In the first few days of the kitchen demolition Aubrey pulled down the plaster ceiling and had Joe of Gallant Home Improvements (photo above) install a brand spanking new drywall ceiling. This allowed us to install pot lights and also get rid of the ugly bumpy plaster ceiling.  Joe is one of the best so if you're in Toronto and need a drywall guy call Joe. Love his work. He's a hard to get a hold of, but once he's in your house he does the best work. (He also did our entire basement project)

In other news, our counter should be installed tomorrow (Friday) and with that in place Oscar and I are moving back in on Saturday. Although we're a long way from being 100% done, we're at a point where I think it's time I moved back home and I should also reopen my shop. The break has been nice (and needed) but it's time we regained some normalcy.

More (better) shots from the house next week since I'll be moved back in. :) I'll also give you a list of our trades that we have loved all in one post that hopefully will be helpful to our local readers. xo

Motifs mélangés

Ce matin, Lotta a montré des belles photos d'intérieurs de la styliste finlandaise Linda Bergroth... Alors j'ai jeté un coup d'oeil au portfolio de Linda et j'ai trouvé d'autres jolies choses, comme cette maison par exemple. J'adore comment le mélange de motifs et de couleurs sur les textiles malgré tout crée un ensemble harmonieux.

PS. Ravie aussi d'avoir vu une de mes photos et mon blog dans une sélection de "blogs préférés en blanc" sur 101woonideen :)

This morning Lotta showed some great interior pics by Finnish stylist Linda Bergroth... So I took a peek into Linda's portfolio and found more beautiful things, like this home for example. Love how the mix of patterns and colours on the textiles still create a harmonius whole.

PS. Also happy to see one of my photos and my blog in a selection of "favourite white blogs" on 101woonideen :)



shopping therapy at homesense


Last night when Aubrey came to help with bath & bedtime with Oscar - I made a dash for the car and decided to go for a much needed retail therapy trip. The joy of wandering HomeSense slowly without a screaming, wiggling child is heaven. I picked up a few things for the kitchen but I'm reluctant to buy much until things can have a permanent home. Here are some shots from last night that you may have seen me tweeting. [Top Left] That ottoman was $69 and if Oscar had a pink bedroom you'd better believe that I would have picked that up. [Top Right] That little whale pitcher was very Jonathan Adler and was $16 and he made his way all the way to the checkout with me, until I decided to leave him at the store. I'm trying to be mindful of bringing in less random "stuff" that wont have an purpose all the time into our home. [Bottom Left] HomeSense has a collection of very organic wooden bowls that are absolutely gorgeous. [Bottom Right] And HomeSense is my go to spot for baskets. I never, ever buy baskets elsewhere. Just some shots from last night from the needed "Time Out" for Mommy. ;) xo Linds

Monday, June 25, 2012

Fenêtres récup

Ce mur vitré en fenêtres récupérées se trouve dans le studio de l'artiste norvégien Kalle Grude... Magnifique.

This glass wall of reclaimed windows can be found in the studio of Norwegian artist Kalle Grude... Stunning.


Why Cyan Could Be Your Go-To Color For Staging

A bath staging assortment with a cyan motif.
If you think people on a home tour will pilfer
small items, you're right. I "secured" these
color coordinated toiletries with a transparent wrap. 

Use the Three Color Formula

The best home staging color schemes are best built around three colors.

  • The first color is a neutral background one, something that anyone could love. 
  • The third is an accent color that doesn't have too much drama of its own. It's usually a more intense color, but not too distracting.

Ideally, these same three colors will echo through your home if it is on the market. This kind of planning makes your home look more contemporary, organized, turn-key, and -- most important -- spacious.

Cyan works in any of these roles.

What is Cyan? 

Cyan is a new word to me. If it’s new to you, let me introduce you. Cyan is the color built from equal amounts of blue and green.

If you thought that color was aqua, or teal, or turquoise, or aquamarine, or even electric blue, you’re right. But technically, cyan is the word that printers and graphic artists use for the blue/green pigment. 

In home decor, and particularly home staging, cyan is an out-and-out winner. Especially the paler versions. Because dreamy, soothing, yet lively, cyan is one of those people-pleasing tones that you can count on to offend no one.

While pinks can be girly, and reds be too bold, and browns too iffy, the color cyan has a personality, like yellows, that generally makes people feel good.

One reason is that it’s clean. So, cyan is a perfect color for baths or kitchens.

Cyan looks contemporary because it hasn’t come into and gone out of the trend cycle.

Cyan in clear shades reflects light, and light reflection makes spaces look larger. 


Let Me Show You The Ways

Here are some examples of the magic that cyan can add to your home. 

You can stage any tablescape, countertop or bookshelf around a monochromatic color
scheme for a harmonious look. Cyan ties these element on this shelf  together. 

An otherwise standard living room, sparsely furnished, looks striking because of the interesting
choice of paint color. For staging, this is as dark a wall paint as you want. Photo: David Knox 
The dishware and glassware in the cabinets are cyan, and even though the wall-hung dishes
are classic blue and white, it all works together. Do you agree? Photo: BHG.
Cyan tile is always popular, in both baths and kitchens. Cyan combines well with
many colors, including warm yellows, cool blues, and all greys. Photo: BHG

How Will You Use Cyan?

Think about adding cyan to your color palette. It could be your soothing neutral wall color. It could be your complimentary secondary neutral color for your upholstery, bedding, window treatments, or painted furniture. It could be your friendly accent color for books, lamps, art, pillows, or other props.

I hope these examples will lead you on a search of your home to discover what you may already own that is the color of cyan.

If you decide to paint, you might like Sherwin Williams's Jetstream, or Glidden's Skywatch. Both Krylon and Rust-Oleum.offer spray paints in this family as well.

You can get more advice on choosing colors for home staging, plus help with other decisions you'll be making while you stage your own home. You can download my eBook now for just $5, and have this help at your fingertips. Home staging 's easy when you know the tricks and techniques I teach you.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Angus & Company, Shopping in Toronto

As the kitchen renovation has an end date in sight, I've once again found myself being drawn to the softer decorating process for our home. I'm looking at finding an area rug for our TV room, blinds for the kitchen, decorative objects. There is a shop in Toronto, Angus and Company that I have been in on occasion - I recently started following on twitter, and then "liked" them on facebook and my heart has skipped a beat on more than a few occasion at the photos that they post. That starburst mirror I fell in love with - I called to ask how much it cost (turns out it is $1,700 approx). Unfortunately it is out of my budget but I don't doubt its value. Honestly, they really know how to style a room and use a mixture of old, and new items together. Although the majority of items are well over my budget, this is one of my favourite shops to follow and hopefully be inspired by for our own home. xo Linds
All photos via Angus & Company's Blog

Contreplaqué

Aujourd'hui j'aime cette maison à Malmö, trouvée ici. J'adore le style, la lumière et l'utilisation de contreplaqué pour les éléments de cuisine, les meubles de rangements et même l'escalier. Cerise sur le gâteau, une belle terrasse colorée.
Je vous souhaite un bon dimanche!

Today I'm loving this home in Malmö, found here. I love the style, the light and the use of plywood on kitchen cabinets, storage units and even the stairs. Icing on the cake: a lovely colorful terrace.
I wish you a great Sunday!

Source Bolaget

Friday, June 22, 2012

Happy Midsommar!

Je vous souhaite un joyeux Midsommar avec ces superbes photos de Dotty Love!
(et si vous ne connaissez pas cette fête de l'été, j'avais écrit ceci il y a deux ans...)

PS. Un très grand merci pour vos commentaires encourageants sur mon dernier post!

I wish you a happy Midsommar with these beautiful photos by Dotty Love!
(and if you don't know this summer celebration, you can read this...)
PS. Thank you so much for all your encouraging comments on my last post!
 Photo Dotty Love