Vintage Chairs: Before & After

Before we moved into our new home I was on the hunt for living room chairs. I guess it had been a while since I shopped for chairs - I was blown away how the price of 1 chair was sometimes more than a couch! With that in mind and inspiration of mixing high and low, new and old - we decided to start the hunt for a pair of vintage chairs that could be made new again. Well, we found them! They are a simple cane back chair. They were the right size, shape and price. Since we first loaded them up in our car...they have received a new paint job (from my hubby) and beautiful fabric for the cushion. We couldn't be happier with how they look and they have a story and meaning to them now. In total I paid around $250 a chair - start to finish product. Have a peak, love to hear what your feedback. Enjoy...


THE BEFORE SHOT (You have to imagine a very ugly old striped cushion too)

THE AFTER....

I'm so happy with them and they are comfy too!

Beautiful Photography

I keep thinking about the photos done by photographer Irene Suchocki. I normally would choose painted art over photographs but these stunning images having me rethinking that. Her work is beautiful, serene and inspiring. I'm yet to decide what photos to choose, and where they go, but I definitely think a grouping would be beautiful. Or if my hubby is reading this...perhaps a nice Christmas gift. Enjoy...




Love the snow scene



So calming



I can see this one in my house

And this one as well...





So beautiful



Perfect for a house on the water or vacation home

 I have a little obesession with owls (will post on that later) this one is a must have...

Lovin the Paperwhites!

As a follow up to last week's post - I seem to be continuing on the Christmas decorating trend. Adding some pinecones, picking up some new ornaments and attending my first Christmas Craft Fair. One of the items that's in my must have inspiration list is Paperwhites. I want them on my mantel, in my kitchen and maybe one by my bedside table. Here are a few of the photos that have inspired me to love Paperwhites. Enjoy...

My first paperwhites in my front entry (no blooms yet!?)

A Few Weekend Loves

I have contemplated whether or not including weekend highlights was something I wanted to do on this blog. I had decided not so much. That being said, there are some weekends filled with a lot of items on my "makes me happy" list and for sake of remembering (for myself) and sharing ideas for others here are a few highlights from a wonderful weekend. Enjoy...

The weekend started early with Bookclub. Book club began about a year ago. A group of 8 great gals who meet every 6 weeks over wine and laughs. Our most recent read was Freedom by Jonathan Franzen. Mixed reviews on the book but the meeting was a blast!

Thanks H. for the photo...

Next up was a fun filled trip to a local lake with some of our favourite friends. We sat by a cozy fire outside catching up while our kidlets ran around inside enjoying each other. Good food, fun drinks (Canadian coolers in a wine glass on ice...not bad!) and wonderful family time.

Thanks to the D. family...

We also managed to squeeze in movie night (my 2 year old is a musical fanatic!), home projects, art class and a trip to a local Christmas market which was fantastic! I won't say how much time and moola I spent at this creative gem.

Beautiful photos by Heather Cameron

Here are a few of my favourite finds...

Framed chalkboard for the kitchen

Framed poster/coarkboard for my daughter

Linen stockings (my photo doesn't do them justice!).

My favourite jams!



Hope you had a great weekend too!

Dreaming Over: this ring

I stumbled upon this beauty on a very lovely blog Bijou and Boheme and it's been on my mind ever sense. Cocktail rings seems to be quite popular lately, and as much as I love a good trend it's fun to have your own unique flair to it. I think this ring would do the trick! For now, I'll just keep dreaming. Enjoy...

Fall Outfits: My Inspirations

The quest of figuring out our personal style. I have been on this life changing journey (okay, that's bit dramatic) but I have been pondering for a couple years what my personal style is. I want to buy fewer clothes, but have items that I wear often and love. I'm getting closer. This involved a huge closet clearing and very selective buying. I saw these pictures and for fall this is what I strive to be my personal style. So I'm channelling these pictures with my own twist. Enjoy...

I love this!!

Stripes, cropped blazer, long necklace - yes!

I like the white shirt under the cardi (never quite looks the same on me!?)

This is pretty much perfection to me....

Christmas Decorating: Is it too early?

I know this is going to be a very popular post the next 2 months but here we go. Halloween is over and the stores are filled with Christmas decor. I feel excited and a little stressed out at the same time (anyone with me here!?). We moved into a new home and I'm excited to add some fun holiday decor this year both inside and out to go along with my daily decorating job of this place as well. When searching for ideas - who better but to take a page from Sarah (Richardson that is). I've included a few of her personal ideas from her home, along with some other pretties I found. I will post some shots of how my holiday touches evolve.  For the first time ever, I have my doorway partly decorated as of November 7th! Enjoy...

A Lovely Present!

I came across these unique paintings that I had to share (I'm sorry I can't remember whose blog they were on?). They really captured me. The idea is so simple, but really neat. Since Halloween is over and the stores are filled with Christmas already (yikes!), I thought these paintings by Karen Appleton where the perfect potential "present" to share. Enjoy...

I'll take any of these gifts!!

My Design Love: Sarah Richardson

I can't believe I've actually been blogging about things that inspire me for this long without talking about Sarah Richardson!? I have been following Sarah since she stared in her first TV series Room Service many years ago. I adore her style. Clean, crisp, soft colours (well she is getting a bit more daring with the colours these days) classic, calm...let's just say stunning interiors! A great Sunday used to be curling up and watching a Sarah marathon on HGTV. I had the pleasure of viewing a couple of homes she decorated here on the Westcoast for a charity lottery a few years back.  Here are just a few pics of some of the inspiring work of Sarah Richardson. I adore her. Enjoy... (oh and there's 1 more pic I couldn't resist posting)

Stunning!

I have a similar shell chandalier and adore it!

Beautiful wallpaper and colour

Now, that's a bedroom!

A perfect "Sarah" bathroom

I have that block side table too. The stripes are so classic.

I like how she makes kids rooms feel classic

My little Halloween Owl! :-)