Postlessness

So, no posts today because I've been rendered speechless:

I cost two car payments!


Allow me to introduce to you the "Rock Star" toilet brush from Pioneer Linens (see here). 

Plated in 24-Carat gold, this baby will set you back $575.00!  Add this to your holiday wish list and see your friends and family faint.  I'm thinking I won't be able to afford this company's bedding . . .

Wall You Need

When she saw my post about enlarging a photo Hubby and I took in Portgual to brighten up our winter walls, my mom called to tell me about a fun website she found.  This Canadian (woot) company (who has to win some kind of award for cutest name ever) will make custom wallpaper for you in any size or make custom art on stretched canvas using your own image or one in stock.  So you can create a giant mural from your favorite image!  See below for some pictures pulled from their online portfolio.

This is my mom's favorite!

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Inspiration: Polka Dot Table

So, I found this table curbside a few months ago in my friend's neighborhood.  Thanks for not being embarrassed by my garbage-picking ways, Ashley!  It is solid wood and needs some TLC.  I've been planning a barewood/painted pattern like this table, but maybe with a pretty teal paint and a graphic floral pattern, but then I found the polka dot table (below) on Yvonne Eijkenduijn's blog.  I've been ogling her blog ("blogling" Hubby would say) since yesterday, when I was first introduced to her stunning kitchen. 

Polka dots would look so cute on my little reject table!  I would paint it black and freehand white polka dots, or maybe deep teal with bare wood polka dots.  But a curvy floral pattern would be cute too-something really 1960's.  Now, I'm torn.  Thoughts? 

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Inspiration: The Cheeriest Kitchen

I was mistaken.  You haven't actually seen a cheery kitchen until you have seen this kitchen!  I originally found this kitchen here.  Blogger Nicole Balch included it in a list of inspirational pics (her "honor roll") and rightly so.  For more amazing views, look here.  Yvonne Eijkenduijn is the artistic genius behind designing this kitchen and her entire blog is total eye candy.  I couldn't make the pictures bigger, but if you want a closer look, click on the image.  Definitely a cure for any winter blues!


Anyone else wish this kitchen was theirs?

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Captain Distracto: My Hubby

Me: We can't afford it.  I'll have to settle for ogling pictures of it on my blog.
Hubby: You mean "blogling"?
Me: (giggling)

Hubby: I just made a fact.

How do I get any work done around him? That's right. I don't.

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Apparently It WILL Be Winter Here

So, apparently I cannot stop winter from coming.  It is snowing as I type.  Sigh.  On to Plan B: lots of toasty fires.  Our firewood holder is another vicarious DIY project courtesy of my grandpa.  He welded this firewood holder and matching set of fireplace tools.  I love the simple lines and just how much wood it can hold.  Hauling up firewood from the basement is nobody's favorite job.

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Art Attack: Evelyn Rydz

We visited the The Institute of Contemporary Art (Boston) in October and I haven't been able to stop thinking about Evelyn Rydz's work since.  The photos below don't even begin to do her work justice.  Her website has pictures that better capture the ethereal quality of her work.  Her work examines the evolution of landscapes, which makes me think about the way my choices affect our collective landscape.  Moreover, Rydz's work has me re-thinking beauty; I never would have thought I'd find a rusty can beautiful. 

Blue Foam with Barnacles, 2009 (Pencil and Colour Pencil on Duralar, 11 x 14 inches)

Beer Can with Algae and Shells, 2010 (Pencil and Color Pencil on Duralar, 11 x 14 inches)

084523, 2010 (Pencil and Color Pencil on Duralar, 11 x 14 inches)

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Most Unusual Mid-Century Find

While wasting time on my favorite online classifieds source (kijiji.ca), I found this wild living room with the most unusual coffee table and side table I've ever seen.  They look like teak.  The sofa and chair are for sale, by the way. 

These home owners sure have eclectic taste!



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Inspiration: Casual Rooms

Here are two more inspiring rooms (plus an awesome DIY project) from “Real-life Décor” by Jean Nayar.  I must (begrudgingly) return my copy to the public library tomorrow so someone else can be inspired.  I just realized I have been on a wait list for another design book since June and I still have to wait for 25 other people!!  I do buy some (read: many) books, but I already have two huge bookcases packed literally to the ceiling, plus a roomful of books I store at my parents’.  I have to be a little bit more discriminating about buying books, otherwise hubby is back to storing his books in boxes.  That means more library usage and thus more having to share.  Without further ado, check out these cheery rooms:

Not always a fan of the "shabby chic" but I love the colour palette!

I want that bowl . . .

 And, saving the best for last, the coolest clock I have ever seen:



I've seen clocks like this with tea cups and other beautiful objects but never globes.  I want to try something like this on my bare kitchen wall.  But what to use?  This might take some brain power. 

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It Won't Be Winter Here!

I refuse to accept that winter is on its way.  To remedy my seasonal blues, I ordered a giant 20x30 print of this picture we took in Portugal.  I ordered it a week ago, and only have one more week to wait!  I can't wait to pop it in a frame and hang it in the hallway.  Mmmmm beachy.  Now, as long as I don't go outside . . .    



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New Evidence of Painting Charlie

This post isn't about livin’ in a townhouse but . . . I posted about our DIY Dodge Colt paint job here, and I couldn’t post “before” & “during” pics because they weren’t digital.  But, genius that I am, I took pictures with my digital camera of the pictures that weren’t digital and voilà: pics of us painting my car, way back in the day.  Proof that we are bona fide DIYers ;)

Charlie in 2009

Painting the bumper - 2004

See? Rust issues

Apparently not the right way to tape off a car

See? Blue hatchback issues too . . .
Check out that head of hair on my cutie hubby! 
Its so unfair, he doesn't even want it!!

Apparently a field is not the ideal place,
but its use was free, so the price was right

An "after" shot taken the same year

Now, THIS is a pretty awesome DIY "before & after".  Does this give us serious DIY cred?

Anyone else tackle a waaay too big DIY project and feel totally overwhelmed?  In the weeks it took us to do this, I kept thinking: "I can't believe I ruined my car, I can't believe I ruined my car".

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Inspiration: Cheery Kitchen

I found this picture in "Real-life Décor" by Jean Nayar.  This book has super cute DIY projects and the styling is so great:  I just can't help staring at the cheery colour combo of red, yellow, pale seafoam, & white of this kitchen.  I love orange and turquoise together and this has the same fresh feel. 

Snapped at Le Mans Automobile Museum, in France,
simply because I love the vintage colour combo

You're not supposed to touch the cars!!



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DIY Painted Useless Table

Around here we call small, ocassional tables like this a "useless table" because we thought they were pointless until we realized one could be a perfect receptacle for stuff we drop down when we enter the house.  The irony is, we can't live without it now.  So we'll say, "Just drop it on the useless table," but with love, not scorn.  I picked up this solid wood antique piece for $8.00 at a yard sale this summer.  But with our wood cabinets, wood floors, wood side tables . . . just too much wood.  Plus it had paint splatters and tons of scratches and marks.  So, I painted it!  Scroll down for before and after pics, plus shots of the process. 

"Before"
The pic is blurry because I was buzzing with anticipation. 
Or I was buzzing from the 2.2kg of danish shortbread we ate in 2 weeks. 

"After"

Process:

First we sanded the piece using a belt sander.  We went through about two belts because the finish was so gunky.  Shoulda cleaned or chemically stripped it first.  In any case, I followed up with chemical stripper and hand sanding where the belt couldn't reach.  Then we cleaned the surface and taped off the pattern.  I applied left over paint from painting our walls (and trim and doors!) with a brush and wiped with a rag for a slightly white washed look on the top.  The rest of the piece got two opaque coats plus a bit of touch up.  I waited 24 hours in between coats.  I plan to add a clear coat to protect the natural wood.

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Master Bedroom: "Before & In Progress"

Come on in!  See how this nursery became our bedroom . . .  

"Before"

Process:
After removing the wallpaper border (thanks mom & dad!), painting everything a crisp white and installing hardwood floors (see the process here) we have a clean & bright canvas to work with. 

In progress . . .

My mom, hard at work!

Hello floors!

TA DA!
This room needs some shaking up.  I love our headboard and side tables which were designed by my mom and I, but built by my grandfather.  The wall to wall curtains my grandmother sewed for us are gorgeous.  The lamps are new—we love how crisp they look and the tiny bulb in the base is great for when we want just a bit of light.  But its a bit . . . blah.  Scroll down for my plans so far.  The rusty cogs in my brain are turning as I plan how to liven up this room . . .
 

  

My mom & I designed the headboard & side tables
which were handmade by my grandpa

 

 

     

This room has the biggest window in the house,
emphasized by the wall-to-wall curtains my grandmother sewed for us

My plans:
Artwork and new bedding should do the trick.  I am ogling a few duvet sets right now, but the Dwell Studio duvet cover below has really caught my eye.  That set would look gorgeous with a jumble of differently coloured silk pillows (I have some burnt organge silk that never made itself into the scarf I planned).  I plan on painting a large triptych for the empty wall across from the headboard, but this plan is hinged on my feeling creative enough . . .

This great bedding by Dwell Studio (Draper Stripe Ash) has won my heart

If you also love this Dwell Studio bedding, you can find it here.  My mom has the Chinoiserie set and I am sooooo jealous.   Although . . . I am tempted to go for the white bedding look I have in the guest room (see here).  Decisions, decisions, decisions.  Anyone else like so many different styles and looks that it can be hard to commit to something???

I painted this, but my mom made a sad face until I gave the painting to her. 
But I bought three GIANT canvases, so hopefully inspiration will strike again
and I can paint a tryptich for the room-maybe with brighter colours

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Sewing on Hold

My guest room was supposed to have a guest in it today!  But, due to an ear infection, my mom cannot fly to visit me for at least a few days.  Let's hope she is better soon.  When she does come to visit, we will be sewing some curtains for the guest room.  Yay!  See the "before" & "after" of the guest room here.

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