Best of 2011

Where did 2011 go and why is 2012 already flying by?!?  Who decided it is January 4th already?

Many new readers have recently begun following Dans le Townhouse via email, google friend, etc., and I wanted to say "hello".  For new and old friends alike, here is a list of my 11 favorite posts and projects from my 2011 archives (click on the title to see the full post):


Framed Bakelite Brooches

As with many of our projects around the townhouse I'd been itching to do this for years but never found the right materials (in this case, two perfectly sized & inexpensive vintage frames) or time (that's a perennial problem).  Recently I found the frames, made the time and produced these:

Artful Expedit Hack

One of my best ideas because these swinging doors made from abstract paintings are easy to install, practical and hide clutter (yay).  Plus, in a tiny home, I always welcome a new and exciting place to hang art (I'm running out of wall space).

Welded Desk

A project Handy Hubby & I recently knocked off our mile long to-do list.  I still need to fuss with this corner some more but we're just so giddy to have the desk completed!

Felted Wool Billy Buttons

An oldie but a goodie.  My felted wool Billy Buttons still look this cute and haven't gotten dusty.  Many blog friends tried this project with great success.

Chalkboard Knife Block

After I chickened out of using chalkboard paint on my DIY magnetic board, I used the paint to dress up a really worn out knife block.  A weird idea but I love the result.


Beaded Christmas Spider

Even though I don't celebrate Christmas, I make and sell these one-of-a-kind ornaments and loved sharing the how-to with blog readers.

Living Room Sofa Swap

Our old, peeling sofa from The Brick drove us insane, so when we spotted this beauty in the classifieds we pounced on it.

Guest Half Bath Artwork & Accessories

The long overdue decorating of a bathroom we renovated in 2009.  We only added simple touches but it took us ages to do (mostly because I was paralyzed by indecision - it seems a blank slate was too much of a responsibility). 

Master Bedroom Bedding Upgrade

I waited months for my back-ordered bedding but the white, textured bedding was worth the wait because it lets the welded headboard I designed pop.  My talented Mom sewed silk accent pillows and then I painted huge abstracts to add more colour.

DIY Bathroom Artwork

Artwork makes the space!  A blank wall frustrated me until I decided a pop of yellow was just what the room needed.

Silhouette Wall

This change was monumental because I'd been collecting vintage silhouettes for years and had never hung them up.

BONUS ROUND

Mom's Pick: New Guest Room Chair

Sometimes it pays to call in the pros.  Knowing this vintage teak chair would be tricky to tackle, I had it professionally upholstered after agonizing over fabric swatches for days.  The end result is a gorgeously upholstered chair we can treasure forever (and be confident it won't unravel).

With a basement update looming & thousands of ideas yet to be realized, I hope my 2012 list is even better! 

Thanks to everyone for following along.  I treasure each and every comment and appreciate that you take the time to stop by and see what's new in the townhouse.

Finn Style

Because I speak Hungarian, sometimes I feel closer to my Hungarian heritage than my Finnish heritage.  But then I spot a Marimekko print in a shop window or see bloggers go gaga over Iittala birds and I feel a rush of pride.  I'm a devoted fan of Finnish design because I love pretty (and good quality) things, but also because it's in my blood.  Which is why we went on a day trip to Minneapolis last week, purely so I could check out Finn Style, a store I had been aching to visit after I read about it in the July 2011 issue of Lucky magazine.

The Lucky Mag article that led me to the store.

It was definitely worth the drive.

Finn Style is a must-see shop for any style connoisseur (Finn or otherwise).  This spacious shop boasts impressive collections of Marimekko fabrics, linens & clothing, Iittala glassware, Arabia porcelain and Kalevala jewellery.  Plus, you'll find fun & funky Aarikka jewellery, coveted Iittala glass birds and, of course, delicious Panda licorice (that's a staple snack in our household).  But for those shopping for something a little more unusual, this shop also sells more exclusive items, like the Vallila pillows my mom scooped up (I'll post photos soon).

Take a look at just some of the goodies sold in store and online:

Marimekko Fabrics

Marimekko Towels (& other goodies)

Iittala Products

You knew I'd drool over the Alvar Aalto pieces . . .

Kitchen Accessories, Linens & Arabia Dishware

Clothing & Accessories

Funky Aarikka jewellery

Marimekko Change Purses

The selection, and prices, were fabulous and my mom and I definitely enjoyed a little shopping indulgence, each leaving with bulging bags.  I even bought the same dress featured in the Lucky article that led me to the shop (steeply discounted because it is a summer piece).  Even my dad bought himself a mug and Hubby filled his pockets with licorice.  I'll show you all of our Finn Style goodies later but here's a sneak peak of what I bought, in the form of a hint:

Need a better hint?

From table settings to upholstered pieces, the shop is chock full of smart and stylish ideas, which made us buzz with creativity.  Check back to see what we whip up and take a peak at some of the inspiration.

Gorgeous Tablescape

Upholstered Chair - Marimekko Unikko Poppy Upholstery Fabric



Upholstered Chair - Marimekko Kanteleen Kustu Upholstery Fabric

I really, really like this chair.

See the Finn Style website for more info (if you can't make it to Minneapolis, you can also buy online).  I'll be sharing photos of what we bought this week or next.

P.S. A quick note to new blog friends: I'm only blogging about this store because I loved it so.  I haven't been perked or paid.

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Pretty Little Details

Today we leave our lakeside holiday rental.  Even though this house requires a good, thorough spit and polish, I have fallen in love.  The historic home has amazing details that can't be found in just any home.  Well, not our 1970s townhouse anyway.  Here are some of my favorite little details:

The Vintage Wallpaper

Not much of it survived (at one point, a gorgeous grasscloth covered the living room walls as well) but the entryway still has cute vintage wallpaper.

The Laundry Chute

This occupied Hubby & I for far too long - we were like little kids, tossing things down the chute and listening to them plummet.  But playing aside, what a lovely convenience.

The Maid's Buzzer

I would never have the rudeness required to buzz this ugly sounding buzzer to summon the maid, working hard in the kitchen.  But it was fun to harass one another with this neat feature.  We think it would have been wired up to the ends of the table, but this is all that remains:

The Doorknobs

Oooo la la.  I love the glass version, but the substantial metal ones found throughout the home are also stunning.

The Vintage Bathrooms

Although not all original, the home's bathrooms are so cute and kitchy.  I really like the bathroom sconces found in all bathrooms.  And the shimmery pink tile paired with the shell-coloured hexagon tile in the maid's bathroom is a perfect pairing.

The vintage taps are also so cute

The Unusual Furniture (& Lighting)

Now, this isn't really a feature of the home, but many of these pieces can be seen in photos from the last 50 years.  From the mid-century pieces to the grandfather clock to the curvy sofa with retro triangle pillows (and that chandelier!), there are some gorgeous pieces in this home.

Very neat tile table

Time to hit the dusty, er, snowy trail.  Next time I blog, I'll be back in Canada!

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Happy New Year!

In Duluth, MN (where we are vacationing) it is now 2012!  With time differences, you might still be in 2011 or 2012 . . . Whatever year you're currently enjoying, I want to wish you an enthusiastic "Happy New Year!"  I hope all of my lovely readers have (had?) some fun this evening and I wish you all nothing but the best for 2012.

I love a fresh start.  I have so many plans for 2012 but I'm not sure I want to make resolutions.  It is so jarring to start a list of lifestyle changes that I normally fail.  And then I eat a bag of cookies.  Will you make resolutions??? 

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