The Ottoman

Great functionality that can find a home in almost every setting. I love an ottoman instead of a hard surfaced coffee table. I find it offers a sense of relaxation and comfort and possibly a splash of wonderful colour, pattern or texture. Throw a tray or two on that baby and you’re good to go. I upholstered this ottoman (see my post Reupholstering a Large Pleather Ottoman) in a silvery sage chenille fabric to add a soft subtle tone in the room and tufted it with crystal buttons for a touch of glam.

Ikea’s Kivik or Ektorp affordable storage ottoman’s are great for smaller, casual, high use spaces. I have had mine in the family room for years. Structurally solid, lid opens for additional storage and slipcover comes off for easy washing. Fabric is a highly durable cotton twill, but if it starts to look a little tired or if you just want a new look, pick up additional slipcovers available in a variety of colours.

The Pouffe

Right on trend and a great addition as a foot rest or a floor pillow. Again, perfect for adding some great texture, pattern or colour to any room.

The Bench

Benches, hard surfaced or upholstered, are perfect for seating at the the front door, dining tables, at the end of a bed or to fill in as a coffee table.

This elegant little gal serves as extra seating in my daughters room. Gorgeous feminine lines along with beautiful silk fabric and a unique profile make this bench a show stopper. To see how I refurbished this bench have a look at Parisian Inspired Bench.

This bench sits at the end of my bed and it is one that I created myself from a coffee table. No post on this one I’m sad to say. I keep a crate that was once used for transporting flower bulbs under the bench for extra storage.

The Stool

I love stools for their versatility. Group’em, stack’em or let’em stand alone. They can look so pretty while adding a tonne of functionality. Chinese inspired ceramic stools like the one shown above have been around the world of home decor forever and honestly, I think they will be around for longer still. They are so diverse in colour, texture and pattern and work in many styles.  Use it for additional seating or as a table both indoors or out.

This more industrial looking hand crafted swivel stool made by CB2 has currently found a home at my kitchen computer station. In the past, I have used it as a side table. I love the heavy angular cast iron legs topped with a Mango Wood seat.

I have two of these Sari Stools that I purchased from Pier One Imports years back. To give them a new look, I picked up some faux yak fur, cut it to size and draped it over the stool. Creates a casual, cozy feeling while adding loads of texture..

My kitchen stepping stool. A unique hand made wooden stool with loads of character. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it.

Not all my stools are functional. This antique wooden stool and wooden Chinese pillow are there just to look good! So rustic, worn and loaded with history. They set the stage for other items I have picked up on my travels.

My husband often says I have some sort of obsession and quite frankly, he could be right! Now if only I could become obsessed with something a little more productive, like exercise!

A bathroom enriched with a coastal feel with an added touch of farmhouse styling. I am a huge fan of blue and white in many shades, but one of my favourite shades of blue that compliments white perfectly is Summer Shower by Benjamin Moore and it is exactly this colour that I used to cover the walls in this bathroom. With the walls done, the vanity was then given a fresh new look by painting the solid honey coloured Oak cabinets in a white called Cloud Cover. The cabinet fronts were slightly distressed to add an aged and weathered patina and new “old style” drawer pulls were added. The trim boards, door and window frame were also painted white, but for these, I used Cloud White. The counter top was covered in a white ceramic tile to add to the farmhouse style.

I did this bathroom over 10 years ago and aside from a few decor tweaks here and there it has virtually stood untouched and I still love it today. This is saying a lot for someone that has a tendency to – switch things up!

To compliment the wall colour, add dimension and ground the room, I chose a low maintenance slate inspired earthy ceramic tile for the floor.

I found a vintage towel bar from the local Restore and affixed it to the false drawer front on the vanity. Perfect spot for hanging a hand towel. Some decor items I used to enhance the overall theme of the room were shells, sea sponges and objects found on the beach. Other decor items in the room are a coke bottle growing barnacle, which again was found on the beach and an old enamelware bowl that is filled with shells, facecloths and lotions. I chose a white shower curtain embossed with tree branches (as it read on the label), but I think the embossing looks like coral, so in my mind was the perfect compliment to the room and adds a fabulous textural detail.

I framed a couple of pics that we brought home from Sri Lanka in all white frames making the water themed prints really pop. The other print in the room is “figure at a window” by Salvador Dali. Again, sticking with the water theme, in this print Dali captures his sister taking in the ocean view from his studio in Cadaques, Spain. Absolutely love Cadaques and having prints in the room that not only look great, but remind you of places you have travelled, well that’s a sure bet to make anyone smile.

Even today, 10 years after the remodel, I am asked what colour I painted the bathroom.

An absolute crowd pleaser!

If your looking for a fabulous blue that will stand the test of time then Summer Shower is a sure thing.