Since then, the bathroom has been updated once again with fresh paint, new sink and faucet, new light fixture and a bevelled subway tile feature wall.The cabinet was painted in Flint by Benjamin Moore and new cabinet pulls were added. Flint is a deep rich colour perfect for rooms with strong blue undertones.The back wall was tiled in a bevelled white subway to add dimension and contrast in the room.  The remaining walls were painted in Heron White by Benjamin Moore. I opted for a sleek frameless mirror made to size.

The sink was replaced with a square one and the faucet was updated with something a little sleeker and more contemporary looking.

On the window ledge there are 4 vintage canning jars that hold a few bathroom necessities.

For my ensuite, we painted the cabinet in Raindance by Benjamin Moore and the floor was tiled in white ceramic penny sized hexagon tiles.The counter was replaced with quartz and the lower portion of the walls were tiled using a white ceramic subway. The upper portion of the walls were painted in Heron White. I purchased brackets for a swivel mirror and had this square mirror made to the dimensions best suited for the room.

New sink, a goose neck faucet and decorative items to add flair. Of course no woman’s bathroom would be complete without a makeup mirror. I decided on the inexpensive accordion style Frack Mirror from Ikea.

A smokey blue and green striped Hammam Towel and three succulents potted in old world tile inspired pots give this room a bright and airy slightly Turkish feel.

Same layout, same cabinet three totally different looks.

The rains have stopped and the sun is shining. Get out there and enjoy it! My dog certainly is. A sliver of sunshine is enough for him, but if the sun isn’t quite enough to entice you outdoors then creating a beautiful outdoor living space may be. Though this deck is on the smallish side one of it’s major perks is it’s covered, allowing me a little more freedom to create an inviting space perfect for lounging or visiting with friends and family. Once the furniture layout was complete with two sofas, two arm chairs and an outdoor fireplace, I decided on a blue and white colour scheme.

Here are some of the pieces I choose to get the look I was after.

I picked up this vintage pleather hassock and slip covered it in a washable outdoor blue fabric. Because the fabric sits slightly loose and baggy it creates a relaxed feel. Perfect for a casual gathering spot. The hassock, as well as all of my outdoor furniture pieces, have removable covers for easy washing. An absolute must in my opinion. I also added casters to the bottom of the Hassock so it could easily be moved around. It is perfect to use as a footstool between the two chairs or throw a tray on and use as a side table.

If you look closely, and I mean super closely, you will see a twig of Bamboo peeking out behind the chair in the above photo. I transplanted two chunks of Bamboo out of my backyard and they sit in planters behind the two chairs flanking the fireplace. Once they have had a chance to establish themselves and grow (fingers crossed), I think they will look beautiful in this spot.

Throw cushions are a perfect way to add colour, texture, pattern and comfort to any space.

A patterned rug and coasters both from Urban Barn add another element of texture and pattern. I know what you’re thinking…coasters, really?? Tis true, an outdoor space typically does not require coasters, but I couldn’t resist the gorgeous old world designs that fit perfectly into my colour scheme.

If space permits, creating little vignettes not only helps define your style, but it also gives you a perfect spot to show off some of you favourite pieces. These two stumps of wood hold decorative items most of the time, but can also function as side tables if need be.  Duel function is perfect for smaller spaces.

I absolutely fell in love with this concrete bowl made by a a local artist. I love the colours, the free flowing design of the paint, the organic sculptural look, and the overall feel of this little gem. Could not resist! Sometimes I get way too excited about the little things.

Some other quirky little decorative items are a bird cage set on top an Ikea metal table spray painted in a deep blue complete with a weathered road sign from Calgary, my old stomping grounds.

I have had this vintage clothes line and rigging hook on my deck for years and I never seem to tire of it. Over the years it has held light fixtures, hanging plants or lanterns.

For privacy reasons, I added a set of white drapes to one side of my deck. I usually close the drapes during the evening which not only adds privacy, but helps create a more intimate atmosphere.

Whatever colours you choose, be sure to create an outdoor space uniquely you.

The Ottoman is quite possibly the most versatile piece of furniture you could own. Use’m for extra seating, a coffee table, a side table, or park it at the end of the bed, the front entry or in the bathroom. You name it! You could use an ottoman in virtually every room of the home and with so many styles to choose from you will have no problem finding an ottoman to suit your space.

Here are a few tips to help guide you on choosing a style that works best for you.

Mid Century Modern: If it’s clean simple lines with an open airy feel that you are after then these examples of Mid Century Modern inspired beauties would be perfect for your space. Distinguishing features of this look are the tapered wooden leg, streamlined appearance and hearty material choices like wools often in rich tones.

Modern Minimalist: Similar to the Mid Century Modern style, the Modern Minimalist is characteristic of a streamlined appearance, an open and airy feel with simple clean lines. Legs are quite often in different reflective metals or lucite. Fabric choices could be leather or rich velvets and any tufting would be done without creating a puffy appearance.

Traditionalist: More of a Traditionalist at heart? Then these two somewhat feminine examples above are perfect for your space. Depending on fabric choice this look would also look great in a French Country, coastal or shabby home. Look for highly detailed or carved wooden legs, loads of tufting with a somewhat over stuffed appearance in materials like plush velvets for more of an elegant feel or cottons and linens to keep it casual. 

Masculine: If it’s a rugged masculine look you are after then bring out the heavy weights. chunky meaty pieces adorned with nail heads and thick durable fabrics.

World Traveller: For those that love more of a Boho or eclectic world traveler inspired home then these Kilim pouffes and large ottoman would fit the bill. Truly timeless! One could never tire of the workmanship involved in making beautiful handmade textiles in gorgeous colours and endless pattern styles depicting it’s origin in the world.

Industrial: If you are all about the industrial look then reinventing old crates or warehouse equipment into Ottomans would work like a hot darn. Also great for the Modern Country home especially when using vintage flower bulb or fruit crates. Note the exposed aged metal, nailhead detailing, weathered wood and logos.

Coastal: Looking for a coastal or shabby look then seagrass or rope ottomans are perfect to create a casual feel. Weathered woods would also work great for this look. Group smaller ottomans together in multiple ways to create a configuration that works best in the space. Adding ottomans with storage options is also great way to help us maintain an uncluttered space.

No matter your style, there is an ottoman out there perfect for your every spacial need.

SUPER SCORE!! My husband and I found this cool 1950’s teak sofa and loveseat for 100 bucks. Actually, the original set included a chair as well, but we did not have room for it so I sold it separately. The upholstery on this sofa set was in a sad state of affairs due to kitty scratching and 50 years of use, but the frame was in fantastic shape and super solid. You know the old saying, “They don’t make them like they used to.”, well in this case…it’s TRUE.

With a bit of work, here is what they look like now.

Right off the bat you will notice a few changes we made to the set. The most obvious being the material, but on top of that, we also decided to remove the side panels from the arms and forgo the quilted back and the tufting on the back and seat cushions. These changes give the set a more current streamlined appearance.

To begin this project we first removed the Teak frame from the upholstered section. I love Teak for many reasons, one of them being it’s easy care. All we did to give this teak frame an uplift, was to lightly scrub it with a green scrubbing pad and soap and water. Once clean and dried, we treated it with Teak Oil. And that’s it, that’s all…she’s perfect again.

That was the easy part. Now for the upholstery work.

I stripped the old material and quilted backing from the frame. Original foam was in pretty good shape so we left it in tact. I calculated how much material I would need by measuring the two pieces. I then ordered 14 metres of material from a local Stylus supplier. The material was $40 a metre so less than $500.00 total cost.

New batting was added over the back of the sofa.

I then measured, cut and pinned fabric using the frame as a guide. Big thing here is making sure fabric is all running in the same direction. Even if you can’t quit tell when you are sewing it, it will be glaringly obvious when it’s all in place. Take your time and ensure your cuts are right!

With everything sewn I then used my trusty plastic putty knife to shove the material between the seat of the frame and the back of the sofa.

Once in place, looking straight and pulled tight, I stapled the material to the back of the wooden frame.

With the seat in place, I then slipped the material over the back of the sofa and stapled it in place again ensuring the material was straight and tight.

I then stapled the dust cover in place leaving the lower section open to access screw holes for the Teak frame.

Oh so close now! The teak frame was then set back in place…

and reattached to the upholstered portion of the sofa. The last bit of the dust cover was then stapled in place and voila!

I guess I should also mention that I purchased new 4.5″ high density foam measured and cut to size at John’ Bedroom Barn and sewed 5 new cushion covers. The new foam cost $170.00.

Ok , ok, so a little costly and a fair bit of work, but if you are willing to tackle the job yourself you do save HUGE on upholstery costs and you can be sure that these goldie oldies from the 50’s and 60’s will last a lifetime. Great style and built to last…a perfect candidate for an upholstery project.

Dreaming of sandy beaches, tropical breezes and waves lapping the shoreline. Well this coastal inspired living area will help your mind wonder. This look was created on a tight budget and by knowing when to buy new or secondhand we were able to create the ideal look on a budget that worked! Here are the choices we made to create this relaxed, gorgeous look.

The room at first glance

And here she is well on her way to a whole new look. Here is what we did;

First, the wall colour was lightened by painting over the green with a fresh coat of soft grey from Benjamin Moore’s Off White Collection. We decided on Benjamin Moore’s Gray Owl OC-52. Perfect for a coastal vibe with it’s blue undertones. All the trim, doors and mantle were painted in a complimentary White Dove OC-17.

We took the drapes from floor to ceiling to add height to the room. The window was then finished with a versatile Hunter Douglas top up/ bottom down cellular blind in cream purchased secondhand then layered with an affordable new cotton drape in white from Fabricland. Finding this secondhand blind was a huge score as this 96″ long window would have been at least $1,500 to cover new and we paid $200.00.

The all over Berber carpet was replaced with a weathered looking laminate click together flooring. The client wanted something that was affordable, easy to install, durable, would hold up to heavy traffic and easy to clean and maintain. This bad boy purchased at Floors For Less fit the bill in every way!

Every light fixture on the main floor was replaced. We went with a lighting package filled by Mclaren Lighting. We decided on a current and versatile drum shade in all three bedrooms, living room and hallway.

A contemporary take on a classic style, we added a cage chandelier to the front entry.

And here is where we decided on a super splurge for this special order gorgeous fixture for the dining area. The homeowners and I fell in love with this beauty.

The insignificant recessed shelving unit in the corner of the living room was given more of a presence by adding Beadboard for an architectural detail and replacing the piddly glass shelves with substantial wood shelves to both increase functionality and visual weight.

The shelves were then complete with some of the homeowners much loved possessions.

The dining area was given a new look with the addition of a secondhand Canadian made table and chairs originally purchased from Urban Barn. An upholstered bench that I had completely refurbished was meant to sit along the window side of the table. The bench would have increased seating capacity form 4 to 6 and added a uniqueness to the set. It was perfect for a casual look while increasing visual weight, but Unfortunately, the bench was stolen out of the homeowners truck during transport. I guess somebody else loved it as much as we did. How sad was I?

The overall look in the dining room was complete with warm toned woods, antiques and pieces collected from travels.

In the living room, we completely modified the fireplace and converted the old wood burning one with a secondhand electric one. The Mantle was also purchased secondhand for $50.00 and painted in the White Dove to match the rest of the trim.

I created the two light fixtures flanking the fireplace using closet doors. The doors were cut to size and painted, then two ornate sconces I purchased, need I say it, secondhand were attached and topped with sisal shades.

The secondhand coffee table and matching side tables were painted in a warm white. I chose to modify the coffee table into an ottoman style to create a relaxed put your feet up kind of vibe.

All the furniture is placed away from the walls to create a free flowing airy atmosphere perfect for a beachy feel.  Two secondhand Couch Potato chairs face the sofa to create an excellent conversation area. Both the sofa and the loveseat are from Ikea’s Ektorp series and were of course purchased secondhand. We did order new covers in Nordvalla Blue and the laminate floor was topped in a new sisal rug from Ikea as well.

A cream coloured secondhand sofa table sits at the back of the loveseat and adds a decorative detail to the room. The two glass lamps topped with linen shades sitting on each side of the sofa were purchased new from Sears for a fabulous price!

Decorative throw cushions from both Fabricland and HomeSense add colour and unite the overall look. Top it off with a few beach themed items and the look is complete. Soft, relaxed, warm and inviting all around.

We decided to lose the red door and go for a beautiful white that would compliment the current siding and trim colours. The client did not know the existing paint colours, but through colour matching I decided they were close to Benjamin Moore’s Nantucket Grey and Halo for the trim. Armed with these colour samples we decided on Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee. A warm gorgeous white with slight green undertones.

The house itself is a very common split level entry. One of the downfalls with this home design is often there is very little room in the front landing to receive guests comfortably, store shoes and coats, as well as, providing a place to sit down while putting on or taking off shoes. For this, I decided I wanted to put a chair on the front step so people could pop outside to wait (as my husband usually does) or sit to put on shoes all the while making room for others.

I absolutely love this outdoor hard plastic Windsor Chair purchased at Sears. Perfectly on trend with clean simple lines and a great price for $49.99. It’s long open legs create an airy feeling which is perfect for smaller spaces. By adding a throw cushion I was able to tie in all the colours including the yellowy/green of the glass.

TIP: Choosing cushions with different patterns on each side allows more versatility. Great for people that like to change things up now and again.

HomeSence is a great source for reasonably priced outdoor decorative items. This heavy black pot complete with artificial greens is perfect for adding a touch of formality without the maintenance. Fantastic for these busy homeowners on the go!

With a few key items we were able to add functionality and loads of curb appeal to this house that will certainly hold it’s own until the big remodel.

First off, I would like to apologize for the looooong lull between posts. I could list off all the reasons why, but one word alone could sum it up…life. But I’m back now and excited to show you how I reconstructed the 1960’s/1970’s Arborite coffee table. I purchased this lovely gal for 25 bucks. While not all that gorgeous in her original state and in fact a wee bit wobbly, like in most cases, it was her awesome character that sold me.

I started this project by removing the dust cover off the bottom of the table followed by the legs. The legs were screwed into metal brackets attached to the wood frame. Here I discovered that one of the brackets was bent which was the cause of the wobble. With some gentle and precise bashing with a hammer while the bracket was held in a vise I was able to straighten it. The Walnut legs were originally done in a darker stain which was definitely showing surface damage so I sanded them down and rubbed them with lemon oil to enhance their natural tone.

Next was fabric removal followed by popping off the chunk of Arborite.

No here’s where I got a little cheeky. Instead of trying to find a piece of wood that would fit this table, I went to see my friend at a flooring store and she hooked me up with an out-of-date Acacia Wood floor sample. It was the exact size of the opening so no cutting required. On top of that, the wood tone was gorgeous and complimented the legs perfectly, but best of all…it was free! What more could you ask for? I used wood glue to adhere the wood sample to the frame then clamped it in place and let it set overnight.With the table top now secured to the frame, I added new batting over the existing foam using a putty knife to shove the batting down between the foam and the wood portion of the table.

I then covered the 2 foam portions of the table with a new tweed material secured in place by staples around the perimeter. 

After both foam sides were covered in the new fabric, I attached a piece of piping between the two sides where the wood meets the foam. This not only conceals the seam, but helps secure the wood surface to the frame of the table.To complete this project, I attached piping all the way around the table to cover the exposed stables. Using tacking strip, I then attached a strip of material that would cover the wood frame. To soften the look I added batting over the frame before I folded the material over and secured it to the underside of the table. A new dust cover was stapled in place and the project was finished by replacing the table legs.

Perfect project piece for those MCM lovers out there looking for a vintage piece on a budget price. I love this table for it’s clean simple lines and great functionality and by choosing a fabric popular in it’s time of production, this table would feel right at home in any 1960’s abode.

The cabinet had been recently painted, but the colour did not suit the space so I decided to paint it a creamy white.

Because I wanted to leave the character of the piece intact I enhanced existing worn spots with a light sanding.

The existing wooden bar along the bottom of the cabinet is the perfect spot for scarves. I added 3 hooks in the long vertical section to hold necklaces. A couple of well placed bowls hold rings and earrings. A decided to hang a metal bar along the bottom horizontal shelf to accommodate bracelets.

A perfect way to repurpose an old cabinet. Turn it into a highly functional accessory station and the beauty of designing your own is you can deck it out to suite your exact needs.

Great little weekend project!

Raindance 1572

Bathroom Cabinets

Solid Oak bathroom cabinets painted in Raindance. I love this colour for this otherwise all white tiled bathroom as it is the perfect pop of colour without overpowering the small room. It looks fantastic with brushed nickel hardware.

Secretary Desk/Dresser

Secretary Desk/Dresser painted in Raindance and accented with brushed nickel drawer pulls. This desk is set against, and pairs perfectly, with walls painted in Benjamin Moore’s Pink Damask OC-72. To see more on my post about a girls bedroom visit Girls Room in Benjamin Moore’s Pink Damask.

Laundry Room Walls

I also painted the walls of my laundry closet in Raindance. Again, loving the way it pops with the all white accents. To see how I did the laundry room on a budget, visit my post A wee Li’l laundry Closet.

This is not my home, but I included it to show you a living room painted in this ever so lovely colour.

Flora AF-470

Dining Accent Wall

Dining walls in Benjamin Moore’s Ballet White with accent wall in Flora. A great combination, adding loads of warmth to the room. This accent wall is set aglow on sunny afternoons which really lets this gorgeous colour shine. Flora sits perfectly with warm wood tones and pops of red.

Smokey Green cc-700

Master Bedroom

Smokey Green is a great colour for a bedroom. Pictured above in my bedroom right after I painted it. Could not even wait to get the window coverings back up to show you this room. I love it, and it compliments the raindance painted cabinetry in my ensuite like a hot darn!

Add a little or add a lot. Whichever you choose, these 3 greens are sure to please.

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!