Design

Design at Home: Our Kitchen Mini Makeover

Do you remember when I shared our kitchen mini makeover design plans? The faucet really started the whole project. Its lack of functionality was driving me nuts. Then I learned that the sink was driving my beau nuts. Then we decided to do a mini remodel by replacing the faucet, sink, countertop, and backsplash but keeping the existing cabinetry and layout. We added an antique French armoire for an additional pantry, which has been functional and beautiful. Slowly but surely, this mini makeover is taking shape.

I know some people will think that a mini remodel is a waste of money, but I’m not one of these people. I’d rather spend a bit of money now and enjoy a space for the next few years (or longer!?) until we finalize plans and budget for a larger remodel.

As you may recall, I am working with BLANCO Canada on this project. They have provided me with a BLANCO UNIT – a faucet, sink, and accessories combination that coordinate seamlessly together. Now that everything has been delivered, I’m getting even more excited about the change.

Getting here took some time. While I thought I was the only one with strong opinions about design (and function), my beau proved me wrong. He has strong opinions about function (and design).

When creating our BLANCO UNIT, specifically selecting the faucet and sink, we discussed:

  1. What we liked and disliked about our current faucet and sink.
  2. What we needed and wanted in a future faucet and sink (e.g., a sink that would fit in our existing cabinet).
  3. What the pros were of the BLANCO Canada faucets and sinks (that matched our needs and wants).
  4. What potential accessories would add value to functionality with our faucet and sink combo.

My beau is mostly all about function. He disliked the existing shallow sink. On his wish list: a deep sink, two bowls, a high faucet, a high-pressure faucet.

I am about design and function. I disliked hated our faucet (too low and the spout barely returns to its position). I also disliked the shallow sink, the 3/4 size bowl, and the cut-out to house soap/sponge. On my wish list: an undermount deep sink, one bowl, and a high-pressure, stylish faucet that makes me feel like a chef. I also wanted to experiment with a white sink (BLANCO Canada is known for its SILGRANIT), which I envisioned working well with a white stone countertop.

Luckily a BLANCO UNIT offers both design and function. We were able to select a sink and faucet combo that met my design needs and my beau’s desire for increased functionality! Here’s the BLANCO Canada faucet and sink combination we settled on:

the PRECIS U2 sink in white
the BLANCOCULINA faucet in chrome

Sleek, right?

Both items as well as a few accessories (i.e., the sink grid) have now arrived at our house. The next step for us will be to finalize the countertop and get everything installed. Eek! These improvements are going to make such a difference to how we enjoy and use our kitchen!

Travel: More Places to Stay in Paris

I came across more beautiful vacation rental apartments in Paris via Habitat Parisien, so I have to share (and bookmark this post for a future trip!).

This two bedroom apartment is near the Champs Elysée and the ever-so-chic Faubourg-Saint Honoré (8th arr.).

Over by the Louvre (1st arr.), you’ll find this bright apartment that accommodates four people.

And just look at this artful apartment by the Centre Pompidou in the Marais (4th arr.).

Marketplace: Furniture Dump

A little while ago, I shared a collection of lighting that I’ve been saving on way-too-many open website tabs. Today, I’m doing the same thing with furniture. Have a look at these beauties.

cutter bench by Niels Hvass via Skagerak, $1249USD
chair by Kristina Dam via Batten Home, $650USD
wave concrete bench, TOV Furniture, $699USD
roly poly armchair by Driade, 2Modern, $1036USD (on sale)
pond mirror by Ferm Living via Burke Decor, $415USD (large)

I could easily take one of each, but I’m especially keen on the roly poly arm chair.

Design: Shining the Spotlight on Lighting

I have too many tabs open on my computer right now. Most of them are related to lighting, specifically lighting products and lighting guides. So instead of keeping all the tabs open for much longer, I’m going to do a photo dump in this post, so we can all benefit from some of the pretty lights that are floating around the marketplace right now.

I came across J.D. Lighting in Tillsonburg, Ontario in the newest issue of House & Home magazine. They carry a lot of items – both in lighting and home decor – that I’m drawn to. Much of what I’m sharing here is also approved by my beau, so that’s a bonus!

flush mount, $255CAD, Mitzi via J.D. Lighting ($164USD at Mitzi)
pendant, $236CAD, Hudson Valley via J.D. Lighting
pendant, medium, $389CAD, Hinkley via J.D. Lighting
flush mount, $279CAD, Hinkley via J.D. Lighting

Mitzi has a cool collection of lights. I like a lot of them, but not all of them suit our house. This modern chandelier stands out to me.

Hikari chandelier, $650USD, Mitzi

Burke Decor in the United States also has an interesting selection of lighting and home decor items.

Artiste chandelier, $1997USD, Currey & Company via Burke Decor
Bardolph pendant, $677USD, Currey & Company via Burke Decor
Beckham Modern chandelier, $1130USD, TOM by Thomas O’Brien via Burke Decor

The primary goal at our house is to find a chandelier for our dining room before the one-year anniversary of our move-in date in June. My secondary goal (my beau only sort of knows about this one) is to replace all the fixtures in the house soon thereafter…starting with our front hall.

Design: How to Organize a Pantry in an Antique Armoire

By now, many people know that I’m collecting antique armoires for our new home. I have a beautiful Italian armoire in my office that I use as my bookshelf. In the kitchen, we recently added a large French armoire (one of the ones that come apart…a knockdown armoire) to use as our pantry (which replaced an open bakers rack that came with the house). This very old piece of furniture has travelled from France to Switzerland to Guelph and now it has a new home with us in Waterloo.

It brings me joy.

You know what else brings me joy?

Organizing it!

After a bit of inventory analysis, I stocked up on supplies at Homesense (yes, this kind of organization system is an investment of time and money). I opted for white plastic baskets to house categories of items (e.g., pasta, crackers, tea & coffee) and OXO Pop containers for decanting items (e.g., flour, sugar, oatmeal). Then, of course, I labelled everything!

yes, I know, we have a lot of vinegar and oils

On top of all of this goodness, we have made friends with the previous owners of this armoire. What joy!

Real Estate: Historic Home in Waterloo, Ontario Gets a Major Makeover

I’m sure you’ve come across many shocking before and after home renovations, but this one, I think, should be moved to the top of the list.

Up until one year ago, this house in Waterloo was a frat house. It was awful. Inside and out. The house was such a disaster that it made news beyond the city borders (e.g., on Narcity, Reddit). If you want to have a peak at how some 20-somethings like to live, check out this virtual tour. Warning: It’s awful.

But there’s really great news to share about this historic house. An ambitious and confident couple took on this project and have transformed it into a beautiful, three-story, single-family home. It’s absolutely lovely!

Images via Realtor.ca.

Events: Interior Design Show in Toronto This Week

The Interior Design Show (IDS) Toronto begins on Thursday and runs through the weekend at the Metro Convention Centre. I hope to be inspired by all that is new, beautiful, and functional in the world of design after having missed any iteration of IDS for several years.

With my own house in mind, I’ll be on the lookout for what’s new in lighting, countertops, bath fixtures, rugs, and furniture…and pretty much everything else!

Here is a small sneak into some of the IDS 2022 exhibitors.

Jacques & Anna – Studio North

I’ll share updates on social media and post-show, too, as I’m sure there’s much more I’ll learn and observe in person.

All images courtesy of IDS Toronto.

Design: Checkered Floors

When I look at the photos I’ve been taking and saving recently, there are some commonalities. One common feature is the black and white checkered floor.

I seem to have always been keen on checkered floors; I wrote this post about checkered floors back in 2016! My plan is to add a checkered floor to our entryway (hopefully I’ll get to it this spring). I think it’ll be so pretty.

Interiors: Spaces I’d Like To See More Of

Two interiors I’d like to see more of are:

  1. Suzanne Dimma‘s recently overhauled home in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
Casa Louise by Suzanne Dimma

2. Leanne Ford‘s all-white spaces everywhere!

Leanne Ford’s attic featured in Clever – Architectural Digest
Leanne Ford’s attic featured in Clever – Architectural Digest
yoga studio by Leanne Ford
farmhouse project by Leanne Ford
Paris project by Leanne Ford

Marketplace: This and That

I have been spotting very similar designs in my travels online. Look at how closely these items resemble one another.

This…

dining table, $2998USD, Lulu & Georgia

and that…

Ronin table, $1759CAD, Rove Concepts

This…

bouclé ball pillow, $58USD, Lulu & Georgia

and that…

sphere pillow, $49.50CAD, Indigo

This…

side table, $898USD, Lulu & Georgia

and that…

side table, $239CAD, West Elm

This…

colour crate, $16USD, Hay

and that…

crate, $20CAD, Well.ca

This…

Valence sofa, $3298CAD, Casalife

and that…

Zaha sofa, $2698USD, Lulu & Georgia

Design at Home: Powder Room Progress

As I’ve said before, our house needs very little in terms of renovations. Our largest renovation projects would be the kitchen and the backyard. And even then, the renovations aren’t essential…they’d just make me enjoy our house even more than I already do! 🙂 So the projects we’ve been slowly doing at the house are small tweaks to increase functionality and aesthetic.

One of the spaces that I’ve spent a bit of time working to improve is our main floor powder room. It was a white box that I knew could get even whiter.

Here’s what the space looked like when we moved in:

The bathroom was white and bright, but the light fixture was broken, the mirror was small, and the towel ring wasn’t my aesthetic.

We didn’t want to put too much money and effort into a massive renovation (like installing a custom vanity), but I knew we could do a few things to make it nicer. So we did!

One of the best things I did was to repaint the walls. They weren’t in the best shape, so I patched up a lot of holes, smoothed out a few gouges, and gave the whole room a fresh coat of white paint (leftover Benjamin Moore Simply White). The new paint job – like so many people often say – made a world of difference to this room. Magic!

Beyond the painting, I polished the window hardware (more magic!), hung a round mirror, and installed a modern light.

Seeing the before and progress photos makes me grin. A few tweaks has made a huge difference in the function and aesthetic of this space.

That said, the room transformation isn’t quite complete. The towel bar and toilet roll holder will arrive next month, and we have to decide on art. I’ll be happy to share more photos when all the pieces are in place.

Furniture: The Black and White Striped Sofa

I saw this image on Chris & Julia’s Instagram story, and I instantly loved the look of the sofa. Black and white and bold. I love it! I think it could be a cool element in a living room, office, library, games room, and more.

In my own house, I could see this type of loungey sofa in what we’ve named our sitting room. Or potentially the secondary TV lounge. But where does one find such a cool piece? I’m keeping this photo as inspiration, and now I’ll put it out there in the world and perhaps a similar sofa will find its way into our home (magically, somehow).

Here are some results from my “black white striped sofa” Google search.

black and white striped sofa, Ali Baba (Has anyone ever ordered a sofa from Ali Baba?)
Donatella striped sofa (event rental)

I think I love the look of a boldly striped sofa, and I’m now considering such a pattern on my vintage settee that needs reupholstering. This might fulfill my desire for a cool striped piece while I wait for something more lounge-worthy like the one from April Tomlin to come along.

Design at Home: Our Kitchen

Our home is absolutely lovely. It’s a special place with an interesting history. There are unique nooks and crannies. And there are so many windows.

With every house, no matter how lovely, there’s always work to be done to upkeep it and to make it one’s own. Since moving in June, we have tackled a few minor projects, and we’re really trying to prioritize tasks to align with our needs and budget. This has been hard for me because I want to do everything all at once!

One of the areas that will need the most work in the future is our kitchen. It is large and fully functional, but we have ideas about what how we may want to change it to maximize the space and increase efficiency. Our design dreams, however, are costly, and the changes we have in mind are in our long-term plans.

That said, there are a few things that we would like to change now to make the kitchen more functional and beautiful.

Here’s what the main part of the kitchen looked like just before we moved in.

kitchen: before

We like all the windows, the basic white cabinets, and the appliances, including the double fridges (what a luxury)!

The counter and backsplash isn’t our style. The faucet and sink don’t maximize functionality. The cabinetry doesn’t maximize our nearly 10-foot ceilings (future project).

The faucet is terrible. The pull down option is broken, and it looks and feels so inexpensive. It feels like it could break at any moment. When I suggested we get a new faucet, my beau told me that the sink was even more bothersome to him than the faucet. The sink is shallow and has two bowls (regular size bowl plus a 3/4 size bowl). The sink, to my surprise, was annoying him just as much as the faucet was annoying me! We discussed the possibility of replacing one or both items in the short-term or living with the existing set-up until we’re ready for a larger remodel.

In the end, we decided that we wanted to complete a mini makeover so that the kitchen would be enjoyable, functional, and pretty (more for me!). A mini remodel makes sense for us while we save money and plan a larger remodel for the future (similar to Tiffany’s approach). Essentially, this means installing a new sink, faucet, counter, and backsplash.

Step 1 of our mini makeover meant that on one rainy day, I ripped off the fake-tin, plastic backsplash panels. I then primed the walls as a temporary, cheap makeover. We removed the glass domes on the lights, too.

kitchen: progress

Step 2 will be to replace the faucet and sink. We’re getting some help with this thanks to my long-time partner, BLANCO Canada. (Remember my old laundry room? I was sad to say goodbye to that little space.) I was so happy to coordinate our current kitchen project with the BLANCO Canada team – they’ve always been a real pleasure to work with! And I love that their products are made in Canada (remember this BLANCO factory tour?).

On our wishlist:

  • a high functioning faucet with pull-down spout and minimal splash
  • a deep double sink that could withstand messy kitchen work and that would look modern

Here are the faucet and sink options we considered:

Step 3 will be to install a stone countertop (I’ve got my eye on carrara marble or a white quartz), backsplash, and door handles.

Our current mini-makeover design board looks like this:

white subway tile backsplash, carrara marble countertop, existing white cabinetry, cabinet handles, PRECIS U 2 sink in white, BLANCOCULINA faucet in chrome

We liked just about all of the faucets in BLANCO’s collection. Everything was sleek and powerful. We wanted a high arc with a pull-down feature, and the BLANCOCULINA suited our tastes well.

We have chosen BLANCO’s Silgranit PRECIS U 2 sink in white. Daring, right? We debated between single and double bowl options, but decided that a double bowl might suit our current needs best. We were open to both stainless and Silgranit options, too, but I was drawn to the PRECIS U 2 in Silgranit because it’s unique. I have seen the Silgranit in action, and I am confident that the white will withstand the wear and tear of daily kitchen use. Tim and Chris have a white Silgranit in their kitchen, and they let me know that it has been easy to clean.

And this brings me to the end of the first post about our kitchen mini-makeover. In a few weeks, I’ll be sharing some progress and after photos.

Design: The Bubble Lamp

Our front hall currently looks like this:

Are you surprised to see so much colour? Me, too! Thankfully, the walls in our house are bright white, which is the perfect backdrop for some new additions in our furniture collection. To break up the traditional elements – the sideboard and the rug – I knew I wanted to add white accessories. I started with a pair of bubble lamps – super fun if you ask me!

Soon after I posted the above photo on Instagram, I received direct messages of other bubble lamps.

Here’s Kelly Wearstler’s version (perhaps the original bubble lamp?):

And here are some other bubble lamps (brands unknown), including a DIY version, too.

Design at Home: House Projects

We moved into our new home in June 2021, and while the house does not need any major or minor work (really move-in ready!), I have a list of projects to make the house feel ours. Since June, we have done a few things that were quite necessary like installing a water softener, leveling patio stones, hiring an arborist, and getting our chimneys cleaned.

Merging two houses has also meant that we have spent a good chunk of time sorting through our pieces of furniture and artwork and deciding what we want to keep, sell, and donate. We’ve also worked on a few different layouts in different rooms as we’ve learned more about what kinds of spaces we need and want in our home.

While we don’t actually need anything for our home, there’s a bunch of stuff I want to do in 2022. Here’s my list (which my beau mostly agrees on, too):

  1. Install a new sink, faucet, and countertop in the kitchen. Replace the cabinet handles. Add a backsplash. (Affordably!)
  2. Upgrade lighting (modern, modern, modern) in as many rooms in the house as possible.
  3. Add rugs to certain space to increase cozy factor.
  4. Install a backsplash in our basement kitchen.
  5. Invest in a upright freezer.
  6. Organize and make better use of our garage and shed.
  7. Continue to hang artwork (and maybe buy a piece that both of us like).
  8. Invest in a good office chair (for my office).
  9. Continue to design my beau’s office.
  10. Add a secondary TV area.
  11. Finalize a design plan for our sitting room.
  12. Organize the kitchen pantry.
  13. And I’ll probably keep adding to the list as the year evolves!

It’s fun to have design projects on the go. I’ll check on this list in a few months or in a year to see how far we’ve come.

Design at Home: My Office

This past weekend, I worked to get my office finally cleaned up. I added a new rug and light, and I saw my design vision come to life. I love my office. It’s a positive place to work, and I think it’s an accurate reflection of me.

I originally had two similar plans for the main components in my office. One version had black accents, and the other had white. In both design plans, I had my heart set on mixing old antiques with modern elements (which is the aesthetic I’m aiming for elsewhere in the house, too). When I made the design boards, I had just purchased an antique desk similar to the one I featured.

Now, my office looks like this:

I was lucky to find my antique desk here in Waterloo from a seller who told me it was her long-time writing desk. How perfect! She bought it in Montreal decades ago, and I think it must have come from France originally. Oui oui! The desk has a leather top inset (protected with glass), wood inlay, and brass details. It’s a special piece of furniture.

Not too long after that, my mom sent me a link to an antique Italian armoire at an auction, and I jumped on it. Things were moving quickly, but I guess timing was right because before I knew it, it was mine! It is lovely!

I feel fortunate to have these two pieces of exquisite craftsmanship in my possession, and they fit beautifully into our historic home. I met the previous owners of each of these pieces, and I could tell that they had strong attachments to them. They cared for the pieces, and I promised that I would, too.

The final two pieces were the rug and the light. I tried to get the black and white striped Ikea rug (seen above) on several occasions, but it was constantly out of stock, so I took it as a sign that the rug wasn’t for this space. Instead I opted for the “let the pieces find me” approach, and when I came across a soft white rug, I took it as a sign that white accents was the way to go for my office. Then I spotted a modern, airy light, and I could see my vision come to completion.

You’ll notice that I have a lot more wood in this office than I ever had before. The pieces are so refined and I just love them against the white walls. And speaking of white, there’s still plenty of it!

The design plan is just about complete. I may exchange the rug for the next size up, and I’m waiting for the delivery of an ergonomic desk chair. In the meantime, I’m using the balance ball and have already noticed that it’s better for my back (core and legs, too) than the dainty antique chair that came with my desk (but it’s just so pretty!).

Christmas: Gingerbread Architecture

Oh, I wish I had the talent and patience to make and decorate a stunning gingerbread house like these ones. Aren’t they sweet pieces of gingerbread architecture?

Easier than spending days making a gingerbread mansion would be installing a gingerbread screensaver like this one via Jacquelyn Clark.

Design: Modern Pendant Lighting

I am gathering inspiration for lighting…again. I am currently strongly drawn to modern, unique, unexpected lighting to mix into our historic home. I am dreaming of a home with a mix of pieces that we love rather than maintaining the Edwardian style throughout.

Zeppelin chandelier, $703USD; concert pendant, $190USD; ray pendant, $138USD

The Gino Sarfatti and Aerin chandeliers are especially striking.

Design: Table Lamps

While we don’t currently need any table lamps, I seem to be collecting images of ones that I like. For some odd reason, it’s been much easier for me to find and save images of table lamps that I like rather than ceiling lights and sconces. Why is that?

If I was in need of a table lamp, all of these six would be on my wish list.

Real Estate: Toronto, Ontario

This nearly $10M heritage home in Toronto’s Rosedale neighbourhood is so lovely. Each room is so well-appointed with elegant furnishings and beautiful art.

Images via Paul Johnston.

Design at Home: Office Update

I have now acquired the two major pieces of furniture for my home office – the desk and bookcase (my office design plan is coming true!). Both pieces are absolutely stunning, and they make me so happy. Isn’t it funny how furniture affects us? Is it just me?

Although my office is still in a state of disarray, I love working in it. The light that shines in at this time of year is just perfect.

I now enjoy this view from my desk.

It’s not white! (And I won’t be painting it.)

My antique Italian armoire is 7 feet tall, and it fits all of my books (and more). The solid bottom of the doors hides my not-so-pretty binders and academic books, and I’ve been able to add trinkets and art among shelves of my non-academic books and magazines. I do quite like the wire front panels, but I can easily trade this out for glass, mirror, or fabric in the future.

Once I find a rug and modern light fixture, then my office will be just about complete.

Marketplace: Striped Rugs

One of the rug options that I have strongly been considering for my office is Ikea’s Stockholm rug in black and white. It, however, has been out of stock in Ontario for a long while now, so I’m considering other striped options.

The ones I’ve shown here all look pretty good online, but I’d much prefer to feel the rug in person pre-purchase. Have you ever bought a rug online? Were you pleased?

Marketplace: Fancy Mirrors

So it seems that I’m on Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji every day. You, too? Please tell me I’m not the only one who browses these sites so frequently. One of the items that I’m the lookout for is a mirror…or more than one, in fact. I have some idea of where one (or several) may end up, but I’ll know more as soon as I see one that I love. Over the last few months, I have bought three mirrors at a fraction of what they might cost at a store and, more interesting for me, they’re all antique (and unique!).

Here are some mirrors that I’ve come across lately (in Ontario) on Facebook Marketplace.

mirror, $135; mirror, $250; mirror, $450

Design: Lighting

I’m starting to gather lighting inspiration. There are so many lights in our new house, and while everything if functioning well, not every fixture suits our style or this home. That said, I am finding that choosing light fixtures is an overwhelming design task. On top of this, I’m impatient, so I have to remind myself that it’ll take some time to get all the fixtures set.

For now, here are some fixtures that are getting my attention.

Design: Round Tables

Having a bigger house means having more rooms to furnish. It’s completely fun, but it’s also overwhelming and a slow process. We also have a lot of furniture to begin with, so some of our furniture needs mean upgrading to pieces that suit our style and new home. It’s a tough problem to have, I know. We are lucky to have such problems! In other rooms, however, we are starting from nearly a blank slate. We have designated one room as our study/games room, and we are in need of a good set of table and chairs. As such, I’ve been on the lookout for an interesting round table at just the right size. I’d prefer a pedestal table, I think, with chairs that tuck completely in. I think this option would be best for the room and how we want it to function.

Here are some tables that have been inspiring me and the design for our study.

round table, 1stDibs; round table, 1stDibs; black round table, 1stDibs; dining table, Anthropologie; dining table, Anthropologie

Part of me wants something quite sculptural without chairs, but I know that wouldn’t be practical. Darn!

Design: Mixing Old & New

As I recently mentioned, now that I live in house that was built in 1908, I feel like I want to incorporate some old, charming, refined, beautiful pieces into our interior design. Yes, there will still be a lot of white and modern pieces (like lighting, I hope!), but I just feel like this home should not be filled to the brim with modern and shiny.

I’m not really spending time on one room at a time, but rather I’m going to use the approach of when I spot things we love, that we think will work in a room, and where the timing of the purchase is right, we’ll make the purchase. Slowly, we’ll build each room to our liking.

This approach is slow, yes, and it feels like I’m juggling things in the air a lot, but I also feel like it’s a bit hard to concentrate only on one room at a time. In addition, we don’t actually need anything (combing two houses means you end up with a lot of stuff!), but it’s moreso that we’re trying to add pieces to our existing collections that will enhance function and style in our new old home.

On top of all of this, I’m also practical and we do have a budget to balance. We do have to spend money on less fun things as we get settled – this week’s purchase was a water softener. Not so fun, but very much needed in Waterloo.

So, anyhow, I bought a beautiful antique desk a few weeks ago, which is setting the tone for my office. I think I would like to add a wood hutch/wardrobe to serve as a bookcase, and a new rug and light that keeps the room modern. I’m not yet sure about art. I know a lot of people loved the gallery wall in my first home, but I think a similar installation would overwhelm my new office, so it’s unlikely I’ll be recreating it. Besides this, some of the art has already moved to other areas of our home. The colourful rug is currently in my office, but it, too, feels like it’s overwhelming the space and doesn’t quite match the desk, so I’ll be moving it out soon.

With that, here are two options that I quite like at the moment.

Design: Antique Furniture

For a long while, I have been interested in mixing classic, traditional pieces of furniture with modern items into my home.

What do I mean by traditional? I’m referring to pieces made from beautiful wood, from the 18th and 19th centuries, with unique, ornate details. Think marquetry, inlay, trim, marble, and gold. (Not white!) I’m referring to pieces you see in antique stores in Paris, New Orleans, and Montreal. I’m referring to the opposite of what you’ll see at West Elm and Pottery Barn.

These types of antique pieces didn’t really seem to suit my first home – an 80s townhouse – and finding just the right pieces at just the right price was never an easy task. I don’t live in France, after all!

Now that I live in a century home, I feel that the time is right for some antiques. I don’t want a house full of precious antiques, but a few select pieces mixed in with existing pieces would suit me just fine.

Here are some examples of the styles I’m eyeing.

marble topped dresser, $8039.33CAD, 1stDibs
18th century desk, $3361.06CAD, 1stDibs

What do you think of this style of furniture? Is it for you?

Design: Pretty Pinterest

What have you been pinning on Pinterest lately? Here’s what has been making my Pinterest boards pretty.

Pretty kitchens…

photo by Spacecrafting; via Domino

Pretty food…

crepe cake, Victoria

Pretty clothes…

Alexis Mabille, via Vogue

Pretty flowers…

Luna de Mare photography, via Style Me Pretty

It is so easy to spend an hour on Pinterest without realizing the passing of time, isn’t it?

Design: Monika Hibbs Home

Monika Hibbs wears and has worn many hats – doctor, blogger, influencer, designer, author, and shop owner. Based out of British Columbia, her namesake homewares shop is absolutely lovely. She has some really beautiful pieces in stock currently, especially in the areas of lighting and decor. Here are a few of the items that caught my eye (but are definitely not in my budget…sigh).

carnegie table lamp, $874CAD; vedra table lamp, $1050CAD; desmond table lamp, $1311CAD
bryant chandelier, $1249CAD; coco magnolia pendant, $3148CAD
eloise pendant, $1225CAD; eldridge pendant, $1428CAD; keil swing arm, $700+CAD
laurel pot brush set, $76CAD; bread tin, $89CAD; marble container with lid, $75CAD; calley dipped vase, $198CAD; copenhagen pot and saucer, $65+CAD; egg board, $135CAD

All product images via Monika Hibbs Home.

Design: Lune 1860

In a recent issue of Nuvo, this picture caught my attention and enticed me to read the adjacent article.

I like the table’s length and slim lines and the curve of the unusual light fixture. After reading the article, I learned that this place – Lune 1860 – is in Goderich, which is relatively close to the Waterloo region, and is a place I’ve been to several times in the last couple of years.

Lune 1860 is an event space in a 160-year old country house. It was founded by Lisa Mok, a Toronto-based creative director and graphic designer.

photos by Niamh Barry for Lune 1860

Design: Bathtubs

What are your thoughts about freestanding bathtubs? Do you have a favourite brand or design? What criteria do you have for the perfect bathtub?

I can count on one hand the number of baths I’ve taken since I moved into my house nearly eight years ago. Maybe if I had a more ideal design (rather than a massive corner jacuzzi tub where the water gets cold by the time it’s filled), maybe I’d take more baths. This is one of my hopes as I plan my bathroom reno.

These are the styles that I gravitate toward, but I haven’t seen any of them in person (and prices are way out of budget for some of them, so I need to find other options). Since my bathroom is so square, and the shower will be rectangular, I’m thinking a curvy bathtub would be best.

Styli, $3645USD, Waterworks; Saxby $3863USD, Waterworks; Arcos, $11250USD, Waterworks; Studio S, $3126USD, American Standard; Serin, $2668USD, American Standard; Kipling, $2215USD, American Standard;soaking tub, $1199CAD, Wayfair; soaking tub, $999CAD, Wayfair; Aura, $1399CAD, Tubs; Estelle, $1299CAD, Home Hardware; Juno, $1043CAD, Home Depot; Santry, $5565USD, Waterworks

Design: Bathroom Inspiration

For the past few several many years, I’ve had a bathroom reno on my mind. It’s a really terrible bathroom, and I’ve grown more tired of it over the last year because of, well, being home and using it more than ever before. I am still a little while away from pulling the reno trigger, but here are photos that are serving as inspiration.

Marketplace: American Standard Bath Collection

Over the holidays, I received a press package from American Standard. I thought it was timely, clever, and well-designed. Essentially, American Standard’s message is to flush 2020.

American Standard Press Pack

Beyond the press information I received, I had a browse on the American Standard website to learn more about its bath collection. Here are some of the interesting things I learned.

The Spalet Bidet Toilet is a new release, and I know I’d love it. I became appreciative of these types of toilets after my 2019 trip to Japan.

The price tag is high, yes, but American Standard some bidet seat options at about half the price of the toilet.

Here are some other items that caught my attention because of their functionality and design.

Design: Georgia O’Keeffe’s New Mexico Kitchen

I watched this video about the evolution of kitchen design from architect John Ota, and I found it fascinating. If you like history, design, and food, I think you’ll like it, too.

Here are some images of Georgia O’Keefe’s kitchen in New Mexico. I enjoy the simplicity of this white, airy, organized kitchen.

John Ota is the author of The Kitchen, a book that celebrates the kitchen (aka the heart of the home). I’ve just requested it at from my library, and I look forward to reading it.

Source of all images: Evolution of the Kitchen with John Ota.

Design: Covered Couches

In the October issue of House Beautiful magazine, two couches stood out to me because they had been treated in the same way, and I hadn’t seen this look too often before. These couches were covered with throws. And not just a throw tossed over the edge of the couch in a haphazard fashion (nothing is haphazard in styled photos), but sort of in a slip cover approach. Have a look.

I quite like this look. The throw as a semi-slipcover accomplishes several goals: (a) adds warmth, (b) adds texture, (c) adds colour, and (d) adds a layer of protection. In addition, like throw pillows, the throw cover can be changed seasonally and can be washed regularly. Given these advantages, I opted to give this look a try in my home. What do you think of these three options?

Monochromatic

Pattern

Colour

Look at how the red throw changed the colour in the room. I took these photos on a very sunny day, and the combination of the sunshine and the red throw made the room rosey! I love the red throw, and I think I’ll save this for Christmas time.

Do you like this look? Would you try it in your own home?

Interiors: Beauty Restored in Kingston, New York

I have been following Daniel Kanter (Manhattan Nest) for years. Seven years ago, he bought a dilapidated old home (with so much potential) in Kingston, New York, and he has been renovating it ever since. Recently, he has taken his readers down memory lane, and it has been wonderful to see the results of his effort to make his home beautiful. I appreciate his design aesthetic and how he has maintained the charm of historic home while injecting it with some modernity.

Photos by Daniel Kanter (living room, hallway).

Design: Floating Bathroom Vanities

What do you all think about floating bathroom vanities? Normally, I don’t like them because they don’t maximize storage. However, I’ve recently had a change of heart after seeing this gorgeous vanity (see first image below). Although the vanity is not white, I love it. I also think it’s paired beautifully with the full wall of subway tile, the delicate gold-framed mirror, and simple sconce.

This image made me think about the feeling of lightness of the floating vanity. I think this would be a great option for a small space. A floating vanity would mean there would be more space for floor tile, which would give the illusion of a bigger space. What do you think? Agree? Disagree?

Beyond simple white vanity options in the marketplace, there’s a plethora of wood styles. These bathrooms are lovely.

Design: Two Peaceful White Homes

I crave calm after busy days full of work and social time (in both pandemic and non-pandemic times). This is one of the reasons why I live in a white home. The white walls, art, decor, and furniture make me feel happy and calm. Yes, I do have colour around my home, but for the most part, I live in quite a white space.

The owners and designers of these two homes – one in the country and one in the city – seem to feel the same what that I do about the beauty and peacefulness of white spaces.

Beach House Muskoka

Beach House Muskoka

Montreal Apartment

Azamit‘s Montreal apartment featured on House & Home; photos by Andrew Hadley

Interiors: White and Bright in California

I know my posts have been sporadic these last few months, but I think my creative juices are slowly coming back, and I feel like writing more regularly again.

I’ve had this California home saved for a while to share, so here it is. The view from the large living room window is spectacular, and I could imagine so many lovely meals at the dining room table. Wouldn’t it be ideal if the table was always set as it is in the photo?

The low-rise bed in the main bedroom is waiting for someone to jump on it, I think. And the the twin room is sweet and cozy.

All photos via Remodelista. Photography by Tessa Neustadt. Design by Jenni Kayne.

Design: Milk Glass Lighting

After seeing this beehive milk glass pendant, I went down a milk glass rabbit hole. Luckily, I found so many pretty milk glass lighting options to share with you this morning!

milk glass pendant, Shades of Light
milk glass pendant, Shades of Light
milk glass ceiling light, Two Kings & Co.

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