Happy Easter!

I hope you had a good week. Just catching up now. 

I was hoping to share another Easter diy with you but my Mac was at the Apple store for some repairs. Boo.

Earlier in the week I contributed an Easter post on my friend Matthew Mead's blog. You can see it here.

This is a relaxing weekend for us. We are not hosting Easter dinner so we are spending the weekend enjoying the beautiful sunshine and warmer weather.

I hope you are enjoying your weekend too!

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Easter.

Debra

on the hunt for ...

image sources - clockwise: Gaston Loose,  Sabina & Micha,  Pottery Barn, Laurie Furber

These beautiful, antique glass jars are so pretty, especially in the sunlight. They look great in a grouping on a table or sitting on the floor. I would put tall fern fronds from our garden inside for display.

This is a vintage bottle I picked up at the thrift store. It's not exactly a demi-john but I love the colour and the texture of the glass.

My bottle currently holds one of my favorite spring branches - pussywillows. I can't wait for them to bloom in my dad's backyard. I'll be heading over soon (i hope) to cut a bunch of branches for my iron urns.

I'm thinking about planting a bush in the back of our yard this spring. We have a lot of shade back there due to the large oaks on our property. I wonder what kind of conditions they need to do well? If you know, please share :)

Debra

bathroom nook

The other day Ikea's April News Kit landed in my inbox and I fell in love with this new cabinet coming out this spring!

Ikea Fabrikor Glass Cabinet, $199

I think I might need this for my bathroom. Not sure if it will fit or adequately use the space in the little nook we have to finish, but I want it. I love antique pharmacy cabinets and this is a great modern reproduction! Isn't it amazing?

I also happen to have subway tile with gray grout on my vanity wall.

The cabinets come in three colours.

Although we moved back home in September, after our big renovation, there are still loads of things to finish. I've found that I've needed a little breather from thinking about my house. However, I think I've pushed past my decor plateau and I'm ready to get some projects started. It's Spring after all...

One of the areas that needs to be finished is our bathroom. There is a small space beside our shower that we had planned on finishing with built-in shelving or a cabinet.  Unfortunately we couldn't use the entire width of that wall for our walk-in shower due to the dormer ceiling.  

So here is the little nook,

Right now the feature is a basket full of toilet paper.

I know we could have bumped out the ceiling to accommodate a bigger shower but the bathroom was an add-on that we weren't planning on doing. It was going to be the only room in the house we weren't going to gut and renovate. Afterall, bathrooms are expensive and ours was fine. However, a few concerns cropped up in that space and then you get to that point in a renovation where everything else is new and it seems silly not to do it all.  I know that seems crazy but it does happen.

In the end I'm happy we did re-do the bathroom. 

It's our only bathroom in the house so it made sense to do it while we were out.

My idea is to install a base cabinet to match our vanity. Add a counter top and then install shelving above to stack towels and some of my vintage apothecary style collections.

This is our vanity. We went with the Ikea Godmorgon but with a single sink.

I'm thinking of using this base cabinet for the nook with the Abstrakt high gloss white front. Then there would be full depth shelving above.

 I'm considering a marble counter material to tie in with the marble surround in the adjacent shower or maybe butcher block to add warmth and contrast. What do you think?

Debra

March Break Fun!

March Break (aka Spring Break) is in full swing here in Toronto and for those of us not traveling to exotic locales, well, you might be looking for some activities for the kids. Here are a few ideas to keep those small hands busy.

Friendship bracelets - not just for the girls! boys like to make them too. My kids made friendship bracelets at school for a fundraiser and the boys were just as interested in creating.

There is a great tutorial at The Purl Bee on how to create a friendship bracelet.

Bake a cake! The perfect cold weather activity. 

My favorite one bowl, chocolate cake recipe is from 

Trish Magwood's Dish Entertains cookbook.

While your waiting for it to cool make some fun cake toppers using washi tape. You'll need some lollipop sticks or bamboo skewers and washi tape. Simple cut off a piece long enough to wrap around the stick and cut the end of the tape to a flag shape.

Plan an exotic day trip to a butterfly conservatory! 

Bonus: it's warm inside. 

Tip: Wear bright colours to attract the butterflys :)

We have visited the Butterfly Conservatory in Cambridge, Ontario several times over the years. My kids love it. It's a trip my Mom used to take with them - butterfly's bring back beautiful memories of Grandma.

March Break for our family is fairly unstructured play time. A few day trips and time together as a family. Movie and popcorn nights with lots of cuddling, pancakes for breakfast, and hanging out with friends.

Happy March Break!

Debra

mid-century modern ... makeover

I'm feeling it. Spring that is. 

Although the thermometer outside says otherwise. 

Today you can find me over on Wedding Bells Magazine blog with a spring inspired wedding favor idea that's so easy! Here's a peek.

air plant favor 

By the way, these little green plants are an easy way to add green to your home. They don't need soil! Only air, sun and some watering.

and in the spirit of Spring...

I have a list of projects to get started on. This is one of them.

My dining room chairs... Do you know the story of these chairs? I bought the chairs and matching table last spring from Craigslist.

 I already had the exact table and chairs which I had inherited from my parents.  However, I only had four chairs and the table was in rough shape. 

I watched the listing on Craigslist for a few months, deciding to risk it and see if they would reduce the price. They did. I bought them. The chairs have the original fabric on them! In crazy good condition except for two which have stains.

Now I have 10 of these chairs and two tables. I have no use for the second table, but it was my parents so I'm having a hard time parting with it.

Anyhow... I bought the fabric ages ago via Tonic Living. It's been sitting in it's package waiting for the staple gun to make an appearance. I haven't been in the mood, but I think I'll try to get them done this week.

This is the fabric.

It's a beautiful linen like the original fabric on the chairs. It's called Tuscany Linen, Elephant from Tonic Living.

What do you think? Although I kinda like the original fabric it is a bit stained on a couple of the chairs. So I think after forty years it's time for a refresh.  

I adore Tonic Living. If you are not familiar, they are an online fabric store and offer custom sewing. I've used them several times. They recently made custom curtains for my new bathroom and are working on curtains for my son's bedroom right now.

So I'll let you know how this DIY turns out. 

By the way, don't forget to enter the giveaway!!! You can win a fabulous new book from Matthew Mead called "Recycled Style". It is full of great ideas and inspiration. ENTER HERE!!.

My recycled style and a Giveaway!

Look what a little paint (and a lot of elbow grease) can do!

This antique oak secretary belonged to my grandmother. 

It used to be the colour below! An icky yellowed pickled oak.

Unfortunately, I don't have a before picture of the secretary. But the buffet below was the same colour as the desk.

I showed you this buffet awhile ago. It was also painted with

Benjamin Moore Raccoon Fur 2126-20.  I love the transformation!

We use it as a bar now. Thanks Dad! Pictures on the way...

I enjoy being able to incorporate furniture inherited from family in our newly renovated home. The blend of eras of furniture is a look I really love. Soon I'll share some pictures of how we have incorporated this look in our home.

So... I have some exciting news for you! I'm thrilled to share with you Matthew Mead's newest book --

RECYCLED STYLE 
an inspiring collection of projects and ideas!

I'm always eager to share Matthew's books with you. Why? Well, he is a wonderful friend and talented artist that I admire and respect. His magazine's are really beautiful books that you will want to hold onto. Check it out for yourself. 

Recycled Style is available at bookstores everywhere. But I recommend you order a copy via Amazon or Amazon.ca to get the extended 256 page version!

Here is a sneak peak inside Recycled Style and don't forget to scroll to the bottom for details on how to win a copy!! 

Yay! Leave a comment below to be entered to win a copy of Matthew Mead's newest book "Recycled Style". 

The winner will be chosen using Random Generator and will be notified by email. Giveaway ends March 8th at midnight. Giveaway open to residents of Canada and the USA.

Good luck!

Debra

I need more green in my life...

lucky bamboo

A beautiful winter day. Perfect light. 

I've been busy photographing new designs and fun products for my shop (which will re-open very soon!). I've also been on a bit of a mission to introduce some botanicals into our space. I haven't had the greenest of thumbs but I'm determined to keep these babies alive and hopefully thriving. Wish me luck.

fiddle leaf fig

Yes,  I have jumped on the fiddle leaf fig bandwagon. I've been looking for one that is the right size for our space and budget. They can be pricy! My friend Lindsay of Little House Blog dropped a hint the other day that IKEA has Fiddleleaf figs for $15! Yes, I know...Start the car!!

I also brought home a Schefflera plant. It's new home is in an antique brass pot we inherited from John's grandmother. And... how can you not bring home a crocus? It screams Spring. I can't wait for Spring.

So if you have any plant care tips that you wish to share, please do! I always love to read your comments so please don't be shy :)

Happy friday!

Debra