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Global Femme – Powder Room
DIY, Home Sweet
People said, “Don’t paint your powder room an obnoxious colour.” I assume by ‘obnoxious’ (see also, bold, vibrant, individual) they meant fuscia, the bold, unsellable to anyone but you, shade of raspberry that I chose for our main floor bathroom. I promptly ignored this advice and painted the walls ‘Fandango’. Every bit as dramatic as the name.
In this small space, with white toilet and pedestal sink, chrome faucet and taps, the punchy colour is overwhelming… in the best way possible. So, I didn’t stop there: I loaded every wall with framed photos, everything from pictures of our parents as glowing youth, photos of the cat, magazine tear sheets and anything that caught our fancy. Throw in a gorgeous hand woven towel from Greece, white with flecks of red, green, yellow, pink; a scarf (also hand-woven) from India, in white, but bordered in purple, red and other lush hues, with tassels at one end – made into a window treatment; the vanity mirror is a black painted wood frame, intricately carved; purple glass votives and bud vases line the window sill. It’s over the top, but somehow really works.
It’s always evolving and new pieces find their way to the wall as we acquire them. Don’t be afraid of colour, especially not in tiny spaces.
Global Femme – Powder Room by jc-alison featuring colored glass vases
Sweet Dreams: Inspired by World Travel
Home Sweet
I finally have my dream bedroom. Bed: West Elm. Bedding: mix and match, tapestries, quilts and throw pillows. A big white duvet. Chair: a slipper chair from my granny. Bed side tables: painted antiques and an IKEA standard. Paintings: Frida Kahlo inspired piece from my sister in law and a piece from my Granny’s collection.
Our custom couples portrait. A chair from Jamaica is nestled into the corner and was painted white to soften the original black frame. Jewellery boxes and framed photos add personality to the dresser.
This piece was painted by my sister-in-law and was exactly what we’d hoped for.
Girl with red stockings in chair. An original oil painting from my grandmother’s collection.
I’m a pillow queen (pun intended).
A restored slipper chair, originally from my grandparents’ home. Painted antique washstand and hat box for storage.
One of the tapestries we drape across the bed is a cream and gold metallic ‘Thinking Eye’ piece from Urban Outfitters. The pillows are raw cotton with printed flora and fauna. Gilt mirrors on either side of the bed were picked up for a dime and repaired with paint to fix their chipped edges. Frames from world travel and art with safari animals (above the bedside tables) brings a global vibe to the girly master bedroom.
The chandelier was moved from our dining room, repainted white and hung in the center of the room for great illumination. Depending on the bedding we choose, we can take this from a crisp all-white bed scape, to a mauve and brown with feather trimmed pillows, or bright green and gold, woven Aztek blanket and mismatched pillows or even further – by adding a large scale print of a pair of cockatoos in a jungle setting, with bright woven cushions, this place feels just like a Hawaiian beach escape.
Repurposed old book shelves now house first edition literature, candles, bird cages and paper bouquets.
Pretty bottles, bound books and calling card cases from my granny (bottom right).
Shelves from my wife’s old apartment provide a place to display paper bouquets from our wedding, perfume bottles and my grandparents’ old editions of Jane Austen and Shakespeare, beautifully detailed with gilt gold lettering. The the heavy dark wood dresser is an antique with carved details and big white knobs. Either side of the bed has sheepskin rugs to cushion cold feet in the morning.
Lots of patterns, bright colour, textures and mixed materials – bother old and new- combine to create a retreat that feels like a restful haven. White walls keep this room serene, even with the busy patterns, wood floors gleam and a big double window to the right of the bed lets light in, unless the blackout curtains, in patterned white, are drawn to shut daylight out. It’s a place I like to come to at the end of the day, and definitely a change from the dark beige walls I inherited from the previous owner!
Backyard Patio Getaway
Home Sweet
I picked up two patio sets for a steal; end of summer clearance had a set of bistro tables and chairs on sale for $179, marked down from $400… then at 50% off again. So, I bought two. Then I imagined myself transported back to the Mediterranean. Wishful thinking. But with colours and textures like these, dreaming is easy.
High Seas and Summertime Style
Home SweetTaking a style cue from the textures and smell of summer, I got myself a new fragrance: Vent Du Sud, by Lise Watier. This Canadian-made fragrance is the smell of my vacation, distilled and prettily packaged. I went into the pharmacy with a few sheets torn out of a magazine, ready to treat myself a little (it’s been two years since I got a new fragrance). The scent is layered with jasmine and vanilla, with a definite island or beach vibe. It will live, coolly, in the fridge to mist myself on my way out the door.
It seems like everyone has the heat, seashore and breeziness of the season on the brain (despite hearing from my friend that she is currently shooting winter and Christmas spreads for her magazine). I am happy to stay firmly in the now. So here’s to summer and the ways we can keep it around us, all year long.
Summer cook out tea towels. Campy and wonderful, from Anthropologie.
A vignette inspired by coral and sea side iconography. Found on nauticalcottageblog.com
A white bed spread, textured pillows and a wall hanging of twine-wrapped stones. If I felt up to it, I’d haul some home from the beach and build myself a similar art piece. No mobiles, please.
More texture and beading and faux fur, oh my! With an ornately carved headboard, reminiscent (or literally) from travels abroad.
A very literal interpretation of the theme.
Sea shell knobs and hooks. Found on Anthropologie.com
I love the textural quality of the ropes in different gauges, and little creatures from the deep.
Found art.
A quiet retreat; calming, cool and collected.
15 shades of blue; a great mash up of beachy items. Found on beachblissliving.com
The right kind of whale tale. Perfect with ropes and soft accents. Found on Houzz.com
Anchors away! I’m hooked on this anchor accessory. Pun intended. Found on Anthropologie.com
What summer inspired touches are warming up your days?
Romantic Boho Bathroom
Home Sweet
Simplicity with ornate, reflective details. Found on flickr.com
I’m really craving a bathroom that fits the rest of our home. Or, should I say, ‘that fits US.’
We’ve done the best we can with the pink-beige nightmare that existed from the previous occupants. I’ve whitewashed and painted out as much as I can. But after a sink emergency that brought our plumber friend round to our house, this ‘house-proud’ lady was feeling sheepish about our upstairs bathroom. But like most things that I find embarrassing, I welcomed our friend to explore that awkwardness and give me a quote on how much it would cost to fix the offending room. It’s a little out of our budget right now, but I can start dreaming.
Now.
This colourful, white and turquoise bath features lots of living greenery and quaint details. Found on frommoontomoon.blogspot.co.uk
I fell in love with tiled sinks on our trip to Spain. Our villa in Altea’s hills had a gorgeous deep blue and white sink, with mosaics. Found on apartmenttherapy.com
A bohemian Parisian flat boasts tall narrow spaces, but doesn’t skimp on style. The classic black and white, with glass and antiques creates a balance in contrasts. Found on domainehome.com
I bet it’s a nightmare to keep clean, but this bath is just too romantic for words.
Again with the claw foot tubs. This time, taking it outdoors. Found on coastalliving.com
White all over brings attention to the beautiful details of this sink and it’s antique lines. Found on koduhaldjas.blogspot.com.
A playful mix of old and new, hard and soft in this eclectic bathroom. Found on styleandcheek.com
Charm and character in the warmth and texture of an area rug, wood floors and antiques. Found on thecurtiscasa.com
Beautiful drapes as shower curtains and a painted floor – imperfectly perfect. Found on introducingnewworlds.blogspot.com
These might be the shower tiles of my dreams. They are a perfect backdrop to personal, eclectic extras, with patterns and lots of light. Found on amberinteriordesign.com
My favourite turquoise and gilt details to add a touch of opulence in a vintage, bohemian retreat. Found on cotedetexas.blogspot.com
A shower you’d never want to leave. The doors. Wow. Enough said. Found on lilibaba.tumblr.com
Hammered metal, fancy hipster handsoap, live edge wooden shelves and more texture than you can shake a stick at. Love. Found on planete-deco.fr
Egg shaped tub and a room with a view. Found on snobfashionsource.blogspot.com
Uber-romantic. Maybe a little over the top, but oh so sweet. Found on homes.yahoo.com
Sweet nothings and memories. It’s all about the story.
Classic black and white with a stark romanticism. A study in contrasts. Found on brabournefarm.blogspot.com
High drama in a small space; chandelier and marble make this a slice of expensive cake. Found on gallery.apartmenttherapy.com
How would you style a master bath in a townhouse, keeping in mind a penchant for framed art, wooden trays on the vanity and shiny taps? Thinking pinks, grey and antique white.
Our shower curtain (Anthropologie)
Our towels (also… Anthropologie)
Old is New
Home SweetOld is often seen as synonymous with tired and passé, but in home decor (as should more often be the case in our own lives) old can be beautiful, historied and glorious in its uniqueness.
Antiques and heirlooms are long celebrated, but even in modern homes – pieces of the past can breathe new life into our spaces and create personal touches. Some of my very favourite pieces in my home are hand-me-downs, and pieces that remind me of my childhood. I’m writing from my office, that doubles as a guest room, where a white-painted iron frame bed (gifted after long-use from my aunt and uncle) is piled high with white linens. In my living room, my grandfather’s World War cargo trunk is my coffee table, still bearing his name and the designation Flight Lieutenant, with international travel stickers, scuffs and dents adding to its rich history.
Some aspects of old-time decor are more substantial, and worth every penny of the investment.
A sleek curved faucet is modern and clean against the backdrop of painted tin. What a beautiful way to add texture to a kitchen. I’ve always wanted a gilded tin ceiling, or one with peeling, distressed paint. Photo: Kitchen by Auhaus Architecture
H&M knows this trend is alive and well, and recently featured a velvet daybed, quaint cushions, chandeliers and waintscotting in its (not yet available in Canada) home line.
I grew up in a century home, in tiny Waterdown, Ontario, in a colonial center hall stone house. Our tiny second floor bathroom had a claw-foot tub. The beautiful tub, pictured here, perfectly balances old with new and the splash of graphic wallpaper makes it quite modern. Photo: Industrial Bathroom by Oliver Burns
This luxe w/c includes floor to ceiling touches of vintage style, but manages to look thoroughly ‘now.’ From the crown moulding, heavy drapes, brick and lighting, to the gorgeous tub and old step ladder, this is a perfect marriage of old combined in a new way. And, I’m guessing those are original floors. Photo: Tour London’s Most Lust-Worthy New Boutique Hotel via @Domaine
Check out more like this on my Pinterest Page, under “Home Sweet” https://www.pinterest.com/alisonjc/home-sweet/
and let me know,
What vintage touches are classing up your modern digs?
Spring Cleaning: Organizing Your Life
DIY, Home Sweet, styleMy Inbox is full of articles about how to ‘de-clutter’ ‘pare-down’ ‘de-stress’ ‘Spring Clean’ ‘organize’ and ‘space-save’ my life. Task one: pare down the Spring Cleaning, de-cluttering lists. Organized, de-stressed, clutter-free life? I want all these things. I want to “banish clutter and chaos.” But the 6-ways, top ten tips and 12 strategies are all a little much. Let’s not even start on the 99 low-cost ways…
Here are the best:
From “99 Cost-Saving Tips” (http://www.styleathome.com/organizing/organizing-ideas/99-low-cost-organizing-tips/a/1806?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=SAH-dd_150318)
*Store all your instruction manuals in one binder. (Same for takeout menus. Recipes, decor ideas, and great articles, too.)
*Use old baby-food jars to hold spices.
*Use small jam jars to hold cotton swabs, balls and other essentials inside your bathroom vanity drawers. (I did the same thing with my teas, bulk and bagged, using mason jars and a wine-glass marker. Things stay fresh and you can recycle the bulky packaging right away).
*Don’t hold on to magazines. Just rip out any pages you want to keep for future reference, keep in a file folder, or basket. (Take the rest to the gym or a school for projects).
*Use a canvas over-the-door shoe organizer to organize small kids toys and art supplies. (I did this with all my painting and craft supplies).
*Edit your hangers. Choose: wire, plastic or wood and unify the hangers in every closet. (My favourite are the slim velvet ones. They save so much closet space, don’t warp your shoulders and let clothes breathe).
In “6 ways to conquer your bedroom closet,” Christina Ciddio recommends, http://www.styleathome.com/organizing/organizing-ideas/6-ways-to-conquer-your-bedroom-closet/a/55548?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=SAH-dd_150318
*When you go through your closet, purge regularly, create zones and treat the space as a whole room, giving it an editorial look. Once it looks amazing, you are more likely to keep it that way. (I do have a whole room and because I worked hard to get it, I keep it tidy).
Don’t be afraid to put rules in place: My wife teases me about my ‘hanger system’ but it really does work. All empty hangers go back to the ’empty hanger rod,’ so you don’t have to go searching for them and you can just grab a handful of hangers when you bring clean clothes from the laundry. As I hang to dry, they go onto the proper hangers and then go back to their proper spots. Also, if there isn’t a hanger for it, something has to go. This club is at capacity; one in, one out.
And from “12 Organizing Ideas That Will Change Your Life” (http://www.styleathome.com/organizing/organizing-ideas/12-organizing-ideas-that-will-change-your-life/a/55340?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=SAH-dd_150318 )
*Organize your shoes. Figure out a system. Maybe this isn’t the most practical, but it sure is beautiful:
I found that clear plastic boxes keep my shoes tidy and lets me see what is in the box so that I don’t have to go searching. They are available for just a few dollars at Home Depot. I wouldn’t wear the shoes in the boxes below, but the Tupperware-for-shoes option has really worked for me.
*Spruce up your entryway. (We have a hook and chalkboard for keys and reminders, a wall hook for reusable grocery bags to go back to the car, a basket for mittens, scarves and hats, and a lint roller. We also have a colourful mat by the door and bench to sit while you put on shoes).
*Use trays on the bathroom counter to organize products and drawer inserts to keep products neat and accessible.
*Keep jewelry organized. (Pick a system and stick to it. Check out my DIY project for the wall gallery I created to store our necklace collection).
Style At Home Image
*Find stylish storage. (Baskets, boxes, vintage tins, cabinets with doors. Put things away and keep out just the favourite items).
*Papers, pens and stationery can sometimes take over your home office. (This is my dream come true. Case in point: my friends asked what I did on my first day of summer vacation? I organized all the pens and pencils, sharpening them of course.)
Image from Styleathome.com
Tips from my own life:
*Cut the hanger ribbons from your clothes (the ones that always poke out from your clothes while you are wearing them) and use them to tie gift bags or tags onto presents.
*Keep a bin for clothes and accessories you aren’t sure about anymore. Sort through it seasonally and put things into a donation pile, or clothing swap pile.
*Get rid of things you don’t need right away (junk mail, flyers, packaging) and don’t even bring them into the house.
And if you’re REALLY feeling ambitious, this adorable American man has a how-to video for creating paper logs to heat your home using your old junk-mail as fuel. I would love to get to a point of handiness where this seems realistic! http://fb-287.dailymegabyte.com/man-transforms-mail-useful-save-money/
Spring Fever Dreams
Home Sweet, IndulgeWhen the weather gets teasingly beautiful, I start to fantasize about throwing open the windows and getting the yard ready to move life outdoors. After a Friday night dinner party, and the end of last week hitting 8 degrees Celsius (which, in Canada, means that people were out on patios) I start to dream; one day, when I grow up (because phrases like that still make sense at 33), I will have an outdoor space that makes me feel like I’m on vacation. A girl can fantasize, right? What landscaping or outdoor living spaces make you salivate? Here’s a peek into my house-porn collection (courtesy of Houzz.com)
A spot to swing, lazily, under the shelter of trees
Lunch and hangouts, ironic signage, and plenty of seating for friends
Whimsical and eclectic with statement indoor features brought outdoors
Covered seating, casual landscaping and lanterns to light the way.
Does it get more luxurious than custom lighting, turquoise water and a swanky area to chill, in your own backyard?
Cozy, and practically a Canadian pre-requisite, a fire pit, lots of greenery and comfortable seating
With a view from indoors, this courtyard keeps luxury front and center, recliners inviting you to take a moment for yourself, perhaps to contemplate ‘how did I get to be so lucky?’
Hip, casual and cool, but cheeky in its effortlessness, this bright spot is just begging for foodie guests and an al-fresco lunch
Again, with the lights, the overhanging architecture and comfy seating. Trying too hard? Hardly.
Truly the space of my dreams. Fair skin protected by custom shade panels and lighting for evening, … perfect view of the pool
This space has the best of all things. Hammock. Fire pit. Seating. Dining area. Greenery. I’m in love.
Sensing a theme? The sitting and dining areas with shade-cover, romantic lighting and water views. I’m pretty sure the cabana has room for guests.
If I, for some reason, found myself in an arid climate, this mod-zen look would keep me house happy.
Vacation vibe? Check. What’s behind curtain number one?
Obviously, every dream home has its own bocci court.
Sigh.
Sweet dreams, folks. Houzz.com is a Pinterest users wet dream.
StyleSaVie 