Roomspiration: Master Bedroom Mood Board

I had so much fun linking up Elliott's Room to the Roomspiration Mood Board links that I decided to show you the work I've been doing in our master bedroom.  This room isn't in the plans for a while yet, as we are currently working on Audrey's room.  Some of the elements are already in place.  Others I am still dreaming of.

I really love the inspiration image, by Interior Philosophy.  I think the bedroom is so pretty and restful looking. I love the natural elements and the serene colour scheme.

 Here are the sources:

Fabrics
The Antique Washed Belgian Linen is from Restoration Hardware.  We already have that on the bed and I love it so much.  It has gotten softer with washing and is the perfect colour.

I would like to do a bedskirt and long bolster pillow out of the Gazebo Fabric and like the Fretwork Fabric for some accent pillows.  Both fabrics are from Canadian fabric source Tonic Living.

Art
The Raven print is from Etsy artist, eastwitching and there are so many watercolours of hers that I admire.  The frames are just Ikea Ribba.  You can't beat their proportions or price!

The other piece in the room is one I created as an anniversary gift for my husband.  It is similar to the one pictured here.  I'll be blogging about that later in the week.

Lighting
The Weston Arc Sconce is from Pottery Barn.  I think the lines of it will look nice with the antique pendant light that is original to the room.

Headboard is from Sundance.  It's so beautiful but way out of our budget.  Plus, Jay loves to build things for our home.  I think we have enough barn board left over to make a similar one.

I haven't nailed down a paint colour for the room, since I am still waiting for fabric samples.  I'll keep you posted!  I'm linking up today at Just A Touch Of Grey.

xo Meg

Homebuilder's Awards

     Every year, the local Homebuilder's Association that my hubby belongs to hosts the 'Awards of Creative Excellence'.  In past years we have entered projects and have won several different categories.  This year, we just couldn't get it together to complete the submission package.  We were in the middle of a move and had many other things going on with the business.  I was a little disappointed not to get any projects entered.  It's excellent publicity and a fun evening out amongst colleagues.

It turns out that one of the designers that we worked with last year actually entered a couple of our projects.  Last night we went out to the Awards Gala and celebrated.

We won 'Best Renovation $51,000 - $100,000'.  

Here's a peek at the project:

via

Before:

It was a fun evening, we got dressed up and enjoyed a nice meal.  It was almost a date night, except for the 500 other people that were there.  It was still nice to spend the time with Jay and I'm always proud of the work he does.

xo Meg

Lighting Up Audrey's Room

I've been looking for lighting for Audrey's room.  She would like something flashy, with dripping crystals. I would like something a little more pared down - perhaps a little rustic - but definitely something with some personality and colour.  Here's a few we've been looking at:

Serena, by Currey & Co.  This one is probably Audrey's fave.  I like it too but it's also the most expensive of the bunch.  

This one is just from the Home Depot - inexpensive and fun.  I like the star shape.  The 2010 Princess Margaret Lottery Home also featured a similar star chandy in the girl's bedroom and I love the whimsy it adds:

Canadian House & Home Magazine via Megan at A Life's Design

And then there's this simple, rustic barn light from Barn Light Electric. But I'd probably do it in the 'crusier green' colour below. It would be perfect with our fabrics.

    It's always a push and pull with Audrey.  She wants lots of colour, I prefer a subdued palate.  She wants wall to wall carpeting in grass green, I prefer the hardwood with a funky rug.  I am struggling to balance her wants with mine.  I know it's her room and I don't want to squash that vibrant, fun personality.  But it has to fit into our home and budget.  

Right now, I'm leaning towards the Star Chandy from Home Depot.  That's fun and funky, right? What do you think?

xo Meg

Roomspiration - Kid's Rooms Link-Up

I told you I'd be posting twice today.

I'm linking up at All Things Bright and Beautiful today for the Roomspiration Blog Hop.  Go over and have  a look.  There are so many creative, colourful and amazing kids rooms to see there!

xoMeg

Mood Board Monday!

This is the first of two posts from me coming your way today!  Very exciting, huh!

I am linking up this a mood board I created to the Mood Board Monday - Wallpaper edition over at pewter and sage. Head over there to check out some of the other fantastic mood boards. The challenge was to create a board using one of a selection of fabulous wallpapers.  I chose Schumacher's Leafy Scroll wallpaper from Layla Grace:

It's pretty and feminine and I love the robin's egg blue colour.  I originally was thinking about doing a little girl's room, since I have that on the brain while working on Audrey's room.  But I went in a different direction.  A charming, casual entryway.

Sources:

1.  The Rug is from Dash & Albert and was really the inspiration for the colour story.  I love the combination of the mustard-y yellow with the robin's egg blue.

2.  The Currey & Co. Factory Console Table is fab.  I love the industrial lines and the rustic wood.

3.  The oil painting is by Jennifer Shears, an artist I found on Etsy.  She makes brilliant landscapes and I just love her work.  

4.  The shapely lamps are from Crate & Barrel - they're called the Bloom Table Lamp

5.  The Iron & Rope mirror is from Restoration Hardware

6.  The Tolix stool in black is from Project 82.

I had so much fun putting this board together.  Hope you are all having a wonderful Monday!

xo Meg

Dining Chairs

I love the look of an eclectic dining room.  Especially an old farmhouse table paired with interesting chairs. Lately I've noticed that I've been pinning or saving images with wicker dining chairs in them.

Like this one via the cottage mix.

And this one via First Time Fancy.  I especially like that these chairs are painted green.

But my all time favourite one?

I pinned this one on my pinterest.

Every time I look at this dining room, I know the direction I will eventually go in my own.  I. LOVE. THOSE.CHAIRS.  Really, with all my heart.  I think I could create a similar story with the Majby chair from Ikea and a couple cans of spray paint.

What do you think?

xo Meg

Feathering the Nest

We went to a PowWow this weekend.  It was amazing.  Singing, dancing and lots of beautiful native crafts.  My children were beyond thrilled.

Audrey tried archery

Elliott made a spear point

I loved it too.  There were the most amazing Native dancers.  And the drumming was fantastic.  This little boy, in particular, stole the show:

His costume was stunning and his dancing was brillant.  

Audrey bought a turquoise dream catcher for her room.  It's already pinned above her bed and she loves it.  I'm going to have to find a way to make it work with the decor of her new room.  So I've been looking for inspiration.  Have you seen these nursery boards from Lay Baby Lay? One for a girl and one for a boy.

 Joni creates really cool inspiration boards and always lists sources to find the loot easily.  Her baby daughter Vivi's room is really cool. You should check it out.  

It's funny how a small decorative element (like a turquoise dreamcatcher) can determine the direction of a room.   I'm not yet sure how it will fit in with the fabrics we have already chosen but I know we'll find a way to make it work.  I might just work up a new design board of my own for it.  

xo Meg

Style At Home: Top Fall Trends Report

I love Style at Home Magazine.  It's a Canadian publication with mainly Canadian content that usually features real, accessible design.  Homes you could actually imagine living in.  Plenty of beautiful eye candy in a diverse variety of design styles.

I was beyond excited when they contacted me to write a post about their top three design trends for fall.  So here goes:

The Fall 2011 Trends Report:  Three Trends

1.  Modern Global

Style at Home

Lonny

This trend is dramatic and sophisticated.  It's a well curated, eclectic and worldly.  It's traditional killim rugs and warm velvety fabrics recreated in new bold, geometric shapes.

It makes sense that we would embrace this trend for fall since at this time of year we gravitate towards warm, spicy colours and rich fabrics.  The patterns and colours are perfect when paired with simple, clean line furniture.  The juxtaposition creates a certain tension, don't you think?

2.  The New Neutrals

I am a self-confessed neutral nelly.  I like to be wrapped in soft, relaxing colours in my home.  Soft grey, white?  Yes, please.  Taupe, lilac, and sage?  Why not?  The muted versions of these new neutral colours really can act as a backdrop to many schemes.  It doesn't have to be beige or grey to be a neutral!

(images above from S@H)

Sage is a perfect neutral in this bedroom:

Martha

3.  Wood

    This is my favourite trend for fall.  After many years of white painted everything, we are now moving back to incorporating the warm patina of natural wood in our homes.  We are seeing this wood trend everywhere and it really makes sense.  There is so much salvaged wood available.  People are creating new things for their homes out of old wood from barns or old pallets.  Check this kitchen out.  It belongs to Diana of Our Vintage Home Love.

Notice the rustic wood elements here:  the rolling pins and panelling on the wall, the rustic wood kitchen island, even the wooden blinds.  Diana  makes rustic bread boards out of salvaged wood and sells them in her etsy shop.

Aren't they beautiful?

  We even incorporated this trend into our own home in Elliott's room, using recycled barn board to trip out the headboard wall.  I love that we recycled something and added a time-worn look to his space.

How about you?  Are you incorporating any of these trends into your own home?

Thanks to Style at Home Magazine for the inspiration for this post.  It was fun to put together.

xo Meg

Living Room Art

What a lovely weekend we had here in London.  Sunny and crisp, perfect fall weather.  Unfortunately, Jay worked most of the weekend again but we did manage to have some friends over on Saturday night.  We also went to a Native Harvest Festival and PowWow on Sunday.  It was beautiful and I'll share more about that later in the week.

I bet you're wondering about my art installations!  I managed to put up the artwork in the living and dining rooms at least.   I didn't chicken out.  I put holes in the plaster.

Here is the piece we got on a trip to Cuba in 2005.  And my mantel, looking decidedly un-fall-ish.  But I'll get to that sometime soon.  

     I also re-arranged the room.  If you recall from this post, the couch used to be where the series of three paintings is. I think I like it better this way for now.  We've been enjoying our wood -burning fireplace a whole lot this fall and this set up allows better views of the fireplace.  In the past, we've only had gas fireplaces.  I always thought I wouldn't like the wood burning type since they are messier and smokier but I really love it.  

I still think the room needs more personality but I'm starting to really feel at home in here.  Maybe it's the fire.  Alice the kitty sure is enjoying it too.

I have so many things to share with you this week.  I'd love some feedback on the new living room!

xo Meg

Art Inspiration

   One of the projects I plan to tackle this weekend is the installation of the artwork in our new house.  Right now, shamefully, most of the art looks like this:

     Stacked behind doors, wrapped up and hidden behind the couch, etc.  We did just move but I've been thinking about why I'm so reluctant to put up the artwork and photographs we have.  It's not that difficult to do and we have the supplies handy (drill, hammer, level).  I guess maybe it's two things.

      First, I'm totally afraid of making a mistake.  I can go into a friend's house and create an impromptu gallery wall with their art, or decide where to hang the new mirror they just got.  No problem.  But with my own stuff, I'm far less confident with my 'artistic eye'.  Don't know why that is.

    Second, we don't have the art I really want.  I really want a huge canvas with subtle, moody colour to go over my couch in the living room.  But we don't really have the budget for that right now.  We have a lot of cool smaller pieces, though.  And this weekend I plan to get 'em out from behind the couch and hang 'em up!

     I also plan to create a piece of artwork of my own.  I've been dabbling in this creative pursuit a bit over the last year but I am far from an artist.  Usually I look at an inspirational image of a painting I love and try to make something in the same style or feel.  I'm not sure if that's called copying or not...

      I prefer to call it inspiring.  Here's a hint at what is inspiring me:

via

     I have a friend who is a wonderful artist and he helped me to make my first ever piece.  I will show that to you on Monday.  I'll also show you what I make this weekend, assuming it doesn't turn out horribly!

I will conquer my fear of hanging the artwork!  THIS weekend!  I sure hope you guys hold me to it.

Have a great weekend and thanks for following along on my crazy old house journey!

xo Meg

Office Lovin'

   My home office is one of my favourite spaces in my new house.  It's a sunny little nook off the kitchen, which I find to be so handy.  I blog here, search and organize my recipes, pay the bills, supervise the kids computer time, etc.

   The room itself isn't so pretty yet.  I'm gonna show you a picture, but only cause I know you won't judge me.  We did just move in after all...

   The panelling needs to be pained out a fresh white (obviously), and then I think it'll look great.   The walls also need a coat of paint (obviously) but there are some issues with insulation so I have to wait on doing anything in here until we can get that sorted out.

The hunter green mini blinds and orange stained window also need to be addressed (and washed, yikes!).  What do you think about this treatment:

    I would tweak it a bit.   Maybe make the blinds a little more tailored by hemming their edges and keep the fabrics a little more rustic in the rest of the room.  But I dig the idea a whole lot.

    It just so happens that we have a good friend who owns a fair trade coffee roastery called The Fire Roasted Coffee Company.  He gave me the coolest bunch of coffee bean bags from Guatamala, Panama, and Costa Rica.  He is also responsible for my addiction to the wonderful, expensive, Fair Trade Ethiopian Harrar coffee... but that's a whole other story.

I do love the view from my office window.  I can see the climbing raspberry bushes that are still bearing fruit.  And the massive walnut tree, that divides our yard from our neighbour's, provides that nice dappled shade in the afternoon.

Things to be addressed during this reno include:

Shelving and Storage

I love this industrial looking shelving unit.

Lighting.

I've already shown you this image from Amber Interiors but the lighting is just so awesome.

Built-Ins.

I'm saying yes to the awesome doggie bed for my Gilly too!  Perhaps another coffee bean bag project?

Hope you're all having a fantastic week.  It's a rainy, dreary day here in London.  But that's okay cause my sweetie built me a fire in my living room this morning.  I'm going to curl up and fold my laundry there today.  

xo Meg

Scarf Addiction

I might as well face it.  I'm completely and totally addicted to scarves.  

I wear a lot of neutral colours.  Grey, navy, oatmeal, more grey, jeans, more jeans.  In fact, most days I dress like this:

(well, maybe not quite as cool as that, but you get the idea)

(love the way this on is belted)

(stripes and super-softness)

I love the way a scarf adds texture or colour to an outfit and can really bring it to life.  (you might note that all the scarves I choose also appear to be neutral - I'm such a bore).

( I am attempting to knit a lacy one this fall)

A scarf is so perfect for the weather in September.  It's that cozy extra layer.  

I'm having coffee with the girls on the patio at my neighbourhood coffee shop today.  I'm walking down in a few minutes.  Jeans and a scarf.  Ahhhhh... fall. 

xo Meg


(images via my pinterest.  follow me already!)