Thursday, June 28, 2012

A Glimpse.

I've been so lucky to work with the sweetest people lately. I am so thankful that they welcome me into their home and help them do what I'm so passionate about! It's seriously awesome.

Here is a little glimpse into Cathy's kitchen. New countertop and showstopper backsplash! I was giddy when I saw it installed.. so beautiful!



The views from Cathy's home are stunning. I count myself lucky that we live in PEI where we are surrounded but such beauty... ocean, sandy beaches, red cliffs, farmer's fields in full bloom. 

Standing in her home last night made me realize that the interior will have a direct connection with what she sees out her window. Could you really ask for more? I can't wait to show you the rest of what we've been up to!

Thanks to everyone who gave me feedback and tips, both here and on twitter, about a kitchen island! We've got some ideas and will look into them today. Keep you posted!

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

In Love...

With this kitchen, seen on the June cover of Dwell magazine.


I love the contrast of the traditional white cabinets, apron sink, arched doorway and windows against the sleek clean feel of the kitchen island and the fun modern bar stools. I suppose I could take or leave the lighting, a bit too modern for my tastes, but the pop of orange is fun and unexpected.

We are on the hunt for an island for the kitchen. When my brother built my kitchen cabinets, the plan was to go back later on and add a matching island. It was a plan that I knew would never happen, my brother is a busy guy and I count myself lucky (and thankful!) that I got what I did! 



That being said, the lack of storage and counter space is becoming an issue and it's time to get a proper island in there. That small sideboard isn't cutting it anymore.

The plan is not to match the kitchen cabinets at all. We thought about going wood but ultimately stainless is in the lead. I love the industrial look. The first photo I shared totally sold me!

I love this Ikea UTBY island, seen in this simple modern kitchen designed my Cameron MacNeil. Unfortunately, it is no longer available. It would have been perfect!


If you know of any sources or having any suggestions, I'd love to hear them! We love stainless but have also considered industrial workstations. After looking at all these photos, I desperately want to paint my kitchen white. That's a subject for another day:)

Sunday, June 24, 2012

East Coast Living Interview

Sorry for my absence! It was a busy week at school. I'm a classic procrastinator at heart and end of school year activities always get me a little flustered. I should know better and plan posts ahead of time. Alas, summer break is on the horizon... two more days with the students and we teachers finish up at the end of the week. Bring on summer!

I had the exciting opportunity to be part of East Coast Living magazine as a "DIY paint expert". I wouldn't call myself an expert but it's fun to say it nonetheless! Two pieces of furniture that I've painted were featured along with some of my tips for finding that perfect piece and how transform it.

This week I received my copy in the mail. Kind of fun to see my name and Modern Jane mentioned in print:)



Here is one of the photos that was included.


If you are in Atlantic Canada be sure to pick up a copy. It's available on newsstands now!

My friends Sheri Lee and Aaron's home is also included. Their new home, designed by Aaron, an architect, is the first LEED Gold Certified home in Prince Edward Island. 

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Annechovie Print Collection.

I ordered one more Annechovie chair print to go with my collection of three. I love her work and had treated myself to two prints, then one more and finally a fourth to round it out! I finally got them hung in the dining room last night.

I'm loving the symmetrical grouping over my peacock blue cabinet.


Excuse the dark photo. There doesn't seem to be a good time of day to take photos in that room!

Monday, June 11, 2012

Thank You & Weekend Photos.

Thank you all for your wonderful feedback on our Style Me Pretty featured styled wedding shoot. It was so much fun to do and I'm so glad you all loved it! I'm still basking in all the positive comments and pins!

It was a quiet weekend around here. Baking, cleaning, watching the rain, drinks with friends and anxiously awaiting the return of True Blood and the finale of Mad Men! We saved them for tonight so don't tell me what happens! I can't wait to get my TV fix. Love those shows!

Here are some snippets of the weekend in photos.

My latest Annechovie print arrived to add to my collection! 
I now have four and they will be hung together in the dining room. I'll share a photo soon.


Beaufort was loving life in the late afternoon sun. 
A decision has been made to perhaps invest, next summer, in an invisible fence. Our new deck is really not leash friendly. We are forever untangling his leash from flower pots and deck corners! 
Any thoughts on these?


Sunday morning snuggling.


The first blooms on my rhododendron and peony bushes. 
I've been checking them every day and finally they've arrived!



I usually get a big scoop of black mulch for my gardens but this year I found a sale on bags of mulch. It ended up being cheaper and so much easier than loading up a wheel barrow. My gardens look so much cleaner. I LOVE mulch!


I finished up the last book in the Hunger Games series. Although, I had a hard time getting into it, I actually ended up liking it as much as the first. I often try to ignore the hype when it comes to books but they really were good reads! 


June is a busy month for me with the end of the school year on the horizon. Plus, my focus has been on spending time outside, working in the gardens and finishing up the deck. As a result, posts about my own home projects may be a bit slim the next couple of weeks. I'm happy just to keep this place tidy!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

My Design Work on Style Me Pretty!



Yesterday was a pretty great day! I couldn't stop smiling with I saw the styled wedding shoot, that myself and a group of seven other talented women created, live on Style Me Pretty. We did the shoot a little over a week ago and it was picked up to be published right away, which was very exciting! Style Me Pretty receives over 400 submissions per week so to be featured is certainly an honor!


I was passionate about the concept of this shoot. I love modern styling and as the event/concept designer, I saw this as an opportunity to push myself to create something different and fun. Our vision was crisp, modern and pink with a focus on geometric patterns. I had a great time diy-ing table runners and napkins, painted plates and gold dipped silverware. I'll be back another day with some tips for creating them yourself!

I had a unbelievably talented team of wedding vendors to work with and everything came together seamlessly.


Photography - Rachel Peters - Rachel Peters Photography
Paper Products - Kim Roach - Kim Roach Designs
Cakes/Sweets - Jennifer Prinz - City View Bakehouse
Coordination - Jennifer Clark - Kiss The Bride
Makeup - Michelle Cudmore - Michelle Cudmore Makeup Artist
Hair - Cheryl Weeks - Cheryl Weeks Hairstylist
Custom Headwear - Alisha-Marie Stephen - Love Charlie

Here are some of my favorite photos from the day. It's a little picture heavy but I couldn't resist! So hard to choose my favorites, as I love them all so much!











 


A special thank you to some local vendors. The shoot couldn't have happened without their contributions.

The Perfect Pair Bridal - Bride's Dress/Shoes
Dow's Menswear - Groom's Suit/Shoes
Newman's Estate Winery - Wine Takeaway



Of course, a huge thank you to Kendra Mills, owner of the loft (Ylofts) used in the shoot. Thanks for allowing us to take over your home for a day!


To the beautiful couple, Jared Murphy and Cecelia McInnis, who were our models for the day, thank you! They were fun, relaxed and most importantly genuinely in love.. just what we wanted!

Check out the Style Me Pretty feature here.

A full gallery of images is available here.

See our photographer, Rachel Peters' favorites of the day here.

 

Monday, June 4, 2012

This Year's Annuals and a Winner!

What a beautiful weekend! We've been spoiled the last few weekends with sunny skies and warm temperatures. A great treat after a rainy cold week, here in PEI.

We spend the weekend working outside on the deck, landscaping and I found some time to fill my container pots with annuals. Buying flowers and planting is my favorite part of spring. Let me preface this to say that I never have any luck with my pots. I use good soil, Miracle Grow and water regularly but they always seem to look overgrown and sickly. I'm hoping that this is my year. Maybe I've learned from my failures and will come out on top. Must think positive!

Here is what I planted and I'll report back in a month's time on their progress.



Both of these pots are on the back deck and will get lots of sunshine. I chose sun loving annuals. The first pot has the yellow Bidens as well but they are not yet blooming.

The plants include:

Bidens
Purple Fountain Grass
Diamond Frost
Icicles
Blackie Ipomoea (Potato vine)

To my Canadian friends, you have to pick up one of these at Superstore (Loblaws)! $10 for a large pot of mixed lettuce greens. You take leaves as you need them and it continues to grow back all summer. Needless to say, we had lots of salad this weekend. Yummy! Thanks to Jana for the heads up on this one!


Here is the large pot at my front door. It doesn't get as much sun as the ones in the back so I chose shade/part shade plants.

These plants include:

Nonstop Yellow Begonia
Double Impatients
Purple Magilla
Calibrachoa (mini petunias)
Marguerite Ipomoea (limey green potato vine)



I'm crossing my fingers that they turn out well this year. My sister Julie is the queen of container gardening (well.. gardening in general really). Her pots are stunning every year! Apparently, she inherited the green thumb!

On the topic of flowers, I also have to share a peek of the potted azaleas in my dining room. I picked up this pot at Superstore a few weeks ago and it's continuing to bloom. Such a great pop of color.




And finally, thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway courtesy of Empire Patio Covers! The lucky winner is Melanie @ Live from B5! Congratulations! I'll be in touch with the details!