Monday, July 29, 2013

My Next Project ~ The Staircase.

Last Monday in July! I feel like summer is passing by so quickly and it hasn't even felt like summer for the last week. I'm missing the sun desperately. However, I'm going to take advantage of the rainy day today and start tackling a project that I've been talking about forever.

I'm painting the staircase!



Here is my inspiration:


I've had some mixed response from those I've told about my plans. It's not only because I love white but rather that the varnish on the wood has seen better days. In fact, I spent a couple of days last week just preparing the handrail and balusters for paint and the varnish was sticky which frankly, grossed me out. I'm really not interested in stripping the wood, so paint it is!

You can follow my progress on Instagram, if you'd like!

In case you missed it yesterday, check out my entry for the BlogPodium Bound contest, sponsored by Aya Kitchen & Bath. I saw on the Facebook page that there are partcipants from many provinces but none from PEI so I should go and represent, right? Crossing my fingers:)

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Ultimate AYA Party Kitchen ~ Island Style!

I'm late to the party, considering today is the deadline for the Aya Kitchens & Bath BlogPodium contest. In support of Canadian bloggers, Aya is sending one lucky blogger to BlogPodium in Toronto and I'm hoping that someone could be me! I would be the most excited girl in PEI if I was selected to head to the big city to hang out with other Canadian bloggers for a weekend!

Speaking of parties, the challenge was to create a mood board of the ultimate party kitchen. We are known for our lively kitchen parties here on the island but for my kitchen party, I envision something a little more laid back. What better place to host a relaxing summer party than at a Prince Edward Island cottage on a warm summer evening?


If I were lucky to have a cottage somewhere along the miles of sandy beaches on Prince Edward Island, my kitchen would be the center of the action with a wall of windows overlooking the water and rustic wood beams lining the ceiling. The perfect backdrop to a neutral yet glamorous kitchen. Who says a cottage can't have a heavy dose of style and luxury?

My ultimate party kitchen includes the Aya Manhattan panel doors in Maple Slate Grey for the large kitchen island and base cabinets and white open shelving in place of uppers for an airy feel. Each door is adorned with a cheeky, yet stylish, bronzed potato knob from Rocky Mountain Hardware. How fitting for PEI where we are know for our spuds! Cabinets are topped with Caesarstone in Misty Carrera and the island with a light maple butcher block. Timeless white subway tiles line the walls above the cabinetry.

For preparing delicious seasonal food, this kitchen has all you need. A deep sink and articulating faucet from Kohler are perfect for filling and cleaning those large pots after lobster, mussel and potato boils. Modern Jenn-Air appliances complete the package. 

Guests sit around the island in rustic modern counter stools from West Elm. Classic large Hicks Pendants in hand rubbed antique brass have big impact hanging over the island and will never go out of style. 

Party-goers will be served champagne and an island classic: shucked oysters. Served three different ways (red wine mignonette, with a green apple slaw or simple with a squeeze of lemon and a dash of sea salt), these wont disappoint. 


Red Wine Mignonette
2 cups red wine vinegar
2 shallots, minced
1 tablespoon crushed black peppercorn
Mix in a jar and keep refrigerated.

Green Apple Slaw
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled
1 celery stalk
1 teaspoon horseradish
1 teaspoon creme fraiche
Julienne the apple and celery, then mix gently!

Spoon onto fresh Malpeque Oysters.

A huge thank you to Aya Kitchens & Bath for sponsoring this opportunity! Be sure to check out their gallery of images. I'm sure you'll find many to add to your inspiration folders. Here is my classic favorite.


Best of luck to all the other participants!

Thursday, July 25, 2013

I'm a Shopping Girl.

Isn't that a pretty flower?

What happens when you aren't working and you have extra time on your hands? You end up shopping a lot (and eating but that's whole other kettle of fish). I've picked up a few cute dresses and a great pair of sandals in the last couple of weeks but I thought I'd share some of my home finds today.



I picked up this chevron tray at Winners last week and it fits perfectly on of the Vittsjo shelves. I need to get a plant for that little white pot.



Have I ever told you how much I love shopping at Indigo online? They have such nice things for your home, fashion accessories, giftware, stationary and even things for your pet! The best part is that they have great sales! I snatched up these white resin horse bookends on sale a couple of weeks ago. Shipping is free for most items and if not, you can ship to the store and pick your items up there.

That's the latest Style at Home mag featuring spaces in the homes of two great Canadian bloggers Christine and Erika!


I got myself an indoor succulent at Superstore so I'm putting the theory to the test. Are they really easy to keep alive? I'm hopeful! It's so fuzzy and cute.


I picked up this white ceramic stool at Winners. That makes it a total of three stools in this house, one in the living room and one on the back deck and this one is in my bedroom. I like to think I may sit on it from time to time but more than likely it's just going to be there to look pretty. Fine with me.


My fabric samples from Tonic Living arrived today! They are different than I expected in person but very pretty. I think I know which one I like but plans for having drapes made may be put on hold. The business that I frequently use for custom sewing and referrals isn't interested in doing them for me since I'm supplying my own fabric so I'm on the hunt for new source. Long story but I'm a tad annoyed.. if you can't tell.

Off to supper this evening at the Olde Glasgow Mill. My second time this summer, it's so good. I can't believe this will be the last weekend in July... slow down summer!

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Summer Updates.



You may notice in this photo that we got the new part of the deck stained. The walkway from the gate entrance/driveway to the back door was added early this spring onto the existing deck that we built last summer. It flows so much better now that it's stained to match the rest of the deck and contrasts well with the new fence.

This morning before the rain hit, I went outside to capture some shots of the completed backyard. Unfortunately, this girl needs some lessons on white balance (photography terminology for you those who are wondering). Those rocks keep coming up white in the photos and they are not certainly not white. I'll work on it and try again.

I did get some sweet shots of my boy though. Bear with me while I share some of his cuteness.

 


We are pretty much joined at the hip this summer. What else is new? Love my boy!

I planted succulents this year for the first time in a pot outside. They are starting to spread and just may be my new favorite thing. I'll definitely be picking some up for inside the house too. I've heard they are hard to kill but I have to see it to believe it. I haven't had much luck with indoor plants although my fiddle leaf fig is still alive and well! Knock on wood.


This has been the summer of visitors for sure. We've had a steady stream come to the island from all over. None have actually been staying with us but it keeps us busy nonetheless. Lots of projects on the list of things to do but spending time with family and friends in the summer on our beautiful island always trumps everything else. I like it that way!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Dining Room Curtain Fabrics.

I mentioned in a previous post that I ordered new curtains for the dining room from Pottery Barn. Long story short, after an incorrect order and two replacements that never arrived, I cancelled my order.

So that means that I've resorted to option #2.. have them made! In retrospect, perhaps I should have done that from the start so as to get exactly what I want.

The problem is that I'm so indecisive that I can't choose a fabric! I ordered 3 swatches from my favorite Canadian source, Tonic Living. I'm hoping one of them will work in the room.

Painterly florals are my current love but will I tire of them?




Or maybe I should play it safe and go with white linen? I do think the room needs some color/pattern.



Here is my curtain-less dining room currently. Which ones do you like? Do you have any other suggestions for me?


Hmmm.. decisions, decisions...

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

$7 Chandelier Update.

I've grown tired of the chandeliers in my kitchen. They were once the jewel of the kitchen and now I would love to replace them with something a little more modern vs traditional. However, I can't have it all and it's not high on the list of priorities right now so I'll live with them. I'm okay with that, especially since I just replaced my dining room light.

I did however give them a simple update today that has appeased me a little. First of all, my mom has casually mentioned a few times that I should give them a good clean but I never took much pass at her comments. Today however, I stood on a step stool and gave them a look. I was horrified by what I saw. So so dusty that they almost appeared grey. I then spent an hour wiping down each arm and crystal with a wet cloth. Quite pleased with myself, I took a step back and admired my shiny fixtures. They looked brand new. (You were totally right Mom!)



I then noticed that a couple of the bulbs were burned out so off I went to the store to buy more. However, I came home with something a little different.

What, I wondered, would they look like with round bulbs instead of the traditional ones? I love round bulbs but I was unsure if I would make them work in my chandeliers.

A quick google search and I discovered that Traci Zeller just did a post about how such a simple change can update your fixture in seconds. How did I miss that? Smart girl. And with that, I was off to the cash with my round bulbs.

Voila!





It feels fresh and much more fun than with the traditional candelabra bulbs. I think I'll keep them. And clean them a little more often. How embarrassing..

Less than $10 and a little elbow grease. Did you catch my seat cushion update on Monday? What else can I update this week with little or no money?

Monday, July 15, 2013

New Seat for the $16 Bench.



Remember when Stephane built me my $16 bench for the back porch to store extra shoes? He whipped it up one day out of some leftover wood and we made a seat cushion to go on top. Strangely enough it is one of the biggest sources of traffic to my blog from Pinterest!



This morning I gave it a bit of a makeover. The fabric on the cushion was looking a little dirty so I tore it off and went looking through my fabric stash for something to replace it. This black and white terrace stripe fabric fit the bill. I had just enough leftover from another project.


Why are my photos are glowy and pink? Too much sun? It's a hard room to photograph.

I realize it could get dirty quickly with the wide white stripes but I'm not too concerned. Tearing off the old fabric and stapling on a new piece took me all of 15 minutes and cost me nothing. Aren't those the best kind of projects?




Poor Beaufort seems to like laying in the sun but is pretty lethargic in this heat. It's too warm to do much of anything so I'm off to my sister's pool for the afternoon! Tonight, Steph is taking me windsurfing for my first time. Eek! I'm scared!

Friday, July 12, 2013

Link Love.

I've had a bit more time this week to peruse the web at my leisure now that I'm on vacation. Here are some links that I found interesting... 

I love kale chips but I've never made my own. Plan to try these very soon.

It doesn't get much cuter than this. Seriously.


My favorite beach on PEI was named #1 in Canada. Bittersweet since I don't like to share it. 
It used to be our little secret and it's getting busier each year.


I know someone who needs these super cute Gentle Reminders Pencils on their work desk. 


Have you been missing the 90s? This post made me a bit nostalgic.

A fresh day make-up tutorial. (I need help and this is a good one.)

A simple and cute DIY.. just the way I like them.

Elisha Cuthbert and Dion Phaneuf tied the knot in PEI last weekend. Two of my friends were on her beauty team as a hairdresser and makeup artist and another friend made her cake! Very exciting:)

Looks like it's going to be a hot one this weekend. We'll be hitting the beach! A special little girl in my life is turning two so we have a party to go too as well. What do you get a two year old?

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Elizabeth Mayville Print.

Hi all! Busy bee over here these days. I just got in from priming some of the trim around the windows outside in preparation for repainting. Those on the south side were peeling so Steph scraped them a while ago and were waiting on paint (ie not pretty). I'm sure the neighbors were talking.

It's just getting to that time with the house that previous projects need to be redone which is not nearly as fun as tackling new ones! The joys of home ownership. I swear, if I real estate agent had walked by while I was trying to lean the ladder against the house, in the middle of a scratchy bush in my garden, there would be a for sale sign out there right now. I have a short fuse at times.

Inside the house there isn't much new going on. I hung my Elizabeth Mayville top knot print in living room gallery wall. I love her work so much.. it makes me smile when I look at it. I was even inspired to wear my hair in a sock bun last week and sported a blue and white stripe shirt. True story.


I used one of the Ikea Odby frames. I'm not actually sure I'm crazy about the shape of them but it was kicking around the house so it works for now.




My sister goes home tomorrow after a two week visit. It's always so nice having her here, especially while my brother, my sister-in-law and their children are here visiting from Korea. We've spent lots of time on the beach, lounging around my (other) sister's pool and of course eating lots and lots. The weather has been fabulous! I love summer!

Monday, July 8, 2013

Our George Nelson Pendant.

We replaced the light in the dining room. The one we had before was the first thing I bought when I purchased the house and I was ready for a change. I've loved the George Nelson saucer light for years. It's modern yet timeless. It and others from the collection make frequent many appearances in new modern spaces but could also be spotted in many interiors since it was designed in 1947.


I couldn't find a source that carried it within Canada that didn't cost an arm and a leg in shipping. One day, the Modern Shop, popped up on my Facebook feed. A design store in Ottawa that carries an amazing variety of things including my light! Even better? Shipping was free. Sold!

It did take a while to get here but it arrived in perfect condition and was simple to install. We love how it looks in the dining room. It suits our style much more than the one we had before. My only complaint is that it had an odd chemical-like smell from it the first few weeks but it seems to have dissipated.


As a general rule, I prefer to hang dining room lights fairly low and follow the rule of 30-36 inches off the table. However, with this light hanging it low just didn't look right at all. We referred to some inspiration photos and discovered that all of them are hung quite high.

Very similar to our table as well. How I wish I had those ceilings!


The table appears rather large since we have both leaves in it at the moment. Steph hosted some family that were visiting the island over the weekend and my family is coming over tomorrow night. Gotta love summer company!

You may also notice the bare windows. Two months ago, I ordered panels from Pottery Barn. They arrived (3 1/2 weeks later) and were the wrong length. I called right away and they apologized and promised to send me the proper ones immediately using express post. As of last week, I hadn't yet received them. They assumed they were lost and sent out another replacement. I have yet to receive those and I'm losing hope. Definitely the last time I order from them!

On another note. this weekend was a blast. I went to Ski Martock, which is just outside Halifax, with my Crossfit crew to participate in our first Mud Hero run. It was hot and muddy! I don't know if I have or ever will be that dirty again in my life. After two showers I was still finding dirt on my body. My pretty pink tank top, shorts and white knee socks were beyond salvaging, as were my sneakers. Good times!

My sister Julie and I after the run.



Our Crossfit crew post run and pre evening shenanigans. We'll be back next year for sure!