Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Golden Owls.


I had a thing for owls a while ago. I still think they are sweet but I have moved on to other things. They have been everywhere (seriously, everywhere!) for the last while and it spoiled it for me. Doesn't that always happen? Then I spotted this sweet little golden pair and it all came back to me. Aren't they adorable?


I have them out now as my feeble attempt to decorate a little bit for Halloween. I'm afraid that's about as good as it gets. I'm more of a Christmas decorating girl. I'm holding out for that.

Speaking of Halloween, I still don't have a costume for tomorrow and I should really dress up for the kids at school. It's the same thing with me every year! Ideas anyone?

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Living Room Sputnik



We got a new light in the living room! Very exciting, since we weren't even actively looking. I really loved the Ikea Maskros that had hung there for the last while, especially the shadows that it cast on the ceiling. Also, the scale worked really well in the large space. The problem was that it's lone bulb didn't give off nearly enough light to the space. I had been wanting something a little different for a while now. Something a little more grown up, perhaps?


We spent last weekend over in Moncton and did a little shopping. I was looking to spend a gift card on some new lamps so we were perusing the lighting aisle at Home Sense. Steph came across this light but I was skeptical.. the box was small but on the photo the image of the light in relation to the room was huge! I had a hard time believing that all that light could fit into one little box. Needless to say, I didn't find any lamps on that trip but I came home with a new pendant light for the living room.


I was happy to see it installed one evening when I came home from my Crossfit class. What a guy! Of course, I had the job of screwing in each little piece. An annoying little job but it started to take shape slowly but surely. Those would follow me on Instagram got a few peeks at my progress.


 
The dimensions of the light are not quite what was promised on the box and it certainly feels much smaller than the Ikea light. At first I thought it was too small but I've gotten used to it. If you really squint your eyes, you could say it somewhat resembles this similar Anthropologie pendant but at a fraction of the price.



Next up, we have to install a dimmer switch. We always complained that the living room had no light and now it's almost blinding with with all those bulbs! Feels a little bit like a hospital with the light on at night so we've been leaving it off and surviving with a couple of lamps for light.


For my Maskros fans, don't despair! The light is now hanging in our little den upstairs and it makes the space feel so cozy! Enough so that I may even start hanging out up there!

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Looking Back.

Over the last few weeks, I've shared updated photos of my home taken by my friend, photographer Rachel Peters. My own photography skills have come leaps and bounds since I started this blog but having photos of each room and simple details taken through her lens is something that I will treasure. Each one somehow represents the journey that this little home has taken in my relentless attempt to make it my own.


It all started in 2008 when I was on the hunt for my first home. My dad and I went to visit a 70 year old home that needed a ton of updating but had great bones and it was in a great neighborhood. I fell in love right away. In fact, on our first visit he had decided that I would be buying it before we even had a chance to discuss it! Maybe he could read my thoughts. Within minutes of walking in the door, a slew of ideas were swirling in my mind with a million and one plans for renovating and redecorating. I tried so hard to remain calm and reserved as we took the tour but I was pretty much squealing with excitement on the inside.


With that excitement also came many  frustrations, budget realities and I certainly felt overwhelmed many times over. The house was by no means perfect and had very few updates in recent years. Every single room needed some major attention, be it wallpaper removal, floor refinishing, or a total gut. In the end, I think that's why I liked it so much. I didn't have to "live" with someone else's renovation, I got to make all the changes on my own.



Lots of decisions and some mistakes we made but the whole process was a labour of love. I may have complained some, lamented over my budget getting in the way of exactly what I wanted and lived with the ugliest bathroom in Canada (I swear) for longer than I'd care to admit, but I have enjoyed the whole process and I came to love this little house.




I had a lot of help from my family and of course from Steph, who eventually called this place home as well. I also had lots of encouragement from those who read and commented my blog and appreciated the choices and changes I made. It inspired me to get projects finished and to start new ones.



Looking back at my terrible photography skills in the beginning, I'm in some ways happy that they look the way they do. It somehow parallels the way my home has evolved over the last five years. I'm proud of where it is now and thrilled to have beautiful new photos to document it.





This almost makes it sound like it's time to move on to a new home. But no, I'm not ready to leave my home just yet. The reality is though, that soon I'll have nothing left to blog about and no projects to become consumed by.

Or is that even possible? Mostly, I guess I'm just feeling a bit sentimental after looking through all these old photos.

Besides, one of our biggest projects yet is still to come.

I've been keeping a dirty little secret.
Notice that there is absolutely no photos of the bathroom anywhere on this blog? There is a very good reason for that :)

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Bedroom Tour.

I'm back today with another bedroom in my home. If you missed the last one you can check it out here. This one is a little softer than the black and white of the master bedroom with its light grey walls (Para Paints Cashmere), white curtain panels and antique wood dresser.






Almost winding down with the house tour updates. It's nice to have bright and professional photos to have in the tour. However, I change things around a lot and soon I'll have to do it all over again! Well.. I hope not:)

Monday, October 14, 2013

Master Bedroom Tour.

Next up on the updated home tour is three of the bedrooms upstairs. Two are used as bedrooms and one is used as a den. There are actually four bedrooms upstairs but one of them has not been updated since I've owned the home so I'm leaving it out of the tour. I hope to tackle it sometime soon and I'll be sure to share the before photos with you then.

Here is a look at the master bedroom. There isn't much "master" about it other than the fact that it's our room! It is oddly shaped with a little alcove ceiling, a slanted wall and tiny closet but I find it cozy and bright. It's also not particularly large with makes it hard to photograph but here are a few shots that Rachel managed to capture for me.








For us Canadians, it was Thanksgiving weekend and dear Mother Nature was very kind! Such wonderfully perfect fall weather. The kind of days when everyone agrees that fall really is the best season. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner at my parents' house with the crew, went apple picking, hit up a neat new antique shop where I scored some fun pieces, took Beaufie on some good walks and I even went for a motorcycle ride with Steph. It was all around lovely.

Back tomorrow to tour another bedroom!

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Hallway Tours.

Thanks for all your comments on the my updated kitchen photos! I love love love comments. They make me feel like someone is actually reading what I'm putting out there. So thank you so much to those who take the time. I really appreciate it!



Today I'm sharing a few photos of the hallway and staircase. When I moved into the house, the staircase was dark wood and had seen better days. My summer project was painting the staircase and although it was huge job, it made a huge impact on the feel of the home. The halls went from feeling dark to light and bright. I don't regret painting the woodwork for a second!

The staircase is in the middle of the home and is the first thing you see when you come in the front door. Straight ahead is the entrance to the kitchen and the back porch. The living room is to the right and dining room to the left.


Stephane framed these bird prints for me when we first started dating. They used to hang behind the sofa in the living room but moved to the entrance after I put up the gallery wall.


Up the stairs is a barrister bookcase. The first piece of antique furniture that I purchased for myself. It fits perfectly on that little wall at the top of the stairs.


A collection of black and white photos from my family hang above the bookcase. I also keep a collection of white vases on the bookcase in various shapes and sizes. Some are pieces of milk glass that I've thrifted. Occasionally, I add simple flowers to a few of the vases. In the bookcase are stacks of some of my favorite novels.



Here is a quick view in the other direction. (Notice the missing piece of trim?:) Next time, I'll share an updated look into those two bedrooms!


On another note, I went to see Unfinished Song tonight as part of the Filmworks series in town. It's a simple yet genuinely moving love story. I very much recommend it. My mom, dad and I sniffled and giggled the whole way through. Such a great combination.

Monday, October 7, 2013

Updated Kitchen Tour.



I've been slowly updating the house tour section of the blog thanks in part to my friend Rachel who took a few snapshots around my home one summer evening. A couple of weeks ago, I shared the living room and the week before, the dining room.

Today, I'm sharing new photos of the kitchen. It's changed quite a bit in the last year. If you're curious, you can have a look at what I it looked like before here. Since then, I've painted the base cabinets a dark grey, painted the walls and put in a new island. I've always liked my kitchen and it makes me happy that a few simple changes could make me love it all over again a few years later.







Hope you enjoyed the tour of my little kitchen! It was a labor of love for sure (read about that here and here) but I'm really liking where it's at now. 

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Secrets for Creating a Cozy Home.

It's no secret that fall is my favorite season. It's just so darn pretty. The scenic views around PEI as the leaves are changing are nothing short of amazing. We've had some pretty spectacular sunsets lately too and it all makes me so thankful that I get to live here. Strangely enough, the place I most like to be in the fall is at home. After a summer full of activity and a busy September, I appreciate the time to stay in and enjoy the comforts of home.

Other years, I've decorated my mantel with pumpkins and other fall inspired decor but this year I'm keeping it simple with my decorating. It's more about wrapping up in cozy blankets to watch my shows and the smell of my favorite scented candles that are making my home feel cozy this year.

Here is a round up of some of my favorite accessories that are perfect for cozying up your home as the temperatures start to drop and our hours of daylight fade away.


Lucia Candle in Wild Ginger and Fresh Fig :: The most amazing mild scent. A favorite of mine until I pull out the Frasier Firs around the holidays.

Good Morning Beautiful Mug :: A cheeky fun mug in a pretty script for your morning coffee. You can get handsome too!

MacAusland's Woolen Mills Raw Wool Blanket :: Time to add extra blankets to the bed and have lots of throws around for snuggling up. Made right here on PEI, I've wanted one of these blankets for years and this might be the year that treat myself to one.

Rustic Basket :: Need a spot to store all those cozy throws at arms reach from the couch when reading or watching your favorite shows.

Embroidered Fox Pillow :: Foxes are everywhere again this season in fashion and home decor. The official mascot of fall?

Autumn Essentials Print :: This one is Free, folks! Possibly the cutest free printable I've seen in a while. I'll definitely be printing this one!

Cashmere and Wool Slipper Socks :: I've given these as baby gifts on a few occasions but a pair for myself would be oh so lovely. I always have cold feet.

Ikea Rens Sheepskin Rug :: A tad obsessed with these. Draped over the back of a chair just screams cozy!

Acacia Wood Server :: I crave cheese, cured meats and fresh baguette in the fall. Rustic wooden cutting boards and servers are the perfect way to serve them.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

A Gallery Wall.. For Free!

A couple of weeks ago, I showed you a little sneak peek of the gallery wall in our bedroom when I shared my diy abstract art. I consider it mostly finished, as there is just one corner that needs a little something. 


Do you see it? 

The top left corner is looking a little bare. The problem is that I promised myself that I wouldn't spend any money on this project. I could only:
  • shop around my own home
  • reuse old frames 
  • use free printables 
  • diy

 Let's see how I did. Clockwise from the top:

  • Photo from Steph's grandparent's wedding (very top, black frame). She's not wearing white! :) 
  • My sweet mom and dad on their wedding day. I've had the photo printed for years and finally framed it.
  • Round mirror that was hiding in a closet.
  • One of my favorite quotes (I carry your heart with me, I carry it in my heart. eeBcummings) Free printable and old frame.
  • Stephane as a little boy holding his mom's hand. He already had it framed in his old house. (He's secretly sentimental) 
  • Gaby's grade 4 school photo. Rescued from a box.
  • DIY abstract brush stroke art.
  • Cha Cha Cha print from BluLima. Already owned.
  • Printable silhouette in a reused frame.
  • Empty gold frame. Also rescued from a box.
  • Black and white beach print. Also from Steph's old house. 



Pretty well if I do say so myself! Not a cent was spent. Now I need to wait until I find something else around the house that I can pop into that empty corner. Might need to steal from somewhere else. I love moving things around.

What about you? Have you made any changes to your home that didn't cost you anything? It feels good, doesn't it?

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Hello October.


I'm so happy to see that October is here. September is always the busiest month for me. Back to school, birthday celebrations, Fall Flavours events (ie lots of eating) and generally getting back into the swing of things all seems to roll into one big blur.

Last night we went to bed early (after watching the finale of Breaking Bad which I think was pretty good. Thoughts?) and I woke up this morning feeling refreshed and ready to enjoy the simple pleasures of my favorite season. 

For example, the bright yellow mums that I placed on either side of the back door. The purple ones at the front door don't get as much sun so are not completely blooming just yet. Excuse the grainy iphone photos. 


At night. It's so cozy out there in the evening.


I'm hoping this slowed down pace means more posts for me readers. I have an exciting project coming up that I hope I can blog about sooner rather than later!
Happy October!