Loving.. this week.

Here are some of my favorite posts from around the blogosphere this week.

Nicole's bedrooom mini makeover at Making it Lovely. I love the soft coral with the charcoal grey plus the botanical print can come live at my house any time.

Source: makingitlovely.com via Jane on Pinterest

This Montreal apartment home tour, featured at Mix and Chic by designer Nicola Marc. I fell in love with this home when it was featured in Style at Home magazine.

Source: mixandchic.com via Jane on Pinterest

I love Emily Henderson's style, personality and wit. Her tip videos are no exception. This week's was about mixing patterns. I love that even her outfit in the video is a great mix of pattern!
   

If you missed her last video on mantel styling, you can check it out here.

I don't read a lot of fashion blogs but Kendi Everyday is a must read for me. Love her style and more than anything, I chuckle at each post. She cracks me up:) Still love colored jeans.. especially when paired with black and white.

Source: kendieveryday.com via Jane on Pinterest

How excited are you all for the Olympics!? I know from previous experience that I will have a hard time tearing myself away from the tv. I love it all and get completely wrapped up in it all! 

Love love love it! So pumped!

Stain and Vibrations.

It's official! After two afternoons of staining the walls of the deck and realizing I have many more to go... I loathe staining. Although, I'll admit it's looks pretty sharp! As you can tell, we added a few more pieces that need a coat of stain. Excuse the fuzzy iPhone photo, I'll post better ones when it is finished.

In other news, our street is getting a new sidewalk this week and my house is literally vibrating. A mirror seriously just fell off the wall! Just got back from a massage and poor Beaufort didn't hear me come in for all the noise! Sounds like a good day to escape to Charlottetown. 

Back soon!

Ellen's House.

This winter a new client, Ellen, invited me to visit her home to help her freshen it up a bit. A newer build, the home was bright, spacious and immaculate but perhaps lacking a bit of personality. The walls were a warm brown with dark finishes. I made a few suggestions of how she could lighten the palette.

A few months later, Ellen emailed me photos. I was shocked but how much she got done. She had the walls painted a soft grey, changed the hardware on her kitchen cupboards, purchased a new table and chairs, and a sectional.

However, the walls were bare, the windows naked and there were hardly any accessories. A busy mother of two, working full time and living out of town, Ellen felt she had no time to shop. This is where I came in. She asked me if I would be interested in being her personal shopper and style her home. Everything from shower curtains, plants, art, accessories, mirrors, window treatments.

Let me think for a second..

I get to shop?

For home stuff?

Decorate your house?

Let me think.. Yes!

It was a wonderful experience. Ellen put her trust in me and I went to work. Yesterday, I went to her home and got to work putting it all together. After 3 hours, I walked through the house smiling and wishing I could move right in. At the same time, I was holding my breath, hoping she would be happy with everything.

Thankfully, she loved it!

Here's a rather large peek, starting with a couple of before shots!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Eight white frames are hung over the Karlstad sectional bearing black and white family photos. 

Lamps were a Winners find.

 Ikat pillow covers from my favorite ebay seller.

Three Ikea Lack shelves were hung in the empty space next to the TV console (a vintage find that got a coat of white paint). I had great fun shopping for accessories for the shelves. I left her a little space on the bottom to fill with her own finds.. I'm thinking vintage boxes or pretty books? 

Fresh flowers from her garden.

Of course I had to add an owl somewhere. Why not one that can have a flower head? :)

The windows in the kitchen (and powder room) have custom-made roman shades using a sophisticated black and white stripe fabric from Tonic Living. The center one was the wrong size so we are waiting on having it fixed up.

Still to come are some modern white bar stools which will tie in perfectly. Can't wait to see those!

Once again, a fantastic experience for me. I'm passionate about interior design and styling and love when I have opportunities like this. Thanks so much for allowing me to share with me readers Ellen! I hope you enjoy your "new" space!

Linking up to Serenity Now

The Power of Teak.

Over the weekend, I used linseed oil to give our patio set a perk up. I am now a firm believer in the power of teak. Stephane bought this set in 1996! That's 16 years ago and it turned out amazing. We have left it outside, even over the winter and neglected it the last few years but a quick coat of linseed and it's good as new.

Here it is before. It's grey and weathered. I actually didn't mind the aged patina but it really needed some tlc.

Here is the set now. If I had know it would turn out so well, I wouldn't have waited so long to get it done! I still need to give the chairs a second coat but they are fine for now!

While we're at it, I thought I'd share more photos of how the deck is coming along. The upper deck is still in progress so I'll share those another day. But for now, here is the lower/main portion.

Of course, Beaufort had to make an appearance. This is his happy place!

I'm very anxious for the plants and shrubs to grow. When I look back at photos from when we planted them, they certainly have but I want it to feel lush... next year or even the year after, I suppose. Patience!

We still want to plant a few trees as well. I'm thinking a dwarf Japanese Maple and some weeping pea shrubs. It will feel a bit more private and add to that lush feeling that I'm after. Again, patience, Jane.

The catwalk is my favorite part. The only thing I requested, when we started planning, were long steps that could be used for seating and laying in the sun. I'm not a fan of narrow steep steps. He came through on that request.. that's a long step! I love it.

We plan to work on the upper deck a little more this week so I'll be back to share it soon. 

Hope the sun is shining where you are!