Entry Way is Complete!!!

Have you ever been to Houzz.com???  Some times I post questions on the discussion boards just to get my creative juices flowing, or when I am being indecisive.  A few weeks ago, I posted a question about my foyer.  Here's what I wrote:

Need Help Designing Front Entry
Looking for some design suggestions for my entry way.
I posted pictures of how it looks everyday - A MESS!
I wanted to be honest in how it looks all of the time so I
can get some real suggestions on how to clean it up
and organize!!!
We just moved in in June, and as you can see, we just
 installed a new front door. I wanted to really brighten up
 the space. We also just had all of our electrical redone,
so the entry way is missing a light fixture. The ceilings are
only 8', so I can't do anything hanging too low.
I'd like to get a new piece of furniture, but I am also up to
painting the bench that is there now.
Are there any chic hall trees?? Or are they just tacky???
I love warm spaces. I'm into geige walls, mixed with rustic
red and black pieces. But I find myself resisting that look,
 since it can be quite dark.
I love the look of grey walls, with white furniture and
 chrome or nickle fixtures, but I have kids, so I want the
space to be liveable and not too cold.
Just having a hard time defining the space and getting
a real 'look'. 

(Before pics)

Majority of the responses were genuine and helpful, but then, there was this one:


despinachYou do have a very nice space to work with, but there is absolutely
no excuse for you or your children to just throw shoes and clothes
away like that... I find it wrong to believe that this is so just because
you still don't have the right hall tree or the right bench...

Oh boy, I laughed hard.  It was a little douche-like to write that, but at the end of the day, he was right.  So I got to work!!

Here's what I did for my little, messy, monkeys.  I sacrificed an entire hall closet for them!

 I just drilled in 4 hooks for the kids and labeled them all colourful.  They LOVE it!! They go right to the closet every day and hang up their stuff.  Works like a charm!

Then I got busy on my foyer.  (Ignore the red tape around the door.  Still haven't put molding up.)
I really wanted this apothecary cabinet from Pottery Barn, but I'm not into blowing $1000 bucks right now on it (especially since my inherited, 16 year old Sub Zero fridge just died).  So I went shopping in my own house and remembered this cabinet I bought when I lived on the farm.  I bought it with my Mother-In-Law at a local craft show.  I love this piece and it was hidden in my dining room.  So now it has a home in the front entrance and holds a ton of stuff.

I was searching every where for a  coat rack.  I put an ad up on kijiji in the "Wanted" section, and some awesome person wrote me and told me to check out XS Cargo around the corner from me.  Sure enough, I scored this solid wood coat rack for $14 bucks and sprayed it high gloss barn red.   I LOVE red furniture!!

I bought the orb light from Concept Lighting in Burlington.  Best place ever to buy lighting.  They have the trendest pieces at awesome prices.

And I painted the entire hall Perfect Griege by Sherwin Williams.

I love how my dog is in every picture.  I can't help it.  He won't leave me alone all day!!!

Favourite Finds Friday

It's it just me or was this not the longest week ever?!?!

Favourite Finds from this week.....

I'm hooked on updating my bedroom right now.  My brother and sister-in-law bought me euro pillows for my bday, so now I am even more obsessed with designing my master bedroom and investing in some decent bedding.  This is the one that I desperately want.  Barbara Barry's Poetical Collection.  Unfortunately it's going to cost me a fortune to get all the pieces I want need.  So I may have to bank my pennies for a few months! Check out Centsational Girl's blog.  She did her Master with the  bedding and I love it.  Definitely using her room as my inspiration.

I came across this interesting idea on Pinterest.  Ever heard of Pond Pools?  So weird.
Check out this article at The Daily Green

Ryan has always wanted his desk in the middle of his office, but really, who wants to see the back of a computer and all it's mess.  I may have found a solution!!! A start anyway!!  Cord management solution from Room and Board.

10 Awesome, Affordable Light Fixtures

One of my favourite things to shop for is Light Fixtures.  They update a room instantly, and are a way to add some personality to your decor.  These days, you can find beautiful, chic fixtures at local big box stores, for fair prices.  No need to break the bank at fancy lighting stores.

Here are a few of my favourites.

Equinox Collection by Thomasville.  Available at The Home Depot ($198.57)

Piedmont Collection by Thomasville.  Available at The Home Depot ($233.67)

Concerto Collection by Titus Manufacturing.  Available at The Home Depot ($179.99)

(I want this for Grace's room! Picture it with pink walls...ohhhhhhh!)

Shimmer Chandelier by Debbie Travis.  Available at Canadian Tire ($219.99)

Mavis Semi Flush Mount by For Living.  Available at Canadian Tire ($74.99)

Semi Flush Mount available at Rona ($89.99)

1-Light Pendant available at Rona (34.99)

Flush Mount available at Rona($64.99)

1 Light Pendant available at Rona($59.99)

I want this above my sink in my kitchen!

6 Light Pendant available at Rona ($299.99)

Rona.ca has such incredible light fixtures. I could have added another dozen to this post.  Worth checking out!!

Favourite Finds Friday

Here are some of my favourite finds from this week!

How cool is this?  From Ballard Design you can purchase this clip on light fixture for just $89 in 2 colours.  It clips right onto your exposed light bulb.  And finally, they are shipping to Canada (just gatta do it by phone!)

Take notes family - I want this for Christamas!!!!  Makes me giggle.  Giraffe Toilet Paper holder from  Grandin Road

My kids would go bananas for these sleeping bags.  Maybe for Christmas?!?!? $118 from Chasing Fireflies

New Carpeting

A week or so ago, Ryan and I were sitting in the kitchen, and suddenly we hear Thunk Thunk Thunk Thunk.... then silence, then screaming.  My poor baby girl slid all the way down the stairs on her bottom.  The kids were used to running up and down the wood stairs with bare feet, but now that it's socks-season, the stairs are dangerous.  She was okay and walked away with just a good sized bruise on her bum, but that night I googled 'carpet, burlington' and called the first company on the list.

I called Direct Carpet Canada, and within a day, Keith Shannon (Owner/Operator) was at my house with a ton of samples to choose from.  Shopping for carpet in my home with a glass of Pinot...wicked!!!

Look, he's famous!

And he's also on Love It Or List It!

Just a few days later, it was installed.  Keith did it himself, so I feel confident that the carpet was inastalled propery and there was no damage to any of my walls or baseboards.  No complaints here.  

Before!

After!

The kids are very happy!  No more sore bums!!

Thanks Keith!!!!

We had Grace's room done as well

And the toy room!

 Carpet - please, please, please stay beautiful and clean!

I seriously just hope it lasts a while.  Nothing seems to last in this house.  Remember my beautiful DIY banquette.... Daddy was watching the kids Saturday night and the kids decided they wanted to set up the paint station themselves....

Anyway, I'm very please with my new carpeting!!

Birthdays over 30 suck.

Meh, it's my 31st birthday today.  I am totally one of those annoying chicks that complains about getting old.  Yup, I hate getting old.  I know, I know, I am "only" 31.... but I really miss 29 :(  My gosh, imagine how miserable I'll be when I hit 41.  My poor, poor husband.

On the bright side, I had some pretty cool surprises this week.  First off, my wicked in laws gave me an IPad.  Hello!!!  Awesome!  Notice my lack of blogging this week?  Well, it's all their fault.  I'm addicted to the thing.  In fact, the only reason I am blogging right now is because the battery is dead.

Next awesome surprise was compliments of my dreamy husband.  He bought me new sunglasses.  See how cool I am now.

Next surprise.  My Dad shows up with this... hand made... by him.  So cool!

I'll share..

Next surprise was from my Brother.  Who is surprising me more than ever these days.  He brought me home flowers last night after I babysat their adorable twins.  He's so thoughtful!

And no birthday is complete with out a little treat from myself.  (thanks Cathy & Laura!!!!!)

Grand finale is hot dogs and chocolate cake for dinner... and of course, copious amounts of pinot grigio!

Turning 2, 5'x7' rugs into an 7'x10'

When I redid Ryan's office I needed to figure out a way to cover the ugly parquet flooring.  I wanted a huge area rug to cover majority of the space.  Problem is, I'd need a rug that was about 8'x10' and those suckers cost a lot of cash.  I found one that I loved at West Elm, but it was $750.  I've got 2 kids, an 80lbs dog and a very hairy cat... plus, a slob(isn) husband.  No way am I investing in a beautiful area rug right now.  Not for at least another 10 years! 

West Elm

I started thinking about how I can cut the cost of an area rug that is just going to get ruined in a couple of years.  5'x7' rugs are readily available EVERY WHERE! and are relatively cheap.  You can find them places like Ikea or Home Depot for $50-100 bucks.  Hummm, 2, 5'x7' rugs side by side would be one big 7'x10' rug.  That could work!  I see Ikea do it all the time in their catalogues.

I went to JYSK and picked up 2 white shag rugs for $70 each.  Plus, I had a $25 off coupon because I am a loser and went to the Burlington new store Grand Opening special and waited in line for 40 minutes to get a $25 gift card and $25 coupon.  So anyway, my 2 rugs came to about $130 bucks.  But when I put them in the office, this is what they looked like after you stepped on them.

They slip and slide every where and it was pretty obvious I was being cheap and trying to pull off 2 rugs as one.

This is how I attempted to solve my problem.

I flipped over the rugs...

 Got out my caulking gun and loaded it with what ever extra caulking I could find in the basement

Drew some pretty pictures with the caulking and made James laugh

Let it sit for 24 hours to completely dry.  The safety pinned the 2 rugs together.

Now it looks like this.

Yup, still looks like I bought 2 rugs and am trying to make it look like one.  But ya know what, it was only $130 bucks, and there is no way you are going to find a 7' x 10' area rug for that price.  I think this method would work great in a place with more furniture.  Like a family room with couches and a coffee table to hide the seam.

I might move these into my family room and consider buying a nice rug for Ryan's office and just forbidding the children and animals to go in there... yeah right!!!

Favourite Finds Friday

Can you tell I am in Bathroom Mode??

I'm obsessed with renovating my bathrooms right now.  They are horrible! So horrible, I'm hesitant to even post pics of them!  I've had the contractor out, I've narrowed down the looks I want, now, I need to convince the boss (the ver dreamy and handsome boss) it's time for a new project (I got new shutters for my birthday, maybe I can get new bathrooms for Christmas??)

Anyway, I found some pretty cool stuff while shopping online for bathroom stuff.

Imagine having this on a bathroom floor.  I'd have a sign on the bathroom door that said "Tip Toe only please".
Fishscale mosaic with bardiglio imperial marble in hammered finish and bianco carrara marble in honed finish.  AnnSacks.com

Chamberlain Vanity by Cole + Co.

Miguel Double Sconce by John Rosselli through Circa Lighting

Sculpted Mums Shower Curtain, Anthropologie