May 31, 2012

Bedroom Pendant Lights

When building my Waterford house, I learned quite a bit about light fixtures.  I had to buy one for each and every room of the house.  I spent hours upon hours searching for just the right fixture for each room.  My favourite of all were the 3 mercury glass pendants in my Kitchen.  I ordered then from West Elm.

My Waterford Kitchen
Actually wait, it's a tie between the mercury glass fixtures and the Thomasville Sphere fixtures in my dining room and entrance...


Waterford Dining room.  Sorry, no such a great pic...

Anyway, I have a new appreciation for lighting.  Especially hanging lights.  I LOVE shopping for light fixtures and believe that a new light fixture can truly transform a space.

A new trend (actually it's an old trend, just updated) is having pendant lights as your bedside lighting - rather than a lamp.  This is a great space-saving idea, and can make for a dramatic statement in a bedroom.

Some inspiration shots...

Source
Source

Source
Source
And here are some of my favourite pendants.  All from Candelabra Lighting & Home Decor.  LOVE this website.  I don't even think they ship to Canada, but I don't care.  It's a great inspiration resource.







May 30, 2012

Kelly Greeeeeeen


This morning, I was browsing through my favourite website, houzz.com, and came across this picture.  I thought to myself 'Ahhh, that GREEEN again'.


My love for Kelly Green all started with this one tear sheet I have of a kelly green chair from Ikea (and no, not because in my previous life I was Katie Kelly).  The tear sheet is from like 4 years ago.  I'm still mad at myself I never went and bought the chair.  The colour is just so striking and looks amazing with all shades of wood.

And yea, I am so cool I have an entire filing cabinet dedicated to just tear sheets.  Fully labeled  Exterior, Fireplace, Lighting, Flooring etc...   I harass my poor Mom and Mom-in-law for their left over magazines.  And, I frequently stop by my local thrift shops to swipe all of their home decor magazines.  I have Country Life magazines from the 90s.... That's how you can pin point real timeless design!!!  I'm moving in just 2 weeks today, and it's killing me to part with my magazines, but I can't imagine moving them.  I seriously have like 100. 

Anyway, back to Kelly Green...  A few key pieces, or accessories....
Source
Source

Source 
Source
 Inspiration Rooms....

Source
Source


Source
Source

Source

Source
Source


May 26, 2012

I'm obsessed with Houndstooth!!!

One of my most favourite patterns of all time is houndstooth.  Why?  I have no idea, but I have always been drawn to houndstooth fabrics.  So I am devoting an entire post to Houndstooth!

I have these 2 incredible chairs I bought a few years ago from Stoney Creek Furniture.  My cat has destroyed them and they are in desperate need of reupholstering.  Right now, they are in my basement because they have no place in the Waterford House.  But, they will be making a comeback in the new Burlington house.  Which means, I get to reupholster them.  Fabric shopping..yeaaaa!

The Chairs!!!
I have always wanted to cover them in a dramtic houndstooth fabric.
Robert Allen

Premier Prints
Premier Prints

DesignerFabrics.ca

Source

Source

Source
 If I don't end up using a houndstooth fabric on my chairs, I will definitely incorporate it in other areas of the new house.  Some inspiration....

Jonathan Adler Source
Source
Source

Wall Stencil Source
Wall Shelf Source
Wallpaper Source
Source
Source
Source
Source
Told you I was obsessed!

May 25, 2012

Built-Ins (Kind of!)

I absolutely love the look of built ins, but I hate the cost that is associated with them!  The family room in my new house could use some nice built ins on either side of the fire place (see pic below!) and I would love to do something wall to wall in the kids new playroom.  But errr, the $$$$. 

Would love some built ins on either side of the fireplace.
So, I've been doing some research online to find out how I can cut the cost.  I was amazed at the amount of DIYers out there that tackled, and succeeded, in creating their own semi-built-ins.  Check these out!

This incredible DIY Built In was created by CentsationalGirl.com.  It was made out of Ikea Billy Bookcases.  Awesome.  I would totally do this in my kids playroom.


The floor to ceiling built ins were created with Billy Bookshelves and Billy Height Extensions.  Can you believe the whole project cost just $368.  Created by JustAGirlBlog.com


One of my most favourite is from Mini Manor Blog.  I love how she used didn't depths.  Maybe this shorter style would suit either side of my fireplace.  That'll leave room for some pretty art work...hummmmm



This one featured on Better Home and Gardens cost only $324.  I could totally do this in my laundry/mud room!


As if my Dad's "Honey To Do" list at home wasn't big enough!!  The one at my house keeps getting bigger and bigger!

May 19, 2012

Interior Doors

Replacing all of your interior doors will cost a fortune, but it has a huge impact in the overall look of a home.  I know I am crazy, but just look at some of these pictures!  New interior doors can take your house to a whole new level.

Door Express


Door Express
Jeld-Wen

Jeld-Wen
If replacing all of your doors aren't an option, how about just painting them.... or even just a few here and there!

House & Home
Designer: Katie Ridder
Crossmore
Shelterness.com
Or, there is always the option of adding some molding.  In our Waterford house, I have some incredible millwork on each and every door and window.  I am going to sincerely miss it.  So, "door trim" is making the long-term to-do list in the new house!  There are a ton of DIY instructions out there!
decorchick.com
Source

Down to Earth Style