For Little Miss "S"... fingers crossed she likes this one!

I had to sleep on it... The other 2 concepts just weren't screaming at me.  But this one does!!!!

The little girl's Mom mentioned an old vanity in her basement that was peach... the second I heard the word "Peach", I got inspired.  I love the look of Peach, Aqua and Coral.  Soooo pretty.

Hope she goes for it?!?!

For Little Miss "S"

I'll come up with a couple more ideas tomorrow... for right now, there is an ice cold MGD calling my name

Burlington Bungalow - Interior Ideas

Made a stop at the Burlington Bungalow this week.  The owners have moved in and decided to stay for a bit so they gave me a call to help them sort out the interior design.  They have quite a mish mash of styles in there, so I've come up with a few ideas to create a better flow.   We are trying to keep as much of their existing furniture as possible, and add just a few pieces.  I'm soooo looking forward to go shopping with them!  My most favourite part of the job!

Thought I'd share.....

DIY Wall Projector

I've had these inspiration pictures in my files forever and have always wanted to do a hand painted tree on Grace's wall....

Problem is, there was no way I could hand draw a tree on a wall.  I needed an overhead projector to trace the image outline on the wall, and then I could free-hand paint it in.  Where on earth do I get an overhead projector?  I could buy one, but they are $300+.  No thanks.  I had some generous offers from some friends and family to borrow one from their office, but if you know me in the slightest, I want it NOW.  Can't wait until tomorrow, so I'll have to make-shift one.  

Turns out, I'm a genius and my make shift overhead projector, is now an awesome DIY that I want to share with everyone.

Step 1: Find an image you like, and print it out.  Here's mine!

Step 2:  Trace the image on a translucent sheet, using a black permanent marker.  I used a sharpie I had laying around.  For the paper you can use a plastic page protector (from the dollar store), or anything translucent you can think of.  I used a laminator page.  I just ran it through my laminator to make it clear.

Step 3:  Tape your page to a box that is open on either end and a suitable size for your page.

Step 4: Bust out your iPhone and download the flashlight app!!!  It just happens to be the perfect amount of light.  I tried a lamp without the lampshade, and it was too much.  The light needs to be tiny and bright.  I suppose a keychain type flashlight will work too, but let's face it, we all have these stupid phones.

Step 5: Set up your make-shift projector on a table, and project your image on the wall.  I had to prop my iPhone up with something - James's toy car was within reach.  Fiddle around with everything until you get your image just right on the wall.  (Don't forget to turn out the lights)

Step 6:  Trace your image with a piece of chalk.  It rubs off easy once complete.

Step 7: Paint!!!  I used acrylic craft paint and it took me about 4 coats to get it nice and thick.

See how smart I am???

Grace's Room Reveal

Grace's room is finally complete and I couldn't be happier.  Especially since I completed the entire room for just $250 BUCKS!!!!

It's exactly what I would have wanted as  a 5 year old!!!  One day she wanted a fashion room, the next a dance room.  So I plunked in a full length mirror and an iPod filled with pop songs.  She's a happy girl - check out her reaction here!!!

Over the next few days, I'll be posting some of the DIY projects I did in this room, and sharing some of the details.  For now, enjoy the overall project!!!

Here is it!!!

Some Before & Afters...

A few details...

Budget:

Paint - $47

Spray Paint (4 cans) - $21.65

Bedding - $79.99

Curtains - $6.97 x 2 = $13.94

Wall Frames - $6.50

Table Frames - $6.99 + $1.00 = $7.99

Feather Boa - $1

Chair Fabric - $12

Vintage Light Fixture $40

Trim for Curtain Rod - $4.25

Paint for Wall Tree - $3.94
Wall letters - $3.90
Curtain tie backs  - $10

Total`$252.16

Getting Started on GG's Room

This week I have slowly been starting Grace's room.  I'm trying so hard to stay on budget and and complete her room for under $200 bucks.  So far, so good!  The last few days I've done some shopping and today I prepped the walls.  I'll probably start painting Monday while the kids are at VBS.  I am so excited to give her a new, big-girl room.

Some before pics....

Busy busy spray painting... lamps, frames, table, curtain rods....

I scored this gorgeous antique chandelier on kijiji for just $40 bucks.  Took some negotiating, but my mom taught me well.

All ready to be painted!!

I immediately feel inlove with this fabric.  Not sure what I am going to do with it yet.  But at just $6/meter, I couldn't resist picking up some.  And the feather boa.... it'll make it's way in some how!!

GG's room

My design plan for Grace's room.  I think I can overhall her room for under $200 bucks....

Wish me luck!!

Burlington Bungalow Complete

PLEASE read my comments and don't just scroll through the pictures!!  I have a lot of explaining to do!!!

I did a final walk through of the property a few weeks ago and took some pictures.  I really didn't want to share them since the property wasn't complete.  But, after another drive by today, I realized that this is probably as good as it's going to get.  The home owner has gone over seas for the summer, so not much more will be done with the property anytime soon.

This project took way longer than I anticipated, and it kills me that the house just didn't make it to the level I wanted it to.  I pushed the home owner to include details that would give the home that extra umph and designer touch, but it always came back to lack of time and money.  Two things I was under the impression we had a lot more of, than we actually did.  

In the end, I feel like I was led in the wrong direction as to what the purpose and value of this house was meant to be.  I feel like I really let this house down because of the lack of communication and honesty.  This house has great potential, but designing it for resale is so so so so different than designing it for an older couple from over seas.  Which one is it???  I still don't know!!  Oh, how I have learned so much from this project!!!!

Before!  This was one of my first days visiting the property

After!

This was my original plan for the exterior.  Original post found here.

I really wanted to incorporate some wood details.  A wood gable bracket, door trim, garage door etc...  Still can.... hint hint!!!

Some extra exterior pics....

Desperately needs landscaping.  Some nice tall cedars to fill up the empty space between the front windows.

Still missing a light fixture.  And I'm not sure what happened to the gable.,  It should have been way more recessed to allow for a wood gable bracket.  But I LOVE the stone columns.  They turned out amazing.

Oh that chimney is killing me!!!  Take it down.  Plllllease.

I'd like to see the garage doors trimmed in wood.  Hopefully that gets done.  In my opinion, the garage doors should have been faux wood to match the front door.  But that costs $$$!!!

Really happy with the colour of the siding against the stone.  But OMG.  When I saw these windows, I just about had a heart attack.  There are no words for this.  Someone, please just paint the white trim before I fall over.  

You can get a nice view of the stone detail.  Lots of colour and texture.  I love it.  

I couldn't get a good shot of the deck since the sod was just laid and a muddy mess.   My original deck design here... yea, not even close?!?!?

Look at that back yard!!!  

Pool, pool, pool!!!

I love this front door.  My goodness it took hours, upon hours to order that sucker.   I really didn't want the side lites to be framed.  I wanted it to be one huge piece of glass.  Not sure what happened there, but whatever!!!  And, the colour is a little off.  Should have been slightly lighter.  But you have to admit, that's a bloody nice door.

Left side

Cedar deck.  Remember my design?  What happened!!!!????!!!!

Front Entry

Kashmir Gold granite tiles.  That's not the right light fixture (That's actually the exterior fixture!).  There was a mix up.  Hope the right one was finally installed because it's gorgeous.

Powder Room

My original powder room design.  Click here for original post

Powder room almost complete!  The tiles are onyx from Pakistan (which is where the home owner is from).  They are gorgeous!

Master Ensuite....

My Original ensuite design.  Click  here for original post.

No marble allowed in the ensuite (~tear~), so we decided to go with a calm, neutral palette using porcelain.  

Unfortunately, the cabinet maker took it upon himself to redesign my custom vanity and really made the ensuite a mish mash of styles.  It's so disappointing when you work hard on a design, and it's just not executed properly.  It was too late and too costly to get the vanity fixed, so it's going to stay for now.  My advice is to change the knobs to something more delicate, and possibly paint it white.

Master Bedroom

I'm obsessed with the wall colour!!!  Love it.  BUT AHHHHH, who put up those black curtain rods.  BLACK??? noooooo

Fireplace

Fireplace BEFORE!!

Fireplace After!!!  I painted the insert black.  You can't really see it in the pics.  

Kitchen

My original kitchen design.  Click here for original post

Wow, my pictures suck!!!  sorry!!!

Wet bar.  I'm so happy with how it turned out!

Missing the other 2 hanging lights!!!!  There should be 3!

I LOVE the herringbone backsplash

So that's about it.  Now you've seen the end of my project.  It was a lot of work, but fun.  I love designing new homes, it's by far my favourite thing to do.  I love working on floorplans and designing  from scratch is amazing.  It was certainly a challenge working with this home owner, but I have learned sooooo much.  I'd love to jump back in the house and change a few things, but there comes a point where you just have to let it go and be.  I can only voice my opinion so many times, and it's up to the home owner to take it or not.

All in all, who ever ends up living in this house is lucky.  It's a beautiful home, on a beautiful lot, and has the bones to last forever.