Up against a brick wall...

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above photo: source unknown

Exposed brick walls. How do I love these...? Let me count the ways:

• A good brick wall conjures up a sense of history in a home. The more aged the brick looks, the better.
• A brick wall needs no adornment. It stands alone, naked, and still looks great.
• A brick wall is the perfect feature wall. How can your eyes not be drawn to its strength and character?
• Warm colour is added to the room naturally. Brick warms up the space, so even an all white palette seems cozy.
  

  photo source: Country Living

• A brick feature wall makes a statement. Everything looks better against it, and it is the perfect backdrop for a great chandelier/lighting fixture, a stand-out piece of furniture, a great flooring material. Basically, it is the starting point to an amazing room.
• A brick wall naturally looks better uncluttered. It is the pattern, texture, colour - and it invites more, but in a restrained way. It can hold court with other great elements, but not too many. In essence, a textured wall - like brick- coaxes the eye to steer clear of visual clutter. It is our job to take the less is more cue.
  

  photos (above and below): Wish magazine

***Note to self: Add a brick wall to my dream home list. What's on your list?

A Few Updates...

Just wanted everyone to know that, although I mentioned I would be hosting another great give-away with Matthew Mead this week, we have had to postpone it until next week (technical difficulties). However, the contest will begin next week, and I will give you advance warning: trust me, you don't want to miss out on this one, as there a few extra goodies being thrown into the prize barrel. I also thought I'd let you know that today is the official release of his new book, Entertaining Simple. It's in bookstores everywhere, so check it out!!

Also, if you are wondering where all my blog links are, don't fret. I had so many that they were starting to take over! So, I have created a whole new page where I can fit as many as I like. Just look to my right sidebar for the blog button link, and it will take you there. Because I have more space, if you would like to be added just send me an email. Also, I try to visit as many blogs as I can, but have you seen that list? I think I am going to have to do a rotating schedule...I limit my blogging time to late evening, for the most part, so it gets tricky...

How do you manage to be a friendly blogger to all your favourites?

A little ditty...

Well, I just received word via email that my blog has been nominated for a little something over at Divine Caroline, which is a great site devoted to sharing inspiration and stories for people like you and me. So, if you are so kind as to take the time to pop on over there and vote for me, I will blush pinker than I have in a long time. You can easily register, then vote away!

Thanks everyone!!

Sunday Dinner...

Ever since I was a young girl, Sunday dinner has been a tradition held close to my heart. With five siblings, mealtime was often served dine and dash, with little emphasis placed on the intricacies of setting a table or the Norman Rockwell image of a family gathering to slowly dine and reconnect over a meal. Indeed, protecting one's food from nipping brothers was more of a priority than sitting straight in one's chair and keeping elbows off tables.

Sundays, however, were the exception. I have many olfactory memories of roast beef cooking in its savoury juices, Yorkshire puddings bubbling away in muffin cups, and the distinctive scent of turnip and broccoli wafting through the kitchen. Whether tucked away in my room reading or outside, playing, the delicious scents would inevitably find me, and the rumblings within my belly would begin. One by one, my siblings and I would wander out to the kitchen, voicing the question, "Is supper almost ready, Mum?" Often we'd be sent back to where we came from so as not to be in the way or, conversely, given a job such as stirring the gravy, setting the table (one fork, one knife, paper napkin...), or of you were a strong boy, given the job of mashing the potatoes to creamy perfection.

photo source: wikipedia.org

As our mother served up our plates (which she always heated in the oven for us), we'd bellow to each other to come to the table. Manners were always minded a little more, conversation would extend beyond requests of "Are you going to eat that?", and although elbows still resided casually on the table, it felt special to me. I imagined that people driving by would glance in the window, smile and dub us very Norman Rockwell indeed. Sunday dinner and all its traditions were very important to us, and made us feel very civilized, almost refined, and definitely warmed us through and through. Sunday was even special enough to warrant dessert, a real treat in our home. Usually it was one of my mother's apple pies or crumbles, or sometimes it was simply sticky pudding cake straight from a box. Either way, the special nuances of the meal have remained with me, and Sunday dinner is a tradition that I carry on with my own family. Times may have changed and my own husband often assists with the meal and its preparation, but the meaning has remained the same: Sunday is a special day, deserving of a fine meal, and is a day where we come together as a family to eat, laugh, and sadly, are subjected to my husband's favourite radio show: classic country. Oh well, it can't all be perfect!

After all, our last name isn't Rockwell, is it?

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This post is dedicated to my "long-suffering mother" who has cooked more meals than she could ever count; and to my husband, who made the entire Sunday dinner today in all its glory. Dinner hasn't tasted that good in a long time...and I didn't once ask, "Is it ready yet?"

The Wow Factor...

(my girlie wearing glittered glasses and chatting on the phone...oblivious to me!)

As you may know, I love to take the ordinary, and inexpensive, and make it extra special. I glean inspiration from magazines and decorating books, and often look at the ideas and think: a) how can I duplicate that on my budget and/or accessibility from my small town and b) how can I tweak it and make it better, or just my own?

Like many of you, I scour the Dollar Store, department stores, hardware stores and thrift shops to see what calls out to me as a potential project. Typically, I don't make things all that much, but what I do do, is wield a can of spray paint and glitter things with aplomb! As I type this, I have Martha Stewart's lovely silver glitter stuck between my fingers...a side-effect of my latest adventure with my two favourite mediums!

I spied this crown early in the summer at Winners/Homesense. I absolutely love the image of the crown, almost as much as the chandelier! Looking at it in its original form, it didn't hold a lot of appeal to me; however, visions of it sparkling with regal purpose inspired me to add it to my cart, for the royal price of $16.99. After carefully smuggling it inside (my dear husband would not have shared my enthusiasm for it), I hid it in my usual spot, and promptly forgot about it...until yesterday!! Out onto my ugly gravel front path I went, and added yet another colour to the stones. A finishing dusting of glitter, and this is the beauty I ended up with:

Another project I just completed was this drum shade. I also purchased it at Winners, for the grand price of $14.99. Now, it was pretty handsome to begin with, but like most women, I figured I could change it into something even better! So, after poking around in my crafting supplies kit (my junk drawer), I found what I was looking for: the fun, and always whimsical, pom pom fringe!! Just about everything looks better with that, so while I was cooking dinner, I was also heating up the glue gun, and embellishing...too bad dinner didn't turn out as fancy!!

Speaking of cooking, I made pancakes last Sunday (as I always do); and because I had spent part of the previous evening flipping through Matthew Mead's new book, Entertaining Simple, which he had just sent me (thanks Matthew!), I was inspired to try one of the many great ideas in the book. Now, I have to tell you, there are so many easy and creative ideas in this book, you'll be instantly party planning and making to-do lists!! I won't get into too many details yet, as the book won't officially be released until September 30 (mark your calendars, ladies!!), however, I will show you what Matthew inspired me to do with my pancakes that morning:

Seriously, who would have ever thought of that? Pancakes on a pedestal!!

How pretty is that??!! When you think about it, isn't that where a pancake should be? I mean, doesn't everyone love a delicious, moist pancake...dripping in maple syrup and butter...with yummy add-ins like tart blueberries, fresh apple slices, and chocolatey chips?? FYI: those are the kinds of pancakes I make each Sunday, the apple being my favourite.

Now, has anyone ever priced the Silver Sage silk drapes at Restoration Hardware? Well, they are a pretty penny indeed. But look what I found at our local Zellers (Cdn) store! They may be faux silk, but the package said colour: Silver Sage, and they are a perfect match to the wall colour in my dining area! And since I was due to take my summer curtains down, the price couldn't have been better either: I spent only $14 a panel! Made my heart do a flip-flop, I tell you!!

So, in case you need reminding, hunt, root, search, scour the most unexpected places for what you are looking for. If you find something that will almost do, think of ways to repurpose it and make it work for your home. Oh, and stock up on a little spray paint and glitter while you are at it. Now, I'm off to work some bargain magic in someone else's home!!

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***Look forward to another great, BIG giveaway involving Matthew Mead next week. It is bigger and better than the previous give-away with even more chances to win!!

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Now, what projects have you done lately on a dime??

Seasons Change...

Well, the boxes were finally cracked on my fall decorations, and the first place I addressed was my fireplace mantel. Considering I hadn't dressed it up for summer, a change was long over-due. My fireplace is visible from every corner and is truly the focal point of my living room (considering my puny television is hidden away in an armoire...sooo passé). Thus, the time was right for a little decorating make-over!

I have to say, I am pretty pleased with the outcome. I incorporated many of my favourite things: my vintage chemist's bottles, my new/old platter, my love of crows, apothecary vases, and nests, and stepped out of my usual colour palette, and injected a modest splash of autumn's signature colour:

Of course I kept a little blue in the mix...

My love of crows at this time of year is legendary, so I figured he deserved to be elevated on a sweet, little cake platter. I love cake platters...

I thought I'd show you another little fall vignette. Don't be too dazzled by my artistic skills. I can hook you up with an original drawing of that pumpkin if you like...

Stop and Stare...

In the world of design, some things are just so jaw-dropping in their beauty and creativity. Mind you, it often takes a little less to dazzle me, as my expectations are fairly simple. I want imaginative, I want pretty, and it has to make my heart do a little flip. Cost is irrelevant (you know what I mean), while thinking outside of the proverbial box always impresses me.

Here are a few things that have wowed me lately, and inspired me to do a few projects of my own:

This gorgeous letter M would be perfect for the space above my sofa (my wallpapered feature wall, if you will..). They even sell them in the most delicate shade of blue. Check them out here. Their website is amazing!!

This room inspires me to take another look at my painted furniture. Hmmm...which pieces could stand a little jolt of colour?? I love the entire colour scheme. Maybe Sophie's room could use a little refreshing??

photo: source unknown

This gorgeous built-in cabinet has me craving one for my own home. Luckily for my husband, our home is too small for such a project. Maybe in the next house?? I can, however, display dishes in some of these beautiful colours on the open shelving in my kitchen...

photo: Ideal Home Magazine

This lovely, old vessel would be perfect in front of my living room window. It would be the ideal spot for seasonal displays. My junking senses are tingling...

photo: Martha Stewart.com

Doesn't this decadent table skirt remind you of a couture garment that Carrie Bradshaw (from SATC) would wear?? I, too, could channel a little "Carrie" if I owned it... (FYI: I'm probably more of a Charlotte).

photo: Martha Stewart.com

Lastly, I am bowing down to the folks over at Pottery Barn:

I. Want. This. Badly!!!

And I actually have the perfect spot for it!!!

Tidying up some loose ends...

I have had a few question, lately, and am just now getting around to answering them. Please excuse my tardiness; but if you know me personally, I can run a little late sometimes...

Q. What's the paint color on your wall in the chair picture? I love it!

A. Thanks, Kara. The colour of my dining area, bedroom, living room, and front entry and hall is Silver Sage, by Restoration Hardware. I should get a gift card or something for all the times I have mentioned their colour and sent folks their way...

Q. I have been making bread for J because of his allergies. But I can never get it light and fluffy! Do tell...how do you do it?

A. Well, I'm not sure anyone has ever told me my bread is light and fluffy, but no one's ever complained either. I simply fire all the ingredients into my bread machine and then pop the dough (which I let rise for 30 min.) into the oven. Believe me, I have zero tricks up my sleeve...

Q. What kind of bread machine do you have?

A. I have a Black and Decker model, which I purchased back in 1998. So, all things considered, it was a great purchase!!

Q. Where did you get that adorable cat rug?! Can't believe nobody has asked yet...

A. Yes, I love that rug, too!! I am fairly certain I picked it up at Winners/Homesense a few years ago. It would have definitely been under $15, as I rarely pay much more than that ($25 at the most!) for seasonal accessories. I am soooo sensible...yuk, yuk!!

Q. Where and what is Winners/Homesense? (no one actually asked me that question, but I've been asked it before...I'm all about trouble shooting!).

A. Winners/Homesense is the Canadian equivalent to TJ MAXX, and I am beginning to guess, HomeGoods?? It is really the BEST place to go for bedding, accessories, and the like. Their catch phrase is "Winners...you should go", and you really should!! Another plug!! I think I need a gift card from them, too!!

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I have a few thankyou's to hand out:

Tania, from Willibleu, awarded me with this :

As I told Tania, I am always amazed that people actually come by to read what I have to say!! Honestly, I'm pretty boring, and often fall short on stimulating conversation when in group settings. I guess it comes from years of being shy as a child, and from preferring to let others take the spotlight in social settings. I have a very outgoing husband, who can chat with anyone, young or old, and I basically plead with him before we go out, to not wander away...until I have found someone to chat comfortably with!

I also want to thank anyone who has given me awards recently, and to ask their forgiveness for my forgetting to play along. I am terrible with awards, and honestly, they are best bestowed upon others who are more deserving and punctual!! I also want to express my appreciation for any and all compliments or awards you have given me. Blog compliments are the best kind of compliments - because then you don't have to see me blush and make some stupid remark to cover up my embarrassment and awkwardness. I get this trait from my mum!!! She is the queen of brushing off compliments out of shyness!!

A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood...

Yesterday was a great day. A simple day, but one that was filled with the things that fill you up inside and make you count your blessings, whatever they may be.

Things like:

• Taking a brisk, long walk with a good friend...chatting, laughing, breathing in the now crisp, autumn air. I love exercising outdoors...can't be beat!
• Rescuing my cat from the roof...all by myself!! Let me tell you, it involved danger!!

• Washing slipcovers, and hanging them on the line. Finally, some good clothes-drying weather is here, and the wrinkles just dance themselves out!

• Strawberries and yogourt for lunch. Perfect, sweet/tart berries and the creamiest yogourt money can buy...yum!

• Found: a new "fall-ish" flag, and some decorations unearthed. Waited for my girlie to come home to help me. I laughed at her delight!

• My husband - returned from a short work trip. Back to tea on the porch swing, papa bear's chair filled again, and that perfect someone to plant my newly cold toes on at night.

• This for dinner: new, baby potatoes, fresh beans (finally) cooked just right, mushrooms and onions, and grilled pork chops on the BBQ. I love potatoes the way every full-blooded Irish girl should...so does my daughter...good girl!

• Fresh-baked bread, from my bread machine to the oven. My boys think I "rock" for making this. I know the way to a boy's heart...

• Kids all tucked in, the perfect bowl of popcorn to share, a generous glass of my favourite/cheap bubbly, and this show:

The perfect setting to let the heckling begin!!

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Oh, I almost forgot! Look what Amy at One Day at a Time made for me. She was so excited about winning one of the prizes from my recent give-away, that she figured I needed a coronation or something! Looks like Matthew Mead isn't the only one sporting a crown...!!

Thanks Amy!!

Leaping into Fall...

photo source: Country Living.

I have done this before on my own porch, using a vintage tartan picnic tin basket. Hmmm...might be time to do it again!!

There is nothing like a little fall weather to get one in the spirit for decorating. But, for some strange reason I have yet to venture down to the basement to poke around in my fall/Halloween decorations. I keep threatening to, but I am feeling a tad uninspired to do so. Part of the problem is that my house (inside) really doesn't lend itself all that well to the warm, rich colours of autumn, and it is too early to decorate for Halloween. Now, I know a lot of you have jumped right into Halloween, but we Canadians are more hesitant to do so, until Thanksgiving is over. We celebrate our Thanksgiving in early October, so we tend to hold off bringing out the orange and black until after the holiday.

photo: Seasons of Cannon Falls: River House

I did venture out to the shops today in search of a new, fall flag. I am extremely picky about flags, as I don't like anything too cutesy, and yet I do like the sight of a flag blowing in the wind. Unfortunately, I found nothing I liked, so again I hit a fall decorating roadblock! Oh well, off to Halifax I go on Friday, so we will see what they have to offer.

outside my home, Fall 2007

I thought had better offer up some fall decorating inspiration to inspire me and those of you who are in the same boat. Hopefully, these images will light a fire under me, and lead me down the stairs to the boxes awaiting me...

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**For those of you who are wondering about the blue pumpkin on the mantel, in my banner photo above, I created it last fall - when faced with the challenge of decorating a beach-inspired palette with shades of orange and yellow. You can read about it here: http://restyledhome.blogspot.com/2007/09/losing-wood-blue-pumpkins-and-scary.html

The results of the give-away: signed, sealed and delivered by Matthew Mead!!

I have the best blog readers ever!! I have said it before, but it bears repeating! I asked, and you delivered, and now it is time to reveal the ten winners of the Matthew Mead Halloween Tricks and Treats give-away contest!!

Without further adieu, here are the top three winners (as selected by Matthew Mead himself), chosen for their detailed and, often, innovative posts:

Amy of One Day at a Time blog (whose photo of Matthew is shown above!)

Lianne and Paul of The Swirly Designs Blog

and, Cammy Of Freckled Farm blog

Congratulations folks, you will receive a signed, hard-covered collector's edition of the magazine, along with an additional "surprise prize" from Matthew Mead!

The winners of the remaining seven signed copies of the magazine (collector's editions, too) are:

Paige @ Simple Thoughts

Anne @ Cupcakes and Sunshine

Mary @ Be Mary

Erin @ Welcome to the Motherhood

Blueberry (non-blogger, but Matthew Mead fan)

Julia @ Hooked on Houses

Melissa @ The Holiday Queen

**Winners, please send me (linda@restyledhome.ca) your full name, mailing address, and the name you would like the book signed to, by Matthew. For those who didn't win this time, don't fret: Matthew and I will be sponsoring another fantastic give-away very soon!! Watch for it!!

A final word, and message of thanks, from Matthew: "Creating a project like the Halloween Magazine really means nothing unless I can share all of my ideas and creativity with readers. The most joyful thing about technology, and my friend Linda at Restyled Home, is that I actually have the opportunity to connect with all of you. I can't thank you enough for sharing your enthusiasm for TRICKS AND TREATS and hope that its popularity leads to more projects that will bring continued joy and creativity to all of our futures. "

To Junk, or not to junk...

First off, what kind of question is that? Chances are, if you are a regular visitor of my blog, you know I am a big fan of thrift, junk, and repurposing the old but lovely. Junk is no longer a dirty word due to the huge influence of people like The (former) Junk Market ladies (hi Ki!!), and my favourite Canadian junker, Joy @ The Joy of...I am a steadfast and true junker, too!

So, it was with purposeful collecting in mind that I embarked on a junking/antiquing expedition recently with my mother. I pause at the use of the term, antiques, because I am no antiquing expert. I , rather, search for vintage goodness that I can give a good scrub to, or re-purpose "a la Ki", and I certainly give no real attention to pedigree or anything that committed.

Last year, Mum and I set out on a thrifting expedition, and I picked up these treasures: This year was every bit as fruitful! I had started out with a shopping goal: to find new/old treasures to display above my sofa, on my new feature wall. So, with a pocketful of bills and a few toonies, I set out on our annual mother-daughter junking adventure.

First stop was a little grocer-type shop that advertised antiques on an old, wooden sign. We entered to see a delicate, little woman flitting back and forth behind the counter - alternately deep-frying food, scooping ice-cream, and working the till. I am sure there are rules about that, but no one seemed too concerned. Regrettably needing a quick trip to the ladies room, I gingerly nudged open the door of a broom closet/rest room that the lady directed me to... and squeezed my eyes shut as I entered. I opened my eyes and stifled a whoop, as I focused in on a sign above the toilet: IF PAPER DOES NOT GO DOWN TOILET , USE BUCKET TO FLUSH.

My eyes travelled down to the bucket in question, and crossed my fingers that I would not need it! Unfortunately, when antiquing, one must prepare oneself for "antique" toilets!! Duly noted, and I made a mental note to cut back on coffee/liquid consumption on long drives!! I emerged unscathed, and happily began our junking adventure.

Long story short: I found a wonderful variety of junk/antiques at my favourite junking haunt, and we piled our wares into the back of my car, and it groaned under the weight of all of our finds. Someday, I will take you along on the journey via photos, but I was too excited to bring out my camera on this fruitful day!! I will, however, show you my loot:

This little clock is made in Italy, and is marked Rodeo Junior. Do you see the connection??

I love this plate. Who cares if it has a big ol' chip out of it? What chip??

This clock, I am sure, is serious junk to most. I don't care, I just liked it.

Who'd have thought an old brooch stuck into a big spool of cotton could make me so happy?

I had to have this little guy. He just makes me happy inside. It doesn't take much...

Here are all of the above treasures displayed within an old frame I picked up the same day. It started out gold, but it didn't look good with everything else, so it got a lick of paint. ~Sigh~ My feature wall still isn't right, though. I need a big, hefty piece of salvage to hang alone within the wallpapered area. Oh well, this will have to stay until I find just the right thing. I am on the hunt!!

I got about twenty-five of these fantastic chemist's bottles for...twenty dollars!!! I feel like a professional junker now!!! I had coveted the two my sister had in her bathroom, and did my best to bribe her into giving me one...now I have the power!!

Here's a close-up. Won't they be great for Halloween??

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This photo has absolutely nothing to do with this post, but I had to share how sweet my baby looked cuddled up in my bed this morning. I am so sad that she is growing so fast...

***Now, go check out the I'm a Flea Marketeer party to see some great inspiration from bloggers like you!