The Cheese Stands Alone...

Crazy title, I know...but you get the picture. Sometimes there is one dominant feature that jumps off the page when we look at a space. In the above photo, for me, it is the gorgeous drum shade. I wonder if the owners are okay with the fact that this little light is the real beauty in this picture, showing up even the expensive stone counter tops and the great use of textures in their kitchen?

Indeed, it is a lesson worth noting - it's not always how much you spend, but how you work the finishing details that matters. In the next kitchen, in all its fabulousness, the shimmering blue tile draws you in. That may possibly be the only wall tiled in those beauties but it doesn't matter: visitors to that space will remember those tiles and be instantly enamoured.

Mission accomplished. The table below is a silent victim of one-upmanship. Let's face it - it could be a coveted antique or a flea-market find - what guests will really notice is the charming blue tablecloth with its red detailing. Okay, maybe they'll notice the smart red/cream checked floor tiles... Still, it makes a serious case for the notion that maybe we all should invest in is a fancy new tablecloth to hide our less pedigreed tables.

The lamps below are some more show-stoppers. In fact, they are show-stoppers we can all make for next to nothing! Don't we all have awkward lamps like these crouching in our garages or basements? You know the kind: a bit bulbous, cheap, and missing a shade? A little spray paint, a cheap drum shade from Walmart or the like, and some great fabric applied with spray adhesive and we can all have lights this pretty. Then maybe we, too, can have that one jaw-dropping item that draws our guests eyes away from the other, more mundane elements in our rooms.


Besides, we could all use a little distraction from time to time, couldn't we?

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photo credits, from top to bottom:

Coastal Living.com
Southern Accents.com
Katrin Cargill.com

Garnet Hill.com

Stuck on Wall Art...

Many of us debate what we should hang on our walls. Art, family photos, plates, collectibles, sculpture? Well, I have another option for you! Check out the affordable (and I do mean affordable) and unique options that this talented artist has to offer, and what he has to say about his designs. This will especially appeal to those of you whose spouses balk at the thoughts of hammering a nail into your walls.

You know who you are...!!

A longtime art lover, Paul Wilson, of Wilson Graphics, followed a long and winding path to the business he has now. Fresh out of college, Paul worked for sign shops, a newspaper, and eventually wound up working for the Air Force developing publications, magazines and other printed media.

Over time, Paul advanced up the design ladder to become a Marketing Director, but soon discovered that Marketing Directors don't get to do the "hands on" design work he was used to. Nine months later, deciding it was time for a change, he left his stable job to become a full time freelancer.

Paul enjoys creating new designs, and in addition to watching current trends he also draws inspiration from his children and nature. In fact, the porthole design he made for his son's pirate-themed room is one of his most popular sellers and clients are using them to complete their own themed rooms. Another favorite has been the photo-realistic butterfly decals, even drawing the attention of Romantic Country magazine, which has expressed interest in featuring the butterflies in an upcoming issue.

Although Paul wishes he had more time to design, as he has a long list of ideas that he would like to develop, he has met the challenge head on by hiring a second artist in order to broaden the pool of talent and be able to offer an even greater diversity of designs.

The decals they design are printed on a variety of materials. According to Paul, different vinyls offer different uses. Some vinyl is designed to be removed and reapplied several times for those seeking a temporary wall application. Other vinyl is designed to be applied a single time. Clear vinyl is a great option for windows, shower doors, and situations where you would like background colors to show through the designs.

Paul Wilson loves what he does now. He has found his design and artistic niche, and now spends his days doing work that matters to him...which brings him satisfaction as an artist and business owner. As a small business owner, Paul enjoys the direct contact he he has with his clients and learns from their feedback, always striving to improve his business and deliver what clients want...

You can visit his online shop where he offer over 150 vinyl wall decal designs at: http://www.wilsongraphics.etsy.com/

If you are in need of any design services/custom banners, signage for your business or home you can contact Paul through his website at: http://www.wilsongraphics.net/

And look at the one that they are sending me!!

Check him out...and tell him I sent you! Because we all love affordable design solutions, don't we?

Pink and Beige/ beige and blue, could they be the perfect hue?

image: Coastal Living.com

image: Garnet Hill.com

Blue and brown, pink and brown, everywhere you turn around.

Although these colour combos are being shrugged off and touted as becoming passé in the design world, they are not going anywhere in the homes of everyday homeowners. From bedding, to wall paper, fabric and pillows, these colour combinations are flying off the shelves. While they are getting a bit tired, they continue to enjoy immense popularity. They are, if you will, the "Rachel cut" of the decorating world.

image: Better Homes and Gardens.com

I think a fresh take on these pretty pairings calls for a softening of the shades. Peony pink and gray-blues with cool beiges make for a lovely alternative, and satisfies our hunger for the contrast we have grown to love, coupled with the freshness of colour that soothes our over-stimulated senses.

image: House to Home.com

Jaded we (the everyday homeowner) are not. When it's good, it's good - we'll take it and make it work.

image: Raphael Designs.com

We just might tone it down a few notches, is all...and beige can be the new brown!

Honeymoon Houses...

Do you remember where you and your new spouse began your marital journey? Where you unpacked your sandy suitcases and unloaded all of your wedding gifts, ready to begin playing house? Perhaps you were/are one of the lucky ones, who received a generous down-payment on a house of your own from your parents. Like me, you probably weren't, yet likely look back with fondness and perhaps even humour at your first humble abode.

I remember when I was filling out my firstborn's baby book. I got to the part about his grand-parent's history and one of the questions was, What was their first home like? Well, because this question never escaped my lips during my childhood years, I did what every other newly mature woman does - I picked up the phone to get the details directly from the source. As my mother rolled the question around in her mind for a mere second or so, she replied with a snort, "It was a renovated cowshed!" Taken aback by her humble beginning, I scoffed at her reply. "Yes," she insisted, "It really was. And even worse, I always had the sinking feeling that the old man living nearby spied on me while I was in the outhouse!"

(not my parents...they're a little younger!)

Oy...how do you compete with that??

Our first "love nest" was also a renovated building with a less than top drawer pedigree. It, in fact, was housed in a renovated bowling alley, likely only a few lanes wide. Although it was newly outfitted, we also had peeping neighbours. Except these neighbours weren't sneaky about it. As I passed by their apartment each day on my way to get the mail, they'd ask nosy question after question, well tinged with the scent of before lunch-time "cocktails". Luckily for us, our little outdoor deck was angled out of their view, so we could fire up the Hibachi without meeting their constant gaze...

I think of how that little place was decorated: very early nineties country- cast-offs aplenty- and my husband's weight bench took up prime real-estate in our living-room...which I concealed carefully with a pretty screen I bought with much pride at a flea market. Still, I considered myself very fortunate. We secured the apartment before the paint colours and carpets were chosen, so I was able to get a healthy dose of country blue in my living room...

Yes, we were happy there, as all newlyweds are when they first set up shop on their own. It was ours; and we were at least proud of the inside. Many an evening was spent watching Jeopardy and Saturday Night Live, seated on our ancient/ hand-me down/ rigid, orange-flowered sofa (covered in a pretty quilt, of course).

(not my sofa, either...mine was uglier!)

It wasn't until I realized you can't make a nursery out of a dresser, despite hanging a mobile over it, that we needed to move on. I wanted a real nursery for our impending addition. Little did I know he would sleep with us for the first three months of his life...

So, this leads me to you. What was your honeymoon house like? Was it stylish and sleek, or was it dressed in hand-me-downs and furniture left over from your college years? Did you jump in feet first and load yourself down with the buy now/pay later option for acquiring furniture? Or did you make do and scout the flea markets, coffee in hand - happy to just be together - and not see the scrubby forest for all of the fireworks.

After all, anything is better than a renovated cowshed, right?

(all vintage photos: Square America.com)

Rose-coloured glasses...

Shades of soft, washed-out blue; sand; driftwood; and watery greens- these are the colours of my home. It is a colour scheme that was unintentional - it just happened - as a result of a quiet yearning for cool, fresh colour after living with warm, sunny yellows for many years. I was previously scared of blue, fearful that my home would end up resembling a baby boy's nursery. As far as I can tell, that hasn't happened... but it doesn't mean that I don't still yearn for more decisive colour.

Somedays, I think I would like to wipe the slate clean and start over with a colourful, new palette. Of course, this would be entirely wasteful and unnecessary, and I would never actually do it (nor could afford to), but it would still be incredibly fun! I could give in to the "calls of the wild", and let myself gravitate to the bolder hued furniture and trimmings when in the shops. Instead of calm shades, I could buy the cheery, cheeky, bright fabrics and stroke colour all over my furniture and walls. I imagine that such an environment would leave me more energized, emboldened, and up the tempo of my home.

Screech...!!! Would this be the case? Would a major shot of colour send the atmosphere of my home into a constant state of energy? Because that sends me back to last Halloween, when the infusion of so much black and orange had me jumpy and agitated...that feeling of holiday mayhem that is okay for a while, but then overnight becomes dizzying and tiring. In fact, I can remember the feeling of calm that washed over me on November 1st, after I had removed all traces of Halloween and its excitement.

No, I guess I'll leave the colourful life to those of you who can stand the heat: who move at a faster pace deep within, and thrive on the shot in the arm that juicy colour provides. I'll stay "here on the beach" cooling my heels amidst watery shades of calm, and get my burst of colour during the holidays. Maybe someday but, for now, I'm perfectly content with cool...!!

**all photos above: Country Living.com**

photo source: unknown

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Don't forget to check out Ki's Junk Revolution pumpkin decorating contest (see here), and link the photos of your junked-up pumpkins to the list of entries. The prizes are very generous, and it takes only a minute to create one. Join in to win great gift certificates that you can use for yourself or as a great Christmas gift for someone special. Contest closes October 31st!!!

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!!!

It was called yellow...

photo: J.Crew

I have written about the colour yellow before. It is a colour that I am well familiar with, having used it in my previous homes with little restraint. However, it occurred to me recently, that I have very little yellow anymore. I think it is simply a symptom of overuse. While I have tired a bit of using yellow in my home, I still light up when I encounter it in other's homes or in home decor shops. The energy yellow emits is intoxicating, and I truly consider it the "wake-up" colour. In fact, from the morning sun... to the pale, yellow of fluffy scrambled eggs... to the school bus I send my kids off on... yellow represents fresh starts, and enlivens your home in a way many other colours fail to do.

photo: Canadian Family

photo: Pottery Barn

I guess I have moved on, so to speak. Looking around, it seems I have traded in my love of yellow for an unabashed penchant for blue. While this infidelity was never planned...it appears it is now a permanent relationship, and I am left to wonder when I will grow tired of all of these shades of blue. If so, which colour will be my new colour crush? Either way, it will have to wait until I move again before it reveals itself to me...!!

What about you? What's your colour crush of the moment??

The quest for imperfection...

(a photo of my mum's garden shed...taken by my talented sister-in-law)

I'm starting a new style movement! I figure it should be called imperfect style. That doesn't mean it is ugly, or cheap looking, but it does mean it is unexpected, and not designed with perfection in mind. It will work for those of us on a real decorating budget, and it will be affordable, pretty and definitely not plucked from the pages of a design mag or catalogue. You see, there are a lot of things in my home that could be done better. Flooring could be higher-end, furniture more purposely gathered, more "architectural interest", blah, blah, blah...Couldn't we all have chosen something better than what we have? Of course we could, but (ding dong), two things often get in the way of the perfect choices: money and accessibility. Without oodles of both, you had better hop onto my side of the fence and revel in all that is as good as it can be at the moment!!

photo: Country Home
Luckily for me, I don't want perfection. When you have perfection, you have nothing left to aspire to. You don't get that little thrill in your belly when you stumble upon a great accessory at a yard sale or in a thrift shop. Not that you have to get everything from a discounted source, mind you. But, I do roll my eyes when I read articles in decorating mags where the homeowners proudly reveal that they got this or that in "a big box store". Hooray for them...and welcome!! They eschewed the fancier, more exclusive shops to actually save a couple of hundred dollars on a light that is (virtually or actually) identical in a home building store. I sometimes wonder how the rich get rich in the first place, when they overlook great deals unnecessarily!!??

Another downside to perfection is that it often leaves out the creativity living inside our souls. I get a thrill when I see a really great style makeover of a room or piece of furniture, done on a budget. I love seeing creative solutions to a style dilemma; one that is solved because we are forced to think outside of the box. I also am inspired when I enter a home and see elements of whimsy living amidst the necessary. I applaud those who display their own art, handcrafts, children's paintings...I want to see fabrics that coordinate, not match perfectly.

My own sister is a perfect example of decorating that is perfectly imperfect.

She came up with this ingenious way to make her "unloved garage windows" prettier by hanging older wooden window frames in front of them!

She displays artwork of friends, lesser known artists, and even the beautiful watercolour paintings of her own, talented children. She loves taking you on a tour through her home, pointing out all the incredible finds she got at a yard sale, and she decorates with ease, flair, and in her own words,"lipstick."

I am joking, of course, about my starting a new style movement.I could never achieve that on my own; but I do, however, want to further the movement here in blog land. I figure we should designate this week "Perfectly Imperfect Week", and show off our imperfection for all to see. I want to see your furniture makeovers that took them from plain, old shabby (0r ugly) to unveiling the beauty within. I want to hear about your favourite yard sale/thrift shop find, and/or I want to see your artwork or artistic creations that you proudly display in your home. We all want to see it. It makes us feel better to see real decorating...decorating that we can all achieve if we are willing to put in the effort or do the legwork (literally)!

Here are the details: To participate, just post your "imperfect" make-over, artwork, decorating tip, you name it. Make sure you include a link back to this post so I know which post of yours is to be mentioned in my list. Then, leave a comment here with a link to your post. I will post the list of links as soon as I have a good (large) sampling of imperfection!

The look of love...

photo: Country Home magazine

I was browsing through the latest issue of Canadian House and Home magazine, and one home, in particular appealed to me. I was very happy to see a gorgeous home that exuded a feeling of true down-to earth, old-fashioned house pride. I got the feeling that the homeowners truly loved their home, and made the most of each and every corner, without necessarily choosing the best of the best, or what was recommended by a designer.

I think we are very hard on our homes. We nitpick and make to-do lists, and come up with ways to improve it... and yet never seem to be truly satisfied. Can you imagine if we treated our spouses this way? Sure, we make jokes about our messy/slow/stubborn/spendthrift/corny/snoring husbands (and no, I'm not describing my husband), but we overlook those traits because we know we ourselves aren't perfect, and we expect them to love us! Our poor houses, though, they suffer from our critical eyes and biting criticism nearly every day.

I say, we should let up on our homes a bit, and stand back and make a mental list of what we love about them. Perhaps it's the front stoop where we watch our children ride their bikes, or the pretty mailbox we finally splurged on. It can be the kitchen table where we eat good food, laugh at each other's jokes, or help our children with their homework. Perhaps your favourite house trait is the fact that your hot water tank allows you to fill a nice deep tub each night, or maybe it's the view of your backyard as you stand at the kitchen sink. You don't have to have granite counters to bake a favourite pie in your kitchen; nor do you have to have a huge master bedroom to enjoy a good lie-in on a weekend morning. Even your drafty, old windows can be beautiful if the view out of them is pleasant, and who needs a big yard if you live on a quiet street?

I love that line from the song, "If you can't be... with the one you love, honey...love the one you're with". I think it should apply to our homes every now and then. Turn over that to-do list, and sit in your favourite room and be thankful for the walls around you. Surround yourself with items that mean something to you - your children's art, a handmade blanket, your favourite collections, the people you love. I'm not saying you should surrender your home improvement goals, but simply take a break from wishful thinking. After all, if we tried to change our spouses as much as we try to change our homes, we'd never notice their good points, would we? And all of a sudden, we might not look as rosy, either...

before...after...
all photos: Country Home