Weekend Warrior

A few weekends ago, husband tackled a little project for me.  I spy......

Corner shelves!!

What a guy!  And, no swearing was involved!

Still not sure about the content, but we're experimenting.

Do you have any projects this weekend?  Tell me about them....(Really, don't be shy.  Hit comment and type away :))

Dining Chairs: Before And After

Remember these?

Well look at them now:

A few months ago I scored some Christopher Farr fabric in "Ravenna" (Julie - I don't remember the seller, sorry!) and FINALLY used it on my dining room chairs  (also an ebay score).  Sadly (and more frustratingly), I did not end up upholstering them myself.  I attempted one, and I found myself and the living room knee deep in foam, staples, and very sharp upholstery tools.  NOT a great environment for a 3 month old.  Will I EVER get my own workshop?? (Now I feel like I need to go read Virginia Woolf)

Do you like my new table from World Market?  You'll see a better view soon.  Promise. Maybe even tomorrow.

Canada Is Really Bringing It, Eh

Canada has really got it going on.  They filled a lot of gaps (RIP Domino) with their sustaining shelter magazines, gave us HGTV, and introduced us to Sarah Richardson. Sarah's House (or as my husband calls it, Sarah's Hoose) is so fun to watch, although I still don't quite understand what she does with the houses she renovates or how she makes a profit.

Now meet Christine.  She lives in Toronto and recently contacted me about purchasing my Christopher Farr fabric.  Since I never used it, I was happy to give it a new home.  After she described where she wanted to use the fabric in her house (Chiang Mai Dragon, Imperial Trellis, David Hicks "La Fiorentina"...) I HAD to see pictures.  Let me preface this by telling you she has 3 kids and a "large" dog......There is hope for my white couch yet!

I should've bartered for the ottoman! 

White pouf! 

This chair is covered in faux ostrich skin making it very durable to sticky kid fingers.  Brilliant!  I will steal this idea for my chairs.

Love Valley of the Dolls

I love her use of neutrals with pops of vibrant accents.  It looks like she put a lot of thought into her collections to achieve that layered look.  This house does not look like it was copied out of a catalog. 

Where did she find these things you ask?  Well, she happened to divulge her secrets to me:

1. Ottoman and lamp- Global Home NY http://www.globalhomeny.com/
2. Vintage Sette- etsy  (bohemiennes) http://www.etsy.com/people/bohemiennes?ref=ls_profile
3. Mirror- homesense  This is the Canadian version of Homegoods.  TJX owns them.  
4. Platner Chair- ebay
5. Tufted Chair- Cocoon Furnishings- Lillian August line
5. Cushions- etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop/milkandcookiesCanada) and furbish studiohttp://store03.prostores.com/servlet/furbishstudioonline/StoreFront and a few other etsy sellers (imperial trellis, japanese kimono pillow and blue stripes)
6. sofa- Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams (Elte)
7. Coffee table- custom design
8. Rosewood furniture- vintage from family
9. Rug- Ikea Stockholm Rand and cowhide (Elte)
10. Artwork on fireplace- Nama Roc0co (Lille a Shop) http://www.lilleashop.com

Christine promised to send me an "after" photo of where she is putting the Christopher Farr fabric.  I am looking forward to reading her contributions to the blog world.  Be sure to add her to your daily read!

What Wood You Do With This Empty Space?

Ah, yes....my old jokes are back (lucky you!)

Look what Jenny did to her friend's non-working fireplace:

I love this look.  It will take a lot of wood to fill up our fireplace, but I love the rustic look it will bring to the room.  Now - if I could only find that Moroccan rug somewhere for cheap. I had it in my grasps a few years back at a major rug sale event, but had no room for it at the time :(  Maryam from My Marrakesh has some great choices and her prices are a fraction of  the cost you'd find in the US.  Email her for details.

Have You Heard Of This Store?

Well, I haven't.  Lots of eye candy AND it has the ottoman I've been wanting for ages....

Thanks to a blog reader (Hi Christine!), I have a new online store to peruse.  You'll be hearing more about Christine in the near future.  I love making new friends from this blog :)

Before and After: Green Monstah

Remember this beauty picked up on Ebay?

Well, I should go away more often because look what greeted me when I got home last week:

It now serves as a changing table and houses Quinn's growing wardrobe.  I L-U-V it!

I am pretty sure husband used a plain old roller.  It came out awesome!

Before And After: Nursery

This room is by no means finished but I thought I'd give you a preview of at least one furnished room in the house.  I'm still contemplating furniture placement since the room kind of evolved from wherever the movers set the chair and bookshelf.  

BEFORE

We added a bathroom where a closet used to be

AFTER

We still have to hang art and drapes, too.  A home is always a work in progress isn't it?

Happy Friday!