Rooms Bloom

Citrus Crush

2012-01-31T17:07:00.000-08:00

We finally got a dose of snow last night, only to melt to a balmy 8 degrees today. Is this Canada??? Even so, it's winter and the new citrus-y trend of colour is a welcome one.

Festival Rug...Yippee!

7.

1-2: Tumblr
3-4: Anthropologie
5: Masi Decor
6-7: Anthropologie

Schulyer Samperson

2012-01-26T08:24:00.000-08:00

You know when you've discovered someone who oozes your own personal taste and then you can't find enough pics of it. Well, that's how I spent my morning, surfing to my heart's content. Enter Schuyler Samperson (why hadn't I heard of her before???):

Bestill my heart, a round table, my fav wallpaper in a new colour, dramatic colour combinations and plays on pattern. This dining room moves to the top of my favs.

This bench with the two hound prints above it, drove me to distraction! Simple yet so perfect! The screen as a headboard is also very copy-worthy.

I wish I hadn't traded in all my books now!

1., 6. Google

2-5 Toujours

Obsession: Terrariums

2012-01-18T11:51:00.000-08:00

1-5 via Pinterest

via bhg.com

I don't know what it is about a Canadian winter that has me thinking green (duh, Joanne), but it happens so naturally and instinctively. I found this lovely how-to for Terrariums on bhg.com and thought I'd share.

Materials

-- Container

-- Activated charcoal pieces

-- Potting soil

-- Gloves

-- Terrarium-appropriate plants

-- Sheet moss

-- Watering can

-- Trowel

Install approximately 1-2 inches of charcoal at base of container.

Combine remaining charcoal with soil either by hand or with trowel.

Fill your container one-fourth to one-third full with the charcoal-and-soil mixture. Gently pack the soil every 2 inches to avoid large air pockets.

Help! What is this plant?

2012-01-15T14:46:00.000-08:00

One of my fav books is Bunny William's "An Affair with a House" and on page 59, is a beautiful breakfast room and a plant I covet. I have been driving myself crazy all day looking for it on the web and even at a local nursery (where I did find a gorgeous Candelabra Draceana).

What is this?...

From this lovely room...

From this lovely book....

I have even emailed Bunny, that's how crazy this has made me! If you know, please comment and put me out of my insanity for this plant!!!

By the way, here is the Candelabra Dracaena:

More White Kitchens...

2012-01-15T07:15:00.000-08:00

More White Kitchens....Ahhhhh!

Above photos via Cote De Texas

via Tumblr

via Mission Homes

via Westbrook Interiors

Kourtney Kardasian's Closet

2012-01-13T05:37:00.000-08:00

I think I have found my closet!

via InStyle.com

Love the lamp.

Love the mirrored top.

Love the mirror in the corner,

which is probably a closet.

Love the flowers.

Love the books.

Love the Shelves above the hung clothes.

(LOVE THE CLOTHES)

A different kind of Blues

2012-01-10T14:50:00.000-08:00

via Rumahainie

10.

1: via Pinterest
2-6: via Crush Cul de Sac
7: Architectural Digest
8: via Crush Cul de Sac
9: via New Ravenna Mosaics
10: via Crush Cul de Sac

January Blues

2012-01-10T07:07:00.000-08:00

via Brabourne Farm

1, 2 via Elle Decor

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 via Pinterest

Rooms Blooming!

2012-01-04T11:27:00.000-08:00

Hubby is at the City, as I write, meeting with the City Planner for our Building Permit application. This is the 2nd meeting, after I met with him just before Christmas. We had to address a few minor things on the plans and then Christmas came and went and here we are.

With imminent approval (2-3 months, if we're lucky), it is time to start planning the interior design of the rooms. One of my favourite rooms is the lanai. We have a screened in porch at The Shack (our cottage) and it is the favourite room there. Here, we are going to ramp up the elegance, while injecting nature and harmony with the back yard.

Over the past few months (well year or two), I have collected photos for inspiration. here's one of my favs:

What I really liked about this photo was the transom windows and asked our architect to include them in the Lanai - YAY! The design and seating arrange I found to formal and want to see something a little more eclectic and filled with plants.

Seagrass rug a good idea!

via Sarah's Cottage

Love the foot stools for each chair and the fabric. It's from Designer Fabric and while pursuing their site, I found a perfect Spanish fabric for my footstools (too bad it didn't come in RED):

But it did come in tray, but they're out of stock:

via bhg.com

via Pinterest

via Design Tripper

GREEN!

via Pinterest

Now that would be fun and cozy!

One thing I think every Sunroom/Lania should have is a place to have lunch or do a puzzle.

via Simplified Bee

Or just a little corner. This one is from my scrapbook that I have kept for years, so I have no idea which mag I cut it from (sorry!), but, by far, my favourite of all on this page:

And what about a place to nap? I really like this Thomasville Haven daybed. I think it just comes in dark hardwood, but I would prefer it in white or black. The search continues.

via Henredon

or just big enough to snooze on...

via Restoration Hardware

and a french armoire to hold all the puzzles and games...

via House Beautiful

and Voila!

I messed up on the rug, but that's an easy fix. I would love to squeeze a 4th chair around the round table or maybe plop a jungle-y tree or plant there...we'll see. What I stole from the photo of the round table with gardening books (above), is the ledge that runs beneath the windows on one side. That will be handy for lighting and plants.

I'm dreaming of a white kitchen...

2012-01-03T11:41:00.000-08:00

Dark wooden floors, sunny bright room and white marble counters. Mmmmm....

Donna Griffith via Black Eiffel

Marble backsplash or subway tile?

via Pinterest

Lots and lots of cookbooks....

via Pinterest

A wall of marble tile!!!!! And double islands!

via Pinterest

Grounding black floors...cute lights!

via Pinterest

Watery tiles and topiary....

via Pinterest

a little green...

via Pinterest

Forcing tree buds (great idea!)...

via Pinterest

Marble subway tile again - I sense a theme...

via Pinterest

A splash of modern art and collectibles...

via Pinterest

See through cabinets...

via Pinterest

Painted Upholstery??? Excellent!

2011-12-30T08:18:00.000-08:00

via Pinterest

Would love to know how comfortable the fabric is after a spray paint. Does anyone know??? Fantastic idea though. I would love to try this out and then take on a chair seat. Not sure I would be brave enough to tackle this kind of chair!

2011-11-30T11:00:00.001-08:00

The plans are done - !

Lou has now told me to narrow it down in the design department for bathrooms and kitchen. So here goes bathrooms....

I like the prettiness of this one for the girl's bathroom.

via Pinterest

This one makes a dramatic powder room for guests.

via Pinterest

This one, I particularly like for the Master Bath...

Then again...

via Canadian House & Home

I added this one for the faucet on the floor.

via Canadian House & Home

Part of me yearns for the simplicity of modern, then I see a traditional piece of wood furniture and all modern goes out the window!

via bathroom-ideas-design.com

Tall, Light & Handsome

2011-11-18T16:51:00.001-08:00

vis Houzz

Tall ceilings, white walls and handsome floors.

Ahhh!

via Houzz

Butler Pantries

2011-11-10T07:07:00.000-08:00

As we get closer to building, decisions like heated floors and where, and design start to surface. We have a butler's pantry throughway to the dining room. I love the one below I found at Houzz and to the left is a few more you may like. Which one is your favorite?

mediterranean kitchen design by chicago Letitia Holloway

Coral???

2011-10-17T06:20:00.000-07:00

Miss E. has decided her new bedroom colour will be coral (????). Who am I to say? I personally loathe that colour and was pleased to see that trend come and go quickly. So I googled away and not a lot out there. But here's what I found at Spoonflower, which I found I really like!!!:

John Robshaw:

Mr Ralph Lauren:

Amy Butler:

This is my fav - we'll see what she thinks. This has a younger flavour to it and I like the mix of colour here. The Spoonflower fabrics would work well here too!

Steve Jobs 1955-2011

2011-10-06T05:19:00.000-07:00

As a fan of all things Apple, I was saddened by the news of Steve Jobs. The world has lost a legend. The apple site has a link to leave condolences: rememberingsteve@apple.com

For those who want to see a truly inspiring speech given by Steve to graduates on FB:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1R-jKKp3NA

RIP Steve Jobs

New meaning to tree house

2011-09-15T06:21:00.000-07:00

spaces design by nashville architect Norris Architecture

http://norrisarchitecture.com/

While I was surfing....

2011-09-01T08:52:00.000-07:00

... I found some lovely pics at Crush Cul de Sac. I will warn you: you can spend hours there! These photos spoke to me in terms of inspiration and aesthetics. Our architect came by last night to put finishing touches on the plans before submitting to the City for permits. Yay! So we are getting closer!!!!!!

I loved this sink and country look for the mudroom/laundry room, complete with wainscotting and shelving.

There will be a sunroom and I kind of LOVE this lounger.

I have a collection of plates and always wanted to hang them up together. I think this looks so pretty!

I have always like an open and interesting foyer. I love the tree, but of course it may not survive for long unspotted, but a potted tree will! Love the sunniness, big solid door and grounding black!

I would say this would make a very lovely guest room.

I have been looking at a lot of white bathrooms lately and this one is white too. Look at the way the wood changes the clinical feeling of a stark white bathroom, to one of warmth and an element of nature. Fantastic!

Kitchen Crush

2011-08-31T11:52:00.000-07:00

traditional kitchen design by atlanta general contractor Dresser Homes

traditional kitchen design by san francisco architect Mahoney Architects & Interiors

via Crush Cul De Sac

Vacation time in 2 days!

2011-08-10T07:43:00.000-07:00

I have got two weeks left and they start Friday!!!!! Here's where I'll be:

And I'll be listening to this and you can win a CD of it here! Ahhhhh, can't wait!

Oooooooo! Like this designer!

2011-08-01T15:10:00.000-07:00

Liz Caan!

Dear Liz Caan,

I just want to thank you for giving me inspiration for two of my rooms-to-be! When I think of a dream walk-in closet, I have (in the past) thought of these (see my walk-in closet post):

And all are quite good. Any girl would love to hang their Tahari dress in any of these! I particularly like the last one. But low and behold, you, my dear Liz have provided me with a start to what I would love to see in my future house, with this lovely photo:

Here's what I love about his photo:

The mauve.
The mauve wallpapered ceiling.
The dusty mauve velvet chair.
The SHOE CUBBIES!!!!!! Bestill my heart!
The antique desk with gilded LARGE mirror, with a tiny tray of perfumes in darling bottles.
Fresh flowers.
The way the island house the desk and mirror and a peep behind shows more wonderful places to store our fashion goodies.
And what is that shape called? Not fleur du lies? Please help someone!
and last but not least - everything!

While I am dishing on the talent of Liz Caan I may as well thank her for another great starting block for the loft which will house my 14 yr old daughter and her crew of girlie-girls:

And here the top 5 for this pic:

Again wallpaper (where do you get it?)
Bean bag poufs.
Modern comfy sofa (because Mom's Trad is so not cool!)
Modern White table/stool.
The fact that anything IKEA will work after this (for me).

50 people for 50 years - WHEW!

2011-07-20T06:58:00.000-07:00

Hubby's Surprise 50th!

Greek night themed - lots of yummy greek food (lamb in a spit, lemon chicken and potatoes, greek salad etc.) on a clear summer night.

Loungers, where r u?

2011-06-25T17:07:00.000-07:00

I am on the hunt for teak loungers for the cottage. They range from $399 to $1500! Seriously! The same darn lounger. Goes to show the rip-off artists are abound. As I am googling prices, and then derailing into endless linking and blog reading, I come across pics from a favourite movie that have my loungers. Thanks to Between Naps on the Porch for collecting them together; here are shots from Something's Gotta Give -

Hey...I have a banker's chair like that! Now I know to paint it white.

Decisions. Decisions. What do you think???

2011-06-09T05:48:00.000-07:00

I need help.
When it comes to interiors, I'm there. I can visualize, no problem. Exteriors? That's a little harder. So I put it to you. Which of the 3 following exteriors do you like? We have agreed to 2 separate garage doors, but it is the dormer(s) on the 2nd floor we are contemplating. Some tweaks need to be done, we see that. But, which of the three do we move forward with. I have an idea, but would love the national survey on this. Any thoughts???

#1?

#2?

or #3?

Dream Baths

2011-06-08T08:39:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Houzz and their subscribers for some wonderful photos and design ideas! Here's a couple photos from a recent entry and I couldn't resist. I am all for a fab bathroom and have already plan one with a jacuzzi and another with a footed tub in the new house plans. But this photos really stretch the imagination of what's possible. Dream Big!

contemporary bathroom design by seattle interior designer Garret Cord Werner

contemporary bathroom design by miami interior designer Pepe Calderin