Restyled Home

Raining down on me...

noreply@blogger.com (restyled home) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:17:00 +0000

Me and my best friend, my sister...

Well, we just finished our third straight day of rain, and although we needed it, it chose an inconvenient time to fall. My sister, Wendy, and her family were scheduled to visit from New Brunswick, and were looking forward to the beach, relaxing by the pool, and all the things that go along with warm, sunny weather. We joke that she always brings rain clouds with her, and although she did bring them, we at least had a warm, fairly sunny Sunday (the day she arrived). Feeling the pressure to squeeze it all in, we headed off to the beach and had a great time, actually getting a few uninterrupted moments to catch up and chat in the easy manner sisters do. The kids were happy, and we ended the day with a good supper that I had prepared ahead of time. The dark clouds rolling in didn't deter the kids from playing in the pool, and the adults relaxed and simply life-guarded from a safe distance from the splashing.

Despite the wet weather, we had one of our best visits in a long time, even managing a meal out for the adults only. The kids swam in the rain, and were unbelievably well-behaved, and we were sorry to see our guests pack up and go. We did manage to remember to take our annual "stoop shot", and the kids begrudgingly posed for their sentimental mothers...

We will reunite on our upcoming family camping trip, where I will finally get to crack open the camper and settle in for a few days. In fact, I just picked up a new toaster oven for it for $20, and made up the beds. I will begin planning the meals we will have, and do the necessary food shopping. I think I honestly enjoy the preparation as much as the trip!

Here is a photo I took of my husband and daughter making biscuits on a rainy Saturday morning. My husband makes the most delicious biscuits, and I am yet to taste any better. Lucky for Sophie, he includes her in the effort. Perhaps she will stand a chance at being an accomplished baker, unlike her mum.

This is my youngest son piling his share of the peas we bought at the local Farmer's Market. I love them as much as he, so we agree to split them 50/50. We are very mature...

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One of my favourite bloggers, did a late post about her "imperfect project". Well, there is absolutely nothing imperfect about this woman's home, but I'm all for taking people at their word. If you haven't checked her out at Adventures in Renovating A Brooklyn Limestone, then you are definitely missing out. She did a quick chalkboard project on one of her interior doors, and it is a work of art, elaborate stencil and all!!

Also, my funny friend Rechelle@ The Country Doctor's Wife posted the funniest list of rules as relating to public pools. I especially related to the one about the possessive mum and her kid's pails and shovels, sad to say...I certainly don't steal them back from babies, but I do have them labelled with our initials. They are expensive, you know... a dollar each at the Dollar Store!! Can you find yourself in her list? Let me know! I'm also the mum yelling at her boys who are wrestling to the point of near-drowning each other. The little darlings...

Matthew Mead...the perfect man to inspire imperfect women... like me.

noreply@blogger.com (restyled home) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 02:14:00 +0000

I don't think Matthew Mead ever sleeps. I have read that Martha Stewart operates on 4-5 hrs of sleep a night, and I think my poor friend Matthew is only getting the other 3-4 hrs that she is skipping! Let's see - by the end of this year alone, Matthew Mead will have produced an upcoming Halloween magazine (sigh), had two books published, styled and produced numerous features and photo shoots for Country Home magazine, fulfilled his obligations as decor columnist for i-village, and totally revamped his website! Of course, there are other professional accomplishments too numerous to mention; and he still has to function as a friend, mentor, boss, family man, you name it!

For those who frequent my blog, it is no secret that I am a huge fan of Matthew Mead's work. In the years that have followed since first noticing his incredible talent, I have gained much respect and admiration for all that he does. He obviously has surrounded himself with a great team, and his level of success is literally bursting at the seams! It is safe to say that you are going to be hearing much more about him, and it won't just be here at my blog. Which has me thinking: is Matthew Mead inching out Martha??

I simply ask the questions. Have we tired of overly complicated (albeit lovely) projects that intimidate us? Are we getting tired of supporting the Martha Stewart brand, knowing that her team is so large that it is getting exceedingly difficult to give her the credit for many of the great ideas cranked out of this "Martha Machine"? Are we ready for a new face to lead us in our creative endeavours? Do we want to support someone who has paid his dues, and is reaching more and more people in a fresh, unassuming way? Are we tired of not feeling like we will ever measure up, and is Matthew Mead the man to make us feel better about ourselves and empowered to "keep at it"...reaffirming the notion that it doesn't have to be complicated?

Matthew Mead and his ideas do not intimidate me. In fact, they inspire me and make me feel that I can pick and choose that which seems do-able to me. I don't need to shear a sheep to get a sweater, and I don't have to go picking chanterelles or fiddle heads from the forest floor. Heck, I don't even have to name my house, make my own marshmallows, or stuff my own pillows with free-range chicken feathers! Nope, I'm sticking with Matthew Mead and even letting the weeds grow in my lawn. Like Matthew, I can embrace the imperfection in life, and tweak it just enough to see the beauty amidst the dandelions.

Check out Matthew Mead's new website, where you can access his archives, enjoy his new blog, and find out more about his upcoming book and magazine. There is also a subscriber's option to his website. For less than the cost of a magazine subscription, you can have unlimited access to the website, and the scores of wonderful ideas and projects Matthew has to offer.

In Matthew's words: "What is really thrilling is my upcoming book on entertaining. I’ve been working on this project for the last two years. ENTERTAINING SIMPLE is the easiest and most fun way to gather friends and family at your home … with fresh and simple ideas and tips for everything from beautiful place settings to delicious homemade foods."

This is a preview of the cover of Matthew's upcoming Halloween magazine, on news stands September 8, 2008. If you were lucky enough to get your hands on his Holiday issue (Christmas 2006), then you know just what a treasure trove of ideas this will be!!

(all photos: Matthew Mead Style)

Summer lovin'

noreply@blogger.com (restyled home) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:00:00 +0000

Sophie holding her future charge...he is almost as long as her!

Things here have been alternatively quiet and busy, much like everyone's summer , I guess. We are shuttling between tennis lessons and basketball camps, but other than that, the weekdays are about swimming, relaxing, and puttering in the yard. I have tackled a few projects, but I seem to flit between them, never truly finishing anything I start. Kids, of course, are one reason (do they really need to eat so frequently?), but it is partly me and the scattered state I find myself in. I want to do so much, yet I also want to have quality time doing summery things like relaxation...just hanging out.

I did manage to spray paint my outdoor chairs that I have pulled up to my "home-made" patio table made by my frugal husband (please excuse the horrible photo!).He found the iron legs of an old Singer sewing machine in the woods (his office), and fired them into the back of his truck. I squealed with delight when I saw them and he promptly crafted a top for them out of old boards. That was then. Now, almost eight years later, the table has seen better days, and is in need of either a new top or, at the very least, a paint job. It seems my husband has either a frugal or lazy wife, as I haven`t drummed up the ambition to do either. So, each summer, I simply buy a cheap, punchy, plastic table cloth to make a clean eating surface...vowing I will get to it by summer`s end. Yeah...right!

Instead, I have been puttering in my camper. It is probably sinful how much I love that thing! I think it would probably qualify as my very own playhouse. We temporarily set it up in the drive-way, and each night I find some excuse to slip into it, and pretend to be taking inventory, making up the beds, or "tidying" it. Instead, I sit in the relative darkness, planning where I want to go camping, rehashing the day, or simply staring into space like a soul devoid of thoughts. It is rather relaxing, and I cringe when I hear a little (or big) one stick their head out the door calling my name. I have discovered that holding one`s breath in an attempt to hide doesn`t work at all... On a decorating note, I have a wonderful, talented friend working her seamstress magic and making me new cushion covers for the camper. I can`t wait till they are done, and they will be a huge improvement on the ugly fabric it came with. I must ask, who on earth selects the fabric that goes into campers? Blecch!

I have also been putting the finishing details on Sophie`s playhouse. It is better than I imagined, and I am thrilled to bits at how it turned out. I will post pictures very soon...I still need to finish painting the clapboards.

Below is the birthday cake I made for my eldest son`s birthday party. It was a pool party, of course, and because it was for teenagers, I was a bit off track with regards to traditional birthday planning. In fact, a little too much off track. It occurred to me as I was nodding off to sleep the night before the party, that I had forgotten to make a birthday cake! The next day found me searching my brain for an easy alternative to the three-layer cake. I came up with this, out of sheer desperation: I lined a 9x13 baking pan with ice-cream sandwiches. Then I added a generous layer of softened chocolate ice cream. I topped it all with a sprinkling of Oreo cookie crumbs. Well, it turned out wonderfully, was delicious, and tasted like a yummy ice cream cake for the grand total of $9.00 !! Can`t beat that...and made in minutes, literally!

This pile of glorious loot was gifted to me by Claire @ Serendipity Loves New York. She sent it to me after I won her give-away...all the way from Cardiff, Wales!! I could not believe her generosity...not only was the prize wonderful, but the cost of postage must have made her pause! She has a lovely blog and you are missing out if you don`t check it out. Thank you Claire!!

I picked up this beautiful dress for Sophie last weekend. It is from the April Cornell collection and was, thankfully, half price. It is a tad short for her, but it is the quintessential little girl`s dress, and is how I envision a little girl dressing. It even has the simple phrase, "In My Garden" stitched across the bottom . SIGH...I can`t wait to photograph her in it!

Oh, and I finally put together a lemonade stand a friend picked up for me last year! Of course, I first had to paint it pink. I`m crossing my fingers the weather will be fine this weekend...there are lemonade sales to be made!! Pictures to follow, of course...

The beauty in imperfection!!

noreply@blogger.com (restyled home) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:00:00 +0000

photo: source unknown

It seems many of you share my belief that our homes don't have to have the best of everything to be beautiful and welcoming. In fact, most of us would rather be surrounded by our treasured collections that we choose because they make us feel a certain way, than simply accessorize with what should be added to the mix. We gather up bits and bobs from around our homes and make them work, and paint that which has seen better days. Sometimes we improvise with fabric and make our own "no-sew" window treatments and slipcovers. We tend to splurge only on things which make us draw in our breath with want; and even then, only purchase it after perhaps throwing a yard sale or two of our own to raise the cash!

In essence, we create pockets of beauty within our homes as we can afford, and look at our homes as a canvas that will take time to fill in all the colour. It is not about the end result, but rather this process of nesting that makes us feel good inside. We are creating homes, not masterpieces, and seeking perfection to display to others is simply not on the agenda...

Take a moment and check out these like-minded home-owners who are proud of the imperfections of their homes. They fix what needs fixing, of course, and many plan to change things they truly dislike...but they revel in the beauty they have created in their "perfectly imperfect" homes and have kindly opened them up for us to share. Thank you ladies!!
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Chris, at Just Beachy: Those of you who know Chris are not just visitors of her blog, but undoubtedly fans! Chris is the "go-to girl" for beachy style and inspiring projects that she needs no man to help her with. She is tireless in her efforts to make her home unique and custom, and while she is continually upgrading, she does so on a budget, does it all herself, and seeks out bargains at every opportunity. If HGTV ever needs a "shop girl" to host her own show, Chris is the gal!!

Leann at 2 Nuts in a Shell: Leann has a flair for furniture make-overs, hand-made art projects, and creating a lovely home for her adorable, young family. Check out her fantastic table make-over and more!

Jen at The Most Important Work: Jen has taken a quick trip to the hardware store and created a window treatment that takes a common item and elevates it to a whole, new level!! Check it out...you won't need much money for this one!!

Melanie at Monday Thru Sunday: Melanie had two great ideas, one is a fabulous make-over of her patio floor, and the other is her $7.00 headboard...you will love this one. For those of you who enjoy a little dumpster diving, this will be right up your alley!! Melanie's blog is full of great ideas and inspiration, so have a peek through her archives while you are at it!

Cindy at My Romantic Home: You all know Cindy, she is a master of creative make-overs of furniture and finds, and she offers up her list of her top projects. Get ready to be inspired, and have your paint brushes ready!

Sarah at A Beach Cottage: Well, Sarah says this outdoor sofa was a cast-off find, and hosts some not-so-pretty cushions underneath, but when I first clicked over to her blog, I could not believe this beauty wasn't plucked from some fancy schmancy outdoor furniture store!! The transformation of this settee is complete, and completely beautiful! Her blog is, too, so you may be there awhile!!

Linda (nice name, huh?) at The Lime in the Coconut: If you like bold colour, great artwork, and fun, unfitted kitchens, you are in for a treat. Linda talks of her lack of organization, but if you ask me, it has inspired some really great decorating...happy accidents!!

Julia @ Hooked on Houses: If you haven't been to Julia's fabulous, fun, smart house blog, well...you're going to thank me! Julia has created a photo wall in her lovely home and did so using some great, cheap picture frames (you'd never know it), and some perfect (yes) photo placement. The gorgeous photos of her family and kids, in particular, make her smile every time she passes by. Now that's decorating with meaning...

Liz at Mabel's House: Besides absolutely loving everything about this girl, I especially love the makeover of her entry-way cabinet. I mean, honestly... robin's egg blue, red baskets and a vintage typewriter (which I covet unnaturally)...what's not to love? In fact, when I look at the whole picture, I feel the tiniest bubble of jealousy at the back of my throat...good thing I like her so much!! Also she has the original, pink-tiled bathroom that was birthed at the same time her house was, and she is currently wrestling with it. I just know if anyone can pull it all together, Liz can!! Oh, did I mention she is also a wonderful writer?? Enough said...

Nancy @ Flower Mound Studio: Nancy is a talented artist who is unnecessarily humble. She paints beautiful paintings and I would love to have her talent!! Even the tiniest bit...

Laura @ Shorehouse Chic: Laura has recently completed a wonderful master bedroom make-over and personally, I think she nailed it! The colour is beautiful, the "second-hand" furniture elegant, and she has a certain pillow that I would wrestle her to the floor for! If you live in her area, she also reveals a gem of a spot to find stylish furniture at a fraction of the cost!

Tara@ Random Acts of Home Decor: Tara has also redecorated her master bedroom and is thrilled to bits with the outcome. It just goes to show that a lick of paint and some great accessories can be just the "lipstick" a room needs to spring to life!

Janet @ Housepeepers: Janet is a sweetie, and she has great taste and a thrifty nature to boot! She made over a previously out-dated dresser and brass bed and brought them up to speed with ease and flair. Go give Janet some love and check out her talents...she's funny, too!!

Mary @ Dear Little Red House: Mary has a gorgeous home that, to me, oozes coziness and a feeling of welcome. She decorates with an eye for the bargain, and has set a beautiful table using thrift store dishes. She makes you want to just pull up a chair and join her!!

Vee @ A Haven for Vee: Vee is one of the funniest, warmest, and smartest people I have encountered in a long while. She shows us a few imperfect things around her home, but visit Vee to hear her wisdom and experience on the topic of the fruitless quest for perfection. A sneak peek: this quote on her blog - "Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing." ~Harriet Braiker. Smart girl, that Harriet...

Tanya @ Sunday Baker: Well, if Tanya says something in her home is imperfect, we'll have to take her word for it. Personally, I think it is so inviting, and her home is one that is filled with love and delicious smells...all the time!! Tanya decorates with things that have great meaning to her, and it shows. Oh, and while you are there, be sure to scroll down and choose from one of the umpteen yummy and decidedly easy recipes she posts for our culinary inspiration.

Buried in Legos has devised a quick, no sew, concealment for her linen closet. Too bad some rascally kiddos are trying to thwart her attempts at decorating...

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality likely needs no introduction. She does the most amazing face lifts to her furniture and yard sale finds, and everything always turns out (dare I say it?) perfectly! The imperfection is where she begins, but she can certainly turn a sow's ear into a silk purse!! Check out this make-over of a tired, vintage lamp into an object of pure beauty!

Megan @ Cottage Bluebird: Megan just completed a complete "refreshing" of some of the main rooms in her home. It is amazing what a different point of view can bring to a room, and her style of decorating will certainly appeal to those who love beachy, cottagey style, yet is definitely not penned into that description. Have a look at her before and afters, and you just might find yourself eyeing your own spaces and rolling up your sleeves in anticipation of a little furniture re-arranging...!!

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Oh wait...There`s more!!!!

Jerusalem at My Little Life: Jerusalem is busy with all the lovely chaos of summer, but offers up a photo of her "summertime living room"...well-loved and filled with the inevitable side-effects of summer living. Jerusalem's home is indescribable...pretty, unique, artistic, and one that can't be type-cast to a specific style. Browse her posts under the title "My Home" in her left side bar- you'll see what I mean...

Sarah @ Misadventures of Mama and Jack: Well, everyone loves Mama and Jack, but Sarah is not only a wonderful mum, but is also an expert thrifter/yard-saler, seamstress, and decorator. Sarah has perfected the art of buying what she knows will find a loving place to land in her home. She buys what she loves, and somehow it all falls into place. In this post, she shows us some great things, but what made my jaw drop and inspired me to gasp out loud was the most incredible, robin`s egg blue, chippy door at the end of her hallway!!! I am green with envy over that little baby!

Hmmm, this exercise has brought that feeling out in me more than a few times....

Cindy @ Cute Pink Stuff: If you love pink, then you`ll love this blog!! Cindy is a wonderful decorator, and shows us how she turned a ``mistake`` into something that is even more lovely than the intended result! Go check out her pretty picket fence, and see if you can spot the mistake before you start reading. I think it was meant to be...

Cielo @ The House in Roses: Cielo shows us that a little white paint can make virtually anything pretty. Go see what she transformed to create the most beautiful, shabby chic living room! There is always something pretty to look at at this blog...

Deb @ Life's Little Pieces : Deb shares my love of painted cabinetry and tooke her kitchen cabinets from traditional to fabulous with a great swath of black! New hardware completes the look, and I got a thrill seeing such an amazing transformation...you will, too!!

Joy @ The Joy of... : Joy is a marvel to me. First, she always leaves me wondering where on earth she finds such treasures, and secondly, how she comes up with the wonderful ideas to re-work them!! Joy, to me, is the epitome of class and creativity. She can turn anything into "gold" and her style is so good, I feel gut-wrenching pain at the thought of not owning one of everything she makes!!! Check out her post and then check out her shop...you'll be sooo happy you did!!

Shimmy Mom: Shimmy Mom (I couldn`t find her name) is a young mum who enjoys the challenge of decorating her home on a budget. Stop by and see how she puts thrift store finds to glorious use in and around her home. She has her priorities straight and has created a welcoming home in which to raise her family.

Vosges Paris: This Norwegian blogger will appeal to those of you who love white, dreamy interiors. She shows us how she improvised to create a beautiful, beachy way to hang necessities at her beach house. Check out her blog and all of her great links!

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That's finally it! Thanks everyone!!

The quest for imperfection...

noreply@blogger.com (restyled home) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:07:00 +0000

(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!

Meet Peter Fallico...!!!

noreply@blogger.com (restyled home) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:00:00 +0000

all photos: HGTV.ca

Peter Fallico is the designer who defies all designer stereotypes. He is unpretentious, a do-it-yourselfer, seems to actually know what a realistic budget is, and can deftly put his hammer where his mouth is. Not only that, Peter Fallico is sweet. I mean, really, really nice. Not that I've met him of course, but as one of the loyal fans of all his television shows (past and present), I have certainly got a good idea of who the real person is after the camera stops rolling. Not only does Peter Fallico quickly put his clients at ease and involve them in projects as much or as little as they wish - but he genuinely seems just as excited as they are about the beautiful spaces he and his team create.

Even though he is the star of the show, he eagerly seeks out the opinions of the designers and head carpenter on his design team... even letting them seemingly lead the way at times. This speaks to his modesty; and yet we, the viewers, all know that the outcome is exactly as he envisioned. Peter definitely has a modern, hip vibe, yet he respectfully carries out more traditional styles with ease. His projects always seem easy and doable, and you get the feeling he would thumb his nose at swank, all the while balancing the fine line between elegance and comfort.

More prominent Canadian designers (think Sarah Richardson and Debbie Travis) seem to steal most of the media limelight. Not fair, I say. In fact, if you google Peter Fallico's name, it is difficult to get a more detailed synopsis of Peter`s career history. Of course, HGTV offers up the perfunctory rundown on Peter's shows and credentials, but if you want to know more, check out this link (which also provides details about his new, upcoming show, Home to Flip): http://www.celebrityeventsnetwork.ca/cgi-bin/front/daytimeenterprises.cgi?display_page=yes&page_id=24 . Peter is incredibly successful, yet we hear more of the Sarah Richardsons and Linda Reeves of the industry, who, talented as they are, aren't the only successful Canadian designers. True to his nature, I doubt the lesser media accolades concern Peter...

According to HGTV :
" Peter Fallico is a familiar face to home decorating enthusiasts in both Canada and the USA. His decorative home projects have appeared in Canadian Select Homes and Style at Home magazines and on City-TV’s Cityline. Peter is the DIY guy on HGTV’s This Small Space and the host of Home to Go. This fall Peter is hosting a brand new show for first time homeowners called Home to Stay. Home to Stay picks up where Home to Go left off as Peter helps first time homeowners make the right budget conscious renovating and design decisions about making their very first home look amazing...

...A renovator and furniture design graduate, Peter has quickly become a television and magazine personality best known for his simple easy-to–do projects that not only look great but are practical as well. Peter’s approachable personality and easy to understand project instructions make him a sought out favourite for presentations at home shows and conferences."

Indeed, check out the website and have a look at some of Peter's completed spaces. If you like a good hands-on project, check out this shortlist of some of his inspiring do-it-yourself projects: http://www.hgtv.ca/hometostay/hts_project_plans.aspx

Most importantly, check out his shows and watch out for his name. Peter Fallico`s design skills may be rocketing him to stardom, but it's his down-to-earth, easy going personality that will keep him there!!

Lazy, quiet days of summer...

noreply@blogger.com (restyled home) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:00:00 +0000

photo: Deborah Whitlaw Llewelyn

I like summer. I like the slower pace, the activities, the flowers, and the trips. I don't like the solitude of it, though. Sure, we get together with friends and family for barbeques, campfires, and so on, but I have always found it to be the time when I see people the least. Everyone is on their own, unique schedules. Vacations are planned around work schedules, and it is odd for your "time-off" to match your friend's "time-off". At times, I can actually find summer quite lonely.

My work schedule in the summer slows down considerably. People are more inclined to be doing yard projects and gardening, rather than taking on renovations and interior projects. Summer is for building decks, landscaping, making walkways and trellises, and more. Our children, however, are in full vacation mode, and having fun is always on the agenda! Bedtimes are erratic, at best; and days spent keeping on top of housework and mountainous loads of laundry; watering and dead-heading flowers; life-guarding and schlepping kids to various activities leaves me too tired at the end of the day to read even a page of a book. Days pile onto each other some weeks, with little to set them apart. Big decisions are few and far between: should we grill chicken or beef tonight...should I water the grass, or will it rain? Earth-shattering, mind-bending decisions they are not. Of course, if your job changes little in the summer, then this staleness never overcomes your brain - but for those of us at home tending the fort, this silence can sometimes be deafening.

What's a girl to do? Sure, inviting friends over, getting out for a walk, telephoning family...they all spring to mind. But, what happens when all you get is answering machines, kids needing "one more thing" from us, or get-togethers mean heaps of kids to add to your own brood? Still, I love seeing my children soaking up the goodness of summer with friends. My kids appease the isolation that comes from being out of my routine, and remind me that summer is more than just a season, but is actually a season of our life.Summer 2006

The slow tempo, chaos, noise, planned togetherness is all part and parcel of what summer is. I look forward to visits from family and friends, stolen moments at an outdoor cafe sipping coffee with my husband, and poolside (or beachside) chats with good friends... and, of course, camping. The key is making those connections and treasuring them when you have them. No sense rushing the season just to get back to feeling busy and reconnected with the world. This, too, shall pass...too quickly.

Sitting Pretty...

noreply@blogger.com (restyled home) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:51:00 +0000

After finally painting my dining table and chairs last summer (from an ugly honey stain to a fresh cream shade), I began the seemingly fruitless search for pretty and unique chair pads. I wrestled with the idea of paying someone to make them, but the cost of paying for foam, fabric, notions, and labour seemed not a whole lot cheaper. Since I'm fairly frugal with regards to some things, I decided to just wait it out and see if I could find something pretty in the stores. Those who know me well, know that patience is not a virtue of mine. But, there is something about keeping to a decorating budget that reins me in when we're talking the larger purchases...

A temporary fix until I found what I wanted...a vintage apron from my collection... as a seat skirt.

I just got back from visiting my family, kids in tow, and had barely a chance to pop in to a home decor store or two. I did get a quick moment to check out Homesense/Winners, and really didn't see anything I wanted or "needed". I think my poor mother was a bit taken aback that I was exercising so much restraint! Considering I usually fill my shopping cart with everything I love in my price range, and then weed through it as I get closer to the checkouts, leaving empty-handed from one of my favourite stores surprised even me! I lamented that perhaps I am done: that I have filled up the lonely crevices of my home and really cannot justify any more purchases. She agreed. She, too, was at a bit of a shopping stalemate and really was on the lookout for only a few bits and bobs to make her feel as though she is finished decorating. Her comment found me nodding in agreement. I knew what I was looking for (the chair pads), but the search had turned up nothing.

We took a quick run into Pier 1, which is not a place I usually visit. I do, however, love their summer stock, so in we went. On my last leg of the tour, I spied these pretty seat cushions. Perfect! Thay have the skirted feature I had been wanting, and the piping makes them seem less factory finished. I had wanted a floral print, and this pattern has a juicy orange shade running through it to offer me up a new accent colour. Their only drawback is that they have so much yellow in the skirt, and I have nary a yellow item in my whole kitchen. A sheer, gauzy skirt would have been ideal, but who knows? Maybe I'll try making some to replace the existing skirts someday. Yeah, someday...

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I love the mongrammed look, so I used these glittery scrapbooking letters to personalize each chair at my dining table. I love the quirkiness of them, and I don't have to commit or paint!!

Calling all pool owners!!

noreply@blogger.com (restyled home) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 03:00:00 +0000

photo above: Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn

my pool

I love my pool. It is a 21 ft round, above-ground pool and it is all our family could possibly need. I don't know if it is because we had an above-ground model when I was young, but I can honestly say I have never coveted an in-ground one. Absolutely, an in-ground pool is the "gold standard" of pools. But, after house sitting/renting a home with one, I was completely overwhelmed with how difficult it is to vacuum it!! So... that and the obvious (money!), means I am perfectly content with my 48" deep model.

Have you ever noticed how rare it is to see photos or websites featuring images of pool areas centered around above-ground pools? There are plenty of inspiration photos of in-ground pools...but if you want decorating ideas for basic pool decks with more modest pools for more modest people, you might meet with some difficulty.

Decorating a pool deck is a lot of fun, and you can certainly create your own private oasis quite easily. Do you want proof? Well, I'd love you to send me your pool area photos - especially those of you with above-ground pools! Send me pictures of fun changing areas, poolside bars and lounging spots, themes you have gone with, and more! I will post all the photos and we will have a great opportunity to glean inspiration for our own (existing and future) pool areas. Don't be shy: no pool is too small to include. Even children's pools that have been set up with care and a little bit of colour will be fun to see!!

I have reposted some of the photos of my pool area. Now...send me yours!!

email: linda@restyledhome.ca

Just for the fun of it...!!

noreply@blogger.com (restyled home) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:00:00 +0000

Fun meets function, luxury, and beauty. The perfect combination!!

photo: Coastal Living

There are features in our homes that we need, want, and simply are lucky to have. It might be as simple as having a large master bedroom that will fit a bed big enough for the entire family to sunggle in on a Sunday morning. Perhaps the home has a great basement or garage for storage needs, or it might be that there is the perfect spot for a hammock in the back yard to relax and read a great summer novel. Some value ample closets, the perfect pantry, or big windows to let the sun stream in. Yes, it can be any number of things... but the perfect feature can defy all reasonable requirements for comfortable living. It, or they, can be so much more than that. They can be silly, supremely functional, or downright decadent.

The above potting area is both serviceable and luxurious. Most of us, at one time or another, have schlepped big bags of potting soil and peat moss to empty pots awaiting their flowery charges. Lacking the perfect tools (or too lazy to head back into the garage or shed to get them), we rip the bags open with our hands, plunge our gloveless hands into the steamy mix, and dump as much soil into the pots as we can. Lo and behold, we can't quite find the watering can, so we fill up cooking pots during countless trips to the faucet or outside tap. Now, maybe you have never sunk this low when preparing your flower pots, but as you likely have guessed...I certainly have. Soooo, this lovely potting bench with its accessible gardening tools seems like heaven to me: functional.

photo: John O'Hagan

This home gym falls into the category of indulgent and holds the title of being the "grand pooh-bah" of convenience. Honestly, who really has the space for such a beautiful room devoted entirely to one's health and well-being? I mean, I could brag and tell you about the 15 year-old weight bench we have in our gloomy back basement - rusty free weights lying around to stub your toe at every turn. Or boast about the chin-up bar that my husband fashioned to hang from the floor joists...that you first have to navigate past all the boxes of my Christmas decorations and the kitty litter box. Oh yeah, it's really inspiring! No, this is one luxury I will pass up for now. Because really...what excuse could we make for not working out daily if we had this in our homes? Entirely too much pressure!!!!!!!!!

photo: Thomas J. Story

Now, I know this is not very nice, but I resent the man at this outdoor kitchen. I know he is likely a perfectly nice man, but come on... who actually needs this amount of luxury in their yard?? I am willing to bet my firstborn (just kidding) that his kitchen is within spitting distance of that ridiculously beautiful "pampered prince" of a set-up!! Sure it would be nice to have outdoor warming drawers and a dishwasher at your ready! But do we need it?? That outdoor kitchen is nicer than some people's entire homes (and likely cost as much). That, in my books, is called having too much money and perhaps it's time to share some! As you can see, my frugal/sensible side takes over when I see stuff like this! The outdoor kitchen definitely qualifies as decadent.

photo: Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn

Now, you know I love these!! I have entertained the notion of an outdoor shower for some time, now. However... it, too, falls into the category of unnecessarily beautiful meets functionality and, ultimately, is a luxury I cannot justify. You see, when we built this house, we had the presence of mind to install indoor plumbing and even have a perfectly useful indoor shower in which to "wash the sand off!"So, although I clap my hands excitedly when I see pictures like these or the concept actually carried out in others' homes, I likely won't be taking the plunge and making one myself. But, let me know if anyone out there has one. I'd love to see a picture!!

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photo: Martha Stewart.com

"If I knew you were coming I'd have baked a (cup) cake!!"

Happy July Fourth!!! I wish all my American readers and friends a very happy holiday!! Let it be a great kick-off to a wonderful summer and a day to reflect upon your country and all that you love about it!

Canadian Pride...Happy Canada Day!!

noreply@blogger.com (restyled home) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:00:00 +0000

By sheer good luck, we ended up in Canada when we emigrated from Northern Ireland over thirty years ago. It could have been Australia or South Africa, but Canada accepted us first. I will never forget stepping off the airplane in Moncton, New Brunswick and having a small Canadian flag thrust into my hand by a virtual stranger - albeit a kindly aunt - and despite being so young, I was struck by the enormity of change I felt encroaching upon my insulated, young world. I remember little else of the actual journey to a foreign country, but I remember quite a bit about those early days when all seemed confusing and strange. I remember smells distinctly, and June bugs; and my unaccustomed immune system reacted badly to all the mosquito bites.

I didn't like the early days at all...I longed to be in our own home, and not staying with family I knew little of. I wanted a sense of normalcy, and I happily found it when we finally settled in Saint John, New Brunswick where I grew to adulthood and my family still resides.

This country is breathtaking in its beauty, and the freedoms afforded us are ones I don't take for granted. Nowhere is completely safe, but I feel as protected in this place I live as I could ever hope to be.

I am proud to call this country home...

The Best of Design Inc.

noreply@blogger.com (restyled home) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 03:00:00 +0000

Sarah Richardson (in white), and her team of designers.

For those of you who are unfamiliar (gasp!) with Sarah Richardson and her talented team on the hit HGTV series, Design Inc., I thought I`d give you a Cole`s Notes version of the unparalleled talent that Ms. Richardson possesses. I remember fantasizing once, that if I was ever to win the lottery, I`d pay Sarah to be part of her team (unpaid, of course) and intern with her and her crew. Just imagine what you`d learn under the tutelage of someone like her! The only thing that would beat that in my opinion, is to work with Matthew Mead. Oh, and if you aren`t sure who he is, well...just plug his name into my blog search and you`ll be barraged with heaps of posts about him. Anyone who reads my blog on a regular basis knows I`m not kidding! Right??

Anyway, back to the subject at hand. Here is a sampling of the best of Design Inc. and the team...in my opinion, at least:

Best laundry room:

Best commercial space (and use of chandeliers): Mr. GreenJeans...Toronto, OntarioBest use of "white", in all its shades:Best use of colour in a room:paint colour above plate rail: Teresa`s Green: Farrow and Ball

paint colour below picture rail: Cooking Apple Green: Farrow and Ball

Designing Woman?

noreply@blogger.com (restyled home) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 01:20:00 +0000

Well, I think I've just heard it all. I opened up my Saturday newspaper to the lifestyles section and saw the latest celebrity indulgence announced: Cindy Crawford has just brought her furniture line to Canada via The Brick. Now, perhaps I have been under a rock, but Cindy Crawford is a furniture designer?? Blecch!! Sure, she is beautiful, a great model, and a savvy business woman (with her own skin care line and exercise videos, among other endeavours), but come on...she suddenly knows enough to design furniture?? I think not. I was okay with her attaching her name to a variety of child related accessories and furniture, because she obviously has experience as a mother (she actually really gained my admiration after birthing both her chidren at home). But this endeavour leaves me cold.

Cindy's kid's furniture line...

Why don't we just call it as it is. Cindy obviously has a team of real furniture designers and thus we should refrain from deeming her an actual furniture designer. Apparently, she "plays an active role in suggesting and approving designs". According to Cindy, taking the leap from model to designer was, "...not a natural jump. Obviously everybody has a home and I've always spent time decorating mine -- especially when you travel a lot, your home is really your refuge. And a couple of my homes had been photographed for Architectural Digest over the years," she explains. Yeah, yeah...and there was no interior designer behind those homes?

I know I sound cranky, but I am growing weary of overpaid and over-valued celebrities being paid exhorbitant amounts of money to lend their name to everyday products. Sure, it is the nature of the beast; but aren't we getting tired of lining these people's pockets, when they are largely just figure heads? Isn't it enough that we pay to go see their movies or purchase the magazines they are featured in? Honestly, there is a difference between Martha Stewart developing a furniture line and Cindy Crawford. In my opinion, this reeks of the Kathie Lee Gifford clothing debacle of the nineties... What is your take on celebrities being dubbed "Jacks of all trades"?? Does their endorsement "up" the desirability level in your eyes of certain products??

A "Summer's Here" Pool Party...

noreply@blogger.com (restyled home) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:00:00 +0000

Summer pool parties...what could be more fun? Throw in some grilled hotdogs, fruit punch, crunchy potato chips, and a yummy ice cream dessert, and you have all the fixings to ensure your pool party is a hit with the younger crowd! As I did last summer, I hosted an "end of school" pool party for Sophie and a few of her school mates. I vowed to keep it easy and stress-free (for me), and kept the food simple and the guest list small. I had picked up some great party suppplies a while back at a dollar store in a neighbouring community, and the pink flamingo theme inspired me to have another pool party to kick-start summer.

Sophie licking her lips at the thoughts of that first bite...

Using pretty flip-flop invitations (Sophie loves delivering invitations!), we set about planning the party the night before. I thawed some frozen punch and took another trip to the Dollar Store to get the supplies I needed to make these pretty flower pot ice-cream cakes. I saw the idea on The Pioneer Woman's website, and decided to give them a try. If you want the recipe, click on the link and it will take you there. Basically, it involves cutting out poundcake using a circular cookie cutter, placing said pound cake in the bottom of each pot:...spooning in some softened ice-cream (I used French Vanilla), then a couple of gummy worms, some more ice-cream, and...this is the important part...placing a straw down through the layers (centered, of course). Then freeze over night, and in the morning spoon some Oreo cookie crumbs over the top for the "dirt". To finish, trim the straws to "soil" level, place a flower (real or faux) into the straw and voila! Perfect, ice-creamy, easy individual desserts that every child will love!

Love them they did...once I was able to convince then that the dirt wasn't real! So... lots of swimming, junk food, and a pretty dessert is all it takes to plan and execute a great party for little girls!! A good time was had by all!

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Next up: my son's pool party for the very same reason!!

Marvelous mudroom lockers!

noreply@blogger.com (restyled home) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:00:00 +0000

I just had to do it. Considering it is one of the top google searches that lead new people to my blog - running head to head with those googling Matthew Mead, robin's egg blue, and re-doing campers - I felt it was time to deliver some more photos of mudroom lockers. It goes without saying I have shown my own mudroom locker photos more than enough. Still, for those who are new to my blog, I dutifully offer them up again:

...made by my hubby!

I love the functionality of those lockers more than it is reasonable to love any inanimate object. But, with three busy kids and a husband who works in the woods (read: muddy work boots and jackets humming of the essence of wild raisin - sooo not nice), I really need the containment of disorder that my serviceable mudroom offers me. With easy to reach hooks and baskets, things actually get hung up and placed in their rightful home.

For those of you dreaming of adding mudroom lockers to your own home, by all means go ahead and take the plunge if at all possible. You will never regret it; and you, too, can join the leagues of homeowners seeking "a place for everything, and everything in its place!" Take inspiration from the following photos, and enlist a handy person in your life (perhaps it's you!), and just do it!!

The following are all photos from Better Homes and Gardens.com :

Well, there you have it. If you can't find a style of locker here that you like, perhaps you are seeking the traditional metal lockers of our youth. Try scouting around your local schools for cast-offs, and certainly attend any sales that feature discards from school closures and/or tear downs. Your local flea markets might yield some vintage varieties as well, so put your feelers out! I will also feature some great photos soon of alternative ways to carve out a mudroom space... without actually having to build a whole new home! Yep, just call me your ``go to gal`` for mudroom ideas and inspiration!!

Oh happy day!!

noreply@blogger.com (restyled home) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:53:00 +0000

photo: Country Home magazine. Styled by Matthew Mead

Monday was a good day.

A very good day...

And not for any big reason. Just a whole lot of little ones.

It is hot. Finally! which means one thing: my pool is finally going to heat up a bit!! We do not have a pool heater (too expensive), and I do not have it in me to wrestle with a solar blanket at the end of the day. So, heat is good.

I went to Halifax. Halifax is our nearest big city. Not only did I get to go, but I went with one of my dearest friends, who makes me laugh out loud more than I can count. A comfy ride, good laughs, a perfect cup of coffee, and life is good.

We shopped. Not a lot, mind you, but enough to put the life back in me and give me that dose of kryptonite that only a good day's shopping can bring!!

Bargains aplenty...$10 bathing suits for Sophie at Old Navy (when you have a pool and a little girl, you need a lot of bathing suits!). I also got a few little things for the money pit/play house. I found the most adorable birdhouse that looks old and quirky and it made my heart sing when I laid eyes on it!

My kids. I especially enjoyed them today. The main reason for going to Halifax was to keep an extra eye on my son while he swam during his class trip. Water slides and deep water require a mother's extra attention. Later, he told me he was glad I came...not embarrassed like some of the other kids whose mums were also there.

Girl time. Sophie and I went with a good friend and her daughters to see the graduating high school kids in their prom attire. They call it the "Grand March", and it was so much fun to see all the beautiful dresses and kids. It brought back memories of my own prom. I hope those kids enjoy the lives that are stretched out in front of them. If they only knew how quickly time will pass. On a funny note, I was surprised at how little the dresses have changed since my own graduation! Indeed. my 20 year high-school reunion is coming up this summer. I am not going. Strangely enough, as sentimental as I am, I don't look back. Reunions mean very little to me...

Our air conditioner. My over-worked hubby was making noises about not being able to get around to installing it until the weekend. Well, that wouldn't do. Everyone knows I am as unbearable as the heat when I get too hot. I don't like to sweat. Period. It's gross. So, like any impatient woman would do, I wrestled that 4oo lb (or so it seemed) air conditioner into the window myself! Well, that's a bit of a lie, of course. At the last moment, before I dropped the stupid/wonderful thing on the floor, my husband swept in and saved the day, my back, and the floor! Men...who needs them!?!

Ice cream and McDonald french fries. Yep, I ate both today. My shopping trips don't typically allow much time for leisurely lunches. Hot summer nights watching pretty,young, thin girls parade by you in beautiful dresses leads to deep sighs of self-pity; and ice cream seems like an ironic, yet somehow fitting, remedy. Which brings me to the end of all the goodness. I guess I had better run a good distance tomorrow. As if that will make any difference...!

The all work and no Playhouse...

noreply@blogger.com (restyled home) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 03:07:00 +0000

No...this is not Sophie's playhouse. But it is pretty, isn't it?!

I never met a home improvement project I didn't like. Well, okay...that's a bit of a stretch, of course, but I do love having a project on the go. Saturday was a good day...a fruitful day from an accomplishment point of view. You see, work continues on "The Money Pit", aka Sophie's playhouse. It had been at a bit of a standstill as we picked ourselves up and dusted ourselves off from a few back to back hits to the money belt. In the course of two weeks, we had to fork over a lot of money to repair our damaged garage door (my husband's doing...pheww!), his truck's broken windshield, and our one-year old pool pump breaking. We have definitely been having a string of bad luck from a breakage point of view, but we take it in stride seeing that no bones are broken, and everything is fixable. Still, major repairs and the costs they incur still hurt and set us back considerably...

So, after a construction lull, we are back at it: building what we can with the lumber we have on hand, painting the interior of the little playhouse, and trying to finish the inside for her, so she can finally play in her long-promised little cottage. Being the world's sloppiest painter, I usually have a little more wastage than the average shmuck; so, off to the paint store I go today to get more. I have about 60% of it painted, so today should find the job completed. My husband made the most adorable counter area for her little kitchen...greatly exceeding my expectations for it!! I am so thankful for his carpentry skills; and his desire to do things right makes for a well-built project each and every time. I also lucked out and got a used crib mattress for the day bed he built for it. I picked up pretty bedding for the bed when I visited Bangor last month, so we are almost there... for the interior anyway. Next weekend will see the cladding of the exterior with clapboards (and, thus, more painting for me), and then we will add the window boxes that Sophie planted a while back, and the other accessories for the exterior.

I will show you photos as soon as it is complete and I look forward to seeing our little girl playing house and hosting her little friends. Perhaps a little house-warming tea party will be in order? She can invite me and her daddy. After all, we deserve to get a little "return on investment"!! We've sacrificed enough Saturdays to even warrant a cookie!!

The ever changing mantel...

noreply@blogger.com (restyled home) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:13:00 +0000

Kari and Kijsa are doing a fun post about how to decorate your mantel. They have invited others to show how they adorn theirs, so I thought I'd show a few photos of mine...as it looks throughout the seasons. I love changing my mantel-scape, and it is a great way to give a nod to the changing seasons and shake up the feel of your room...without moving any furniture!!

The first photo shows my mantel at Easter, two ways:

Then comes summer...

Bet you can't guess what comes next? You're right! Fall!! Remember my blue pumpkin (a real one simply spray-painted and glittered...)?

Oh, and now it's Hallowe'en:

And you guessed right! Christmas rounds out the lot!

Showing me up!!

noreply@blogger.com (restyled home) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:00:00 +0000

photo source: msnbc.com

Oh yeah. So, just in case I figured I had done something herculean by running just over three miles after four months of training, this woman had to go and trump my miniscule achievement big time!! Yeah, that's right! It seems this woman (who looks just way too good to have six babies this age) apparently gave birth to sextuplets, nearly died doing so, and vowed (after several months of bed rest) that she would run a marathon by her children's first birthday!!

Oyyy...that she did; and considering she probably was able to train for only slightly longer than me, she managed to run an entire marathon, with her adorable babies there to meet her at the finish line!! The power of a woman...So check out the story for yourself, and for those of us who say we don't have the time to exercise...well, that excuse fall short right about now, doesn't it??

I salute this woman and am so happy she is healthy and able to achieve such an incredible goal. That said, I suddenly find myself, and my balloon, quickly deflating with rather a pitiful hiss. I think I need a drink...or a rather large piece of cake!! Yeah, that's the spirit!!