modern jane

Little By Little.

2012-01-31T07:25:00.000-04:00

Things are starting to come together around here. While much of Stephane's furniture was sold, it is the kitchen supplies, accessories, art, and clothes that we've had to contend with. We are far from finished in some ways, but I feel that we are more organized than ever and that feels good. Our project list has grown substantially too, but we love all that stuff so it's all good. (I promised Steph a nice break though before we get going on anything!)

Living with clutter makes me a little anxious. Steph is a machine when it comes to putting things away. I'm a good cleaner and I like to make things pretty, one spot at a time. What a team! Ha!

It has literally has come down to tackling one room, one cupboard, or one closet at at time. Here is a little glimpse of how things have been looking.

And here it is now... ahh... so much better!

I love our little framed print of useful information. Steph found it in an old book and framed it. Just in case you need to calculate the circumference of a circle or British Imperial gallons... hey, you just never know! :)

I love that you can see the reflection of another corner of "stuff". Like I said, little by little!

Did I ever mention that I love love love tulips? Is there a more simple sweet flower? The island grown

ones were on special at Superstore and who could resist on a Friday afternoon with a storm brewing outside? Not me, they bring a little sunshine to my life ;)

Online Shopping Guide.

2012-01-29T19:42:00.001-04:00

One of the biggest challenges when decorating your home on PEI, is the lack of sources available to us. What may seem like a simple afternoon shopping around Ikea to our big city counterparts, would be a dream come true for some of us island design enthusiasts.

Don't get me wrong. A couple of great small home decor stores have cropped up over the last few years and for that we are thankful. However, I know that supplying their stores with up and coming products is sometimes both expensive and challenging.

When I make it to Charlottetown, Winners is my first stop. I'm elated when I've, by chance, caught a new shipment day but most days it's been well picked over and I leave feeling a little deflated. Nothing like getting your hopes up and having them dashed! :)

Oh well. The good thing is that it forces us to be resourceful. It's no secret that my favorite activity is scouring antique and vintage stores for pieces to make my own with a little elbow grease, ingenuity and a lick of paint!

Alas, online shopping is my friend. Free shipping, my bosom buddy. More and more, our favorite companies are now shipping to Canada. That being said, it depends how much you want it because generally there is a cost involved. (Such dismay when you see. Free Shipping! *US only* Argh!)

So here it is. I've compiled a list of my favorite online shopping stores and plan to add to it when new ones crop up. Be sure to read the fine print at each site as some larger items cannot be shipped.

* This guide is intended for Canadian shoppers, more specifically, Atlantic Canadian shoppers:)

West Elm

Furniture, lighting, rugs, accessories

(some things are not available for online shipping but I've called the store in Toronto

and they were happy to ship directly)

Urban Outfitters

Accessories, bedding, rugs

cb2

Furniture, lighting

Pottery Barn

Furniture, lighting, rugs, accessories, bedding

Crate & Barrel
Furniture, lighting, rugs, accessories, bedding

Restoration Hardware
Furniture, hardware and home decor items.

Costco
You need a membership but shipping is free in most cases!

Lee Valley
Cabinet hardware (knobs, pulls etc) and more!

Fabric.com

Best site for modern designer fabrics.

Shipping is somewhat reasonable but join in with a friend to save on costs!

Designer fabrics
Fabric.

Tonic Living ~ a Canadian company

Beautiful fabrics and custom sewing service.

Indigo

Not just books! Great home accessories at reasonable prices.

Etsy

Pillow covers, vintage items, art prints

I'd be lost without Etsy. Seriously! It can be a bit overwhelming unless you are looking for something specific. An unbelievable resource for unique pieces, purchasing directly from the artist.

My Box Buyer

A buying and delivery service for residents of Halifax, Dartmouh, Truro, Moncton, Fredericton, Saint John, PEI and St John's NFLD. Brilliant if you ask me! They will pick up whatever you want from the Ottawa Ikea location (largest in Canada) at a charge of 20% of total order before taxes.

I've not used it yet but definitely plan to!

Please let me know if you know of one I've missed! I'd be thrilled to hear about it! The more the better!

Love = Fashion Illustrations.

2012-01-25T07:37:00.002-04:00

I took an interest in fashion illustrations a few months ago and treated myself to an Esther Bayer print.

Source: etsy.com via Jane on Pinterest

I still think it's delicate lines and soft rose colors are absolutely gorgeous. Amidst the chaos in my home right now, I caught a glimpse of it sitting patiently on my new bookshelf. Waiting for me to clear the clutter around it so it can be on display. (My beloved new bookshelf has become a drop zone for anything without a place...)

My interest in fashion illustrations has become more like an obsession. I've been scouring etsy looking for more artists to love and there is no certainly no shortage. Here are some of my favorites.

Leigh Viner

silverridgestudio

Esther Bayer (From PEI!)

Jessica Illustration

They are all so beautiful. I just want to order them all! Especially considering that most of these prints are less than $30. I will show some restraint though :) We don't have room for anything extra. Operation: Find a spot for everything! Fun, fun!

On a side note. One home that features some of these artists and is absolutely stunning is the home of Christine Dovey from Bijou and Boheme. Her blog is definitely worth a look. I'm so sad I missed her appearance on Steven and Chris! Seriously, she's the bomb.

SOLD.

2012-01-23T08:07:00.000-04:00

No, that sign is not on my house but it is on Stephane's! I apologize for the sporadic posts but we've been super busy around here. We have only one week to get his things out of the home. A lot of furniture was sold but some of it needs to find a new home at my place. So watch for some changes around these parts!

I'm a tad controlling when it comes to the decor in my home, so wish me luck as I try to lighten up a bit and embrace the chaos! Thank goodness he has such great taste! ;-)

Bye bye, beautiful home. It's been a slice!

My Full Moon.

2012-01-19T07:04:00.000-04:00

A few evenings a week, I got to my Crossfit class and arrive home at around 8pm. I love pulling into the driveway and spotting the big glowing moon that hangs in my living room. You really can't miss it!

I've even had a few people walk by and ask me just what exactly it is. When I explain, I wonder if they walk away and talk about how crazy I am:)

If your missed the Zorb Reveal. You can check it out here!

Cozy Nooks Are The Best Nooks.

2012-01-17T07:27:00.002-04:00

The little nook that now houses my new built-in bookshelf was a bit of an annoyance for me over the last couple of years. It was an awkward little open space beside my fireplace, that served no purpose as it was.

I knew I wanted a bookshelf from day one. That didn't stop me, however, from pinning away the many possibilities for tiny little spaces that can be oh-so-cozy! From reading nooks, homes for perfect pieces of furniture to office spaces, here are some of my favorites.

Source: thebooandtheboy.com via Jane on Pinterest

Source: prettypeachpeonies.tumblr.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: southernhospitalityblog.com via Jane on Pinterest

Source: thedecorista.tumblr.com via Trish on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: hiddeninfrance.typepad.com via Jane on Pinterest

There is something perfectly cozy about a little nook and I like them:)

One Beautiful Winter Day on PEI.

2012-01-15T21:34:00.000-04:00

I mentioned before that I was involved in an amazing project with some wonderful creative ladies, here in PEI. Today was the big day! Eight ladies combined our talents to create a concept wedding showcasing the beauty of winter in Prince Edward Island. It was cold (-22), blustery, and beautiful. A true winter wonderland!

I was lucky to be the event's designer and it was a fantastic experience! I'm dying to share it all with you but I've only got a tiny sneak peek. You'll have to wait for more:)

Our models are newlyweds, who braved the cold for us today, and did not disappoint. They are so in love! And what a stunner she is! These shots are just a glimpse into the day's events.

Be sure to check out these talented ladies!

Rachel Peters - Rachel Peters Photography

Michelle Cudmore - Michelle Cudmore Makeup Artist

Cheryl Weeks - Cheryl Weeks Hairstylist

Alisha-Marie Stephen - Love Charlie

Jennifer Prinz - City View Bakehouse

Jennifer Clark - Kiss The Bride~Wedding and Event Coordination

Kim Roach - Kim Roach Stationary Designs

White Bedding.

2012-01-11T21:35:00.001-04:00

Things are busy here these days, as I have a fun project in the works with some incredibly talented ladies. That's all I can say for now but I really hope to share it with you soon because it is pretty awesome :)

I love love love the fresh feel of white bedding. But what do you do when I have an adorable little black furred Boston terrier named Beaufort who loves to snuggle up under the covers? He is usually completely underneath then realizes he can't breathe and comes out gasping for air.

It's really too cute but it may be time for some darker bedding!

A Thank You and a Guest Post.

2012-01-10T10:00:00.000-04:00

Thanks for the all the comment love yesterday! I'm glad you all liked my entry makeover!

I didn't notice until after but that was my 300th post! Crazy.

If you missed it, you can read about the makeover here.

I am over at Decor Happy today sharing a tip about organizing your jewelery! (I know, shocking! Me organized?) I'm participating with some other pretty awesome Canadian bloggers!

Head here to check it out!

And while you are at it, check out the makeover Vanessa did of her best girl's room. Adorable! The fabric on the headboard and ottoman is gorgeous. Mostly, I'm jealous that she has a Cozamia print!

Entry Makeover Reveal.

2012-01-09T06:44:00.000-04:00

I mentioned a while back that I was doing an entry makeover . I finished it before Christmas but finally got a chance to photograph it today. I can't believe I didn't do this long ago. What was there before did not suit the style of my home at all. Now it seems to flow with the rest of the space!

Here it was before!

Peeling off that wallpaper!

Next we added a shelf of sorts using some leftover scraps of wood and trim.

Once the wallpaper was off, I primed the walls and gave them a coat of white paint.

Then, I taped off some stripes. My brain is not wired for those kinds of calculations so I was a tad frustrated! (If you've done this before, you can relate.) I know they look wonky and unevenly spaced but that's how you do it!

On goes the paint! Two coats.

I had intended go for a very subtle soft blue-grey. The contrast ended up being a bit more than I wanted but all in all, I am happy with the result!

I think the biggest change was the decision to paint the door white. After one coat, I knew it was the right decision. It had really been sticking out like a sore thumb.

We added some hooks that my dad gave me. They were from and old piece and were old and rusted. Steph freshened them up with some black spray paint. The wainscoting was already there. It was my first project with a miter saw, a while back! We picked up the piano bench at a thrift store. Perfect for storing hats and mitts and to sit when putting boots on.

I would still like to add some sort of shade on the window, a bench seat or even a soft patterned pillow and, of course, a mirror. Gotta check yourself out before heading out the door!

What do you think of the freshened up little space?

My Love of Books. Pretty Ones.

2012-01-04T20:15:00.000-04:00

Now that I have my new bookcase, I'm dying to fill it with books. Did I ever tell you that I love books? I love to read but I also love to sit in bookstores and pour through beautiful design books, fashion books and cookbooks (even though I'm not much of a chef). They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover but for me, a beautiful book will always steal my heart.

Lately, I've started collecting a few. Last Christmas, my sister gave me the Domino: The Book of Decorating and I added a few Jonathan Adler books to my collection as well as the new Design*Sponge book.

I now have 3 of the clothbound Penguin Classics but I want them all! They are just so pretty and I vow to read whatever ones I own. Promise.

Source: google.com.au via Chelsea on Pinterest

This Christmas, I was the lucky recipient of these beauties.

Decorate
(amazing book, in case you were wondering!)

Audrey Hepburn: International Cover Girl

(Not my first Audrey book. LOVE her.)

The Great Gatsby
(yet another collection I'm dying for. So darn pretty!)

Source: thedieline.com via Jane on Pinterest

Today, Stephane and I were out shopping and he bought me another one. An amazing one... I admired it before Christmas and today it was 50% off. Who could resist? Not even him, I guess!

Have you guessed?

Lada Gaga X Terry Richardson

It's big, it's heavy and it's awesome.

She is so freakin' strange, yet so fascinating.

However, it will be placed on the shelf away from the eyes of little ones. (ie racy!)

What do you think of her? Are you a fan?

What are your favorite books? Share so I can add them to my list!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T21:12:00.001-04:00

Source: elembee.com via Cherie on Pinterest

A new day and a new year! I'll be back to blogging this week, I promise. Time to get back in the swing of things; seeing my students tomorrow, back to Crossfit after a week off, and enjoying the clean slate of my home after the big tear down of Christmas decor.

I was over at Hyphen Interiors today sharing a look back at my kitchen renovations.

You can check it out here!

Happy New Year to all my readers and blog friends. I can't to see what the year will bring!

2011 Recap.

2011-12-29T20:07:00.000-04:00

Everyone else is doing it, I figured why not join them?
Here is a bit of a recap of my favorite/most popular posts of 2011.

What inevitably makes them my top posts is, of course, how much traffic and comments the post receives, so to that I owe a huge thanks to my readers. I truly love and cherish each comment that you take the time to write!

After all this time, each one makes me feel all fuzzy inside! Thank you!

The Living Room ~ A Picture Walk.

Black & White Bedroom ~ A Picture Walk.

Annechovie Prints in the Dining Room.

White Painted Floor ~ Part 2 & A Finished Kitchen.

My Home "Office".

DIY ~ Zorb Reveal.

Door Dilemma

Thrilled to be participating in Jennifer from Rambling Renovators's Great Reads 2011 series today. It's an honor to be among so many amazing featured bloggers. Be sure to pop over to her blog and check out the all the Great Read blogs and their favorite post of the year!

My Favorite Gift!

2011-12-28T10:20:00.001-04:00

I don't want to play favorites, because I got some wonderful things this year, but I'm really loving this gift! Stephane built me a built-in bookshelf for the TV and my collection of books and accessories.
There was an awkward little alcove beside the fireplace and I've wanted a bookcase in there since the day I moved in. Finally, this Christmas, I got it!

Here is a photo. As you can tell, there is some trim missing at the top and bottom, plus there will be six more shelves added to the sides. The holidays are so busy that he ran out of time!

Finished or not, I couldn't resist adding a few decor elements. Here is a peek of my Esther Bayer print displayed on one of the shelves.

It seems ridiculous to love something built out of wood so so much. Truly though... I am completely in love with it! Thanks so much Stephane! You're the best:)

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-24T07:59:00.000-04:00

Shopping is done, presents are wrapped, baking is finished and other than a quick trip to the grocery store this morning, I am all set.

Time to twiddle my thumbs and wait for my sister to arrive. It's not Christmas until she gets here!

Here's a couple of shots of Stephane, Beaufort and I in our ugly Christmas sweaters.

It's fairly obvious in the first photo that he is not loving it -at all. The next shot was literally 2 seconds later. Oh well...we tried! :)

This one is better ahhhh sweater free! :)

Merry Christmas everyone! I'm signing off for a couple of days to enjoy time with family and friends.

See you soon!

We Have a Winner!

2011-12-23T20:05:00.003-04:00

I just did the draw for the Esther Bayer print giveaway using random.org.

I'm thrilled to share that Virginia won!

"Wow, Jane! Amazing artist and TOTALLY love that she's from PEI too!

I love the Vogue Brazil painting :)"

I posted the giveaway on my personal Facebook page and was so happy to see that so many of my local supporters signed up to win. I'm happy to say that a print from this talented island artist will be staying right here in PEI!

Virginia recently moved into a new condo in downtown Charlottetown and one of Esther's prints will be fab in her new home! Even better, she recently went on a trip to Brazil so the Vogue Brazil Cover print is perfect for her!

I just framed my own print and it looks a-mazing... I will be back to share it with you soon! :)

Happy Holidays everyone!!

Last Chance to Enter Esther Bayer Giveaway!

2011-12-22T20:52:00.001-04:00

Last chance to enter to win the print of your choice from Esther Bayer's etsy shop!

Contest closes tonight at 10pm AST!

Click here to enter.

Zorb Light Featured at Ikea Hackers!

2011-12-21T16:25:00.003-04:00

Our Zorb light was featured today over at Ikea Hackers!

You can check it out here.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway!

Source: etsy.com via Jane on Pinterest

Win yourself a little Christmas gift from Esther Bayer's etsy shop!

Christmas Home Tour.

2011-12-19T07:11:00.000-04:00

I snapped a few more shots around the house of our Christmas decor. It's more simple than last year but definitely feels festive! I intended to do a bit more but the holiday snuck up on me and we are still in the mist of a few projects. It was best to keep it simple! I thought I'd take you on a quick little tour.

Come on in...

Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a beautiful print by the talented Esther Bayer!

Esther's Art Shop Giveaway!

2011-12-15T23:18:00.000-04:00

I have an an amazing giveaway for my lovely readers today!

I was perusing some of my favorite blogs the other day and came across an incredibly beautiful piece of art, recently purchased by Christine at Bijou and Boheme (who, by the way, has the most incredible style and her blog is absolutely worthy of visit). I thought the piece would be gorgeous in my bedroom and decided to check out the artist.

I've taken a liking to fashion illustrations lately and Esther Bayer definitely nails them. Her watercolor pieces are based on famous magazine covers. Some are soft subdued shades while others are rich and vibrant. Each one unique.

Source: etsy.com via Jane on Pinterest

And the best part? This talented artist lives right here in Prince Edward Island! I almost fell off my chair when I found out! I even emailed her to confirm! She wrote me back right away and I knew it was a sign... I had to have one! I love etsy because it allows you to support independent artisans and who better to support than one who lives right here on my beloved PEI!

I ordered my print on Sunday and on Tuesday, it arrived! When I opened it, I knew it couldn't be relegated to my bedroom, but rather showcased where everyone could see it. I can't wait to have it framed and share it with you!

Today is your lucky day!

One lucky Modern Jane follower will win a 8.5 x 11 print of your choice from her etsy shop.

Here is how you enter:

1. You must be a follower of my blog.

2. Visit Esther's Art Shop and leave a comment telling me which print you would like to win!

For additional entries:

Facebook, tweet or blog about this giveaway including a link to her shop then leave a comment letting me know you did! One entry for each one!

The contest closes on 12/22/11 @ 10pm AST.

Winner will be announced next Friday.. just in time for Christmas!

* Can't wait till then? Esther is offering 25% off all of her prints until the end on December!

Head over and get yours today:)

Fresh Evergreen Wreath.

2011-12-14T07:11:00.003-04:00

I purchased a fresh wreath this year from a school fundraiser and decided to get it undecorated so I could add my own twist to it. I was inspired by this image I had pinned on Pinterest.

Source: shelterness.com via Jane on Pinterest

I figured I could use what I had around the house to make something similar. I used grosgrain ribbon in my new favorite Christmas color scheme of green and turquoise and wired on a few pinecones. Things never turn out as beautiful as the ones that inspires you but I think it's beautiful nonetheless!

That purolator sticker on the door drives me a tad crazy! I will admit. I have a new love for my green door at Christmas time! It is much more green than it appears in these pictures.

12 more days and 5 school days! I'm fighting a terrible cold but I think we'll make it.

I have such a nice group of students this year.

Source: christyorrock.blogspot.com via Nikki on Pinterest

Simple White Mantel.

2011-12-13T07:14:00.000-04:00

Thanks so much for your comments yesterday on the Zorb Reveal! I hope you loved it as much as we do! If you missed it, you can check it out here.

Today, I want to share my simple white holiday mantel. My goal was to create something that felt light and bright therefore I stuck with white, silver and a few soft shades of blue and green.

I placed a whimsical silver wreath on the mirror that I picked up at Home Sense last year. I love its random sprigs and silver balls and crystal jewels. I kept my tall white vases and added three soft feathery trees, one of my favorite decor items.

I placed a rustic wood candle holder in middle flanked by two glass vases filled with pretty glass balls in muted tones of green and blue. A string of lights, a charming little reindeer, some fresh cedar boughs and a string of silver pearl garland completes the look.

I'm linking up to Christmas mantel parties @

Ten June

A la Mode

13 more days and 6 school days!!!

DIY~ Zorb Reveal.

2011-12-11T19:23:00.001-04:00

Call us crazy but it's finished!

I honestly don't know if I've been this excited about a diy project. I am crazy in love with this amazing puffy ball that now resides in my living room!

So here is the story. I have a long, large living room and I've always felt that a standard light fixture would feel "lost" in the room. I need something big. Something with impact! I used a paper ball from Ikea for a bit. While the scale was perfect it felt a little like something from my university days.

Enter coffee filters. Everyone was making these beautiful coffee filter wreaths so while not apply the same idea to a light fixture? A quick Google search confirmed that fact that I was, in fact, not crazy. It has been done and it knocked my socks off!

I started out innocently enough, vowing to finish by Christmas. After glued on just a few, I realized just how time consuming it was going to be... maybe I was crazy after all?

Stephane's mom is here visiting. Graciously, she took the project on. Spending time each day, filling a clothes basket with twisted filters then glueing them on. Then, refilling the basket several times (I at least helped with this part) and glueing them on. She has the glue gun burns to show for all her hard work!

It started to get heavy so she flipped it over and started down the other way. Yes, coffee filters and glue can get heavy in such great quantities. Speaking of quantities, we'll get to that soon...

Anxious to see what it was going to look like, we hung it up unfinished. I was terrified I would hate it, after all her work. Instead, it only fueled my excitement. I was completely smitten! Down it came, we were on the home stretch.

The last day, she worked steady to get the ball done. I was decorating the tree, she was glueing on the last of the filters and Steph was working away at the other fun project we have in the works. We were a great team! The tree was up and decorated and so was the puff ball. I was one ecstatic girl! I even called my mom and sister to come check it out asap!

Here she is, hanging in the living room, in all her glory!

Isn't it beautiful? We affectionately call Steph's mom Zizi so it's been nicknamed the Zorb (Zizi orb). My big ball of puff looks like a gigantic bouquet of carnations. (a flower I have grown to love)

Here is shot at night. All warm and glowy.

I almost let the cat out of the bag in my tree post by sharing this photo.

No that's not the moon! I know someone would have pointed it out:)

Just for fun... Doesn't it look somewhat reminiscent of the light hanging over the bed in Sixx Design's Downtown Chic book? That one sell for lotsa money!

Source: amazon.com via Jane on Pinterest

So let's break it down for you. I know you're wondering!

Just how many coffee filters did we use?

Coffee filters: a grand total of 2600. Thank goodness for Dollarama!
Glue Sticks: around 100. We lost count.
Time: A lot. She didn't keep track and since she did a lot of it when I wasn't around I'm unsure. I'd be inclined to say upwards of 30 hours. The last day alone was from 1:30-6:15 steady!

I owe her a huge thank you for finishing it. I don't think I ever would have finished it on my own. She knew how much I wanted it and got it done. She was in her little routine. Aquafit and water biking in the morning, errands, cooking/baking/cleaning, then a couple of hours on the puff ball! She almost didn't know what to do with herself when it was done! (I secretly think she enjoyed it!)

Sincerely though... thanks so much!

I'm linking this post to:

Green + Turquoise Christmas.

2011-12-09T07:26:00.001-04:00

Not surprisingly, I am a huge fan of a white Christmas. Most of my decorations and ornaments are white and silver (with a little bit of blue thrown in for good measure).

This year, however, I can't hide from the fact that I am loving shades of green and turquoise in holiday decor. I came across these images on pinterest.

Source: athoughtfulplaceblog.com via Jane on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Fleurish on Pinterest

Perfection.

Which leads to another thought.... There is something appealing about the simple tabletop tree, isn't there? Who am I kidding, I love the big ol', fresh beasty trees! :)

I hope you all having a wonderful weekend! The days are getting numbered. I've got some more shopping to do and a bit more decorating. Tonight = Ugly Sweater part... should be fun!

Beaufort's Custom Portrait.

2011-12-07T20:54:00.001-04:00

I was just a little bit excited when I received this giveaway in the mail! I won it from Lesli DeVito at My Old Country House back in November. She asked me to send a few photos of Beaufort so that she could create a custom piece for me. I knew it was going to be adorable but I didn't realize just how much I was going to love it. She captured his eyes perfectly!

This is the photo she chose to use. Seriously, how cute is he?

This is what she came up with!

For now, he sits in my kitchen along side some Christmas decorations.

This way I can see him every time I walk past:)

A sweet note from the talented Lesli.

If you are interested in having a custom portrait one of your own fur babies, be sure to check out the paintings section of her blog!

Thanks so much Lesli, from me and Beaufort! I think he's got a big head over the whole thing:)