How I Reno'd the Powder Room - Without Renovating!!

So the people that used to live here LOVED grey.

They painted the halls, kitchen, dining room, family room and powder room a

 cold, light-eating, cement grey.

This was our first winter here, and with little sun and blizzards raging on outside,

I began to resent these walls.

Their lack of warmth, their inability to embrace my family,

the way everything around them just begged for a more flattering backdrop...

you get the picture.

The tiny main floor powder room has, like so many loo's, no windows.

Dark room, grey walls...ugh

With this uncomfortable prison cell atmosphere,

 it was almost amusing to watch how quickly guests (and us) went in and out of there.

 I began to formulate a plan...

Definitely white.. we needed the walls to open up to that high ceiling..

but I also wanted the eye to be led across the room, horizontally.

I decided to use the two-tone trick: 

when the two colors used are high contrast the eye follows the seam around the space,

 and it feels larger than it actually is.

 Horizontal stripes have the same effect, just like in clothing,

 which is why you will never find me wearing them :)

Navy is my all-time favourite color, 

and since I wanted this space to be consistent with the rest of the main floor,

 it seemed like a natural choice.

But lately I've been lusting after a leafy, fresh green...

maybe for an accent?

After I found a pair of abused, unappreciated mirrors 

at the Sally Ann (for $6!!!!) with the perfect proportions for the space,

 it all started to shape up quite nicely:

Okay, how can anyone resist this color?

I found the hook at Pier One, and loved it's sparkle - the larger top hook is a glass doorknob.

We use simple linen towels 

because with three kids they are changed a minimum of once daily :)

This image came from my inspiration board...

 a graffiti artist quoting very old persian poetry - so wonderful.

 Originally I found it on Mackin Ink - have you ever been there?

 You really must go, Karey has such a dreamy way of writing,

 she pulls you into her world of whimsy..

I simply printed it and placed it on the prettiest bit of Japanese paper..

I cut and dried some fern leaves from the forest near my home to make art for this wall..

but the green mirrors would lose some of their magic if another green element was introduced,

 wouldn't they? And I like their magic very much.

So I ended up painting a simple branch, in the navy.

sketched out in pencil..

Simple lines make me happy.

The mirrors after priming (they were brown flecked with gold and black!),

 and the green going on.. joy!

Would you like to see a little of my inspiration?

Some of these came out of my files and I apologize for not knowing quite where I picked them up - if you know please do tell, so I can link up and give credit where it is dearly due.

Desire to Inspire's Kim has a gorgeous bath, can you believe it's a temporary fix?!

      

The green? yes.

 The poreclain flowers? I wouldn't want to be running the feather duster around those!

Very elegant, graceful geometric pattern on this paper... 

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Freedom! 

This paint below has escaped it's linear boundaries... frolicking freely on the wall..

Really, decorating can be this much fun!

On Color Consultations I'm always telling clients to live with what they love,

  and to create spaces that function for them.

 Spaces that make them smile when they come home.

I even considered adding flowers to the branch in the powder room..

a la The fanciful Twist.

ones made from books would match my hall mirror quite nicely..

In the end, simplicity ruled,

 and the powder room morphed from a prisoners box to a charming little room.

See what a little color can accomplish?

Just what we wanted.. hope you like it!

til next time..

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Inspiring Decor at the Parisian Apostrophe Hotel

The Left Bank is home to a new hotel, one based on the poetic atmosphere in which it lives..

At The Apostrophe Hotel, each room is unique, and cocooning is encouraged...

The Music Room

Souvenir room, the picture on the wall is what this wall used to actually look like.. tres cool..

In the same spirit, the carpet was modelled after the previous crumbling tiles...

and more texture.. love the added dimension these carpets give to the design

Street level art, elevated with great success..

Ahh, La Riviere, everything in Paris is permeated by it's ambiance...

This is clever, an extra-large console on wheels does double duty as a desk/table and can be used in bed or with the chairs...

Graffiti appreciated :)

A Typography Moment.. look at those curtains!

No corner is neglected..

I am a solids lover, so all this pattern is bit thrilling for me.. it's invigorating..

do you think there is something here that could be translated into your space?

Il inspire, non?

til next time..

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Chris Piascik: Hand-Drawn Typograhpy Art

I really, really love Chris Piasik's work.

It's the ultimate doodling, that grew up...

Witty, original, interesting and relevant...

is there anything else that needs to be said?

How about the fact that he completes at least one a day, and posts them on flickr?

How's that for creative energy?

Makes you want to make something, doesn't it?

til next time...

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Sanctuary: A Sleeping Porch

As a child, I slept on the back deck on a cot many a night...

bewitched by the stars and the cool night air.

Now I really prefer a comfy bed, and a few less mosquitos,

so sleeping porches have me entranced.

The happy hippy swinging variety :)

coastal living

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coastal living

Porch Party!

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coastal living

All the romantic comfort you could want..

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Love this! Simplicity rules.. and soft landing spot for "bare naked feet", as my Coco calls them..

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OOH, soft and pretty.. I'm ready to dive in :)

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What wonderful dreams you would have here..

metropolitan home

Is a sleeping porch on your wish list?

After putting in a new garden out front this morning,

 I'm fighting the urge to head out to my own porch -

 there's may be no bed but that little rattan loveseat with the pillows and blanket are calling my name...

Instead I'm working on a little art for the new powder room,

 then I can show you the transformation that's been going on in there...

Have a lovely afternoon, all!

til next time..

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Stolen Kisses, Shared Secrets, Afternoon Naps...

The humble porch.

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If you are lucky enough to have a spot like this, you know how much living goes on there:

a morning tea, watching the sun melt the dew off the flowers..

 an afternoon visit with a friend, cake, laughter and, sometimes, tears..

a popsicle feast for dripping wet, sprinkler-loving kiddies..

a place to get lost in a book, or to rest your eyes and revel to the sounds beyond..

evening cuddles with your one-and-only and a blanket..

Of all the porch furniture, the swing has always been my favourite -
(although tomorrows post may have me changing my mind!)
soothing like a rocker, but room for a friend.

Timeless and cool in white, perfect against brights and preppy stripes:

  

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Martha Stewart's sophisticated take: 

a black, white and yellow palette remains restful with clean lines and restrained hits of color.

Love how there is no flowering plants, just greenery.

Black again, but adding purple, flowers and wooden planters relaxes the look. 

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How about a tropical feel?

Natural wood, a comfy seagrass rug, rattan tables

 and the vibrant green, leafy patterned fabric feel fresh and invite lounging..

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This is coming close to daybed status! 

All that missing is a spot to put the best Lemonade Iced Tea you've ever tasted...

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Ahh, one to covet:

That swinging seat is adorable, and the daybed is divine -

sheer curtains can be closed for privacy,

love the warmth of the fabrics and the architectural elements

All right , you can see where this is going...

stop by tomorrow for some of the most lovely of sleeping quarters :)

til next time..

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