Beckett's Drapes

Yippeee!  I actually accomplished something tangible yesterday... new drapes for Beckett's room! 

I purchased the fabric at IKEA last year, but hadn't been inspired to do anything with it yet.  I think it works perfectly in Beckett's big boy room.  The big brown dots even look purple with the lighting in his room.

The fabric wasn't quite long enough, so I added extra nutral fabric at the top and bottom, along with a black strip dividing the two fabrics.  Snapped on some grommets for hanging, and... voila!!!

It could be worse...

One of the things I have complained about A LOT since we moved into this house is the ugly brick fireplace wall.  It's dark red brick with oak bookshelves built in.  I just don't know what to do with it.  I was searching around for ideas yesterday, and came to the conclusion that, surprisingly, it could be a lot worse: 

We could have no bookshelves, plus a curved fireplace opening...

... or ... a weird wood pannelling situation...

... or this mind-boggling disaster... what the what???

all photos from Ugly House Photos

Yard Work

We finally started replacing the fence in our backyard.  Thought we could get it done in a day.  Hahahaha.... why do I always underestimate the time required to complete a project?  It guess this is one of those situations where it looks worse before it looks better... we have a couple more sections to build, a gate to build and relocate, and a lot of staining to do.

On the other hand, with all of the crazy rain we've had, my flowers are starting to look fabulous!

all photos by Carissa

Summer Preview

Last week we had a little preview of summer holidays.  Jack took the day off preschool, and Grandma Pat met us at the lake.  Within half an hour of arriving, Jack and Beckett were soaked up to their armpits from playing in the water (I didn't think to bring swimming suits.)  They loved it... I had to force them to get out of the water.

It is amazing what a change of scenery can do.  The boys played outside for the entire afteroon.  No fighting, no whining, and only one incident of crazy-out-of-control running around the cabin "scream-giggling".

Pat and I were able to strip last year's wallpaper off the kitchen wall, and (almost) complete the new wallpaper!  This is the design that Pat chose... I'll post before and after photos once the job is done. 

photo from HomeDepot.ca

Only one more week and we are officially on holidays... a whole week at the lake! We can't wait!

Closet Bunk

I saw this on Design*Sponge, and I think my kids would go crazy over it!  A bunk bed built into an oversize closet!  I definitely want to rig something like this up in Jack's room.  He has a big closet, and being a boy, not many hanging clothes.  He and Beckett already like to pile a bunch of blankets into the closet and hide inside.  They will LOVE climbing a ladder and having their own special space!

photo from Design*Sponge

Hicks Hexagon

I've been obsessed with this wallpaper for a while.  Had my eye on it when I was wallpapering my dining room, but it was too much of a splurge for me at the time.  "Hicks Hexagon" is bold and graphic, and I love the shiny gold detail.  This design is truly classic. 

photo from Verde Design Studio

I've been trying to think of the perfect place to use something this fabulous... and maybe it doesn't have to be on a wall.  Look at these gorgeous pendants:

 

photo from decor8

Huge impact, super dramatic, and a single roll would be plenty for a project like this!  Totally worth splurging on.

Kids Wallpaper

I would like to use more wallpaper.  There are so many fun choices.  But it's hard to commit to just one.  Look at these kids wallpapers from The Wallpaper Collective.  So many choices, not enough rooms!

All photos from The Wallpaper Collective.

Oak-a-ramma

My house is from the '80's.  And yes, it is decked out in the once-popular "oak package."  If you've ever wondered exactly what that entails... here's a glimpse:

photo by Carissa

This is a collage of snapshots from my house.  My favourite is the pantry, which includes the "garage door" to hide the microwave.  Just what I always wanted. 

The oak package is starting to stress me out.  It's just too much icky brown for one house.  I am determined to get rid of it.  I've started painting it out little by little.  Every time I paint even a small section, I'm shocked by how much brighter and fresher the house looks!  The doors are on my to-do list for this week.  Can't wait to see how they turn out!

Striped Walls

I love the idea of painting striped walls in one of the boys rooms.  How fun are these bold vertical stripes!!!

photo from Coastal Living

 

photo from Design Dazzle

Actually, the vertical stripes may be a little bit too energetic.  I need these bedrooms to be calming and relaxing!  Maybe horizontal stripes are a better option.  Check out this room... it's my favourite!

photo from Cookie

 
The wide horizontal stripe and the subtle gradation of color is perfect!  Love the cowboy print above the bed.

Big Boy Rooms

We moved into our house exactly 3 years ago. Beckett was a newborn and Jack wasn't yet 2. That was such a crazy year for me! I didn't take time to decorate the kids rooms. (Or anything else in the house!)

Actually, I tried to make an effort in Jack's room, but every day at nap time he would empty out his dresser, and pull down any decorations within reach... including the drapes. So we moved everything out, and he has had a boring empty room ever since. Now that he is 4, I think he can handle a proper big boy room. The dresser is back in the room, with a lamp, and one picture. He has requested "ONLY GREEN... NOTHING ELSE." Hmmmm.... we'll see about that.

Then there's Beckett. My baby. I kept him in his crib until he was 3 even though he had been asking for a big boy bed for a while. Then he went to Grandma Pat's for the May long weekend and she sent a bed home with him!!! So down came the crib, and in went the bed!  *sob!*  Beckett LOVES purple, so a purple room he will have! The sheets are in place, but creating the rest of the purple big boy room could be a challenge!

I'm blogging!

OK... I'm starting a blog. Not so much because I want other people to read it... I just think it will be fun. I'll probably enjoy playing around with the layout more than I'll enjoy writing.

I love all things related to interior design. I spend a lot of my free time searching for new and fabulous ideas. The point of the blog is to organize all of those great finds and inspirations into one location. Then when I'm ready to embark on my next great design adventure, I'll have all of my resources in one place.