Shit my kids drew on: The White Sofa

Yep, they’ve been at it again:

DSC_0079

… a closer look…

DSC_0081

For the record, the pen actually washed right out!  Thank goodness for slipcovers I guess. 

Have a great weekend everyone!

More Painting… and a Color Change

My kitchen faces south, and is SUPER bright.  (Not that I’m complaining.)  The problem with all of the light is that it is like a spotlight on all of the imperfections in my cabinet paint job!  Ugh.  As soon as I hung the first door, it was clear that they were going to need another coat. 

So, I decided that I might as well fix the white situation if I was painting everything again anyways.  I went with Benjamin Moore Simply White.  It’s still a warm white, but is ‘whiter’ and has less of a gray look to it than Moonlight White.  It’s close enough that it still looks great with the Moonlight White wall colour, but it is a lot better against my super white subway tiles.   

Let’s hope this is it!  I’m so sick of painting!!!

Casa Carissa: My New Plant!

Remember in January, when I decided that I needed a big crazy tree for the corner of my living room?  Well the coolest thing happened.  Not long after I blogged about it, a friend sent me a note saying that she had a big plant that was outgrowing it’s space in her house, and if I wanted it I could adopt it!  Um… YES!!! 

I patiently waited for the weather to warm up… and it finally did (for a few days).  So I loaded it into my van, which was hilarious because Beckett’s head was completely surrounded by leaves (should have had a photo), and now here it is!

Isn’t it great!?!  I love how it adds some life to that corner of the room. 

A before / after:

 

Mad Men Style: Don and Megan’s Apartment

Did everyone watch the Mad Men Season 5 opener on Sunday???  I loved it.  The best part was seeing Don and Megan’s new Manhattan apartment.  I couldn’t find many pics, but here are a few decor highlights:

Sunken living room, abstract art, walnut built-ins, and a funky hanging lamp.

Interesting choice of present: Megan dances around while all the men in the room lust after her

Large sectional with colorful throw pillows:

Party people: All of Don's colleagues are at his flat and enjoying the party when he walks in

Color blocking on the walnut kitchen cabinets + a big crazy plant in the dining area:

Pinned Image

Geometric curtain fabric and grass cloth wall covering:

hexagon curtains and grasscloth wall covering

Big zebra print pillow (love it!):

zebra pillow

Don’t you just love Megan’s look?  Love her hair, and everything she wore on this episode.  I’m still dying over how awkward her big performance was!!!

So… what did you think of the Mad Men Season opener?

 

First two photos courtesy of AMC via Mail Online.

Last three photos courtesy of AMC via Casa Sugar.

AyA ‘BlogPodium bound’ Contest

I was so excited when I heard about the AyA “BlogPodium Bound” ContestAyA Kitchens and Baths is flying one Canadian design blogger to Toronto in May for BlogPodium!  After everything that I read about the first BlogPodium event, I’m dying to attend the event in May.   

The challenge was to create a dream kitchen mood board.  Kind of timely since I’ve been working away on my own kitchen facelift for the past few weeks!  I skipped over to the AyA Kitchens and Baths website for some inspiration, and here’s what I came up with:

Kitchen 

With my love for black and white, it was only natural that I designed a bistro style kitchen with white cabinetry, and a black island.  I fell in love with the open shelving in the AyA Kitchens and Baths gallery, so that was a mandatory touch.  For practicality, I chose quartz countertops.  Classic white subway tile with dark grout emphasises the bistro feel.  A professional range with a traditional hood front, both in black, provide contrast and a great focal point.  Brass hardware and lighting add warmth, and the bright green tolix stools give a fabulous pop of color!

Sources:

1 – open shelving – kitchen by AyA Kitchens and Baths photo via Canadian House & Home

2 – wall lighting – Circa Lighting

3 – over island lighting – Restoration Hardware

4 – traditional hood front – AyA Kitchens and Baths

5 – professional range (in black) – Bertazzoni 36” Range via Mrs. G TV & Appliances

6 – Bedford style cabinetry in white (perimeter) and jet black (island) – AyA Kitchens and Baths

7 – brass hardware – Restoration Hardware and Lee Valley

8 – misty carrera quartz countertop – Caesarstone

9 – colorful stools – Tolix

 

Thank you to AyA Kitchens and Baths for this fantastic opportunity!

Progress Report: Cabinet Doors

Yay!  The doors are almost done.  I thought they were totally finished, but when I brought them into the bright sunlight of my kitchen, I realized that a few of them need some touch ups.  Nothing serious, all stuff I can do after they are installed.  I’ll share more dets on the painting process another day.

Here’s a sneak peek.  You can see that I’m still not finished tiling.  I ordered a light to go above the window, and I can’t finish tiling until the wiring is finished. 

I spray painted the original hinges to go with the new hardware:

Speaking of hardware.  I picked out these cute gold knobs, only to find out that they are BACKORDERED.  Blurg.  I was able to bring home 3.  I need 21!!

So far, I’m super happy with the way everything is turning out.  Although it’s taking forever!!!  

Have a great weekend everyone!

I’m Painting…

I’m totally consumed with door painting.  Blogging is on hold until I get done!

DIY to Try: Capiz Chandelier

We all know that I LOVE a good diy project.  Especially if it doesn’t look like a diy.  This one is fabulous!

My blog buddy Lisa Roy made her own capiz-inspired chandelier with an ornament hanger and wax paper!!!  Amazing!!!  The full tutorial is on Lisa’s blog.

Isn’t it gorgeous?  Hard to believe it’s a diy, right!?!  I totally want to try this one.

Lisa is a fellow Canadian living in Dubai.  She’s been decorating her apartment, and as you can see in the photos above, it’s beautiful.  And there are a ton of great diy projects involved.  You have to go see more of it on her blog!  Lisa also designs purses and iPad cases… check out her Etsy shop!  She is one talented girl!  Thanks for letting me share your project, Lisa!

Which Would You Choose? Coffee Table vs. Ottoman

I’ve been living without a table in the center of our living room all winter:

I thought that it would be more functional to have a big open space since the kids play in that room so much.  But really… I’m tired of having no where to put my feet up, no where to set my coffee cup, etc.  I think we need to figure something out.

I’m torn between two options:

The coffee table is from World Market, and the ottoman is from West Elm (but that fabric is no longer available.)

When I saw the World Market table in Monika Hibb’s feature in Glitter Guide, I instantly loved it.  I measured it up, and it would fit perfectly!!!  I think it would be great to add a rustic/industrial element to that room.  BUT… Jeff reminded me that it might have too many hard edges considering the number of little kids that play here.

Monika Hibbs of The Doctor's Closet 

interior design: The Cross, styling: Stephanie Jean Design, photo: Ellen Ho

On the other hand, I do love the look of an ottoman upholstered in great fabric.  Plus, I could probably make one myself, which would be fun.  This one is super fabulous… Kristen Bell’s home (featured in In Style magazine.)

Kristin Bell's home - Stacey Vuduris Design

interior design: Stacey Vuduris Design.

I know which option I’m leaning towards.  But I’m curious… which would you choose?  Cool industrial coffee table?  Or ottoman in a fun fabric? 

My Plan This Spring…

Print for sale by Haute to Deathvia

It’s SO close to spring… and I’m dying to re-vamp my wardrobe.  But I want to be focused this year.  I don’t want a lot of clothes, but when I look into my closet I want to know that every item looks great me… know what I mean?   

Step 1:  Get rid of stuff. 

I don’t have a big wardrobe.  I always have a few items in my ‘donate’ pile.  But I did manage to purge out 32 items that were either too big, too old, or just simply unflattering.  I had forgotten about some of the stuff that was lurking in the back of my closet!  I can’t believe how many ratty work-out clothes I was holding on to.  Not to mention my old work suits that were WAY too big… that was a nice surprise… had no idea that after two kids and almost 7 years I had actually gotten smaller!  Woohoo!      

Now that I’ve made space in my closet, I’m doing some research and making a list of pieces that I need before I start shopping.  I want a nice mix of quality classics that won’t go out of style, plus some inexpensive trendy items for fun.  Every time I get groceries at Super Store I’m tempted to bring home a cart full of Joe Fresh items.  Hence the need for a plan. 

It’s back…

The Mad Men Collection for Banana Republic!  I want this dress SO bad!

I’m also loving this blouse:

and the pants:

fyi… last round, I got the Betty dress… and for spring they have it in pink!

See more at Banana Republic.

Have a great weekend!