Spring?

Today the sun is shinning in my part of the world, but let me tell ya', it's been a long time coming! Like much of Canada and the US it's still unseasonably cold, but hope is in the air, and by the end of the week it might just feel like spring. A girl can dream anyway!

Until the warmer days arrive, I'm looking at this photo and imagining spring. Doesn't it smell lovely! 


Image

DIY Skirted Console or... How to hide an ugly bookshelf

On one side of our fireplace, we stuck an old Billy bookcase that has been used in every room of every home we've ever had, thinking it would be a great spot to put our stereo equipment, some books and a small TV. I had grand intentions of papering the back of the shelf in a pretty paper, but once the shelves were filled and the whole thing was in position lodged awkwardly next to the sofa, that job got too hard for my liking.

All the clutter that was accumulating there had me pretty anxious for a long time. I dreamed of having a carpenter come and build custom shelves to the ceiling on either side of the fireplace (I still dream of this), but until that day comes (likely, never) I needed a good solution to hide the junk and especially the stereo equipment, which couldn't be uglier in my opinion.

After browsing design blogs at length, I found this tutorial which explained how to make a custom fabric cover for a cabinet/bookshelf/console/whatever without a needle and thread. It looked quick, inexpensive and easy. Three things I love in home decor! I wish I could find a DIY tutorial for how to fix upholstery that's been destroyed by your beloved cat!

I started and finished this job during nap time one day, so about 2 hours. The tools needed are really straightforward: some fabric, fabric glue, measuring tape, good scissors, staple gun and staples and an iron. Jenny mentions this in the tutorial, but the step that saved me the most time was the ironing. If you iron, this job will be infinitely easier. Pressing the hems before gluing them ensures your seams are straight and that the job looks like you put way more than 2 hours into it (or better yet, that a professional did it!). Don't skip this step. Trust me!

I'm really happy with the way the whole project turned out. Not only does it conceal all the unsightly stuff that we hide on those shelves, but it adds a necessary pop of colour to an otherwise drab corner.

Unconventional nurseries

We're wrapping up the finishing touches in Brigham's new bedroom, and as soon as it's finished, it's time to get going on the nursery (with 4 months to go). Right now, it's painted a dark grey and we have yellow accents throughout. When we first did this room for baby #1, the colour combo seemed pretty new and original. Since then, it's become 'the' colour combo for every modern room design it seems, and I won't lie - I'm getting sick of it. Having said that, I don't necessarily want to paint the room, but I do want a new feel in the room so that this kid can have a space designed just for them, just like our first baby got. Seems fair to me!

I've been browsing at images and have pulled a few that I like with a similar shade on the wall.

What do you think? Should I listen to a family member who insists that babies don't like dark grey (grrr!) or should I trust my gut and move forward with a grey background and hits of colour?

Images: One/Two/Three

Ikea Hektar Pendant done right

Last week was the Interior Design Show here in Toronto and while there were lots of exhibitors that impressed me, one that really got my attention was none other than Ikea! To be honest, they do a fantastic job each year and every time, if you pay close attention to the conversations of other people there, everyone acknowledges that it doesn't look anything like Ikea typically does. This year was no exception.

Below is a snap taken from the Ikea website of one of the rooms they designed for the show. It's a beautiful modern kitchen, but check out the lights. Gorgeous!!! Below that is a far less stylized snap taken on my phone with a slightly closer view.

If you look closely, you'll see it's the Hektar pendant - a simple charcoal grey piece priced at a whopping $24.99. Alone, it's a cool fixture, but clustered like this makes such a statement. Can you imagine hanging a bunch of these over your dining room table? Bah! Beautiful!

2013 decorating projects

The list of projects to do around this house has never been short, and it's not looking like 2013 will be any different. Some of the items on the list are boring, like patch and repair drywall on our kitchen ceiling or replace a broken tile in our bathroom, but others are a bit more fun. The fun jobs, generally far less essential, top my priority list which explains whey the kitchen ceiling has been needing repair for three years. The fact is, there's just always something more fun to do.

About a year and a half ago I was given this Bergere chair from my grandparents house after my grandfather died. It's in serious need of repair, but it's been in our living room ever since. The colour looks terrible with our other furniture and the upholstery tacks are sticking out making it the least toddler-friendly chair ever. 2013 is the year this chair is getting fixed.

 I was going to attempt to do this job myself. I wrote about it here, in fact. But I've since decided that I'm going to splurge on some Schumacher fabric and I really don't want to run the risk of ruining the fabric or making a mess of the job. Besides, the chair frame needs repair and I'd like the whole thing sanded down to reveal what I hope to be a darker natural finish, so it seems that this chair is destined for a refinisher and upholsterer.

 

I realize this is a bit of a teaser post given I have lots of 'before' shots and really no 'afters', but I'm wondering what you guys think about the Chiang Mai on this little chair? I'm pretty obsessed with this fabric, and have been for a while, so I think it's time I commit to it. I was thinking of using it for a roman blind on the tall narrow window in the dining room, too. What do you guys think?

Tell me, what are some of your 2013 decorating plans? Do you have anything you've been itching to do but have been putting off? I'd love to hear.