The One Room Challenge {My Favourites}

For the last couple of years I have really enjoyed following along with The One Room Challenge. The One Room Challenge was created by Linda from the blog Calling It Home. Twice a year Linda invites 20 design bloggers to transform a room in 6 short weeks. Every week the participants let us in on their progress and keep us informed of materials, budgets and design dilemmas. It is so inspiring to see what people come up with. If you would like to take a look at all of this seasons finished rooms you can find them here.

Here are a few of my favourites...

6th Street Design School

Waiting on Martha

Design Dump

Decor Happy

Jenna Sue

Princess Margaret Show Home: Paint Colours

Here are the main paint colours used in the Brian Gluckstein designed show home. (Yesterday's post)

All paint by Benjamin Moore.

Main foyer, living room, dining room.

Family Room.

Kitchen.

Master Bedroom.

 

Basement.

Designer Profile: Lovejoy Designs

Lovejoy Designs is a firm that has a unique philosophy towards the business and a realistic approach to creating spaces for it's clients. For them it is more important to design homes that will be lived in and used, not just spaces that look good on camera. We all love looking at gorgeously styled photos and are sucked in by the perfect peony bouquet or the expertly arranged bookshelf, but what really is important are the people who live there.

The goal of Lovejoy Designs is to create "memorable environments that are detailed and thoughtful, but you can feel the soul of it's inhabitants and what is important to them." 

I love their mix of traditional elements with more contemporary details, the extensive use of texture and the soft, but interesting colour palettes.

 

 

Pretty Pink Christmas

I love that designer Jessica Kelly decks her Toronto row house with decorations in neutral tones of silver, cream and white, punctuated with unconventional bursts of bright fuchsia. The home is so pretty and feminine and each room is full of great little details.

 Notice the antique brackets under the counter, the brass faucet and those silver bowls filled with paperwhites.

I love this salvaged antique door that Jessica made into a mirror.

 The marble shelf is a great idea if you don't have room for a buffet.

 Jessica made the console under the window from old barn board and then topped it with marble.

 A few of my favourite things...mercury glass, twinkle lights and candles.

Have a great day everyone!

New Grey Sofa

Wow, it's been ages since I've been blogging! Once school let out and the summer started in full swing things got a little crazy. We are still working away on the new house, purchasing a few things and getting rid of stuff we don't need. I have made quite a few trips to Goodwill, as well as selling some furniture through a local consignment shop.
I was left with more or less a blank slate in the living room, which is usually a great thing, but because of my love of so many styles I had a hard time coming up with a plan. I find it's always helpful if you have at least on piece of furniture/art/carpet as a jumping off point.
For the last couple of months I have been noticing grey sofas. (especially in velvet) Here are a few of the inspiration photos I have been saving....

Elle Decor

Kishani Perera

Kishani Perera

Jenny Wolf Interiors

Erika Brechtel

I recently purchased this charcoal grey velvet sofa from Elte here in Toronto. It was pretty much just what I was looking for...grey, velvet, upholstered back and a not too fussy style. I wasn't really looking for tufting, but I don't mind because the overall design is quite simple. (Oh, and it was on sale, bonus!)
I am so glad I went for the charcoal colour. At first I thought I wanted something more platinum or dove grey, but then I realized that with the light grey walls and the massive amount of light in the room, the charcoal would give weight and ground the space more. Sorry about the washed out photos; I tried everything to get rid of that grey cast!

When I saw the marble coffee table I instantly loved it, but thought it might be too big for the space. Anderson's in Burlington allowed me to take it home to try it out. Once it was in place I instantly new it was perfect! They were also nice enough to let me keep it and therefor avoiding the 6-8 week wait that usually goes along with new furniture. I hate waiting...too much time means I could start to doubt my purchase. If you are in the Oakville/Burlington area I suggest you check out their shop-they have everything from Oly to Lillian August to a massive selection of carpet. Here is the table at the shop...I thought about the chevron rug, but then maybe I am over the whole chevron thing; I am not sure?

I also purchased the lighter grey chair with nailhead trim.

The two grey pillows were stashed away in the closet (yes, the addiction is with pillows as well as lamps) ;) and the turquoise one I grabbed from Homsense to get an idea of what more colour would look like in the room. I am not sure if I love it, but it was cheap and will do until I find replacements.
I need to get busy and find some crazy nice ones.  I have seen some really gorgeous pillows in shops along the  Summerhill design stretch of Yonge Street in the city, but unfortunately they have been mucho expensive.
The orchid was a house warming gift.(love it, thanks D and M) Now I am on the hunt for pillows, carpet, art and another chair!

Have a good day everyone! Are you wilting in this heat?

Tim Clarke Design

This week I was going through old issues of Coastal Living and I came across the designer Tim Clarke. He has a carefree and casual style in both his modern and more traditional designs that blends wonderfully with the coastal location of most of his projects. He mixes antiques, handcrafted items, modern touches and always a touch of something organic like shells or flowers.

Enjoy your weekend everyone :)