Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Andra Birkerts Interior Design










You don't know how tempting it is to just pick up and move to the East Coast!! This coastal Rockport, Massachusetts summer home with interior design by Andra Birkerts is stuff my dreams are made of. The home feels like it has been around for a while, but it's actually newly built by S&H Construction with design by Charles Myer and Partners. Isn't that bunkroom incredible?? It sleeps 10 kids!! All of the pretty painted floors are my favorite feature of the home though! You can read all about the breezy home over at Design New England!


For more turquoise fun today, head over to COCOCOZY where I am guest blogging! I guarantee you'll enjoy the home tour....it's one you have already begun and loved!





Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

Monday, January 30, 2012

What to hang over a fireplace


If you were going to hang something over a fireplace, what's the first shape you think of ?  I bet it's not a circle.  Most people would think rectangle, but I would like to suggest  going against that natural inclination and putting a shape there that plays against the straight lines of a fireplace.  What do you think of the impact a circular motif makes?



 While the art is square you hardly notice the frame.  It's the circular mark making that catches the eye. 


An empty frame with two other objects creates great impact.


 A circular mirror with a mirrored frame sits back quietly while the blue accessories do all the wow work.

Shiela Off, CMKBD eclectic living room 
Houzz

A simple round mirror bordered with driftwood.  This is an easy DIY project. 


This vine that has been fashioned into a loose circle is calligraphic in its statement.

This  Austin branch mirror provides the best of both worlds, a lovely circle and radiating branches.

Poppy Tree Frames Giveaway!



Oh, Jane Coslick, you never fail to inspire me!! This beachy mudroom could be covered in wet towels, sand and flipflops and it would still be utterly delightful. I love all the colorful reclaimed wood! The aqua color here actually reminded me of this week's giveaway host...I'm such a fan of this company and I know you will be too!



Poppy Tree Frames create the most beautiful, custom, handmade picture frames. And not just your run of the mill frames, they are available in 18 unique frame styles in 49 prints and 42 colors! This week's winner will receive a generous $100 store credit to design their very own frames! How fun would it be to have a gallery of these frames?? Or one fabulous frame to feature your favorite photo? Either way, I love the statement!




To Enter:
1. Visit Poppy Tree Frames and create a frame using your favorite style, color or print, then leave a comment back here telling us about it.
2. For an extra entry, Tweet about the giveaway, then leave a comment saying you did.
3. One more entry? Like Poppy Tree Frames on Facebook, then leave one more comment saying you did.
4. Winner will be randomly selected and announced this Friday 2/3/12.
Good luck!!

**This giveaway is now closed!!**

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!


Saturday, January 28, 2012

Sneak peek

It seems I've been in the middle of a bedroom update forever.  It takes so long when you are doing things yourself.  This is the before picture.  My husband loves black and I love geometric patterns.  Everything in this picture including the carpet and window seat are gone or going.

The new look will be the opposite to the strong contrast of this one.

The new look:
Soft and serene, no one thing standing out- harmonized to the hilt
Lots of textures and gentle patterns

 My new duvet cover is very patterned but soft looking.I'm still working on accessory pillows to play with this design. I like to do that when everything else is completed.


 Love this basket I found at Winners.  Don't like the dark interior so a little spray paint will be in order.  I want some  very tall  natural colour sticks to put in it.  Still looking.

 New light fixture from Rona.  I spied this when I was shopping with a client and loved it.  When I went back to buy it,  both styles were marked down to $20.00!  I bought  one of each.  Here's the other style just waiting for a new home possibly in my summer house.



 
 My refinished oak mid century modern bureau.

 
   Can you believe that I had this beauty in my studio? I stripped it, sanded, created a grayed green wash (water and paint), brushed it on, wiped it off, dried overnight,  and then applied a coat of satin varathane. I left the exposed border and areas behind the drawers natural colour.

You can see that I like my hardwood light no matter what the current trends!  This mirror is temporary until I can bring the one I want back from my summer house.

 Handy hubby made dividers for the skinny top drawer and now I have a very tidy storage space for all my jewellrey. 

 New tray from my sister, two vases originally black got the spray paint treatment. Still working on the arrangement of all these piece and still collecting.


One of my  mixed media art works called Turning Point, new drapes which are tone on tone with the wall colour - Benjamin Moore AF Collector's Item.  I can't praise this colour enough if you want a warm, soft neutral for any room in your house.

 

More art work.  I'll always love this piece created by a friend  Cathy Driedzic.    I'm working on a new painting for over the bed. 

 This trunk/bench  is currently being used in place of my built in window seat which had to be removed to lay the hardwood.  Haven't decided if it will stay here or go to the other side of the room where is originally resided. Colour Benjamin Moore AF Wind Chime

 How it currently looks.  Painting is coming down because it is lost in this space. One nail hole to fill in. It will probably go on the wall by the closet - nice narrow space for it.

An there you have it.  We are moving to a king size bed and trying to decide on a design for hubby to make.  Too many ideas, too many discussions, and not a lot of patience because I want it done, like yesterday.  The full reveal will come later. 


Friday, January 27, 2012

Fun News + Giveaway Winner!



What a week! Some of you may remember that last October we put our house on the market. It was really slow-going over the holiday season, but this week we accepted an offer! Negotiations, inspections (and lets be honest, cleaning!) made for a busy week! I was expecting to wait a lot longer since we didn't want to drop the price very much, so we're happy–as much as we can expect to be in this economy at least. Now the fun can really start...house hunting! We couldn't help but start our search a little early and have already seen some really great homes, and are excited to dig a little deeper to see what else is out there! I'm thinking this lovely Martha's Vineyard gem featured in Design New England and photographed by Eric Roth would be perfect! ;)

Before I sign off, I need to announce the winner of the HeartGram giveaway!


And with that, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!


Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Details- gray vintage



Some images need to stand alone to enable us to thoroughly enjoy all the nuances they contain.  Because  too much text can wear out an image as well as a post I'm  planning  a series of posts titled Details that highlight things that please me visually.

Gray is not everyone's cup of tea, but it's been my neutral go to colour since the mid 80's.  Gray is actually a very complex colour and it's "nature" is defined by the colours that have been neutralized to make it.  

The details I love:
  •  the shape of the vintage credenza with all those drawers
  • the variety in the values of  gray used
  • the high sheen on the door makes it stand out from the other more matt textures
  • the one hit of colour in the flowers
  • the ornate crown mouldings contrasting with the simplicity of everything else
 is there anything about this vignette you like?


Elizabeth Newman Interior Design






What is it about turquoise and orange?! Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina designer Elizabeth Newman sure knows...the two complementary colors provide a fresh contrast that our eyes just eat right up! I love this porch so much, even if I'm craving an iced tea big time right now! The bright throw pillows liven up the space, but it's those aqua cane chairs that I am loving most! See lots more fresh, cheery spaces from Elizabeth right here!


Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Allison Elebash Interior Design










If these images take you away to somewhere warm and sunny, that's because the designer, Allison Elebash, is based out of St. Kitts in the West Indies! She's known for uncluttered, airy spaces with accents of fun color, all of which I'm loving in her portfolio! Isn't that first image particularly stunning?? The blue background on the shelves really takes the display to a new level!


Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Lucy Interior Design






I love winter, I really do, but this fab sunroom is making me long for summer! Designed by Minneapolis-based Lucy Penfield of Lucy Interior Design and photographed by Andrea Rugg, the beautiful room is all about great texture, fun patterns, pretty color and loads of sunshine! Both comfortable and chic, I can imagine the homeowners (and their cute fluffy cat!) spend a lot of time kickin' up their feet in this space!


Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!