Dreamin' Red & White

There was no shortage of excitement a few weeks ago when Target announced they were coming to Canada. It only seemed appropriate then, when popping in to pick up some toiletries during a recent work trip, I would browse some of the home decor aisles of Tar-jay. 

Here's a few items that had me longing the stores 'north-of-the-border' debut was sooner, rather than later.

Oh, blue and silver. Ohh ahhh.. How much I'd love to purchase this whole collection.

Here's a close up of those blue and white vases. I love cobalt blue!

These wall accents are so sweet. They remind me of IKEA's dandelion-fluff-style light.

Look at this dishware! I sense a soft spot for retro colour schemes, as evidenced by the bright blue and orange flowers on this plate. Maybe it was the lime, green flowered panelling in the farmhouse I grew up in? See the blue and brown plate? I bought dipping bowls in this style. If I didn't have a plane to catch home, I would have bought a whole set!

Last, but not least, who DOESN'T love a giant container of cheese puffs!!

Photo Gallery Wall

I can not believe how little time it took to feel completely overwhelmed and exhausted again. I thought the calm feeling would extend a little further into the month after Christmas break. I thought wrong. The past two weeks I feel I have been as busy as ever.

I do have some updates for you! Remember I said I had a few 'gimme's on my list? Adding more photos to my 'gallery wall' was one of them. I had plenty of great photos, but I hadn't got around to framing and hanging them. Luckily, I had a chance to pick up some frames from the dollar store before I got too busy again. A few hooks later, and they were ready to hang. Hope you've had a little more time to relax than I have!

Here was the 'gallery wall' before:

Here is the updated wall today. I added 8-10 more photos.

Random Catch-All Post

I have been so MIA this week. Not only online, but in mind as well. I was so wrapped up in work last week, by the time I had opportunity to blog I couldn't stand the thought of turning my computer on. A lot of couch-sitting, border-hop-shopping, and Pampered Cheffing followed.

Despite a hectic week and busy weekend, I did have a number of possible posts find their way into my brain. As often happens, unless I let these make their way onto my screen and out to you, these thoughts would bounce around in my head for the next week. Undoubtedly distracting me and causing the little 'guilt of not posting' seed to sprout.

Before I share a few of these random thoughts, I'm going to brag a little.

I'm officially a showcased artist!

Well, sort of...

You'll recall my painting experiment for my niece's nursery? They hung the letters on her wall! I'd love to share more of the bedroom, but you'll have to wait until I'm at the farm next. I'm sneaking these off Facebook. I think they turned out quite cute. Once you see the whole room, I think you'll agree it's as 'cute as a cupcake'!

Now, for the randomness...

I love great deals. I love deals so much, and I have become so accustomed to living life on a dime, I can no longer shop. I superanalyze every item and its price, trying to determine if it's truly as valuable as the tag claims. I bought a cardigan/shrug (you know those sweaters that hang down) for $7 a few weeks ago. I LOVE it. I wear it all the time. It was $7. How will anything compare? That is good value. This is the challenge I'm faced with EVERYTIME I go shopping now.

Speaking of great deals... I saved almost $10 at Shoppers Drug Mart last week, the clerk threw in a few samples, and I felt like the richest woman in the world when I left the store. I still spent 3X more than I originally planned, so I guess I didn't save at all.

I made an Inukshuk. I'm very proud of him, and I can't wait to share a photo with you. He deserves his own post though, so one day you'll get to see him.

Does everyone have an iPhone now? Remember when the Blackberry was cool? Do other Blackberry owners feel like iPhone owners go out of their way to 'SWIPE' their finger over their iPhone, just to show the rest of us poor, Blackberry-owning fools that we can't do that???!

Finally, airports are the BEST place to people watch.. FYI. No question.

Farmhouse Bedroom Makeover Update

Remember when I said I was determined to finish my farmhouse bedroom makeover, because my mom hates when I leave my 'make-work projects' for her to complete. It is taking a few months, because I only get to the farm every couple of weeks, but I am slowly transforming my bedroom into a more grown up, country bedroom.

Here are a few pictures to show you how it's coming along.

So far, it's cost me about $170.

• White paint and supplies - $65 (Actual cost is less because we used the paint at my brother's house too)
• Wallpaper, partial roll from a wallpaper store - $10
• Bedding picked up on sale at Zellars after Christmas - $50
• Throw pillows - $30
• Curtains bought for $6.88 each at local market store - $15

I bought the bedding on sale on a whim. It incorporated the purple I wanted to bring into the room, but several other colours, including the existing yellow and green on my walls. I lucked out last weekend, finding the sheer curtains, which matched the bedding perfectly.

Originally, I planned to get a bold, patterned wallpaper for the shelf backs, but after putting the bedding in the room, I knew this wasn't going to work. After ordering wallpaper samples from Lowes and combing through rolls at a wallpaper store, I found this purple flower and vine pattern.

This is where I've left this project. Hanging wallpaper on the shelf backs has proved to be a little challenging. It will not stick to the wall by just wetting the paper, so I'm going to have to try conditioning the wall and using a wallpaper glue. To say I was frustrated after cutting the pieces to fit exactly (old houses result in measurements never lining up exactly) and having the paper peel back repeatedly, I decided to leave the shelves for my next trip home. Until then, I'm going to keep my eyes open for some trinkets to enhance my personal items and dress up the shelves.

All in all, I think my mom is quite happy with how this project is coming along. For myself, it's been a good opportunity to learn some decorating basics (painting panelling and wallpapering), while updating a room in which I've spent the better part of my life so far.

Country Touches in My Bland Kitchen

It struck me with great satisfaction the other day how things in life just 'come together'.

Over the past few years, I've recognized unmistakably that I'm drawn to rustic, cottage styles. While I like the clean lines and colour coordination of modern styles, when it comes down to actual decor, I find myself gravitating towards white paneling, cobalt blue china, antiqued furniture and barn board.

Despite not having a grand budget to transform my little home immediately, I noticed how it's starting to take on a charm of its own. I use the word "charm" quite loosely, but I have noticed a few little nooks and crannies take on the rustic, cottage fashion I've come to adore. This little kitchen corner is but one example.

A couple blue and white plates found at Value Village, some cookbooks, and a colander doubling as a fruit bowl have turned this corner from cluttered to charming. I've found I now make more effort to clean off this area of the counter, because I enjoy seeing this decor so much more. It's like I'm a little kid again, and I've just rearranged my room and promised my mom I'll keep it clean because the change is so intriguing. I'm sure it will wear off, but for now, I'm enjoying this small level of organization!

Happy Easter!

I hope you're getting a chance to enjoy the beautiful spring weather this weekend! If the weather isn't quite as nice in your neck of the woods, hopefully it's on its way to you soon!

This weekend is all about celebration for my family. With the beautiful weather here, we are enjoying the daffodils popping up and getting to the fields on the farm. More importantly, we're celebrating the arrival of my brother's new baby girl earlier this week!

I am so excited to be an aunt!

I'm off to help paint the nursery today, but I've been popping by blogs for some decor ideas. Some I absolutely love:

These letters are so cute! I absolutely think I could make something like this myself.

If we had a boy, this car caddy would also be on the list.
For now though, I'm going to settle on some pink paint. Check back later this week for my progress on a Young House Love inspired idea.

Happy Easter Everyone!!

Living Room Redo Featuring My Free Table!

I can not recall the last time I shared a photo of my living room. Needless to say, while it's comfortable, I certainly never felt like I'd stepped out of House & Home Magazine when I walked in the door. It took me some digging to even find this photo:

A few week ago, some may recall me tweeting about my new kitchen table. It was on my 'to buy' list, at one time, I considered cashing in some Air Miles for a bar table and stools, and most recently, I'd decided to build one with plans from Knock Off Wood.

Well, table woes no more. As fate would have it, on a beautiful Friday afternoon I was driving home from work, chatting with my mom on the phone, when there!

There. It. Was.

Sitting on the side of the road with a "FREE" sign taped to the top. A beautiful, winged, hardwood table with 5 chairs.

"No way," I thought. I slowed right down, told my mom I had to go because there was a free kitchen table on the side of the road, and pulled a 'u-ey' right there. Within 15 minutes, bf and my (AWESOME) neighbours were there, we were dismantling the legs and loading the table and chairs into their SUV. The rest, as they say, is history.

With some inspiration from  Young House Love, I pushed the table up against my 'gallery wall' and created a mini dining area in my living room. After hours of rearranging- I basicalled moved everything out of the living room and started with a clean sheet- I have a new layout that is functional and still comfortable. Add the RIBBA frame from IKEA and two $50 slip covers, and I've done a mini makeover!

Sure, I could use a little more decluttering. I may refinish and 'antique' the table and coffee table, and my EXPEDIT shelf doesn't really fit, but I now have a place to eat when I have company over for dinner or a comfortable area to entertain or lounge around. All for the low cost of $130 (for the frame and slipcovers)!

It just goes to show that sometimes, you're better off to save your money and see what better (or free) comes along later!

Just in Time For the Brier - My CAMA Best-In-Show Award Framed

In the spirit of Canada's newest sporting craze - CURLING - here it is!!

Just as promised, albeit a little late, my recently mounted and framed award for the Best of CAMA Best-in-Show Advertising. Not too bad, in my opinion! I was awarded 2 plaques, and I wanted to frame the ad itself, because it is unique to Canada and my company. I take all of our company's framing to Arcon Picture Frames, near Stoney Creek. They always do a fantastic job, and I can often give them a price range and the final destination, and they look after the rest.

They are a little $$$, in my frugal opinion, but I have vowed to go to Arcon when I can afford to professionally frame my personal wall candy. One of my favourite photographers, Terry Scott White, brings his work to Arcon, all the way from Kitchener!

They also have some beautful prints and paintings in their store, and they are located next to a wood furnishings store I'm itching to wander into one day. One day.... when I can afford to buy new wood furniture. For now, I will continue looking forward to building my own.

Lastly, I apologize for the rather bland wall decor. My office (!!!OFFICE!) has walls that look semi-permenent. Kind of like the walls of my portable classroom in Grade 2. You can see the seams, and it looks like it was just rigged up for some temporary arrangement. Nevertheless, I have an office(!) with walls(!) where I can hang beautifully framed awards! I thought about taking a photo of the whole office, but I envisioned it would come across disturbingly similar to SFACG's recent post. I promise I'll cut off my rambling shortly... My former manager actually sat at my desk today and said "Do you actually work in this?"

The Next Project - Home Office Remodeling

 Finally! After a year of dreaming, my office remodeling is off to a start. I can already imagine the possibilities... paint, bamboo, built in shelves and lighting. Oh, the glorious creative energy!

All it took was some help to knock the wall out. Truthfully, it took my dad wielding a sledge hammer and scary-looking saw to cut plaster to get the wall down. Standing back in the doorway, watching him pull giant slabs of plaster to the ground, I realized the overwhelmingly obvious difference between all my favorite 'homey' blogs and me... They actually DIT (do it themselves)! So far, I've gone the route of DDFM - Dad does for me.

This is probably a good thing in some cases. Installing the Central Vacuum involved wiring and cutting holes through hard-to-reach, seriously tough walls.

I am not completely helpless, and there is lots I can do myself. I do think it's time, however, I push my boundary and step out of the comfort zone of paint cans and curtain rods. Drywalling, or at the very least, taping and mudding are manageable. More importantly, I need to get over my fear of 'breaking it', whatever 'it' may be - tools, the wall, the shelf, me, and get on with learning to DIY, myself!

Nonetheless, I have the major character flaw of not finishing what I start. The result? Mini messes that unavoidably snowball into major messes! Determined to not to let this happen again, I am refusing to let myself get too wrapped up in ideas for my office until I have my old bedroom completed. I have to report back afterall, and I am looking forward to the day I can post a "reveal". So far, so good... it's the wallpaper for the shelves that is causing delay. Turns out purple is harder to find than I thought. Any suggestions where I can look?

My Farmhouse Bedroom - The Before

Here we go. Here are photos of my old bedroom, in my parents' farmhouse. This is before I began cleaning on Saturday.

First to note: PANALLING! It's in every room in our home! I struggle to believe this will ever come back in! By Thursday, no one will ever notice it was ever there. The potential of the closet doors and shelves has me extra giddy. Stripes perhaps on the doors or funky wallpaper on the back of the shelves! I haven't quite decided, but I know the inspiration will come once I start painting!

This is the east wall of the room. It's currently a soft yellow colour, which is going to stay. What you don't see is stencilled vines along the ceiling. When I sat my mother down yesterday to help her 'envision' my plan, she specifically asked I don't touch the stencilling. She likes it. Deal. (I'm still kind of proud of my 18-year-old self's work anyway!)

Finally, we have the shot looking into the room from the door. It's a little dark, but you see it's not a very big room. You also see the mess of boxes on the floor. This is not the product of my cleaning, rather the result of moving back between 'houses' after my third year of University. Yes, these boxes never left. Let's just say the dust is very thick! One other important thing to notice in this photo is the open cupboard door. Both my room and my brother's have these storage areas in the wall, beneathe three shelves. This will be the perfect spot to store the stuff I want to keep (lifeguarding manuals, old 4-H books, projects I can't part with for example), but also keep it out of sight.

So, after a family Christmas yesterday, I'm so well-fed, I will not need to surface for several days. Bring on Day 2.

Goal: Finish cleaning and sorting. Buy the paint.

A little Christmas project

For the last few months, every time I went to visit my parents' farm, I couldn't help but think about the lack of 'guest' accommodation in their farmhouse. Sure, I always sleep in my old room, but I've had friends stay over and they are usually forced to tip-toe through the storage room that is my brother's old bedroom to find a bed.

Shopping for new bedding for my mom's Christmas present, I decided about a week ago to redecorate these rooms over the Christmas break. After all, I have been promising my mom for years now, I would go through the boxes of 'important' books and papers on my bedroom floor and take it back to the city with me.

I even took some before pictures yesterday when I was getting started (I'll post shortly). All of the rooms in my parents' farmhouse have some amount of paneling on the walls. When I was little and hated it, I was told it couldn't be painted. When I was in Grade 12, I decided I needed a change and painted one wall of paneling anyway. The world didn't end, and my mom was actually impressed with how it turned out. Armed with a dog-eared and bookmarked, borrowed copy of Better Homes & Gardens New Decorating Book, I am expecting a couple coats of white paint and some 'de cluttering' to create an entirely new living space. Not to mention, a guest room my mom would be proud to show off.

My mom thinks I'm crazy, so not only do I have to finish to show you the final result, but I have to prove it to her also!

Let the room makeover begin!

Large Space Requiring Some Colour ? Try a Quilt!

While stalking the internet for storage ideas, I came across this easy decorating idea at Apartment Therapy. Do you have a huge wall that you are in desperate need of decor? Why not invoke a little country charma and hang a quilt!

Be sure to read the comments on some proper ideas for hanging, so you don't damage your grandma's heirloom gift.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/boston/artwork/how-to-hang-a-quilt-artisticallyboston-051328