happy holiday season

Well I'm getting settled into my new home and strarting to feel the holiday spirit. A little snow always does the trick! I hope to be back giving you more inspiration for sustainable home design in the new year, but in the meantime, be sure to check out my very popular holiday decorating posts from last year. Maybe they will inspire you to do a little DIY this season. Cheers! 

20 Best DIY Holiday Wreaths

Budget Holiday Decorating Ideas

Easy Holiday Mantle Ideas

Organic Holiday Wreaths

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life refresh

Sometimes we need to peek out from under our lives and make a move...

my cutie-pie niece

Wanted to let you know that I'm taking a little break in order to make a change in my life by moving to Ancaster, Ontario to take on an exciting new role in my "real career", that being university advancement. So while I am moving and getting set up in a new home and workplace, I'll be mostly absent from blogging. I'm sad to be leaving wonderful Calgary, but I'm looking forward to moving into my new home in the east, and bringing you lots more ideas and inspirations from there! Until then, enjoy the season of change! 

black & white day 21

Happy Wednesday peeps! Time for another gorgeous black and white space, this one being one of my favourite kitchens. I just love the simplicity of this white kitchen, taking advantage of the windows to allow for lots of light to come in, and keeping it open by not having a bulky metal exhaust or microwave distracting the eye above the stove. I also like the tiny bits of colour- pale blues and greens and bright reds and yellows. And of course that pendant lamp. Drool. 

BHG

monday refresh: cozy bedding

I don't know about the rest of you but we had a snowy, winter-y weekend here in Calgary. Ugh. But pretty. But a little early for me. However, it got me thinking about cozy winter bedding, and how it makes a nice refresh for the bedroom at this time of year. Think quilts, wool, texture, and layers. Here's some inspiration to get you going. Happy Monday! 

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Lonny

Lonny

Marion House Book

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Lonny

Apartment Therapy

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Country Living

more Fall wreaths...

My past posts on DIY wreaths and Organic Holiday wreaths Part 1 and Part 2 were such hits, I couldn't resist featuring more fabulous wreaths to take us through autumn and perhaps into the holiday season.  Feast your eyes folks. 

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Almost ready to think about holiday wreaths? Check out my lists of the best from last year here and here. 

monday refresh: a fresh welcome

Looking to add a little refresh to your front door. Hang a berry wreath - perfect for Fall and it will carry you through until holiday decorations come out. I love the orange ribbon on this one from Casabellawreaths, via Etsy. 

Happy Monday all! 

making a small galley kitchen work

Many of us are faced with small galley or one-wall kitchens in our homes, condos or apartments. There are a few tricks to making the most of a small kitchen space to create an efficient, open and beautiful room.

1. First, lighten up. If you have a small enclosed kitchen, go white or light on your cabinets.

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2. Or, go open. Opt for open shelving up top instead of cabinets that visually take up space.

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3. If you have room on one side, adding a small table allows for more a feeling of more usable space. 

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4. Finally, bust out one wall and open it up to living space, adding an island in for extra counter space. 

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Could you live small in one of these kitchens? Or maybe you have other tricks? I'd love to hear them!

black & white day 20

Wow, I came across this photo and of course stopped in my tracks since it is a fantastic example of a crisp yet welcoming black and white kitchen/living room space. But I was even more blown away by the whole portfolio of the design firm, Urrutia Design. I love their clean aesthetic, using neutrals as a backdrop to let good design and the personality of the homeowner shine through in a way that is warm but modern and uncluttered. Go check out their work. 

Urrutia Design

Need some ideas for designing or redesigning your home? Contact me about online design for only $150.

gratitude and happiness

This weekend I am thankful for my wonderful family and friends, health and happiness, and a beautiful country in which to live. Happy Thanksgiving my fellow Canadians! 

green idea: recycled propane tanks

Yup, you read that right. You know, 'cause everyone thinks of old rusted propane tanks for recycling and home decor, right? I know - it's odd - but I came across Fugitive Glue lately and it blew me away. This is the ultimate in recycling: turning decommissioned propane tanks into industrial-chic furniture and lighting. 

From the company:

"Through a design practice called “UPHOARDING”, FG develops it’s own products that require inventing, designing and manufacturing new lives for post-consumer waste materials." 

Cool, right?

sustainable space of the week: converted barn

Do you dream of one day converting an old barn to a home? Ok, maybe it's just me, but this picture re-ignited that dream. This home is made sustainable not only by building within an existing structure, but also because the leftover plywood and waste materials were used as furnishings. I like the repurposing idea, though if it was me I would be painting the plywood. Inspiring, nonetheless.

Dwell

more DIY headboard ideas

A while back I shared some easy and mostly inexpensive ideas for creating your own headboard (something I believe is a must in every bedroom). Here are 11 more ideas to inspire you to think creatively and sustainably. 

painted canvas or mdf headboard Home Depot

vintage shutter headboard via HGTV

art headboard via BHG

upholstered headboard via iVillage

painted headboard by Stacey Cohen via DecorPad

blanket headboard via Apartment Therapy

DIY board headboard by meringue designs

embroidered art via stylisheve

wood slat headboard via HGTV

rope headboard via Poppytalk

Buckets of Burlap

Check out even more ideas here. 

find it friday: vintage wallpaper

As I was reading through the special edition of Domino magazine recently I came across this kid's room that was cleverly and sustainably designed. 

Domino

The floor tiles are recycled, the paint is no-VOC and the fabrics are organic. But what I really fell in love with was the giraffe cutout from vintage wallpaper. Great idea to use old leftover wallpaper with the cool designs from days gone by! 

I found a source for the silhouettes, but you could also simply cut your own from vintage paper. Here are some great shops to find it in. 

vintage wallpaper silhouettes by Inke Heiland via CO

Hannah's Treasures via Etsy

Vintage Wallpapers

this one isn't vintage, but the pictures for the designs are, and it is sustainably made - by Studio Ditte via CO

Rosie's Vintage Wallpaper

countertop decisions: trendy and sustainable

I came across a great article recently on Fresh Home about the 10 hottest kitchen countertops. 

Fresh Home

Interestingly, many match up with those that are sustainable, eco-friendly versions as well.  I blogged last year about green options for countertops. Go take a look and then compare them against the trends. I'm betting you can find one you love that fits both categories! 

find it: create an eco-chic cozy home

Yearning for a cozy home for Fall and Winter, but with products that will make your home healthy and also leave a light footprint on the planet? Look no further. 

1 - eco-friendly setee from Pure by Ami McKay

2 - organic wool throw By Nord

3 - chic felt storage basket from recycled PET bottles, by The Lollipop Shoppe

4 - sustainable, natural cowhide from PURE

5 - natural tree stump bench from FSC certified wood, from Kalon Studios via All Modern

6 - sustainable and stylish wood desk from SlowWood

7 - bamboo globe from KILO ZULU

8 - 100% organic ikat sheet set from West Elm

9 - recycled wire floor lamp from EcoChic