Happy Canada Day!

July 1st is a happy day, not only because of our great country's birthday, but also because it is the first long weekend in the really hot, dog days of summer. Love it! Have a great holiday my fellow Canadians. And to everyone, make sure to take time to enjoy your summer! 

images via Country Living

find it friday: stylish table fans

Happy Canada Day long weekend friends! In honour of summer long weekends, I've sourced some really fun table fans to keep our homes cool and also stylish this summer. 

1. My fave, of course - vintage turquoise via Etsy - $35. 

2. Lime green retro fan from Lamps Plus (also at Home Sense in Canada) - $55.

3. Steel industrial fan from Lumens - $532.  

4. Modern bamboo via Amazon - $200. 

5. Lightweight vintage look from Bionaire - $50. 

6. Red desk fan from Ecco - $76. 

long weekend, canada style

Olympic team coasters from The Bay

grainsack red stripe pillows via Etsy

caged blown glass pendant lights from West Elm

red vintage-look clock from Canadian Tire

Anne of Green Gables book from Penguin

Adirondack Chair from L.L. Bean

berry pavlova recipe from Today's Nest

eco-friendly cloth checked napkins via Etsy

handmade maple leaf garland via Etsy

compact red grill from Crate & Barrel

red lacquered bar cart from Bae

red striped soda fountain straws from terrain

Hudson's Bay Company multipstripe blanket from The Bay

black and white day 15

OK, today it's more like gray and cream day, but these are such lovely versions of my favourite colours that they belong in this feature. And mixed with wood and steel in a very modern but 

warm and inviting condo, they add up to perfection. Enjoy, and find more of this exquisite home at New England Home magazine. 

find it: summer tablecloths

House & Home; linens from John Robshaw

Looking for a quick way to refresh your table for summer? Try a tablecloth! I once thought that tablecloths were only for my mom's table, but I've been growing fond of using linens from time to time as a way to change things up. There are some really nice new ones out there, and also some very pretty vintage finds on Etsy and eBay (and mom's linen drawer). 

1. Anthropologie / 2. Pottery Barn / 3. Williams-Sonoma / 4. Amazon / 5. World Market / 

6. Modern Karibou / 7. Vintage on Etsy

happy friday and an interview on hodge:podge

Coco Republic

It's a great day! It's Friday, it's Summer, and it's So, Canadian Eh? feature day over at hodge:podge. And Barbara is featuring me! If you care to find out a bit more about me hop on over there.

And no, I'm not a surfer, but it's on my list to learn (you know, one day when I don't live in landlocked Calgary). 

Happy weekend everyone!

i'm obsessed with...internationally inspired rugs

OK, do you love designer Genevieve Gorder as much as I do? And do you also love colourful, patterned rugs? Then you're in for a treat, because our gal has joined up with Capel Rugs to create a line of globally-inspired and vibrant flat woven rugs that are just what our summer porches and living rooms need. 

1. Sno Rug - Bokrum Blue

2. Puhalo Stripe -Safron

3. Arabesque - Emerald

4. Moor - Pigeon

All from Capel Rugs

Pick up one or even two to layer in a room, like this one of Genevieve's! 

via HGTV

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

welcome summer 2012!

Happy first day of Summer! Do you have any summer rituals in your home? My favourite is changing out my bedding to lightweight white blankets. And I usually try to keep fresh flowers on the night stand as well- such a great way to wake up in the morning! 

            images via Elle Decor

                         images via House & Home

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

green idea: keep out the heat this summer

What better reason than the approaching summer heat to finally install those window treatments you've been dreaming of? Curtains or blinds can block up to 60% of solar gain, so it really does make sense to use pretty sensible blinds or drapes this summer. 

source

So what to choose? 

Pottery Barn

Darker or lined curtains that will pull across the full length of your windows are a good idea. 

Lonny

Roman blinds are also good and I love the simple and modern look. 

BHG

Or, even simple roller blinds will work, and you can easily pimp them out so that they look cool in your room. 

Martha Stewart

Are your windows ready for summer? For more information on window treatments to keep out the heat, such as awnings and exterior shades and shutters, check this out. 

quick refresh: closet organization

Well I finally refreshed my walk-in bedroom closet this weekend, and made it much more organized - and pretty, of course! It took only a couple of hours but it made a big difference.

First, I hung a curtain across the opening using a tension shower rod. I also grouped all of my hanging clothes onto the same hangers for a cohesive look and used open boxes on top shelves for closed storage.

Next, I utilized the blank wall for shoe and bag storage. I hung some pieces of molding cut to size at the hardware store. I used screws that I painted over after. On the top row I added antique door knobs on which to hang bags and scarves. 

The bottom two pieces of molding were left blank and make great hangers for my heels. 

I also hung up my belts on dollar store hangers, and added a covered bench on which I can throw hats. 

Hope this gives you inspiration for your own closet organization!

Oh, and I'm also honoured to have been interviewed and featured over at Jennifer Cederstam's wonderful blog today, so hop on over and check it out. And then check out the rest of her site as well. 

green idea roundup

Another roundup of cool upcycling and repurposing projects for your perusal. So imaginative and easy to DIY or purchase. Enjoy.

repurposed lampshade as coffee table. via

serving tray upcycled to wall clock. via

recycled skateboards as backsplash tile. via

soda can pull tab lamp shade. via

recycled paper bag woven fruit baskets. via

repurposed cd lamps. via

upcycled decanters as pendant lights. via

picture of the week: sustainable design

Sustainable taxidermy anyone?

via

black and white day 14

Ok, I realize I've been leaning more on the white side than the black lately, but this home is so fresh with white rooms and punches of natural green that I couldn't help sharing. I'm loving the striped mat. Check out more of this lovely home here. 

turning a master suite into an oasis

I thought I'd share a recent e-client project that tackles a problem a lot of homeowners have: creating a modern and peaceful oasis in their master suite. Mark and Sarah have a fairly typical small-ish bedroom and ensuite with the standard fittings. How to add character and a calming atmosphere?

1. Create a focal point - in this example the headboard wall is wallpapered.  

2. Add pattern and texture- modern graphic wallpaper and shower curtain, plush bedding and pillows, lots of white towels, and woven baskets accomplish this. 

3. Carry the colour scheme through to the ensuite bath- blue-gray and a splash of orange adds a pop of fresh in both rooms.

In this case, they wanted something grown up and glam, so I also added a sophisticated tufted headboard and bit of glam through a round gold mirror and upscale lighting options. 

These suggestions, with floorplan and shopping sources and DIY instructions is all this couple needs to get on their way to turning their master suite into a private oasis.

If you need some help, I'm available for consultation or a simple mood board. 

quick refresh: add nature + colour

I hosted a Saturday brunch recently and to change up my normal table I added turquoise bowls and, of course, some branches with green buds. The bowls are from IKEA - I like adding colourful bowls to a set of simple white dishware as a lovely and inexpensive way to change things up. Try it for your next gathering. Happy Monday! 

bring the outside in

What better way to refresh your home for Summer than by bringing branches inside? Here are some great inspirations. 

Martha Stewart

Houzz

Houzz

Apartment Therapy

Martha Stewart

Thuss + Farrell

Lerkenfeldt Photography

tips for rental decorating

Today I'm over at hodge:podge sharing tips on decorating your rental to make it a home you love. I was thrilled when Barbara asked me to participate in her series on rental decorating tips and hope that my own rental design inspires you! Be sure to hop over and check it out. And welcome to all of you who've come over from hodge:podge!

a rental living room: before and after

I've finally finished refreshing my little living room in my rented condo. Stuck with bad carpet and beige walls, I worked with white, gray and greige to create a cozy modern-vintage style room that's so full of warmth and personality I don't notice the ugly stuff any more. 

Here's what I began with when I moved in. 

BEFORE

AFTER

My one investment piece was the classic straight-lined gray sofa from Revolve. I added a knock-off Nelson bench and Eames chair, along with a vintage mid-century modern chair (that I still need to recover) from a local shop for $50!! 

I added wallpaper backing to the IKEA shelving unit, snagged a lovely old worn bench from a local antiques shop to sit my tv on, and used my own artwork and photography on the walls. I always bring the outdoors in, and branches and Spring blooms make for amazing free decor. 

It's my favourite space in the condo. What's your favourite space in your home and how did you make it your own?