refresheddesigns.: January 2014

31 January 2014

have a slow and simple weekend

Happy weekend friends! I have a favourite friend visiting this weekend so I am excited to spend some quality gal-pal time chatting and exploring the town. Whether you have something special going on or not, I encourage you to take some time to slow down and enjoy your home, the people in your life, and yourself this weekend.

Relax, get cozy and do some reading.

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Make something from scratch.

lemon-poppy soap instructions

Add some greenery to your home.

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Eat something healthy.

healthy oatmeal carrot muffin recipe

Get organized.

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Get your creative juices flowing.

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Enjoy the calm.

29 January 2014

cozy book nooks

Don't you just love curling up on a winter weekend to read? It feels so luxurious, doesn't it? I'm trying to slow down this year and enjoy more of those kinds of moments. What better way to do that than to create a comfy-cozy nook for reading. These ones inspire and make me drool...

25 January 2014

simple rustic table setting

I recently helped a neighbor set a table for a small dinner she was hosting. She wanted something that whispered "rustic elegance" but with simplicity and at no cost.

We started with a white piece of cloth and cut two runners out of a burlap roll I always have on hand. White cotton napkins were rolled and tied with jute rope, and we wrote each guest's name on a piece of kraft card stock with a calligraphy pen. A cactus in a muted taupe pot was the perfect centrepiece to continue with the rustic and calming tones of the table. The place settings needed just a little something extra, but I didn't want to add colour, so a few almonds did the trick! Simple, easy and without consuming any new stuff (except the food!).

19 January 2014

ten brilliant ways to repurpose crates

Crates are so versatile, functional and stylish aren't they? I love them and always grab a nice antique one whenever I spot a deal. They're sturdy, so they can make for a sustainable (read: not having to purchase and consume new materials) way to create storage or even furniture for your home. Here are some brilliant ways to repurpose all those crates in your basement or garage...

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17 January 2014

warm up with natural textures

Yep, we've had a cold winter so far, but that just gives us a great excuse to bring out the natural textures and materials in our homes to layer around and make us feel cozy! Warm wood tones, greenery, and layers of natural fibres all make a home feel warm and inviting. Enjoy the winter!

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14 January 2014

winter brunch table setting

I like changing up my table with new colours and materials to keep things fresh. Especially in the middle of winter, a hit of something new on my table picks me right up.

So last weekend I grabbed a small bunch of greenery for $3 and dug out some linen napkins. But instead of using the same place mats I usually use, I found two sheets of scrapbook paper in my craft draw and used these to add some splash.

Goes to show you really don't need to spend much to make a bright spot in your house for you and your company to enjoy.

What do you have already in your home that would look nice on your table?

12 January 2014

room of the week: sustainable bamboo kitchen

This modern and warm bamboo kitchen by AlterECO, Inc. is dynamite. I love the grain of the bamboo cabinets running horizontally, contrasting with the high vertical concrete posts. The splash of high gloss white counters sets off the warmth of the wood. Brilliant.

Industrial Kitchen by Sausalito Kitchen & Bath Designers AlterECO,inc

Contemporary Kitchen by Sausalito Kitchen & Bath Designers AlterECO,inc

Bamboo is a very sustainable product for construction, and is also very strong and durable. Bamboo matures in 3-5 years and when harvested, its stalks grown shoots immediately. This material is definitely on my preferred list.