I found something new and I love it! I just had to share it. It's an amazing site called
Olioboard, created by a Canadian from Vancouver. It is a great resource for designers, decorators and homeowners alike. You can create your own moodboard using a never ending library of items and products. You can even shop at the same time. Design your space,try it on for size then buy it! It is easy to use, providing hours of endless fun for the design crazed public like us!
You choose from well known and new companies,drag and drop and presto your room is born. . . .. Take a look at my first attempt that took me ten minutes.
There are thousands of examples to inspire you but here are a just a few to get you started.
So go on over and create you own account and design away. . . . . . . .
With Mother`s Day around the corner and the nice weather finally here I have been out looking at plants. Both my mum and my mother in law like to garden so I thought I would get some plants for them and put them together in a nice pot. Whether you have a back yard oasis, a front porch or just a balcony adding interesting planters with your favourite blooms is a great way to bring in colour reflecting your personality. There are lots of purpose made planters but why not think outside the`` pot ``and try something different like these ideas below. . . .
Painted mason jars-colourful line-up
Old galvanized wash tubs- salvaged and re-used.
Love these garbage cans -over sized planters
Not a handy man-use your tool box as a planter
Pick a basket,any basket!
Classic style light bulb vases.
Crushed tin cans. Painted your favourite colours.
So get out there find something you can plant in and make your own perfect paradise.
This morning while painting my nails before work- by the way not a good thing to do at 6 am or when you really need glasses these days!, I was looking at my vast collection of polish and realised the potential for inspiration. Trends in nail polish also follow the new fashion and home trends. I have so many colours to choose from- a little bit of an addiction to those cute little bottles!
There are neutrals for some days and crazy brights for others, they inspire my mood or add to it depending on the day! Just like in my home the colours on the walls and in my accessories make me feel certain things. When I am advising clients as we choose colours for their home we always talk about how they want to feel in the space along with the use and the practicicality too. I have said over and over that we can find our inspiration anywhere and nail polish is another good example. . . . Take a look at my picks!
Fresh, Spring like greens-soothing and relaxing.
Cool blues-
Smooth grey- very popular trend. Neutral replacing beige.
Yellow, adding sunshine to any space. Uplifting!
So next time you paint your nails and browse the aisles at the drugstore, pick your favourite nail polish and use it as a jumping off point for your colour scheme and change a room !
Something I have a need for and have for sometime is a cool round mirror. . . . I have seen many interesting examples and thought I would share them with you. I know,I know I'm so generous you say! This one to my left is one I love- the black frame, the rope hanger and the reflection of distressed wood is fabulous. Adding a round mirror softens a rooms hard edges made by most furniture. A curve or two is not a bad thing.! Not just in mirrors. . . .
Pop in a mirror between shelving adding light and reflection.
Suspended mirrors- clever idea.
Double up one on top of another,creating height or filling in the height.
Twin vanity mirrors. One each.
Oversized and awesome. Statement making.
Concave cool! Grouping together.
Large , wooden frame, reclaimed wood. Re-use,recycle.
Re-invent.
Pocket watch mirror. Sparkle and shine.
Bold and black- Anchoring.
So that's my pick for today. Add a round mirror and enjoy the view. . . . . . .
This week my daughter was talking about an upcoming school dance with a theme of "White on White" which inspired me to write about white rooms. The more I thought about it I seemed to notice articles on other blogs and in the latest magazines. It's funny how that works,it's like when you want something new and you see it everywhere, haunting you until you do something about it. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
White rooms can be clinical unless you add texture and softness with fabric, a mixture of materials like wood and metal. If you do it right they can be bright,light filled and soothing. I never thought I would paint a white room until my daughter asked for one. It actually was quite up lifting to create a blank canvas ready to add a few personal touches with shots of hot pink. Some rooms I have seen followed this philosophy too but others went all out WHITE! Walls,floors,furniture and fixtures. Their are some people who love a neatral world and others who have to have colour. Which side are you? I feel like I am a fence sitter! I like the soothing nature of neutrals but I must have colour to complete me!!
Look at these all white spaces and see what you think?
Choosing the right white makes all the difference! Some of my favourites are by Benjamin Moore ( I know I'm biased because I work there!)
Try White. . . . . Maybe it's right for you.
When I realised I was going to be able to visit Miami recently the first images to pop in my mind were the colourful, Art Deco buildings synonymous with this cool city. I have always loved this period in art and design. It began in 1920's Paris after their world famous exhibition continuing on into the 30's and up to World War II. It offered glamour,elegance and symmetry. This style of architecture was inspired by many other countries structures like the pyramids of Egypt and the Aztec temples throughout South America. Art Deco has a purely decorative aesthetic, and as far as I'm concerned there is nothing wrong with that!
Check out my own pictures of Miami style. . . . . .
The Gap by Deco!
Cool Blue Apartment Block. . . . .
South Beach Sunshine Yellow!
Colour Overload- Love it!
So South Beach. . . . . .
Cool,chic hotel hang-out. . . . . Take a look at that car too!
After i saw these colourful examples of ART DECO architecture, I wondered if we had our own here in Canada and it turns out we do and this is what I found. . . . maybe not so colourful but definitely interesting.
Finally here are a few well known buildings that I never realised are classic Art Deco. Their shape,structure and materials. Learning about something new helps us to appreciate where we have been and where we are going. Some designs are timeless and meant to stay around to inspire!
On my recent trip to Miami, I searched out the design district but more importantly the
Jonathan Adler store! I have been a fan of this designer's colourful, funky style for years. He has a distinctive aesthetic, easily recognisable and definitely fun,fun,fun. . . . . . . In a previous post i talked about some of his books in my design collection. ( My Books). I have always wanted to go to one of his stores so when I realised he had one in Miami I made a beeline for it,dragging my family along for the ride!
I spent a long time looking at all the bright, inspiring pieces. I could have picked up the whole store and brought it home with me but. . . . unfortunately we only had one suitcase! So I found a gorgeous vase perfectly colour co-ordinated just for my house.
As I spent so long browsing the beauty that is Adler. . . .my husband came in and actually found something he liked. . . a new colllar for our dog!
Jonathan Adler is a dog owner himself and has created some fun collars, beds and dishes just for the pooches in our lives.
I love Jonathan's philosophies for adding colour and happiness to our homes- Check out out some more examples of his great designs and ideas.
Final note:- Adler's 10 Commandments for a Happy Home. . . .
The Easter Bunny is coming again and it`s time to get together some treats for the family. While searching the internet this week I found a cute idea using paint chips to make paper eggs and thought I would give it a try. I do work at a paint store after all! I picked a selection of fresh Spring colours and gathered my supplies together and got started. The credit for the idea goes to
Claire a teacher who is crazy for paint chip crafts! I downloaded her template and started cutting. This part took the longest but once it was done it was easy to put the pieces together with small brads I already had in my scrapbooking supplies. Check out the steps below. . . . . . . . . . .
I decided to put the finished eggs in small bowls and wrap them up, the main gift being the bowl which can be used after. You could put mini eggs inside them too.
Next I decided to use up the leftover paint chips to make my Easter cards and some gift tags for another project. Waste not want not!
Finally I saw a fun way to give treats by using jars, but decided while out for my daily Starbuck's why not use empty frappucino cups instead. . . . . I layered different goodies like jelly beans,mini eggs etc and added ribbon and the paint chip gift tags to finish off.
So those are my Easter treats this year. . . . . . Happy Easter to you all, I hope the bunny is good to you too!
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