. Next time you get a bunch of flowers why not think outside the vase! Check out these interesting ways used by others I found. , , , , , , , , , , ,
Yesterday on lunch reading my latest magazine acquisition "Domino" The Color Issue, I noticed beautiful flowers popping off the pages. The colours gave me hope here in cold snowy Canada that Spring is around the corner! Maybe?! I realized I NEED more flowers in my life! I go through phases where I buy some and I love hunting for something new to put them in. I have traditional vases but I love using other items from around the house. For instance one of my favourites are mason jars. A single jar or a group of them together. Maybe an antique tea cup? Maybe a coloured glass bottle or a wine glass? . Next time you get a bunch of flowers why not think outside the vase! Check out these interesting ways used by others I found. , , , , , , , , , , , Why not try an empty perfume bottle. Don't throw it out re-use and re-cycle.
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Have you noticed that something as simple as a feather has a popular design following? I have. There are feather's on dishes, posters, wallpaper and placed carefully in vases and shadow boxes. It's one of those items you can buy or find outside and get creative with it. Recently my daughter drew a beautiful feather using markers, inspired by henna ink designs found on Pinterest. It then inspired me to write this post and gather a collection of feathers together for you. Starting with some great pieces I found in my own neighbourhood at a couple of my favourite local shops. Feather on wood at Hello Yellow in Almonte,Ontario. Feather under glass and feather phone case- Tin Barn Market ,Almonte,Ontario. Beautiful bedside vignette via sacrementostreet Wood and feather wall art via pinterest Decorative paper feathers- use on gift wrap or in a frame via thecraftcakemama Unique feather wall via remodelista Ceremonial feather headdress- via flickr and houzz A dish of feathers from Nature's Harvest. Colourful watercolour art from Etsy Dramatic full scale feather wallpaper from thedesignsheppard Take your pick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Happy Monday Morning to All! Sorry I haven't posted lately, busy with life, but now I'm back! One trend I have been seeing lately is design blueprints. Vintage or reproduction framed or unframed, on a wall or on other items like iphones and fabric. Which ever way you use it I think it's cool! Next time your'e reading your favourite magazine look closely at the wall art. Maybe you are lucky enough to be an architect or designer where you have your own blueprints hanging around but if not there are great resources available like etsy to pick up a few unique pieces. Or maybe hunt through your local vintage store or grandma's attic? Look out below for some I found. . . . . . Blueprints galore.A collection of sports blueprints from Pottery BarnHow about Restoration Hardware's bi-plane over this amazing bed.Office wall art ,something to look at during coffee breaks!Love everything about this- unique desk, amazing chair and blueprint art and accessories.Gallery wall collectibles, including blueprints. Did you notice a great way to hide an unsightly thermostat?How about these fun lego blueprints for all the grown up kids out there!Large scale blueprint over the bed, statement making. Beach house boat.Maybe a wall mural? Blueprint wallpaper? Love the crisp blue and white.Finally why not add a touch of blueprint design with this fun collection.
Valentine's Day is just around the corner and I thought I would pick out a few ways to bring the love to your home! In our house it's my son's birthday so we can never forget it! Good day all round. Whether you go all out or just send a few discreet cards it's fun to look at the hot red items out there to spice it up a bit! In a design kind of way! Take a look at these easy diy's or pieces to buy and bring in the RED How about brightening up your day with this vibrant paint colour from Benjamin Moore- Ravishing Red (2008-10) and set the mood for Valentine's DayReclaimed wood "LOVE"art. Easy DIY found on EtsyMason jar vases( or chocolate holders!)Make a "love" statement with a great pillow from EtsyAdd a touch of red to your everyday decor. Just for Valentines or all year roundBring in the drama with a hot red mirror. Make your own with IKEA's Ung Dril mirror frame for only $19.99 and spray paint it yourself! Change the colour over and over to suit the occasion or room.Set the table or have breakfast in bed with fun red and white dishes. Via PinterestHow about some great red furniture like this awesome buffet and fabulous red leather sofa? The sofa is so hot it needs a fire hose above it!!
Several times a year (or more. . . . . . . .) I pay a visit to IKEA and usually come home with something new. You can always count on the Swedish superstore for simple, useful and affordable pieces for our homes. Everyone I'm sure has a piece of IKEA somewhere. This week I came back with a new floor lamp for my office. I had been looking for a lamp that was adjustable for reading and saw this new one at our local Ottawa store. Right away I liked the industrial feel and the striped lamp cord and could picture it at home. Today I realised when looking on line that there is a whole series under the Ranarp name. I may have to add some more in other parts of the house! Here is my new baby at home in the office. Ranarp Pendant Light- IKEA Ranarp Wall Work Light- IKEA Ranarp Table Work Light- 2 colours-IKEA I'm not the only one who likes this new series,check out these other fans of the Ranarp. Pay a visit to IKEA and see what's new. . . . . .
Last week on my recent visit to HABITAT I found two bargain retro milk glass lights for only $5. For some people they may be what they removed from their houses and couldn't wait to change but for me and other eclectic design lovers they are a funky find. Milk glass originated in the 16th century in Venice, as an opaque glass which was blown or pressed into different shapes. Known then as opaline and later became know as milk glass. Examples of it are found in places like ebay and etsy. usually for more than $5! There are collectors out there of vases , dishes and lighting. Here is a look at one of my new bargains and then a few more I found to introduce you to this distinctive highly collectible glassware. Mid century finds on Etsy-$60 and Ebay -$105 Collecting vintage milk glass Pendant light- milk glass in a eclectic room Hanging centre stage over an amazing chevron floor Bright red corded milk glass light fixture set against rustic antique door. Milk glass on an industrial pulley with wooden wall Bedside task lighting, beautiful and practical Old doesn't always mean past it's prime, Some things are ready for a comeback. . .
I know we all love to fix up and re- decorate our homes, buying shiny new things but.... new is not always the way we need to go. Discarding our unwanted pieces into the landfill. How about another route, in almost every town there are community stores like Goodwill or Value Village. Somewhere to donate our unwanted pieces or find hidden treasures. One place locally I just checked out is "Habitat for Humanity" It was full of old doors, lighting, hardware and furniture. Not everything was a treasure, for me anyway but I saw some potential. Here are a few pieces I saw and an example of how we could use them. IKEA wooden bed slats - could be a storage chest. Old doors make great headboards Shutters re-purposed into magazine racks Leaded glass becomes art over the mantle. Stair spindles make table legs or a great magazine basket Vintage sinks can be used inside or out. A planter or a bird bath maybe. Mix it in with your existing bathroom or kitchen. How about copper lighting- on trend metal like in this cafe. Milk glass globe pendants- retro comeback.
I thought I would share with you one of my favourite on line catalogues and suppliers of great design taste. Known as House Doctor. I stumbled across it a few years ago looking for different cool products and since then have regularly checked it out to see what's new and exciting. To give you a quick taster here are a few of my faves of the moment. . . . . Industrial wall sconce combining metal and wood. Coffee table - modern rustic. Galvanized mobile storage Stylized laundry hamper- good "clean" fun. Set of wooden trays showing shape and art combined. Take a seat on this leather and steel beauty. Pop on over and take a look -see if the House Doctor is in! You will like what you see. Honest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Time for one more knitting project. For Christmas my awesome brother in law bought me an unexpected gift. He wasn't sure what to get me so he read my blog and noticed a post about my craving for chunky blankets and a company I mentioned called Loopy Mango They have incredible knitted creations and supplies to make your own. He very kindly sent away to New York for my very own Loopy Mango needles. I don't know who was more excited me to receive such a thoughtful gift or Trev to give them to me. He is a great guy and single too by the way ladies!! ( Sorry Trev!) I bought 6 balls of yarn at Michaels on sale for $5. I wanted a natural creamy colour and found the perfect one. Then I cast on 45 stitches and did a regular knit stitch. It took a little while to get used to the circular needle as I'm a newbie with them. However soon I was happily knitting a little slower than usual but after a few days ( maybe 8 hours total) I had my new blanket. Here's my finished baby- it's so soft and cozy I think I need to take a nap immediately Now I have one in cream I want to try another one in black or grey this time using knit and pearl stitches to make a ribbed blanket. If you are not a knitter you can search for beginner info and video instructions like this link here-http://www.knittinghelp.com/. Happy Knitting!
Last week I saw this fabulous picture in a magazine I recently started reading called INSIDEOUT from Australia. Don't you just love the copper details?! I do. It adds an industrial flair with a touch of warmth. I have been noticing a lot of copper images in magazines and on line. It's definitely a big trend for 2014. You could add something small or go all out like this amazing bedroom. I found some other pics to share. Some are even DIY which I am for sure going to try! I know you can buy copper tape as well as spray paint so watch out for a new post soon! Take a peek at the pics below |