The hot weather has finally arrived and is here to stay,so of course we all want the air conditioners on full blast. However it does make me think of the old days before I had one of these energy guzzling monsters. When we had the good old fan! Back in the late 1890's the first fans were created with a single blade and a basic electric motor for industrial use. By the early 1900's they had improved by enclosing the multiple blades and parts for safety, protecting the owner and the motor. Around 1910 the fan starting showing up in residences to cool the average homeowner. The fans I remember were not as stylish as the vintage models however, nothing beats a good retro fan. We now use them as part of our design. Something old,something new doesn't just apply to weddings! Combining vintage items with our modern furnishings creates an ecclectic look with plenty of personality and sometimes a talking point. History is important to remember and often re-use. Not everything though- good example the avocado fridge and stove!!
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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. . . . . . . .Looking out at my backyard at the deck which needs staining and my empty planters, I started thinking about what I will do this year after the usual maintenance to spruce up the exterior and add something new. I have a spot along the back of the garage which is an empty stretch of white siding, that has always been calling out for some kind of adornment! So this year I am paying attention to it. I saw on Cityline the other week where Sharon Grech of Benjamin Moore made a piece of art out of scrap wood and she attached it to a fence. My creative wheels began spinning and I decided to look around and see what other people have done to add an artistic touch to their backyards. So many great ideas so little time. . . . .My favourite- let's see what I can do!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.
While out at the movies last night, I was doing what I always do eyeing up the design features used on location. This time it was an old house in Louisiana, packed full of features worth noting. High ceilings, wide moulding, wooden plank floors, and the list goes on. . . One of my favourites though were the school house lights in the kitchen. I didn't always appreciate these traditional style lights but now they are on my design bucket list! The shapes, the colours, the many uses for them are some of the things that attracted me to them. They were very popular in the early to mid 1900's in homes and school and industrial buildings, then newer designs came in to play. Now though over the last ten years maybe they have moved up the popularity ladder again. One of my favourite suppliers of these great fixtures is Schoolhouse Electric Company. They used original school house fixture moulds found in a warehouse to create their own business. Check out their great website, they will also send you FREE catalogues. Here are a few tidbits to keep you going. . . . SCHOOL IS COOL! 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 !
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