Here's a quick look at my new found treasures.
As a lover of industrial and reclaimed design, I have an attraction to all things metal, rusty or not. A while back I picked up a couple of galvanized letters from a local antique store and created a little vignette on my buffet and then I decided to put them in a basket and move them to our powder room. I had planned to put them on the wall at some point but then I found another metal piece on one of my Saturday salvage expeditions and put that up instead. Home is a work in progress- and ever changing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Here's a quick look at my new found treasures. I love my rusty arrow pointing the way upstairs- just in case anyone gets lost! Spell it out on a table, in a basket or on a wall. These cool letters and symbols pop up in lots of interesting and unusual spaces.
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I love most things vintage, mixing something old with something new. Vintage tells a story keeping history alive. I also love having something to collect and hunt for. Old bottles are one of these collectibles , clear or coloured glass. Last week while out for coffee at a local favourite Alice's Village Cafe in Carp, I noticed a cute old cough medicine bottle still with a label on sitting on our table holding a single flower. It was simple but caught my eye right away. I'm a big fan of displaying fresh flowers in creative ways. Of course then I just had to get my own so....... I dragged my trusty husband out to a couple of local antique haunts and found this little beauty complete with yellow graphics to tie in with my accent colour at home. It was made for me! Cute and colourful lotion bottle found at Ottawa Antique Market The next day my husband very nicely stopped at a flea market and picked up five more little bottles to add to my new collection and here they are proudly displayed on my mantle. Sweet and simple vases on a white plate with white blooms. Notice the embossed words. Bottles of all shapes and sizes can be found at garage sales, flea markets,auctions or your local thrift store. Take a look at these other ways I found to use them. . . . Displaying family photos via apartment therapy Pretty and useful dishwashing liquid bottles from Martha Stewart How about these beautiful vintage medicine bottle place card holders. Perfect for a romantic occasion from katiesrosecottageblog Finally this cluster of bottles for tapered candles on any table from the-parisienne Maybe next time don't recycle your glass just re-use it instead, both are good for the environment! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Well I don't know about you but I love it when the new IKEA catalogue comes out! There's nothing like a crisp new idea book for FREE! I love the pops of yellow on the cover, and the great colour inside. There are some new pieces and the old faithfuls that we know and love - as long as all the pieces are there! ( IKEA joke!) My husband is not a big fan but I still think it's a great resource for simple, contemporary additions for everyone. I don't think there's a home out there without a touch of IKEA in it. From the student's dorm rooms, first apartments to houses of all shapes and sizes. Even workplaces, restaurants and other stores have the smallest item hiding somewhere. I went to our IKEA store last night to check out the latest and greatest- here are my quick pick's from the latest edition. The funny thing about that is I left with a couple of purchases and forgot to pick up my copy ! I guess I'll have to wait until it arrives in the mail, although sometimes my family hide it from me- they seem to think it's funny!! IKEA is always a great inexpensive place to pick up funky bedding- I like this graphic grey set with geometric colourful shapes on. - PS 2014 How about these cool cushion covers- add some colour with IKEA PS 2014 These rugs continue the geometric theme, I cant decide which one I like best. How about you? Check out this fun and functional piece, you could use it as a side table or at your bedside. Kids would love for their toys or art supplies. IKEA PS 2014 Modern, stackable storage, create your own combination- IKEA PS 2014 An old favourite the Stockholm sofa in this warm butterscotch leather- a retro feel but a great neutral piece to anchor a room The Stockholm also comes in this fabulous vibrant green velvet, not for everyone but I love it!
On the weekend I visited a newly found architectural salvage yard called Legacy in Cobourg, Ontario. Each time I take the drive to Toronto from Ottawa I think about going and I finally did it. Was it worth it you say, yep it was! I was a happy traveller when I found myself surrounded by cool old doors, lights, bath tubs and more. I could have taken lots home but I finally spotted a little white rabbit mounted on the wall. Not a real one don't worry! It was porcelain. Looking a little distressed but cute and quirky perfect for a wall in my house! Now I'm not usually a "bunny girl" (except that infamous Halloween night in 1988!) but I have had a fondness for the trophy head trend. I figured it was finally time to add one to my collection and I had the perfect place for it. My dining room. If you're a fan of the trophy head look check out these fun examples I found. Some are wooden, others are paper mache, stuffed or cardboard. Make a statement, be eclectic or just different. . . . Collection in white- found on tidbitsandtwine.com Wooden safari- looks great on the white brick wall found aliexpress.com Fun and fluffy- stuffed animal heads in a kids room found nordicbliss.co.uk Love this animal head with it's very own scarf, love the old door too. Found on etsy.com Metal sculpture statement found at urbanoutfitters.com Don't get lost! How about this amazing deer map from honestlywtf.com Can't decide if I love the group of heads or the yellow Eames chair more? apartmenttherapy.com Anyway I hope you like my newest addition to the family- if you are anywhere near Cobourg check out the amazing Legacy . just to wet your appetite here are a few shots of this cool source of design history. Do you feel a road trip coming on?
The summer is a great time to have an outdoor party. Gather together some friends and family, make some tasty food (and a few beverages!) and decorate a little or a lot . . . . . . . . . Not long ago we had a graduation get together for my daughter and I made some decorations. Otherwise known as " Bunting". Basically little flags strung together on some pretty ribbon. A few years back my sister in law kindly bought me some with Union Jacks on to remind me of home. Since then I've loved the idea of making some of my own. So here we go. . . . . . 1. First things first I took a trip to Value Village and grabbed an assortment of gingham fabric in pretty pastel colours. Total cost $10 and I only used a fraction for this project. 2. Make a cardboard template and then use to cut out your triangle shaped flags/pennants 3. Use a glue gun or sew two pieces back to back with ribbon or cord through the middle. The ribbon had been given to me by my best crafty buddy Lisa. Total cost to me FREE! Next hang up and get ready to celebrate! We also made a few garden games, easy to do and fun to play- take a look and maybe you could give them a try. Lawn Twister- using 4 cans of spray paint and a template made from a cardboard box. Giant Jenga using 2x4s cut into 54 equal pieces. A good time was had by all. . . . . . .
I'm back, it's a busy time of year for us with graduation today, parties, prom and more, I thought I would share a quick craft with you before I start my day! We decided to have a bbq/party for my daughters graduation from high school and the first step was to pick a date and make invitations. For my son I used his photograph and make a diploma invite but my daughter didn't want a picture on hers! So..... I chose an image of a grad cap and gave it an Andy Warhol inspired look. My daughter is a keen artist and we have many pieces around the house. I also added a tassel for pulling the invitation from it's envelope. I made the tassels and thought I would show you how as they can be used in all sizes and for different projects. Picked up some embroidery thread- could also use yarn. Cut 15 threads about 7 inches long - size depends on project needed for. Fold the threads in half and tie together with a loop Tie around the tassel about an inch below the top to create shape Finished tassel- now add to card. Come to a party! Happy Graduation! If your'e not a card maker, how about these cute ideas for using tassels. Pillow corner tassels- pop of colour found on Pinterest Attach a tassel to an old key- found on Pinterest Garland for the everyday or special occasion celebration- Pinterest Finally bring a gift to any party, add a twine tassel - Pinterest Stay tuned next time for ideas used at our graduation party. . .
On a recent visit to Montreal and an awesome architectural salvage store " Spazio" I noticed a couple of great vintage medical cabinets. They are a huge trend right now and anyone lucky enough to find one at a good price I envy them. They come in all shapes, sizes and colours and are so versatile and cool! They are perfect for storage and you don't need to be in the medical field to use them! Spazio Architectural Salvage Montreal - medical cabinets ready to store your treasures I also found this gem at one of my favourite haunts Tinbarn Market in Almonte. It makes an amazing industrial chic bathroom vanity. I also took a trip to good old Pinterest and found some other places to use these medical marvels. Are any of you lucky enough to have one of your own? I would love to see. . . . . . Mixing distressed metals in this glamorous bathroom Store and display beautiful linens Entry way industrial Vintage in the kitchen- love the added wheels Amazing galvanized buffet- hospital to dining room with pops of yellow, love the old trophies and vintage suitcase
It's Mother's Day here today and I thought I would share a quick little project I did for the Mother's in my family. The original idea wasn't mine but I gave it my own twist. I found it on, where else Pinterest. I'm a big fan of plants or flowers, something nature inspired and if I can make a container myself to put them in, all the better. Bonus brownie points for me!! First step find a few cans of tuna. Remove the lids and empty them and take off the paper. Pick up a pack of clothes pins from your nearest dollar store Get a stain pen from your local hardware store- I luckily already had one. Use it to colour your clothes pins. Clip the pins around the edge of can Purchase some herbs and put in a small mason jar, Put the jar inside the clothes pin case. Make a sign using chalkboard paper or stickers and attach to the outside with another clothes pin Finishing touch make a simple homemade card and you have a personalized gift for the favourite mums in your life HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all you fellow mum's out there. I hope you had as wonderful day as I did.
Time for a quick DIY, only took me ten minutes. My friend Lisa sent me a pin the other day (from Pinterest) our addictive friend! It was for a mousepad makeover. Yes there is such a thing! I didn't have a mouse pad at my desk so I thought why not. I happened to a have a small piece of fabric that I hadn't found a use for yet and an old unused mousepad (free from a work seminar- and not very exciting) So I took a trip to Michael's and picked up some heat 'n' bond. Step 1- Find an old mousepad or a piece of corkStep 2- Find your favourite fabricStep 3- Pick up some "Heat 'n' Bond" at craft or fabric store and follow instructions to iron on back of fabricStep 4- Once the bond is attached to fabric, peel backing and then iron over the top again to adhere to the mousepadFinished project- my personalized union jack desk accessoryIf you take a look at good old Pinterest there are so many great ideas using fabric, paint and even duct tape. Pick one or make up your own and jazz up your desk.When you are thinking about organizing anything at home, think outside the rubbermaid container. I love to use unexpected items in a new and sometimes unusual way! On the weekend I was out with my mum, hunting for the perfect teacup and saucer for the jewellery I wear the most. I have a great organizer in the closet but I find I wear a few items over and over and it's a bit of pain hunting through for them in the early mornings before work. I found a gorgeous little yellow and white set at an Ottawa antique market. I thought I would do a quick show and tell. What do you think? Cups especially are a great household item to use for pens, brushes, and so much more. Take a look . . . . . Here are a few other examples I found on PinterestCluster of white cups, perfect for office suppliesMedicine cabinet eclectic cup storageVanity drawer cups and saucers- paper or fabric linedSo next time you have a cuppa maybe don't put it back in the cupboard, you could find a new home and a new purpose for grandmas favourite bone china. |