How to...

If you're not sure how to hang a picture then you're not alone!  Most people will tell you the middle of the picture should be at eye level.  That advice doesn't make any sense if you're a 5' 2" girl living with a 5' 11" man.  What if you are hanging more than one piece?  What if it's more than one picture?  How do you know what size is right for the space?  There are so many points to consider.  Here are a few guidelines to help you out friend.

1. A good place to start is to hang the artwork 60 to 65 inches from the floor to the centre of the piece. 
   
2. Consider the room you are hanging artwork in.  If you are hanging it in a room that is primarily used to stand in (hallway) then you might want to hang it a little higher.  You should also consider the ceiling height in those rooms.  If you are hanging it in a room that is used mostly to sit and relax (office, dining room, family or living room) then you might want to hang it a little lower than recommended starting point.  Have someone else hold the picture in place and sit down to judge the height.   
   
3. If the artwork is large and will be hung above a sofa or table then it should sit 6 to 12 inches above.  If you're using smaller sizes then you'll want to hang it higher. 
   
4. A grouping of artwork should be thought of as one unit.  The very bottom piece should follow rule #3.  Each piece should be placed close together.  If they are too far apart then it will look random and out of place.
   
5. If you want to add interest to a grouping then hang various shapes and sizes.  Just don't go over the top with the size! 
   
6. If you are hanging a group of artwork together then consider the theme - black and white photography, floral, landscape, architecture, photos of family & friends (they should either be all colour or all black and white).  Consider the colour of the frames as well as the matting.  To harmonize a large grouping, frame them alike.
   
7. Consider the wall you're hanging artwork on.  Narrow walls are perfect for small pieces hung vertically or in a grouping depending on the wall space. 
   
8. If you're hanging a grouping then I find it helpful to use paper cutouts of each piece and tape them to the wall.  When you trace the piece on paper be sure to pin-point where the picture hanger is.  I also advise you to use the blue painters tape so you don't rip off the paint or wallpaper. 
   
9. Consider the feel of the room.  Do you want to feel excited or calm?  Neutral colours evoke calm thoughts while bright colours are more powerful.  
   
10. Don't be afraid to lean artwork on a ledge, shelf or table.  It looks a bit more relaxed and allows you to layer pieces against one another. 
    

That was a lot to take in... so here are a few rooms to drool over.  ;-)

 Image from Simply Seleta 

Image from Love My Earth 

Image from Elle Decor

Molly Sims Home via Decorpad 

Image via La Dolce Via 

Craig's List Find

I have recently discovered shopping on-line.  I know… I must be the last person on earth!  Before now, in order to feel like I had really shopped I needed to physically be in the stores.   Well, lucky for me I got over that ridiculous need and purchased this beautiful cabinet from craigslist .  I plan on painting it white.  I'm not sure which shade yet,  I will have to do some paint tests.  For the moment, it sits in my living room next to the console table, which I have a bit of work to do with accessorizing but that's another blog post.  

What do you think of it?  Do you love it as much as I do??

My husband was a little hesitant as it is my first time refurbishing a piece.  I'm super excited to get started.  Now I just have to let my in-laws know that I need to use their barn as my workroom.  I'll bribe them with my chocolate tart.  :)  

This little light of mine...

I recently discovered Z Gallerie online and fell in love with these beauties.  I need to add more lighting to my living room and I think the table lamp will look very cool on the console behind my sofa.  Too bad they don't deliver outside of the USA.  The closest store is in Illinois.  Road trip anyone? 

Dream job...

Working for Windsor Smith would be a dream job!  She is the leading interior designer in California creating timeless homes.  Her designs are stylish, cozy and unique.  


Here are a few of my favourites...


I love the chest of drawers behind Windsor in this photo and the zebra ottoman!!  The mix of aniques and modern is perfect.        

I cannot get enough of seeing her armoire.  It has been featured on almost every blog I read. The piece reminds me of an old secretary armoire.   

Here is the zebra ottoman again.  Isn't it just breathtaking!?  I'm loving the lines of this chair. 

Cain chairs are all the rage!  If you find inexpensive ones on craig's list then buy'em up!  They can update any table.  

This is what my dream living room looks like.  It's bright and airy grounded with the black grand piano, coffee table and use of rich coloured wood. 

This is also my dream nursery but with one crib, not two!    

Painted floor anyone?  I'm not sure I would do this colour in the city but I could picture this at the cottage.  This is totally something Sarah Richardson would do.  Love! 

All pictures Windsor Smith 

Dining in Style

I love a great dinning room!  I dream of what my future dinning room will look like.  Do I go dark and dramatic or light and romantic?  Oval, round, square or rectangular table?  What type of chairs?  Do I want them all the same or do I want to add some character by mixing and matching the chairs?  There are so many options!!

I love how bright and airy this room is.  The table is a beautiful anchor to the room.  The white walls and the icy blue curtains make it feel like you would just float away. This is definitely my dream dinning room!!   

Meg Braff Interiors Inc. 

I love the Louis dining chairs and simple but elegant chandeliere.  I think this dinning room is missing a rug to ground it all.  

Source unknown

Love the colour of this room (need to find out exactly what it is), the mix of a modern chandeliere and classic table and chairs.    

Eric Johnson

This is a very elegant cheerfull dinning room.  

   Kelly Wearstler

I'm in love with round dining tables at the moment.  I love them because they make conversation so much easier.  No one has to sit at the end.  No one is left out of the conversation.  Everyone is an equal.  :)  It's more social! 

A little about me

I'm not a professional.  I simply have a love for beautiful design.  I'm an advertising sales rep by day.  The job is challenging and at the moment frustrating.  My hope is for this blog to provide an outlet for me to write about everything I love - design, lifestyle, food, and travel.  I also thought this is a cool way to document life as a newleywed - purchasing a house, making it a home and eventually having babies.  :)

I married the love of my life in April of this year.  Ryan is kind, smart, funny, loving and handsome!  He also accepts all of my corky ways, love of white (cars, walls, furniture, linens...etc) and loves a clean house as much as I do.  We moved into our first place just over two years ago.  We rent, so there is really only so much I want to invest in the place.  It's a beautiful home but I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to purchasing a home of our own and decorating it.  

  

The newlyweds

 These are a few of my favourite things...

1. Pink Peonies and a beautiful table setting.

Betterhomesandgardens.com 

2. White bathrooms.

Decorno.com 

3. Bergere Chairs.  I really hope to own one very soon.  I think it would make a great 30th birthday present (hint, hint hubbie).

Ballarddesigns.com 

3.  I love watching reality tv.  The Real Housewives of Oranage County, The Real Housewives of NYC, Tori & Dean, The Bachelor (especially this season with the Canadian gal).  


4. Pearl jewellery.  I wear a pear of pearl studs every day.  My husband bought them for our first Valentine's day together.  

Birks.com 

5. Tufted Headboards.  

Ballarddesigns.com 

That's all for today.  Stay tuned...

So it begins...

I discovered the world of blogging earlier this year and was instantly addicted!  There are so many clever blogs written by women who have followed their dream of design.  It was inspiring to read their stories and learn more about the design industry.  After hundreds of enjoyable hours of reading, I thought it was time to take a crack at it for myself.  I don’t know where this will lead me but I do know it will allow me to express my creativity.  So here it goes…