Nursery Update Part 1

Morning! I realize it's almost 11am and I'm just posting now. I've been stuck in the most boring meeting about budgets and repeat information. I swear my boss has a daily word quota that he needs to reach.   

Below are pictures of what I have purchased for the nursery thus far. The lamp is from HomeSense (Sat purchase) but I think know it's the wrong colour of green and will need to go back which is too bad because I really love the shape, size and colour. The knobs look much brighter in the photo than in person. Right next to the fabric they don't look right but on the dresser with a little separation and a lot of white they will fit in just fine.

The walls will most likely be BM Cloud White or Behr Ultra White (if tonight's paint session goes well). That's all for now…




Oh wait! Side story - Ryan purchased a can of Behr Clear Moon last night from Home Depot. He gets home; I open the can and know immediately something is wrong. It's thicker than molasses and has a blue tinge to it with bubbles. I test out a strip on paper to see that it goes on clear and tacky! My uncle took me back to the store for a new can. 50 minutes later we walk out with the correct base and the correct colour. The customer service girl was awesome to deal with! She was almost as annoyed as I was and gave us 50% discount on the new can with our money back on the defective can. It has definitely not been the best of experiences with Behr but I’m still willing to give it a try. Thank you Home Depot customer service for being so great to deal with!



I will let you know how it goes tonight.

Which Paint Product and Which Paint Colour?

We are in the middle of painting our living room.  As you can see, it is a pale yellow or soft cream.  Not and off-white like my wall test proved! 

It looks nice against the wood floors and console table but I don't like it next to our kitchen.

I was thinking about trying Behr for the second coat in Clear Moon becuase BM Aura is so expensive. Unfortunately, the reviews on Behr are not great online.  Do any of my readers have any other experiences?  my uncle swears by it and another friend (LJ) hates it.  I want these walls finished this week.  If I shouldn't use Behr Clear Moon then I need to find an equivelant colour with BM since I've always trusted it.  HELP!!!  

Below is a picture of the paint colour I'm considering with Behr and the kitchen paint colour BM HC-81 Manchester Tan. 

This shot is against the living room painted wall. 

Green & Blue

Good Saturday morning to all of you!  It's a gorgeous sunny cool morning in Toronto.  I love it!!  Fall is my favourite season.  It gets me so energized.  I have a few things to accomplish this morning - pick up mat jeans from the tailors (yeah another outfit will be complete providing me with 7 full days of outfits), visit Home Depot to check out Behr white paint since I don't like the Navajo White from BM and I really can't afford to buy another 2 gallons of it and check out HomeSense for bedside table lamps.  Our new side tables will be delivered between 12-2pm today.  I'm so excited to have proper side tables that will hold everything we need.  I know I wasn't going to go matchy-matchy but the pair to go with the dresser went on sale from $239 to $199 and then I managed to squeeze another $20 off each.  How could I resist at that price??? This afternoon I'm going to an industrial carpet store that sells remnants to regular consumers.  A friend discovered it and purchased a beautiful 8' x 8' (aprox) sisal rug for $200.  Wish me luck!

I have been meaning to post pictures of this room for a while now but for some reason my macbook was not cooperating with me.  I put it in time out and now I have a cooperative macbook.  :)  I'm a parent in training.

This is the inspiration for our nursery.  I love how bright the room is and the mix of green and blue.  It's a little girls room but I think it will work just fine for a baby boy or girl and mostly it will suit mom very well. :)

Have a great day!!

Martensen-Jones Interiors

Redrawn

I have been in search of affordable drapes and roman shades for our bedroom, kitchen and nursery. With so many windows to cover I need to do this the economical way.

By chance, I discovered a store on Mount Pleasant Avenue (for those Torontonians) that sell consignment drapes and other soft furnishings such as pillows, rugs and unused fabric. Some of their selection comes from show houses, interior design displays or cancelled orders. They also have a seamstress on hand for those of us who find fabric at the store and need it turned into a window covering.


I spotted really great white fabric that would be perfect for the nursery roman shade (drapes will be too over-powering in the small room). Another customer had purchased the fabric on-sale for a specific window only to find it won't be enough fabric. I've asked Janet (owner of the store) to put it aside for me and ask the customer if she would sell it to me. I'll find out next week if it's a go or not. Fingers crossed!


On another topic, we painted the living room BM Navajo White last night. I'm not happy with the colour. It's come out looking way too yellow! I'm hoping it's just the lighting we currently have otherwise it will be re-painted on Monday night (Ryan's too busy this weekend). Luckily only one wall has two coats of paint. All others still have one coat. I'm going to the BM store tomorrow morning to discuss with their colour expert another white. It's so disappointing because I tested the colour on our walls prior to buying the gallon and did not see any hints of this yellow undertone. Frustrating!!!


I'll take a picture tonight and you can see for yourself. Maybe the 6pm light will make it look right. Probably not but I'm open to it.

Have a great Friday!!!

A Wall to Remember!

Morning readers!



I didn't get half of my to-do list completed but I did have a very enjoyable and relaxing weekend. Ryan made us a delicious steak and potato dinner on Friday night. It was as if we were at The Keg but in our own kitchen. He cooked twice baked potatoes with chives. To say they were delicious would be an understatement. For those who have never been to the Keg a twice baked potato is a cooked whole potato with the centre part scooped out and whipped into mashed potatoes and then stuffed back into the potato shell. AMAZING!


I did get the frosting onto three of our windows that face our neighbours. I feel much better now that they can't look into our house and we can't seem them when we are in the kitchen and washroom.


This week’s project is to paint the powder room and living room. The living room is going to be BM Navajo white OC-95. The powder room I have yet to determine. I'm considering dark grey and painting the walls in a satin and the ceiling in a high gloss. I want it to be dramatic!

My other project over the next month (yes I'm giving myself a month to start and finish it) will be installing a gallery wall along the front hallway. It's a large hallway and a very big task. I have purchased the black frames in various sizes. Now I'm looking for the cheap brown art paper that comes on rolls to help me arrange the look. Michael's didn't have it. Any suggestions where to find it? Once I have arranged it I will choose the photos to go in each frame. This is where it will take me a while.

Here are a few examples that I'm basing my gallery wall on. All photos will be black and white.  I'm undecided on a whether to go with a messy look (pic #2 & 4) or to organize it along lines (pic #1 & 3). 

Martha Stewart

Pewter & Sage

Martha Stewart

via Alluminare

Have a great day!

Kitchen Crush!

via Bryn Alexandra

I spotted this kitchen on Bryn's blog this morning and gasped!  There was no way I could not write about my love for this very well designed room.  it's all about the details.  The grey blue ceiling is divine!  I love how they emphasized it with the chandelier hanging above the island and brought the colour down onto the cabinets framing the cooking area.  I would die to have a range hood like this one covering your entire cook space and more.  Notice the chalkboard drawers, beautifully designed tiled floor and backsplash.  Love!!

Tonight I'm hanging out with my husband and taking it easy tomorrow morning with him.  It's rare we get a weekend morning together.  I'm very excited!  The rest of the weekend will be spent searching for fabric, cleaning the floors, researching gliders and cribs and installing a film on a few of our windows for more privacy. 

Enjoy your weekend and thanks for reading!!  xo

Gossip Girl!

One of my favourite reasons to love fall is because it's the start of all my favourite shows.  Specifically Gossip Girl.  The promo for Season 4 was just released.  Check it out here. 

Ah, Paris in the fall!  Is there anything better than it?  I love anything that reminds me of Paris so this is perfect - my favourite show and favourite city all in one.  I just hope they show as much of it as possible. 

Here are a few Parisean inspired rooms. 

Camron PR

High Fashion Home

Home Decorating Info

Veranda

I'm off to a client party tonight to socialize for as little time as possible.  All I really want to do is go home and relax.  There is something about sitting all day that makes a pregnant lady want to lie down and give her belly a chance to relax!! 

Have a great night!  xo

Autumn Tree

I love the way this looks with the leaves falling and the quote on the side. I think it would be sweet to put a nursery rymne on the wall next to the tree.  

Wall Decors via Etsy

Art for the Nursery

Bomobob's shop on etsy has the most adorable 8" x 8" photo art of a carnival that I've ever seen.  It's very ethereal and feautres all the colours I want for our nursery.  I think it will look fantastic with large white mats in either a coloured frame or black frame.  Not sure which yet.  I would do a white frame but the walls will most likely be white or a very faint blue. 
These are my picks. 

What do you think? 

A Great Store and My Favourite HGTV Designer

I stopped into Chair Table Lamp on Yonge street after a client meeting this afternoon.  It was my first experience.  If you get a chance take a gander.  They have very unique furniture and accessories.  According to the owner Kevin Austin the product changes over daily!  A lot of items are 50% off right now so run!!  If I had my camera I would have taken many photos.  There is a chandelier that I fell for but at $250 it was still more than I could afford for the nursery.  Not everything is as expensive. 

The real point of this post is to tell you my favourite HGTV personality and designer Tommy Smythe was in the store with his colleague Lindsay Mens picking out pieces that Sarah (Richardson for those who don't know me yet) would love.  I almost died!!  I love Tommy even more than I love Sarah.  He is so funny!!  Smaller and a wee bit older looking in person but still incredibly cute!  I did not say hello because I don't like to invade people's personal time but he did smile at me!! :) Love you Tommy!

Nursery Paint & A Cool Glass-top Dresser

Morning! I apologize for not posting yesterday. My day just got away from me and became very stressful. Luckily it ended with a few laughs and a great chat with my sister Katie. :) Love you!

I have the nursery on my mind today. I'm about 80% sure I felt the baby for the first time last night. It felt like a slow motion flutter across my lower belly. Very cool sensation!
I might have featured this room before. Originally, I was thinking white or a hint of blue on our nursery walls with black or green tree decals but now that I see the grey I love it with the white vinyl’s. What to do??
I also really like the idea of placing tinted blue green glass on top of the dresser to protect the top and add some more colour. It will look very cool with my green and turquoise colour scheme. This week I'm on the hunt for affordable light green glass knobs to replace the plain white wood ones currently on the dresser. It will just add another layer of interest to the room.

Martensen-Jones Interiors

Baby Product Wish List

I came across a very cool product today.  The ITZBEEN Baby Care Timer.  It has four timers to help new, sleep deprived parents remember and communicate tasks like how long ago they changed a diaper, fed the baby, put them down for a nap, or gave them medication. It will remind you at various intervals set by you. It comes with a belt clip, nursing reminder switch, illuminated display, clock, and a soft nightlight for changing diapers in the dark.  I know this product is going on my registry! 

Banquette Dining

I think these beauties speak for themselves this morning.  There is nothing like banquette dining.  It's cozy, relaxing and stylish.  Not to mention it is my favourite seating style!

Big plans this weekend to finalize fabric for the kitchen drapes, find more fabric for our bedroom drapes and maybe a stop at Ikea and Dear Born Baby to shop for our little one. 

Massucco Warner Miller Interiors

Phoebe Howard

Sarah Richardson

via Thirteen & South

Tracery Interiors

Better Homes & Garden

via Young House Love

Tufting

Let's examine my love for tufted furniture.  You can never have enough of it in my opinion.  One day I aim to build a tufted headboard myself and reupholster my tufted pleather ottoman.  I saw a similar DIY projet here. 


Loving the black, white and hit of pink in this room.  The tufted headboard is one of my favourite looks!

Ken Fulk via House Beautiful

LOVE THE CHAIR!!

Decorpad

Looks like one of the most comfortable sofas ever!  I could sit here and read all day and night!

Decorpad

I saw this room on Decorpad and turned into Rachel Zoe when I said 'I die! It's B-A-N-A-N-A-S!'  If we have a little girl I will one day paint her room this shade of pink.  It's bold and girlie.  Check out the awesome ottoman with tufting and nailhead trim.  It's perfect!

Decorpad

That's all for now folks.  Time to get work done and then meet one of my many pregnant friends for lunch.  It's a good day!

Breathe It In!

This afternoon I could really do with a pretty bouquet of lilacs at my desk.  It's one of my favourite summer scents.  Especially on a hot and sticky day like today. 

I want to plant a lilac bush in my backyard for next spring.  Click here for tips on planting and caring for lilac bushes.  I need as much help as I can get since I've never had a garden and do not have a green thumb. 

For the rest of the day I will imagine the beautiful scent.  Puts a smile on my face.  Ryan this post is a hint for  you!  I wouldn't mind coming home to a bouquet of lilacs.  :)  xo

Dining Table Options

I think I have finally found the dining table for our kitchen.  It has been a long hard search for a great table at an affordable price.  I was going to order this one from Restoration Hardware but with taxes and duties it would put the cost over $1,800.  More than we really want to pay considering there are many other purchases for the house still to come (fence, nursery furniture, lighting, rugs, etc).  Another HUGE factor was their reputation is not very good right now.  My sister-in-law ordered MANY pieces from them for their new house and has had a horrible experience dealing with late delivery, delivery the wrong furniture, back orders, bad workmanship!  Seriously, for the price you pay you would think that everything would be perfect.  If someone from RH is reading I would suggest you improve on all of the above mentioned.

Back to my table...  I was recently in Domus at Vaughn Mills and saw a variety of tables that fit our style all built in Canada by a company called Color Shop.  You can choose from different table edges, finishes (antique, matte or gloss), table top (wood or other), table style (round, rectangular, square), table legs (pedestal or 4 leg options) and stains.  It's fantastic!!  This is the one I'm considering but in rectangular not square.  

  

My only concern is should I match it to the legs of my chairs.  (keep in mind the fabric will be replaced at another time so don't judge that).  Here is a reminder of what they look like. 

Here are the table leg options.  Should I go with another one? Let me know your thoughts.  I would like to order it this week. 

Monday Blues

It's a grey afternoon in Toronto.  Thought I would share a bright girlie bedroom with you all.  Love the flowers, drapes and wall sconces!

Kitchen Paint Revealed! What's Next?

I woke up ready to tackle the week and then just before leaving the house my head started to pound.  Another migraine.  They are definitely consistent.  Hopefully the massage tonight and accupuncture tomorrow helps this week.  Did anyone else experience this when they were 4.5 months pregnant? 

I'm just about to leave the house but wanted to post this first.  The first two photos are the kitchen with the original paint colour. 

And now the freshley painted kitchen in BM Manchester Tan.  Love it!  It looks much more grey in the photos than in person. 

Counter is busy because we have dishes drying.  

Next steps: 

1. Order dining table
2. Choose fabric and order curtains (I took down the horrible faux bamboo vertical blinds) for the sliding doors and window above the sink
3. Paint and frame chalkboard (for the small wall not seen in the photo. It's to the right of the doorway)
4. Purchase and disply art, clock, pictures, plates... something on the long wall. 
5. Choose and purchase chandelier & work space light (this will be in due time as money is tight)
6. Replace white range hood with a stainless steel range hood (again, something that can wait as we have other purchases to be made that take priority)

I know... it's a long list of tasks.  We'll have to take it one step at a time as there are many projects that need to be completed throughout the house.  


I'm off to work.  I need to pack 8 hours into 5.5.  Wish me luck!  Have a great day!!  

Ah, it's Friday!

After suffering for many hours yesterday with yet another migraine headache I'm back!  Feeling more energetic and with a bigger belly.  I'm still trying to wear my own clothes (pre-pregnancy) but I have a feeling this may be one of the last weeks that it's possible.  The bella band is helpful but makes me feel a bit snug. 

I have a lot to accomplish at work today and a big to-do list for home projects this weekend.  I haven't had a chance to pull the nursery idea board together yet (pregnancy symptoms are really getting in the way).  I did however come across this beautiful nursery for Tiffani Thiessens daughter.  I love it's clean lines, comfy chair, soft rug, the wall decal and the soft purple.  It's perfection.  I'm aiming for a similar feel but with white and green. 

I want to show you pictures of our freshly painted kitchen.  Ryan's had the camera all week at work so i'll try and get that done this weekend.  We still need to order drapes (I might have found the fabric), purchase a dining table, build/paint the chalkboard and find art or something for one of the larger walls next to the dining area.  I like the idea of placing a large clock in the room.  What do you think?

Have a great day!!  xo