A Beautiful Nest!

I came across these images from Nest Dallas Design.  I love the feel of each room.  Clean lines, neutral with hits of colour hear and there, great lighting, simple roman shades, not a lot of trinkets lying around.  It's exactly how I like to live.  The prints on the wall of the first room are from the Crate & Barrel.  They work really well against the grey paint.  The colours in this room are not what I would normally think to pair but they work really well together.  The floor lamps remind me of my grandparents old lamps with the tray attached.  I love how they have been modernized with a large barrel shade featuring silver metallic inside.

This is one of my favourite bedrooms.  It has character without the fuss - clean lines, neutral backdrop, pops of green and purple (my favourite fall colour).  I could easily do this in our bedroom.  Now I just have to convince Ryan that puple isn't too girlie (even though he already cut it from the choice). 

Dark grey walls, a lighter grey ceiling, marble surround fireplace, medium toned wood floors - perfection!!  Seriously, if I could paint every ceiling in my house I would!  It would involve way too much work though because we have the god awful speckled ceiling. 

Honestly, the ceiling fans are awesome!  Chocolate brown, light grey and white are such a classic combination that will always remain fresh. 

Ryan is taking me away for the weekend (Sat/Sun) to a surprise destination.  I have no idea and it's very exciting!  Tonight we'll meet our nephew for the first time.  He was born this morning weighing 8lbs 12oz and a full head of hair!  I can't wait to meet this little guy. 

We hope to stop by Babies Fine Furniture on Sunday afternoon to check out some nursery furniture.  We'll see if that happens.  I think I would prefer this weekend to be free of any house duties, errands or decorating.  We need a break. 

Oh, our powder room is looking fantastic!!!  Seriously the colour is gorgeous!

Have a great weekend!  xo

6 month photo & more on Margaret Bosbyshell

Another crazy day at work.  I'm counting down the minutes until lunch as I'm very hungry!  I think baby is going through a major growth spurt right now.  :)  Mom and dad were surprised at the size of my beach-ball tummy.  It's grown a lot since they saw me 3 weeks ago.  We had dinner last night.  I love spending time alone with my parents.  It's so rare with having 2 siblings. 

Here is a photo of me 24 weeks pregnant taken on Sunday morning with my iphone.  It's a bit odd to take a picture of yourself but I wanted to capture my cute outfit and adorable tummy. That's right... I'm calling myself adorable and cute! ;-)  I'm not smiling though because it felt fake. 

I was so intrigued with the bedroom I featured on Monday by Atlanta designer Margaret Bosbyshell so I had to show you parts of the rest of the house.  I love how bright each room is.  The combination of white and black with hits of blue and green in the bedrooms and office is very sharp!  This is a great summer house.  I couldn't live in it during Toronto's cold winter. 

And the lovely lady...

 

All pictures via Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles

The Powder room will be painted tonight.  I went with the dark colour.  I can't wait to show you the finished product.  Hopefully I love it.

My New Series - Fresh Start!

Morning readers! It's a beautiful sunny Monday morning here in Toronto. Normally I hate Mondays (probably due to not loving my career at the moment) so I've decided that I must do something every Monday to inspire all of us and to start the week on a positive note. What better way than to feature a gorgeous room or something I love. I'm thinking of calling this series 'Fresh Start'. We'll see if it sticks. Let me know if you have another suggestion.


Today’s room is from Elle Decor. I saw it last week and was immediately attracted to it. I love its simplicity. The white walls and sheer blinds provide a calm and easiness to the room. There is nothing to compete with the neutral sofas and cozy caramel coloured chairs. And look at all the light! I could sit by that window for hours reading, sipping tea and munching on those little French macaroon pastries. Ah, what a perfect way to start our week.

A Fresh Approach To Dining

I came across this image (not sure where though...) on one of my many quick blog glances throughout the day.  I didn't record who designed it so if you know please let me know.  I love the fresh crispness of blue and white especially when paired with light reflecting mirror and glass.  I think they have also done either a midnight blue or black on the bottom half of the walls.  It's absolutely striking!  I would love to be enjoying a breakfast of tea and scones while reading one of my favourite decor magazines.  Ah... it's a nice dream...

Have a great day!

Black & White

Oh how I love Nate Berkus and black and white!  This room is stunning!  It's the perfect base for me.  I would add a few pops of colour with pillows and throws and a few items on the fabulous zebra ottoman. 

I had a terrible sleep last night and in need of a lot of caffeine today to stay awake.  This black and white room is totally how i feel today.  I'll sit in the sun at lunch to get some vitamin D to make me feel better. 

Have a great day! xx

Neutral is Soothing

Morning lovely readers!  I'm back at work today after spending the majority of yesterday on my back with a heating pad.  I pulled a muscle getting ready for the gym.  (Do you think that's a sign that I shouldn't go to the gym in the morning or is it a sign that I should go more???)  Any how, I'm feeling a bit better today.  I can finally take a deeper breath.  The chiropracter should help me a lot at lunch today. 

In the meantime, does everyone find this bedroom as soothing and lovely as I do?  I could easily end my days relaxing in this bed.  I love the shape of the headboard.  I would like to attempt making my own headboard this summer.  Once I'm in the house I will get started. 

Better Homes and Gardens

A hit of Blue and White

Loving this room by Timothy Mather.  Blue and white is definitely a classic and a favourite combo of mine.  I can't wait to incorporate it in our new bedroom.  42 days until we're in the new house!!  :)

I'm IN-LOVE with the double panel silk drapes and fabric headboard.  They are so luxurious.

Blue & White Living Room

Todays post needs to be quick.  I have a busy day at work and then I need to rush home to clean my house because mom's coming to visit.  Yeah!!!  The house is clean, I just like to give it a once over before we have company.  I probably shouldn't seeing that every time someone comes over the place ends up looking a mess.  It might be better to clean on Sunday... Sorry mom.  :) 

I found this image last night and fell in love.  Blue and white is the perfect colour combination.  I'm dying over those pillows!  I want to replace my sofa pillows but haven't seen anything I love yet. 

Have a great weekend!!  I promise I'll have much more to share on Monady.  xo

Marble Pros and Cons

I recently had a question about marble countertops.  I love the look of them but I don't know a lot about them. So I investigated.  This is what I have discovered.  

• Marble is dense but not as absorbant as most people say.  Especially polished marble, its much less absorbent than honed.  
• It's a good idea to seal most stones.  Especially if it's used as a kitchen counter and if it's honed. 
• Marble needs to be sealed more often than granite. 
• Spills must be cleaned up immediately so it won't stain.  Be especially carefull with citric acid or alcohol being left on it.  
• Use soft cloths or pads to clean marble because it is soft and will scratch if you use abrasive scrub pads.  
• If you have etch marks caused by acidic substances then you will have to resurface the marble.  If your marble is honed and the etch marks are light then you might be able to sand them out.  A lot of people think they ad character to the countertops and don't mind light etch marks. 

Pros: Beautiful and heatproof.
Cons: expensive; porous, needs to be professionally sealed; high maintenance; can scratch and potentially stain.


If I had the money for our future home then I would definitely buy marble purely for the look of it.  What would you do?

Decorpad

Heidi Friedler via Yossawat

Atlas Stone Fabricators

Time to wash-up

First week back to work has been a busy one!! I find every week, month and year goes by faster and faster as I get older.  Why is that?  Do I have more on the go now then a few years ago?  Anyway, I love everything that's happening in my life.  I feel so blessed.  :)  Tonight I'm having dinner with good friends and my husband at a trendy hot spot in Toronto.  We haven't seen one another since early December.  Tomorrow, Ryan and I are heading to Niaga-on-the-Lake to enjoy the ice-wine festival.  It's going to be a great weekend!!  


Since I haven't had much time to myself this week todays post will be about inspirational photos.  It's time I show you my love for white bathrooms. Someone recently told me that they are out of style now.  (GASP!) How could a classic white bathroom ever be out of style?  It's classic!  


Enjoy the photos.  I'll be back Saturday morning with a recap of our London trip.

Cottage Living

Decorpad

All Bathroom Designs

Kohler

HGTV

Country Living

Sarah Richardson

Devine Design

Decorpad

219northcliffwood

Inspiration for Everyday Living