Sunday Reading: Drawing Inspiration from H&H

I'm loving the "Weekend Decorating" article of the latest House and Home magazine (Sept '11) produced by Stacey Smithers, (text Kimberley Brown) and photographed by Angus Fergusson.  Titled "Drawing Inspiration" Stacey created some super obtainable DIY's  to help create a more relaxed look with painterly brushstrokes, handwritten embellishments and more.  I wanted to show everything - I loved it all so much, but of course shouldn't.  So I picked my two most favourite, above the bedroom with it's paint imperfect walls - notice the uneven brushstrokes left by a paint roller , colour-block shutter doors, the bookcase used as a headboard (isn't that brilliant), instead of sconces a hanging pendant from a hook, and keep looking, I'm sure you'll find more.  And below a quirky handwritten label painted onto a used wine bottle to serve water with.  If you're hooked up with Zinio you can purchase the digital version here. This article alone is worth it!

Wall colour, Setting Plaster 231 and shutter doors - from top - Plummet (272), Slipper Satin (2004), Down Pipe (26), Farrow & Ball
 

My post at Family Style today - Fun Weekend DIY's

Inspiration: A Few Clippings

It's a long weekend here and as we wind down, a bit of inspiration from some magazine clippings I've collected this week before we go. I love the flowers displayed in the above photo - especially seeing the hyacinths freshly cut and out of a pot, and don't the rannuculas look perfect in that mason jar? (Photo credit: Virginia MacDonald for Style at Home - Jun/11).

If weather permits I'd really like to hit up our local beach and see what treasures have drifted in over the winter. I quite like this home that was featured in June's Style at Home designed by the Kelly Deck here in Vancouver. It's got that perfect beachy mix, with lots of white which really helps brighten up a space in the sometimes dark and cloudy rainforest we live in. (Photo credit: Barry Calhou for Style at Home - Jun/11).

I sort of like the writing on the walls and ceiling too in this photo. Although I'm not a chandelier/romantic-style person, I may grab inspiration from it.

Anyway, off for a bit of a break over the weekend and to work on our newest market which will launch Monday! Have a great weekend. See you then.

Mjolk's Summer Cottage + House and Home

My digital issue of June's House and Home arrived today and it has to be one of my favourites of the year so far. It's their Budget Issue featuring some cool and realistic spaces along with an H&H Budget Guide offering up thrifty ideas from their editors and design pro's well known here in Canada. I'm especially loving the summer cottage of Toronto couple Juli Daoust and John Baker of Mjolk. Inherited from Juli's father, the couple completely renovated it in 2009 taking it back to it's more original state revealing the original floorboards, ceiling beams and uncovering wall studs. I love the bedrooms especially with the plywood walls/ headboards and lighting ideas. As you can see it's a beautiful relaxed space filled with many pieces they sell in their Toronto shop. If you can I recommend picking up the June issue, it's filled with heaps of inspiration and more photo's of this cottage. (Photos by Stacey Brandford for House and Home).

Also, if you get a chance and haven't already, stop by Juli & John's blog kitka and read along as they travel to Scandinavia right now - their stopover in Reykjavik looks perfectly amazing. More from the issue of June's House and Home soon!