Summer Light

It has been over a month since I last posted, and all summer since I have written anything substantial! It has been a busy and wonderful few months off I must admit. August has been full of vacation (more on that later!), one week back with friends in town visiting, and then off to the field with work, which is where I am now! July was all about Vancouver. The weather was absolutely amazing and I took full advantage of it! I fell in love with Vancouver all over again and explored so many new places (more on that as well!). Needless to say, it was a great summer... and now that fall is here, I can't help but wish I could go back and start summer all over again!

With summer still in my mind (as I sit in a rain/wind storm) I stumbled upon this image, which I am just loving! The light in this image reminds me of summer mornings... the time of day I relish the most!

Via a life's design

I read a little bit about this house and made me fall in love with the hole house, not just this room!

• Beautifully located - bay side Maryland
• Inspired by historical small structures that lined the shores of the Chesapeake Bay for the past centuries.

The front of the house... rather large! Via Southern Living

• The back of the house- which faces the water is lined with windows and has multiple porches. I love the idea of multiple smaller areas, which makes things much cozier.

Via a life's design

Guest Room Inspiration

This image from Remodelista has given me inspiration for a guestroom, that is, when I have a house with a guestroom!I love the way the bed is not made and set up almost institutionally. Such a juxtaposition from the traditional guestroom decor. It reminds me of the first day of summer camp when you run into your cabin to find the best bed! I also love it because I hate making beds and I always feel guilty as I am tearing out the beautifully made linens when staying with friends. This one found on Emma's Design Blog is also inspiring. I love the pile of magazines as a side table and the shelf!

Photography by Annika Vannerus

These both work so well because I am sure that when I have a guestroom, it will me a multifunctional room, and these simple beds will allow me to switch the room from craft space to guest space with ease!

Sweet Dreams Andrea!

My dear friend who's boyfriend I posted about just below is also trying to decorate her room. Andrea is an amazingly adventurous and has traveled extensively. She has Italian heritage, but also embraces the Spanish culture, speaking the language and dancing the dance (salsa). Her pastimes include cooking, yoga and being outdoors. For her room I want to incorporate many of these themes into her room, especially her travels to Turkey, yoga, and bright Spanish flair! Here is what I have come up with.....

Some ethnic elements....

Ara via Desire to Inspire

Elle Decor via Coco & Kelley

Some interesting ways to show art... they also inject some lovely colour! I love the decorative frames, which are feminine and add visual interest!

Photography by Damian Russell via Desire To Inspire

This one might be a little much, especially for a bedroom, but I wanted to illustrate how mixing and matching frames and mats can really add an eclectic, romantic flare! (I am sure James will not like this room, but Andrea just might like some elements!)

Elle Decor via Coco & Kelley

Since Andrea has a cream bedspread, we can bring in the colour with pillows and a other fabric.

Via Desire to Inspire

Via Sfgirlbybay

Appeasing to the yogi in Andrea, and the green thumb, I would love to have a Buddha in the room, and some plants. A plant in front of her window might be the perfect way to diffuse the light and street noise!

Via Desire to Inspire

I do have a question for Andrea though, are you more romantic....

Via Coco & Kelley

Or bold?

Via Desire to Inspire

Crafty Globe

Do you remember back in January when I kept on seeing beautiful globe lights around and wondered if I should replace my bedroom light with one of them instead of a chandelier? Well, I am still convinced that I want a chandelier, but I still think they are amazingly beautiful! Maybe my dining room needs a new light?

From Bobo Intriguing Objects

These ones used to be old wine spheres.... I love the slightly charcoal tint in the glass and the flat bottoms. I imagine their unusual shape will make for some great light reflections!

Bathe

An Arctic air mass blew in yesterday, while being beautifully sunny, it is also freezing! It would be a perfect day to take a bath in one of these.... Cozy warm water, yet with a view of the beautiful blue skies!

Attic bathroom? I love how they managed to put the little window in front of the bath... So cute!

Via Black Eiffel

I could just imagine this house being on a hill, where you could hunker down in this tub and storm watch... the sound of rain hitting the glass and the distorted view through the water flowing down the panes, such a great contrast to the warm calm waters of the bath!

Via Bo Bedre

These sophisticated dark bathrooms inspire so much contrast and you can't help but be drawn to the light outside... especially if it's a bright day. I love dark bathrooms.

Via Domino

The French do it so well....

Via Marie Claire Maison

A shower and a bath? And a bath in black? I think I have died and gone to heaven!

Via Desire to Inspire

Cottage baths? Can it get any more relaxing?

Via Designers Brew - formally The Nerdy Fashionista

Modern and sleek, looking out into your garden oasis. I hope your neighbours don't peep over the fence!

via A Life's Design

Rustic yet crisp. I love the ceiling, the tons of light keep it nice and airy.

S. Russell Groves via A Life's Design

Aren't these two little kids just the cutest?

From Asberg Interior and Design

K.T. Tables

My dear friend Katie moved into her first one bedroom apartment. It's a beautiful pad with huge windows tons of sunlight and a great open flow. Now comes the fun part - decorating! She already has a couch, TV and bookcase, so now we are on the hunt for coffee tables.... simple right? Well not quite, Katie has strict thoughts of what she wants from her pieces of furniture (and rightly so!) For the coffee table Katie wants something with an open bottom so she can put her feet under the table, no glass or metal and a simple design (and maybe some storage...). So with that criteria in mind, I have found some that I think will fit, and are available in Canada.... Take a peak Katie....

I know you don't want metal, but these ones are dark and feel lightweight, might be what you need next to your couch!

Modular Coffee Tables by West Elm

Haven Coffee Table from Pottery Barn

Remember the table we saw last Sunday? These are other options... and not as expensive! The second one even folds out if you want to make it into a low dinner table!

Delmonte Coffee Table from Sears

Marakech Flip Top Cocktail Table from Sears

Simple and sleek, storage, foot room, no metal or glass and about the right size.

Kelsey Two Drawer Cocktail Table from Sears

I think you can fit your feet under these ones! I love the natural wood of the first one (although it might be too country for you, and the second one is pretty much my classical favorite! There is a storage shelf, but it looks high enough - some baskets or IKEA boxes on there and you will get your storage and coffee table in one!

Cordoba Coffee Table from Pottery Barn

Chloe Coffee Table from Pottery Barn

Last but not least - simple but perfect. Great wood grain, nice solid legs, and a smooth top. You could put baskets/boxes under the table for storage and then move them when you want to put your feet under the table.

Jackson Coffee Table from Sears

A few things I figured out while searching. There is a surprising number of coffee tables without room to put your feet under them. For simple designs The Bay and Sears are good options, they are starting to carry more modern designs. Check out Crate and Barrel, (see below) there are some great ones on that website, I don't know if they ship to Canada but it might be worth a trip to the US!

Westcoast Bound

I am ecstatic to be returning home.... back to the westcoast after two months away!

Keller + Keller

My rain boots are ready!

Floating Retreat

Check out this post from Inhabitat on a floating house in Lake Huron! With Lake Huron's fluctuating water levels, this is the ideal waterfront cabin, never would you have to climb down those steps during low water levels, nor would you have to worry about the shores lapping your house away when the water levels rise.

I also imagine it would be so relaxing, falling asleep to the rocking motions of the waves... ...that is unless there is a storm! I hope it is in a sheltered area because Ontario gets some nasty winter storms!

The home was prefabricated and then brought to the lake, where it was placed and secured onto pontoons resting on the ice. Once the summer came, and the ice melted, the house was tugged 80 kms to this remote island location. It's so lovely (and probably environmentally friendly) that this remote area of the lake didn't need to be disturbed by months of construction and personnel coming to and fro.... it really does add to the pristine nature of the area! (Check out these other floating houses on Inhabitat)

Swiss retreat

My skis are on, my boots are tight, and my goggles aren't fogging up. Can I come over? Can I stay forever?

I am in awe of this cabin in Switzerland. The views are spectacularly breath taking. (I am at a loss for words) A well placed abode, I must say.

Via Black*Eiffel

Bishop Bevy

Remember when I wanted to find a new cocktail? Well here is one I came across from ModCottage. I don't think I can order it when I'm out, but it does sound yummy, especially since it's still cold here! Spiced anything sounds soooo good right now!

Image from ModCottage

Rich[ardson] Bedrooms

Sarah Richardson is a well known (almost famous?) Canadian designer and stylist who has had several shows (Room Service and Design Inc.) and has her own line of furniture. Her latest project is inviting HGTV viewers into her newly purchased house and watch her renovate the whole thing, while pregnant! The show is called Sarah's House.

I haven't watched many episodes, but I did catch a bit of one focusing on her master bedroom. The room was so simple and elegant, I had to share.

Before:

After:

While browsing for the Master bedroom before and after photos I found some images of her new guest room, even more inspirational ! (I especially love it because of the Black, White, and Green - the colour pallet I wanted for my bedroom...) Maybe Sarah will want to redecorate her guest room in the near future and donate all her 'old' items to me!

I can't believe how much light there is in this basement room! It's like it isn't even below ground!
And this is how it looked before!!

All images from HGTV

Keep it festive....

I hope you have a wonderful and fun holiday! I will be taking some days off from the ol' computatora to spend some much needed time with the fam. Looking forward to my first egg nogg of the season! See you after Christmas!

Lucyina Moodie