Bent grains

I love wood grains, clean lines and intresting angles. I also love magazines. How did they know?

Via svelteobjects on Etsy.

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

August - To Do

Sorry for the lack of posts, I have been really busy but I can't seem to figure out what I have done! The sun has been out pretty constantly for the past month, so I haven't had much inside time... But I have been thinking of you, and all the beautiful things I would love to blog about.... if only I had time! Hopefully I will remember them when the ski clouds over and it rains for months on end!

Vancouver needs a breeze like this! via Oh Joy!

Anyway, back to my to do list... As mentioned, July has been a scorcher, especially the last two weeks, the heat slowed me down, and I didn't get to as many tasks as I would have like to... but that's okay, I'll just do them in August!

1. Contact old professor regarding portfolio (no longer need to do this - I have a different plan!)
2. Organizational tasks* - who really does these in the heat of the summer?
3. Purchase 2 staple work clothing items
4. Sew dark roman blinds for bedroom
5. Swim 10 times (Okay, I only swam 8 times...)

I'm taking holidays for two weeks in August, and then I am away with work until mid- September, so this list is going to be a joint August - September list:

1. Organizational Tasks - 3 of them
2. Sew Dark Roman Blinds
3. Sign up for courses
4. Move bedroom wall art

I'm cutting down on the number of things since my performance last month was quite dismal. I think that this one is doable...

I am looking forward to have time for tea during my vacation....

Styling by Ludyina Moodie via Automatism

Does anyone else have summer vacation plans? I hope they are relaxing and rejuvenating! xo

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!

July - To dos

I have been inspired to follow in Alek's footsteps and make monthly lists. We'll see how long this will last!) See, I make them anyway, but I would like to post them so that I feel that I have to be accountable. I am also going to take her advice and make my lists manageable (this is going to be the hardest part). So I have narrowed down my huge to do list and have picked out the most important ones.

1. Contact old professor regarding portfolio
2. Organizational tasks*
3. Purchase 2 staple work clothing items
4. Sew dark roman blinds for bedroom
5. Swim 10 times

* Organizational Tasks consists of activities way too boring to mention here!

I'll let you know how this month goes! It might be difficult if we get a lot of....

Rachel Vigor via Desire to Inspire

I'm an escapest

Yes, it's Friday night.  Yes, I'm at home.  I decided to stay at home tonight to get a bit of my very long list of things done... Instead, I have found myself browsing blogs!  My bags are still lying at the door, my shoes are a couple of feet beyond that and I am on the couch engrossed in reading blogs.  I have escaped real life again.  Do you ever need time to escape?  How do you escape after a long day?  Here is what I have found to help me forget that I have a list a mile long to complete this weekend!...

My parents were just in Portland, and from their tales, I am just dying to go!  This blog won't help either! (via cup of jo)

What a beautiful spring bed cover?

By Vera Neumann  via Design Sponge

This place took my breath away, everything else just seems so bland compared to this... 

This place even displays the bike beautifully! (I have been trying to find a place to store my bike where it would look good... so difficult!)

Well maybe not these shoes. 

Okay, those shoes did it.  I am motivated to attack my to do list!  Have a great weekend!

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

Over a Year

So the one year anniversary of my blog came and went and I totally forgot! I guess that is one of the pitfalls of only occasionally blogging. I wish I had something profound to say about the last year of blogging, but it's Monday morning and well, I haven't been blogging lately. One thing I will say is that this experience in expressing myself and the connections I have made with fellow bloggers has opened up a whole new world, and awaken part of my persona which I had neglected for a very long time.

Via Sfgirlbybay

While the blog posts have dropped off, my love, admiration and inspiration for design, art and lovely things has not. I look forward to a day where my posts will pick up again and I can once again share all the thoughts and ideas streaming through my head!

Looking forward to another year of inspiration. xo

What I was thinking then... In mourning

I have been really busy lately, hence the lack of posts.... But it doesn't mean that I haven't been writing... I do, but then something takes me away and I never finish the post. And then the post information becomes irrelevant and I feel like I can't post it any longer. Well, I have decided that I want to post these, even if what I am talking about is long past gone! So here is the first in a series if "What I was thinking then...." I'll write the date I intended to post these to give some context.

May 20th 2009


On the way home from visiting with a friend tonight, I heard that Arthur Erickson has passed away... Some of my first blog posts were on his work, and I always love when I walk by his buildings in this city. I dreamed of one day meeting him, either at an event, or just passing him on the street. I am so sad, not only because I will never be able to meet him, but because a part of Vancouver (namely Vancouverism architecture) has passed away along with Mr Erickson. I hope that those who work with his firm still push his vision forward, but I wonder, where their designs will go now that their founder, and visionary is gone...

Arthur Erickson was a Vancouver, B.C. native. He studied at UBC and McGill, and did work all over the world, but he also came back and in my opinion changed the face of the Vancouver skyline. Many people recognize Arthur Erickson's work only by the concrete that he used, and many people don't like his designs that much, so I thought I would show some of his work without concrete - I love these ones because they meld so well into the natural landscape, really making the view and nature the focal point. Aurthur Erickson's ability to design with the natural environment as the primary focus is what he should be known for, because he pushed that concept to knew heights... literally!

I hope that Arthur Erickson is smiling down at this beautiful day and is proud of the way he has shaped his home town.... and many of the homes in his town.

All of the images are from Arthur Ericskson's website. When I think of a Vancouver house, these are what I think of.... His lines are so impeccable!

For the love of a good place to sleep.

James, my friend Andrea's boyfriend, moved into an apartment last month and is looking to make it feel homey on a budget. He had me over to show me around his new pad and describe what he wanted. I don't have any pictures of what it looks like, but will take some this weekend and then post them... In the mean time I am going to post some inspirational rooms to see what he is feeling. I am really excited to hear what James has to say with my suggestions!

For the bedroom James has this great blue duvet cover which I wanted to work with to create a beachy (yet slightly northwest) feel...

Let's start off with some inspiration...

Warm summer bonfires near the beach....

Via Elements of Style

Via Elements of Style

With a dash of tropical....

Via Sfgirlbybay

And making sure that water is the focus....

Photography by Cody Pickens via Sfgirlbybay

Bringing this all into a room....

I don't know where I got this photo from! Does anybody know?
(I just love the waves print... it inspires so much openness... I also love the use of the earth tan colours, they warm up the cool blue but maybe it will need to be a bit more masculine, like this next one...)

Via Elements of Style
(James look at the drift wood mantle... I love it! I also like the brown, and tans and wicker...)

Via Elements of Style
(Or this one, with more blue....)

Via Coco and Kelley

I really like these muted blue colours, I think if we bring in a darker blue it would really add depth to the space....


And, just randomly - an idea for your hat... get a whole bunch of them and hang them in a corner, adds some wonderful texture to the light walls, is totally beachy, and super cheap!

Via Elements of Style

So what do you all think? Would you let me take your bedroom to the beach?

Beachy Bag

I'm heading to the beach the long weekend.... I am hoping for warm weather, sun and lots of relaxing! If I was stylish, this is how I would carry my surf board....

Via Elements of Style (check Erin's beach style - she has some great posts!)

And wouldn't it be lovely to carry your beach wears in this?

From India Rose (love!) via Simple Song

May Flowers

It has been too long since I last posted! This intermittent posting has become non existent! Unfortunately I think it is going to be this way for the next two months. I am just swamped, but loving it!

Here in Vancouver May so far has brought some showers over flowers.... but that is fine with me. As I am sure you know I don't love flowers... I am much more of a greenery person....

I have had this photograph by Adrian Briscoe stored away for a while, probably since the first month I started blogging! I just love how the green adds that punch (especially the plant in the foreground) but it still keeps the area cosy and earthy.... two ambiances I love!

I think May Flowers have been seeping into my bones though, lately I have been toying with the idea of buying some flowers for my room.... If I could I would buy these hydrangeas and put them in this stunning vase - or maybe a sterling silver one....

Photography by John Bessle

Do you have flowers in your bedroom? If so what flowers do you have?

(Speaking of bedrooms - Once these two months of craziness pass I hope to show you a few photos from my room... I am oh so slowly decorating it, and I would love to have some input! )

Bright Metal

I am in love with these stairs by Product and Design Metalwork which I found over at Remodelista. I love the way they have a solid and heavy presence, but allow the light to come through so nicely. The clean simple lines, with the interesting triangular detail on the bottom add some really neat interest! Does my love for these stairs make me a modernist?

Wrap me up and loop me around....

I totally forgot about my love for afghan's until I came across this post.....

All images via Smosch

My great-grandmother used to make afghans, so we have a few back at my parents home. They are all made with a black background, and until I saw this one, I thought that was the only way, but I love the white, it is so fresh! Oh, I wish I had an afghan of my own - I love looping the knots over my fingers and toes when I curl up on the sofa. These blankets got me through a lot of sick days...

The talented Sandra from Smosch recently finished hers (as seen in the images). I would love to be able to do this one day.... I wonder how much time it took...

Misc Items...

I love minimal clean design.... but I just can't seem to make it work in my life! I live in a relatively small apartment with a roommate, so the only real space that I have to myself is my bedroom. I have some storage, and try to organize all of my stuff so that it fits within the confines of the storage but I always seem to have extra things popping up here and there and creating a clutter! For example, I have a birthday present that I am waiting to give someone, all wrapped up, my gloves, which I don't have to wear everyday but still need some mornings, an inspiration board that I need to cover with fabric, spray paint cans that I have to return to the depot, some magazines that I use for ideas every now and again, pens and pencils, mail that I need to deal with, my pile of bags, I take a different one to work almost every day, pillow covers that need to be sewn, the list could go on and on and on.

Oh and I forgot about the constant pile of clothes that need attention! This one looks good though! Via Dwell

I clean everything up, but it all way, and then I turn around and it is all back like this! Via Dwell

What should I do? What do you do? It is getting to the point where it is keeping me up at night. Last night for instance, I had to get up and clean my whole room because I was feeling like I was sinking into a pit walled with clutter. (I think I have a clutter fear!)

My pit walled with clutter.... Via Apartment Therapy

My only solution is setting up an entrance area (if my roommate is cool with it) where we can put our miscellaneous items... Or is that just diverting the clutter? Should I just give up on many of these projects and throw the items away? I don't know what to do... I think it is time for a good spring clean.

West Elm makes it look so easy to be organized! Via West Elm

What do you think? Do you have the same problem? Is your home bursting at the seams with stuff?....

I wish I had an extra room to store all of my unfinished projects! Unfortunately they have to reside in the same room that I do! via Doorsixteen