Something that's REALLY scary...

In keeping with all things spooky and a bit adrenaline inducing this month, I share with you the house we bought this past weekend. 

Now THIS is FRIGHTENING:

Yes, I know it all looks like one room, but I assure you it's not. We bought a LOT of red. And faux brick wallpaper. 

If I can't pull this into the 21st century, I need a new profession. :)

Project: Muskoka Getaway

Today I'm going to introduce you to a project that I have been helping with, on and off, for the past couple of years! My family is lucky to own a fantastic little piece of Muskoka - aka beautiful cottage country in Ontario.

Over the past few years my parents have been renovating what was a tiny summer cottage (I am on the hunt to find some before photos) into a larger all-season home (see below). While I don't get final say in ANYTHING (boo!) my brother (an architect) and I (an interior designer) are asked our "expert" opinions whenever possible - this was hard while I was living in California which was the reality until a month ago. 

 A little background, this new cottage was designed by an architect before my brother was even in school to become one, and also before I started ID school. This is also not my parents' first stab at home renovation. They built my childhood 4,000 square foot home from the ground up - my father's hobby is very likely the reason both of his children fell in love with architecture and design! Back to the cottage, we LOVE the architectural design, but there are definitely issues that we all wish were realized and addressed before building commenced. Seriously, think about how furniture will be placed in each room while you are still finalizing floor plans and elevations,  and deciding on colour-schemes and materials BEFORE you start these types of projects is highly recommended! Figuring things out as you go is NEVER easy or best!

Enough talking at you, here is the basic shell of the cottage when you arrive...

{cottage in 2009 via cell phone camera}

We've been working slowly at finishing more of the entry, both exterior and interior, and here's a peak at some of the completed parts and other things that are in the works...

I'll reveal what we've finished after this weekend. The front door colour was a difficult decision!

Mr. Piepel's Office Remodel: 3d model

I've been working on the office design for my friends' home office, remember I suggested we lacquer the walls a few weeks ago. Bits and pieces have been purchased and delivered and we've finalized the wall colour - it's getting exciting!

Mr. Piepel, like my own husband, works at a GIS software company. And thus, he, again like my husband, loves collecting maps and globes and all things geography-related. The homeowners requested an orange and green colour-scheme and something that feels masculine, but fits well with their kitchen and family room which the office is located near.

Here's my plan for a moody and sophisticated orange and green scheme...  

It all started with this great rust coloured ikat fabric found at Calico Corners....

...which will be paired with a gorgeous warm green called Veranda Gold from Dunn-Edwards.

Next I'll give you a sneak peak of all the furniture and accessories, stay tuned!

Shiny Surroundings

Some of you may remember my November post (see below) over at GEORGE ID about beautiful, glassy and glorious lacquered walls. Well, the good news is that Alisha and Carsten have jumped on board, and we are moving forward with this wall treatment for their office. I've been a little busy helping them pull together a design for their space and will be revealing bits & pieces over the next few weeks...stay tuned!

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My girlfriend Alisha has been asking for my input while designing her husband's office. She has great taste, so she only requires a little guidance from GEORGE. BUT when I see her this week I am going to pressure advise her to lacquer the walls. I think it could make all the difference to his wee study, and in only the best way!

Don't you love when you have a friend who you can design one of your dream-rooms through?!

{not my photos!}

Titch of Green...

As I mentioned last year, my favourite colour is green so I was happy to collect some fun green kitchens to mark this St Patty's Day! I think green is such a fresh and versatile colour - perfect for the kitchen.  

Go can go dark and vintage...

{via}

...soft & rustic...

{via}

...vibrant & shiny...

 {via}

...or clean & subtle.

 {via}

As long as you work with the style of your home and, of course, your personal tastes, you can't go wrong with a green kitchen!

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Welcome to Fun

{via}

I just LOVE how this large, convex mirror adds a perfect dose of fun and whimsy to the otherwise clean and simple entry space. My daughter - ok, and myself! - would enjoy "moonwalking" in this thing!  

Colour & Pattern & Texture, Oh My!

 I've been thinking a lot about who my favourite designers are, and as a result I'm going to try and come up with a short list to feature on this blog over the next few weeks. This brings me to the fabulous
images below - Charleston home of the super-talented Angie Hranowsky. 

Definitely one of my current favourites, Hranowsky is a master at mixing beautiful and colourful textiles with layers of differing textures - all the while combining sleek and modern architecture and furnishings with aged, vintage finds. I have seriously NEVER seen a room by this design-genius that I don't adore.

{All photos via}

In every room slick and shiny surfaces (polished marble, sparkling chrome & translucent glass) are perfectly complimented with rough and nubbly counterparts (scratchy grasscloth, brittle caning & pitted ceramics). The furnishings and textiles are also a delicious combination of opposites - old and new, minimal and intricate.

My favourite parts of the living room are the substantial gallery wall, mix of mid-century mod and caned chairs, custom fretwork dividing wall, and of course, the plentiful pattern!

While the kitchen with its vintage lucite stools is gorgeous, it is a bit sleeker than I would choose for my own home. I would take the den, however, as it is the perfect spot to curl up with family and I happen to love its mildly Moroccan vibe.

So, don't you agree?! Hranowsky can work colour, pattern & texture, no?! I would love to meet her one day. And I would love to sleep (and have my daughter sleep) in a bedroom like these one day too.

Eggplant & Persimmon

I've been lusting over moody grey-purples lately, and have been known to love cheery and sweet persimmon-orange.  I guess it should not be surprising that I was immediately drawn to this Pacific Palisades living room designed by Hillary Thomas...

{via}

I absolutely LOVE the colour-scheme in this space - the eggplant and persimmon are fun yet sophisticated and perfectly soften the stark black and white architectural details. Ikat patterns are also high on my list of must-haves, but that's another story all together. Anyway, I wish I could say I designed this!

{ps. I highly recommend reading the whole article that this photo belongs to. Check out the new Lonny issue which came out this week, pages 98-129. A beautiful and inspiring read!}