We're Moving, Eh?!

I'm so excited to announce that my family is moving back to Toronto the first week of May! California has been an amazing place to start my married life, get my masters of interior design, and create a little miracle I call Rael, but home is where the heart is. 

As you may imagine, I have been up to my eyeballs in packing and organizing for a cross-continent move, so while I will try to keep the blog updated, it may be neglected some.

Elbow Grease: Cabinet Reveal

This reveal has been a long time coming! You may remember, last summer I bought this Pier 1 TV cabinet on Craigslist to hide our ugly electronics - I painted it persimmon (one of the colours in our living room rug, and the main colour of our curtains too) and added these antique brass pulls...

...and have been enjoying its cheeriness ever since! 

Before & After

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!

Online Design Mags

There has been such a boom over the last year with online design magazines! I am definitely LOVING the fact that I can easily and quickly access amazing issues chock-full of great design info at the click of a finger - not to mention, they are easy on the chequebook. And who doesn't love that?!

If you've been enjoying Lonny, Rue, High Gloss, and Domino - to name just a few - on your computer, you will want to check out Dabble. Edited by Toronto's Kimberley Seldon, Dabble is no-doubt on my must-read Canadian publication list, along with Canadian House & Home - which also has an online version although it's not a freebie!

A Springy Weekend

Bunches of my favourite variety of flower (ranunculus or persian buttercup) are waiting to freshen up my home at every local grocery store I visit these days. Their curvy stems ooze casual elegance - I just can't get enough of their organic lines and gorgeous colours. I'm currently loving my pink & yellow blooms...

We also enjoyed the decent, albeit cloudy, weather with a bit of playing in the sand and surf, and watched a family of dolphins doing the same...

And someone has been enjoying an early birthday present. This Schwinn roadster is a great tricycle for toddlers! It looks adorable and vintage, is solid and sturdy, and handles well. With big and wide rubber wheels,  it's hard to tip. This biker-babe approves...

Elbow Grease: One Dresser, Two Ways {Ikea Rast}

Do you know what I love? How many amazing design blogs there are out there, waiting for me to discover them and be inspired. I seriously CANNOT keep up with reading current favourites and finding new ones! It is really sad because I know I am missing out. 

Today, however, I did stumble on a great blog - and what makes today even better? The fact that I found this great blog through an amazing DIY furniture makeover. Two scores!

On the left is the fabulous Dorothy Draper style dresser by Vancouver blogger Nancy from Marcus Design (the blog I just found), and on the right is the equally remarkable two-tone dresser created by Toronto blogger Lindsay from Aubrey + Lindsay (who copied the Rast dresser she saw in Style at Home magazine). I would honestly love to recreate both of these dressers, just need to find the right room for both of them!! It seems that Canadian girls are really stealing the show when it comes to Ikea Rast makeovers - these are stunners and look pricy! Who knew a  $30 DOLLAR DRESSER, with a little elbow grease, could look so good!?

Can you believe they started like this?

And don't they look exactly like their $$$ counterparts?! I am in love.

{via & via}

For full step-by-step details on how these ladies went about their makeovers, check out Marcus Design and Aubrey + Lindsay. They have many other great projects too!

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!

A First Taste Captured

It was strawberry.

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!