Not quite right...

You may remember that for the longest time, I was stuck with what to do with the walls in the living room. Faced with the super high, vaulted ceilings to the open loft, that were essentially capped by a ledge running the entire perimeter of the main floor.... everything was feeling a little dwarfed and not quite right. I had created a little canvas with a fabric that I absolutely loved. But something about it, still didn't look right.

I realize that perhaps the canvas was a little small ( I didn't measure, just eyed it up), but maybe it was hung too high. The price for getting it framed was far beyond my means.

So out an about one afternoon, this canvas caught my eye! I thought it would be the perfect color for the space and Cory thought it looked best above the sofa. But for whatever reason, I still think there is something else missing.

Then there was the perpendicular wall, that was huge and completely bare, save for a couple potted plants we put at the base of the sub-wall ut out by the fireplace.

On the same trip, I found my true favorite. I was surprised by the choice as the reds and organges in it, are so NOT me.... but I loved it. I didn't care the price this pretty piece came home with me!!!

I'll have to get a full-room shot with it inside.. but it looks pretty and is the right size for that wall for sure!

**I am hoping that all these new pieces will find their new homes in the new house!!**

If you have any placement or hanging suggestions, I'm all ears!!

Moving (eventually) forward

Since I've been talking alot about us buying a new place, I figured I'd share with you, some pics that we took of it, this past weekend. We've decided to go with a duplex, as it offers everything we are looking for, in our price range, while still allowing us to spring for upgrades, as well, as indulge with a walk-out basement!!!!!

The neighbourhood is brand new, and very up-and-coming. It's also in a rather prestigious area of town. RITZY!!

So without further ado - here are the showhome pics of the place we're looking at (please excuse the decor - the Marilyn Monroe theme is obviously NOT MY PICK!!

Here's what the house looks like front the exterior. Yes, we've gone with a single garage again. I'm fine with it for now, as I typically get the garage anyhow :)

The front entrance is nice and long, with a closet right there, which is great. I've always been used to having stairs right near the door (great for sitting on, and putting on shoes). So I will have to invest in a couple of little leather ottomans for the front entrance, as well as some great accent pieces for that pretty little art niche!

Plus, that little door is the (fairly large) powder room, with great front door/garage access.

This is the STANDARD KITCHEN. We are not getting this kitchen - we are upgrading to this:

We prefer the dark, upgraded cabinets, and stainless steel. We will however, be switching to a raised eating bar by the sink.

We love the layout of the open kitchen!

The kitchen also features some great details, like these little built-in wine glass and coffee mug holders! The only thing in this kitchen that we do not like is the tile, and the white (very expensive sink).

As well, the bane of our home-buying existence is the fact that in lieu of a walk-in pantry, we will have to make do with this, corner pantry :(

The dining nook is the same size-ish as what we have now, so that will work fine.

The only difference, is that we'll soon be looking out onto our deck, and fairly large yard...

The open-floorplan also includes a great room - we're currently in negotiations about moving the location of the fireplace to the big wall where the sofa is. This will provide us more furniture arrangement options.

We really like the treatment they've used on the fireplace, but are skipping the option at this point, and will probably do something similar, as a DIY, down the road!

A very large, bright stairwell with a HUGE window leads the way upstairs!

The Master Bedroom is also pretty bright, with three nice big windows, a walk-in closet with window, and a pretty Master bath with tub/shower.

There is a 3 piece main bath, whose picture seems to have been erased (Cory....).



The two additional bedrooms, will be used as a guest room (eventual nursery).

In Office/Craft room... this room also has a nice walk-in closet perfect for storing my craft stuff!

The basement in this show home was NOT finished, so I didn't take photos. However, down the road it will be finished quite nicely as a large FAMILY ROOM, complete with walk-out to backyard. There will also be a nice 3 piece bath and a pretty little laundry room, as well as a lot of storage!!! I'm very excited!

Home for the Holidays

Well, once again it's time to start thinking about, and digging out, all those Christmas decorations. We had good intentions of getting things done this weekend, but after the Christmas light debacle..... I was in no mood to get things out of the storage room. So next weekend it is.

But I have been thinking alot, about how to work our traditional holiday decor, with our more modern home. Here are some pics from Better Homes & Gardens that made me feel warm and cozy about the holidays.

This house must have a hig power bill during December!!

I like the idea of the swag and the light-filled baskets.. I am not so sure about the animals wearing bows....
So simple and pretty... and very cost-effective!I love this photo. I love how they took something not necessarily marketed "Christmas" and made it so festive and perfect... Including the fake snow atop the logs in the fireplace. Plus, the birch wood picture is great all year-round!

This one is a little too stark, and modern for me, but I think it would be prefect for someone who loves the minimalist style!!
This is uber festive and fantastic! I love the chock-full of winter look. Plus, mittens are so much cuter than stockings, when hung by the fire!!

A country classic!!

There are what I imagine most people's homes to be like.

A little bit unconventional, using potted urns instead of trees! Candles instead of a working fireplace, and large wreath in lieu of a covered mantel.

Gimme some frill...

While perusing the pages over at Traditional Home, I came across these two beautiful Showhome pictures:


This fills the space in my heart that has an affinity for pale blue and cream rooms!!


The pretty patterned wallpaper and mirrored console is exactly what I pictured in an upstairs hallway!!



The easiest way to soften up a room is to throw everything on top of a fluffy flokati rug!!

Love, love, love the pretty purple velvet upholstery on these slipper chairs!! SWOON!

What I'd give to have a master bedroom large enough for a formal sitting area...???

Operation: Christmas lights - on hold

So, we started with the 2nd round of putting up the lights yesterday. Unfortunately, we ran out of clips, and then ran out of the colored lights. So now we have half the railing done in icicle lights that we can't find anywhere in the city. But half the eaves done in colored lights we can't spent the day ( unsuccessfully searching for allover the city, and surrounding are). Thankfully, I just tracked down the colored lights online, and am working on the icicles. Will post pics as I get them.

Approach the bench.

As a little girl, I would read novels about other young ladies who were so lucky as to have window-seats in their bedrooms, where they would sit to read, write in their diaries and generally ponder about life. I loved that idea but a bedroom that was half underground, made for a less than adequate view, so I went without.

Now, our current home has huge, beautiful picture windows in every room. Unfortunately, our current situation is less than perfect, with the vanity being far too small for the space, and awkwardly dwarf looking. What's I'd love to do, since the window area is built out, is create a window seat.

Unfortunately, as we may buy a new place, this may never happen, but if stuff changes and we decide to stay, I plan to start building.

Here are a few I like.

They'll never want to leave

In my perfect, happy little world. We'd buy the duplex this weekend. What that would mean, is that I can start planning the decor :)


If all goes as planned, we will have a three bedroom. I am planning on doing a guest room and an office. Here's what I'd like to do in the guest room:



We've got a nice little double bed, that everyone says is the comfiest bed they've ever slept in. So I am thinking we keep that and add a pretty custom upholstered headboard in this fabric:

It's a tealy-blue velvet (my fave color) that would look so luxe.

This West Elm Duvet Cover Set is soooo pretty!!! And would look amazing with the headboard.

To really make things pop, these faux linx cushions and throw for the end of the bed, are a steal from Zellers of all places!!!

To really glam things up, a pair of Mirrored Cabinets on either side of the bed, are the perfect place to reflect the light of these lamps which I already have (with a black shade)

This dresser on the other side of the room, from Ikea is a multi-tasking piece that we'll switch out the hardware on...

Last but not least, I'd love to throw in this pretty chandelier for some added bling and just to make it a lovely little retreat: