Inspiration

I always save so many images on my phone and laptop that inspire me. Here are a bunch from the past few weeks. Hopefully you connect with them in some way. I’m often attracted to colours, patterns and composition in a design or photograph.

Photo by Alex @sun_poured

Photo by Manolo Yllera

Photo via Mut Design

Photo by Dokter and Misses

Earrings designed by Liz Esser @hadendesigns

Photo via @talirothdesigns

Photo by Alichia van Rhijn

Photo by Maritere Rice

Photo by arflex

Photo by Mut Design

It’s officially October and I’m about to start creating a new collection of collages. I’m excited about this collaboration and will share more details soon.

Casa Alma

I first met Elizabeth the lady behind the brand Casa Alma through the good old internet. We met at a cafe and chatted in person, I knew she was my kind kind of gal. She has great style, loves to thrift, and has a passion for home decor and colourful rugs!

I’ve been lucky to have my work in several of her projects, and the latest is something she should be very proud of. The transformation and styling of a huge project in Cobourg ON, that was just featured on HGTV Canada. You can check out the full interview here.

Below I’ve included some of my favourite photos, you know I love a good vignette and each of these rooms has plenty of them. Original art is a favourite way to add personality to your space, I was in good company with the other artists chosen. All photographs are by another talented lady Chantelle Watt. If you are local check her out!!

Grab a beverage and getting ready to get be inspired.

This is Liz looking gorgeous!

Macrame by Sticks and Strings

Art by Larissa Clayton

My three framed collages available through Jenny’s Print Shop. Also an original collage in lucite frame.

One of Casa Alma’s colourful rugs!

Two of my paintings hanging on the right. Far left available at Dwellisimo.

Art by Beth James

In love with this pottery by Style In Form

Art by Larissa Clayton

Print by Swell Made Co.

My painting on the bottom left. Top right by Larissa Clayton.

My photograph “Montreal” all framed up.

House Feature - Kristi Lucero

As soon as I discovered Kristi through Instagram I knew her home needed to be shared on the blog. Some people just have a great eye and sense of style, this lady knows how to make a space look good! 

"Hi I'm Kristi, I'm a Realtor in Montana with a major obsession with Interior Design. My family (husband and two boys, 3 and 5) and I built our home a year ago."

"We wanted something modern and smallish (it's less than 2300 sqft) but with a large open living area. Basically the opposite of the two ranch style homes we owned before this. It couldn't be too precious.. because, two boys are wild and crazy."

Kristi knows the importance of curb appeal and your home making a good first impression. How fun is her door bell from Rejuvenation. 

When you enter Kristi's home you are welcomed by this gorgeous vintage Oushak runner she discovered on Etsy. The bench provides a perfect spot for her sons to sit and tie their shoes. Her favourite light fixture in the home hangs in the foyer. In the evening it gives off a soft checkboard glow.

"We love our sectional, it’s a custom Jonathan Louis design. Our wonderful, sweet, sweet puppy has chewed a few holes in the cushions.. but let’s not get into that. This is my favorite spot to sit and sip coffee and check my phone every morning."

The family dog Nova making herself right at home.

"We live in MT, surrounded by mountains and lakes so I try to make sure our home fits our surroundings and is a true representation of the people who live in it. My style is eclectic with Scandinavian influences and a pinch of boho."

The palette in the kitchen is neutral and timeless. Kristi has chosen various materials that add texture to the space, including these gorgeous leather stools. The open concept floor plan makes this family home a great spot to entertain.

"Floating shelves were always a key part of our kitchen design. Our builder wanted a ridiculous price to install them and he didn’t seem to have a clue how it could be done without side supports. My dad installed some pretty sweet floating shelves in their kitchen, so I knew it could be done. Plus, they’re all over Pinterest. So we planned to do it our selves."

"My husband's biggest hesitation was drilling into the tile we just had professionally installed. So it literally took 10 months (and me requesting them as my Birthday gift) before I could talk him into doing this project. Once he started though, he realized it wasn’t all that hard. It only took him an hour from start to finish."

Kristi had a difficult time deciding on what piece of furniture to put underneath the television as they didn't need storage for electronics. "I came across this simple shelving unit from Ikea and decided I could push two together. It was a perfect solution and the price was right."

Now Kristi has a great spot to display her vintage pottery collection. My kind of gal!

"Big (black) windows were a must. I love that our home has an abundance of natural light!" I know I'm not the only person drooling over them.

"The big tree was an awesome Craigslist score, $55 for a house plant that big, yes please!!!  It’s about 9 ft tall, I re-potted it and viola! It weighs a million pounds and my kids like to dig in it with their toys. But I love it!"

Kristi got this large Fluorite rock for Christmas from her in-laws. They know her taste so well & began this collection for her from their travels to North Dakota. From the size of them I would assume they were quite pricey, but Kristi tells me they are $20-$40 from a local gem shop. My daughters would lose their minds if I ever bought them one of these beauties...gorgeous!

"With two young kids, it was a high priority to have a designated play space on our main level.  We chose a floor plan with a Den/4th Bedroom that we can use as a playroom while they’re young. This way we can see what the kids are doing without them completely destroying our main living space. (disclaimer: they still destroy our main living areas, but this helps a tiny bit!)

"It was important to keep it kid friendly yet aesthetically pleasing. The wood cabinets are a stylish and affordable storage solution, they hold soooo many toys and games. The kids and I both really enjoy hanging out in here. It’s bright, cheery, comfortable and has a pop of color that I love."

"The coffee table is vintage and was such a score. My husband was demoing an old hospital a few years back and found this in their storage– it was covered in mouse poop and ready to go to the dump when he saved it. Smart man." It looks great paired with these junior Panton Chairs from Design Within Reach.

I love the mix of textiles Kristi has used in her youngest son's room. Nothing too juvenile that he will outgrow, just classic colors and patterns. I have the same vintage rug in our home, it's so beautiful.

One of my favourite elements in any home is artwork. Kids get so excited when they see something they made up on display, you can't have too much in my opinion.

"I love mixing in vintage treasures I've saved from the trash with vintage/handmade textiles I've sourced on Etsy with modern store bought things.  If you asked my husband what my hobbies are, he'd say collecting vintage dressers and chairs..only half joking."

"The boys’ bathroom was by far one of my favorite rooms to design. I love how playful the rope lights are for a kids space, you can knot them up or swag them anyway you want."

Kristi's art choices throughout her home are inspired by nature. She found this print on Etsy by searching Drone Photography. It looks great hung above these modern wall hooks. 

The large wood mirror from CB2 makes the space feel larger. A great trick to use if you have no natural light.

If you want to be that cool mom, then use chalkboard paint in your child's room. My daughters saw this and were very jealous. I honestly don't think I could handle the chalk dust.

"My husband is an ex-carpenter so he was able to build a nice deck, and floating shelves in our kitchen and laundry room." I love how Kristi has treated this space like any other room in her home styling it with family photographs, artwork and collectibles.

"Our Master Bedroom is far from finished but I’m pretty happy with it in it’s current state. In fact, it hasn’t changed at all since we moved in. I still need to find a comfy rug, the perfect wood night stands and I would love to do a mural or wallpaper on the wall behind the bed. I have big plans later on, to panel the ceiling in painted white wood and add two wood beams. But since those things take time (and lots of money) I'll just enjoy it as-is."

Kristi has been a realtor for almost ten years, so it's safe to say she has seen a lot of interiors. She hit the jack pot one day when a renter left this vintage Thonet chair in one of her Listings. "It was on it's way to the dump- I was like Nooooooo!!"

A perfect spot to sit and relax after a long day.

I want to thank Kristi for sharing her home with me. If I ever travel to Montana you know I'll be looking you up so we can hit the thrift stores!

New Season, New Space & a Giveaway!

Spring is officially here, even though there is still snow on the ground. I think it's safe to say we are all ready to change up the decor when we look around our homes.

Is there a room in your home that could use some freshening up? I've teamed up with some local companies and we've decided to put together this ultimate giveaway. One lucky winner is going to win this amazing prize! Details on how to enter are at the end of the post.

This painting I created will inject a pop of colour into any room.

Sage Living & domino are inspiring coffee table books filled with endless decor inspiration. Check out Watson & Lou in Peterborough & shop their collection of unique handmade products. Also read about the fun & innovative workshops they offer.

You know I have a weakness for anything mid-century. Dwellissimo in Port Hope has a wide selection of furniture & vintage decor. They are giving the lucky winner this modern chair. 

Emerence of Stoney Lake Textiles has sewn this pair of gorgeous toss cushions that will instantly transform your sofa from blah to fabulous! The details like those gold zippers, I'm in love.

Casa Alma out of Cobourg has an amazing collection of vintage rugs. Their collection of curated goods combines vintage finds, clean lines and globally influenced pieces. All of these colours are my favourites, it would look right at home in my entry.

Aluminum black legs with a salvaged tongue and groove wood top. A touch of vintage charm to add into your space by Project Lola out of Cobourg.

You know I have a thing for plants, they really do liven up a space & are an inexpensive addition to your home. The Local Bloom in Cobourg connects flower lovers with 100% locally grown blooms.

Angie of Sticks and Strings Macrame is a busy lady, teaching workshops & creating these whimsical weavings throughout the Kawarthas. This boho wall hanging would look amazing in any setting.

Thalita Murray Design is offering her design skills to you. Either an In-home consultation or e-package to help you transform your space.

This giveaway would not have happened without the amazing photography skills of Chantelle Watt. Based out of Cobourg Chantelle believes in "Capturing real love and real life. I love the chaos of family sessions and the love and support you can feel at weddings. I find joy in delivering clean, timeless photographs that will fill your walls, your heart (and likely your social media profile) for years to come."  She is giving the winner a $100 Gift Certificate!

You can enter the giveaway here. It runs until Friday, April 13th so tell your friends. It just may be you taking home all of these gorgeous pieces.

 I am blown away by how kind people are when you just reach out. Remember small businesses love other small businesses & want to connect & collaborate. Good things happen when creative minds join forces. I'm so happy to be apart of this & look forward to sharing more fun contests with you over the next year.

Collages

In early January I set out to the thrift shop with one thing on my list. I was looking for some interesting books I could clip inspiration from to create collages. I've wanted to get out the scissors and paper for a while now but never made the time.  

This was the starting point. I knew I wanted this graphic yet organic element to be the focal point.

I made two pieces I thought worked as a set, I was a happy maker sitting at her dining table.

I submitted these designs to Jenny's Print Shop & they really liked them, but asked if I could make a third. I was very excited as I admire Jenny's design approach and style. I spent an entire weekend playing around before I was happy with the collection of three. So what is this print shop you are wondering?

"Jenny's Print Shop is a digital print shop where all original, high resolution prints are just $15 each. Immediately after making your purchase you will be emailed a link that allows you to download your images to your computer and then print them however you want! No need to pay for expensive framing with limited sizes and finish options. You have complete flexibility to use the images the way you want to use them! One of the reasons I felt strongly about not offering physical prints or framing at this time is I really like giving you guys flexibility with the prints now and in the future. You will have your digital print files forever! And you can print them multiple times for your own personal use. Maybe you found a great frame at a thrift store for just a few dollars. You can save hundreds of dollars on custom framing by printing your JPS image to fit the great frames you already have!"

Photo by Jenny Komenda.

As of today, you can download these collages through Jenny's Print Shop. I've never made any prints of my work before, so I think this is such a wonderful idea. The print shop allows you to choose from many images that Jenny has photographed herself or you can choose from one of the artist collaborations. All artist collaborations are priced at $20 each, affordable original art is something I am very proud to support. If you do decide to print these out and hang them up at home make sure you send me a photo so I can see how they look in your space. 

If you have never heard of Jenny Komenda before you should go check out her blog Little Green Notebook. I've been reading it for years and was so happy that these prints were featured in one of her recent design projects for the Gentry project.

Just a little tip for you. If you subscribe to their newsletter you get a code for buy two prints get one free! I've also added some new paintings to my online shop if you want to check them out.

Happy Spring, the snow is finally melting around here and I ready to put away my toque.

Highlights of the week

A few things have brightened my mood lately which is needed when you still have a few more months of winter left.  This amazing pink sunset made my day last weekend, it couldn't get any more beautiful than this.

My husband and I watched the movie Girls Trip recently and I really didn't go into it with high expectations. I didn't enjoy Bridesmaids, and thought this would end up being similar. I was wrong, I laughed out loud a lot! Comedian Tiffany Haddish, who acts in the movie, came out with a book and it's now on my need to read list. I will admit I don't read a lot of novels, it seems I'm attracted to biographies written by funny ladies, like Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. I don't think there are any book clubs out there for me to join? 

I recently discovered the talented photographer Julie Holder and was the lucky winner of one of her fine art prints. This is proof that people actually do win contests they find online, I have won three within the last year! (All art related) It was hard to choose a favourite as I have a thing for walls with texture and old doors. But, this piece titled "Blue" is on its way to me right now and I can't wait to figure out where I'm going to display it.

Blue by Julie Holder

Here are a few other prints of Julie's that I love!

Pink Wall in Havana by Julie Holder

Blanca by Julie Holder

Color Blocking in Cuba by Julie Holder

I've just started to doodle and create patterns on a tablet, this is very new for me. I am not an artist who uses a sketchbook to jot down ideas, so this has been fun and relaxing to use after the girls go to bed. I have my husband to thank for downloading me this app to use.

I feel like I'm one of the few people who don't watch the tv show This Is Us. I do know that Mandy Moore stars in it. I've been following her home renovation designed by Sarah Sherman and Emily Farnham Architecture. Her Midcentury home is so gorgeous, I had to share this. Below is a photo of one of the washrooms, you can check out to see the design plans and before shots in the link above. It's almost complete and I can't wait to see the space with furniture and accessories.

Photo by Sarah Sherman

I'm always looking around while I'm driving or walking, as you never know what may catch your eye and inspire a creative thought. Some friends have said that I find inspiration in the every day quite easily and I'm thankful for that.

Photo from pinterest

When all the holiday decorations come down I start to de-clutter and change things up. I also feel the desire to purge items that we don't really use.  Amber Lewis has great style and I recently saw this photo of her home and thought, I have that exact teak table in my basement! My mom thrifted it for me maybe nine years ago and I've always used it as a side table. I like how she uses it here as a coffee table in this seating area. I will definitely hold onto it now.

Photo by Amber Lewis

My girlfriend and I don't talk as much since I moved from Burlington four years ago, but the other day she sent me a text that made me smile. She was catching up and reading my blog and came across this post. She liked the collage I did with my grandmother in it, and it has inspired her to create something similar in honour of her mom who has passed away.

I also received a lovely message from a collector after they opened up the painting I sent them. "AHHH! Your painting just arrived :) I am in love. LOVE. It is so pretty! Thank you very much Holly. I will get it hung shortly and photograph it. I really, really love your work. Don't stop painting :) you have a gift. Thanks for sharing it with me!

Photography

I recently stumbled upon the photography of  Erik Madigan Heck and I love it all!  I'm working on a new collaboration and these colours and patterns are inspiring me for sure. Every image is breathtaking, he works with all the well known fashion houses and makes these clothes come to life. 

"Inspired by art history Erik has become a sought-after fashion photographer by blending the traditions of both painting and photography, blending the two with a mastery of light and colour. All of his work is done in camera, without Photoshop, elevating the magic of the images in the digital era."

Here are a few of my favourites in no particular order. 

All photos by Madigan Heck.

I read that he released a photography book this year, can't wait to check it out. 

We are all ready for Christmas at our house, wishing you a wonderful holiday. Thanks for following along, can't wait to see what 2018 has in store.