What kind of person who is totally obsessed with all things home design related, has a design blog and lives for before and after renovation photos, does not take a single photo of her first major renovation?
A really busy person? An overwhelmed person? A forgetful person?
Well whatever kind of person you would call someone who manages that type of blunder, you can call that person ME.
Oops.
I feel totally ashamed for my horrid oversight and will have to scour the last 3 years of photos hoping that there is some shots of the bathroom in its previous uhhh glory. Unfortunately, there will be no record of the garbage bags duct-taped over the missing tiles, or the scratched up trim paint. Nor will there be any proof that this bathroom was taken right down to its moldy studs and sub-floor (after 6 layers had been peeled away).
I don't even have good "in progress" photos. What is wrong with me?
I will however post some sneak peak photos of some of what has been going on, but its kind of disappointing that there will be nothing to compare them too.
And trust me... it's quite the contrast already. I am so excited to see my subway tile in, herringbone floors tiled, a new built in cabinet, and the marble top and fixtures on the vanity. It's really happening, and it looks just how I had hoped it would... so far!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Progress!
Things are finally starting to come together for our bathroom reno. Today I picked out the tile, with the floor to be still finalized.
We will be doing a very classic 3x6 glossy white subway for the tub surround, with a band of Carrara blend mosaic as accent. It is beautiful with little frosted, clear glass and carrara marble tiles in white and watery blues and grays. The accent tile, which we only need 4 sq. feet of, cost as much as all of the subway, so even a band of it will be a splurge but totally worth it I think!
For the floor, I decided to forgo my much loved hex tile, for something a little more practical (read: dirt-hiding), and have tentatively picked out a light gray 12 x 24 porcelain tile that has a little bit of variegation. I am contemplating a herringbone pattern for this rectangular tile, and wondering if it would be more obvious in the 6 x 24 version of the same tile. The flooring will definitely be a more modern contrast to the other vintage fixtures, but I'm ok with that. I think the blend of modern/vintage will be a good fit for our family.
Aside from the tile, I've purchased the vanity top (Carrara marble with undermount sink), the vanity and mirror.
All that's left to do is finalize tub, toilet and fixtures (faucets and lights) and we should be good to go!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Dishpan hands no more!
The romance of washing dishes by hand finally wore off, and we went and replaced our dishwasher this week. While we’re waiting for our purchase to arrive, I thought I’d show off our latest acquisition. I can hardly wait to load’er up for the first time!
This is our new baby, the Bosch Evolution 4 Cycle in white. Yep white. I’m hoping I don’t regret the color choice down the road, but even in the showroom I couldn’t stand the look of those stainless appliances with grubby fingerprints all over them. There will come a day in my future where the children are grown-up and I have much more time to cook…. which will mean I can have all the commercial-style appliances I want. For now, this little baby is overdue and eagerly anticipated. Maybe its arrival will be the little kick-start I need to get my cupboards finally painted.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Big Chill
Our dishwasher kicked the bucket. In August. Yes it is now November, and I cannot believe I have been washing dishes for our family of FIVE by hand for almost four months now. Have I mentioned my penchance for procrastination?
The Geek and I finally decided to do a little appliance shopping after shelling out $100 to confirm that our dishwasher, in fact, was not salvageable. We looked at many models with all sorts of options - half-loads, quiet, eco, rinse, sanitize etc. etc. - and realized we had a bigger problem on hand than sorting through the bells and whistles of each brand:
What color are we looking for?
When we moved into our house three years ago we became the proud owners of a fairly new black dishwasher and black microwave, and the slightly less-proud owners of a bisque-colored stove and fridge.
One of my favorite newlywed stories, is about how Gavan came home all excited one day to tell me that he had purchased a new(er) stove for the bargain price of $200. Sure the new(er) stove had some definite improvements over our current version, such as digital controls as opposed to analog, but he kind of overlooked one important detail; it was white. Sigh.
Oh well, what was yet another appliance color in our already mismatched assortment? MY plan was to make-do with the fridge and stove as they were until we could replace them with black models to match the newest appliances in the kitchen, but in his new-home-owner, boy-brained thinking, color wasn't even a consideration.
Now with the not-so recent demise of our black dishwasher we really have the opportunity to go forward in any color direction we wish. My dream for the kitchen includes white cabinets, butcher-block countertops and a farmhouse sink, so are we best to go with white appliances for a seamless look? Or would the modern contrast of stainless steel suit us better? I must confess not being crazy about the look of grubby little fingerprints all over stainless appliances, so I find myself leaning towards the white option.
However, if budget was not an option, what I really lust after is the retro-look appliances from Big Chill. They have just recently added dishwashers to their line of stoves and fridges. There is no way I can justify parting with thousands of dollars to update all of our appliances with these luscious, sorbet-colored beauties, but I think perhaps a fridge is in my future.
Do you recognize this picture? This is Drew Barrymore's production office kitchen, featured in Domino. One of my favorites, I adore the paint color, the black and white checkered floor and those bistro chairs, but it is that gorgeous fridge that really stands out. Even in basic white, the retro shape really makes an impression.
photos courtesy of Big Chill
Love the beach blue, which is the one Rachel Ray uses on her set. That orange is not for me, but still so fun.
The Geek and I finally decided to do a little appliance shopping after shelling out $100 to confirm that our dishwasher, in fact, was not salvageable. We looked at many models with all sorts of options - half-loads, quiet, eco, rinse, sanitize etc. etc. - and realized we had a bigger problem on hand than sorting through the bells and whistles of each brand:
What color are we looking for?
When we moved into our house three years ago we became the proud owners of a fairly new black dishwasher and black microwave, and the slightly less-proud owners of a bisque-colored stove and fridge.
One of my favorite newlywed stories, is about how Gavan came home all excited one day to tell me that he had purchased a new(er) stove for the bargain price of $200. Sure the new(er) stove had some definite improvements over our current version, such as digital controls as opposed to analog, but he kind of overlooked one important detail; it was white. Sigh.
Oh well, what was yet another appliance color in our already mismatched assortment? MY plan was to make-do with the fridge and stove as they were until we could replace them with black models to match the newest appliances in the kitchen, but in his new-home-owner, boy-brained thinking, color wasn't even a consideration.
Now with the not-so recent demise of our black dishwasher we really have the opportunity to go forward in any color direction we wish. My dream for the kitchen includes white cabinets, butcher-block countertops and a farmhouse sink, so are we best to go with white appliances for a seamless look? Or would the modern contrast of stainless steel suit us better? I must confess not being crazy about the look of grubby little fingerprints all over stainless appliances, so I find myself leaning towards the white option.
However, if budget was not an option, what I really lust after is the retro-look appliances from Big Chill. They have just recently added dishwashers to their line of stoves and fridges. There is no way I can justify parting with thousands of dollars to update all of our appliances with these luscious, sorbet-colored beauties, but I think perhaps a fridge is in my future.
Do you recognize this picture? This is Drew Barrymore's production office kitchen, featured in Domino. One of my favorites, I adore the paint color, the black and white checkered floor and those bistro chairs, but it is that gorgeous fridge that really stands out. Even in basic white, the retro shape really makes an impression.
photos courtesy of Big Chill Love the beach blue, which is the one Rachel Ray uses on her set. That orange is not for me, but still so fun.
For now, candy-colored appliances will give me something to dream about while I'm up to my elbows in soapy water.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Mobile Mystery
One of the remaining things I have yet to finish up in the boys’ nursery is the addition of a mobile. I realize it’s getting kinda pointless as the “baby” is now 13 months old, but I still love the look of them even in adult spaces.
The reason it’s taken so long? I just haven’t found one that I really adore or am willing to spend the money on.
Two that are on the short list come courtesy of the Vancouver-based design firm Contexture.
I wrote about their gorgeous Coffee Cuff for Elemente Magazine in 2007, and have been no less impressed by their newer work.
These mobiles are made from laser-cut recycled paper and salvaged maps. I might need them both… one for each boy right?
Monday, October 26, 2009
Kijiji Score
Image from Restoration Hardware
I made my first purchase today for our looming bathroom reno, and I’m really hoping it’s an indication of the way the rest of the project is going to go down.
Whilst perusing Kijiji as I do faithfully, every day, I happened upon Restoration Hardware’s Vintage Oval-Pivot mirror in the satin nickel finish. This was the exact mirror I was coveting, and was willing to pay full price for, but luckily I didn’t have to!
The website lists the price as $285 USD, but I brought it home, brand-new in the box I might add, for $45 smackeroos. Yes, that’s kind of ridiculous isn’t? I’m rubbing my hands together Mr. Burns-style from the sheer glee of getting away with such a steal.
The nice lady I purchased it from was going to donate it to the Habitat for Humanity Restore if no one purchased it, which has been long on my list of places to visit, but has now been bumped to the top if I'm likely to find these kinds of bargains!
These are usually the kinds of finds I read about enviously, so I’m so thrilled that my diligence in checking out the ads daily has paid off, and I can post one of my own!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Guess who's comin' town??
Nope it's not Santa Claus, although if the snowflakes today are any indication he's not far behind. I bet even Santa will be pleased with this exciting announcement however, as it's bound to make his Christmas shopping so much easier. Among the many US retailers that have set up shop in our fair city, another welcome name is about to open their doors to Canadian shoppers.
Crate and Barrel will be celebrating the grand opening of their second Canadian store at Southcentre Mall in Calgary on October 7th.
I'm excited that along with some of the other big name retailers that have made their way across the border in the last couple of years (Sephora, Bath and Body Works, Anthropologie, West-Elm, Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn to name a few) we now have one more often-seen-never-shopped-at source for reasonably priced, well-designed furnishings like the ones we often covet from our neighbours to the south.
Some of the Crate and Barrel offerings I'm eyeing are:
I love everything about this Ankara chair, from the intricate design of the frame to the richness of the wood and the linen-look cushion. It has an ethnic feel which I love in light doses and I think its airy appearance would look just right in a small space.
Ahhh, bunk-beds. How I love to hate you even though I'm pretty sure I will be making your acquaintance sooner than I wish. And if bunk-beds are the best option we'll have for housing two boys in a small bedroom, it doesn't hurt when they are as attractive as these. I love the option to have a trundle bed pull out for sleepovers, and the clean cottage vibe of this set. They also come apart into separate twin beds just in case we ever have more space to work with. Now if only they came in black.
Throw pillows and cherry blossoms are two of my favorite design elements, so when they combine as delicately as this, I'm always sure to love the results. There is also an upholstered chair in the same fabric should a cushion not quite satisfy your longing for spring-time blossoms all year round.
How I wish I could convince my husband to trade in his unsightly cumbersome leather desk chair for this sleek new bentwood office chair. With all the hours he spends working in front of his computer, I have the feeling he won't be convinced that trading comfort for looks is a worthy endeavour, but I'll keep this one filed away as a possibility for the little corner office nook I have planned in our make-believe living room reno.
Our plan for the kitchen includes a new pedestal table with an extension. Finding the right look in our price-range however is proving more difficult than I would have imagined. Lucky for us Crate and Barrel has several options for pedestal tables that are all worthy of consideration. I like this Avalon extension version that comes in white or black and for a very affordable price point.
And if after enticing you with all of these luscious finds proximity to a brick and mortar Crate and Barrel is still an issue, don't despair... they offer international shipping from their online store!
Happy Shopping Calgary!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
