Finally! Finally our living room and dining room are finished. These rooms were the first ones to be painted/wallpapered when we moved in and all of the furniture arrived on moving day however, they were only “finished” just recently.

The layout of these rooms is fairly common with the living room adjoining the dining room. Something we loved about this house when we first viewed it was the layout and how bright and open everything seemed. These rooms are no exceptions. Although there are pocket doors in between the rooms, the doors are never closed. Also, we found a pair of French doors in the attic that are for the doorway between the entryway and the living room, but for the time being we don’t think we are going to put them back up.

We love colour. Love it. However, for this house we decided to go with a neutral palette as a base and then use pops of colour where we could. The walls in the living room are Cedar Key from Benjamin Moore,  a lovely taupe with a lavender undertone. The couch is linen on which we added some colourful pillows in a purple tone. The chairs also have a linen base but the green pattern adds a nice dynamic. Of course the real show piece in this room is the Dash & Albert wool hooked rug! Oh how we love it so. Nestled away in the corner is a rocking chair that was Craig’s Great Grandfather’s – a great addition. The furniture in this room is from Hambly’s and the rug from Cottage Industry. We can’t thank Julie Hambly enough for her help through our furniture crisis, however; that is a story for another time!

The wallpaper in the dining room was a painstaking task but Craig did an amazing job. It really changed the room and brightened it up. The dining room set has a traditional Shield Back chair, and great inlay details on the apron and legs.  We purchased the set second hand and had the chairs recovered in a striped neutral tone on tone fabric. We love the built in bookcase in the dining room and the mantel over the fireplace as it allows us to showcase many of our treasures and gives us the opportunity to change them up often to create a different look for the room.

Continuity is very important in a space like this. We went for geometric shapes between both rooms to provide some continuity.  We also repeated the soft purples, greens, blues, and coral reds found in the rug in the accent cushions, accessories, and dinnerware. Also, if you notice the colours can also found in the stained glass windows in each room.

We couldn’t be happier with these rooms. We also couldn’t be happier they are finished!

Here is a before pic of both the living room and the dining room, followed by the ‘afters’.

And we’re back…

We moved. We unpacked… well, mostly. Most of it is unpacked. Well, there is still a lot in boxes but they are out of sight so we don’t talk about that. Instead we talk about our current renovation.

We gutted the main bathroom in our house. The existing bathroom was well done when it was renovated a few years ago, but in the end, too small for our needs. We will post before photos in the reveal post and I think you will agree. Although it is nice, Craig didn’t really fit in the bathroom. Have you seen how broad his shoulders are?

Although we knocked out a wall and took over a storage closet, the foot print of the bathroom isn’t significantly larger. Because of this, we decided to focus on quality and detail. Marble and brushed brass are the name of the game. Take a look at the photos below for a sneak peek of what detail our new, hopefully soon to be completed, bathroom will have.

WE BOUGHT A NEW HOUSE! Here it is:

We are so excited to move into a house that is more or less “move in ready”. Yes, of course we will put our own twist on it but for now, there is little to no renovation required. I mean, yes, obviously that vinyl siding will be ripped off to reveal the beautiful and original shingles underneath. But otherwise, no immediate renovations. As for the exterior, what do you think of a deep blue with coordinating trim?

The interior has a great deal of original charm intact. A beautiful entryway with stair case, several stained glass windows throughout, French doors in the living room, and a lovely set of pocket doors between the living and dining room. The house has four bedrooms but most importantly, a sun deck at the back and the third floor has been converted into living space – a tv den for C. What we are most excited about with this house, other than the lack of work required, is its location. Since renting an apartment in this area a few years ago, we’ve been determined to get back there. We are so excited it is finally a reality  – can’t wait!

Here is a sneak peek of the interior:

Although there will be no immediate renovations to this house, there certainly will be decorating! The photo below is a “mood board” for the downstairs living and dining room. We want the space to be mature and calming. The “steps” rug was a jumping off point and from there we chose the accent colours and style of furniture. The paint will be a creme/light taupe. The fabric swatch to the far left is the couch – a natural cotton/linen. The other two large fabrics will be the accent colours for the room and fabric for the throw cushions. Playing up a mix of geometric and organic patterns, the two chairs for the room will be the small, geometric patterned fabric.The floors in the room are hardwood and golden – the vase (made of wood) gives us a good idea of what these colours and tone will look like in the room. The amber candlesticks and golden grapes will likely find a new home as accessories in the room and the throw pillow will be an accent for the chairs. Unfortunately we had to return the wallpaper book before this photo was taken. However, the geometric print we have picked out is gorge!

We are so excited! We can’t wait to move next month. We also can’t wait to start decorating our own space again, nesting and of course, blogging about it! eurogrand casino

We are so excited to own this piece of “Goggle Art” by Cynthia King. After seeing the first piece she did of her childhood neighbourhood we asked if she could make one for one of our favourite places on earth, Annapolis Royal – specifically, the area “our church” aka our cottage, is located. Above is the result and we couldn't be happier. We can't wait to head to the church next weekend and hang this beauty. Stay tuned for photos! Speaking of homes, we have a new one and will be sure to provide an update and a sneak peek of the design palette, soon.

Here is the actual Google map of the area. Zoom out to see the entire region:

View St. Alban's Vacation Home in a larger map eurogrand casino

Check out this interview we did recently with Green Man Girl. Stay tuned for more, from us, on Green Man Girl. However, if you can't wait till then you can visit her at The Green Man Vintage and Vinyl, 48 University Ave, Charlottetown,PEI. online casino nederlands

Check out our latest venture – the styling of a photo shoot and photography for Cottage Industry. We had a wonderful morning gadding about the store shopping for wonderful pieces to style the shots with. Craig was the photographer, Jennifer head-stylist, and I, the assistant to both.

The focus of the shoot was the new John Robshaw bedding line they now carry in the store; now one of a few gorgeous bedding lines they have. We had a blast and can't wait to do it again.

Which photo is your favourite? online casino nederlands

“Finish it off” – this was the request from this client. This bedroom was halfway to being finished but not quite there. The wall colour, bed and bedding were in place but the extra touches had yet to be added.

An admirer of art deco, this client wanted that feel to her bedroom. We started with the custom headboard. The shape of the headboard offers visual interest while the plush cotton/bamboo fabric offers texture and luxuriousness to the room. The subtle grey piping helps connect the headboard to the bedding and the curtains. The bedskirt is made from the same fabric as the headboard making the bed appear as one unit – the focal point. With left over fabric we had a small kidney pillow made to complete the look.

With design there can be disappointment and frustration. For this project, it was the bedside tables. After looking high and low we decided to splurge on the perfect bedside tables. They were mirrored all over with a fine, tapered leg and angles that matched the repeating theme throughout the room. Bedside tables ordered, great. Bedside tables paid for, great. Bedside tables delivered, not so great. Too big. Much too big. Now, you ask, how did this happen? Well, unfortunately the measurements in the catalogue were not correct and the tables that arrived were much too large. We all spent a few days trying to convince ourselves they were ok but in the end we had to be honest with ourselves and admit they had to go back. Devastating.

The bedside tables you see, however, work perfectly. These vintage tables offer the perfect mix of practicality and interest. Their vintage shape works well with the room as does the colour they were painted. The creamy colour, with a hint of yellow, works well with the rest of the room. Complete devastation averted. The angular lamps on top are practical and offer  an excellent pop of colour.

The dresser was purchased from a second hand store and it too was painted. It is just a shade darker than the colour  on the wall. The new hardware mimics the angles found in the headboard and on the finials of the curtain rod. Oh, the curtains. These beauties are from Cottage Industry and give a grand feeling to the room. Other accessories in the room include a new, mosaic mirror and a grouping of wall hangings. These DIY wall hangings are scrap book paper popped into inexpensive, sharp looking frames.

Finished. The room is now finished, and the client has a beautiful, stylish and comfortable room to enjoy.

A few pictures of the room before:

And now some 'afters':

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In preparation of listing our house to sell (for more details, click here) we decided to make some changes to the interior to focus more on the space and structure rather than the items, and paint colours, in it.

Perhaps one of the easiest, but most dramatic, changes was the paint colour in the entryway and hall. We change the wall colour from a Kelly green to a classic taupe. We were truly shocked with the change and how much brighter and larger the space seemed and how much more alive the floors and lights fixtures became. We left the mirror that was there, but painted black and switched out the marble top desk for a classic gate leg table.

Before

After

Next up was the living room. The biggest change in this room was the major edit of everything in it. Most of the accessories and wall hangings were removed and the 7ft French Provincial couch was switched out for a more contemporary and versatile sofa (from Hambly’s). Otherwise, I think the changes in the room speak for themselves. What do you think?

Before

After

The man-den. Oh, the man-den. It’s gone. No more bear skin rug. No more antlers. No more deep purple. Like the living room, this room was also heavily edited so as to showcase it’s size, versatility and brightness. The walls were painted a lovely light green that goes well with the neutral furniture.

Before

After

The upstairs bathroom received a fresh coat of paint. The steel grey is more calming, more versatile than the previous colour. It works well with the counter-top, fixtures and accessories. Grey is such a lovely, inviting and versatile colour. One of our favourites.

Before

After

So, comments appreciated. What do you think of the changes to 292?

Well, nothing like a clean slate! This young couple contacted us a while ago for help with their master bedroom. When they moved in the house was full of wallpaper, dated hardware and carpet. They took it upon themselves to undo all this decorating but once they got it undone, weren’t exactly sure how to get it back together. In we came.

A lovely couple to work with, their only wish was to once again make the room functional so we started with the basics – flooring and paint colour. A bedroom they had in a previous home was grey, and they really liked it. However, rather than repeat that colour on the wall we decided instead to put it in the flooring. The grey, with hints of taupe, is beautiful on the floor and offers and neutral palette and a lovely, cozy feeling to the room. Next we moved onto the paint which is a “Harrisburg Green” from Benjamin Moore. The green and grey work very well together.

Another issue with the function of the room was the closet. We called in the Closet Dr. to make it as functional as possible and although you can’t see it, he did a wonderful job. The husband of the couple was able to do much of the other work (flooring, paint etc.) himself so this saved considerably on the budget. He took it upon himself to spray paint the hardware in the room changing it from a harsh brass to a perfectly matched matte black.

Most of the other furniture was already available from within the house. However, we did opt for low profile bedside tables and shorter (but shiny!) lamps due to the slope in the ceiling. The mirrored lamps offer a great bit of pizzazz to the room. The bedspread is a lovely grey that is keeping within the theme of the room. For a punch of colour and visual interest we had pillows and a matching valance custom made. The two, contrasting fabrics work perfectly in the room and help tie all the black together. Purple is the favourite colour of one half of this couple (guess which one!) so purple piping was added to the pillows for an extra hit of colour. Also, the purple rugs work beautifully on the grey floor and offer something nice for their feet when they get out of bed in the morning.

This room is a brilliant example of working with what you have. With the exception of the accessories and bedside tables, everything else was already in the home. With a new lease on life these pieces look beautiful in the new master bedroom that has been put back together and we think, is being enjoyed.

Here are some before pictures from when the couple first moved into the house.

And a few pictures after the room was “taken apart”.

And here’s what the room looks like now.

And a couple more before & afters.