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OUR FAVOURITES

LIGHTING, OUR FAVOURITES, TRENDS

Our favourite : Industrial Lighting

favourite-industrial-lighting

I love the look of Industrial Lighting! There is a certain authenticity to it and a simplicity, too! I love how Industrial lighting transforms the look of a space and it adds instant cool factor! Plus you can really merge it with so many other styles – it’s pretty versatile!

I have to share with you this amazing Industrial light fixture – we installed in my brother’s house – it’s fantastic! When I first showed it to him, he had his doubts but then he realized that he trusts me and I would never lead him astray. And of course, he’s getting tons of compliments….

 

So this light fixture is basically so black electrical wire that you ‘swag’ on the ceiling and you add you bulbs – that’s it! You can play around with the placement of the small hooks on the ceiling and the length of the hanging wire.  And the light comes in different sizes too (more wires and therefore more bulbs in the larger version). We played around with some vintage light bulbs – it’s hard to tell in this photo but we have 3 different shapes of vintage bulbs and we installed them at random (which is bit tougher than you would think as we naturally opt for a pattern). The vintage bulbs really add more character to the industrial look.

If you love this Industrial Light fixture as much as we do – you can buy one for under $100! Click HERE

Here are some more of our favourite Industrial Light Fixtures for under $100.00

This Industrial Pendant light with rope detail is simple yet still interesting. This would add a great industrial touch to a kitchen island.

So this is just like my brother’s light fixture in his living room.  He doesn’t have a dining light fixture which is why we did a WOW statement light fixture in his living room.  This unique piece would be amazing in a living room, dining room or even a bedroom. I love it with the vintage bulbs!

 

We are seeing some great merging of Industrial with mid century modern design.  This sputnik light fixture in the gunmetal finish with vintage bulbs works well in a modern space or an Industrial one. This looks amazing in a dining room.

This looks like Industrial lighting you might see on a construction site or old warehouse – well that’s the idea! This 5 pendant chandelier with vintage bulbs adds character and a ‘loft look’ to any space.

This is my absolute hands-down favourite Industrial Pendant light – it’s perfect and so transitional! I love the simplicity of this fixture – you can appreciate the glass but also the vintage light bulb. Love how these look over a kitchen island (and the price is incredible!)

Simple, metal sphere with one vintage bulb is a perfect example of industrial lighting! This would add a ton of rustic and industrial character to a kitchen . This pendant is a great example of industrial lighting.

Industrial lighting can really add so much character to your home decor and it works with so many different styles.

Lighting fixtures totally transform the look of any room….

 

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OUR FAVOURITES

13 Best Anniversary Gifts For the Home

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My husband and I are celebrating our 13th wedding anniversary this week.  March 15th, 2004 is when we tied the knot! It’s been a full 13 years (we have moved 5 times, each started new careers, supported each other during challenging times, we now have 4 kids -all under the age of 8- , we are best known for vegging out and hanging out with each other, we have lived, laughed and loved a whole bunch – we are best friends). It’s been 13 fantastic years with so many more to come!

People always ask – what are you doing for your anniversary? We usually have a nice dinner out just the two of us – it’s a great little escape from the every day.  I also get asked all the time – what are you getting him for an anniversary gift? We aren’t huge gift people when it comes to each other – I guess that’s our practical side shining through but something we have always done is to get each other something for the house (or sometimes we buy one big gift together).  It just sort of happened organically (we never discussed it) but I think it stems from the fact that we are building a life together, building a family and building a home together….

My wedding anniversary and our gifts for the home is what has inspired me to write this post. I don’t feel that anniversary gifts need to be big, elaborate and expensive.

There are ‘traditional’ anniversary gifts for each year if marriage (there is also a more ‘modern’ series of anniversary gifts).

To celebrate my 13th wedding anniversary – Here are some of my top anniversary gifts :

1st year – paper

I absolutely love this idea – His and Hers framed prints – an affordable and totally personal custom option.  Frame your vows, wedding invitation, love letter, any text you like! You can choose the font, colours etc…you get to approve and then you get this beautiful custom piece to hang in your home forever.

2nd year – cotton

So sweet! This cotton pillow has the best message plus it works with any decor because it is neutral! Perfect for a family room but personally I would put it on my bed!

 

3rd year – glass (modern series)

So this idea is not for every day use but it is very special and for one of my favourite times of the year, Christmas.  This glass Christmas tree ornament is another very affordable and totally custom piece.  You don’ necessarily want your home full of anniversary theme decor so this is nice to bring out once a year.

 

 

4th year – flowers / fruit

So this year seems very simple – a bouquet of fresh flowers is always nice.  A vase is also a great idea – don’t forget the flowers! But if you want to be a bit more creative but still sticking true to the theme, how about an outdoor planter? Fill it with flowers, plants or even herbs…and display at the front door – it’s a nice welcoming touch!

 

5th year – silverware (modern list)

Alright …I know…I’m bouncing from the traditional list to the modern list and back again…that’s OK – this list is all about finding the BEST Wedding anniversary gifts for the Home.  So silverware – well you may already have a set (likely a wedding gift) but you may find that your set is showing it’s age (especially if you use your current set everyday).  I love this Zwilling J.A Henckels set – (I love my Henckels knife block, too)

 

 

 

6th year – wood (modern list)

For any couple that likes to entertain or well, maybe just stay in with some great food and wine (that’s us)…I love these beautiful wood serving platters – they are just stunning on their own so you could even just have them on display…

 

7th year – wool

I’m a knitter so I totally appreciate handcrafted knits.  I LOVE these super huge chunky knitted blankets that are a big trend right now.  This is perfect for movie nights cuddling at home or maybe on your bed – the colour options are endless so you can find one that works with your space.

 

 

8th year – linen

Restoration Hardware is one of my favourite stores – I’m so inspired by their mix of neutrals and textures.  One of my favourites is their linen collection and I love it for the table! I love these napkins, table runners and placements – there are so many colours and you can personalize, too!

 

 

9th year – pottery

My husband and I NEED to start every morning with a cup of coffee (sometime more than 1).  Our kids even play ‘coffee shop’ and take our coffee orders from us – it’s part of the routine and we all know it!  I love these amazing Rae Dunn MR. MRS. mugs – cute, sweet, practical and I love the simple look of them!

 

 

 

10th year – tin

So if you are anything like me – you like that farmhouse style at home – TIN is a texture to add.  Tin gives your space that authentic farmhouse look but it also works well with an industrial style.  There are so many ways to add tin to your decor but I think my favourite tin piece is the letter ‘B’ (from Pottery Barn) that I purchased for our family room gallery wall.  ‘B’ for our last name – Blok.

 

 

11th year  – steel

One of the best gifts we have ever purchased for our home – is our stainless steel (non-stick) cookware set.  It’s a big price point but we have had ours for about 10 years – yes, we don’t necessarily follow the traditional gifts in order…more about what we need in some cases.  But we love to cook and we cook a lot so these pots and pans have been very used but they are standing up to all that use!

 

 

12th year – pearl (modern list)

What’s an anniversary celebration without champagne? I just discovered these amazing Kate Spade stemless pearl base Champagne Flutes with a touch of gold! I’m in love (and I know Maddie will want these as soon as I send this link to her! Polka-dots, gold, Kate Spade and Champagne…what’s not to love!?)

 

 

13th year – textiles (modern list)

So this is what we have purchased for this year…..a new set of super luxurious bed sheets from Boll & Branch  – so soft, organic, fair trade, non-toxic dyes – you name it- they are gorgeous! I love this colour ‘Dune’ as well but there are so many colours. Maybe we are bed snobs (lol) but we love amazing bed sheets – being busy people and busy parents we don’t get a lot of sleep so we really try to make the most of it!

I love all of these gifts so much….and I love the idea of building a beautiful life and beautiful home together!

Happy Anniversary, sweetie – I love you!

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OUR FAVOURITES, WE ANSWER WEDNESDAY

We Answer Wednesday – 6 Best White Paint Colour for Trim

we-answer-wednesday-6-best-white-paint-colour-for-trim

“My house needs a fresh paint job.  I feel good about picking a wall colour but do you have any suggestions for the perfect white trim paint colour?”

 

You are so right, picking the right white can be tricky.  The look of a fresh coat of paint is spectacular and painting that trim really completes the feel. But like every other colour – there are many whites to choose from.  Not knowing which paint colour you will choose, your safest best is you use a pure and true white tone, you can’t go wrong with that. We have a few favourites to share with you.

 

  1. Simply White by Benjamin Moore – this was BM colour of the year for 2016.

 

  1. Cloud White by Benjamin Moore – this is a designer (and painter) go-to.

 

  1. Decorator’s White by Benjamin Moore -just like the name, it is a decorator’s (and painter’s) favourite.  It’s clean and crisp.

 

  1. Ultra Pure White by BEHR – so clean and so crisp -this is one of the purest whites you will see.

 

  1. Extra White by Sherwin-Williams – a great white trim choice, bright white!

 

  1. All White by Farrow & Ball – a perfect white

 

Other trim painting tips:

Caulking – be sure that before you start painting that trim to caulk any gaps

Order – paint the trim first and then the walls

Finish – be sure to use a semi-gloss when it comes to choosing a finish for your trim. A semi-gloss adds even more brightness but also when it comes to cleaning, the dust doesn’t stick!

I hope these tips  and suggestions on finding the ‘perfect’ shade of white work for you,

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HOME DECOR, INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS, OUR FAVOURITES

6 Ways to decorate with a Garden Stool

6-ways-to-decorate-with-garden-stoo

The garden stool has been a trend for a few years now and we will love it…always.  Why? we love the options that a garden stool offers (yes, we are all about multi-purpose pieces).  But we also love the look of a garden stool – they can add a great pop of colour and texture – plus they are easy to move around. They are great for smaller spaces too!

Here are some great ways to use a garden stool:

In the shower -a garden stool makes a great shower seat. A pop of colour and a spot for in-shower toiletries.

As Extra seating – tuck these easy to move garden stool under a console table or sofa table. There are so many choices in colour, finish and texture, too!

As a Side table – indoors or outdoors, a garden stool makes for a great side table.

As a Coffee table – short on space? A set of garden stools is a great option for a coffee table in a small space.  Plus they can be some extra seating if you need it.

In the Bathroom – by the tub!  If you are lucky enough to have time to soak away the log day… a garden stool is a great spot for your book, towels or a cup of tea (or glass of wine)

In the bedroom – garden stools are so versatile and can even work in a different areas of a room.  The bedroom for instance, a garden stool is a great option for a bedside table but is also great as a corner chair side table but also a series of 3 would look great at the foot of a bed.

We often use garden stools when we stage homes.  They are so versatile and add a great pop of colour and texture – give them a try!

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KITCHENS, OUR FAVOURITES

Our Top 10 Kitchen Islands

our-top-10-kitchen-islands

The kitchen island is almost an essential part of a kitchen these days.  We see them in kitchens of all sizes and styles.  They are so practical plus we love they way they look – they offer us storage options, serving and prepping space and even a dining area.

Here are some of our favourite kitchen islands:

We love any over sized kitchen island – it is perfect for anyone who loves to cook and entertain.  This is also a beautiful piece  in this kitchen.  Look at the seating for 4 and those lantern pendants really make this island look and feel like a dining space.  The sink makes this island a great working area too. We love the storage and the serving space this island offers. This is a perfect addition to a dream kitchen!

Pot and pan drawers are a must in your kitchen island.  Look at all of this storage! This oversized island is almost a complete kitchen it’s self.  Storage for days, prep space, cooking space a sink and so much more.

Just because something serves a purpose doesn’t mean it can’t also look good! We love a pop of colour so why not add one to your kitchen? When your kitchen island is in a different stain or paint colour it really looks custom and it looks like a piece of furniture.  This island offers so much closed storage but it’s a great hang out with 2 stools at the end plus it’s just perfect for serving an prepping look at the over sized flat surface.

Looking to make a statement with your kitchen island? Think about going ‘live edge’. This live-edge walnut kitchen island counter top is a show stopper! It adds an organic element to this sleek and streamlined modern kitchen.  We love the wood grain and knots – so much character and uniqueness.

We love a butcher block kitchen island but how cute is this dog bowl feature? If you have dogs at home incorporate them into your decor and design.  These stainless steel bowls can be removed for easy cleaning but when in place they are out of the way with no risk of being knocked over and making a mess.

We love the rustic look of this farmhouse kitchen island.  The grey stain softens the look of the wood plus it works with the veining in the marble back splash.  The open shelving is very convenient when plating and we like the look of these clean, smooth white dishes (and white cabinets) with the rustic wood grain – we love the mix of textures.  This island has so much character!

We love this ‘beverage station’ in this kitchen island – it’s perfect if you love to entertain! A wine rack, ice maker and beer/soda fridge in the island is such a great idea! Easy access and it won’t take up space in your main fridge.  With it tucked away in the island it won’t take away from the beauty of your kitchen.

We don’t see this often – but we love it!  A round kitchen island : this is perfect for a smaller kitchen -the circular shape really softens up the look in a kitchen and appears to not take up as much space; a circular shape offers great flow (that’s why a circular table is often a great choice for a small space). This still has great storage a surface space.  We also love the soft tones in this kitchen – the cream, taupe and wood – timeless with a bit of a country feel.

This island has it all –  seating, storage, open shelving, surface space and a stove top.  this modern sleek look kitchen island offers so much for this kitchen design. We love the mix of black, wood and grey waterfall quartz counter top.  The pendant lighting is beautiful and we love how the hood fan is built in so it doesn’t visually block in the kitchen and obstruct the view.

Take some inspiration from this kitchen with a commercial restaurant design.  This T-shaped island is perfect for parties – so much space for prepping, serving and let your guests watch while you create! the mix of stainless steel and wood grain is a great balance of modern and organic, warm and cool.  So clean and streamlined in every way.

Which kitchen island is your favourite?

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HOME DECOR, OUR FAVOURITES

Our Favourite Florals

our-favourite-florals

Who doesn’t love a beautiful floral arrangement??? We absolutely love florals – they add such freshness and life to a space (any space).  The colour, the texture, the placement, and the mixture – a floral arrangement is a beautiful piece of art. We love florals any time of year but this time of year when the skies are grey and a bit gloomy, the leaves have fallen and the grass is starting to turn…can be a bit drab -so add a little life in your home with some fabulous florals!

 

We love expressing our personal style with home decor and floral arrangements are another creative way to do just that! There is a floral arrangement for every style from traditional to modern.

 

Some of our favourite rooms for florals – well, just about every room but here are some of our top picks for placing florals.

Living room:

we love a small arrangement on a coffee table – styled on a tray with some books and other decor pieces.  We love styling a coffee table with multiple items at a lower height, this really allows for great conversations. When it comes to colour – the choice is really up to you, but we suggest thinking about the season (maybe opt for deep orange tones with a touch of deep purple during the fall months and who doesn’t love red for Christmas)

 

Front Foyer/Entry:

what a wonderful and welcoming way to invite guests to your home.  A stunning floral arrangement at your front entry really sets a tone.  When it comes to selecting the right arrangement for your entry – take a close look at your furniture piece (do you have a narrow console table? Or a larger round table? This can be very helpful when thinking about size). Also take a look at your ceiling height -high ceilings can really open up your options for some arrangements with height. We love this taller arrangement – the colours are just vibrant and so bold yet the arrangement is so streamlined and simple.

 

Dining room:

this is typically where we find beautiful floral centerpieces but it really is another wonderful way to welcome your guests and for a dinner party, it dresses up the table.  We personally love a lower arrangement as it really allows for fluid dinner conversation instead of blocking it.  But one of our favourite floral looks is multiple arrangement on one table. Let the size of table (and number of dinner guests help determine how many arrangements you need).  We love a set of seasonal arrangements like the image below – so simple and clean but still very festive!

 

Bedroom/Guest Bedroom:

floral arrangements make any room feel special and the bedroom is no exception.  A beautiful bouquet can really add a romantic element to your room.  Having house guests for the holidays? Try a bouquet in their bedroom – it is just another welcoming touch to make their stay even more special.

Kitchen: 

So this is not the typical room we find florals in but why not? We often spend a lot of time in the kitchen, whether at home preparing day-to-day meals or entertaining – the kitchen is a hot spot, so why not add a little special touch! Since we love displaying florals where food is being served, the kitchen island is perfect!

 

Gift:

OK, you’re right not a room but we had to add this to out list! A gorgeous arrangement is such a kind gesture for anyone hosting during the holiday season.  It isn’t something one usually buys for themselves so that really makes it wonderful.  The host/hostess can place it where ever they wish.

You can never go wrong with florals – they are Mother Nature’s ART!

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HOLIDAYS, OUR FAVOURITES

Halloween House of Horrors – Our favourite Halloween decor ideas

halloween-house-of-horrors-our

We love Halloween, well let’s face it we love any excuse to decorate!

Here are some of our favourite decor ideas for this spook-tacular holiday!

There are so many options ghouly-goregous, boo-tiful and vamp-tastic….find you spooky style and have fun!

We love this fireplace vignette.

It’s the right amount of spooky without terrifying your guests.  It’s festive and fun but classy at the same time.  The white and black theme isn’t too ‘Halloween’ it still has a designer look about it.

 

Easy and fun but also subtle.  Try these printables to make your current books look like old spell and potion books.   Perfect for a coffee table!

Creepy floral arrangement…add some spooky and inexpensive spider and snakes to an existing bouquet or opt for a fake floral arrangement and re-use this every year.  Love this for a foyer or coffee table and why not for a centerpiece at your Halloween party!

An easy DIY with foam pumpkins from any craft store and re-purpose those candle sticks ! You can really play around with this idea…orange pumpkins, glitter pumpkins, add some creepy crawlies….so many possibilities!

Instead of a planter to celebrate the fall season, why not a witch’s cauldron?

Another easy idea with many options…fill it with spooky pieces like this image or make it more child-friendly with cute pumpkins and ghosts!

Love this for a centerpiece or maybe just on the kitchen island!  Re-use old bottles meant for the recycling bin and use some great printables to transform them into spooky poisons and potions!

Simple and festive!  Love this idea for napkin rings…this could be for a dinner party or just for the kids before trick-or-treating!

If you are that house on the street that goes full out and creates a haunted house…this is for you!

This “DEAD and Breakfast” sign is amazing and perfect for the DIYer in you! Go to your local hardware store for the posts, chains and the wood for the sign, pumpkins and crows and paint to create the sign are all available at a craft store

In my house, we can’t get too scary just yet so we decorate with felt bats, trees, owl and pumpkins…very similar to this image.  It’s very family friendly and it looks great!

We love a great Halloween wreath – an easy way to be festive and participate in the holiday ! there are so many options, it could be hard to decide.

Hosting a Halloween party?

This is a great idea….give your home that creepy haunted old home look with white sheets covering the furniture (this will also help protect your furniture from spills and crumbs) add some candelabras, candle light and cobwebs and you have the look!

Get create with your vases and fill them with little skeletons, spiders, pumpkins, mice and anything else Halloween.  Add some florist moss and you’ve got a simple vignette for the fireplace, coffee table or console.  Simple yet effective!

Happy Halloween……

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