ikea kitchen

Yesterday I spent all day at Ikea designing a kitchen and choosing all the finishes with a client.  I was very impressed.  Not with the fact that they give you very little guidance to get you started, or that they keep you waiting for a long time, but about the product.  It is great!  Stylish, good quality, lots of sizes to choose from and now that they have everything from appliances to the kitchen sink, you really don't have to look elsewhere.  If you don't like crowds, stay away, especially during the kitchen sale going on now, but otherwise do consider an Ikea kitchen.  There are ways to make it look custom too so it is truly a great product.

a small living room

I love small living.  It is always cozy; no tricks needed to make it that way. 

The two small benches that act as coffee tables are so versatile!  And of course I love that they are white - my favourite!

pottery barn console table

Pottery Barn always seems to get it right. Check out this transitional console table that is 84" long! Great for long narrow hallways - so practical!

bare floors & windows

This room feels so warm even though it is so sparse. I love that about it!

quilts

Quilts are amazing. They are works of art requiring very precise and creative minds.

While I was in Vermont this past weekend I went to a beautiful exhibit displaying quilts in honour of Alzheimer's patients. While this one didn't have as much meaning as some of the others, I am showing this one because I just loved it. The colours, the shape of the petals, the composition. Gorgeous!

If you haven't considered a quilt for your bedroom, why not? They are not just for country settings but can be gorgeous additions to any bed including traditional or even modern spaces. And it doesn't have to be hand-made and super expensive. Even a simple machine stitched one can add texture and beauty to the end of your bed.

And while out there looking, have a peak at some of the antique ones - they are charming!

yellow

Sometimes I really like yellow! It's a happy colour. :)

guest rooms

Guest rooms are so easy to make beautiful and luxurious. You only need a few keys things to make it special:

• high-thread cotton linens
• a colourful blanket
• the best mattress you can afford
  
• bedside tables & lamps
  
• window treatments
  
• and a chair

That's it, really. But you can always add:

• fresh flowers
• new slippers
• beautiful artwork
• a stack of magazines
• a small desk
• and chocolates on the towels placed on the bed for their arrival

Now who wouldn't want to stay over!
Enjoy your summer guests!

blue is cool

In this hot weather, we can use any help we can get to stay cool. How about a nice cool colour like blue in your bedroom? It really can help you feel cooler, not to mention more relaxed.

My favourite bedroom blues are Benjamin Moore's:
Polar Sky - CC-790
Yarmouth Blue - HC-150
Van Courtland Blue - HC-145
Philipsburg Blue - HC-159

red & white for Canada Day

Red and White decorating for Canada Day - doesn't mean it has to be in your face red and white. This space is so subtle and charming and easy. Use 100% linen and 100% cotton fabrics along with rustic and painted furniture finishes and you've got the look.