Tuesday, March 30, 2010

House Hunting

My heart has been stolen. We have been looking at houses for investment and now I have found one I want to move into. Drats! This isn't the plan! My heart has gone to a back-split that we are flip-flopping over. It is this house and moving and renovating (and all that entails with living through a reno - been there!) or buying, renovating and flipping a smaller property and staying in this house. I have already envisioned the back-split taking on a suedo art & crafts treehouse look. Am I growing out of traditional?? I am taken with Amy Butler's home in Midwest Modern that this house really lends itself to. I can already see a wall of steel windows across the back and in the office. And a punch-out kitchen/sunroom. Even my bird feeders will be perfect there. My bird feeders! See, my heart is lost.







I especially love this entry. The doors, the stone, the greenery. It suits the house I am smitten with perfectly!

I also love the look of these steel doors.

The look of designer Jill Sharp-Brinson these next few photos:





Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Thomas O'Brien

I know, I have already posted and drooled about Thomas O'Brien, but now, I have to blab about his new book. It's out and I can't wait to get it. If you haven't pick up the April issue of Canadian House & Home, you don't want to miss it. It has an article on O'Brien's apartment; a before and after story. Only the before is just as gorgeous as the after!!! I really can't get enough of his vintage studio styling. To tantalize the tastebuds, here the cover shot of "American Modern" and more snaps from Canadian House and Home....

Gorgeous chair.
The low cabinets fronting the bookcase is a great look, piled with interesting books and objet d'art. 

Mmmm....I really have to collect more art.

On another note, I have been thinking about transforming Elizabeth's room to some sort of functioning work area (for sewing, folding laundry, etc) and have decided this vintage studio look is the way to go. I nearly went nuts a couple days ago, spending way too much time online looking for a daybed or sofa bed that would work in such a room. You have already seen the desks and rugs I like (here), when I was seeing more of an office. I reduced the daybed/sofas down to these:

This one (above) is my favourite, by Innovation USA

This one is the Flex Sofa by CB2

And for a little more inspiration: I love the look of zebra hide rugs, but can't bring myself to support that industry (no Anna Wintour am I), but how tantalizing to the eye it is.

Domino via Decor8

Living, Etc & Domino pics via Decor8

Unfortunately, the printed zebra rugs don't have the authentic, beautiful look. I think I may be able to find fabric and do an ottoman like the one above. A couple days ago, I picked up this zebra dish from Pier 1 Imports. Cute, isn't it? $6 in the US/$9 CDN (should have waited for my trip to Syracuse next month).


Monday, March 15, 2010

Black and White


I don't think I could take the plunge but I have to say, I admire the look:


Country Living

Laura Ashley via homeandgarden.com



homeandgarden.com


Ikea



via Decorpad



homesandgardens.com


My fav is this one:
badgley mischka library via elle decor

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Lovely Homes

It's Lovely Homes Day and I hope you enjoy salivating over these beauties, as I did. I'm feeling kinda country today. Just think of all the gardening I could do!
Greenwich Home via www.clevelandduble.com

Front Greenwich Home via www.clevelandduble.com

Back Greenwich Home via www.clevelandduble.com

This one is currently on the market at $1.89 M. It resides along the Niagara Parkway, between Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake. My girlfriend, Angela, lives down the road (maybe we can see pics of her beautiful tudor home and gorgeous gardens one day).  I always see mayself in a whote house, but I have to say the red is quite fetching!
The view from the back is of the Niagara River. The other side it the USA.
And what great house doesn't look equally as nice in the winter?

Traditional Home

Traditional Home


Country Living

Goderich, Ontario
Flickr: Corinthian1858


St Mary's, Ontario, Canada

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Art Wall

This is an old draft I found, when we were still living at the old house. Thought I would post it. I obviously forgot to take a pic of the Photo Wall! I am sure you can imagine...

Well, more like photo wall. These days, it is so easy to scan a photo onto your computer, upload it to a developing site (I used Costco and Black's). They emailed me the same day to say it was ready for pick up! To find the photos I needed, I spent an afternoon while my Mom & Dad were visiting, going through the albums with my Mom. That was a joy for both of us. So here are a few I did of the girls (all copyright Joanne Yordanou):
Lucy



Elizabeth


Elizabeth
The photos turned out so good, I began to think I should use a more "viewed" wall in a high traffic area.

Kitchen Reno

Check out the new post on my kitchen reno to the right. The tour continues....