When can I move in?

The other night I was flipping through some back issues of House & Home before bed where I rediscovered one of my favourite apartments ever. I puts mine to shame. For reals. While I've done a lot to try to make my place look like more than the standard builder beige digs, I've got a long ways to go if I want it to look like this place - 

http://houseandhome.com

Isn't this living room amazing? You may have seen shots of this apartment floating around online, or have seen the feature that H&H did on it a few years ago. The former apartment of design guy Michael Penney, former Style Editor of H&H (who recently announced that he's going to be working with Sarah Richardson....yes that Sarah Richardson), this home has so much going for it! It's definitely served as inspiration for my own place!

http://houseandhome.com

Then again, how many people end-up finding an apartment with this much character? They get built-in shelving, while I'm stuck with a faux wood laminate kitchen counter tops.... Anyways, I love how Michael and his wife Sara have chosen to showcase their collections. Why hide your china and crystal if you don't have to? Note to self - begin investing in china and crystal.

http://houseandhome.com

The couple was able to create a beautiful space using a mix of vintage and new pieces - investing where it counted the most in upholstered pieces that they were able to move to their first home (also featured in H&H).

http://houseandhome.com

Michael is a master when it comes to displaying small collections - I love the fireplace vignette! So simple, yet amazingly eye-catching! I'd love to find a mirror similar to his for above my own fireplace. I might even have access to a couple of paint-by-number prints of horses if I sweet talk my sister...

http://houseandhome.com

Winnipeg's new Ikea store hasn't opened yet, but when it does I know that their basic white chests of drawers will be flying out of the warehouse! As basic as they are, they look amazing when grouped - providing cheap storage. I've seen loads of designers use them in bedrooms, dining rooms and even family rooms.

http://houseandhome.com

White kitchen cabinets! Open shelves! A white oven! Wallpaper! All things that I dream about! Though extremely compact, this kitchen oozes style! I'd kill for the opportunity to showcase my stemware and funky bowls....someday!

http://houseandhome.com

While my own place lacks some of the character that this place has, there are loads of ideas that I plan on putting to work - like getting a piece of glass cut for the top of my nightstand, perhaps a can or two of paint for my bookcases, some blue paint for my living room....where to begin?! Hmm....

Time to make some lists!

D-


You can check out Michael's musings & ideas here!

Way to go Joe.

I'm one of those silly people that strongly believes that September 1st means that summer is over and that fall is going to charging towards us at full speed. 

I give you permission to slap me if you want...

And though sad that the dog days of summer are winding down and that the leaves are starting to change colour, there is one part of fall that really excites me - new fall clothes! Well, okay that and all of the new TV shows that are going to stick around for only a couple of weeks, but that's another post for another blog.

http://lifehacker.com

Anyways, I'm in need of a few new pieces for work and have been eyeing up this season's assortment of Joe Fresh pieces. For those of you not in the know (I'm talking to YOU my international friends), Joe Fresh is an amazing private label line that we lucky Canucks get to buy at - wait for it - the grocery store. Developed by Joe Mimran (of Club Monaco fame) for Canadian chain Loblaws, Joe Fresh has brought style to the masses!

With a bulk of pieces being offered for under $30.00 CDN, I've got loads of options to help me create some spiffy office looks. Who wants to spend coin on work clothes when they don't have to? 

http://demicouture.ca

These snazzy pieces at from the same place you buy bananas and chewing gum? You know it! I've yet to take an afternoon to wander through my local Joe in-store boutique to try everything from this season's collection, but I've got my eye on a number of pieces.

Check'em out - 

The basic v-neck sweater, perfect for layering available in a gazillion colours for - get this, $19.00.

A spiffy fitted check shirt to go under your new v-neck, $29.00.

For those cold days when your office is effing cold and no amount of playing with the thermostat while warm anything up - Joe's crewneck sweater for $39.00.

Though I bought a new peacoat last winter, I'm in love with this double button beauty for $99.00! Classic, but ever cool, I want it!

I'm a big fan of the Joe jeans and have a couple of pairs that I live in - especially their premium denim collection; super soft and they fit like a glove. Uber cheap at $39.00....but wait, they come on sale all the time!

And last but not least, I'm in love with Joe's cashmere pieces. They're still pricey at $99.00....but I found one last year on clearance for $19.00. Amazing quality at a fraction of the cost. Q-Tips, cinnamon buns and cashmere? Hmm...

Did I mention that this bad boy comes in 12 colours? I'll take all 12 please!

Too bad they don't make blinders...how am I going to go grocery shopping without moseying on over to checkout what's new? Hmm....

What are your fall staples?

D-


PS. 


For my Yankee friends, Joe Fresh just announced that they're opening a store in NYC! Get out the plastic!

Thrift Thursday.

I'm really excited to share this week's Thrift Thursday find with you! No, seriously. You have no idea. I turned into a total girl when I found what I'm about to show you. I shrieked, eked and later swore like a banshee (but more about that later on).

I've been living with one of those ugly glass-front TV stands for a couple of years now and have wanted to kick it up a notch. It's FINALLY time to ditch the last of the college furniture so to speak. While the $3.00 Goodwill TV stand had served its purpose, I wasn't really keen on the fiberboard construction, glass door, lack of DVD storage and overall ugliness. It was time to go.

But what to replace it with?

I was running some errands the other night (isn't that how it always starts?) when I stopped off at a Salvation Army to dump off some clothes. I figured that since I was there I may as well make the rounds (but of course). After checking out the lackluster mix of housewares I wandered over to the furniture department where I found this bad boy -

How great is this vintage buffet?!?

They'd just but this beauty on the floor and there were a couple of other interested parties, but I was like "you're comin' home with me big boy.." and proceeded to run up to the front of the store to pay for it. Seriously. I tore through that store...there may have been people looking at me. But I didn't care - I wasn't about to lose out on this awesome piece!

It was only after paying for buffet that I realized that I had to somehow get it home in my two-door Alero. That's right, caught in the moment, I bought a giant piece of furniture without thinking about the logistics involved in getting it from one end of the city to the other...

(that sounds like something I would do...)

It took 45 minutes to maneuver the piece into the car, resulting in me having the driver's seat pushed as close to the steering wheel as possible, one of the buffet's legs hitting the back of my neck and the longest ride home ever.

Once home, it took another 45 minutes (for reals) to maneuver the piece out of my backseat, followed by two flights of stairs and my thumb jambed in a door before this beauty found itself at home in my living room.

Who said thrifting was easy?

That said, when you find a piece like this for the princely sum of $15.00 how can you not bring it home (jammed thumb and all)?!

The only question left to ask is what colour do I finish this beauty in? My ever practical choices of A) black or B) white? Or do I go all out and add a bit of colour into my living room? Bright yellow? Orange?

Stay tuned to see the outcome!

D-

PS. Next time I venture out I'll make sure I have a tape measure with me....