Bunting Baby!!

I've been playing around with my Grandmother's old Husqvarna sewing machine with my Mother's guidance.  Here is the fruit of today's labour - bunting.

Granville Ferry

I've spent the past couple of weeks visiting my Mom and Dad on the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia.  I feel very lucky to been able to take this time with them and to have the ocean as my backyard.  They live in one of the most picturesque little villages I have ever visited.  Just across the water from Annaoplis Royal, Granville Ferry is a unique piece of the world.  Nestled between a wooded mountain and a sheltered portion of the Fundy shore, the houses are an interesting mix of captain's houses, classic Victorian and Georgian Colonial homes.  I take a walk through the village everyday to collect the mail at the Community Hall.  The other day I decided to snap some pictures as I went.  Here is a selection of some of my favourites.  I really could have kept going for pages.  There are so many little gems here.  The little red one just below is the workshop of a cobbler that makes shoes for Broadway.  Also in my pics are a converted church house, a captain's house with a model ship in the window and my Mom and Dad's, soon to be painted, mustard and green porch - the best in the village I'd have to say. 

rainy revelry

A fair share of rain for us so far this summer.  Today I'm working from the couch as there is no real reason the venture outside.  I am getting geared up for a trip out east to see my Mom and Dad.  Looking forward to some ocean air.

swatch watch

The textile swatches are in from Tonic Living.  Apparently I am very drawn to the geometric prints these days.  The navy blue diamond lines in the top right corner will be the cover for two more mid-century modern teak chairs.  The mustard geometric next to it will be the cover of a footstool to contrast an aqua ikat chair I am working on.  Many upholstery projects on the go at the moment.  I am going to have to take them outside into the sunshine.

modern mix

My apartment lends itself very well to mixing and matching.  It is full of character and has great floors and solid bones.  I like the idea of juxtaposing modern things within these classic lines.  When I moved in many of the walls were painted crazy colours.  This robins egg blue in my living room was initially too much for me and I spent the first few months contemplating painting.  I'm particularly drawn to white walls with bursts of colour in furniture and accessories.  But as time went on it started to grow on me.  There is something almost restful to it for me now.  I'd say this is one of my favourite corners in the house.  It is also one of my more modern vignettes.  This structured, boxy oversized lounge chair covered in a sheepskin throw is perfect to settle into with a good book (or computer).  I reupholstered a classic antique ottoman with a simple textured geometric pattern.  The silkscreen on the wall, rattan lamp and throw cushions are all new modern pieces.  I couldn't resist putting a bit of emerald green, antique glass in the window.  It just looks so great in the morning light.

Beautiful Brass Bobbles

I've been really lusting after all things brassy lately, slowly picking up little pieces at auctions and antique stores - book ends, vases, light fixtures.   I'm finding that they work really well with the tones of my teak mid-century modern furniture.

Here is a nice inspiration wall from Jonathan Adler that instantly caught my eye.  The brassy bits just pop and I love the warmth they bring into the room.  It is instantly elevated.

Jonathan Adler

Green Bean

I've been riding my almost brakeless, very rickety 1964 Raleigh Sport 3 Speed for the past five years and I was beginning to notice that I was choosing public transit over my bicycle far too frequently.  I think the weight of the thing and its rather abrupt gears were really starting to wear on me.  It was a gift from my friend Tom when we were living in Halifax in 2006.  He ventured across the street to a garage sale and came back with a lovely vintage Raleigh for I think $25 bucks.  It has served me well.

Growing up my family had a bright green Volkswagon Westfalia camper van that we drove east for a summer, until we ended up buying a cottage in NS.  We called it the "Green Bean" because my dad had some body work done on it before the big trip and then had it painted a beautiful bright Kelly Green.  I have been looking at upgrading my bicycle situation for the past year with the ambition of riding a little more often.  This bike, the very same colour as the 'ol "Green Bean",  jumped out at me the other day as I walked trough the Annex.  It was  a beautiful day and I was pressed for time and contemplated taking the subway home.  If only I had my bike.   She is a Linus Dutchi 3 Speed designed in Venice, California, with lovely classic character and flare.  I couldn't stop thinking about this beauty so I went back yesterday aft and took her for a spin.  She is smooth and shifts effortlessly and has a whole bunch of options for attachments and baskets.  I was sold.  A little bit of an investment now will no doubt pay off with huge joy over the summer months.

Happy Easter

Summer Silk

I fell in love with this silk Peter Jensen dress while hopping around the internet.  The "Lodge" print reminds me of the summer I spent in the mountains.  I think it would go quite nicely with the nude Swedish Hasbeens that I recently acquired dreaming of Summer.  I'm also kind of loving this model's up-do.  Makes me long for those bangs that framed my face for so many years.  I've been secretly considering taking the plunge and getting them again.

 Peter Jensen

Mid-Century Recovery

They are finally finished... The chairs that took a great deal of blood sweat and tears.  Between re-foaming the seats and backs and waiting for the fabric to arrive from the manufacturer, it was quite a lengthy process.  I'd only ever tried smaller upholstery projects in the past and these were a little trickier.  I had to shape the foam myself and apply decorative tacks to the seat backs.  It was all worth it.  Im very pleased with the results.  I've already had a couple of offers to buy them,  but i think these ones will be for me.  I just like them too much.

Here are a few other snapshots of the process.

Saving the Daylight

Tonight is the night when the clocks slide forward and we get to have a little more light in our lives.  The city is shifting - warming up to spring.  I have been busy puttering around the house and have found a lot of joy in having some springy flowers about to muffle the sights of melting snowbanks.  I image we will see some flakes again before it is totally safe to put away the puffy coats for good, but still something has shifted.

Soul Soothing

I've been a little under the weather lately and have been spending a lot of time on this...
Couldn't be more pleased with this purchase.
I've also been working on a few other projects to show and tell shortly. Stay Tuned.

Joyeux Noël

The cutest little Charlie Brown Christmas tree that ever lived in downtown Ottawa. My first hotel room Christmas. Its cozy in here and cold and white outside. Just how we like it.

Holly Jolly

This is what the holiday season brings. So grateful to have this delightful space to relax in.

Pheasantries

Found this amazing piece of fabric at the Junction Flea this morning. Vintage Sanderson. It was a full length curtain belonging to an old home ec teacher. She has perfectly finished two yards of the stuff. It is a lovely thick linen. Not sure what it will become yet. For now an extra bedspread or very soon, a throw on the new couch I'm waiting to be delivered.