I just want to pair this old set (fixed up of course!) with this red and white umbrella from Ikea

Makes me think of St Tropez!

So retro chic!

Hope you’re relaxing, having fun and soaking in this gorgeous weather!

It’s got tons of useful tips and tons of inspiration.  Goes to show how some stock moulding, soothing paint colours and classic furnishings can take a typical new build home and make it a stunner!  I especially love the home office and you might remember when it was on the cover of House & Home a few years ago – it was one of my favourites while I worked there.

P.S. the kitchen counter treatment is exactly what I recommend to lots of my clients – honed black granite the looks like soap stone.  Now you can see what I mean…

Believe me, a headboard can really transform your bedroom and make it feel finished and polished.

Penney & Co Queen Upholstered Headboard with Nailhead $459

Case in point, this shot from The Little Green Notebook blog.  Here Jenny’s used the very same headboard in her punchy and sumptuous bedroom at home.  I just love the pairing of this Penney & Company headboard with rich colours and hotel sheeting.

littlegreennotebook.blogspot.ca

You can get this look too, so come check out the many headboard styles at Penney & Company today!

marillyn.ca

It got me thinking about other examples of decorating with maps that I love.  It seems timely with cottage season just beginning and it’s always great for a kid’s room or family room.

Check out these ideas – you might see one thats just right for you!

This image goes to show that maps don’t have to look too masculine.  This little map looks sweet in a little girl’s room.

Steven Gambrel

Steven Gambrel has wallpapered in a collage style with these beautiful subtle maps.  The colours aren’t too bold so the effect is still high end and sophisticated.  The bottle glass lamp furthers the costal feel.

Steven Gambrel

You can even get map printed wallpaper right on the roll from Ralph Lauren through Kravet Canada.

Ralph Lauren Wallpaper

Here’s the Ralph Lauren wallpaper in action in a classic bathroom with bead board.  Tempering the effect with painted woodwork half the way up the wall is a smart idea.

Finally, here’s an exciting image!  This was a map Kent bought at Penney & Company recently.  He took it to Theresa at Frame By Design in Whitby (just up from my old location on Brock) and had it framed.

Looks like a million bucks to me!

Many Mondays still get swallowed up with work, but today was just perfect.  Sara, Violet and I travelled as a family to Toronto to pick up a huge pile of custom-sewn pillows for the shop (and that was IT for work, believe me!).  I can’t wait for you to see them, there are so many great patterns and colours!  Violet slept both to and from the city and was the perfect travelling companion.   We had tea and she met her first kitty cat with our friend and sewer-extraortinaire Pat.

The rest of this family day was made up of naps, playing, shushing, story reading and capped off with a fresh batch of banana muffins (Violet lost interest in the how-to and had to go down for her nap) and some cuddles.  So all-in-all a pretty wonderful day for our little threesome.

Hope your Monday was just as good.

Just remember what this spot used to look like…

Penney & Co October 2012

And this morning it’s a cheerful little garden complete with antique brick edging!

Penney & Co Spring 2013!

Recently I was introduced to some of the exciting new plants coming to a Loblaws garden centre near you.  Here are some of my favourites…

I love dahlias and these annual versions are perfectly charming!  I had to scoop up a flat of the white ones for our front yard!

These purple and white verbena were calling my name too.  They’re great in containers so I’ll keep that in mind for the May long weekend.

I don’t grow any vegetables at the moment but these little lettuces have me tempted…fresh salad anyone?

And a few more deep dark dahlias cause I just couldn’t help myself!  Can’t wait to get growing this spring and summer.  But my tulips have me smiling for now.

Penney & Company

I’ve ordered a pair of tall book cases with ladders to add storage and have a contractor on his way today to address the plywood hole.  Hopefully some paint and elbow grease will get this area into shape soon.  Keep you posted.

Here are the shelves – hope they look good in person!

I cannot wait to give it a good cover-to-cover read.  Tom Scheerer is known for his relaxed traditional take on decorating with clever decorative references and gorgeous colour combinations.  It certainly appeals to the young foggy in me and he always adds a fresh twist.

I’m anticipating a review copy of my own this summer and will be sure to report back with the many amazing ideas and inspirations it’s sure to include.  Can’t wait!  In the mean time be sure to head over to tomscheerer.com to see his portfolio and whet your appetite!