Tuesday, April 24, 2012

To Upgrade or Not To Upgrade

  

The time has come to start thinking about the interior finishes for the new condo. My previous experience went like this: Package A or Package B - choose one. This time around, there are three packages to choose from, but there are also several upgrade choices - counter tops, floor tiles, cupboard doors, backsplash tiles, flooring... Of course any upgrade will need to be carefully considered since nothing in life is free.

The first package is very light, combining white and cream tiles and cupboard door fronts with blonde wood floors and cabinetry. Although it's lovely, I'm not a fan of this somewhat cool palette. (Please pardon the grainy, washed out photos. It's the best I could do.)

  
The second package presents a much warmer colour palette, with Cherry wood cabinets and floors. Problem:  I can't see past the orange tones of the wood in this combination, so I eliminated this option immediately.
 
  
Like Goldilocks, when I saw the third package, I knew that this one was just right. Well, almost just right.. The floors are and cabinetry are walnut, which is not too dark and not too light - perfection. The cupboard door fronts are finished in Cloud White matte lacquer - the ideal neutral. The quartz kitchen counter, however, will require an upgrade, since I'm not loving the greenish hue of this stone. For the bathroom, white tiles, white vanity and white cabinetry with a soft grey floor tile are perfectly acceptable, although I may consider an upgrade to Carrera polished marble for the counter top. The carpet, which will be throughout both guest and master bedrooms is kinda ugly, so I will probably switch it to a lighter shade.
 


Bianco Carrera Polished Marble
Potential Bathroom Countertop Upgrade:



Antique Brown Polished Granite
Potential Kitchen Countertop Upgrade:


Last but not least, I'd like to have a smooth drywall ceiling throughout the entire space, which could eat up quite a bit of the already non-existent upgrade budget. Sigh... I guess it's time to implement a reasonable budget and stick to it. After all, a girl can want it all, but that doesn't mean she can afford it all :-(

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Cherish Toronto


Peekaboo

Our eyes are not just to see where we're going, but to observe the world around us. There is beauty in the simplest of objects, and all we have to do is slow down and appreciate it. During a Sunday afternoon walk I took some time to Cherish Toronto.


 
Tulips

Push

All in the Details

Metalwork

Pattern

 
Patina

 
Pretty in Pink

 
Water

The Rex

Staples

 
Pipes

All photos copyright Pamela Graham for Cherish Toronto.
Please do not use without permission.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Step by Step...Oh Baby!!

Well, I got another letter last week, informing me that my tentative occupancy date has been pushed back to the original estimate: September 2012. That's just fine by me, since it gives me more time to prepare for the big move. Over the past while, I've been trying to knock at least one thing off the to-do list each month, so that I won't be overwhelmed later (in terms of both time and money $$$). Right now the guest room is right on track!!

The headboard has been reupholstered and tufted:


The wallpaper has arrived:


The lamps are undergoing a nip & tuck at Modnest:


The bedsides are off to the sprayer next week:


Now on to the master suite, where there are still a lot of decisions to be made...

Sunday, April 15, 2012

A Visit to Southworks

Even when I'm not looking to make a purchase, it gives me great pleasure just to look at pretty things. For me, a trip to an antique shop is akin to a trip to the museum (only with the added bonus that if I happen to see something I really like, there is always the option of taking it home). This weekend I spent several lovely hours wandering the vendor booths at Southworks in Cambridge - 30,000 square feet of vintage and antique goodness!! I could have brought home so many things, but alas, I took only photos. Enjoy!!

Coral Sadler Urn


McCoy Pink Swan Vase


Pale Pink Milk Glass Cornucopia


Royal Doulton Tulip Vase


Chenille Pillows


Carlton Ware Candy Dish & Vase


Retro Coffee Pot


Turquoise Frosted Glass


Paragon Teacup & Saucer


Peacock Wall Hanging


Footed Green Bowl


Pair of Black Pheasants


Pistachio Vintage Radio


All photos by Pamela Graham for Cherish Toronto

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Silk Purse from a Sow's Ear

This is the story of how a slightly rusty
table from The Village...


...was sanded and primed...


...then painted gold and put to use...


...The End

Monday, April 2, 2012

Swingers

For me, this image was the highlight of the weekend One of A Kind Show. Captured by Toronto photographer Tania Fitzpatrick, this photo captures the colourful beauty of the CNE on a sunny day. The coral, the teal, the yellow...it's perfection!

Swingers


Image copyright: Tania Fitzpatrick
Visit Tania's Etsy shop: imagesofthisandthat