2014: The Year of Confidence

2014. Hmmm... I've been considering how I want this year to go, and all I know is that I want it to be awesome. To tell the truth, 2013 sucked, and since I can't get a do-over, I'm counting on a much improved year in 2014. Life is what you make it, right? So basically it's up to me to make it better, and to have the confidence to make it so.

Looking back on 2013, I did get a few things accomplished in the new condo through the year...

Above clockwise from top left corner: Guest Bedroom, Guest Bath, Balcony,

Master Bedroom, Lumbar Pillows, Dining Room, Study Nook, Master Bath.

Setting my sights on 2014, I'm kicking it off by finally getting started on what I'm calling "Project Add Character". Look for the hashtag combination of #addcharacter & #trim on Twitter to follow my progress. I'm working with Home Depot Canada and Para Paints on this trim project and I'm confident that this will my best DIY yet!

This trim project will be the last significant DIY for awhile, but there are a few other things to finish in the condo this year:

• Switch out four remaining ugly lever door handles for crystal knobs like this one. Done January!
  
• Find (hopefully on Kijiji) a round glass top dining table to improve flow. Done January!
• Purchase 2 comfortable counter height stools for the kitchen island. Done January!
• Figure out where and how to use these chinoiserie panels. Still thinking about it!
• Change bathroom light fixtures to something less boring and more stylish like these. Done September!
• Add a small piece of furniture to the master bedroom for extra storage. 2015 for sure!

Once I've crossed all of the items off the list above, it will be time to start saving for a getaway. I haven't really been on vacation (work trips don't count) since I visited Paris in October 2012. Both Heather of Habitually Chic and Tim of Design Maze have recently taken European vacations and their photos have given me the itch to travel. I am confident that I'll be taking a fabulous trip this fall.

"Cheers" to 2014!!

(Anthropologie garland, photo via Pinterest)

One of a Kind Show Favourites

I attend the Christmas One of a Kind Show in Toronto just about every year, and this year was another great event. Last Sunday my sister and I hit the Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place and walked the show floor for oh, about 5 hours. There was so much to see that we never wavered, and only sat down for a quick lunch at the halfway point. The show continues until Sunday, December 8th, so if your schedule allows, you should absolutely head downtown to check it out.

I always stop to see what Avril Loreti and Jenna Fenwick (Jenna Rose) have in store; they are both amazing young talents creating the most wonderful textile designs. The One of a Kind Show is one of the best places to pick up unique items to give as gifts, but of course I always manage to find a little something for myself ;) The show's Rising Star section features brand new artisans, and that is where I met the lovely Meghan & Rebecca of Calico Studio. These girls were awesome to speak with and I totally fell in love with their hand painted wool crepe de chine wraps with hand felted edges - so much work, but oh so beautiful!!

It was also in the Rising Star area where I discovered Akai Ceramic Studio. They have the sweetest handmade ceramic pieces, the K Bowl first caught my eye, but I really couldn't help myself when I spotted the pink mini vase. I knew it would look so cute on my bedside table, and it totally does!! I mean have you ever...

Akai Ceramic Studio has an Etsy shop, or if you'd like to pick up a little something as a Christmas gift without the worry of shipping, they will be at the CBC Charity Craft Sale on December 12th and at the Let It Snow Craft Fair in The Annex on December 14th.

Happy Shopping!!

All photos by Pamela Graham for Cherish Toronto.

White Wash

Although right now I'm heavily into the planning stages for the upcoming trim & paint project in the living and dining areas, there have been other happenings in the new* condo. Just recently both the main bath and the ensuite master bath received a coat of fresh white paint. Although some might hardly notice, for me both rooms feel so much brighter.

The reasons for the paint were twofold. One, after the builders made drywall repairs, they covered the patches in the eggshell finish with flat paint. That is a sad no no :( Two, the walls were a nondescript shade commonly referred to as builder's beige. What I really wanted was for the room to read as pure white.

I chose a white that matched closely with the tiles and sink, and which didn't harbour any blue, green or yellow undertones. This is Para's Whitewash White (P2089-00) and it's the perfect white - it feels so bright and clean! As part of the mini facelift, I added a fabulous chrome hook from Home Depot for guests to hang a bathrobe or towel - something which had been previously overlooked. (Thanks for the tip, Debbie!)

The master ensuite bath received the same Whitewash treatment, and again, I can't get over how clean & fresh it looks. Even though both bathrooms are interior spaces with no windows (common in condominiums), they both seem super bright with this all white scheme.

I added a few details to make my ensuite bath feel special. There's something about fancy soaps and lotions that make me feel like I'm staying in five star hotel, and fresh flowers are a real treat! Plus I still love the "Swingers" carnival photo from Red Dot Design.

I made just one little upgrade in this bath wth the addition of a crystal knob on the linen closet door. I won an Elte/Ginger's gift certificate over at Decor Happy this past May and I splurged on this diamond crystal knob. Oh yes, it's all in the details.

 

*Can I still refer to this place as the "new" condo when I've been living here for almost a year? This coming Thursday is the first anniversary of the official move!

Dining Dreams

A lot of single folks can't say this, but I eat at least one meal at the dining table every day. Generally that meal is breakfast, and since it's the most important meal of the day, the morning experience should be special. Do you see where I'm going with this? Breakfast is an important meal...Enjoyed at the dining table....In a special space...

Since I'm already planning the moulding and wall trim for the living room, I also need to consider the dining room since the two areas are within the same open space. The idea is to be consistent with colour and trims, but add an element which I've wanted for so long and never had the chance to incorporate into my home: a chinoiserie pattern. I've mentioned my love of chinoiserie fabrics and wallpapers here, here, here and also here.

The colour choice for the walls and trim has been finalized, and I've decided on Marine Bay (P5156-75) from Para Paints:

The living room wall will remain low key, but the dining room wall is going to be a showstopper. I cannot wait to see this come to life!!!!! The plan is to insert two Griffin & Wong silk panels within the inset wall trim. It is going to be un-believable!!

I have yet to get a quote on these two panels, so my fingers are crossed that this will be somewhat affordable... 

Adding Character to a New Condo

There is another project brewing at home. I've decided that the new condo needs some character, and it's going to get that with some DIY architectural trim and mouldings. Despite being where I spend most of my waking hours while at home, I haven't done anything in the living room. I rolled out the rug, positioned the furniture, plugged in the tv, cable and Wii, and sat down. Done. But as a design blogger, I know this room could be and should be so much better! Here's what I'm working with (excuse the crappy photo - I couldn't get the whole wall in one frame, so it's actually 2 images photoshopped together):

"Bo" to the "ring", right? When I look at this, I'm actually kinda embarrassed by the lack of effort I've made here. Those 9 foot ceilings need to be highlighted, and I'm hoping that the addition of dentil crown moulding at the ceiling and picture frame moulding on the walls will make the height a true feature. A coat of navy blue paint on both wall and trims should make the room sing. Right now it's just so bottom heavy and blah :(

I'm currently in the planning stages, and I'm already finding it tricky to plan the layout. How am I going to work around all of the obstacles on this wall? The door to the master bedroom is on the left, the forced air unit is on the right with the thermostat above, two air vents are set along the top of the wall and a random sprinkler sits in the middle of it all. Ugh. Not to mention that the sprinkler and the thermostat are 100% un-paintable, which means two white blobs on an otherwise navy blue wall.

If you can mentally combine the three images below into one, it will give you a good idea of what I'm trying to create. Navy blue walls, double mouldings, maybe with a dash of gold highlight:

 Above images via Living Etc, House & Home, Lonny Mag.

I found this shallow dentil moulding at Home Depot and I think it would look great along the top of the wall throughout the entire space. Although this moulding is technically intended to be used as a chair rail, it works perfectly here because it will fit in the small three inch gap between the top of the vents and the ceiling:

And here's a quick sketch I put together to illustrate the possible layout of mouldings on the wall and door. I've snuck in a few little upgrades like a new crystal knob on the door to the master bedroom and maybe a NEST thermostat:

  
Anyone have advice about the layout? About the materials? About the installation? I'm all ears!!