Cleaning the Cobwebs from my mind...

I had the best day.

I know I am about to paint myself as a veritable lunatic, but my happy day was all about cleaning. Cleaning, cleaning, and more cleaning. My fridge is suddenly empty after ridding it of all its spoils. I surprised my muscles by lugging and pushing beds over carpet to vacuum up long-lost popcorn seeds, cat hair, and foil wrappers from tiny Easter eggs. I did endless loads of laundry, washing all of our winter coats and mittens to pack up nicely for next winter. Speaking of winter, our cold weather wardrobes were finally purged, and tossed unceremoniously into plastic storage bins. I soon realized I have a pretty empty closet that requires a bit of shopping to add spring colour.
As I rotated load after freshly laundered load on my clothes line, I felt my mind actually clear of the kind of stress one can control. Because it's not just about having a clean house or "getting things done". It's about controlling the things we can in this crazy world. We can't control what's going on outside our own insular worlds, but we can take care of our families, ourselves, and create a home that makes us feel safe, warm and calm when we are tucked within. And that is where my satisfaction came from today. I cleared the cobwebs as I cleaned, both in my home and in my mind. Worries were pushed aside as I scrubbed, heaved furniture, and hung out clothes. My mind worked through what problems it could as I laboured, and the physical work quieted the rest.

And then I hung out with my family.

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photo credits:

top photo: Katrin Cargill.com

second and third photo: Toast.uk

God made iPhones for bloggers

I think I have died and gone to heaven.

Remember my taped together phone from my last post? So many of you were so sweet and harassed me, made fun of me made me feel so much better about my crappy phone.

You must know that I've been through about four phones in two years. I had a cute little pink one when our son was born. And it was soooo adorable when he would want to play with it and then eat it. It died. So did the others -- throwing, dropping, baby goo, whatever you can think of...they all died.

So the last time I said, I'm not buying another nice phone again until he's out of this stage. I've learned he'll never be "out of this stage" so I decided I wanted something NICE. Hence this glorious purchase:

Hubby has had one for years and I've never understood how he can lay in bed for an hour before sleeping, just messing around on this thing. Ummmmm YEAH.

Now I get it.

I am telling you people, it is freakin' amazing. AMAZING. I can get on the Internet from ANYWHERE. I can play just about any game I want. Look -- I got a free "app" that's a level:

I would have never known that our kitchen island isn't level if I didn't have this phone. What would I have done??? (And yes, just another example of how weird I am -- I'm a tool kind of girl and this about put me into a tizzy when I saw it.)

I'm still not sure what "apps" are -- just fun stuff you download I think. Like the faux lighters you see lit up at concerts. Freakin' adorable.

Look what I can do whenever I want:

Check your e-mails!! Look -- there are NONE in the inbox. I push.a.button and there they are. I've checked them ALL!! Oh good God, I'm not kidding, this is the best second best like, fifteenth best day of my LIFE.

So if I'm sitting in the doctor's office, I'll never be bored again.

Cause I have the iPhone. (Why didn't I have this when I was pregnant??)

I won't be bored at a stop light, because I'm so impatient I can't wait for 15 seconds.

Cause I have the iPhone.

I won't get bored drying my hair.

Cause I have the iPhone.

(You think I'm kidding.)

It even has a pretty decent camera on it: Giddy.

Now just like Crackbook, I'm sure this will wear off eventually. (Right?)

It does make me worry that we are creating a generation of kids who won't be able to just sit and not do anything. That part of this stuff freaks me out a bit. I have a love/hate relationship with technology.

But for now...I LOVE.

Swedish Decor in the Hamptons

Here is a lovely home in Sagg Harbor designed by Heiberg Cummings Design. Known for their contemporary Swedish design mixed with old world antiques; they create interiors that are interesting and layered, as well as light and airy. This home is clearly influenced by the Swedish style but tempered with traditional beach house design, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Heiberg Cummings is known for its combination of light, simplicity and subdued colors. Notice how the walls are lightly washed with white, but instead of harsh and stark, they seem luminous and soft. You can still see the knots of the wood peeking through. I love the addition of the old, worn rugs; notice the fraying ends. The rugs add an interesting layer of warmth against the white wood walls and painted floors. Also notice the sofa's interesting lines and use of linen slipcover.

Lets take a closer look at the details that warm up this space. Notice the texture all over the room. On the floors we have worn oriental rugs, a rope knot as a door stop. Rising up you notice Linen slipcovered furniture, old washed wood tables scattered around the room, a barn wood lamp with linen shade, and even the addition of worn leather books. The windows, take on a more modern feel; adorned only with shades. All these elements add layers of warmth and interesting texture to this space.

Moving into the bedroom we see an antique chair mixed with new slipcovered upholstery. Bed linens are all natural materials that look soft and inviting. Notice the obvious lack of color which creates a soothing subdued natural palette. Pull down shades in lieu of drapes on one wall look clean and contemporary.

The bathroom is a mix of old and new. Notice the sleek light fixture and the antique Swedish chair, both elements pop because of their juxtaposition.

Heiberg Cummings Designs has offices in New York and Norway; above Bernt Heiberg and Bill Cummings. They have designed some wonderful furniture with Norwegian company, Hodnebo. Below are just a few of their lovely new pieces.

Do visit Heiberg Cummings Design to see many more wonderful interiors and visit Hodnebo to see more of their collaborative efforts.

The easiest, cheapest, custom drapes EVER.

Have you ever lived with something in your house for years and YEARS, not in love with it, but liking it OK, just fine with it?

And then you change one little thing in the room and it sets you off on this roll that is very unbeneficial to the pocket book?

That's me.

I've been transforming our loft into the toy room and am trying to walk the very fine line between a cozy space for the adults and a total kid space.

I had drapes in the room that I bought for our previous place that were a faux silk (I think the fancy name is polyester) and were very shiny.

Like I said, for years, I thought they were just OK. Especially when it was just an extra room we only used once and a while. But then when I started making changes, they were too heavy and all wrong for the lighthearted space I was trying to create.

So I went looking and found exactly what I was looking for -- muslin! It's basically just a cotton, gauzy-type fabric. And whoooeee, it is CHEAP! I didn't even hem it -- I love the frayed edges:
I found fabric for the toppers long ago -- they are my favorite part:

This is SO EASY. I promise you can make these by yourself in less than 20 minutes. Just find a fabric you love, and get about a yard an a half of it (18 inches or so) for each treatment. (You can do whatever size you want, but I like to stick with this measurement.)

Use your hemming tape to hem up all the edges:

Then just hang it from the clips, like I showed you here, on top of the main drapery fabric:

Then, to make sure they stay put and look like they are sewn together, just use a pin on each side:

You won't even remember they are there, let alone anyone else noticing them!

The great thing about this project is you can use just about anything for the main part of the drape -- sheets, old window treatments -- any fabric. Then you can splurge on a loverly fabric for the topper (on sale, with a coupon of course).

The muslin was only $15 for five yards. And it was 108 inches wide, so I really didn't need that much. I could have easily gotten away with three yards (these are really long drapes) and spent less than $10 for both:

I usually add lining to my drapes, but I love the way these let the light in the room:

I'm almost done with little tweaks in the toy room, and will show you soon. (I know I keep saying that!)

P.S. Remember the phone I taped together, in a sad, sad effort to avoid spending money on a new one (so I could spend it on other things)?? Well, this is it tonight:

My sweet, loving, two-year-old threw it. Outside. On the concrete. See those two wires sticking out? Those were the only things holding it together. And when I made him pick it up and bring it to me, he decided to pull the two parts apart. SNAP!!

New phone. Tomorrow. Dang.

No Ordinary Boler...

If you are at all familiar with my blog, you know I am a big fan of camping. Each summer, I fuss over my little tent trailer/pop-up like it was a real vacation home. I have recovered the cushions, picked up fun accessories, doctored what I could and daydream about what else I can do to make it prettier. While the Airstream remains the coup of all campers, a close second would have to be the lovable, vintage Boler. As any Boler fan would tell you, owning a Boler puts one into a very select group. Pride of ownership shows for most every Boler that has been rescued and renovated, and seeing them bob happily down the highway brings a smile to any camping lover far and wide.

Typical Boler layout (above).

Both photos, above, found here.

I am happy to report that the Boler is a Canadian invention, as many great things are! With such vast, untouched wilderness and ocean access, camping is a very Canadian past time. Wouldn't we all enjoy camping in such great, portable summer homes?!

Shaggy, Velma? Can you believe this Mystery Mobile? You just know camping with these folks wouldn't be boring...!

Scooby Doo Boler photos source (above): Flickr.com

This Boler looks like a very fun, creative family bunks within:

Boler photos above: source, Flickr.com

Although I love the juicy orange of this Boler, if I had one, it would most definitely be painted in Robin's Egg Blue! Would you expect any less?

Orange Boler photos, source: Flickr.com

I love this vinyl flooring that these Boler owners are contemplating for their Boler:

Photo source: Flickr.com

Want to see more?

Check out this link to great Boler photos on Flickr!

Read the history of Bolers, here, or here! If you are thinking of joining the inside world of Boler owners, this site is a must see! Also, click on the links beneath each photo to be taken to the actual Flickr site.

Do you love your camper?

Classic Nautical Design by Suzanne Kasler

Spring is on its way and I recently opened up my beach house for the summer. In my research on Suzanne Kasler I came across her work on the 2004 showhouse for Southern Accents at Watersound Beach. But 2004 is so long ago you say - I want new and updated! Suzanne Kasler proves yet again, that classic style is timeless!

So let's spend a moment to review her wonderful interpretation of the classic nautical theme for those of you who may have missed it.

Notice Suzanne's use of horizontal hung wood paneling finished with marine like varnish. This detail along with the yacht like fittings and the bunks attached to the walls with boat cleats, really gives the feeling that you are in the cabin of a boat. Swing-arm lamps, installed high on the ceiling for reading in bed. I especially like the sailcloth curtains, hung with rivets and and tied with top stitched leather fittings. All these elements bring your eye up and down around the room.

Antique badminton racquets mounted on the wall and a basket of vintage croquet items flank the cupboard, filled with assorted finds from the sea mixed with books and vases. The patchwork rug and seagrass chairs all subtlety give you the feeling of the beach in a classic and sophisticated way.

Here is another room from the showhouse. Like the room above this room also uses the warm varnished wood, but on the ceiling. Notice the sea inspired lights and nautical ladder to sleeping loft above. White slipcovered couch is welted in navy blue.

The propeller fans, lacquered red cabinets, and a porthole-like mirror, evoke the feeling of being on a ship; again in a very soothing, non kitschy way. And, again your eye moves up and down around the room as the details gently unfold themselves to you.

Suzanne brings in texture with the seagrass ottoman, the rug, the woven shades and the baskets. She completes the look with a vintage pond yacht model and sailing prints. I also like the touch of the vintage style electric fan. I think the noise of that fan would really add to the experience of this classic room.

Wanting a sophisticated and classic nautical style? Look no further!

To see more of this house visit Southern Accents Watersound Beach Showhouse.

Little updates

ACK! I've been cleaning like a mad woman! I'm hosting a party just for the girls this weekend and am doing just what I swear I won't do every time we have a party.

Freaking out.

I mean, reeeeeally, my girlfriend's won't notice the dust bunnies in the corners.

Right?!

I've finished up a few projects over the past couple weeks I thought I would share with you this weekend. First, I got my tulips for this vase:
I love my birdies AnNicole! Now if the cat would just stop eating the flowers, that would be nice:

I recovered the ottoman from this post. Oh, hello loverly fabric:

THANK YOU Heldy for finding it for me!! I heart you! I have plans for the rest of the fabric I'll show you soon.

I found this mirror at Goodwill back before Christmas, and painted it months ago, but didn't know what to do with it. Tonight I grabbed some candles and made a mini-candlescape out of it for the table from my last post:

I love it!

I went ahead and got the white rugs for the bathroom, to match the curtain I showed you in this post. Ohhh, they are soooo soft and fluffy, heaven for our feet! I even put up a pretty towel for you all! But now all I can think of is that the towels don't match the white rugs and curtain.

Good. Lord.

And finally, I couldn't resist hanging another one of my new keys from another lamp. :)
Have a wonderful weekend! I hope your weather is going to be as beautiful as ours!