thank you, and you're it!

a big huge thank you to




 Janelle of Ramblings of a Redhead who gave me the

Kreativ Blogger award last friday -

I'm honoured to be in such good company :)

and once I read that you were a fellow leftie, I understood why we get each other!

also

the ever-sweet Carol of The Design Pages has tagged me in a game
 where you answer 11 questions about yourself... 
wish we lived closer because I think we'd get on quite well in real life...

The rules are simple, post answers to the 11 questions Carol laid out for me, then tag 11 other bloggers, 
and give them 11 questions to answer (and let them know they were tagged, of course!)
We all get to learn a bit more about each other this way..






__________________________________________________________






1.  What did you do last Friday night?


I picked up my parents and brought them up to our house for the weekend 
(it was Cam's 10th bday, and we had 3 parties :)
Along the way we took a wee detour to Ikea
 to pick up a couple of the new Storsele chairs for the family room.
A bottle of red wine, prosciutto and cheese was shared over cupcake decorating....

2.  What is your specialty in the kitchen?


Well, my real love is baking. Cakes, pies, squares, cookies, basically anything that qualifies as a sweet!
Since I've been told that you can't live on pastry alone (although I'm not sure if it's true),
one of the goals for this year is to get more creative with dinners -
the kids may just stage a revolt if I serve them chicken, rice and broccoli again :)

3.  What is your favourite nail polish colour?


Only clear on my fingernails, because I am constantly working with paint, or glue, or a staple gun....
my toes, however get done each week, usually in the most saturated colours I can find!

4.  Dogs or cats?


Oh, dogs, always dogs. We have two of the most mental chocolate labs you'll ever meet! Truly mental.

5.  What is your favourite computer or phone app?


hmm... I use the Carpenter app all the time, but my favourite app's are Etsy and Pinterest.
Etsy may cost more, but I get lost in pinterest. For a long time. Must. Exit. Pinterest.














6.  Who inspires you the most?


My clients. I love finding that unique solution that works for each particular client,
it's like fitting together pieces of a puzzle, and that moment when it comes together is sweet perfection.







7.  If you and I were going to spend a weekend together what would you plan for us?


 When I read your answer for an ideal sunday, Carol, 
I thought, "hmm, break out the hunters!" because that's pretty much my ideal sunday as well!
(sleeping in, cruising markets for vintage finds)
We may have to add in some type of craft - 
you're a diy wonder and I'd like to learn some of your tricks :)
 And some patio time - nothing like an evening on a patio in the summertime, is there?

8.  What was the best book you read last year?


It's a bit old, but I finally read Memoirs of a Geisha. 
The strength of this woman throughout her struggle to control/accept her life was inspirational.







9.  What's your biggest accomplishment of 2012?


I got my on-line consultations going, and it changed my business completely. 
It's brilliant to be able to work with people I have gotten to know through blogging.







10. Do you like to dance?


That's our family mantra around here!
One day it struck me that our initials spelled out D.A.N.C.E,
and right now I'm working on a piece of art for the house that says,
"there ought to be more dancing".
One of the first things we do every morning is put on some music...
and then it's a common sight to see someone dancing in the kitchen :)














11. Which is your favourite, must read blog? 




I don't think you can beat apartment therapy for fantastic original content,
and I love design sponge for diy.
But the main reason I read the blogs I do is because I have made a personal connection to the bloggers, 
and I try to get in a visit to the all the blogs on my blogroll at least every couple of weeks, 
just to see what everyone has been up to.


Personality trumps content every time.






_____________________________________________________________








So... now the fun begins...




Tag! You're it!






A Delightful Design
Because It's Awesome
Cardigan Junkie
Chattafabulous
Inspired Lines
Project Gadabout
Rambling Renovators
The Crafty Bee
The Enchanted Home
The Fabulous Design File






Here are your questions...




1. What is your day job?
2. Why did you start blogging?
3. What is the best thing that has come from blogging?
4. How and where do you find inspiration?
5. If you could live anywhere, where would you be?
6. Who is your favourite artist?
7. What's playing on your iPod?
8. How do you spend your day off?
9. Who would you most like to meet?
10. Best childhood memory?
11. What is your favourite colour?








You know I had to throw in that last one! Looking forward to reading all of your posts - x



















wine food 1 2 3 boots&sofa market umbrella sign

the colours of l♥ve

from the palest of blushes to the deepest of merlots...

these hues speak the language of the heart...

 

Which one makes your heart flutter?

Wishing you a few days of amour....x

ladybird print cupids arrow necklace wall birds kissing couple red face painting ruffle scarf thunder tote 

tassel garland pantone ring striped blanket pink phone pink pendant vintage bathing suit 

neon ampersand neon leg warmers geo ring

blushing pink hair daybed entry flamestich pillow garden party red&yellow living room red frames gallery living red bookcases

my blog review - the good, the bad, and the ugly!

Do you read the blog Inspire Me Heather?

If not, you may want to add it to your reading list - 

Heather is a creative diy girl, a great writer and truly gracious, 

featuring diy projects from around the blogosphere regularly.

At the moment, Heather has a new feature that's designed to improve everyone's blog,

called What I Like About Your Blog.

The premise is simple - 

by signing up, you agree to review two blogs, and likewise two fellow bloggers review your own.

The results are private, only shown to the bloggers participating.

Well, one of my reviews is in, 

and it makes me realize there are some areas of the blog that really need improving.

Want to see the review?

How about I mix in some eye candy?!!

What I liked about their blog: I love all the white. 

It makes it look clean, and it makes the images really stand out. 

I LOVE the large photos. They are so inspiring and it is nice that they are easy to see. 

I like the frame around the buttons -

 that that theme carries over throughout the whole blog (including photos). 

I like the brevity of words. The author does a great job at describing what she likes without going on and on. It is the perfect combination of great pictures + great words. 

**blushing** thank you very much... 

I was thinking about making the buttons smaller, and simpler -

but still using the frame.

Perhaps in black and white.... I'll try some better versions out shortly.

And I'm wondering if you like the way the text reads - centred.

Is it more difficult to read?

I know Barbara's reviewers covered this one (that's where I first heard about Heather's feature).

I like symmetry, and having it all off to one side just feels so unbalanced,

but I'll change the alignment if you would prefer to read it another way.

LOVE the header - but I wish it were centered over the whole blog instead of over the posts. 

me, too! 

I made it the right width, 

but I think I need to decrease the height (does anyone know?) 

because blogger keeps shrinking it like that :)

I love that she has inspirational blogs to read - it would clean up the sidebar if she made that a page instead of links on her side bar. Not a big deal though. 

need to share love for the people that inspire me - I can move it down, 

but many of these people have become friends, and there's always room for friends, yes?

She does not link back to the original sources (or at least the pinterest pin where she found) of the photos. 

That is a huge no no.

Okay, this one surprised me, because I actually work hard to include links in my posts.

But it's pretty serious, because I don't want people to think that I don't give credit - I think it's really important.

I usually do a source "line" under the last image of the post, where the links are presented as numbers.

I used to link under each image individually, 

but it seemed that placing links under each pic is visually distracting, and I usually do photo collages.

It's the second time someone has said this to me, however, 

and so I'm thinking that what I am doing is TOO subtle -

thoughts?

What about listing links at the bottom of the post under the signature?

Would it be better to skip numbering and present them as words, such as, "pink vase", etc...?

I don't like the shadows around the images. They seem a little much, and sort of distract from the photos. 

I have actually been feeling the same way.

Frames will be going....

I don't like that the followers widget + subscribe, etc. are all the way at the bottom of the page. 

I was trying to keep down the sidebar noise, and I don't like the number of followers to define a blog -

there are so many great undiscovered reads out there!

That said, maybe I can work these back in - I agree they feel a bit awkward down there.

The font is just a little bit too small. Maybe up the page font size by 1 or 2. 

I don't think it's the size, but more what a light font it is -

I would like to keep it, 

but I could move it up in size a little -is that better?

It feels a little big.

** can't help it - must interrupt just for a moment - I NEED THIS BAG!!!.... okay, back to the review.... **

Move the photo of Anne Marie above the text that begins with "Colour Consultant" - I'd like to see her pretty face as soon as the page loads. Would like to see some pages - especially about who she is. 

Will add pages. And I'd like a new photo, in colour - that one doesn't feel very happy, does it?

There are three buttons - "Crushing on Color" "Palm Beach Week" and "The Great Clean Out" - 

you don't really know what they're for. 

When I clicked on them I was kind of surprised they were labels for her content - they didn't seem to fit the rest of the blog. 

(I thought they were "I've been featured" buttons for someone else's blog.).

I know. That needs to be re-worked somehow.

 The Crushing On Color series is one of the best parts of my blog. 

I really enjoy catching that glimpse into all you talented lovelies.

Maybe just a button for that one, lose the other two, 

use the same scalloped frame I use for my logo, and placed up higher, with the other buttons....

Also, how about a my house tour page? Would that be something you'd be interested in seeing?

Overall, not too painful!

Thank you very much for being gentle, mystery reader.

I'm hoping you all will share your thoughts in the re-do process...

 Then I'll get on with it -

design and colour, more pics and less talk, that's what this space is all about.

Thank you!  x

(now go over there to Heather's and sign up, and get your blog looking it's spiffiest!!!)

***update***



okay, I've figured out how to make just the links to other sites open in a new page, rather than all links opening to a new page - because it drives me crazy when I get a zillion pages open from one site - you?


Just go to your blogger overview, click template, click add new gadget to your footer, choose the HTML/JavaScript gadget. No title, just copy and paste the following code into you gadget, save, and voila - link magic :)


Just be sure to change the xxxxxxx in the code to your blog name, without spaces - for example, I substituted 10rooms. Let me know if it works for you!



<!-- code for turning all non-blog links to new page links -->
<script type="text/javascript" language="javascript">
   var arr = document.getElementsByTagName("a");  //get all links in the page
   for(var i = 0; i < arr.length; i++)
   {
      if(arr[i].href.indexOf("XXXXXX.blogspot") < 0 //not links that are 'inside' blog
         && arr[i].href.indexOf("javascript:") < 0) //not javascript links
         arr[i].target = "_blank";
   }

that's it, and yes, I'm having fun....

photo links: bracelets feather necklace mint ring packing hair bag 

a spectacular kitchen floor + ceiling, and some fantastic art lighting

Happy monday!

How was your weekend?

I was bit under the weather this weekend, so not much got accomplished around here - 

did manage to squeeze in a wee bit of time for pinterest, somehow - 

funny how that happens, lol...

When I saw this kitchen pinned over the weekend my jaw dropped.

Barrel-vaulted brick ceiling.

Exquisite painted timber floor.

Open shelving + lattice cabinetry.

Art + a few hits of playful colour.

Spaces like this make me want to ditch this place and move into a century home stat.

A little digging, and found the rest of this home via apartment therapy and kikette interiors.

It has a very consistent look.

The white walls continue throughout, as do those floors.

The decor is clean neutrals, again with the pops of colour place sparingly.

There was one detail that I absolutely loved.

Look at the way they've lit their artwork.

Wall-mounted reading/work lights that not only light up these pieces in the evenings, 

but also to frame the art and draw the eye in the daylight.

They become part of the composition.

I've never been a huge fan of those unappealing mini lights tucked in over the top of the frame -

they aspire to be invisible but just end up a visual distraction -

but these are a different story, yes?

If you're interested, here are a few versions from... 

barn light electric, shades of light and circa lighting

must be off, busy, busy day today...

hope you all have a lovely monday....x

I need your help...

Okay, you know how it's always harder to make design decisions for yourself than for everyone else?

I've just been standing over this beauty....

my future dining room chandy,

with two cans of spray paint.

One is black, and one is "Chinese Laquer" Red.

With a teak table, chairs upholstered in black,

white walls, with black & white art and bits of colour,

and a sisal painted out with red, white, black and magenta...

which one will work?

The black is classic, and will continue on the black lighting we have throughout the rest of our home...

but in red?

In red she'll be the party girl, dancing around over the table.

Hmm... maybe I've just answered that one for myself....

Thoughts, please!!

*******UPDATE********



it's red.

20 minutes after I posted I picked up the red laquer and went to town.
The difference was incredible -
like slicking on a coat of fabulous red lipstick....

I'll be showing pics shortly, once the chairs are completely finished
(a very cool diy I'm working on this weekend)
and I've painted the carpet.

Thank you to those who stuck up for black, though -
for a minute there I thought it was going to be a bit of a wash,
and black really deserves better than that!
I've been challenging myself to up the colour quotient of this place...
sometimes when you work with colour all day you just want to come home to quiet,
but it's become a bit bland around here.

Thanks for all the votes, lovelies!
Happy weekend... x

the entertaining posts: dining room

No. 2 of the entertaining post series...




Last time we looked at kitchens, 

and part of the discussion we got going was whether or not we like formal dining rooms.

Not everyone likes a formal dining room, 

but we have one here, and it is well-used.

(although we won't be using it this weekend, as it's currently under a bit of an upheaval - 

we've just painted the walls, have to hang the art, change out the chandy, and add a carpet... 

both of which i also have to paint :) You can see the previous incarnation here....)

We try to have friends in at least every other week for dinner, 

and we host all the big holiday celebrations for both sides of our family.

Nothing makes me happier than the house being full of our favourite people.

I've gathered up a few beauties here for inspiration...

any of them tickle your fancy?


for the maximalist, a plethora of pattern...

for the elegant country home...

for the organic mod -

in black

or white......

(I really, really love the welcoming feel of this room,

truly one of my favourite spaces, ever)

for those of us that adore "junktiquing"....

the classics, happily re-imagined....

a room for stilettos and champagne, non?

If space is an issue

(and who isn't it an issue for?)

a dining room and office combine perfectly...

How about adding a piano, or a DRUM SET?!!

I love these rooms - 

the decor not be quite my style, 

but the idea of that little munchkin rocking out in the corner just makes me smile.

speaking of kids, 

these clever kids have found a way to ensure it's not a wasted space...

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

So, how about it?
Do any of these make you long for a formal dining space?

Since we are revamping our own,
I've come up with a short list of the elements I prefer -

I'm particularly partial to round tables, I think they encourage good conversation.
I like striking art, to peruse during dinner. 
An unusual, dimmable chandelier as your focal point.
Lastly, since this isn't a space you normally spend long periods of time in,
some daring colour and pattern to fill in the space visually.


What does your list look like?













(next up, sometime during the next few days....
a post looking at entertaining-friendly living rooms-
hope you'll stop by..)