Glebe House Tour 2016 - part 1

A couple of Sundays ago, I had the privilege of a personal tour of one of this year's homes that will be featured in the Glebe House Tour next month. I have been honoured to be a part of this tour for several years now, highlighting a home or two on the blog after meeting with the homeowners and wandering their homes with my camera and husband in tow to take notes and listen carefully while I worry about getting every gorgeous corner captured in photos. I selected this home after viewing a few preview photos and was in awe of its size and the artwork throughout. I hope you enjoy my tour of this home as much as I enjoyed getting to see it personally.  There was so much to capture and to share that I needed two posts to get it all in. This post features the main floor and basement. The second post featured the second floor and exterior. Before I get into this, the tour this year is September 18 from 1-4pm, and if you are around Ottawa on that day you need to go on this tour! Five of the most incredible homes in the Glebe are yours to wander through and drool over. It is so much fun! Tickets can be purchased here. 

Corinne and her husband John bought this home for their family of 5 about 3 years ago. It was built in 1913 and needed SO much work. It was basically gutted as it needed new electrical, insulation and all that fun stuff (NOT), along with leveling the floor that had a 10" slope (??!!). The original radiators were maintained and the moldings were saved and reused as well.  

The dining table is made of mahogany and is one of many pieces the couple brought back from the Netherlands, where they lived for over 20 years. The large painting is by a friend named Lou Korte (I apologize if I get any names wrong). 

The light fixtures throughout the house are a contemporary/traditional blend and really suit the homeowners' style. Almost all of them have a sparkle factor which I love. 

The vase is Murano glass brought back from the Murano factory in Italy. *GASP*

There were beautiful flower arrangements throughout the house. Bonus homeowner points. :) 

The painting in the living room is by Bonnie Brooks, and another fabulous light fixture!

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Chrissy & Co - French + modern

It all started with this blog post last week, and now I find myself healthily obsessed with the designs of Vancouver's Chrissy & Co.. Chrissy's signature style consists of lots of white with a modern mixed with more traditional pieces and brass accents to finish it all with a glam factor. What's not to love about this? In this case a dose of French feminine chic was added and it is gorgeous. 

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A blend of traditional and modern

What a beautiful home designed by Vancouver-based Chrissy Cottrell of Chrissy & Co. Mixing old world charm with modern and graphic elements, the spaces are bold and sophisticated yet playful. A soothing cohesion of contrasting styles. 

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A visit to The Modern Shop

My favourite Ottawa shop for modern home decor goodness is The Modern Shop. I have visited this shop on more occasions than I could ever count and have spent more money here than I care to calculate. :) The other day owner Michael Shaikin suggested the husband and I stop by for a visit as he had just finished a makeover of the shop - he didn't need to twist my arm! Some walls painted black, floors painted in Farrow & Ball's Calamine (like my dining room - WOOT!), and super fabulous and funky wallpaper (Studio Job Alt Deutsch Wallpaper by NLXL)...it's fresh and fun and looks fantastic! Plus he used my wallpaper/painter guy who is amazing so Mike owes me a serious discount on that Moooi rug I ordered I think for hooking him up. ;)

It was tough to photograph the pink floors properly in this light but the photo above is a decent attempt. Looks gorgeous with the Era Lounge Chair by Normann Copenhagen. 

Tom Dixon accessories. SO HOT. 

Jonathan Adler accessories. SO FUN. 

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Garage doors by Garaga

I was approached recently by Garaga, a Canadian manufacturer of garage doors, who offered me a brand new garage door of my choice. I was elated, as garage doors have always been a bone of contention with me. Here in Ottawa builders always install cheap, run of the mill garage doors on houses and you are guaranteed to see this on every house in the suburbs in particular. Something that has rattled my cage for as long as I can remember is how much I hate that most homes have garages that are set forward from the rest of the house so it is ALL you see. Yet no one seems to put any thought into the design of their garage doors. My current home is located in an old neighbourhood (1940's) and most garages are detached and located in the backyard at the end of a long driveway. Lucky for me because my garage is a bit of an eyesore. It really needs to be re-built one day as it is in rough shape and leaning to one side which is why I turned down the offer of a brand new garage door (soooo bummed). It would just look ridiculous. I will however absolutely take Garaga up on that offer when I have a new garage. :)

To show you why I am so bummed, here are samples of some of the fantastic garage doors they have designed, starting with some modern ones.... 

And some with a bit more of a traditional/country look

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