PPPPPink

... is ppppperfect don't you think? With a slap of fabulous colour and a gallery wall to make you all envious, this flush of fun is by Summer Thornton Design.

My dining room makeover

Progress on my house has been slow, and every room had finishing touches that never seemed to get done, like stupid baseboard trim. Thanks to a photo shoot of my home a couple of weeks ago (so exciting!!!) my husband and I finally completed the majority of the rooms, and I spent last weekend shooting the dining and living rooms. More photographing required, but it is a good start, and today I would like to share my dining room in its current state (I say that because I am always changing things around and on the hunt for decor items that are more fab than what I currently have). So above is what the space looked like right after we moved in. Boring white ceiling that did not showcase the amazing curve, horrible HORRIBLE mahogany coloured stain/varnish/crap on all the window trim, doors and corner built-in. All of the hardwood on the main floor is oak and was stained this hideous yellow/orange. Whoever thought red trim and orange floors was a good idea was a complete moron. The previous owners took the chandelier with them and left us with nothing hence the lack of overhead light. The table was the rather small and narrow one from our last house with some random chairs and a bench. This room needed a COMPLETE overhaul. Note: The photo above was taken with a very wide angle lens - the room is 10'x14' and the alcove is about 1.75' deep.  

A little peek into the room because I had to show you what the gorgeous curved double doors with stained glass leading into the room from the foyer look like. These doors slay me. They are so freaking fabulous. Especially now that they aren't mahogany!!! The colour is Black Blue by Farrow & Ball. 

And this is the space now. All new everything! 

The vintage reproduction tulip chairs and credenza I picked up in Montreal from Benjamin Curran. The paint is Calamine on the walls and baseboards and Dove Tale on the ceiling by Farrow & Ball. I have gone dark with most of this house so I decided to go with light colours in here for something a little unexpected and to make this house not seem so cave-like. And mostly so my family will stop poking fun at me. 

The cushions are upholstered in brown velvet which is not my first choice but given I have many cats, velvet is really the way to go. One day I will have new cushions made (the foam is basically disintegrating) and upholster them in something crazy like red or a deep burgundy. The rug I picked up at Homesense, and its super duper low pile makes it the easiest rug to clean I have ever owned. We had the floors refinished and had about 2 colours to choose from in the grey family (annoying) so we went with Minwax's classic grey. Luckily I love how they turned out. 

Rona is my all-time favourite source for plants. Their selection is ridiculous and prices are amazing. This guy was I think $16. The pot is maybe from Rona too. (I could use a newer, better one. Maybe in brass). 

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Accents in pink (again) by Peter Wilds

Earlier this week I featured an apartment by Peter Wilds that had a gorgeous pink accent wall and had a decidedly feminine flair to it. This apartment speaks to the same feminine vibe with ethnic and modern furniture mixed together, some glam bits and of course, accents in pink. It's gorgeous, bright and inviting. Even if you are not a chick. :) (Photos: Janis Nicolay)

Colours of India

I think it is really important to have your home reflect your personality and interests. The homeowner of this apartment is a world traveller and it is so meaningful and beautiful that her interior designer Peter Wilds incorporated her treasures brought back from travels in her space. Mixed in with a bit of mid-century modern and time-worn vintage pieces, it speaks volumes of the homeowner's love of colour (that pink wall is amazing!) and travel, particularly to India. (Photos: Janis Nicolay)

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Feminine and glamorous in Stockholm

Every once in a while a Swedish home blows me away with some not-so-Swedish decor. This being one of them. I found this property on Lagerlings, and it is all about feminine glamour. Some velvet, a mirrored console, rugs with leopard and zebra prints, glossy black doors, pale pink walls, brass accents, marble....it is one really beautiful thing after another. I am not sure how much my husband would be into this home but I would LOVE to live here. 

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