Living with plants (and cats)

While moving from gate to gate at the Puerto Vallarta airport (they are so freaking disorganized) a couple of weeks ago, I stumbled across this apartment in the latest issue of Elle Decoration Mexico. I have an obsession with plants, which is pretty hilarious considering I am only mediocre at keeping them alive, so this home really drew me in. It is the Auckland, New Zealand home of stylist Charlotte Rust and it is filled with plants! And a couple of cats! The contrast between the raw, lifeless concrete and the beautiful greenery is lovely. This is a perfect example of how you can easily warm up a space. Plants always help. So do cats. :) (Perfectly captured by photographer by Jessica MacCormick)

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blumenstudio

I wasn't sure what to blog today as it has been yet another busy Saturday. Tuesday my husband and I had taken the day off work and gone to Montreal furniture shopping where we found an awesome highboy for Jeff's dressing room and a credenza for the dining room. Yesterday we headed back to Montreal, picked up the furniture with my parent's SUV and trailer, and drove back home - in the rain. How nerve-wracking! I thought for sure the credenza was going to get soaked and ruined but luckily it survived. I will share them here soon (and the other little things I bought that day). Until then I was wondering what to blog today, when I remembered I had taken some photos the other day that I could share. I was off work Friday as well so after a trip to the dentist and the bank I took a walk down my street to the nearest coffee shop - blumenstudio. This is not your ordinary coffee shop. It also happens to be the coolest flower/plant shop around. 

Owner Kat (along with Nathan) has been a floral designer for almost 20 years. She grew up in Germany and moved to Ottawa 12 years ago, and opened this shop in 2011. She has an amazing eye for design and creates the most spectacular floral arrangements and her selection of plants is to die for. I have been in the shop a couple of times now since moving to this 'hood and each time I want to leave with...everything. I think I will be stopping in for a latte and maybe a plant on a regular basis. You should too if you are in the Parkdale/Civic Hospital area. 

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Green with envy

If life was fair you'd find me here. Relaxing. Reading perhaps or just deep in conversation with a friend. Instead you find me staring at my computer green with envy. That's what a great photo can do. Image by Richard Powers.

FIG

The abundance of indoor plants, the relaxed, unpretentious style, the soft light flooding in, the play of old silver and crockery against darkest blue, a blend of old and contemporary. What's not to love? FIG Interior Design New York.

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designhunterla

Los Angeles based floral obsessed designer, blogger, stylist Veronica Valencia creates believes every home MUST have something vintage. I love her already. Her major obsessions are flowers, worn leather, brass, anything antique, wood is a must, succulents, naked lightbulbs and more is more when it comes to jewelry. always. Now I love her even more. The spaces she creates are so filled with warmth and joy and positive energy. I could stare at the photo above all day. And I will. Because I dream of warm weather every second of every day. 

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