The drama of dark and light

I had a few free minutes before heading out to the Ottawa Antique & Vintage Market so I decided to spend this precious break perusing one of my favourite blogs, The Design Files. A couple of homes featured over the past couple of months really blew me away for their dramatic impact and I had to share some of the photos with you. First there was the home of Melbourne stylist, decorator and retailer Lynda Gardener - a converted warehouse whose all white space is the perfect backdrop for rustic, vintage treasures. Then there was the SOHO loft of Australian photographer Martyn Thompson, that is dramatic in its dark palette and random in its decor. Here, hand-painted murals by Martyn's artist partner Dove Drury Hornbuckle take centre stage. Both are absolutely breathtaking.

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Uptown prewar

Lawd half mursey I adore this New York dwelling by architecture firm raad studio. The dark floors, beautiful (original I presume) moldings, neutral colour scheme with just enough black, and OMG that kitchen! This is the definition of a considered home. It is fairly simple yet every inch is just as it should be. I was sitting here prepping this post wondering if I could live here. I would LOVE to live here but I can't imagine going thrifting and coming home with something totally random...where would it go? 

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A bachelor's ski retreat

I would have guessed this Tahoe ski retreat was owned by bachelor - there's not an ounce of feminine in this home. Masculine all the way, with industrial touches as they always demand. ;) A floor-to-ceiling cold-rolled steel fireplace, highlighted by artist Jihoon Choi's "Pixel Deer", dominates the principal room. The seating area consists of a large leather sectional and a pair of 1960s swivel chairs by Thonet purchased by the client in Miami. Photography by Sharon Montrose and a mixed-media collage on a wood door created by Tim Weldon add a touch of whimsy. The dining area has a 7-foot recycled wood square table surrounded by classic Cassina Cab armchairs. The powder room features a live-edge floating shelf, a mirror Designed by Jacques Adnet and custom Union Square wallpaper by Crezana. The corridor leading to the bedrooms showcases 19th century albumen photographs of the Tahoe region. Each of five bedrooms was given its own personality: the burlap bedroom; the log bedroom; the gray bedroom; the antler bedroom; and the master. Designed by Antonio Martins.

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Happy Friday!

Happy Friday dear readers! It has been a long work week and I am so grateful the weekend is upon us! But my work never seems to end. Tonight I will be helping the husband set up his booth at this year's Etsy Made in Canada show here in Ottawa taking place Saturday and Sunday which all you Ottawans should come out to because it's the biggest crafty show of the year! And maybe buy a vintage radio converted into a Bluetooth speaker. ;) (Or at least stop by and entertain me for a few minutes.) Anyhoo, there goes my weekend. But before I go I leave you with a couple of spaces I came across lately that I cannot get out of my head. There's nothing spectacular about them but for some reason I am drawn to their random eclecticism. Because I love me some random decor. 

Architectural Digest Germany

Architectural Digest Spain

Kitchen love

Kitchens are on my mind at the moment. My own is way overdue for a complete renovation. I'm drawn to these raw but beautifully crafted, rough but luxe kitchens by German-born, Italian-based designer Katrin Arens. Honesty, simplicity. Less is more. Reclaimed and re-used materials, rich with history and patina. Sigh.

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