Sunday
Dec052010
Taking advantage of a clean house...
Sun, 5 Dec 2010 56 Comments It's really hard to keep a clean house with 7 cats, and a man now living here with me. (LOL - Love ya Jeff!) So when it's clean and styled for a photo shoot, you know I gotta whip out the D80. So here are the results of my hard work and anal-retentiveness.
Reader Comments (56)
Your kitchen is still one of my favorite kitchens ever. Always excited to see a few more angles!
Ah, so clean. That's nice, right? Lasts about 5 minutes after the husband walks in!
I enjoyed seeing some nooks and crannies we haven't seen before, thanks for sharing!
The bedroom looks great! (even if I miss the oh-so-feminine red suspension lamp). I think this is more "Kim". And I absolutely LOVE the Componibili from Kartel <3
Very cozy, warm place. One small thing I don't like but I guess this is just american style - to enterfrom outiside in my living room?! With small entry corner it is much easier to keep the place cleaner. And more private.
Bedroom looks really great and I adore cats in ypour place.
Thanks y'all!
jja, I cannot stand that you enter my home right into the living room but this house was built 100 years ago (and it's in Canada not the US) and for some reason I guess they didn't think an entryway was useful. We are planning some additions to the house in the spring and one of my top priorities is getting rid of that door and making a proper entrance in the new section with a CLOSET! TO PUT JACKETS AND SHOES!!! THAT DOESN'T OPEN DIRECTLY INTO THE LIVING ROOM!
Wow! You sure love your trinkets and tchotchkes, Kim! Very boho-kitsch. Bravo... it's a space that is uniquely yours!
I love your art wall and all of your lighting fixtures! Where did the El Salvador burlap bag (the one next to your couch) come from?
kim- a very different space; reminds me of a whimscial sensory space of the 60s/70s. you have chosen to digress from standard definition of "sophistication" or "classic" design styles and have created an ornate, tinsel space all your own. my professional two cents: i dont necessarily fancy where you placed the tv -there is no formal entry or landing strip even if you dont use front door as main entrance (think of guests and first impressions... really a flat screen? nah). i would change front doorknob from 80's brass to something contemporary and updated. i would even change out door outright as dates the home and doesnt match chosen decor. you have ALOT of accessories - it's ok to edit down (i can imagine your space looks conspicuous & often cluttered in "reality" if you call this tidied for a photo shoot! must have been big job with full household!). i see your bedroom is still a work in progress. i look forward to seeing the end result there; i see you have chosen a retro direction. last piece of advice: lose the subliminal 4 :20 for the photo shoot (you dont need to advertise your private recreational activities even if you dont people will assume so as seen in comments already notes- not ALL canadians partake in green leisure! lol). no seasonal decorations i see?it will be interesting to see how you incorporate traditional elements in your overt design.
So cute. Your use of color is awesome.
Hi - I'm another Ottawa girl who reads (and loves) your blog! =)
Any sources/hidden gems in the city for ethnic or geometric blankets, rugs and pillows? I see you enjoy that style and so do I!
Thanks!
Jessica, the burlap bag (and pillow) are from the Etsy store BrinandNohl.etsy.com. I received them in the mail on Friday - perfect timing for the shoot!
Samara, all of my kilim pillows and blankets and rug on the couch are from the Third World Bazaar (happens out in Manotick for 7 weeks each year between Thanksgiving and Christmas), my African looking pillow on the chair is from Ikea, and the Ottawa Antique Market on Bank St has an amazing kilim section (the one under my dining table is from there). Other than that I suggest Etsy and eBay for that type of stuff.
Sabrina, thanks for your thorough comment. LOL. To address a few things you mentionned, in my previous comment I pointed out that when I do very necessary additions to this house I will be creating a new front door/entryway. This house is very small (926 sq. ft) so there was not much I could do for a landing strip etc by the door - instead in the office at the back of the house is where our landing strip is located - for lack of any other place to put it. And the TV is where it is because there is no other wall to put it on. But the living room is going to become a dining room after the additions are done anyway. And the bedroom was pretty much done and then my boyfriend turned husband moved in and the feminine decor and furniture placement had to be modified to accommodate him. But the additions will include a new master bedroom so that room will become a guest bedroom so I'm not doing anything to it until I get my new bedroom. As for holiday decor, I don't think I'm going to bother this year. As you mentionned I have ALOT of accessories and more decorations won't fit.
Thanks Kim. I think I may be in West Centretown as well... although I am not sure what denotes 'west' in this context -- west of Elgin, west of Bank?
I really enjoyed looking at the pictures of your house (my kingdom for your kitchen) and am looking forward to your list. Would also love to hear of any contractors you've worked with or recommend.
I found a little flea market off of Merivale below Hunt Club -- little is the operative word -- but a couple of finds!
Keep up the great blogging. I think there are people in Ottawa 'hungry' for what you serve!
I'm not sure what denotes west either. I'm west of both those streets...
I have worked with one contractor (for the kitchen) and have recommended him to many people.
That's Bentley's Flea Market. A Flickr friend has an awesome retro booth in there. I picked up my black leather ottoman/pouf in the shop right next door for $60 (he used to have a booth).
List to come when I find some time....
Hi Kim, where did you get your cowhide rug ? It's lovely and the rest of the house I have no words it's simply amazing. Congrats :)
Sophie, I have 2 cowhides, both purchased on eBay. There are tons to choose from and they are fairly cheap - I think I paid about $200 for each of mine. And thanks!
I love that you're put the picture at cat height in their dining room
Hi Kim !
I have the same hose configuration : long + narrow, with high ceilings and no place to hide stuff. :)
At my place, there is no closet in the hall - I think it's the same for you- so I was wondering how you deal with all the winter gears that goes along with living in Ottawa. First snow storm of the year in Montréal these days, and my hallway is already a mess!
Thanks !
Annie
That kitchen is divine. Would you mind including some of your online resources in that list as well? (Lincoln Nebraska (US), also not having a good selection of shops.)
BEAUTIFUL.
a cat lady with great style... love love love!
Hi Kim,
Thanks for letting me use your two photos(kitchen and tv room) for my trend boards.
Again, lovely home, great color and details! Stephanie
Gorgeous!! When I get a house of my own, is it okay if I copy your living room exactly?? :D
Ahh, 7 kitties! Thank you for sharing. It's a beautiful home. Just added kitties 3, 4 and 5 from a shelter. My place isn't anything lke as stylish as yours, but I think I can aspire!
Bless you all!
...7 cats...wow, we have two and would be cleaning daily and still have cat hair all over...how do you manage it!! That living room looks fabulous. Loving the kilim cover for the couch and the cushions...thinking I might have to try it. Skinny (cat no.1) managed to turn our lovely leather couch into shredded leather, and we are forever covering it until we find another couch/cat claw shredding solution.
I can't believe there hasn't been a mention of that enormous loon! That is fantastic! It makes me miss Muskoka :-)
paint the inside of your door.