Shades of White

Clean and fresh....white dishes organized, stacked and ready for to be used for the next meal.

Not only does it make it easy for family, kids and friends to find appropriate dishes but also helps to keep an orderly kitchen.

These white dishes are from Ikea.....I love the subtle scalloped detail on these plates as it adds an element of grace without being too feminine.  

And I found these terrific little bowls from Indigo which are the perfect size for serving condiments, nuts, candies, pickles and little snacks.

I'd love to add more white dishes of various shapes and sizes to my collection.  It is fun to explore and I am always on the look out for bowls, platters and serving plates in various shades of white!! 

Presenting my newly organized and functional front entrance.  I kept the original wood front door and just had it freshened up with a coat of paint.  It has beveled glass window allows light to shine through the space as reflected in the mirror shown in the photo below.

The mirror was custom made from materials left over during the renovation process....the ultimate form of recycling!  Beneath it sits a sturdy rod iron shoe rack from Ikea to keep footwear neatly tucked away.

I adore chandeliers and the sparkly light they reflect and since there was no overhead light fixture in this space, this little gem was the perfect solution.  Also,  an Ikea find!

This muslin covered bulletin board with a distressed white wooden frame is the perfect place to post photos, cards, invitations, reminders..etc.  

I had the doors taken off this little closet heading up the stairs and in doing so, gained further light as the window is now exposed.  It also gave me the opportunity to have hooks installed and a place for baskets on the shelf above to house hats, mitts, scarves and the like. 

These cute little drawers were already existing in the space and provide a great storage spot for out of season shoes, umbrellas, dog supplies....etc.  It is hard to believe but they are actually almost 3 feet in length...A great little hiding spot!

This bench is one of my favourite pieces of furniture.  It is solid and sturdy but looks as if it is 100 years old.  The perfect place to perch while zipping up boots or lacing up sneakers.  A very special find from Shelmerdine Nursery....who knew they had such fabulous furniture!

And of course, my absolute favourite shopping baskets in the world are from L'Occitane and I always have one around to grab as I run out the door.....perfect to take to the market or grocery store. They also make a lovely and very much appreciated gift!

Candle in the Window

There is something very soothing and romantic about candlelight.  It provides a lovely subtle light that creates a mood within a room.  Reflected against light or glass, it becomes magical.

I was introduced to these lovely pillar candles by a dear friend and I now have them scattered throughout my home.  They appear to be real vanilla scented wax pillar candles but are in fact battery operated by a remote if you can believe it!

Reflected in the glass of this window leading up to the second floor, this little vignette provides a warm glow.  With no worry of potential fire hazards of real candles, they can be left unattended and enjoyed by weary tired teenagers finding their way home!

The one area in my house that I am constantly re-thinking is my entryway.  It is such a multi-purpose area which requires storage and solutions for its' many functions.  With 3 teenagers and 2 pets, it not only needs to be hardworking and functional, but as the entrance to the house, it also is the first impression which means it should be inviting as well.

Benches, hooks, baskets are just a few of the key pieces that make an entryway functional.

Shoe storage is also essential…..

And I love the idea of having market baskets on hand when running out to the store!

With these ideas, some key pieces and my imagination, I am looking forward to seeing what I can come up with in my entryway!

Traveling and visiting new places provides the opportunity to freshen ones perspective and offer new inspiration for everything from food, art, decor and design. Even though I have left the prairie to visit the desert, I can see that many elements of desert design and decor can be enjoyed during our hot summer months.

So much of desert home design is focused on enjoying and appreciating the lovely weather and the stunning views. Whether creating "outdoor rooms" to enjoy the vistas, lush gardens or to simply breathe in the fresh air. We may not be able to grow grapefruits or oranges in our gardens, but we can grow apples, raspberries, blueberries and bountiful gardens of fresh vegetables.  

As you can see from this photo, the lounge chairs provide the perfect place to relax in front of the pool but also overlook the mountain peaks beyond.  There is also a covered area which also provides a lovely sheltered place to relax and entertain.  Large glass sliding doors offer the opportunity to fully open up the common rooms to the outside providing a wonderful flow of living space.  

As our time for outdoor living on the prairie is limited, I want to maximize it by thinking of what I can do to incorporate such ideas in my home.  I come back to my house on the prairie now refreshed and full of new perspective and ideas to continue making my house into the home of my dreams!

I have escaped the winter and snow for a much needed break in the warm sunshine. Here is the view from my bedroom for the next few days…..

After a good nights' sleep and a brisk walk I enjoy a morning swim!!  Then pick a fresh grapefruit off the tree for a morning treat...

What a treat to be able to sip freshly squeezed orange juice with oranges also picked off the trees in the backyard!

 Happy Weekend!

White dishes….my absolute favourite!  Clean and crisp, they showcase the food that is served on them without stealing the show.

My next kitchen project is organizing my white dishes on the shelves in my kitchen to provide not only a great looking display but for efficiency as well. 

I love how mugs, bowls, plates, serving dishes are assigned to a specific shelf in order to make housekeeping so much easier.

It also looks so orderly and very decorative at the same time.

As it is said, a place for everything, and everything in its place!

There is a very important little piece of history that has found its home in my new kitchen.  While we have owned and lived in many houses, there are certain cherished possessions that follow us from house to house and it is those little things that ultimately make each house our home.  They aren't expensive treasures or works of valuable art, but they are precious items that carry precious memories that signify "home".

This strip of baseboard mounted vertically on my kitchen wall has recorded not only my children's heights over the years, but also the heights of friends, nieces, nephews, cousins….etc.  It represents the visits, dinners, parties…etc. of all the times we had fun recording heights over the years.  The kids just love looking over the dates and comparing growth spurts…..remembering such special times together.

Some of the original pen and pencil marks have been replaced with labels to prevent them from being erased during transport.  Which is another very crucial household item….the labeled!!  If you will notice in my previous post, I have used it to also label my spices and dry goods stored in glass jars in my pantry!

What precious possessions help to make your house into a home?!

Kitchen Love…...

 The kitchen in this house really only required a face lift and a little bit of lipstick!  Some new appliances, a fresh coat of paint, new cabinet knobs, new flooring, a new faucet and a nice large granite topped island with a chandelier adding a touch of class!

             

The island has become a favourite place to gather….whether for breakfast or morning coffee, after school for a snack and some homework, watching the news, a game or a movie or a casual dinner. It is a beautiful light filled room with large sliding door leading to the deck.  

                          

It also provides great storage and display for my cookbook collection, baskets of magazines, glass jars full of assorted candies (my kids favourite!!) and my beloved Kitchen Aid mixer!!

                 

I replaced the faucet with this industrial looking stainless finish gem which complements the appliances.  It not only looks fabulous but is also super functional.  Now that Target is here, I am able to readily replenish my trio of Caldrea countertop cleaner, dish soap and hand soap.  If you haven't tried it yet, I suggest you do! My favourite fragrances are Herbs of Provence and Citron Ginger. 

  A couple of my favourite countertop treasures are my Starbucks Verismo Coffee Maker and an antique silver ice bucket which I use to house my cooking utensils! 

 This existing narrow pantry cabinet was also given a coat of paint, some new glass knobs and has become a perfect place for drinking glasses in the glass door cabinet and above it  glass canisters from dollarama house my spices, baking ingredients, dry pastas, beans, tea…etc.

I love this little nook to the left of the oven which houses the microwave, my toaster and knife block.  These little handled french cutting boards are the perfect size to slice a bagel or cut up some fresh fruit.

     

There is a little butlers pantry off the kitchen which leads downstairs, to the front hall or to the back door.  With built in floor to ceiling cabinetry it has become crucial storage space and all it required was a fresh coat of paint and again, some lovely glass knobs.  With a combination of drawers, shelves and cabinets, I can store everything from pet and cleaning supplies to lightbulbs, batteries and larger kitchen countertop appliances.  And of course, my favourite type of art….words of wisdom!

  

I absolutely love this kitchen….I think it is my favourite out of the lot! Even though it really isn't that large, it is extremely functional and with the addition of the island provides more than enough room.  It is fresh, bright and has become one of my favourite rooms in this house. 

Happy New Year!

I have been remiss and it is now time for me to showcase the results of my efforts.  2013 was a year of transformation for me and now 2014 will be the year for results!!

Stay tuned as tomorrow I will begin "the tour" of my house beginning with my favourite room of the house....the kitchen!  It was the recipient of the largest transformation and the room where we spend most of our time.  Kids, friends, pets, adults.....all of us and it has become the hub of the most special memories. And memories are forever!