What have I been doing for the last two years you ask ???

It's been a long long time since last post....wow.   A lot has changed around our house.

As you know, I'm a really big advocate on the exterior space as well as interior....so check out our back yard now !!

Yes we pulled the trigger on the make belief grass. Now my husband can focus solely on having the nicest front yard in the hood while the rest of us enjoy our pool side oasis out back.

It gets a little toasty in the sunshine but as long as you wear the flip flops, you'll have the cool illusion of rain forest lush.



We even used some muscle and installed a cute little tramp to sit down flush with the ground. Then we molded the dirt into a soft little donut around it and voila.....it's like Disneyland back here.


What kid couldn't find stuff to do ALL DAY LONG in this yard?!
Almost feels unnecessary to travel now.....almost....but not quite.


If you are thinking about the artificial turf for your 
yard, you might not want the large quantity that we went with ( had a pile of cracked concrete to cover ) but a little of this stuff is well worth the initial cost and it was still so much cheaper than a thin coat of concrete.

ANOTHER SEND OFF....

I've been busy and I'm making room for new furniture and new projects.

This baby is a classic and would look amazing in an entryway!

$200 OBO         Let me know if you see this in your design scheme.

Latest Project....

Well I've dusted off the Solid Oak round table and chairs, gave it a good sanding, re-stained then varnished and Voila!!

Backyard looks good enough to dine in. Unfortunately I don't have anywhere to put this little gem....so it's up for grabs.

 Pricing it at $400 OBO


 This would look amazing in someone's eclectic little Condo with a large contemporary piece hanging above it.

Drop me a line if this has your name on it.

AMAZING ART ON PENDER ISLAND

A must see link to my Aunt Wendy's Art Gallery on Pender Island, B.C.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg3MIbP8KeY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

She's a gem !!!

SUMMERS LAST DAYS

Enjoying the last days of summer have an almost frantic feel. Kind of an oxymoron for sure. One of my summer projects was to get this great hanging chair up so that I could sit and read in style while floating through the air in my own private oasis of a yard.

Well living in the Vancouver area gives such limited time outdoors that I really never did spend the time curled up with a novel in the swing but I did accomplish the odd project.

We had a great barbeque with friends on a hot sunny day poolside that gave me the target date to finish that very cool Canadiana Hutch in the garage. It was a fabulous bakers center to hold glasses, napkins, desserts, sun protection and any other item that I wanted stored neatly away for guests to find easily. Oh, and the old wooden ladder that I picked up roadside with a 'FREE' sign on it....was perfect for hanging towels on!

It's been an amazing summer with friends and family and many projects to keep me busy. I have two last projects to sand, refinish and bring back their former glory and I plan on using every last moment of sunshine to get them done and then it's back indoors to focus on the interior again.

My preference is always the exterior of the home, it somehow acts as all the jewellery to the interior where we spend so much time year 'round. It's a critical extension of our home and the small amount of time that we can spend outdoors in our neck of the woods....should be time that we hardly notice a transition in terms of design and warmth.

Gardens should be filled with artwork that is evolving from beginning to end of season with our full interaction. When we finally choose our weekend in the fall to clean up and trim down the herbs and perennials, we shift our focus back indoors and look forward to the small changes we will make next season when everything outdoors comes back to life.

Here's hoping for some great fall projects and amazing Christmas displays in the neighborhood. Until next spring and summer when we can once again work on the exterior palette !!!

AND.....wander down those beautiful lazy paths of parks and wilderness during a leisurely summer stroll.

THE SUMMER GARDEN

Everyone loves a sunny warm summer to holiday in but my personal favorite is the evolution of the Garden. I have to share my pictures.

My beautiful Curry plant has produced lovely delicate yellow flowers that tie in nicely with my wall of stunning yellow daylilies.

Funny story on the Daylilies.....I sent my husband to purchase them 2 summers ago from the nursery and he came back with, what I thought were all yellow, but a large collection of mixed yellows AND some bright orange ones.

Now when the wall blooms, every now and then an orange one pops up and ruins the intentional yellow wall so I have to cut off it's little innocent head. My husband tells me that the Landscape designer told him that all one color would look silly. I said " Whaaaaaa?????" I have no idea where the designer earned her degree but I curse her every time a random orange Daylily pops up!!!!

The herb garden has really benefited from all the crazy rain. The gardens are all so incredibly lush.

And just so you don't think that my entire garden is yellow, all of my Pinks are going crazy too. I'm convinced that there is something special in the soil here. 

I'm considering the Hardware on a house and it's level of importance to the overall look and feel of a home. Sometimes it's the small things that make a really big hit without waving it's arms and screaming " I'm here and I'm fabulous!! ". A handle, doorknob, entry lighting....



Taking the time to think through the smallest details can sometimes make the biggest impact.

 

Whether it's up to the minute modern, retro or vintage...try the hardware that will have visitors take notice and think to themselves..." hmmm, very cool ".

A one time cost that will last almost forever is definitely worth the money.

 

THE MONOCHROMATIC GARDEN SCHEME

When planning our garden, I had creative visions of every different white flower that would grow here in the Northwest sprouting up in pockets between lush green shade growing perennials. My husband just stared at me in disbelief. Well who ever does that? he asked incredulously. Hopes dashed, we went on to plant the orthodox mixed vivid colored garden the same as everyone else in our parts.

Our garden looks lovely and I have to admit that every time something new pops up, I am not only excited about its unique blossom but the special color of it as well.

I still dream one day of having that stunning garden with a monochromatic theme that stuns the neighborhood but given the cost of creating something fresh every year, I will have to wait for the future and enjoy my current multicolored buffet.

Some really amazing displays of the impact that one color alone can have in a garden.

Shopping in Seattle

What a day chaperoning two German exchange students. I actually spent the whole time in only two shops down by Pike Place Market. The Antique store and one across the street called Watson Kennedy that had so many funky little odds and ends that I could have spent the next two days going through everything. It's a second level shop so if you're down at Pike anytime soon....stop in. It smells fabulous.

Still looking for a working one of these....

ENTRY PATH DESIGN

I find that there are so many elements in Exterior Design that if you were to separate each individually you might become overwhelmed. After all, the overall look of your home has to have that cohesiveness that has the drive by eye roving smoothly throughout and enjoying the complete look. If they find only one element that has been focused on, well then they feel there is work to do and if they see too many competing focal points, they won't achieve that calm we all get when we've found THE perfect home.

If you stand back from the street at different times of the day and catch the visual snapshot of your house from it's Street Impact, try to imagine amazing ideas that you've seen in photos actually implemented on your home. Will it work? or is it too over the top? Maybe it's perfect but still not enough. It's really important to try and view your exterior objectively so you can see what drive by's see. Sometimes we're in awe of the most creative Robins egg blue door but to transfer that idea onto your own space could be disastrous. It takes time to create an exterior that appeals to a majority but if you can achieve that goal....well guaranteed you've improved your Street Appeal as well as your property value!

The path to the front door can be the part of the canvas that draws people in and gives them an almost scenic route to the home. It doesn't even have to be a long path because let's face it, Real Estate today has us sitting on postage sized lots and not so much room to work with. The smaller the space from sidewalk to door....the more creative you'll have to be.

Some wonderful ideas out there that can visually create the illusion that your path is longer than it really is or likewise, shorter. No matter what the length, try to create a unique and interesting journey that suggests something even better on the other side of the door.

So what if you look outside and see that old plain concrete path without a curve or bump of character anywhere? try creating your own visual interest. Maybe a row of lavender on either side would be spectacular in bloom every year or maybe a line of interesting lighting that leads to the door. Straight pathways are typically traditional and formal in style so will always look great when paired with those same elements. Symmetrical planters, lighting, architectural features and plant items along your walkway can make a huge impact. We all have hurdles to work with but if you can find the compromise in your particular situation you can still have an amazing path that has cars slowing down when they pass.



Gently curved pathways have that more casual feel and can be dressed in both a formal or cottage style format. Whatever look lends itself to the uniqueness of your home and it's general style. Don't be afraid to pour through magazines and steal that little gem of an idea that would increase your property's value. It can cost you the farm or it can be nothing but a personal labor of love and sweat.

Once you've found that perfect path to your home, don't forget to light it well at night so that it's never missed by passersby.

Getting the Most Out of Your Address

Most of us don't put much thought into the numbers on our home. As long as the Pizza delivery man can see them and we can remember them when necessary, their job is done.


I spend probably too much time thinking of interesting ways to display them. So much so, that I haven't actually executed my plan yet. I want large numbers on the garage door with a sign light above them. Something that says 'this is my lot number and don't you forget it !!'. I suppose it's the artist in me that see's these boring little numbers stuck to all the neighborhood homes in the usual place that makes them much too utilitarian and not near wow enough for my tastes.


I passed a house today in Tswassen that had the most beautiful little arbor out front on the property and it was covered in a stunning and mature Wisteria plant with cascading white flowers. There on the post is the homes address. Standing proud with it's very own structure to frame it. Now that is a Wow !!

Someone in that home has real pride in their property and can even see that the number of the lot deserves a very regal spot. Since there really  aren't any rules on how to show your address other than it be visible to the general public, take a little time to look at the photos I've added here and see if there isn't something a little more interesting you can do with your own address.

A List of Bloggers about Design....I'm becoming a blogaholic

Just finding someones design blog with interesting tips and ideas on design is like finding that perfect gem at some smelly garage sale. In fact, that is exactly what it's like for me....like garage sales when I have some extra time. I'll try to post the coolest ones I can find so let me know if any of them are so amazing that you can hardly stand it !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

• http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/
• http://emmas.blogg.se/
• http://www.themarionhousebook.com/              *special mention on this blog. Great mention to special items  http://traceyaytonphotography.com/blog/
• http://www.younghouselove.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                         

The Dynamic Entryway.....

The entry to your home is your blank canvas. What do you want it to say about you? What do you want it to say about your home? its style? its personality? the family that lives in it?
This is the opportunity we have to create something elegant, artsy, fun, laid back, conservative....you name it. Whether you do it with color, plants or accents around the door, your entry is the first thing that visitors see and the biggest impression you can make.



I've always loved the idea of playing with Front door color. It's something so affordable and can be changed every year if you have commitment issues. Finding the perfect color is a journey that says everything about who you are.



A traditional black or deep charcoal will give you the conservative classic look while a whimsical tangerine might say that you're willing to take chances in life. pretty tough to make too big an error on the door....If it's wrong? you'll know it right away and you can just head back to Benjamin Moore for another consult. Take some color matches of the home and its trim and then try those with a host of hues that appeal to you. When you get it right, the neighbors will love it.




Accents around or on the door can also give major impact for a lot less. Finding something to hang is almost as simple as a visit to Google for ideas. It's not surprising that when you need a little help with something unique, you can almost bet that the information highway has an infinite amount of pictures and suggestions on the perfect accent. Once you've seen something you love, it's easy to head out and find it or put together your own version of it.


Whether it's two symmetrical planters showcasing your entry like little soldiers, a couple of handmade cedar chairs or an amazing live wreath hanging....take the opportunity to say a little something about the people that live inside by mapping out a completely unique entrance to your palace !!