Displaying posts from August, 2016

Glebe House Tour 2016 – part 2

Posted on Tue, 23 Aug 2016 by KiM

Part 2 of my Glebe House Tour feature.
The study, where pieces of furniture end up that the homeowners cannot agree upon. The desk is a 400 year old Dutch captain’s desk that Corinne did want anywhere else in the house. The painting is by John’s dad and the rug was given to him by a Uzbekistan General.

I love it.

This French Rococo settee is from 1790 and was bought in the Hague. It has since been recovered in this stunning brocade fabric. This piece John is not really a fan of. I SURE AM!!!

I was drooling over the details. So much so I got down on my knees and elbows to get this photo.

This small hallway consists of about 5 doors, so the homeowners thought it would be cheeky to hang art featuring doors (see far left for one of 2 pieces).

The boys’ rooms were off limits because YOU KNOW. BOYS. But their 13 year old daughter’s room was totally adorable and photo-ready so I snapped a few.

I admittedly was in awe when I realized the master suite had it’s own hallway. *bedroom goals*

I wasn’t supposed to photograph the master suite but I insisted because it was sooo big and beautiful. Thank you Corinne for dressing up the bed for me!

Two of these fixtures hang in this room. SO PRETTY!

The exterior. XOXO

PORCH GOALS! Husband and I were ready to crash on this swing when the tour was over. #ihavethisthingwithporches

Even the porch was styled to perfection.

Pathway leading to the backyard.

This backyard was ideal. Little zones to do everything you could want. Lounge, have a fire, grow some tomatoes….

This was my favourite spot. Under the shade of the trees in the far corner was this fire pit hangout area that utilized some large stones for seating that were formerly part of the stairs at the front of the house.

Those are sunflowers. The one on the left is 11′ high and isn’t even blooming yet!

Glebe House Tour 2016 – part 1

Posted on Tue, 23 Aug 2016 by KiM

A couple of Sundays ago, I had the privilege of a personal tour of one of this year’s homes that will be featured in the Glebe House Tour next month. I have been honoured to be a part of this tour for several years now, highlighting a home or two on the blog after meeting with the homeowners and wandering their homes with my camera and husband in tow to take notes and listen carefully while I worry about getting every gorgeous corner captured in photos. I selected this home after viewing a few preview photos and was in awe of its size and the artwork throughout. I hope you enjoy my tour of this home as much as I enjoyed getting to see it personally.  There was so much to capture and to share that I needed two posts to get it all in. This post features the main floor and basement. The second post featured the second floor and exterior. Before I get into this, the tour this year is September 18 from 1-4pm, and if you are around Ottawa on that day you need to go on this tour! Five of the most incredible homes in the Glebe are yours to wander through and drool over. It is so much fun! Tickets can be purchased here

Corinne and her husband John bought this home for their family of 5 about 3 years ago. It was built in 1913 and needed SO much work. It was basically gutted as it needed new electrical, insulation and all that fun stuff (NOT), along with leveling the floor that had a 10″ slope (??!!). The original radiators were maintained and the moldings were saved and reused as well.  

The dining table is made of mahogany and is one of many pieces the couple brought back from the Netherlands, where they lived for over 20 years. The large painting is by a friend named Lou Korte (I apologize if I get any names wrong). 

The light fixtures throughout the house are a contemporary/traditional blend and really suit the homeowners’ style. Almost all of them have a sparkle factor which I love. 

The vase is Murano glass brought back from the Murano factory in Italy. *GASP*

There were beautiful flower arrangements throughout the house. Bonus homeowner points. 🙂 

The painting in the living room is by Bonnie Brooks, and another fabulous light fixture!

The armoire in the informal dining area was used in a Swiss farm and was made in Germany around 1890. This may be my favourite room in the house. I adore the eclectic blend of furniture. 

The mudroom was formerly a covered porch that the homeowners wanted to replace with a garage but due to city limitations they went with this handy little area instead. 

This brick wall and door were left intact during the renovations. 

The family room is located at the back of the house and is part of the large 4 story addition the homeowners added during the renovations. It is bright and spacious enough to fit their grand piano. 

Loving the tiny dramatic powder room just off of the family room. The perfect space to do something unexpected.

The kitchen cabinets are by Boiserie Sebo. Husband and I both noted that this was the perfect sized kitchen – not too big, not too small. The off-white floors and cabinetry really brighten the space since it only has one small window. 

The window, albeit small, has an adorable view of the neighbouring house.

The basement is finished including this large guest suite. The homeowners may have a hard time getting their kids to leave the nest when they have a secluded space like this available! (And the third floor, currently used by the kids, is another gem that will surely have them overstaying their welcome)

The painting is by Tim Packer. 

The wall behind the bed is the original stone foundation that they left exposed. Love that!

I had to get a photo of one of the really cool barn-style doors they had made. 

Next to the guest suite is a full bathroom.

Stay tuned for the rest of the home later today!

Having your cake and eating it too

Posted on Tue, 23 Aug 2016 by midcenturyjo

I’ve always imagined that living in a Parisian Haussmannian apartment would be like living in a wedding cake. All white fondant icing with elaborate sugar work decoration. Elegant but perhaps a little cold. Fragile and frosty beauty. Not quite the recipe for a fabulous family home. Except, that is, when your sugar confection of an apartment has been re-imagined by Marion Collard. Modern, colourful, simple living (within a wedding cake) in the 9th arrondissement of Paris.

Photography by Felix Forest

A reader’s home for sale in Illinois

Posted on Mon, 22 Aug 2016 by KiM

Bettina’s home in River Forest, Illinois is for sale and she sent us a link of the listing. OMG! This home is a stunner and there’s so many rooms to decorate! My dream! Here are some details: it’s over 5,000 sq ft on 3 floors, 7 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, original 1880’s woodwork, high ceilings, FOUR fireplaces (!!!), kitchenette on 3rd floor, 2 car garage with room above….

Monday’s pets on furniture

Posted on Mon, 22 Aug 2016 by KiM

If you would like to participate in the Monday’s pets on furniture series please send photos, your name, location and a brief description to kim[@]desiretoinspire[.]net, or hashtag your photos #DTIpetsonfurniture. Thanks!

Zeus came to us last September as a rescue at age 5-6 wks. He had been out fending for himself at such a young age. What a little fighter! He was very sick and in bad shape overall. We nursed him back to health and now he is a healthy, happy boy. He didn’t get the memo about no cats on the counters, and loves to hang out on the dining room table, kitchen island and as you can see, the bathroom countertop too! Sending a before and after. The ‘before’ pic was taken at the vet’s, the day he was rescued by Sandy at AdoptMeRescue here in Ottawa.
– Leanne (Ottawa, ON)

The king sits on his throne. #mine #alsomine #traceygetsnopillow #whippetsofinstagram #dtipetsonfurniture

A photo posted by Tracey Pike (@tracey.brimhall) on Jan 8, 2016 at 6:49pm PST

Chillin. #DTIpetsonfurniture

A photo posted by Jess (@missjessharkins) on Aug 14, 2016 at 10:34pm PDT

Catmouflage

A photo posted by chelsea (@chels_luce) on Aug 11, 2016 at 1:14pm PDT

So far in Atlanta, I’ve only taken pictures of @daisyeli95 and @ingafinchluce’s pets…

A photo posted by chelsea (@chels_luce) on Aug 12, 2016 at 12:36pm PDT

One from me of course. 🙂 The favourite cat chair. This Plycraft chair is ALWAYS occupied, and yesterday afternoon it was Lucky who was passed out on it most of the day.