Displaying posts from November, 2008

How many lofts have you seen that rock a country vibe? I found a dreamy countrified loft designed by the editors of Country Home in 2004. It’s country but with a bit of a modern, eclectic and romantic flair that is just amazing against the bones of this formerly empty warehouse loft. A pretty in pink living room with the unexpectedness of a bicycle hanging from the ceiling. A gas fireplace in the bathroom. The pièce de résistance, so simple yet SO effective, a walk-in closet that houses industrial rolling-rack shelves trimmed out with barn wood. LOVE THAT!!!

We’ve posted about Sixx Design in the past, here and here. They are a husband and wife team (Bob and Cortney Novogratz) whom Jo and I have admired since we first came across their work. Their hip and bohemian style rocks, and I was SO excited to find out they have a book out called “Downtown Chic: Designing Your Dream Home: from Wreck to Ravishing”. “One part practical guide, one part inspirational volume on creating a look for the home, the book pairs humorous anecdotes about the pitfalls and pleasures of renovation with a treasure trove of decorating tips: how to use both boutique and flea-market finds; how to inject lots of personality into a room affordably; how to decorate kids’ rooms so they appeal to children and adults; how to easily rehabilitate outdated furnishings; and many more.” Their publicist sent a photo of the cover, and one of gorgeously pregnant Cortney. It’s available on Amazon. I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy!!

I am blogging my entire kitchen renovation from start to finish. Greentea Design has provided me with their solid wood kitchen cabinets, and I’m taking care of the rest.

If you’d like to be brought up to date, check out my kitchen remodel blog for an archive of previous posts. I posted recently about more demolition and work begun by my contractor. Now for a bit more demolition (seems to never end) and some of the progress with the walls going back up and plumbing/electrical.

Work continues to progress in my kitchen. I am SO looking forward to finally having a kitchen again and being able to cook. I have never eaten so much pizza in my life and as much as I love pizza, I am tiring of it fast. But things are moving along, and as you would expect in a house of this age, unexpected work kept popping up (along with things I realized at the last minute needed to be fixed – and luckily my contractor is a patient guy). It seems the ceiling needed to be removed to allow the electrician to wire it for my potlights and pendants. The problem was it wasn’t just drywall that needed to come down but more wood panelling, which is why it had to come down – he couldn’t install the potlights in the panelling. And there was 100 years worth of dust and cobwebs that came down with it. It was TERRIBLE – such a huge mess, and the guys were covered in it when they were done. There was black dust all over the house. (In the left side of the photo below you can see alot of cobwebs – I think I took this after some vacumming of the beams was done).

The contractor discovered what we’re thinking is horse hair in the ceiling (just a few chunks), which maybe 100 years ago was used for insulation??

And as a result of taking down the ceiling, the pile of garbage on my driveway grew to new heights.

To see more of the progress, click HERE.

Sometimes you just click with an architect or interior designer. You find their website and open each job in their portfolio with growing excitement. The loft is your favourite until you see the townhouse ….no the house, no …. You throw your hands in the air and realise you love them all. These homes speak to you and they are almost yelling at you “YES!” I am so inspired by the work of Brooklyn-based Delson or Sherman Architects. Wonderful modern spaces that are graceful and well thought through with clever design solutions and great livability. Love!

Boston-based Joe and Amy Keller are brilliant photographers who specialize in food, interiors and lifestyle. I love that they take complete advantage of natural light in their photos which makes the spaces so lively. I adore the first photo….and it seems I am being haunted by photos with white floors. (Should I take this as a sign?)