Displaying posts from April, 2013

Monday’s pets on furniture

Posted on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 by KiM

If you’d like to send me photos to include in next week’s “pets on furniture” post, please ensure your photos follow my basic rules: First, the pet must be on a piece of furniture. And said piece of furniture must be clearly visible in the photo, so it takes center stage rather than your pet. Think of it more of a photo of a great piece of furniture that you want to show off…and your pet happens to be sitting on it. And second, the photo must be of decent quality. If it’s dark or fuzzy then it may not make the cut. Photos, your name, location and a brief description can be sent to desiretoinspirekim@hotmail.comand PLEASE don’t send closeups of your pet! Thanks!

This is my Italian Greyhound Minnow sneaking into my photo with a smile. She’s getting better with the furniture but still cannot be trusted around my Dwell magazines!
– Beth (Indiana)

This is Badger, a terrier/lab/collie mix pup taking a break from mascot duties over at CreativeFeed. Badger’s resting in the reception area: Nixon Chair, BoConcept side table, and Mr. Somebody and Mr. Nobody radio box
– Miguel and Theresa (NYC)

Bella found the perfect spot to keep tabs on the neighbors.
– Brittany (Mankato, Minnesota)

Effie asleep on her armchair, in front of her cushion.
– Edward (Dundee, Scotland)

Stan and Hank, sleeping in in Carmel, Ca. 
– Leah 

Happy birthday Est!

Posted on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 by midcenturyjo

I can’t believe it! My how time flies. Est Magazine turns 2 with Issue #9 out now. No terrible twos tantrums for the Est team though, just wonderful, wonderful homes and lifestyle the very best from Australia and around the world. Seriously my favourite online magazine. Here’s a little sneak peek at what you’ll find in the latest issue… the contemporary French inspired home of the Hilary Gwillim from Melbourne homeware emporium, Manon. The photographer is Tara Pearce and producer/stylist Stephanie Stamatis.

Föhr

Posted on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 by midcenturyjo

Take me away this long, lonely Monday to the island of Föhr off the north coast of Germany. To a hay barn cleverly converted to a holiday home. Ancient brick and thatch enclose a modern renovation that references the island’s history of bed-boxes and the traditional blue green colours of Friesland. Wood and tile and 500m of blue polypropylene rope. By Swedish firm Karin Matz Arkitekt.

A mag feature and some dishes

Posted on Sun, 28 Apr 2013 by KiM

It’s a busy week & weekend for me so I didn’t have time to do much blog surfing for my blog favourites post so instead I give you more stuff I took photos of. First up is a magazine feature – 6 whole pages! – of my kitchen renovation. It’s the Well-Styled Home summer 2013 issue of Kitchens & Baths. 

Another major event this week was the arrival of more of my Wonkiware dishes from Green Light District. When Deborah & David’s shop was located here in Ottawa, I discovered these gorgeous handmade dishes from an artist in South Africa and fell in love. I purchased a few pieces each time I visited (they’re investment dishes shall I say) hoping to eventually acquire a decent amount to be able to use them when having peeps over for a meal. I had a set of 4 (soup bowls, pasta bowls, side plates and dinner plates) and when I heard from Deborah that the artist had unexpectedly changed up the style of some of them, she agreed to bring some to Ottawa with her on a recent trip. I totally adore these dishes and have blogged them before (I think the last time was here) but could not resist taking more photos as these are my dream dishes and I am overjoyed to now have a set of 8 (except for side plates, Deborah only had 2 left of the original style). 

I love the raw edges of some of the pieces. It gives them a rustic, more handmade flavour. 

I nearly had a coronary when Deborah told me she included some desert bowls in my package as a gift. !!! They are so adorable. The desert bowls and the dinner plates all have the raw edge and plain, no-pattern design. The rest of the pieces have a sort of lace pattern and finished edges. 

Platters for this set were on sale so I requested one of those as well (although my mom now has 2 of the dinner plates that are large enough that she uses them as platters).

Unfortunately my house is tiny and I have no designated dining room where a hutch or something similar would be perfect for displaying these gorgeous dishes. Instead, I have to improvise, and have spread the dishes throughout the kitchen (there’s no way they are being hidden in a cabinet – plus, my cabinets are full!). I placed the platter is in some narrow shelving leading into the kitchen, the side plates and soup bowl on the shelves over my cabinets, the dinner plates and pasta bowls on top of the fridge, and the dessert bowls in my dining table centrepiece. 

Now I’ve got to run and get ready for the Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show!!!

Stalking on a Saturday

Posted on Sat, 27 Apr 2013 by midcenturyjo

Stalking a stylish renovation of an art deco apartment in Double Bay, Sydney. Tastefully restrained with water views and drowning in beautiful light. One little surprise though. The ensuite or rather where the owners have built it. Balcony bathing anyone? Perfect for the exhibitionists. The rest of us can roll down the blinds. Link here while it lasts.