Displaying posts from July, 2014

Latest reads

Posted on Mon, 21 Jul 2014 by KiM

I was so stoked to learn the ladies of Toronto online décor magazine Covet Garden had finally launched a print edition. I have been following this magazine since day 1 (back in Sept 2010) and loved peeking into the homes of creative folks of TO. Covet Garden Home is half magazine half book and will be proudly hanging out on my coffee table for the next while so I can devour it over and over again. This book/mag showcases some homes previously featured in online issues (with updates!) along with some brand new spaces. One that knocked my socks off in particular is the gorgeous vintage-filled home of Covet Garden co-founder Lynda Felton. I snapped a couple of pics from her story below. (Buy it here

I also received a copy of Jan Johnsen’s book Heaven is a Garden. It’s a really touching book about designing serene outdoor spaces that evoke inspiration and reflection. Serenity by Design as Jan signed my copy. She delves into topics such as how shape, and proportion can unify a garden, deciphering the language of trees, the mystery of water and the evocative qualities of stone. I plan of devouring every word a few times over before I start thinking about landscaping my yard. Giving my outdoor spaces meaning as opposed to just being functional spaces will be that much more gratifying in the end. (You can find this book on Amazon)

Monday’s pets on furniture

Posted on Mon, 21 Jul 2014 by KiM

If you would like to send me photos to include in next week’s pets on furniture post, please ensure your photos follow these 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, if the photo is too dark or unfocused it may not make the cut. Photos, your name, location and a brief description can be sent to kim[at]desiretoinspire[dot]net. Thanks!

This is Zoey, our beloved shih tzu/bichon mix. We live in a high rise condo in downtown Austin, TX. It sure is hard leaving this every morning to go to work! 🙂 
– Kelly

This is our cat Mandarin. On the first picture he is sitting in the hallway on the wooden cabinet (he looks a bit shocked, because he thinks that he is not allowed to sit there). On the second picture Mandarin is on my desk, and this is one of his favorite places.
– Anastasia (Tallinn, Estonia)

This is Lucy, our German Shepherd/Retriever mix, in her favorite chair.
– Dana (Shawnee, Kansas)

1&2 – took this photo yesterday as I was attempting to change the sheets on the bed…Storm [9yrs old, living in Toronto, Canada] decided it was nice of me to give him crisp white sheets to lounge on while he takes his afternoon nap, rest of bed had to wait – naps take priority! Bed from Restoration Hardware, foxed mirror side table from West Elm, French task lamp from Lowe’s, Latitude low dresser from CB2, seat cushions from IKEA
3 – Petal prefers to be “under” the furniture, in this case.  lol
4 – Petal reposing on the settee!

– Ana

While Sprockie isn’t quite on any furniture, I thought it would make you smile anyway. This is at our newly built house in Sydney’s Alexandria.
I have also attached one of Mischief last night. I was trying to take one of the bookcase my husband built over the weekend and Missie through it was going to be of her as well. 
– Nikla 

Here are a couple from me. Saturday morning I spotted Milo once again on the bench in the dining room. It is his new favourite spot. (Stick a faux sheepskin on anything and it becomes the favourite spot!)
And one I took of Phoebe Saturday night. Never a moment of peace in this house. There is always at least one cat following me. This time it was into the bathroom – my view from the toilet. LOL

Sunrise

Posted on Mon, 21 Jul 2014 by midcenturyjo

I could live here from sunrise to sunset and on to sunrise again. I could watch the changes on the garden terrace from spring through to winter. I could move from light to dark and out into the light. I could delight at a different detail very day, the ribbon of steel that rises as a staircase, the inverted stair railing as I climb, the shadow art, the old sign writing on adjacent walls. I could happily spend my days in this beautiful warehouse conversion. Sunrise by Jolson.

Stalking a sandstone cottage

Posted on Mon, 21 Jul 2014 by midcenturyjo

Or rather that should read “stalking a sandstone house from my sick bed”… flu has struck me down and I’m a whinging, whining patient at best. I think I would feel so much better if I was cocooned in a cute sandstone walled bedroom or sitting by a cosy fire a few steps from a sleek kitchen. I’m stalking in North Sydney. A lovely stone cottage from the early 1800s. Just wondering if it is a little noisy. A click over to the real estate listing and a quick check of the map reveals a very busy “road” just a few steps away. Link here while it lasts.

 

Latest from Casa dos Outros

Posted on Sun, 20 Jul 2014 by KiM

My Sunday posts have been and will continue to be pretty random, as Saturdays I usually end up outdoors trying to enjoy what little summer we Canadians get and then am left scrambling at the end of the night – like now! But you gotta give me points for effort! 😉 Anyhoo, it has been a while (see here) since I visited Casa dos Outros, one of the best ‘everyday people’s homes’ type of sites (IMHO), from Brazil. Here are a bunch of my favourites as of late…