My Room and Board visit

So a while ago, I really really coveted a sofa at Room and Board. I was, of course, totally terrified by the idea of ordering something offline without ever having sat in it so I refused to order it. I also felt like it was a lot to ask my brother (who lives in Chicago, there's a Room and Board there!) to go and check it out. He's a busy guy, got shit goin on!

Anyway, anyway. As you know, we went to the Big C and I finally made it to Room and Board. Of course the sofa debate is a little late now - seeing as I found one but I can still imagine. And who knows? Maybe I'll put the sectional somewhere else.

Walking up, I saw this hot set:


Too rich for my blood but I love it anyway...

After that, I actively embraced an obsession for their dining room displays.

I love tulip tables! Or maybe it's more the marble. I love marble! White or black, I don't really care.

I am still on the hunt for a buffet - this one was attractive.


Another buffet...


I loved allll the lights, very dramatic.




I have to admit, all the sofas I tried out were comfy. I wasn't as much of a fan for the Anson sofa - but I really liked the the Andre sofa (I talked about the chair for that series here).

I really liked the vibe of this room -


But this was definitely my favorite. Love the gray/walnut wood combo.


Did you notice the marble dining table with?


A closeup -


Oh and these chairs, these I want. Want! They were so comfy!

Reno Writing on Rejuvenation

So I told you a while ago that I was going to be writing about my renovation activities on another blog - well, my first post is up there. I'm writing for the Rejuvenation Projects Blog - and since I have an obsession with lighting, it's perfect for me ;) I'll let you know here whenever I post there - this blog will focus more on interior decorating and my other obsessions.

My new lawn!

Okay, okay - it's been a lot more posts then usual this week but it's cause I want to show off my lawn! It was such a pain in the !!!!

Lets take a moment and remember the before:


And now you can fully admire the after:


I know, it got me. Everyone has been all, "Oh what a little grass can do!" and to them I say, "Screw you!" This was a whole lot more than a little grass. It was my blood, sweat and tears - witness here:

I look so haggard in this picture. I'm wearing my husbands shoes, I had just bought the trimmer at Canadian Tire and was all, "I MUST TRIM THE HEDGE RIGHT NOW." I'm surprised I wasn't still in my work clothes. PS. It is half finished.


I did it all for my dog. At least she thinks so.


Ahh, so perfect. Right? Right. A shot of this angle before, if you want to take a look.

Shed Demo, Part II

Oooh, before I post the pictures of our current lawn - I thought I would share the last shed goin down. It was all bye-bye shanty town after this pic! You can see the hub and his bud contemplating strategy, just like they did the last time... - check out the green pool corner!

Here's a shot of the back end (or the view from the neighbors driveway)...

And it's down! Oh, I missed this moment. That is a sad thing, I was kind of attached to this shed to be honest.

Oh well, gone now! Look at how well the neighbors can now see into our yard.

The hub used this opportunity to expand the dog run..

I'll show you the lawn soon!

My pool

We had no idea that our house had a neighborhood nickname - got any ideas what it is?

Here's a hint:

And another one:

Yes, that is a green green pool. Apparently the original house listing provided a picture of the pool in a similar shade of green. It took us a bit of effort to get rid of it, we are still battling the foggy water it left behind. Anyone want to come over for a swim?? I doubt we will ever live down the nickname.

Landscapppppin

Oh you know you were so craving my house progress report - wellllll, here's my backyard...


In the spring, obviously. Check out how black the pool was, the two neighbors with the great view. The dirt yard, the random crap. Honestly, this was cleaned up. Seriously!

Why hello there neighbor! Like the view of my green pool and my dirt yard? Oh yeah. One of my coworkers pointed out the classy cinder block (used throughout for landscaping). You know you want it!

And yes, those are lilacs there on the right. For those allergy suffers (like me), these are the Hell Bushes. Did you notice the massive pile of tomato cages?

There was a lot of fence pieces and random sticks. I guess the dirt area was a veggie garden (ten years ago?). If you can believe it, this was the yard "all cleaned up".


And shanty town was in fully swing...so yeah. What did we decide to do? Well, we're remodeling the sunroom addition and have decided that we will have a deck off the back and to the left (where the sheds were). Eventually there will be a fence between the yard and the pool so we can avoid tragedy when we have kids...But generally, we just tried to make it all just a little less ugly.

Home inspiration spotted via Curbed LA

Okay so I love Curbed. It has become my new obsession - they cruise the real estate for me AND provide alllll the details. So this house was recently posted - and after going to the original listing, I found the most beautiful deck/pool/bathroom pictures. While they aren't perfect, they are soooo close to what I covet for my house.


Seriously, do you see the marble? And the sink with the chrome base? I even love the loud wallpaper. The only thing not for me? Gotta say that the mirror/light combo just doesn't do it for me. Otherwise, it's all love love love.


Maybe it's because my pool is so ugly - I really dream of redoing the deck and bringing the pool edge out like in this picture. I also dream of having an enclosure at the end, lots of seating - blue water, clarity, etc etc etc.


This is my favorite though - do you see it? Herringbone! Brick! Stepped down! LOVE IT, want it, covet it forever. I don't think something like this could survive the frost we get but a girl can dream, right? Right.

Flea market review - Bentleys

Okay so I'll admit it, I've checked out a few flea markets in the area including Bentley's. Bentley's is only open on Sunday - though small, I found the selection good (including a really decent used book area and lots of vintage housewares). The prices were pretty decent - if it was on the same schedule as ReStore (which is right around the corner), I would totally hit it up more often.

There's also a store right next door with some choice antique/vintage pieces. I can't remember what it was called but I do remember coveting one of their art deco buffets. Apparently there is quite an active Flea Market community in Ottawa, I will have to go back to that one and get more details.

Mouille Style Eye Wall Sconce via Barn Light Electric

I have to admit, I find it confusing that some lights are $15 US and some are in the thousands...I love this one though:


It kind of looks like a bathroom light though in my head, I imagine it everywhere. Ah, lighting.

The details:
# Measurements: 12"W x 5 1/4"H x 10" Proj.
# Backing Plate: 5 1/8" Diameter
# Stem: 4 1/2"
# Max Wattage: 100 Watts Standard Inc. - Med Base
# Finish: Polished Chrome (Inside of Shade is Raw With Imperfections)
# Weight: 1.1 LBS

Flea Markets? Auctions?

Okay locals, gimme the details. While I'm all active in the online shopping environment, I can't figure out where the good flea markets/auctions are here in Ottawa. Any ideas????

Beautiful table via Sarah Kaye

Time for tea? Photo by Chris Everard.

Wall Blank - Keep Your Teeth Clean

So I love Wall Blank - especially this image from their vintage collection:

Plumbing shelves via apartmenttherapy

I love this idea and would love to do something similar in our rec room. Originally posted here on a blog called The Brick House (all about renovating a mid-century modern home), found via this apartmenttherapy post.