Highlights of the week

A few things have brightened my mood lately which is needed when you still have a few more months of winter left.  This amazing pink sunset made my day last weekend, it couldn't get any more beautiful than this.

My husband and I watched the movie Girls Trip recently and I really didn't go into it with high expectations. I didn't enjoy Bridesmaids, and thought this would end up being similar. I was wrong, I laughed out loud a lot! Comedian Tiffany Haddish, who acts in the movie, came out with a book and it's now on my need to read list. I will admit I don't read a lot of novels, it seems I'm attracted to biographies written by funny ladies, like Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. I don't think there are any book clubs out there for me to join? 

I recently discovered the talented photographer Julie Holder and was the lucky winner of one of her fine art prints. This is proof that people actually do win contests they find online, I have won three within the last year! (All art related) It was hard to choose a favourite as I have a thing for walls with texture and old doors. But, this piece titled "Blue" is on its way to me right now and I can't wait to figure out where I'm going to display it.

Blue by Julie Holder

Here are a few other prints of Julie's that I love!

Pink Wall in Havana by Julie Holder

Blanca by Julie Holder

Color Blocking in Cuba by Julie Holder

I've just started to doodle and create patterns on a tablet, this is very new for me. I am not an artist who uses a sketchbook to jot down ideas, so this has been fun and relaxing to use after the girls go to bed. I have my husband to thank for downloading me this app to use.

I feel like I'm one of the few people who don't watch the tv show This Is Us. I do know that Mandy Moore stars in it. I've been following her home renovation designed by Sarah Sherman and Emily Farnham Architecture. Her Midcentury home is so gorgeous, I had to share this. Below is a photo of one of the washrooms, you can check out to see the design plans and before shots in the link above. It's almost complete and I can't wait to see the space with furniture and accessories.

Photo by Sarah Sherman

I'm always looking around while I'm driving or walking, as you never know what may catch your eye and inspire a creative thought. Some friends have said that I find inspiration in the every day quite easily and I'm thankful for that.

Photo from pinterest

When all the holiday decorations come down I start to de-clutter and change things up. I also feel the desire to purge items that we don't really use.  Amber Lewis has great style and I recently saw this photo of her home and thought, I have that exact teak table in my basement! My mom thrifted it for me maybe nine years ago and I've always used it as a side table. I like how she uses it here as a coffee table in this seating area. I will definitely hold onto it now.

Photo by Amber Lewis

My girlfriend and I don't talk as much since I moved from Burlington four years ago, but the other day she sent me a text that made me smile. She was catching up and reading my blog and came across this post. She liked the collage I did with my grandmother in it, and it has inspired her to create something similar in honour of her mom who has passed away.

I also received a lovely message from a collector after they opened up the painting I sent them. "AHHH! Your painting just arrived :) I am in love. LOVE. It is so pretty! Thank you very much Holly. I will get it hung shortly and photograph it. I really, really love your work. Don't stop painting :) you have a gift. Thanks for sharing it with me!

House Feature - Anne Tu Quoc

Anne and I began an online friendship last year and have since bonded over motherhood, our passion for thrifted and vintage decor and our love for a good cup of tea. Anne is an entrepreneur, like myself, and makes the most adorable baby moccasins which allows her to work from home and spend time with her growing family.

"i have two boys lenox and finn with my partner marc, and we live in a little city called fribourg in switzerland. we live right at the border between the german and french part from our country, so we speak both languages. we have lived in this apartment for 6 years, the housing prices are crazy high and we hope to one day buy a house. i think every room has changed at least three times since then. i love doing things myself and i always have idea's for changing things up. like painting a piece of furniture, sewing new pillow cases, or moving furniture around."

Photo by maik-photography for tadah.ch

"i love furniture. i sometimes dream of moving so i can start all over again and create a brand new space. i would describe our home as colorful and full of life. its's constantly changing. i love furniture with a history, and i have a story to tell about almost every piece we own. i think it is much more interesting to bring an old piece into a new home, it's so much more personal."

We share a similar love for greenery, although I don't have the green thumb that Anne has been blessed with. Each room in her home is filled with such unique vignettes and collectibles. The addition of plants really is an inexpensive way to elevate the design. The pink cactus print is by Anny Who.

This Scandinavian teak bookcase is the perfect spot to showcase the families favourite books, toys, photos and treasures.

"you will find me at the thrift store almost every week, and most of the time i end up with some new pieces even though i wasn't looking for them. i see some chairs and i know these must come home with me, and i need to sell my old ones."

Anne has mixed a few pieces from Ikea and splurged on the vintage Togo Ligne Roset sofa designed in the 70's. The space is very open and her boys often play and make forts in this seating area. Her son Lenox made the hearts and black and white drawing that hang above the sofa. The skateboards are Marc's. Anne loved the colours and designs so she turned them into instant sculptures by hanging them on this gallery wall.

Photo by maik-photography for tadah.ch

The entrance leads you straight into the kitchen or to the living room on the left. The kitchen is compact and designed with modern appliances and hardware.

Anne has such a good eye, she thrifted this entire set! A classic Ghost chair mixed with open back metal chairs adds to the eclectic vibe in the dining room. A dark animal hide grounds the open space, creating texture on the light hardwood.

Natural light pours through the windows that lead to the backyard. I love the vintage pendant that Anne discovered above the table. Who needs a bar cart when you can have multiple shelves designated for your favourite cocktails!

"i own a little company called petit mai and i produce baby leather moccs made of vegetable tanned leather and i love it! it's so great to be able to turn what you love into an actual job!"

How cute is the packaging these little shoes come in? It makes me want to have another baby so I can dress it up. 

The master bedroom is kept clutter free with the use of bookshelves and floating nightstands with storage. The drawing above the bed was done by her oldest son when his baby brother was born. It is their first family picture, what a beautiful keep sake. Anne has an ever changing collection of toss pillows in all of the rooms. The cloud pillow is made in Denmark by normadot. I'm envious as this is such an easy way to transform a bed or sofa. You can never have too many textiles, my husband may not agree though!

"i discovered my love for plants about two years ago, before this time i didn't own a single plant and the ones i had usually died after a couple of weeks. i don't know why, but since i started buying plants again almost all of them have survived. maybe it's because i talk to them, and maybe also because i love that they bring life into our home."

An up close look at a few of Anne's favourite plants. A true jungalow!

Every shelf in this home is so good! Her son's room looks so cozy with twinkle lights and a hanging canopy. The perfect spot to read a book or two.

"i like to change the look of our home with accessories like carpets, pillows, and some fresh paint. i don't really think of how i decorate our home a lot. it just comes naturally. i often walk into places and with my inner eye i imagine what i would do with it, i love doing this." The bunny print is by Anny Who.

In her other son's room a hand painted polka dot cabinet, as well as his collection of rocks and feathers create a focal wall. Anne's dad helped her build this bed and she sewed this canopy to create a cozy nook for Finn.

Anne studied piano for ten years and when her parents no longer had room for it she brought it here for the boys to practice on. "the lamp is an italian brand called stilnovo. i got it from my parents, who saved it from friends who wanted to throw it away. my parents didn't realize it's a vintage piece with some value, but they just thought of me and suspected i might like it. they were right!" The colorful landscape is by Swiss artist Iuna Tinta.  

Spaces like this really keep me excited about connecting with others who have a similar passion for design and interiors. If I ever travel to Northern Europe I will try my best to stop by for a tea, I can only imagine how fun it would be to go thrifting with you Anne.

Holly's Dream Home

The reality is that, it is freezing cold out, and we've been enjoying a lot of our holiday indoors. I'm becoming quite skilled at Uno and today I made my daughter quite happy by braiding her dolls hair, complete with beads. She looks like she was just chilling on the beach, while I'm wearing my toque 24/7.

I think I'm going to start sharing more spaces here that I come across online that just make me happy. I discovered this home last Spring and kind of forgot I wanted to share it with you. I hope you are cuddled up nice and warm on your sofa sipping a hot beverage. This space is so unique and eclectic. It's filled with colour and my favourite thing, art. The home owner is a graphic designer and the family has since moved but damn, I love it all! She has such a good eye and that bulletin board wall is so good.  I think I need to add a neon sign somewhere in our house this year.  

Photography by Katrine Rohrberg for Another Ballroom.

Inspiration

I save a lot of images on my phone and computer whenever I see something that catches my eye. I recently scrolled through them and decided I would share a few of my favourites with you.

Photo by Nicholas Scarpinato

I just discovered California photographer Nicholas Scarpinato and his candy coloured cacti prints are amazing! I believe that shipping is included if you are in the US so that's a plus. 

Photo by Black Crane

As soon as I saw this image it made me want to attempt to paint it. The dress by Black Crane is such a beautiful design and colour. I kept looking at it on my phone, and then one day I sat at my dining table and enjoyed the process of trying to paint an actual person. I will admit that it wasn't anything special, and I recycled it the next day. Inspiration usually doesn't come in the form of fashion for me, but hey I gave it a try.

Photo by Sarah Sullivan

I am in love with Sarah Sullivan's work. From textiles, wall hangings and paintings, everything is so darn gorgeous and colourful. I scrolled her IG feed all the way back to 2015, so much talent! Sarah is based out of Tulsa, Oklahoma, check out her shop here.

Sarah's pillows are a work of art.

Sarah says: "The personality of each piece is essential. Whether the life of the party or just a welcome friend, my work hopefully transports people to a place of pure, simple joy. I use traditional craft to create a world of youth, comfort, and whimsy. With a modern palate and a graphic eye, I hope to give society a break from clutter and chaos by providing art that one can literally wrap around themselves."

Photo by Mandi Johnson

When I sit and relax at the end of the day I often read a few design blogs instead of watching television. Mandi's blog Making Nice In The Midwest is new to me, and I love this sunroom she has recently designed. Her taste is neutral in comparison to mine, but her mid century aesthetic is what first attracted me. 

Photo by Gray Malin

Gray Malin has captured some incredible images over the years, but his latest collection is hands down my favourite. Iconic mid century designs styled in room vignettes in Bora Bora...crazy!! The above photo is "The Den" Eames classics have never looked so good.

Photo by Cassandra Lavalle

My friend Laura is just that. A determined entrepreneur trying to raise her family and live out her creative dreams. She is a talented artist in Ontario whom I met a few a years ago. We began an online friendship and had the opportunity to meet in person over lunch and discuss art and our backgrounds in the field of interiors. She is such a supportive friend and I'm lucky enough to have my artwork in her home.

A makers auction called "Making Spirits Bright" begins next week to support Laura and her family. They have experienced a number of hardships this season and it's a blessing to be able to support them in this time. Please consider following along on IG @making.spirits.bright the auction is live December 12th. You get to shop some beautiful hand made gifts. I have recently finished this colourful plant study that I will be donating. My last collection of plant studies were created on canvas, this time I'm challenging myself and painting on wood panels.

Eucalyptus in vase, with wallpaper inspiration from the JuJu papers.

House Feature - Megan Buckland

I met Meg last year through Instagram. This photo captured my attention and I was curious to see what was behind the walls. It took a while to get it ready for the tour as they were finishing up some projects, but the time has arrived. Let's check out her wonderful space!

"Our home is tiny at just under 1000 SF and it works for us. We try really hard to be minimalists - keeping only what we need and using everything we have. Our design and decorating philosophy is pretty strict - if it requires too much effort or too much time, it gets simplified." I am trying to become more of a minimalist myself, but still have a lot of collectables and thrift shop finds that require lots of dusting...which everyone knows is no fun.

"My husband Tony is a graphic designer, I'm a commercial interior designer turned stay-at-home-mom (2 years ago), and we have three kids, Oscar-9, Penny-6, and Simon 3. We live in Bloomington, Minnesota, which is a suburb of Minneapolis, in a 1950's ranch-style home which used to be Tony's grandma's! Although it's pretty unrecognizable to what it was when we moved in, his family gets a kick out of visiting and seeing the changes. I love that our home has history."

Living in a smaller space with three kids can be challenging, but the family puts storage to use in the entryway. An Ikea cabinet has been customized with a solid wood top & a wire basket collects shoes and sports equipment.

I love this bold pop of colour in the kitchen. The print is by artist Angela Hardison.

Meg loves to cook and the family spends a lot of time hanging around this tulip dining table. The kids each have their own Stokke chair in red. If you are not familiar with this company you should check them out. The adjustable design ensures a comfortable and ergonomic seating position at any age. 

"I love the kitchen and spend most of my time here. It's set in the back of the house and has great natural light. We remodelled the kitchen in 2008 and it's time for a refresh. We'll keep the basic layout the same so the changes are mostly cosmetic this time around. New appliances and cabinet fronts are being made." 

When I asked Meg if they were doing the renovations themselves I laughed out loud at her response. "Except for painting, we haven't done any of the work to our house. Outside of operating a drill, neither Tony or I are all that handy and have little patience for projects. Paying for contractors is a lot cheaper than paying for a divorce! ;) And a good contractor you trust is as good as gold!" My husband and I renovated the kitchen in our first home years ago before we had kids and it definitely was a time consuming process. We didn't have to seek couples therapy afterwards so I guess thats a good thing!

Whenever a family member celebrates a Birthday these white lanterns are strung up. A simple and modern idea for kids or adults.

Yum...cake! I noticed that this art piece on the wall here was always changing in Meg's IG feed. I asked her how it worked and here are the details. "The photo wall is made up of a product called Photo Curator by the Curator Company. I bought them nearly 10 years ago on FAB, when that was still THE way to shop for design goods! (I miss them). I have 45 sets and each set holds one 4x6 photo. There are little clips in the corners. Tony usually designs the layout and we get the photos printed at Costco. We can change out the wall for under $10! It's such a fun thing in our house! We change them out at every birthday and they also hold 4x6 index cards so once in a while the kids will create art on each card."

"This is the room we live in. We eat here, watch TV, read, build trains, do homework, play, you name it. Our furniture is kid friendly and easy to clean." The streamlined designs are high off of the ground allowing your eye to travel through them. With the use of light weight pieces the family can easily move them around if the kids need the rug to play on.

With select pieces in the living room they chose to splurge on this iconic Womb Chair. I love the soft grey fabric & bet that they take turns sitting here to watch TV. Meg commissioned her son Oscar to create the artwork on the wall and draw out the names of each family member. I love adding kids art to my own home, it's such a personal and inexpensive way to decorate.

"When we did our first remodel in the kitchen in 2008, we chose to keep the kitchen separate from the living/dining area as opposed to a more open floor plan which is popular in ranch home remodels here. Living in such a small home with five people, it's nice to have some separation of space." Lots of hidden storage in the drawers and cupboards in this room.

Meg's son made this parrot hat at art school. They loved it so much they framed it and display it proudly in the heart of the home.

"Our bedroom doubles as Tony's work space. He designs almost every night after the kids go down so we've worked hard at accommodating what he needs to work and what I need to sleep!" I looked up Tony's website and guys he just designed that red N that pops up on your Netflix home page... I had to tell my husband I was very excited! 

Tony's art is hung throughout the home. "I believe in simplicity, clarity, and the importance of all design disciplines."

"We added additional lighting controls in our bedroom to support work and sleep and it works really well. We keep our room stripped of anything extra to help it feeling open and light."

Cuties!

"Our boys share a bedroom. One is very tidy and the other is very...not tidy. I help the messy one clean up almost daily to keep the peace! I think adding a bedroom in the basement might be in our future!"

I love this vintage lamp. I think my girls need similar storage for Lego.

Meg has a small workplace with the best gallery wall featuring Larry David...it makes me smile. A few years ago she taught herself how to make simple and modern quilts. 

The geometric pattern and colours on this piece really caught my eye.

"Penny has the best room in the house! It's super small, has a huge window, and is located in the heart of our house." What girl wouldn't adore this space? She's got her own art collection started and a small desk to sit and draw.

"Last year for her birthday, we surprised her by converting her weird, unused closet into a hideaway for her. The closet sits up a couple feet because it's over the stairs to the basement but it's the perfect size for her to read, color, draw, or get away from her brothers. As our only introverted child, it functions perfectly for her." 

"Though our house may be tiny, our back yard is huge for a city lot. We added a slatted wooden fence this summer and it's easily becoming our favorite place to be in the warm months. Our kids really enjoy being outside any time of the year so I'm especially thankful we have a place for them to be."

I want to thank Meg for sharing her home with me. I think it is wonderful that her kids will grow up in a home that has such meaning and family history. Good luck on your kitchen transformation, can't wait to see it!

Watson & Lou

A new shop has just opened up & I thought I would give you a little tour. Watson & Lou is in my hometown of Peterborough ON, & is a unique spot downtown that supports over 30 local makers. You also have the opportunity to rent shared studio space as well as take part in monthly creative workshops. 

 "Our mission is to celebrate the beauty, ingenuity, and kindness of our local creative economy. We aim to provide a platform for local makers to share their work with a wider audience while growing and refining their practice through dialogue and skills-sharing."

A selection of pieces from North Oar co. & Burn Island. 

Beautiful side tables from Relic of Canada.

A collection of prints are available to choose from.

That wallpaper is so gorgeous you could just frame it! I also need to note how full the fiddle leaf figs are, I'm jealous. 

The plate wall by Lou Brown Vintage is so fun!

How great is that pop of teal behind the till mixed with the copper pendants.

They have a good selection of art/design books & magazines.

Lots of colourful items to bring home, including Cultural Standees by Lucky Jackson.

An overload of cuteness for the little ones. Dolls by Mini Goddesses, Booties by Coyles Cubby, felted bunnies by MonAmieManon.

A selection of stationary by The Critter Co. &  Swell Made Co. Papercuts by Laurel Paluck.

Odd Ducks Vintage makes the most amazing fibre art. Neck Ties by Slice of Blackbird Pie.

You can take a selfie under that pretty unicorn. Some of my paintings hanging on the right.

If you are local make sure to follow them to see what workshops are happening.

Tonight Heck Yes is running a sold out workshop making cacti gardens.

If you have never tried working with a medium before grab & friend & enjoy a night out. You can sign up for all workshops here. 

If you are not local you can still check out the Online shop. Make sure to support local makers for the holidays! 

Two Years Later

Let me give you a little background about this website & blog incase you are new here. My youngest started Junior Kindergarten Sept 2015 and it was during the month of August that I decided to try and paint full time & work as an artist. Since that time I have found myself setting personal goals & deadlines which have forced me to make new bodies of work & explore the creative side that has always been a part of me. I have had the opportunity to have a solo show, several group shows & install some of my paintings in restaurants around the city. I'm so lucky that retailers in the area want to showcase my work for their clientele. Getting my name out there is sometimes challenging but definitely worth the effort. 

Saturday night I'm going out for dinner with my husband, sister & a few friends to celebrate my Birthday at a new Pub that recently opened. I'm excited to hang out in the space as I installed some artwork before they opened & have yet to sit & enjoy it. One of the bars is painted turquoise, as soon as I saw that I thought, yes my art needs to be here (turquoise is my favourite colour). The above painting "The Blues" is an old favourite that is on display & looking for a new home.

My first blog post was Aug 30th, 2015 & I truly can't believe that I have stuck with it. I thought I would try & do a blog post once a month to let people who enjoyed my artwork know more about my inspiration, & love for Interior Design. Since that time I have posted once a week, which really is crazy as I have never considered myself a blogger. Moving forward I may try to post every two weeks, we'll see what happens I guess.

Photo by Oxford Proper

I still have accomplishments that I hope to achieve & ideas that will challenge me in my studio. I would love to collaborate with others artists or companies, so feel free to contact me if you think we would be a good fit. One of the highlights of this year has been creating a body of work I called "Plant Studies." I've learned a lot from other artists & I have admired Michelle Armas work for years. Her personality seems so down to earth & listening to podcasts where she has been interviewed I've always come away with great tips & advice. The day I put my Plant Study collection in my online shop she was the first to purchase a piece. I am not lying when I say that it brought tears to my eyes. It felt like validation that everything I had been doing was working & I was on the right track.

I'm not sure what the future holds for me & my family, but I do know that I'm the happiest I've ever been. Working a 9-5 retail job is what I left behind when I had my daughters, perhaps one day I will need to step back into that environment to help pay the bills. Right now I'm taking it one day at a time, a creative life is very fulfilling.

House Feature - Lora Neveu

I recently discovered Lora's company on Instagram & fell in love with their designs. The products they make are sprinkled throughout her home & add a ton of personality. "If I had to describe my style I guess it would be vintage surf cowboy, because I love things that are earthy and natural but also really love quirky sparkly things. I come from a fashion background but have always been a maker and DIY-er. I started Sun + Stars in the winter of 2015 with my friend and business partner Kristen McGregor." 

"My husband and I bought our house in the Junction area of Toronto with my sister in 2011. It's split into two apartments. Our family is on the top two floors, they are on the bottom two and we share the outside spaces. It's a nice way to live in the city (more) affordably, plus we have less house to clean and have a built in dog sitter when we go away! Our portion of the house is about 1400 square feet. Sometimes we dream about moving to the country and having a big studio and wide open spaces, but we've lived in the city so long that I think we might miss the convenience of walking everywhere. Plus we have a really great community around us, it would be hard to walk away from it." 

Now let's dive into these photos and see her creative space!

This is a corner of the living room. It's filled with colour, art & music...some of my favourite things. Lora's sister got the girls the yellow record player in Nashville. "They love playing Mini Pops and Blondie records while they play lego."

A few records from their collection.

"I'm really inspired by vintage kids books and art prints. I've always been drawn to vintage and have been thrifting and flea market shopping my whole life, some of my favourite pieces of furniture or clothing are things I've owned for years."

"I used to be a big collector, but now too many things in a room create a visual noise that makes it hard for me to relax, plus living in the city space is at a premium so if I don't love it or use it, it goes! Our living room is our all purpose room, this room is rarely empty. We got that big sectional couch from West Elm because each piece is the size of a twin bed so it can double as a guest room when needed. The teak coffee table lived in my house when I was a kid and it's the most useful piece of furniture."

"The kitchen is the room we've done the least changes to other than adding some cupboards and lots of white paint. We're planning on re-doing the backsplash this fall. We do everything in this room, eat, dance, make art."

Using vintage maps is an inexpensive way to fill your walls & add colour to your space.

"In the warm weather we always have the sliding doors wide open to the deck. We eat out there and hang out and there are stairs down to the main back yard."

My favourite colour is turquoise...how great are these painted stairs!

I think we all need a pair of these pillows on our bed.

"Our room is pretty minimal. My life and house are loud and messy, I need my bedroom to be a place that is calm. Most of my collections are capped at 3-5 pieces, except for my plant collection, I tend to fall in love on sight with plants and bring them home with me."

I love the natural light in here, don't we all wish we had a few sky lights? How amazing are the hand made eye pillows Lora made. "The embroidered curtains are panels from a dress that my husband's mom wore when they lived in Mexico (when he was a kid)."

Years ago Lora purchased this print online of grasslands from National Geographic. It was enlarged & now hangs in the bathroom.

A private space to escape & enjoy a morning coffee.

"Looking out onto our little upstairs deck from bed is another of my favourite things. For a house in the city we are surrounded by trees, you can't look out a window without seeing trees. It almost feels like we live in a tree house."

Lora's studio is at the top of the staircase. A framed print of a Bald Eagle as well as lots of greenery add warmth to this corner of the home. 

"I spend ALOT of time in here, working and listening to music. It really is my happy place. We work on new designs and patterns, cut fabric, silk screen and sew in this room. My husband is an animation compositor and he he often works at night too. I've always found mornings and nights to be great times to work on projects, if you manage to get that second wind!"

I love seeing where other makers find inspiration and their creative outlets. "Together we aim to design items that appeal to both kids and their parents; Pieces that add imagination to a child's bedroom or look playful in a living room. We believe in quality goods made from sustainable materials that will live in your home for years to come." 

The pink door leads to the girls bedroom. "We have three rooms on the second floor of our house. Right now one is used as a studio so the kids share."

Vintage rattan hooks hold the girls dress up costumes & purses. I think the exposed brick is such a great feature, I'm glad they didn't paint it.

One of my favourite elements in this room is the eclectic vibe created by mixing vintage textiles & patterns. I feel like a boring mom as my daughters only have 2 sets of sheets & one duvet cover. Unless I do a complete makeover things always look the same.

"This is probably one of my favourite rooms in the house, it's so filled with light. My kids love jumping on beds and also often fall out of bed while sleeping so we keep them low to the ground. We made the window seat and the "cave" bed in separate DIY projects." 

Vintage textiles add so much colour & personality to the kids room. Lora has painted the ceiling a pale blue which allows the girls artwork & Lora's designs to pop against the white walls.

How cute is this! They are coming out with a new design for fall of a Blue Jay, all you Canadian readers check it out.

I want to thank Lora for sharing her home with me, & since we are only a few hours away I think my daughters & I should stop by before the snow falls for some fun in the big city! 

Highlights of the week

I want you to know how much I appreciate every sale that occurs. When my artwork finds a new home I do a little happy dance & so does my family. You are supporting my dream of being a full time working artist. It honestly makes my day when a collector sends me a photo of the piece installed. If you ever purchase something that is hand made I think that one of the kindest gestures you can make to an artist is showing them the piece in your space. 

This painting has found a home in a beautiful nursery. I couldn't be happier that the parents chose original artwork in their daughters room. I hope she grows to love it & that it stays with her for years to come.

In a few weeks Watson & Lou is opening up in downtown Peterborough. A few pieces from my latest "40 day project" will be available here. They will offer a wide variety of unique gifts & many are made by local artists/makers. Check it out in person or shop online. The grand opening happens to be on the same Friday as the monthly art crawl. Should be a blast, stop by & say hi!

National Geographic recently announced the winners of the travel photographer of the year contest. I really love this photo taken of a colorful apartment complex in Japan, which received an honorable mention.

Photo by Tetsuya Hashimoto

My daughters went camping last weekend so my hubby & I treated ourselves to dinner & a movie. I didn't have high expectations as I'm not usually into action films, but this had a plot & was more than just violence. My favourite element was the music, the following day I painted to this soundtrack & it was fabulous! I'm a child of the 80's & this was a great mix of some classic songs. Also Charlize looks stunning in every outfit, even if she's covered in blood & bruises.

My daughters & I went to see the current exhibit at The Art Gallery of Peterborough. Canadian painter Charles Pachter's work was wonderful in person. His images of the Queen, moose, and maple leaf flag are pop icons of Canadian contemporary art. There was even a painting of butter tarts, it doesn't get more Canadian than that. If you haven't seen his modern gallery in Toronto check it out, I'm so jealous... I want to move in!

My seven year old did her first full week at camp & loved it. There are lots of art themed camps around, but this one was all pottery. They also had someone come in one day & teach the kids how to make paper, which I remember doing way back when.  Kawartha Potters' Guild was recommended by a friend who attended last summer. The girls had a great time & these are just a few of my favourite pieces she brought home. There were eleven in total. She told me that I chose all the ones she made on the wheel! I've still yet to get my hands into clay, one day I'll do it.

I've been painting every day & I feel like I'm on track with my personal challenge to complete 40 paintings before my Birthday. If you want to be the first to know about the release of this collection sign up to my newsletter!

Dream Holiday

Last week I shared details of some of my favourite spots in Prince Edward County. This week I'm sharing a space I hope to one day visit. We have family in Ireland & England, it's been over 18 years since my husband & I last visited. Maybe it's time to save up & head back for an epic family holiday.

Here is a dreamy vacation property that is available to rent in Kingsbridge. A market town and tourist hub in the South Hams district of Devon, England. "The Malthouse has been completely transformed & rebuilt. Originally built as part of the Phoenix brewery two hundred years ago, the Malthouse is the oldest building in a terrace of cottages that have grown up around it. Dilapidated, neglected and unoccupied for many years, the building has been transformed into a light filled modern dwelling. Old on the outside, new on the inside, the house is a surprise! - not what you might expect when you stroll past on the street." 

Now let's dive into the photos!

"Here at the Malthouse we love arts and crafts, so when we were given the opportunity to fill the house with original artworks by local artist James Stewart, we jumped at the chance.  All the paintings in the house are for sale and therefore regularly changing."

I think the owners have done a wonderful job creating a space that both adults & children would enjoy spending time in. I'm going to start saving so I can one day travel here & experience these beautiful beaches in person.

Summer Getaway

 A short 90 minute drive from where I live is a vacation spot that is becoming quite popular called Prince Edward County (PEC). My husband & I went for the first time two years ago. We visited a few wineries & had lots of fun checking out the local hot spots. Last weekend was our 14 year wedding anniversary. We celebrated by returning here & were surprised how much has changed.

We enjoy beer more than wine & last time we visited it was difficult to find a brewery. This time around we did not have time for them all, which is a good thing. Our favourite was Parsons Brewery, we went twice & it was a great time. When we arrived in Picton it was overcast & 17 degrees, kind of like the weather the day we got married. We each ordered a flight of beer & chatted with the bartender. The brewery is made up out of two reclaimed buildings, very cool. The next day we went for lunch, sat & listened to live music & got lots of sun.

You can choose your own flight & then get a pint or two of your favourite. Mine was the Sumer Saison (hints of banana & clove) yum!

A few weeks ago I mentioned in another post that we wanted to visit PEC but could find no accommodations. We lucked out in May & booked a room at a Motel that had just got a makeover called The June. When I reserved our rooms they only had a few photos online, I crossed my fingers the bathrooms were clean. Turns out that the place is just as lovely in person. When we arrived we got a complimentary drink & chilled outside around the fire pit. I slept as good as I do on our pillow top mattress at home. The air conditioner was loud enough to block out any noises from younger guests who partied into the morning hours. (I sound old I know) If you want to have your wine & cheese outdoors but prefer privacy, go behind the motel's parking lot at the back. Here you will find some picnic tables in the woods (romantic right).

Our room had a balcony & a great view of the water. Each room has tea & coffee, in the morning we sat here & relaxed.

I got Keri the wonderful lady who checked us in to take a photo of us on the sofa...cause look how cute it is. I'm going to keep that one just for us, here is the interior of the lobby without our gorgeous faces!

This was my side of the bed. My friend Lesley at Swell Made designed the pillows in many of the rooms, check her out. Here is proof of the power of wallpaper, can you imagine how plain the focal wall would look without it?

It really is a great community, everyone is so friendly & helpful. We travelled between Bloomfield & Wellington to check out the local shops & eat of course. Dinner at The Agrarian did not disappoint & they serve my favourite Pluck Tea "Cream of Earl Grey". I love checking out the colourful interior at The Drake & the sculplture/art garden has been extended.

Jessica at Parlour Studio was lovely to chat with & her shop is filled with the most gorgeous greenery & local pottery. A must see!

Saturday morning we sat at a bookstore & chatted while browsing magazines, it was so relaxing. On our way out of town we noticed the Mustang Drive In. We used to go to a drive in when we were dating but it's been a while. In Bloomfield there were a few good shops like County Collective, which is a summer POP-UP filled with lots of hand made goodness. Sand & Sumac had a variety of textiles for your home & beautiful jewellery. I also had "Campfire" ice cream from Slickers that tasted exactly like toasted marshmallows...it was crazy good. 

This is the County Collective.

In the past week so many people have asked me what I thought of The June & I just got a text from my friend asking me what breweries were a must. I hope this post helps if you are planning a trip to PEC.

Gallery Wall

The photo below was taken in February of last year for our Apartment Therapy house tour. I grouped a collection of my favourite artwork together when we moved in 3 years ago & hung it in the living room on the main wall. All of the pieces were placed no higher than eye level & I was happy with how it looked. This is the first wall you see when you enter our home, after leaving the foyer.

Photo by Lauren Kolyn

Fast forward to this past Christmas when our daughters received an aquarium. It's large & we really had no space on the main level in our bungalow to put it. I've had the vintage teak coffee table for years, and it seemed like the only spot for it to sit. There are drawers on either end that are really deep, one side never opens as it would hit the wall. The other side houses lots of puzzles. The only thing that usually sits on top is the blue lacquered West Elm tray filled with kids books.  Sometimes the girls would sit & colour here but we definitely could do without the surface area. 

A week before school finished I decided to give the gallery wall a makeover. It was a rainy day, so I had the pot lights on. That 2 outlet power bar is no longer there, which makes me happy. The wicker basket sits behind our rope chair & also holds more kid's books. 

When I hang a gallery wall, I eyeball the entire thing, no measuring for me. The only thing on the wall in this shot is the first aid box that belonged to my father-in-law. It's screwed in so it wasn't going anywhere, all of the other frames aren't too heavy & a nail is all I used. I think some of the walls in our home are plaster, you really have to hammer the nails in with all your might to get them into the wall.

I hung the largest piece first above the aquarium, a photo from my friend Meg at September Wren. I also have 3 other prints of hers on the wall. The wooden piece on the left eventually got switched as it was too tight against the wall. A few pieces are signed prints I've thrifted, while others are photographs I've taken or purchased while on holiday. My husband enlarged an old photo of my grand parents for me which I love.

I started on one side of the wall & worked my way across, trying to vary the frame colours & style of artwork. The red piece on the bottom is an illustration from "Stranger Things" my husband bought that one. I love the turquoise palette in the canvas (pool scene) by my friend Laura Browning.  She graciously sent this to me after I featured her lovely home on the blog.

Two of my resin pieces are displayed. Pink clouds is from my Daydream series. Stay tuned I'm going to have a summer sale on what stock I have left. If you subscribe to my newsletter you'll be the first to know. The other mini block is resting on top of a frame since it's so lightweight. A polaroid of my daughters is sitting on a frame on the far left. I like an eclectic mix & this makes it less formal in my opinion.

We got a beach photo from our trip to California printed in a fun shade of blue by Parabo Press. I took the shot of the Zebras on the same holiday at Hearst Castle. My youngest daughter was so excited when she saw it up.

It's tricky to photograph this wall on an angle as the opposite wall is all windows. I think you get an idea of what it looks like all complete. My friend was over a few weeks ago & said she couldn't help but stare at it. It's a conversation starter for sure. It tells a story of the travels & memories that are special to me and my family.

Leading to our basement we have a large gallery wall on both sides of the staircase that is made up of family photos. If you have pieces you love, display them in your home! I always think it's strange when I go somewhere & there is no artwork on the walls. Maybe that's because I'm an artist, I like to surround myself with it daily.

Lindsey Hampton

I recently discovered the work of Vancouver based artist Lindsey Hampton while flipping through domino magazine's current issue. A vase of hers caught my eye & I made a note to check out her website. I loved everything I saw & decided that I would share her work. She is a graphic designer as well as a ceramicist, and has been creating for years. “I got into ceramics to fulfill a need to create in multiple dimensions.” 

I always find inspiration from design magazines.

Her speckled stoneware has the most beautiful colour combinations. High gloss glazes mixed with modern shapes have me dreaming of owning some of her pieces for myself. I've never attempted any kind of pottery, maybe this summer I should sign up for a class & challenge myself. 

I read an interview Lindsey did a few years ago & wanted to share a quote of hers with all the makers reading this post. "The best thing I ever did was stop caring. I don’t mean that in an apathetic way but that I learned to not be too precious about anything. Things break and get messed up or just fail and all I can do is try to figure out why and troubleshoot. It’s easy to get stressed out when other people’s deadlines are involved but I just try to remind myself that I’m a one woman operation that does handmade ceramics and if anyone gets too mad they probably shouldn’t be buying into such a delicate, patient process. I also take great pleasure in purposely smashing things that didn’t turn out the way I wanted so it’s kind of a win-win."

A corner of Lindsey's workspace.

Lindsey makes a lot of custom orders for clients as well as boutiques around the globe. I recognized her work immediately when I saw it at Coming Soon, a shop I wrote about a few months ago. The use of pastel hues in her work has me inspired to head to my easel & paint.

Highlights of the week

I recently decided that I wanted to change up the art in our home. We have a large collection that is spread out on a few gallery walls. I won a contest my friend Meg from September Wren was having through Instagram & our new prints just arrived this week. She is a talented photographer living in Santa Cruz, her work is amazing go check her out. She let me choose which pieces I wanted, how lucky am I! It was really difficult to narrow down, she has a great eye for mid century design and vintage signs (two of my favourite things). It's been 3 years since we moved in & I did the majority of our decorating. This week the gallery wall in our living room got a refresh. I thought it was time to change things up as my daughters' now have an Aquarium that sits in front of the wall of art. I'll share photos soon, pinky swear.

This is the largest print I received from Meg. I popped it in the frame as soon as I opened it up.

It feels like so long ago that I visited the Albright-Knox Gallery in Buffalo. We recently went to Niagara Falls with our daughters & I pointed out all of the places that I used to live while attending University. We would go on field trips to the gallery with my art class for the day since the border was so close by. I checked out the website recently & Shantell Martin currently has an exhibit on that ends in a few weeks. She has an installation inside the gallery "Someday We Can" as well as a public mural shown below. "This is the first time an artist working with the Albright-Knox's Public Art Initiative has installed work simultaneously at the museum and in the community."

Shantell Martin working on her mural, Dance Everyday, 2017, at 537 East Delavan Avenue. Photograph by Connie Tsang.

Pampa is a homewares brand based in Byron Bay, Australia. I recently came across them on Instagram & loved every image I saw. "Our team works directly with skilled artisans in remote and rural Argentina to bring you the finest-quality woven textiles."

These planters are show stoppers, I may have to paint a few!

A glimpse of their showroom. I love the vibe in here!

It's hard for me to believe that is has already been one year since I had my first solo exhibit. Lots has happened since then & I'm so thankful that I had that gallery space to show my work within the community. It was definitely a learning experience in the studio, as I attempted to make a cohesive body of work. I have become quite fond of using my putty knife & continue to use it to paint my Plant Study paintings.

I recently mentioned on social media that my favourite colour is Turquoise, can you tell I dig shades of blue?

Last Friday night my husband & I attended our annual Beer Festival in town. We sampled delicious food & drinks while listening to some great live music. The highlight from the night didn't actually happen until Monday when my husband won a radio contest he entered at the Festival. I love me some Fleetwood Mac so I was really excited when he heard that he won tickets to see members from the band tour with their new album, Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie. We head to Toronto in a few weeks, hopefully they play a few oldies so I can sing along. 

Have a good weekend folks & Happy Father's Day to all the daddy's out there.

Wallpapers I'm crushing on

I've had a few people ask me if I was going to continue painting Plant Study paintings since my latest collection was just released. The answer is "YES" I love creating them & I've been saving images of wallpapers to incorporate into the backgrounds for months. My last collection had a lot of Kelly Wearstler pattern's infused in them, I changed up some of the colour combo's but the lines were very much her designs.

I thought I would do a post about a few companies that have caught my eye, if you are in the market for wallpaper check them out. First up is Flat Vernacular. "Specializing in original fabrics and “wallpaper with a life of its own” (The New York Times), founders Payton Cosell Turner and Brian Kaspr create patterns from a variety of elements as playful and captivating as they are distinct. Designed and screen printed locally in the US."

The Heavens - Zephyr. This pattern comes in a variety of colours, I am digging the hot pink.

Folded - Cyan. This pattern reminds me of my friend Angela's artwork.

Levante - Breccia. The texture is so good in this! It would be tricky to paint, but I may give it a try.

"Drop It MODERN is an interiors company committed to creating modern prints and textures for the home. Drop it Modern serves to bridge the gap between traditional home décor and modern printmaking with artfully curated design in the form of drapes, wallpapers, wedding blankets and more. Based in Tillamook, Oregon, all designs are created in house and manufactured in their local Oregon community."      

Playground Mural -  Floridian. The designer Bree has a thing for clean lines & mid century furniture...we would get along just fine.

Grid - Miami Blue This pattern comes in a variety of colours & has an 80's vibe I adore.

Wanderlust Mural -  Rust

"Juju is a wallpaper studio located in beautiful Portland, Oregon. Every roll is printed by hand, is untrimmed, and in most cases has been made to order. We print with water based inks on creamy, durable, sustainably harvested paper. Primarily inspired by folk art of all kinds, our designs suggest the simplicity of an elegant old-fashioned signature, or the impossibly perfect collection of driftwood and sea glass on the shore."

 Big Moon - Gold on Navy I painted this pattern a few months ago, it was hard on my eyes for sure. I loved it but then I screwed up the plant. It's now waiting to be painted over, do it for the process right!

The Pearl - Gunmetal on Blush

"Astek Inc. is a leader in both the wallcovering and custom digital printing industries. Astek works with clients worldwide to meet their design, digital printing, wallcovering and signage needs. Our clientele spans a variety of industries including hospitality, architecture, interior design, fashion retail, motion picture and television."

Encrusted - Spectrum

Photo by Black Lacquer Design

I saw this bedroom on Design Sponge & immediately knew I had to find out who made this stunning wallcovering. I don't think I would attempt to paint something similar for my Plant Studies, but I love it so much I had to include it. That texture is what I dream about!

Art & Illustration

A few weeks ago I took my daughters to the library. They often choose authors they know, usually ones that have funny stories & lots of pictures. I browsed the shelves & was taken by the beautiful cover I had in my hand. The title of the book is Tokyo Digs a Garden I didn't have time to read the back & see what the story was about, I just thought it had the most gorgeous illustrations. 

All of these colours & designs just make me happy!

"Tokyo lives in a small house between giant buildings with his family and his cat, Kevin. For years, highways and skyscrapers have been built up around the family’s house where once there were hills and trees. Will they ever experience the natural world again? One day, an old woman offers Tokyo seeds, telling him they will grow into whatever he wishes. Tokyo and his grandfather are astonished when the seeds grow into a forest so lush that it takes over the entire city overnight. Soon the whole city has gone wild, with animals roaming where cars once drove. But is this a problem to be surmounted, or a new way of living to be embraced?"

Not only did they like it, they requested  this book almost every night before bed. I did a bit of research on the Canadian author as I was curious if he had other books I could get. Turns out that the illustrator is his brother-in-law & this is the authors first book. Jon-Erik Lappano: "The idea for the book actually came to me over a decade ago. I was working as a landscaper in Toronto, and there was a designer at the company who was very influenced by Japanese gardening. So as someone gardening in the tiny backyards of Toronto, transforming concrete squares into complete ecosystems, I started daydreaming about a child who plants seeds that overtake a city." 

Winner of the 2016 Governor General's Literary Award for Young People's Literature — Illustrated Books.

He wrote the story & used his kids to test out what parts seemed to intrigue or bore them. My girls are 5 & 7, I personally think this book would be good for children who are younger as well. I often try to choose a book instead of a toy, when my daughter's attend a Birthday party. If you love to give the gift of reading I suggest you look this one up. 

I recently discovered Melbourne based artist Jessie Breakwell. "Her work is offbeat, quirky and full of wonder. Jessie’s vibrant paintings evoke a sense of enchantment and fun providing light relief and a satisfying diversion from inescapable reality."  She began this journey 6 years ago & now runs her own gallery.

"Amazonia" 

She offers original paintings as well as prints & does a lot of commissions of dog portraits. I think I love her Jungle Series the most. I can't get enough of these Zebras! 

"Grimes"

"Midnight In Bombay"

"In A Sea Of Navy"

A few more weeks until school is out & summer holidays are in full effect. I'm going to try my best to stay organized & paint while my daughters are home with me. There will be many trips to our local library & lots of new books to get excited about. Last summer I got a lot accomplished in my little home studio, cross your fingers this year is the same.

Weekend Getaway

A few months ago my sister-in-law asked if she could take our daughters camping for a weekend this summer. My husband & I decided that we would try & go somewhere for a little relaxation for a few days & not join them. It just so happens to be our Anniversary as well, a little romance...yes please!

I came across this photo online & the mid-century cottage vibe had me dreaming of a place this fun. Photo by Eric Striffler

My first thought was staying at a Bed & Breakfast we visited a few years ago in Bloomfield ON. It turns out the owners recently became parents & are taking a break from hosting. A few days passed & then I was flipping through an issue of House & Home Magazine. I saw another option in the same area. The feature was on Kate Golding

Here is Kate's Sand Dunes wallpaper pattern. The Chuckery Hill pattern is shown on the toss cushion. Photo by Johnny C Y Lam.

The Inn had recently done a makeover on a few of the rooms and it looks great. I called to see if they had availability & to my surprise they were booked until October! I then proceeded to check every hotel & airbnb in the area with no luck. This place is wine country so all the city folks come here to chill & drink on the weekends. I told my husband I would check some places in Montreal, a short train ride away. We went there on our Honeymoon & haven't been back in 14 yrs. Turns out that it's the same weekend as the jazz festival & a comedy festival. Therefore, no rooms or places to rent. My next thought was Toronto, my husband commutes there a few days a week so really not much of a holiday. 

Photo by Nikolas Koenig

Still imagining us enjoying lunch at The Drake as we had a few summers ago, I didn't think Prince Edward County was going to happen. But then the stars aligned & magic happened! I met a friend for brunch & she mentioned that she had booked a room in a new place that is just opening up. The motel was just remodelled & has all the mid-century goodness I love, & wasn't going to break the bank. I checked their website & it turns out they were having a grand opening party/open house the same day I booked our room. If I had waited a few days, our dates would have probably been taken as there is only a few suites available.

So this place used to be decorated in a Fisherman theme, it's all girly now! The new owners are re-inventing the motel experience & the place has a boutique feel. Eight weeks until I'm sipping cocktails at the bar. I need to add that those barstools are stunning! A little Palm Springs in Canada, I'll take it.

House Feature - Lauren Gordy

I discovered Lauren through Instagram & reached out to her to see if she would be up for sharing her home with us all on the blog. A few months later, here we are! Get ready to see a wonderful space that has been carefully curated. 

Her dog Acorn is ready for the tour!

"I am certified in interior design and as of now I help friends and family style their homes. I am working on moving forward with an interior design business. My husband and I live in Wilmington, NC with our 3 rescue dogs; Noah, Elvis, and Acorn. In addition to sprucing up our home and interior design, we own a video production company. We work from the Tin Roof (our home) so it can be difficult to concentrate while thinking of all the things I could be rearranging and adjusting around the house. Hah!"  I also have a studio space where I paint in our home so I can totally relate to what Lauren is talking about.

Even though the entrance is small, Lauren has given it so much personality. The addition of agate drawer knobs on the wall create a spot to hang your coat or purse. Lauren's Uncle made the wooden console & the mirror from Home Goods is the perfect focal point. The main living space is an open floor plan & can be seen from many angles, keeping things simple & uncluttered in the foyer helps with the flow.

A pop of colour is added in the dining room with the addition of a bench. I love the oversized cacti print. "From southwestern flare to Persian rugs, I am truly inspired by all types of design and I love to sprinkle a little bit of everything throughout the entire home."

"The grandfather clock was my grandparents. It was made in 1816. We just recently got it working again. You can here it tic tock throughout the house...It's pretty special!"

Lauren & her husband were lucky to find a home that didn't require any major renovations. The previous homeowners did a fantastic job on the kitchen. Considering that they only moved into their house last August, Lauren has done an incredible job making it feel like a home.

"We love our little eclectic home. It is surrounded by palm trees, succulents and beautiful foliage.  We are a couple miles from the beach, so it is nice to step outside and smell the salty air. Our outdoor space with the sunroom, back deck and pool, is the perfect little oasis to entertain friends and family! And of course, let our 3 pups run around and play."

This shot allows you to see the open floor plan. I'm so jealous that they can cook & watch tv at the same time! When they moved in they repainted and changed the light fixtures & blinds. Easy fixes for anyone who wants to add their own personality to a space.

Lots of comfy cushions create a welcoming spot to cuddle.

"The record player was my father in laws and he generously gave it to us when we moved in. We have a ton of great records but my favorite is Fleetwood Mac for sure!" I also listen to a lot of Fleetwood Mac in our home, so I think we would hit it off. She has good taste folks.

The master bedroom is kept neutral with lots of texture. How stunning is this bed from Anthropology!

The perfect spot for guests to relax and spend the night.

"My favorite room in the house is the living room. The room has large bay windows that bring in a ton of morning light. We love to sit in there each morning, drink our coffee, chat and hang with the pups. It's a great way to start the day."  

I love how Lauren has incorporated plants into the vignettes throughout her home. They really are an inexpensive element that adds a lot of character.

Our living room area rug is very similar to this pattern (my husband even noticed that) good choice Lauren!

No corner is left untouched. Lauren has styled every inch of this home to perfection.

"I will forever love interior design and helping others turns their house into a home. It’s definitely my passion." Thanks for sharing your home with us Lauren, & I know you are going to succeed with your new business.