Gardiner Museum

 The Gardiner Museum is located in downtown Toronto and celebrates the art of ceramics. I had the opportunity to visit for the first time a few weeks ago, primarily for "True North", and the exhibit did not disappoint. The exhibition charts Canada’s embrace of Scandinavian design and its enduring influence on local artisans. Nordic design struck a chord in Canada. I've included photos of a selection of pieces as more than100 objects and furnishings were on display.

 I have worked in a few high end design and furniture shops over the years. I gravitate towards midcentury architecture and design, this is my kind of fun. 

Graphic pottery in neutral shades...yes please! In another area they had a great selection of Lotte lamps, the shades alone are works of art in my opinion.

I have a thing for chairs & these two are lovely! Years ago my husband thought I would enjoy watching Mad Men for the decor, unfortunately it was the only thing I enjoyed... sorry Don Draper.

Wool wall hanging by Velta Vilsons (1965-1970). I could use this as inspiration for one of my paintings for sure. The striking pattern and bold pops of colour are stunning! 

I'm not a fan of red, but I would allow this chair into my home. The one on the right with the tufted seat is my favourite though.

This piece of fabric has a Group of Seven vibe to it.

This textile is on trend with Pantone's colour of the year. My daughter got a small loom for Christmas, I can only imagine how long it took to create this master piece!

The museum is known for its ceramics and they offer a wide range of pottery classes. If you live close by you should look into some of the classes they offer. All kids 18 and under are free admission and Family Sundays sound amazing. Only the adult pays admission and your child gets to be creative and take home something unique and hand made. We attend a local gallery where we live and they have a similar program that my daughters love.

Back at it

My mind has been thinking a lot lately, unfortunately it's when I'm trying to sleep. I wake up at 3:00 am and things that I think should happen with my art business are on repeat in my head. My daughters are still on Christmas break this week so the only creative time in my studio ( aka a corner in my basement) has been when they go to bed. Today I actually left them doing Play-Doh for a few minutes while I snuck away to have me time. That quickly turned into them watching me paint and trying to do yoga on the floor beside me. I was, however, able to start a small painting that I am happy with. The last pieces I worked on were with resin so it felt nice to pick up a brush again. 

I'm thinking of working on paintings similar to "Two Houses" shown here. We have a lot of plants surrounding us in our home, I may try and add some of those as well...lots of ideas.

I signed out some design magazines the other day from the library, thought I would share some images that inspire and connect with me:

Organic forms and shapes are what I want to concentrate on as I move forward.

The colour and pattern in this caught my eye.

This is modern and has a mid century vibe which I love! Blue often finds a way into my palette.

I like the colours and geometric forms here. It's like Kelly Wearstler designed a boutique hotel circa 1985.

I recently watched the Tom Petty documentary "Runnin' Down a Dream" on Netflix. It was actually over two evenings as it was like 4 hours long! Watching other creatives write, compose and collaborate was just what I needed to see. If you like his music I highly recommend it. I've been listening to "Wildflowers" a lot around the house lately.

Pretty/Peculiar Exhibit

The name of the exhibit alone told me I was in for something special when I entered the space a few weeks ago. Danielle Krysaart aka "The Jealous Curator" recently curated an exhibit at the Alison Milne Gallery in Toronto. My husband and I travelled around the city one Saturday afternoon visiting all the art spots on my list. I'll be sharing the rest of our adventure in a few other blog posts ( I took a lot of pictures y'all...I didn't want to bore you) The photos were all taken on my phone so the quality is not the best representation of the installations and art pieces. I've included some of my favourites...not everything. The show is up until January 7th, so if you are local you still have time to see it in person.

Alison is also an Interior Designer, I was so excited to finally see this stunning space in person.

If you don't know the work of Tina Berning go look her up. Figurative drawings that are gorgeous! This framed piece greeted us when we first walked into the gallery.

A portfolio filled with drawings for sale as well as her book 100 Girls on Cheap Paper. I should have bought a copy, the images were all so wonderful & it was a steal at $35!

Visual artist Tania Love lives in Toronto & creates these delicate works of art. This installation really stood out in the room.

It's all about the details.

American artist Natalie Baxter "I create soft sculpture that playfully push controversial political issues."

Seonna Hong is a contemporary pop surrealist artist out of Los Angeles.

"Deciding How It Should Go" was one of my favourite pieces in the exhibit. These colours are what I gravitate to.

Tonya Corkey is another Toronto based artist. These gorgeous portraits are made with lint on canvas. My husband & I could not believe our eyes, they were stunning in person!

A pair of Tina Berning's Acrylic on Paper pieces.

I can't stop looking at this painting by Tina. It's loose gestural brushstrokes make me want to go create.

I wish I could have added these geometric beauties by Martha Rich to our art collection at home. The graphic pops of colour are so delightful.

Here you can see the scale, they are each 8x10". I totally agree with her on this "Original art should be accessible to all." Martha resides in Philadelphia.

This day was special. My husband and I were without kids, he drove us all over the city so I could experience art that I had only read about online. I was so inspired when I got home and I can't wait to see what happens in my studio in the New Year. 

Boho House Feature

When I first joined social media I was surprised to see how many other people shared my love of thrifting.  I remember a piece of art that caught my eye in Jo's space & it turns out it is her favourite element that welcomes you into her home. Every time someone sends me photos of their home to feature I get excited.  I have a sense of what style they gravitate towards, but the full tour is like icing on the cake. Jo also lives in Ontario, only a few hours from me. Maybe in the New Year we will have the chance to meet up and go shopping together. When she shares her latest finds on her instagram account, @jmwearing, I totally feel like she is the Canadian version of Emily Henderson. When you see her home & her styled shelves you will agree with me. She's got mad thrifting skills y'all! 

"Holly and I recently connected this year on instagram after finding a mutual appreciation for amazing art and love of décor – bonus points for being a fellow Canadian!  She asked me if I would be willing to participate in a home tour and I jumped at the idea. I have always wanted to start a blog, but am unsure if I could commit to do it, but knew this would be a really fun experience!  My boyfriend and I live approximately 40 minutes north of Toronto, where we purchased our home a little over a year ago.  I work in the financial sector where my creativity tends to be put on hold, so my home is where I am able to fully let it go."

"One of my favourite items in this room is my framed Art Gallery of Ontario poster from 1988 of Andy Warhol’s Elvis I and II (1964), which was produced for an exhibit. I scored this off of eBay and had it professionally framed.  I love this little nook as it adds a big impact when you first walk into our house because it’s one of the first things you see."

"Our home was built in 1987, and is your standard cookie cutter subdivision home, which meant adding personality and character would be done through the decorating!  I tend to live for everything and anything vintage or thrifted. I have no idea where this came from – I only started going to thrift stores over the past 2 years, but I haven’t been able to stop.  There is something weirdly soothing about walking through the aisles of thrift stores. I love looking at items and wondering who the original owner was, why they bought the item, and how it ultimately ended up on the shelf in front of me."  

"I have, and continue, to struggle with our ‘L’ shape layout combo of living and dining room. I have a feeling this room will always be changing. The way I accumulate items means I never know what I’m going to come home with and what will change. I always thought our home would be exploding with colour, but I seem to have shifted to a very neutral palette."

This unique coffee table was one of Jo's latest finds. I love how she layers texture into her space and adds pops of colour with greenery.

Mid Century pieces are what I'm drawn to as well. This thrifted chair needed sanding & staining & looks great with updated upholstery.

I just want to invite myself over for dinner. I would stare at the photography for hours!

"When my boyfriend and I first started dating we took a weekend trip up to his family cottage. In the basement, was the most beautiful antique harvest table I’d ever seen. And coming from a mid century modern fan – I knew this table was something special. I remember making a mental note about how this table needed to eventually make it with us where ever we went.  When we moved into our house, the universe honoured my vibes and the harvest table came with us! The table originally came from my boyfriends grandparents farm and is loaded with character – boards that are starting to curve and plenty of nicks and burn spots – but I wouldn’t change a thing."

"I knew we needed to keep the rest of the finishes pretty modern so that the harvest table didn’t go too rustic. The eiffel chairs and industrial chandelier were easy choices. The picture shelf concept, four in total from IKEA, came from some Pinterest images I had stumbled upon. I was looking for an easy way to differentiate the space between the family room and dining room since it is one big ‘L’."

"The shelves have been mostly filled with photos from thrift stores, antique shops, and eBay. My favourite of the bunch is a small black and white photo my dad took with his brownie camera of the kaleidoscope pavilion from Expo ’67 in Montreal."

"Our master was one of the easier spaces to put together. Prior to us even having a house, I had a bad (…or maybe good?) habit of buying furniture and stashing it away in my parent’s basement.  I think at the time everyone thought I was crazy, but I would tell them that if I loved the item I would make it work in whatever space I ended up with. Our master bedroom is a perfect example of this.  The end tables ,lamps, and rug were all Kijiji and estate sale purchases that I made while we were house hunting." 

"And yes – we are TV in the bedroom kinda people. My dirty secret is out."

"The campaign dresser is one of my favourite pieces in our home. It came from my aunt, whose grandfather or great grandfather either brought it over to Canada from England during the 1800s, or purchased it upon arrival.  I was nervous about how it would work against the mid century vibe of the other dresser, but I think they balance each other out very well."  

The graphic black & white prints above the bed pop against the white wall.

Someone was throwing out this plant as they thought it was dead.  Jo scored it for free, as you can see it's thriving it her sunny space.

"The mid century modern dresser and mirror are vintage – my dad bought this set off of my grandparent’s best friends many, many years ago. This was in my house growing up, and was my first introduction to mid century modern furniture as far as I know. In my early 20s my parents were ready to put it out on the curb. I panicked and begged them to hold onto it. This guy ended up sitting in their garage for 5 years before we finally got our house and went to work refinishing it."

How cute is that rattan rocking horse!

I can't even pick my favourite piece from all these thrifted goodies, there are too many!

"About a year ago, we decided the office would work really well with a wall mounted shelving system. I am a mid century modern lover, and have always loved the look of wall systems/Cado set-ups. After looking for what seemed like ages, I finally came across a set off of Kijiji that worked perfectly. They were gorgeous solid teak that had been milled for the original owners in the 60s."

The Danish monkey & that gorgeous hand are high on the list.

"Fast-forward to today, after forcing black paint [Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron] on my boyfriend, and the office is complete."

"This room really came together after I spotted the peacock rattan headboard at a local thrift store. At the time, I had a rusted out 1997 Toyota Camry and prayed this guy would fit the backseat. Once it was put up, my mind was pretty set on what I wanted in here. It has gone through several different versions, but I think the current one will stick for awhile!"

I would love to be a guest in this space, how cute is the elephant! We have a lot of teak in our home, the style is timeless in my opinion.

"The most recent purchases, the equipale chair and the batik, were scored at a great estate sale and I feel like they really polish off the room. The batik adds a pop of colour that this room definitely needed but still fits with the vibe."

"Our home, like many others, is a never-ending project. I’m sure you noticed our kitchen, bathroom(s) and basement didn’t make the cut this round! I’m sure we will continue working away, room-by-room, and have some updates in the future."

If you're like myself and love a great bargain and get excited when a complete stranger finds the best pieces, then follow Jo along on her Instagram account. You won't regret it! @jmwearing

Portland...here I come

The other day I discovered the most delightful shop through Instagram, and began drooling over every image they have ever posted. When I was a teenager I travelled with my mom to Portland, but at that point in my life home decor shopping wasn't high on my list of priorities. My husband & I would both love to hop on a plane for a weekend getaway! My first stop; Woonwinkel. "Owned by two color-obsessed women with a passion for independent designers and handcrafted objects. We carry modern, colorful, inviting pieces from all over the world, with a particular affection for makers of the North American west coast. Woonwinkel means “home shop” in Dutch."

This is in the front window, how fun is this.

If you love modern design and colour you will love this shop. (Note: Canadian's spell colour with a U) You can shop online if you are not in Portland and happen to live in Canada like myself. When I paint I'm often inspired by interior design, bold pattern's are what I gravitate towards. The more the better!

They have a blanket wall....how amazing is that!

Hand made pottery...yes please!

When my daughters were small my favourite toys were the wooden ones. You can easily see why.

Pillows & textiles,  you can never have too much.

These soaps by Wary Meyers are made in Maine and each one is a piece of art.

The pineapples are lights, so even if you have long freezing cold winters you can pretend you are in the tropics!

I'll take one of everything please.

While I'm shopping I would also love to stop into Schoolhouse Electric & search the city for some murals by artist Lisa Congdon. A girl can dream right?

Holiday Show & Sale

Artspace is having its first holiday sale and this Saturday is the opening night. If you are looking for a unique gift come out and support local artisans like myself. The show will be on until December 17th, plenty of time to pop in and check out all the goodies! Hand made gifts don't have to break the bank, all of the items are priced under $100.

One of my favourite new paintings is available in the sale "Old School" 8x10" Acrylic on Canvas.

I came across this photo on www.shyle-brandi.com As soon as I saw it I was imagining what my painting "Old School" would look like installed in the bottom left corner. The energy, style and design of this studio space all speak to me. Sure I have daydreamed of gorgeous interiors, but this time was different. The image jumped out at me & I couldn't help but take notice. I'm not sure if or when it will happen again but I can't wait, it was a fun process. If you are a creative give it a try, let your imagination run wild.

Artists I Admire

Back in my early twenties I worked in a Furniture/Design shop in Toronto. The owner had curated a collection of art that was hung in the space. It was one of my favourite elements. It was here that I first discovered resin artwork and I instantly connected with the work of Canadian artist Joshua Jenson-Nagle. His pieces were large scale and really grabbed your attention. The colours were muted and the images captured the landscapes that I have grown to know living in Ontario.

Here is one of his pieces installed in a home in Toronto.

I have only been on social media for just over a year, in that time I have discovered many creative artists I admire. I came across Joshua's name & a light bulb went off. I actually sent him a message letting him know how much I enjoyed his artwork and that I first came across it 15 years ago. For me a working artist, just starting off in her career, this gives me hope. His talent and determination has allowed him to have a lasting career. If you check out his website you will see just how talented he is. His current works are photographs that are face mounted onto plexiglass, that explore dreamy large-scale beaches. http://www.jensennagle.com/

This is another older piece that I love! Those pastel polka dots add the right amount of whimsy.

The other artist working with Resin that has inspired me is Canadian artist Christine Flynn. Her passion for vintage decor, interior design & photography makes me think we would be friends if we ever met in real life! I love how she layers in text, colour blocks and numbers to create a unique piece of art. There are so many of her pieces that I enjoy it was hard to choose. Make sure to check out her website for more information on her work. http://www.christineflynnart.com/

I feel as though I am walking on this highway, just breath taking!

Christine's shop "Love The Design" a great place to hang her latest pieces.

I think I am going to put my paint brushes down until the New Year & focus on my second collection of resin based pieces. I look forward to sharing process shots from my studio with you over the next few months.

Breakfast, Lunch & Art

I had the opportunity last month to hang some of my original paintings in a local restaurant in town called Two Dishes. They will be on display over the holidays so you can tell your loved ones they can enjoy dinner and shop at the same time. Sounds pretty easy right!

This is one of my husband's favourite pieces "Overload". He is always honest with what he likes and dislikes, which I appreciate.

The exposed brick attracted me to the intimate space and I couldn't be happier with how the collection has come together. Since that time I have received some lovely compliments on my work and I am excited that my local community will have access to my paintings without having to go to an art gallery to view them.  Here you will not feel intimidated if you just want to look around. The other day Heidi shared a photo of herself in front of one of my paintings on social media and had this to share with me;

"As a fan of Holly's art, I was pleasantly surprised that on a recent visit to Two Dishes, her work filled the walls! I recognized Holly's distinct style immediately; there was no question it was her work. The bold colours that are somehow soft, the texture, everything I love about her work online only better in person! The art, instead of standing alone and viewing it from a distance, became part of the experience of breaking bread with a friend. It added to the warmth of the morning in a lovely way."

In this casual environment if someone has a connection to a piece they can come back to visit it again. I am always open to bringing paintings into homes to see if they work in the surroundings you had envisioned them in. Art is very personal and in my opinion if you love it you will always find a spot for it. All of these paintings are originals, there is just one like it. If you have any questions please contact me.

A variety of sizes to add a pop of colour into your home.

"Hanging work in a new space is like sending children off to university. New surroundings, you have to hope they can stand on their own two feet. By that stage you’ve done all you can. Put it out in the world and the other side of the deal is up to someone else." quote by artist Alice Sheridan.

Highlights of the week

The girls are starting back to school next week and my new series "Daydream" will finally get completed. Resin is time sensitive and shouldn't be rushed, layers need a few days to dry in between coats. I will have more time in my studio soon and I'm looking forward to it.

I've already decided the theme of my second series and animals will be featured. I have an amazing photograph of Zebras I'm excited to play around with. It seems Zebras are a fun subject matter for several artists as I see them everywhere now. Artist Anna Church has done this piece "Party Animal" above and has several other stunning prints on her website. You should check her out, she is currently living in Toronto. http://annachurchart.com

Design Sponge has a full studio tour of Light Lab online, it is a must see! This seating area is gorgeous. I want to pretend it's my house, I love it that much. http://www.designsponge.com/2016/08/studio-tour-light-lab.html

While I'm creating art or making dinner we always have Spotify playing in the background. The girls love to dance around the house, and discovering new artists is half the fun. I've been listening to Band of Horses on repeat for a while, you should check them out....so good. Roosevelt came on the other day, I was immediately drawn to the ombre effect on this cover as it reminded me of my current body of work. https://youtu.be/ToyuZwTO068

The lovely Emily Henderson & I share a Birthday which happens to be today. Yesterday she did a blog post about getting older, it was a good read. I'm the big 39 & she is turning 37! I like to think if we were at the same Flea Market we would meet & instantly hit it off. She's a fun gal & I love her style. https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/turning-37

Summer Getaway

Next week my husband is taking time off from work and we are heading with the girls to Upstate New York. Hopefully the stops at Target and Trader Joe's will make the driving short and sweet. The itinerary consists of lots of activities for the kids, but we will try out some hopefully great restaurants and breweries.

I can't wait to explore and capture photographs that I can use in my new body of work. If you don't follow me on social media I'll fill you in. I'm putting the paint brushes down for a bit and developing a new series which explores dream like landscapes and movement.

This pretty much sums up my next adventure if you take away the Bikini top & add in flip flops, no beaches...but lots of walking.

In August my husband is travelling to Boston for work and I don't have any art classes to teach for a few days so I'm tagging along. I plan to visit local art galleries, design shops, cafe's and the harbour. Eating a meal in silence that I didn't prepare is going to be so exciting for this mom!

We are not staying at the The Envoy Hotel, but I'll be visiting for a cocktail I guarantee. The photos of the lobby have me excited and we haven't even left!

One of my favourite things to do while on any vacation is to purchase artwork. A little reminder or souvenir of the destination we visited. While in New York City a few years ago, I purchased four pieces from a photographer in Washington Square. I wish I had his card, or could read his signature they make me so happy every time I look at them. 

This is one of the photos that has such a cool retro vibe. If you know who the artist is I would love to hear from you.

Now on to the not so fun part...packing!

Design Inspiration

It's no secret that I love Interior Design Magazines & have a nice collection to browse when I need some inspiration. I was recently looking at the Summer issue of domino and fell in love with a company and thought I would share more details about them.

Concrete Cat is a Canadian atelier established in 2007 based out of Edmonton Alberta. They explore the use of concrete with a focus on colour, pattern and form. We travelled on a family holiday to Edmonton when I was a kid, maybe it's time to go back and check out the design scene. Here are a few of their products, get ready to drool!

This is still on new stands, grab yourself a copy and thank me later!

Oracle is a technique for creating marble like patterns in vibrant colours in cast concrete. Concrete cat is the only studio in the world with the technology to create this pattern in concrete. The piece on the right makes me want to head to my studio and create something in this palette.

Octavia Pico is an incense burner that is available is so many patterns. This small bowl would also be perfect at your front entrance for change and keys. Or on your bedside table for your favourite earrings and rings. It was hard for me to choose just one to share. My new body of work is photo based, with moody landscapes and clouds. This is such an inspiring jumping off point for me.

This camera is a conversation piece for sure, I love it!

Atlas Bookends would be a unique addition to your library or bookshelf. They also carry some lovely vases that would look amazing as sculptures even without flowers in them.

Creative Director Shawna Heide had some lovely words that I wanted to share. " Recognizing authenticity make take an instant. However the layering it takes to create something authentic takes time. Materials that age well are critical to inspire the visual awe that we all crave."

A detail from a work in progress. I can't get away from pink.

With this new body of work, I am sharing a part of myself that I have wanted to express for several years now. I'm going to put it out there and see what happens. As long as I am creating all the time I am continuing to grow as an artist. I'm excited to put the paint brushes aside and go back in time to memories and photographs that I've collected over the years.

All opinions are my own. Check out www.concretecat.com they have retailers all over the world.

Artist Feature

When interior designers Susanna and Elaina emailed asking if I would be interested in being the artist of the month for their blog, I didn't hesitate. These sisters who travel between their homes in Southern California and Bali have great taste. I love design and they have mastered the look of an eclectic/boho interior. Check out my interview and then continue to browse their site, it's filled with inspiring photography and interiors that will make you wish they could come over and re-design your dream space!

http://design4corners.com/blog/2016/06/22/featured-artist-holly-young

Artist Spotlight + A Giveaway!

I'm excited to share this fun interview I did for an amazing design blog called "Room for Tuesday." We have also included a giveaway for an original painting of mine. The contest rules are all stated at the end of the interview. Good Luck!

http://roomfortuesday.com/artist-spotlight-holly-young-a-giveaway/

I've been experimenting painting on wood panel, turns out I really enjoy this medium. This original 8x10" piece titled "Who You Are" would look great on your wall!

Uniquely Women Post

After our home was featured on Apartment Therapy a few months ago, Nicole asked me if I would be interested in doing a post for her blog Uniquely Women. If you want to know my secrets on: finding great vintage pieces, keeping all our girls stuff tidy & organized, as well as adding original artwork into your space. Then read my interview!

http://uniquelywomen.net/mid-century-vintage-home-tour/

These cupboards are hiding books, toys, games & camera equipment. Thank you to the previous home owners for ditching the fireplace and replacing it with built-ins!

Pittsburgh

 I just won a contest from our local library, and when I picked up my gift basket it was filled with a variety of books. I instantly thought of writing this blog post when I read the title on this one. My husband and I took a road trip 8 years ago before we became parents, and it is one of my favourite holidays to date.

I haven't read it yet, I'm excited see what other destinations I can add to my bucket list. Falling Water is not included but I think it is a must see!

When my husband and I told our friends and co-workers we were planning on driving to Pittsburgh for a holiday, everyone asked if we were visiting family. The main highlight of the trip was to see Frank Lloyd Wright's "Falling Water" but we also wanted to see another smaller residential home he designed named "Kentuck Knob". We both love architecture and design & were excited to see these landmarks in real life. Books are great but you cannot imagine what it is really like to step onto the grounds at Falling Water & see the structure and how it was built amongst its natural environment. Our photos are not professional; but they show you some of our favourite elements.

This view is like nothing you will ever see

The tour of the home was quite informative, there were a lot of built in pieces of furniture in the space I do remember that.

This staircase leads to the water...a swim perhaps?

The home was built around the waterfall, I can't even imagine living here it is so stunning!

This gives you a better perspective of how the design was integrated into nature.

This is "Kentuck Knob" another one of Wright's designs, complete with a sculpture garden on the grounds.

Attention to detail is all I have to say...amazing!

The windows open to the pond & wonderful patio filled with sculptures.

This is me on the grounds. Doesn't this just make you want to run in a field & sing like Julie Andrews?

I think we took 20 photos of this from every angle possible. I chose just one...you're welcome.

This is a section of the Berlin Wall, it was amazing in person!

I LOVE this photo & had it blown up a few years ago. It hangs on the gallery wall in our living room.

I love street art & graffiti, these colours make me very happy!

One of Pittsburgh's famous yellow bridges

My husband also enjoys walking around museums and galleries... lucky me! This place was great & needs to be on your to do list. It took me a long time to chose a print but I'm happy I didn't leave empty handed. I love colour & Warhol does it so well.

 As we were driving through the country side to go to the "famous houses" we passed by an ice cream shop & I made my husband take my photo under the rainbow. Not sure if I was channeling my inner love for Rainbow Brite, but it makes me happy every time I see it.

I'm sure Pittsburgh has more to see and do since we last visited. Do yourself a favour & consider it while planning your next vacation. We also visited the Zoo which would be a great place to take our kids if we ever go back. We have hundreds of cute animal photos, I tried to stick to design & architecture. One of the best things about a road trip is finding new inspiration and looking at your surroundings with a new perspective. Relax & take it all in. Photos are a great way to help document and highlight your favourite parts.

Highlights of the week

My girls started their March Break last Friday. On Saturday I took a road trip by myself to visit friends of mine that live near our old house in Burlington. Before I became a mother, I never knew how lucky I was to have quiet time to myself whenever I needed it. This trip allowed me to put myself first which honestly, doesn't happen for me as much as it should. I enjoyed meals out & stayed up past my usual bedtime. I'm such a rebel!

You know it's a special occasion if my nails are painted. They are usually covered in paint! I let them dry while I was on the highway. I stopped into a local bookstore & browsed one of my favourite home decor magazines when I got to Burlington. My nails even match! I got the colour in my stocking...I guess Santa's up on his trends!

I had the best time at lunch with these lovely ladies whom I met through Instagram. I have discovered this supportive community & I was excited to actually meet some of my online friends in real life! We are all artists with kids & had lots to chat about.  We will be collaborating on a Mother's Day giveaway soon, so if you are not following me on IG get at it!

I am a member at a local Art Gallery in town & I finally set a date for my first solo exhibit last week! ( Insert happy face here) I will post more details in May but, if you are local, save the date. My opening reception will be on Saturday June 4th at 7:00pm. This is a detail of a larger painting I just completed. It is the first painting I have made for the show...loving the purple and green combination. Come on Spring!!

I have some of my artwork for sale at a beautiful shop in town called Burrow. The owner Meg asked me if I would paint some wooden Easter Eggs for her and this is what I came up with. She loved the Christmas ornaments I had made & wanted a similar look. Last night I sat & painted them. I kept telling my husband I was having so much fun. I had barely painted all week as the girls were off of school, I needed to get creative.

Music, Art & Design.

While watching Sonic Highways, a show that documents the Foo Fighters as they record an album, an idea came to me for a blog post. Mike D from the Beastie Boys was being interviewed and I remembered that I had read about his home a few years ago, online, in The New York Times.

It was 2013 when I first came across this article. Mike & his wife Tamra, a filmmaker, have mixed a variety of elements & styles together to create a unique family home. The one thing I still remembered three years later was a large abstract painting that hung in the living room. I didn't know exactly what it looked like but, I remember the feeling I had when I first saw it. I needed to find out more on this young Brooklyn artist, Keltie Ferris.

What a great mix of styles. A room I would feel very comfortable in.

Her work & this painting are so colourful & full of energy. I think the use of spray paint really adds a three dimensional quality to this piece. I can only hope that one day my work resonates with those who come across it, and that it is an image that remains with them in some form.

The family put this home up for sale last summer. I would love to know where this beautiful piece of art now resides.

Painting by Keltie Ferris

You do not have to hang a large piece of art or a mirror over a mantle. The armoire and painting are both rectangular, the symmetry and placement of them on either side of the fireplace make this wall balanced.

Full house tour can be found here on the NY Times website:

http://nyti.ms/1ZSU4qA

A little Vintage in the mix

The other day it dawned on me that every chair in our home is preloved or vintage. Whatever the correct term may be, not one was purchased at a chain/ big box store. If you have read any of my other blog posts you know that I love to mix it up with pattern, colour, art & vintage accessories. My husband & I purchased the leather sofa in our living room from a store I worked at when we moved into our current home two years ago. Before that we have had a collection of vintage sofas. Vintage chairs are easier to find & re-upholster in my opinion & you can usually find somewhere to put them in your space. My husband supports my chair obsession & I thank him for it.

I received Emily Henderson's book Styled for a Christmas gift. I am not a stylist but, I did study Interior Decorating in College and I think I have a good eye for putting eclectic looks together. Your space should reflect you & those who enter it hopefully will feel that connection as well. All of our chairs have been collected over years from auctions, estate sales, thrift shops, kijiji, & my parent's house.

My mom is my partner in crime; she knows my taste well & will often find me a deal. Now that we live in the same city we are able to shop with one another which is fun. 2015 was a good year as I was able to find a lot of pieces & rugs to finish off decorating our home. 

This chair reminds me of a Bertoia style, the sheepskin softens up the look.

When I discovered this beauty my mother-in-law was driving me & my girls through a small town called Bobcaygeon. If you're Canadian you all know the Tragically Hip song...sorry if you can't get it out of your head now. I seriously yelled "Stop the car... back up" Just like the lady in the Ikea commercials. When we pulled up in front of the thrift shop my mother-in-law asked me what I was interested in? When I showed her the chair she looked at me with a strange face, it was so rusted & grungy. It had previously lived outdoors, but I saw the potential.  Hours of scraping paint off in the garage & a few cans of spray paint made it come back to life. My oldest daughter has it in her room. It's not a cuddle up & I'll read you a book kinda chair but, it's comfy when I need to relax & blow dry her hair. 

Hans Wegner style folding rope chair

When we first moved into this home I browsed Kijiji (similar to Craigslist) on a daily basis. We had sold stuff before we moved, which allowed me to find some pieces to fit in where I needed them. This ad appeared & I couldn't call the lady quick enough. She lived right up the street from us & was moving so everything was being sold. No bargaining done, I gave her what she was asking as I knew I was getting a deal. This chair sits in our living room, it's comfy too you can ask my husband!

A retro slipper chair tucks nicely into any corner.

My mom got this chair for me probably 15 years ago from an estate sale, I think she paid $10. When we moved my husband didn't want me to sell it & it now sits in the corner of his office. I chose a microfibre material as it is durable & it used to be a popular choice for fabric where I worked. It has a tufted back & a retro style, it makes a great extra chair if you need another seat while entertaining. I also want to tell you that two years ago I scored that Jonathan Adler inspired needlepoint pillow at a church flea market...$2, score of the day! I am not sure what I was thinking when I painted that bentwood stool years ago, first it was orange & it has been yellow for a while now. It was a thrift shop find for $5 I think.

This rattan bucket chair is versatile indoors or out.

My mom got this pretty much for free at an auction. She had it in her shed in the backyard for a long time before I even saw it. At the time we lived in Burlington & I had no space for it. It sat in the corner of our basement with toys & junk on it for a long time. It now fits perfectly under the window in my youngest daughter's room. I'm glad I held on to it, it feels like it was meant to be in that space. It usually has a lot of her favourite stuffed bunnies on it (she let me move them to take the photo!).

An Eames style replica made in Canada in the 70's

I have worked in a number of furniture & design stores that have sold knock off Eames Chairs. My husband has always wanted one.  He watches Mad Men folks and he knows what good design is. One day I found an ad on Kijiji for a chair an ottoman under $200 & I emailed the seller without checking with him first. The colour is perfect as black would not fit in with our colour scheme. He was on board with it & the seller lived down the street from my parents. How easy was that?! She said they were passed down to her from a family member & she no longer had room for them.  Lucky us, as they now sit in front of our television in the basement.

We have two of these Navy Chairs, a classic design.

Check out a Law & Order episode & you'll see this chair. It's the go to interrogation chair for the television & film industry. My husband & I were on vacation in Pittsburgh years ago & instead of me dreaming of our trip to see Falling Water, I remember telling him that I really needed to go back to the Goodwill Shop we stopped in the previous day. There was a group of these chairs, I chose my two favourite's...$5 each! We drove & didn't have kids so there was room in the trunk. The metal was the same grey but, the upholstery was a dirty green shade. I used so many of those Mr.Clean magic erasers to try & clean them. I think they were in a school as someone has scratched their name on one on the top at the back. My parent's neighbour is an upholsterer & he did these in a white vinyl for me. The material was cheap as I worked at the store where I ordered it from. They now flank a teak console in our laundry room, the lighting was too dark so I brought them upstairs to capture this shot. They are so versatile, extra seating in the living room or as end chairs at the dining table.

Bentwood stools...aren't they pretty?

Stools at our new home were tricky as everything I liked was either the wrong height or too expensive. The previous owners were tall & the counters are not standard height. They left us the three vinyl ones they had with cat scratches on them. So we used them for a year and a half until we got these. I'm crazy & search for stuff online in cities I don't live near. These were in Hamilton (a 2 hour+ drive) & my girlfriend who also loves a good deal picked them up for us. My husband saw the photo of them & said "where are the backs?". Turns out they are comfy as well. I have to supervise my youngest daughter when she climbs up on them but, eventually she'll be able to do it on her own.  They were $45 for the set & the caning is in perfect shape. I gave them a fresh coat of black paint & think they add the perfect bit of vintage to our kitchen.

You won't find this solid wood chair at a big box store.

My mom has kept a lot of things from my childhood including a kid's table & two chairs. This is in the girls' playroom & the pink colour I painted them really updates the set from the traditional dark wood they used to be. Note the candy machine which has candy in it that is maybe 10 yrs old. Doesn't everybody pay a huge fortune for decorative candy no one is allowed to eat, or is it just me? I grew up with that in my parent's house. I painted it turquoise as I am not a fan of red... oh the memories. 

I was driving home a few weeks ago I noticed the wood shell on this chair sticking out of the back of my neighbour's pick-up truck. I asked him what we was doing with it & he replied that they just got a new office chair & he was taking it to the dump. Timing is everything & luck has a big part of thrifting as well. He is a great guy & even carried it into the house for me. My husband's back was sore from his other chair, so he welcomed this into his office quite easily. It's in pretty good shape other than the piping that is coming off on the arm pads. Maybe one day we'll fix it...maybe not.

Im excited to share more of our home with you in 2016. A house tour is in the works that I'm excited about. I love design blogs & seeing what stuff strangers have thrifted or found on the side of the street! 

Check out Burrow!

If you live in Peterborough or plan to head to the Kawartha's this holiday season, Burrow is a shop that is a must see. I read interior decor magazines & they often showcase boutique's that carry handmade or local artisans work. Burrow is that shop in this area. The owner Meg Currie has a curated selection of modern home decor & furniture, as well as children toys & products. Local painter Jenny Kastner has a selection of landscape prints & paintings available. I am happy to announce that my artwork & holiday ornaments are now offered as well.

The store has been on Hunter St. for a couple of years, but it's new location is breathtaking. It is a bright & airy space with loft like ceilings, I've taken a few photos of the space for you to see. You should check it out in person or shop online for that perfect holiday gift. 

www.burrowhome.ca

Looking for the perfect book...

...for someone this holiday season? I've got some recommendations & you may want to get a copy for yourself as well.

First up is the ever so talented, spunky, blonde mother of two Emily Henderson. If you are unfamiliar with her, she won "Design Star" on HGTV, had her own show "Secrets From a Stylist" on the same network, & is now Target's home style expert. I don't think she has ever done something I didn't like, she uses just the right combo of quirky, vintage & modern. She also hoards art, so I gotta love her! Her first book "Styled" has just been released & is the talk of every home decor blog I read. 

I have been reading a Canadian online magazine "Covet Garden" for years & their first publication in print was great. It showcases real people in their real surroundings. These homes belong to creative types who have a passion for decor & have not used an interior designer or stylist. Looking through the pages you will see a unique mix of eclectic spaces with their own character & charm.

I am one of those people who like "coffee table books" with beautiful covers & photos you drool over. I discovered the work of Canadian architect Todd Saunders after reading about his project Fogo Island. "Architecture in Northern Landscapes" has endless images of beautiful structures in their natural surroundings. A great read for someone who admires contemporary design, architecture & photography.

"The Wes Anderson Collection" is a conversation piece of its own. It captures the whimsical, unique style of his work & also shares with fans previously unpublished photos & artwork. I have not seen all of his movies, but once I started reading about each film I couldn't put it down.

The next two books you may share with your children, or choose to hide & read when they're in bed. "Who Built That? Modern Houses" & "The Lego Architect". You can choose if you want to learn about mid-century style, or how many bricks it takes to make a variety of structures from the Art Deco movement.

If you love food & are open to trying new cuisine, then Amy Rosen has got you covered in "Toronto Cooks: A cookbook of the city's hottest culinary trends". In this you will find 103 recipes from 48 restaurants across the city. Amy says "I wanted recipes that people can execute, and that they will execute. My biggest passion is getting people to cook at home". She asked the chefs to prepare these recipes at home, without the help of a sous chef, & with ingredients the average kitchen would already have on hand. Maple Bacon doughnuts...enough said!

The last book on my list is one that my husband ordered for us for Christmas last year. "Swissted" is graphic, colourful & is totally one of a kind. Do you have any other books that come with pages that are meant to be torn out & used as artwork on your wall? I didn't think so. If you love music, design or have a thing for font, then Mike Joyce has made your day. All of the concert dates are actual events that have been performed, he has just made the poster for each one look 100% better. This book sits proudly on the side table in our living room & I have a wall in our entry way that is filled from floor to ceiling with posters.(Warning, it is almost impossible to choose your favourite's). I haven't gotten around to putting the acrylic on top of them yet, hopefully by 2016 that happens.

All opinions are my own.