Release of The Awakening Collection

The leaves are falling, the colours are changing and I have been inspired to create some new work. My daughters are back in school and I’ve found some much needed alone time in the studio (aka the dining table) This new body of work evokes a combination of calmness, growth and movement. I hope this artwork will bring a little bit of beauty and joy to your home. I enjoyed every moment while creating it.

Perhaps you need a piece to add to your gallery wall, or a set of collages to fill that blank wall that just needs a little something. I’ve got you covered folks, head on over to my online shop and check out all of the new pieces. If you can’t treat yourself right now, start making your Christmas list!

“Let yourself fall in love with something that makes you happy. If there’s a place for it in your heart. There’s a place for it in your home.” - Maya Randolph Carter.

Fall release with Rug & Weave

Last month I was excited to receive a new bag of fabric in the mail from Rug & Weave. I loved creating this latest collection and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

These original collages reuse scraps from the pillows that they hand-make. I'm glad I could help them limit their textile waste. Texture, pattern and colour! All of my favourite elements combined to make one stunning collection of art. Hang one on its own, or a series of two or three for that perfect statement. Check out the collection online here or stop into their Guelph storefront location.

Happy shopping friends!

House Feature- Mamie Morgan

Mamie and I connected online after she purchased a few of my collages for her kitchen. I browsed her IG account then immediately asked if she would be open to sharing her home here on the blog. A pandemic and a few months later, here we are. Her family home is filled with colourful patterns, bold wallpaper and a mix of modern furniture.

“My husband, Alan, and I live in Greenville, South Carolina, on Paris Mountain, with our two mutts, Henrietta Modine and Wednesday Stewart. It's the best of both worlds--the quiet of mountain life we both adore, alongside a vibrant downtown. I am a poet/essayist who taught at a public fine arts high school for fourteen years before recently leaving to embark on yet-to-be-determined pursuits. I was also a waitress for give or take, like, six hundred years.”

“We met, some would say, "later in life"--34 and 38--and purchased this house two years ago. I actually never thought I would own a home. Hilariously, the outside is this stark white farmhouse-ish, which totally belies the interior. The exterior used to be this dirty beige but, I swear, at the closing, the previous owner (a designer herself) grabbed my hands and said, "Please promise me you'll paint it," so it's the first thing we did. The home is about 2,700 square feet.”

Mamie is continually adding to her cozy nest in the woods. This space is so unique and eclectic and is filled with one of my favourite things, art. Each room comes to life with curated furniture and unique area rugs. Put your feet up, grab a hot beverage and enjoy this home tour!

 “I love our entry, particularly padding down the Turkish wedding runner I was lucky enough to walk with my two guys on, on our wedding day.” The entrance leads you straight into the kitchen or to the living room on the right. The retro patterned wallpaper is a the real focal point. The framed prints are from Methane Studios.

Photo by Julia Madden Sears

The family loves hanging out in the den and can be found most evenings cuddling up on the sofa sipping wine, and watching tv with rescues pups Retta (on the left) and Wednesday (on the right). At first I didn’t even realize that the den was wallpapered as my eye was drawn to the colour in the entry way.

“What I loved about the home was that it radiated everything I’d never been: clean, sophisticated, organized, decided, monochromatic, acceptable, money-ed, at ease. I silently and awkwardly lived in the clean sterility for like a solid minute before I began to play with and find a voice. I was never going to be sophisticated, at ease, seamless. I was never going to be anyone but who I was: messy, confused, excited, thrift-hunting, mis-matched, Joy-driven.”

Among the room's standout features is the original artwork by Lucy Boland which hangs behind the sofa.

“My aesthetic is unrefined, accepting, and fun. I admire so very much sophisticated, uber-curated homes...but they also make my Amelia Bedelia self a little nervous. I want our friends to be able to fully relax here, and if that means spilling some wine on the couch, or a kid drawing all over the staircase, so be it.”

This all white kitchen was recently transformed with a bold hue of blue. A peek into the eating area which is open to the kitchen.

I love the way Mamie has hung my collages in this bar area of the kitchen. On tile it could be tricky, but you could always lean art on the counter top. The colours and shapes play off the whimsical wallpaper that is at the back door and laundry room.

Mamie’s sister gifted her this beautiful hand painted watercolour portrait of the dogs. It is paired with a painting of icon Dolly Parton and one of my original collages.

This looks like the perfect corner to sit and enjoy a drink and chat with the cook.

I wish my mudroom was this tidy! Love the tile and all that storage.

A cheerful place to fold the laundry on the main floor is what every home needs in the mudroom. Not shown are the dogs dishes which are just as stylish!

Over a weekend Mamie transformed her back porch into this cozy space to relax, enjoy a cocktail or take a nap.

Wednesday and Retta are the cutest! Wednesday is definitely daddy’s girl and never leaves his side.

This home is filled with books, and the office is the perfect spot to curl up and read or sit and work from home with a laptop.

“In the office it's a mix of prints I picked up along the way, a screen I found in our old mountain house, Jeff Wall's photograph of the opening scene in Invisible Man (the Ralph Ellison novel), a portrait of Seamus Heaney, and a Benny Andrews print my mom and dad gave me for my 21st birthday. It's just one of those gallery prints, but it carries sentimental value, as Benny Andrews would become a huge influence for me.” 

“Our master has been both the most satisfying and budget-friendly home project to date.  The barn door my brilliant father in-law made for us as a gift and required only a twenty buck can of pink paint. We wrapped the walls with grasscloth I found for $1.31 per square foot on Wayfair.” The original art from local artist Ben Nixon is a focal point above the bed.

I asked Mamie what room was her favourite in their home and the “Mediterranean /Mid Century Modern” master bath is high on her list. “It's stark and counterintuitive to my maximalist style. Maybe because the tub's so big, I feel like some fancy person in a fancy hotel. I designed the vanity, so that's kind of  a point of pride.”

The before shot was very 80’s brown and blah…it’s a stunning transformation!

The eclectic collection of artwork in this home is amazing. I will never tire of a good gallery wall, we have several in our own house.

“The hall is a mix of local artists, some more Methane Studios, pieces I inherited from my grandmother (who traveled the world for a living), and pieces I commissioned from former students. (I taught at a public fine arts residential high school.)”

This guest bedroom is a place I would like to hang out in. A few landscapes found at a vintage market finish off this gallery wall. A fun mid-century lamp is a true statement piece, and an old desk gets a coat of paint to bring her to life. Below is the other guest room done in a vibrant blue inspired by the ocean.

I want to thank Mamie for sharing her home with me. Don’t be afraid to break the rules when it comes to designing your home. “Your home should tell the story of who you are, and be a collection of what you love.” - Nate Berkus

Photos by Will Crooks and Tara Davis. 

August Vibes

I love summer and don't want it to end. I start wearing sandals as soon as the snow melts and try my hardest to avoid socks until October. I played around in my studio the other day and experimented with some abstract painting. I haven’t painted anything that loosely in months, it felt good to make marks with no expectations.

Here are some images that I have saved over the past month. A lot of my inspiration continues to come from interior spaces, textiles, patterned wallpapers, architecture and unique colour combinations.

Photo by Alexander Nerovnya

Photo found on Pinterest

Design by Nicole Harding

Design by Isabel Lopez-Quesada

Photo by Anne Stroud, design by Vanessa Hawes

Photo by Adam Stech

Photo by Drop it Modern

Photo by Beata Heuman

Artwork by Karina Bania

Photo by Adam Stech

Photo found on I Suwannee

Photo by Nicole Mason

Photo by Brian Paquette

Latest release with Rug & Weave

I'm excited to announce the release of my latest collection with Rug & Weave, a Canadian company based out of Guelph, ON.

These original collages reuse scraps from the pillows that they hand-make. I'm glad I could help them limit their textile waste. Texture, pattern and colour! All of my favourite elements combined to make one stunning collection of art. Hang one on its own, or a series of two or three for that perfect statement.

I love working on commissions and helping clients choose pieces that fit into their homes. Contact me if you are interested in a custom collage or painting.

Inspiration

I always save so many images on my phone and laptop that inspire me. Here are a bunch from the past few weeks. Hopefully, you connect with them in some way. I’m often attracted to colours, shapes and compositions in a design or photograph.

We can’t travel right now, I miss going to museums and walking around as a tourist in a new city. These photographs allow me to escape to another place for a few minutes.

Pottery by Eric Roinestad

Photo by from your muse

Photo by Katia Tolstykh

Photo by India Mahdavi

Photo by Studio Paolo Ferrari

Photo by Lohn

Photo by Sophie Carpenter

Photo by Fenton & Fenton

Photo by Nicki Sebastian

Hello Summer!

It’s been a while since I posted anything. I can’t believe it’s already July and summer is in full swing.

I just finished some new collages for Rug & Weave in Guelph. I’ll let you know when they are listed online. I love how they’ve displayed these collages in their shop. The dark wall is so good!

Photo by Rug & Weave

Tara at On The Wall Framing sent me this photo of my artwork installed in this master suite and I love the oversize matte and natural wood frame.

I love seeing photos of my artwork installed. Designer Michelle Berwick is designing a new office space for her team. I am a big fan of Drop it Modern out of Portland, and love the placement of my painting in this powder room.

Rebecca from Studio Plumb in California has a gorgeous mid-century modern home. She recently transformed her home office and I love this spot behind her desk. A few years ago I made this painting and it made me very happy to see it all framed up here. If you love to thrift and are not afraid of colour, check out her designs.

Design by Rebecca Plumb

Thalita from The Learner Observer recently gave her family room a refresh. I spotted a collage I made for her family on her picture ledge. Such an easy way to display artwork and switch it up whenever you get bored. During quarantine that may be often.

Design by Thalita.

This collector purchased some of my collages for her newly renovated kitchen. I love any shade of blue and this colourful bar area just makes me so happy!

I love the colour palette on this little painting I made a while back. This powder room is the perfect spot for it to hang.

I love the colour palette on this little painting I made a while back. This powder room is the perfect spot for it to hang.

You don’t always have to hang art. I love how this collector has leaned my piece on her bar cart, very casual and chic!

Photograph by Abby Guin.

The kids are out of school now and the days are going by fast. I look forward to finding time to create, thanks for keeping me inspired and commenting on my work. I hope you are staying safe friends.

Inspiration

I’ve been in my home for a few months now and our routine is very similar every day. I am a homebody but sometimes I do crave more than a trip to the post office or a walk with the dog in our neighbourhood. Reading the news often leads to less sleep, but I can continue to do it. There are a lot of things happening in the world right now that are horrible and there is no end in sight for Covid-19. I read this the other day and thought I would share it with you.

I have found comfort in watching reruns of New Girl, The Last Dance, Dave, and Amy Schumer’s new cooking show. I like to laugh.

The urge to create comes in waves. One week nothing and the next I will sit for two days straight working on something. Last week I decided to have a Flash Sale for these original 4x6” collages. It went well and they all found new homes. After your encouraging response, I may do another sale in the future.

I’m always looking for inspiration for new colour palettes or shapes and have some images saved on my phone that I thought I would share. Maybe you will connect with something as well.

Photo by Rebecca Wood

Design by In Architects, Photograph by Amelia Stanwix

Photo and design by Anna Beam

Design by Victoria Beckham

Design by Andy Beers

Photo by Amelia Stanwix

Sculpture by Sean Meliak, Photography by Amelia Stanwix

Design by Heidi Caillier, photo by Haris Kenjar

Photo by Accidentally Wes Anderson

Ceramic sculpture by Simone Bodmer-Turner, Photograph by ARC objects

Photo by Julie Holder

Sculture by Matthias Pliessnig

I cannot believe tomorrow is the first of June. The warm weather and being able to garden and read outside has helped the days pass. Stay safe friends.

Lately

I’ve been a fan of designer Sarah Richardson for years. Back in 1995 I didn’t miss an episode of her first television show Room Service and I’ve loved every series she has created ever since. I’m excited to share that I am included in her latest book Collected. If you need a little inspiration and something beautiful to look at, this might be the perfect way to escape our current reality for a few minutes. It would make a great Mother’s day gift, I know my mom is excited to get her hands on a copy.

“In “City + Country,” the debut volume, Sarah celebrates the best of both beloved styles. Wide-open spaces and fresh-air farmhouses find a home alongside jewel box‒like urban abodes and crave-worthy new getaways, ensuring that there’s something inside for every design lover and delivering an aspirational design book that captures the looks that are unique to Sarah.”

“Collected by Sarah Richardson is a new series of books that contains an ever-changing mood board of favourite things—from interior and exterior spaces to products, places, and creative people. Packed with never-before-seen photos, every page is filled with Sarah’s trademark warmth, humour, and get-it-done advice”.  You know I love mid-century design. This home definitely caught my eye as I browsed through.

If you are local make sure you enter the "Mother of All Giveaways" through my IG here. One lucky mom is going to win a Motherload of prizes valued at almost $2000 from over 23 women-owned businesses in Peterborough and beyond. I feel so lucky to be included and will cross my fingers for you!

Release of Linen Collection

If you are wanting to treat yourself or a loved one to a little something to make the days at home a little cozier and happier, I am excited to share my latest Linen Collection with you!

When I started these paintings the world looked a lot different. My hope remains the same, that this art will bring a bit of beauty and joy to your homes. Whether you hang it, lean it against the wall or create a gallery wall, art injects personality and adds a little magic to your space. Each piece is unique and created by hand.

When I started creating this body of work I had just started to read The Never-Ending Present: The Story of Gord Downie and The Tragically Hip. It took me back to my youth and I found myself listening to all of my favourite songs by the band. I decided to name a lot of these paintings after their song titles - Wheat Kings, Poets, Springtime in Vienna. I was also inspired by various potters I’ve discovered and the shapes that fill the pages of my sketchbook.

Yesterday I took this photo of the paintings grouped together and it makes me happy to see the entire collection at once. When I painted them at my studio table I would stack them after the paint had dried so they wouldn’t wrinkle. I don’t love ironing, but I did it for the sake of art.

I plan on creating some larger pieces to complement these ones. With my family at home, it will take a bit more time. My work on linen will be featured in a book that I hope to get my hands on in the next few weeks. I can’t wait to share it with you.

Latest release with The Campbell Collective

I know not everyone has the ability to purchase things that are not essentials for their family at this time. I am trying to find inspiration in my everyday surroundings and use my imagination and creativity to keep me moving forward. Last month I finished this collection right as the lockdown started in my community and Spring was in the air.

If you are looking around your home and need a pop of colour for your walls you might enjoy these original 9x12” collages. Shop the entire collection online starting today through the ladies at The Campbell Collective

Amanda did a lovely post on one of her client’s spaces featuring some of my artwork, check it out here.

Photo by Luke Cleland, design by Amanda Louise Interiors.

Mothers Day is just around the corner, these would make a lovely gift for that someone special in your life.

Current Thoughts

I thought I would share some things that I have enjoyed lately.

You know I love a good house tour and this one does not disappoint. Kyla over at House of Hipsters shared this one recently and it’s so unique, I had to share. It’s got that Kelly Wearstler vibe, a lot of my collages would fit right in on these walls.

Photo by Dustin Halleck, design by Jen Talbot

I discovered the podcast Armchair Expert in January and listened to many interviews while I was cutting paper and creating my latest collection. Actor Adam Pally is a very funny guy and during his interview, he mentioned he had worked on a show called Champaign ILL that was available to watch on youtube. It also stars Sam Richardson who I loved watching in Veep. My hubby and I have since watched the first season, it’s quite silly but boy did we laugh!

Last weekend was relaxing. We were guests at a gorgeous property called Compass Rose Suites in PEC. They commissioned some of my artwork for the interior. We enjoyed some great meals and went to a few Breweries. They host events and weddings, and it is stunning! If you are getting married I suggest you look it up.

Now that March Break has been extended for schools in our area and is three weeks long, I’m glad my hubby and I had a bit of time for ourselves. Below is a photo of the living and dining room. The ceiling height, all that natural light, those wood beams…I don’t have a favourite part.

If you are feeling a little unsure and overwhelmed by the world right now check out this post by friend Rebecca just shared about self-care. Stay safe friends.

First collection of 2020

For a few weeks late last year, I enjoyed creating landscapes. I had the urge to experiment and I went for it. I enjoyed every minute of the process. I set the pile of paintings on a shelf in my studio and that is where they have been up until last week. I never felt like they were pieces I wanted to sell, they were just fun colour combinations that I liked. Turns out they were perfect to use in my new collection of collages.

Check out my last blog post for all the details on my inspiration for this series.

I just released these new pieces in my online shop, I hope you are as excited about it as I am. Get yourself or your Valentine something sweet this year. It doesn’t have to be the typical gift of flowers or candy.

Here are a few of my favourites.

Pretty in Pink

Making Waves

Colosseum

Oh Baby

Collages are so fun to create I’m not stopping anytime soon. Happy February!

Makers gonna make...

Not sure if that is from a Taylor Swift song.. but it’s in my head now.

When I got back from my holiday last week I had some ideas in my mind for new artwork. I’m always inspired by design and architecture so I thought I would try to incorporate a bit of that into some of my pieces. I’ve taken over our family dining table and I have scraps of paper, material, paintings and all of my go-to stuff everywhere. I don’t want to tidy it up as I often sit and play around as soon as I wake up in the morning. Everyone else is asleep and I’ve found that some of my best ideas come together quickly during my morning tea. After the kids are in bed I have been sitting at the table trying to put things together with no luck.

As a maker I need to keep my hands busy when they are calling me to do something. It sometimes gets a bit depressing during the winter months in Canada. It’s so dark and cold and hibernation is on the agenda for lots of people. I’m lucky that my studio space is in my home, if I was going somewhere else it would make things a bit more difficult. If you are currently in a rut keep going! I was actually watching a movie last week and an idea came to me when I saw something on the screen. I surely was not expecting that a comedy I had already seen would give me some artistic direction, but you just never know.

Here are a few images that have caught my attention lately.

Photo by Jaime Beriestain Studio

Photo & design by Dorothee Meilichzon

Photo by Stephen Johnson

Photo by Joe Fletcher

Photo by Windmill Dreams

Photo by Reid Rolls

Photo by Kaitie Bryant

If you haven’t already signed up to my newsletter and want to be the first to know when new work will be released, get promo codes and all that fun stuff…check it out here. 2020 Let’s do this!

Road Trip

On Sunday I went out of town with girlfriends for the day. We had a relaxing visit to PEC and I went to a few places that were new to me. I finished up my Christmas shopping and am now ready to relax and chill with my family for the holidays.

We had a delicious brunch at The Vic Cafe. I’ll definitely be going back to dine with my family, the girls will love the decor and the tater tots were amazing! I don’t think I have ever enjoyed a tater tot before, usually, hash browns are the typical thing to serve with breakfast.

Photo by Lauren Kolyn, design by Tiffany Pratt.

While we were in Picton we stopped by keep. It was lovely to see my artwork again in the shop. The holiday decor was very Scandinavian inspired, minimal and textured so pretty.

Photo by keep.

We went to a few wineries in the area but I prefer beer. Matron Fine Beer opened last summer and this was my first trip to the brewery. I got a few cans to take home and enjoy and I can’t get over the design of the product itself…it’s so good! As an artist, I am drawn to certain colours and this packaging is on point.

Photo by Matron Fine Beer

“We're located in beautiful Bloomfield, Prince Edward County. There are a million more convenient and entirely easier settings to have chosen to build our brewery, but this wasn't about constructing a production facility. Matron aims to be a space we and our team want to create in. We aspire for you to feel the same sense of relaxation and arrival that we get to enjoy everyday.”

Photo by Matron Fine Beer

I hope you have a great holiday and a happy and healthy New Year!

Current Thoughts

Our family just put up our Christmas tree and now it’s time to deck the halls. I don’t go overboard with the seasonal decor, but I admire those that do. I spotted a painting of mine in the home of my friend Ashley the other day as she decorated her kitchen. I personally love having framed art in the kitchen. I don’t have shelves so I lean it on my countertops.

Photo by Ashley Izsak

I’ve never been a Black Friday shopper, I’m happy to be staying away from malls and all of the online craziness. My oldest daughter is having a Birthday so I will focus on that & time with my family. Here is a great article from my friend Lesley about supporting small businesses this holiday.

I just watched an interesting movie the other night called Where’d You Go Bernadette. The main character is played by Cate Blanchett. Check out the trailer and see if you might like it. My husband thought I would enjoy it as she plays an architect.

Illustration by Nhung Lê for The New Yorker

I had the opportunity to work with a local photographer Heather Doughty recently for a project she runs called “Creative Daze”. Empowering Women and bringing them together for a day of fun and pampering is a great idea in my opinion. I just received the photos from the shoot which was Vogue inspired, thought I would share one of my favourites. We borrowed fancy dresses and followed her direction and vision. Love how it turned out!

Photo by Heather Doughty

When I first joined Instagram I came across Marissa and Heather, the ladies behind Carve Out Time for Art. They have written a book and I’m so excited for them!! If you are looking for an inspiring read I highly suggest you pre-order this one now.

“Balance motherhood and creative pursuits! Women and new mothers are constantly encountering the message that they can never do anything for themselves once they have children. This conversational book is like brunch with girlfriends, offering you friendly advice, community encouragement, and tips on carving time out for creative endeavors. Meet women who not only defied the "no more time to be an artist" stereotype but found motherhood gave them focus, confidence, and efficiency in their art and creative endeavors. Becoming mothers renewed a sense of purpose in their creative pursuits, and by prioritizing this need to create, they became more patient and better mothers to their children. Interview questions cover a range of topics, including early days and creative work, community and vulnerability, and tactics for regular creative practice. Whether you read it front to back or pick it up for a 5-minute dose of encouragement, this is the encouragement you can lean on for balancing family life and art in your own way.”

Photo by Carve Out Time for Art

If you are are celebrating Thanksgiving, enjoy your time with friends and loved ones. Relax and chill.

House Feature - Dia Thomson

I discovered Dia though Instagram and it turns out we actually only live a few hours away from one another. If you love vibrant interiors filled with original art, antiques and colourful accessories, then you will enjoy a peek into her family’s home. Some people have a great eye and sense of style. Dia’s an avid thrifter who has transformed her older home into a warm and welcoming space.

“We’ve lived in our current house for 10 months. Our first home was tiny and right downtown, and while it suited our needs at the time, while I was on maternity leave last year we made the decision to move across the city to be closer to family. And it’s funny how having a baby changes things – suddenly being able to walk to cool restaurants and coffee shops weren’t as important as a good school district, proper parking and a backyard! We fell in love with a family-friendly pocket surrounded by parks but still on the subway line in the west end (Etobicoke), not thinking we would ever be able to afford to get in, but thankfully a VERY rough fixer-upper (along with a weird real estate market) changed that. With a green light from my father, who is an architect, we decided to take a chance and embark on our first renovation.”

I love the colour of the front door, not your usual shade.

“When we bought the house, we knew it was in rough shape – there’s a reason nobody else wanted this little ugly duckling! I’m pretty sure most people thought we were nuts. We knew we’d have to do some work on it immediately and our plan was to “clean it up” – do what absolutely had to be done to make it safe and liveable and save our money for a big renovation plus addition down the road. Well… the house had other plans! As soon as we started opening up walls, it was clear that literally nothing was salvageable. You know the expression “good bones”? Our house had the opposite of that – in fact, in some cases, there were no bones at all. Yikes. The original floor plan was a series of small rooms, including a strange oblong kitchen addition that you essentially had to walk around the staircase to access. I worked closely with my dad on the new layout and in addition to blowing out nearly all the walls on the main floor, we ended up deciding to move the staircase, which was a big undertaking but absolutely necessary in order to make the house functional and safe.”

Such a great mix of textures in the entry way. The area carpet and artwork add the perfect amount of colour.

“The entry nook is probably one of my favourite spots in the house. Initially, I was worried it was going to be awkward wasted space, but now I just love that sunny corner filled with stories. There is a Scandinavian teak chair from the 1950s in our entry nook that was covered in dust in my grandmother’s basement, along with the jester painting beside it. Apparently that artist travelled to the small town where my mom grew up and my grandfather purchased the painting from him directly many decades ago.”

Shelves filled with some of Dia’s favourite thrifted finds.

This room is so inviting! I just want to chat here in front of a fire with a cup of tea in hand.

“So our “clean up” quickly spiralled and before we knew it, we were rebuilding the main and second floors on a ridiculously tight budget. As a result, there is nothing fancy about our house – nothing high end or custom – yet we love it just the same. But I’ve always been a bargain hunter so for me, the challenge of sourcing second-hand gems, researching deals and customizing big-box items was probably even more fun than working with an unlimited budget.”

“My family definitely appreciates great design, and I’ve been lucky to inherit some special pieces over the years. The Le Corbusier chairs in our living room are older than I am – they were in our family home growing up, along with the two Persian rugs on our main floor. The living room rug has travelled with me through 7 moves over the past 9 years and I’ve never tired of it. The colours and pattern have a timelessness about them – contemporary yet classic.”

You can never have too many plants. The perfect way to accessorize without breaking the bank.

“My love for MCM came from my family. My grandmother lives up north on a lake and her home is filled with classic pieces. I’m pretty sure I knew I one day wanted a Saarinen tulip table by the time I turned 10! Note, that day is still yet to come.”

I will never tire of a classic Bentwood chair….never.

“The reality was we needed things quickly and inexpensively, so shopping at least partially at big box stores was simply a necessity. But I love the way layering in vintage textiles and other one of a kind pieces can add instant character and soul to a room that might otherwise look rather generic. There is nothing I enjoy more than hunting for that perfect piece – when you find “the one” there’s this “YES!!” moment – I have this crazy idea that vintage items speak to the people who are meant to take them on their next chapter. Big box, thrifted, vintage, family heirlooms and the odd splurge – our home is full of it all. But the one common theme is I’m trying my best to only bring items I absolutely love through the front door – things that make me smile and that I know I’ll still love years from now.”

This runner is the perfect addition to the kitchen. I’m jealous my kitchen doesn’t have one this stunning!

“So our “clean up” quickly spiralled and before we knew it, we were rebuilding the main and second floors on a ridiculously tight budget. As a result, there is nothing fancy about our house – nothing high end or custom – yet we love it just the same. But I’ve always been a bargain hunter so for me, the challenge of sourcing second-hand gems, researching deals and customizing big-box items was probably even more fun than working with an unlimited budget. The reality was we needed things quickly and inexpensively, so shopping at least partially at big box stores was simply a necessity. But I love the way layering in vintage textiles and other one of a kind pieces can add instant character and soul to a room that might otherwise look rather generic. There is nothing I enjoy more than hunting for that perfect piece – when you find “the one” there’s this “YES!!” moment – I have this crazy idea that vintage items speak to the people who are meant to take them on their next chapter. Big box, thrifted, vintage, family heirlooms and the odd splurge – our home is full of it all. But the one common theme is I’m trying my best to only bring items I absolutely love through the front door – things that make me smile and that I know I’ll still love years from now.”

The family dog Holly looks pretty comfy in the family room.

Dia’s sons can play and colour or have a snack at this cute table set.

A powder room with just the right amount of wow. I love the tiled floor and the dramatic wall colour.

The perfect spot in the upstairs hallway for storing towels and linen. I love this collection of photographs in the natural wood frames.

A corner of Dia’s sons bedroom.

“In terms of décor style, I’m drawn to clean lines, MCM and all things Scandi combined with lots of texture for warmth. One thing almost every room in our house has in common is black accents as well as a pop of tan leather. And I love playing with colour and pattern through vintage textiles. My goal for our home is for it to feel unique and fun but also calm and cozy and I’m LOVING the process!”

The kids bathroom has a great mix of fun fabrics and textures.

Calming colours create the perfect master bedroom.

I could live in the master bath I love it so much! This was the most recent renovation Dia & her husband tackled.

I want to thank Dia for sharing her home with me, & since we are only a few hours away I should stop by in the New Year for a little visit. It’s so fun to connect with like-minded people who are into design and thrifting as much as I am.

Holiday Gift Ideas with The Campbell Collective

This week The Campbell Collective released new home products just in time for the holidays. I designed these in the summer, so I’m excited to finally share them with you.

Mini collages turned into acrylic Christmas Ornaments to add to your collection. I was challenged to create a design that was 3x3”, I had never worked that small before. Splatter paint and a touch of gold, I loved creating these unexpected colour palettes so much.

Desktop calendars with some of the featured artists The Collective works with. Each month is a 6x9” painting or collage on heavyweight paper that sits in an acrylic stand. I’m Miss Novemeber, shop them here.

These acrylic trays are a great size at 17x24” and would be the perfect addition to a coffee table or credenza. It features one of my original paintings, which I had so much fun creating. If you are hosting this year this might be the perfect addition to your countertop.

Some new collages are in the mail and headed to these ladies. Trees you can keep up all year long with a festive touch. If you are interested please inquire directly with Marquin at The Campbell Collective.

I hope you check out The Campbell Collective and see some of the other designs created by other artists as well. Remember art isn’t just for your walls!

Collaboration with Rug & Weave

I'm excited to announce the release of my collection with Rug & Weave, a Canadian company based out of Guelph, ON. These one of a kind collages reuse scraps from the pillows that they handmake. I was so excited when I opened up these fabrics! I'm glad I could help them limit their textile waste.

Texture, pattern and colour! All of my favourite elements combined to make one stunning collection of art.
Hang one on its own, or a series of two or three for that perfect statement. I love how the muted palette looks against the vibrant colours of fall.

We will be giving away a collage to one lucky winner so, make sure you are following both of our accounts on Instagram to find out all the details on November 5th. Good luck!

Open Invite

The other day I discovered the most delightful shop Open Invite online. I’ve never travelled to Texas, maybe my husband & I should plan a little holiday. If you love vintage modern design and colour this shop is for you. When I paint I'm often inspired by interior design, bold pattern's are what I gravitate towards. The more the better!

“Open Invite is a home goods, vintage furniture & gift shop in Old West Austin. We carry a mix of established brands and emerging designers from around the world, paired with carefully-curated vintage finds styled for the modern home.”

Here are a few of my favourite items in their shop. All photos are by Open Invite.

Happy shopping!