Thursday, January 26, 2012

Redorated Rental

I have been redecorating a client's newly purchased condo in order for it to be rented out. My client didn't want to spend a lot redecorating this space, mainly to change the color scheme to make it feel more updated.

We decided to use a warm grey on the walls which compliments the beige counter tops and floor tile making the color scheme more neutral. The cabinets had black trim that made them stand out unnecessarily. Painting the trim white has made the cabinets more uniform. Stainless steel is sought after in modern kitchens and this one needed some. I added tile behind the stove that has an antique tin finish, it was inexpensive and gives this kitchen a lot more style!

Friday, January 20, 2012

Old to Organized

My neighbors were doing some renovation and offered me this old window. They knew I would have fun transforming it!

My front entrance really needed to be better organized so I decided to turn the old window into a message/organizing center.

I removed the window panes, switched out two of them for cork boards and the center one for a wood panel that I painted with chalkboard paint.

I used eye screws and hemp string to hold mail that either comes in or is going out. The hooks are a great way to keep keys in one place instead misplacing them and trying to locate them when in a rush to leave.

I've got no more excuses now but to keep my entrance better organized!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Favorite Things: Pretty Perfumes

These stylish vintage perfumes belonged to my great-aunt. She was a medical secretary in Montreal during the 1960s and would receive gifts such as silk scarves, gloves and perfume from patients.

Like many people of her generation that lived through the Second World War, she saved things for a special occasion which often never came. These perfume boxes are in perfect condition because they were never opened and enjoyed, something our generation would never understand.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Handmade Headboard Part 2

This cottage bedroom makeover started with creating a new headboard, see handmade headboard. I liked the wall color, night tables and lamps but the rest didn't work.

Once I removed the old wallpaper border, it immediately made the walls look taller which is where I started. 

Now that I had more wall space, I hung some framed art above the bed all in different frames but the white mats tied them together.

The windows needed curtains and I chose simple khaki cotton panels so that they would not be too formal.

I decided to make a quilt for this room but I wanted it to be more a contemporary one. I found a unique piece of fabric at a thrift store which became the center of the design. I paired a soft pink cotton and a white speckled cotton with it that came from the same store.

On the corners of the quilt, I made gathered panels which is a technique that I fell in love with when I did the patchwork pillow.

The little frilly throw pillow was fun to make and it gives the bed a romantic touch.

The vintage glass lamps got a little facelift with some new updated shades and I sprayed the metal silver instead of a brassy gold.

The headboard has really given this bedroom a focal point and made it look more sophisticated.

In this photo, you can see the technique I used to sew the different fabrics together which was to leave the edges raw to fray over time.

I really enjoyed creating my updated version of romantic country.