So Canadian eh? : Inspire Me Heather



We have a local gal, she lives on Vancouver Island, visitng this week!

Please welcome

Heather from Inspire Me Heather.



She is
Heather's blog, Inspire Me Heather, is a fabulous catalogue of projects circulating the web. Each post highlights a certain theme where Heather compiles a list and links to other blogs/websites that have created a project or tutorial on that subject a DIY -  Google directory of sorts.

But not only is she great at curating and collecting ingenious ideas, she has been renovating her 80 year old home with her husband. 

I was completely and utterly at a loss of words when she gave me a link to her recently added home tour.

Magazine worthy is all I have to say. 

Oh...and when can I come for tea and honey?

She had me at the red door.









Why yes, I'd love some lemonade while I lounge on your porch.



Can you believe this gazebo {her husband built} is outfitted with a wood stove so they can hang out when the weather is cooler?


Oh, the cartwheels you could do in this backyard. And did you know she had bee hives?

 
For more amazing pictures of her home you can view the tour here.


Tell us a bit about yourself? Has design been something you have always been drawn to? Or something you realized later in life?

I’ve always been a thriftier and like to hunt down bargains. I love to paint as well and by fixing up some second hand furniture I get something new and custom to my decor and save money too! I guess it came to me when I started out on my own, a long time ago. I’ve always been drawn to design and appreciate trends (and try a few myself) but would like to think of myself as a DIY’er more than anything I suppose!

How would you describe your design style?

West coast inspired beach cottage with farmhouse influences. This style suits our old house as it’s on old farm land and is minutes away from the ocean. I like to use earthy elements, natural textures and neutral tones - nothing too elaborate or uber modern, I prefer the more informal side of style. Our friends and family say that our home is comfortable and casual - just like us!

Tell us one thing that would surprise us!

I painted my car once when I was way younger and I painted it black and white geometric checkers. I love to paint!! Hmm maybe that wouldn’t surprise anyone… it sure surprised my parents that day when I drove up in my painted car though I’ll tell ya!

Your blog is a great go-to source for DIY ideas. You do such a fabulous job cataloguing them – what do you look for when you search for DIY tips, ideas, projects? What makes the cut, what doesn’t?

I would like to think that I’m giving you the ideas I’ve found around the blogs to make a project but for you to do it your way. I love to see what bloggers are doing at what’s going on in the decorating world, I’m just trying to organize the inspiration. It’s hard to say what makes the cut and what doesn’t - if the blog post has a good tutorial and great photos and it’s a little different than the rest then it’s a keeper!

You live on Vancouver Island which is so greatly influenced by the ocean, do you find that influences they way you decorate your home?

Definitely! The ocean is all around us and we take full advantage of it. I love its neutral colours and textures - it inspires me! Just like the ocean our house is relaxed and playful with huge respect and we’re definitely not afraid to leap in.

I understand you are renovating a craftsmen style home, is the home an old build or new build? What tips can you share regarding renovations? What have you found to be worth doing? Any blunders? Any “aha” moments?

Our house was built in the early 1920’s. We definitely bought “the worst house on the best block” but we knew that it was structurally good and the layout worked for us. My husband and I saw it’s potential and like me, he’s open to whatever direction we want to take with it. The best thing we undertook was an EcoEnergy retrofit. We had the house insulated, new windows, new furnace etc. and the Canadian government gave us a rebate. We’ve saved so much money since then - it was so well worth it! There have been a few blunders along the way… minor stuff that we DIY’d or ideas that I’ve since changed my mind on. I hope that our house will never be “done” that it can continually change.

How long have you been blogging? Why did you decide to start a blog?

I started this blog talking to a friend of mine and she had an idea that she wanted to DIY. I said that I have seen posts about that on the blogs so I dug them up for her. Then I thought of blogging for the non-blogger and posting DIY projects by category. I started my blog just after our son started Kindergarten in the Fall of 2011 to “keep myself busy”.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I have a boat and have been a boater myself for many years. Lucky for me my family enjoys it as much as I do so we get away a lot. We have the Gulf Islands right here and the San Juan Islands in the USA very close to us as well. At home I’m out puttering in the gardens in my spare time, I enjoy being out in the backyard.

If you could meet anyone or do anything who or what would it be?

Design-wise I would love to meet Sarah Richardson & Tommy Smythe, Heather Chadduck or Atlanta Bartlett. If I could do anything I guess it would be to travel more. This was the hardest question to answer as I am pretty much content and grateful for what I have, it would be hard to ask for more.

What are your views on the role Canadian design plays in the world design scene? Do you feel that Canadians have a unique sense of style and design, and if so, what is it that you think sets us apart?

We are a Country of many ethnic and cultural origins and it shows in our decorating style. We are modern and eclectic, we mix city with cottage and elegant with whimsy. I think for the most part Canadians pride themselves in incorporating a style that is as individual as we are!


Well, Heather.....you truly have a gorgeous home. What a lucky lady you are to be able to live in such amazing surroundings! Thanks for sharing.

XO Barbara

16 comments

  1. Thank you so much for having me Barbara, it was a pleasure to have been interviewed by you!

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  2. oh my goodness that chalkboard backsplash? -- love! ...and the sunroom looks DIVINE!

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  3. Can I have your coffe table??? It's BEAUTIFUL, along with the rest of your home!!

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  4. Love the backsplash!! Love!! Your home is beautiful!

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  5. Such a lovely home you have, Heather. Truly idyllic. And thanks for all your creative curations. :)

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  6. Heather, you're home is amazing! :) Just beautiful.

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  7. Loved that! Your house is absolutely charming Heather! Great pics!

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  8. Heather your home is GORGEOUS! I love it all! You guys have done such a great job updating and making it your own. Great interview, too. :)

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  9. Wow! Love the chalkboard paint on the kitchen backsplash.
    Thanks for the tour.

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  10. This is such a FABULOUS post! I sure do like this home...so much awesome inspiration!!! Great tour! XO, Aimee

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  11. Heather I love the kitchen sink and chalkboard black splash! Wonderful inspiration pics!
    Susan

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  12. Heather's home is not only inspirational ... but aspirational as well! Thanks for sharing a peek into Heather's fab house and creative mind!

    :)

    Linda

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  13. Loved getting a refresher peek at that kitchen. I almost forgot how cute it is!! The style is so charming =)

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  14. very cute home! I love the wood stove in the gazebo: never heard of that before! Thanks for sharing the interview!
    Nancy
    Powellbrowerhome.com

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  15. What a great home! Love that chalkboard backsplash - what a great idea. Thanks for the intro to Heather!

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  16. I am totally drinking in every photo of Heather's gorgeous home and property. WOW! I love Heather's blog, because you are so right, Barb, she has done an incredible job of cataloging DIY projects - why go to Google when you can find what you need on Heather's site? Awesome interview... and I'll join you for lemonade on the porch!!! :-)

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