A Quick Makeover

A few weekends ago during my visit to Spruce Collective, I picked up some amazing lucite knobs to spruce up my bedroom bedside tables. 

We purchased half our furniture at the same time and it all matches.....I know... a bit of a design faux pas. 

Since I don't have the budget to replace things, I have been on the look out for great hardware to change the look of my Ikea bedside tables. Replacing hardware is a great and inexpensive way to add personality and new life to furniture.

So Canadian eh? : Heidi Nyline from Warline Paint

Every week I feature bloggers and designers, but little did you know that behind the scenes of some fabulous homes, the ones whose wall colours and exterior paint colours just make the home sing are the fabulous painters that create the magic with a paint can, brush and roller!

Please welcome...

Heidi Nyline from Warline Paint

She is....

A Night on The Town

Last Thursday, yours truly had a chance to ditch the teacher's "hat" and enjoy an evening of holiday merriment at the Chapters/Indigo Media Preview event with several other blogger friends.

What could be better? Wine, music, Christmas spirit and friends?

Upon arrival at the downtown location we were serenaded by a string trio and a server mingling about with some tasty {and much appreciated} wine! With some tasty treats created by Chef Rob Feenie and chocolate samplers from Chapters Indigo gift packages, we were given a first look at the newest holiday goodies at Chapters Indigo!

When I am in need of a unique and stylish gift, I usually hit Chapters Indigo first. With their fingers on the trend pulse, you will never walk away empty handed. Their latest holiday collection did not disappoint!

Some of my favourites....

Loving Your Rental: A Fabulous Kitchen DIY

I am sure many of you are following Jenny from The Little Green Notebook's adventure of re-decorating and re-vamping her rental brownstone in Brooklyn! With her impeccable taste, tenacity and perseverance she is turning a run-down bachelor pad into a stylish abode! 

This week she unveiled her kitchen. She took garish glossy oak cabinets and gave them the most stylish makeover with a bit of grain filler, paint and gold hardware. I am jealous! I have similar grainy oak cabinets {oh, and the same fridge} and would love to have done this to our kitchen had I known we would of been renting for 4 years! Now I am unsure of where we will be next fall so I can't be bothered to invest the time and energy painting. Also, I suspect my landlords would **gasp** if I suggested painting over the wood!

Back to Jenny's kitchen.

Can I get an "oooh and an aaaah?"

So I live vicariously through Jenny who is daring to be different and whose style just shines!

Isn't it amazing what a little paint and organizing can do? Oh, and I spy a new kitchen faucet as well, gorgeous.

XO Barbara

So Canadian eh? : Elissa Toews from Our House

This week we have Elissa Toews from Our House visiting!

She is...

New Shop in Town: Spruce Collective

Last weekend, Tracey Ayton and I made a trip out to the newest store in town, Spruce Collective.

Spruce Collective is an example that several heads are better than one! A bricks and mortar collaboration from Elisa of Home Sweet Nest, Jessica of Trove Vintage Rentals & Handmade Affairs, Kevi of Twig Home, Monica of Red Wicker and Lily of Birch + Bird, local bloggers and vendors from the Fraser Valley area.

Level6 Photography

Get Your Stocking On

Recently a blogging friend from back east has ventured into the world of upholstery and has branched out by creating a line of stockings just up my alley! 

Staci from Switch Studio has whipped up some fabulous stockings that would look great on anyone's fireplace mantle or hanging at the end of your bed this Christmas!

Died and Gone to Fabric Heaven

While browsing my favourite blogs on Friday, Danielle Oakey shared the latest fabric collection from Schumacher, a twist to their incredible and my FAVOURITE fabric, Chiang Mai Dragon.

Say hello to Shanghai Peacock. 

 Brass

 Cinnabar

Cerise. My favourite.

I Know. I. Died.....

Be. Still. My. Beating. Heart.

XO Barbara

So Canadian Eh? : A Few Highlights

First of all I want to thank all of you who support my blog with your daily visits and comments! And to those that visit the Canadians that I feature every week. It has been so enjoyable getting to know the amaze-balls talent that we have in this vast country of ours!

This week I want to take a moment to highlight some interviews I have done these past 20 months, especially for those newest followers! If you want to see my ever growing list, you can find it here.

I have had the pleasure of interviewing the famous and not-so-famous but yet equally fabulous designers, bloggers, artists, photographers and businesses.

Several favourites have been.....

Check this out!

Being a renter, wallpapering my home is not an option. But I stumbled across this removable wallpaper from Spoonflower!  And the icing on the cake?

You can design your own! 

Can I get a 

"Hal-le-lu-jah!"

I can't wait to explore all the designs on the site or even try to design my own! The possibilities are endless!

Curious to know it anyone out there has tried removable wallpaper? Does it live up to it's name by being easily removable?

XO Barbara

So Canadian eh?: Maryanne from Stimuli Magazine

This week I have a treat for you! My guest this week is a local entrepreneur and publisher of an online magazine.

Welcome...

Maryanne from Stimuli Magazine and Principal of Urban Life Media

She is....

Dreaming of Christmas, Ikea Style

Ikea Canada recently sent me their guide to Christmas catalogue which is brimming with cozy Christmas ideas. Since I was raised celebrating Christmas European style, Ikea's Christmas products are always appealing to me. The simplicity of the decorations are just up my alley. Their latest inspiration collection has me excited for the upcoming season! My favourite is their sparsely decorated tree, just like how I decorate mine with just a few straw ornaments.

And all that red.......I *heart* red!

I know it is only November 1, but I am getting excited for Christmas!!! 

You know why? 

I will get two weeks off from teaching! And my baby comes from university for 2 weeks over the holidays.

I am slowly coming up for air, this teaching grade 2 gig is starting to work itself out. I still miss my daily blog fix but hubby is glad I am too busy to paint, sew, etc! It means no half-finished projects laying about or rooms being painted. I do hope to work on one project this weekend though! And maybe sneak in a sewing project or two in the next few weeks, maybe once report cards are out of the way!

Thanks for hanging in with me!

XO Barbara

I'm Featured!

My DIY Gold Leaf Dipped  Chair has been featured at Centsational Girl's BOTB Round-up!

I am featured amongst some pretty amazing projects. You need to stop over and check them all out!

XO Barbara