Inspiration for a Bookcase Makeover…

By SZInteriors, on February 22nd, 2012%

Do you remember the bookcase I was painting a week ago?

Well, it all began here.

A boring pine bookcase caught up in yesterday’s look.

And so I decided to give it a makeover.

I used paint that was on hand, which you might remember from here, here, and here.

But I had inspiration to use this colour, other than the fact I had leftover paint to use up! When you piece the inspiration together you can see how the paint colour was a good fit. Besides, turquoise just makes me feel happy, so using it on an office piece makes sense to me!

Here’s a story board of the other pieces involved.

Fabric: used on my bulletin board makeover (here)…

Do you remember that it’s hanging right outside the office door?

Ocean print: we bought this print for the office in our last home…

And I bet you know by now, the ocean is my favorite place to be.

Sand dollar print, ‘Seashore’ by Sarah at Wooden Spoons Edition…

My first win ever in a giveaway, and it couldn’t be more perfect. Sand dollars remind me of my life growing up on the Charlottes.

Woman and telephones print, ‘Postmodernity’ by Nancy Marcus of Marcus Design Inc on Etsy…

My lucky win in another giveaway this past Christmas, and from a very special dlbWEST blogging friend! Don’t you think this is the perfect print to prettify an office space?

‘Thank You’ card: given to me by my friends, Chris & Leigh Davies of Mid-Island Ink Depot, also clients for a lighting redesign I helped them with…

I loved this card when I received it last year, and so it became the inspiration for the wallpaper I picked out.

I found the wallpaper at Home Depot, and it was exactly what I was looking for!

Here’s the bookcase after it was painted.

Now that the paint has dried, we’re ready for the wallpaper application.

And that’s a whole other story, but here’s a sneak peak!

What do you think so far?

Will you join me tomorrow for the fully styled bookcase reveal!

THANKS FOR READING!

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A Thrifty Cake Stand… Just Wait and See!

By SZInteriors, on February 21st, 2012%

I’ve been wanting a nice glass cake stand with a dome cover for a long time now, but haven’t really made the effort to actually find one… and of course kicked myself yet again as a result. You see it was my hubby’s birthday just before the weekend, and he’s a cake guy. No, I mean seriously. He’s a cake guy – he makes amazingly decadent cakes. I, on the other hand, do not. So I thought the least I could do is serve his chocolate truffle cake from Dolce Bakery on a lovely stand.

But it was not to be… at least not in time. And as a result this chocolate-rich delight was served as is.

So when we headed out this weekend thrifting and antique browsing, I had a cake stand on my mind.

This is one that got away… well, we actually opted out on it.

But only because I had my heart set on a dome covered cake stand, and this one just happened to be nearby.

Notice the doily? This one is crocheted… I wrote about doilies here.

So to cut to the chase… yup, we brought this beauty home! But we didn’t know anything about it at the time, other than we really liked it. Heavy, sturdy, and large enough. We’ve since learned this is the Monaco glass dome and cake stand by Anchor Hocking.

Here are a few photos I took once we got home.

It was so great to find some info. on this particular stand because we learned that it’s actually invertible.

Isn’t this cool? You flip the cake stand upside-down and the finial on the dome fits inside the hollow base of the stand. Now you have a trifle dish or a punch bowl! We also learned the cake plate itself is textured to prevent the cake from sliding around if you’re carrying it. Who knew? We didn’t, not when we made the purchase.

This is a close-up of the finial.

I love the way it absorbs the reflection of the tulips. Looks like they’re inside, almost like a glass paperweight.

The floral pattern cake plate under the stand is a vintage piece I was given years and years ago… eeek, maybe it’s an antique now :-0

At one time there was a matching server, but sadly it broke along the way.

So that was our day out for a little browsing. We both love this new addition, and I can’t wait for hubby to fill it

What have you crossed off your wish list lately? Are you into cake stands too?

THANKS FOR READING!

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Photographs by Sheila Zeller

TAG, You’re It!

By SZInteriors, on February 17th, 2012%

My friend Carol over at The Design Pages tagged me in a fun little question and answer game, and today I’m ‘telling all’ as I answer her questions! So kick back and enjoy But this is only part of the fun, because I get to tag a whole new group of bloggers and pass the ‘tell all’ on to them! And just a little housekeeping before we get started…

Here we go, this is what Carol wanted to know.

1. What did you do last Friday night?

My hubby and I are catching up on Mad Men, so our Friday nights start off with a martini and appies while we watch a few episodes… 3 olives, wet and dirty! Oh, and I prefer garlic stuffed olives please!!!

Source: Mad Men / Martini

2. What is your specialty in the kitchen?

Honestly, I’d rather prep and clean up than cook! But if I had to pick, I’d say my specialty would be appies, great salads and comfort food… I leave the extravagant meals to my hubby – he loves to cook them, I love to eat them, so we make a great team!

Source: Appies / Salad / Spaghetti / Stew

3. What is yor favourite nail polish colour?

I’m not a huge nail polish person, gasp! I love the way it looks, but it drives me crazy once it’s on. When I do decide to glam it up, I like anything in this deeper colour palette…

Source

4. Dogs or cats?

I don’t have either, but I’m a dog person hands-down, and Labs are my favorite. We had 2 black labs when I was growing up, and a chocolate lab when my daughter was quite young.

Source

5. What is your favourite computer or phone app?

When I’m working on my computer I use Jing a lot for my photos, and Evernote when I’m working on my Android tablet. My next phone is going to be an iPhone, so I bet I’ll have a different answer then!

6. Who inspires you the most?

This is a tough one! I’m inspired by different people for different reasons. My husband because he’s so focused, Candice Olson for her glamorous and functional designs, the Eames because they were just pure genius, Steve Jobs for all the obvious reasons, Audrey Hepburn for her flawless sense of style… but right now I think Young House Love is a pretty hefty dose of inspiration. They have no fear in tackling just about any DIY, and that gives me confidence to roll up my own sleeves and dive in, too!

7. If you and I were going to spend a weekend together what would you plan for us?

I’d love to go thrifting, antiquing, maybe even tackle a DIY project. Of course there would have to be some great food and wine thrown into the mix!

Source: Antique Store / Wine

8. What was the best book you read last year?

At first this question bogged me down. I read a few ‘fluff’ novels that I enjoyed, so inconsequential that I can’t even remember their titles now, but great escapes. And then I panicked thinking yikes I never read anymore! But then I realized I’m reading all the time… blogs, shelter magazines, design books, articles on line… I love to get lost in a novel, but once it’s finished I move on. And I’m ready for another one… got any you’d recommend?

Sources

9. What’s your biggest accomplishment of 2012?

I know we’re barely into this year, but one thing is my blog. I work really hard to put out 5 posts a week, so that feels pretty big as it takes a ton of time and commitment, which I know you know! And I’ve been working on some DIY projects, so I know as I finish them they’ll be satisfying accomplishments for me. I also just participated, along with other VISSR members, in a volunteer redesign project. We made over two classrooms for Bridges for Women in Victoria, and that was very gratifying… you can see the SHAW TV clip here.

10. Do you like to dance?

I love to dance! And learning how to tango is still on my bucket list!

Source

11. Which is your favourite, must read blog?

Oh boy, that’s tough. Yours is definitely one of my favorites! I read different blogs for different reasons… I love the DIY-ers, I really like blogs that feature vintage pieces, great spaces, great photography, and I definitely have a special spot for our dlbWEST bloggers. I think it’s easier to say my favorite blogs are the ones that don’t overwhelm me with a ton of text. I appreciate the work that goes into an article, and yet I want to get to all the blogs I follow, so I like it when they’re not overly long.

TAG, YOU’RE IT!

The Simply Inspired Home

2 Jacs

Row House Nest

Wooden Spoon Editions

Dans le Townhouse

Inspire Me Heather

Bella Lime

YOUR QUESTIONS

What’s the biggest compliment you could be given as a result of your blog?
What gets you out of bed in the morning, keeps you awake at night?
How do you recharge?
What is your most cherished family tradition?
If you could pick anything on any menu, what would it be?
What’s in your closet that’s seen better days, but somehow you just can’t let it go?
What’s a lasting lesson your mother (or father, grandparent, or…) taught you?
Are you seeing a make-up trend that you’d rather see gone?
Boots. What style is your style?
If you inherited an antique piece of furniture, would you modify it in any way? Where would you draw the line?
What’s hot, what’s not in decor?

Thank you Carol for including me! I loved learning more about you, and can’t wait to learn more about the others too!

The Romantic Gesture In An Equestrian Gift

By SZInteriors, on February 16th, 2012%

Valentine’s Day has already come and gone, but I promised you this post for today.

See, even tweeted that it was coming!

So you know all about the current equestrian trend in decor, right?

I bet you’re familiar with this well discussed dining room by Sarah Richardson.

Source: HGTV

Or maybe this lamp from West Elm.

Source: West Elm

You might have even seen these bookends on Pinterest along the way.

Source: Pinterest

Been inspired by a feature wall like the one in this room designed by Thom Filicia.

Source: House Beautiful

Or planned to invest in a smaller piece for big impact.

Source: Pinterest

So how does all this tie into a romantic gesture?

Bet you can’t guess!

Equestrian is the clue

Well… have you ever wished for a set of these?

Yup, this is it. The first equestrian addition to our home decor… shiny new saw horses to adorn our garage!

A surprise Valentine’s gift to me from hubby! Told you it was a romantic gesture!

Valentine’s Day isn’t a big thing for us… cards, chocolate, a nice meal in and a little wine… So for me, a DIY-er at heart, to be given a set of saw horses when gifts aren’t part of the plan… well it feels like I’ve been pretty spoiled!

Want to see how I was doing things before?

We have two of these Asian stools. And they’re not really meant to be work horses, not in a saw horse kind of way!

But you do what you gotta do when it comes to a DIY fix.

And now thanks to my hubby extraordinaire, I have a set of good things that come in a well designed package!

Saw horses people, saw horses!

They’re compact and portable.

Yet sturdy and strong… they will hold up to 1200 lbs! I’m not kidding!

Adjustable in height.

See the extra holes on the legs?

A wider span to work on compared to the Asian stools.

With an anti-slip strip on the top.

And they even bounce a bit of light

Isn’t my hubby the best?

If I told you he bought me a light-weight drill for Mother’s Day one year, I bet you’d wish for that too!

Seriously, for me these are the kind of gifts that fit the saying, ‘good things come in small packages’… you saw how compact they are when folded down! And I’m feel’n the love, because I’ve been wanting a set of saw horses for a long time now. The romance is in the thought behind the gift

How about you? Would you find this equestrian pair a romantic gesture, too?

THANKS FOR READING!

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Kick It Up a Notch With Your Kitchen Cabinets

By SZInteriors, on February 15th, 2012%

Kitchens are known to be the heart of the home…

Source: Retro Renovatation

And your kitchen cabinets definitely set the tone.

Are you still loving your cabinets?

Source: Canadian House & Home

Or does your kitchen need a little love? You know, to put the heart back in the home!

What can you do to kick it up a notch?

Painting your cabinets is one option. Replacing doors is another. But have you thought about a fresh start with discount cabinets? Like these ones below?

Source: Cliq Studio

I know, right. Who would’ve thought… discount cabinets? And these cabinets do not slouch in the quality department either!

Did you know there’s a lot more involved in selecting quality kitchen cabinets than you might think?

Let’s start with the basics. These are the parts and pieces you will need to know.

Source: Cliq Studios

Who knew there were so many basics? It’s important to be aware of these details, and Cliq Studios has done a great job explaining all of this for you. Seriously, if you know the difference in quality materials and craftsmanship, you will understand how to get the best kitchen cabinets for your budget.

There are lots of ways to bring the heart of your home up to date, and replacing cabinets is just one of them. But if you’re headed down this road, it’s important to know what you’re investing in.

For more information on Cliq Studios, check out their interactive website. You might also like to read this post by my friend Stacy over at Conspicuous Style Interiors.

Is your kitchen the heart of your home? If not, do you want it to be???

THANKS FOR READING!

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This is a sponsored post.

Sponsorship opportunities are accepted for products I believe in and can promote with integrity.

Visit Sponsorship for more details.

LOVE Around the World: Robert Indiana

By SZInteriors, on February 14th, 2012%

Happy Valentine’s Day!

When I came across this photo on Pinterest, it reminded me of the famous LOVE sculpture we see so much of.

Source: Pinterest / Etsy

Do you know the one I’m talking about?

The original 3-D sculpture below was created by American artist Robert Indiana. It’s displayed at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, and has been since 1970.

Source: Flickr

Did you know LOVE with the tilted O was originally designed as a Christmas card for MoMA in 1964? But the iconography itself first appeared in a series of poems Indiana wrote in 1958 where he stacked LO and VE on top of one another… the O of course was not tilted then.

Source: MoMA

LOVE was also turned into a postage stamp in 1973. Notice how the colours are used differently?

Source: Superfly Gallery

It sold more than 300 million copies and was, for many years, the best-selling commemorative stamp in history! Lots to love about this stamp, but seriously, 8 cents for a postage stamp – what’s not to LOVE about that?!

And did you know the LOVE sculpture has been recreated in multiple versions that can be found on display all around the world?

Here are a few of them…

LOVE – Love Park, Philadelphia

Source: Istanbul 74

LOVE – Midtown (55th St. and Sixth Ave), NYC

Source: J Stoddard Final Blog

LOVE – Shinjuku, Tokyo

Source: World Visit Guide

LOVE – Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, England

Source: Flickr

LOVE – In the gardens at Chatsworth House

Source: Commons Wikimedia

LOVE – Blanche Levy Gardens, University of Pennsylvania

Source: And Dreams

LOVE – Scottsdale, Arizona

Source: my Tom Foster

LOVE – L’Hotel Montreal, Montreal, QC

Source: Black Cog Bicycle Blog

And this last LOVE I definitely couldn’t leave out…

LOVE – Buschlen Mowatt Gallery, Vancouver, BC

Source: Flickr

These are just a sampling of all the LOVE that’s out there!

But do you know what’s really backwards?

Source: Flickr

According to Mental Floss Blog, even thought Indiana’s LOVE spread, his name didn’t, and he had little financial gain. Indiana hadn’t wanted to disrupt his initial design with his signature or a copyright notice, which meant he had no legal protection against imitators. This resulted in his image being replicated (stolen) in countless ways. Indiana eventually copyrighted some variants of his creation, but by that time it was too late to file suit against the flood of false LOVEs on the market.

Robert Indiana has an interesting history, more than I can do justice in a recap here, but it’s worth it to read up on him. I thought Megan Wilde’s article in Mental Floss Blog was very informative. And for more on Robert Indiana you might want to check out Ro Gallery here.

One last little piece of info…

Source: If It’s Hip It’s Here Blog

Did you know that Robert Indiana was actually born Robert Clarke, and he adopted the name of his native state, Indiana, as a pseudonymous surname early in his career?

Interesting history, indeed. And thanks to Robert Indiana, we have a whole lot of LOVE spread around!

I hope you have a great day!

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY

THANKS FOR READING!

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Pining for a Change!

By SZInteriors, on February 13th, 2012%

It feels like forever since I’ve been able to tackle a project, and my DIY list is getting kinda long!

I’ve been working away at the office, you know, trying to purge it and bring some pretty into the space. But then my days got lassoed away with random appointments and commitments, and before I knew it weeks had slipped by! Stay tuned. The office will get finished… it drives me a little crazy when projects hang on forever.

In the mean time, here’s a glimpse at what I was up to this weekend.

Yup, this bookcase is from the office, and it’s getting a makeover!

And since it’s not a quality investment piece, I’m just using up some paint I already had…

Do you remember this colour?

But I’m adding a little something extra to give it a bit of ‘today’ style.

Kind of fun to try something new.

All the painting is done, and now the bookcase just needs to fully dry. Then I can move on to the wallpaper. And then… show you the reveal

I need to get some Rub ‘N Buff, too. I have a frame that needs to take on this metallic hue… But I’ve never used it before, so if you have, which metallicy one do you suggest?

Oh, I saw this same bookcase being sold second-hand for $75 and a shelf was missing! Seriously, even though the shelves are solid pine, that price is not a deal for this piece! Just say’n in case you’re looking!

So, are you working on any projects right now? Do you go into DIY withdrawal when demands on your time keep you away? If you’re like me, then I bet you do!

THANKS FOR READING!

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The Vintage Past of Kelly Green

By SZInteriors, on February 10th, 2012%

With the resurgence of Kelly Green front and center, I thought it would be fun to step back in time and see what Kelly was up to in the good old days.

Do you remember this brilliant green?

If you were around in the 80′s I bet you do… but weren’t the 80′s just yesterday? Anyway, for a colour that was ‘so yesterday’, be ready to see a whole lot more of it in the coming year.

Especially in fixtures like this retro pendant.

Source: Green & Indie Design Blog

And in furniture like this Mid-Century Modern velvet chair.

Source: Caitlin Creer Interiors

Or how about these Saarinen styled pieces, c. 1960′s?

Source: Manly Vintage

But if you really want to see Kelly Green in all her vintage splendor, then you have to check out what Murano glass brings to the table. Murano glass has been around for a.very.long.time, and was popular in decor through the Mid-Century Modern era and into the 70′s.

We’re seeing more Murano art glass surfacing again, and even in places like Home Sense! But the pieces you’re about to see are authentic vintage from the time.

Like these Murano glass lamps, c. 1960s.

Source: Swank Lighting Blog

They are pretty swanky, don’t you think?

And I love these ones, c. 1950s…

Source: 1st Dibs

I also came across some very cool and unusual Murano pieces.

Like this vintage Sommerso vase.

Source: Etsy

And this Sommerso free form Wave bowl…

Source: Mercer and Dibble

The shape of this bowl is typical of Murano art glass – random, curving, and definitely free form.

Another Murano piece, you might think this is a vase, but it’s not. This is a sculpture, exemplifying what art glass is all about.

Source: Amazon

Pure beauty that captivates your attention, and pleases your eye.

Back in the day ashtrays were an expected accessory in homes, and Murano glass made ashtrays, too.

Source: Retrospect

I like the chunky weight of this piece, and how the green changes as the light hits it. Pretty exquisite when you think about what it was actually used for, isn’t it?

Murano, of course, wasn’t the only creator of unique glass pieces…

How about this very cool orb ashtray?

Source: Stylehive

It’s a Mid-Century Modern Viking art glass piece. Doesn’t this just exude the old boys club?

But we can’t let the boys have all the fun now can we?

For the ladies, a vintage Avon perfume bottle.

Source: Pinterest

A little bit of Hollywood Glam… what’s not to love?

And paired with this antique set of crystal candlesticks, c. late 19th Century…

Source: Spicer & Bank Blog

Maybe a few of these Depression glass pieces…

Source: Etsy

Just think of the vignettes one can create.

The possibilities are endless.

There were so many amazing pieces, I wanted to share them all. But green is one of my favorite colours, and I know it’s often a ‘love it or hate it’ colour, so I’ll stop here.

Well, okay… just one more. And only because the shape of this vintage art glass bowl, c. mid 20th Century, is so pretty…

Source: Etsy

And I can’t believe it doubled as an ashtray! Can you see the grooves for the cigarettes?

What do you think of the revival of Kelly Green? Are you a green person? Got any vintage pieces hiding away?

THANKS FOR READING!

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Grain Sacks. Oops, I Left Out the History Part!

By SZInteriors, on February 9th, 2012%

Yesterday I wrote about European grain sacks, but I really only showed you photos of how they’re being repurposed in today’s decor. I didn’t provide you with any background or history on them. So when I received a comment from my friend, Meesh over at I Dream of Chairs asking a few questions… Well you get the picture. I couldn’t keep her waiting for the answers!

So here goes, Meesh!

1. I wonder what the texture is like?

Grain Sack Headboard & Pillows - Pinterest

Source: Pinterest / Better Homes & Gardens

Well, in the photos it’s hard to tell. What would your guess be?

Here’s what I learned.

The texutre is rough and ranges from loose to tight and neat, but after many washings with lots of fabric softener, you can tame the nubby fabric to feel a little softer to the touch. Of course the argument is that the texture is part of their appeal! But just to give you a little more insight, apparently these antique sacks are tough on scissors and sewing machines. Would you have guessed that? Of course when you think about it, this makes sense since the grain sacks were made to last for many years, as in decades of heavy use beyond how we’re seeing them used today. So naturally they would have to be strong!

2. What are grain sacks made of? (not a Meesh question, but I thought she might ask LOL)

Source: Ebay

European grain sacks are made out of hemp fabric and very thick linen, and they range in colour from sun-bleached white, warm creams, to various shades of grey. They date back to the 1800s, the textiles were handwoven or homespun, and the sacks were stitched by hand. What’s so cool is the homespun fabric was actually handwoven from crops grown on the same family farm! Which leads into Meesh’s next question…

3. Do you know of the significance of the stripe? Its colour or number of lines?

Source: Luma Direct

The striping is indeed very significant. As it was, farmers individualized their sacks with unique striping through colours and patterns. Some even initialed their sacks with the family monogram as a further way to make them identifiable. The stripes and monograms were generally stitched or stenciled on, but some wove their unique pattern of stripes into the linen instead.

Source: Acquired Objects Blog

And if you come across a German grain sack like these below, hang on tight because they are extremely rare as few survived the wars.

Source: Trouvais

You’ll find that German grain sacks are more commonly stenciled with the farmer’s name. And something to keep an eye out for are hand painted sacks as they predate the stenciled ones. You might also come across sacks that have been inscribed with the name of the farm and the date it was established, or taken over by a new owner. Oh, I also learned the German grain sacks are a lot softer than most of the others.

So what was the point to all of this?

Farmers wanted to be able to identify their own sacks when transporting sugar, flour and grain to the market. And when the grain came back from the mill, the unique markings ensured the sacks were returned to their rightful owner.

That’s pretty much it in a… grain sack!

Source: Pottery Barn

And who knew I’d come across a perfectly monogrammed grain sack cushion for SZInteriors?

Source: Le Grenier

It’s made from a vintage Hungarian grain sack, and if I wanted to make it mine, would cost me $85 plus shipping from Australia!

Thanks, Meesh for asking some great questions!

THANKS FOR READING!

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Make It With A Grain Sack

By SZInteriors, on February 8th, 2012%

Vintage European grain sacks.

Source: The Textile Trunk

We’re seeing a lot of them in today’s decor, and I don’t think I’m alone in feeling the love. Want to see how they’re being used?

Grain sacks repurposed into pillows like this are right at the top.

Source: Freckled Laundry Blog

You’ll see them paired with grain sack throws, and other vintage pieces, too.

Like this sign.

Source: Boat Shed Chic Blog

It says ‘Dentist’ in German.

And these vintage mirrors.

Source: An Indian Summer Design Blog

Don’t you just love the look of this wall of mirrors?

Table runners are another popular DIY choice with grain sacks.

Source: Etsy

Source: Dreamy Whites Blog

So pretty, and not very hard to do.

But how about using grain sacks for a stair runner?

Source: Dreams on 34th Street Blog

I love the turquoise stripe in them. Turquoise and stripes… a perfect combination that makes me feel happy

Even draping a grain sack just the way it is makes a statement.

Source: My Lovely Life Blog

I actually like the raw edges.

Source: Etsy

Honestly, what’s left to do?

I like the idea of grain sack placemats.

Source: French Grey Blog

I think they would wash up nicely…

And pair well with a bottle of wine!

Source: Dreamy Whites Blog

Would you like to pull up a seat and join me?

Source: House Beautiful

Notice how the grain sacks are placed differently on each seat? I think that’s a great touch.

Do you have anything made from repurposed European grain sacks? I don’t, but sure would like to! Hmmm… guess I’ll add another thing to my DIY wish list