By SZInteriors, on April 30th, 2012%
We popped into The Old Fire House Wine Bar on Saturday and capped off our Black Tie evening with the cocktail special of the night.
If I gave you a few clues, would you guess what it was?
This hand-blown glass is very close to the glass our ‘special’ was served in.
Source: Any Gifts Direct
Tiny and sweet with great curves. Kind of sets the tone, doesn’t it? 
And these, the cognac of colours within it.
Know what it was yet?
Maybe this will give you one more clue…
If you guessed the ’Old Fashioned‘, you’re right!
We enjoyed the smooth blend of Bourbon, simple syrup, bitters and a few other finishing touches that completed this special ‘New Age Old Fashioned’ cocktail.
I’m so disappointed we didn’t take a photo, because everything about it was perfect. From the sweet little ‘Old Fashioned’ cocktail glass, to the incredible colours that danced within it… the unbelievable blend of flavors and aromas that escaped from it… and of course, the atmosphere and company surrounding it!
Here’s a stand-in photo for the one that got away!
Source: Communal Table Blog
Can you work with me and just imagine the sour cherry in there, too?
The colours were seriously amazing, especially in the beautiful lighting of The Old Fire House Wine Bar at night!
Do the colour of cocktails inspire you? Have any favorites to share?
When something just strikes the right note, it’s worth savoring. You never know when you’ll strike that note again!
THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!
xo
It’s about coming home… and home is a special place that tells your story!
If you would like some help with your space contact me here.
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Photo Sources: Sweet Spot; Science of Drink; Look at Lao; Spirits & Cocktails; Erika Janik; Kitchy Cooking
By SZInteriors, on April 27th, 2012%
I received a really nice email the other day wondering if I knew the maker of, or had any info on the Brutalist credenza in Don Draper’s new office from Season 4. This is the photo that was attached.
Source: Jonamor Decor
Roger, do you mind moving those chairs for me please?
You know by now I’m a Mid-Century girl at heart, have a date with hubs on Fridays for a few episodes of Mad Men and martinis, but do you think I could sleuth out many details on this piece?
The best I could do was find a few more images, very few details, and no original designer name. Here are the photos I found on Modernica blog.
Source: Modernica Blog
I guess Roger was leaving – he didn’t move the chairs for me! With this photo we can see the details of this piece a little better.
So this is what I learned…
This credenza is the ‘Freeform Credenza‘ and it came from Modernica Props in Los Angeles.
Here’s a full view of this very unique piece.
Source: Modernica Props
Did you know that Modernica, a now distinguished manufacturer and designer of Modern furniture, started out as a vintage store? Read more about Modernica here.
If I had to guess the designer influence behind this piece, I would say Phillip Lloyd Powell (1919-2008) and Paul Evans (1931-1987). Did you know Powell and Evans teamed up through the 60′s and 70′s? Read more about their partnership here, but suffice to say their union worked magic as evidenced by the cutting edge designs they created.
Here are some of their incredible pieces, so you can make up your own mind.
Sculptured Black Walnut Wall-Hanging Cabinet
Source: Worthpoint
American Walnut Wall Mounted Console
Source: 1st Dibs
Black Walnut Amoeba Cabinet
Source: icollector
Walnut Desk
Source: Artifact Auctions
Walnut 2-Door Serving Cabinet
Source: Worthpoint
Black Walnut Sofa
Source: icollector
Pierced & Mirrored Folding Floor Screens
Source: 1st Dibs
When you see the details of these Powell & Evans creations, can you see a similar style in the sexy Freeform credenza that calls Don Draper’s office home?
Here’s one more look…
Source: Modernica Props
I would love to know for sure the influence behind this Modernica credenza, but for now I’ll hand it over to Powell & Evans. If you know something more, or anything different, I would love to hear from you!
Oh, and on the note of Don Draper’s furniture…
Watch for this MCM dresser to appear in Don’s bedroom in Season 5!
Source: Mod Monger Blog
Just say’n
Do you like to know the history of the pieces used in set design? What show’s decor is getting your attention right now?
I love learning behind-the-scenes details, because there’s always more to the set than meets the eye. And as I delve deeper, I am awed by the incredible attention to detail that goes into each part and piece of the big picture. And then I laugh at myself for being awed, because isn’t that how it works? As Charles Eames said, ‘The details are not the details. They make the design.’ And that’s the truth behind each and every set design, too.
THANKS FOR READING!
xo
It’s about coming home… and home is a remarkable space that tells your story!
If you would like some help with your space contact me here.
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By SZInteriors, on April 26th, 2012%
For the love of rusty old things…
There’s no way to really describe it. You either love it or you don’t. But if you have a love for rusty old things, then this post will make sense to you…
In one word, art.
Source: ehow
I love the colour of the turquoise as it bubbles and cracks against the rust.
Vintage links of hardworking chain…
Source: Small Studio Blog
So dramatic in a pile like this.
An old bolt… jewellery against this course grain of wood.
SZInteriors Photo
And a truly repurposed piece, this clock is made of ‘found’ objects!
Source: Etsy (Paula Art)
What’s your guess? Do you know what the first life of each object might have been?
And for all my buddy DIY-ers out there,
Source: Squidoo
This paintbrush is for you!
Love these vintage square-cut nails.
Source: Etsy (Gazaboo)
Which have been classified as ‘Steam Punk’ art!
I have a thing for doors and their great hardware.
Source: Pinterest
And I bet this latch looks better now than when it was new!
Weathered wood and a rusty hay fork.
Source: Etsy (Find 4 You)
Somehow farm tools get me every time.
Could this be the last spike in these railway ties?
SZInteriors Photo
How about that for a supersized nut and bolt?
This vignette is a collection of vintage whimsy.
Source: Etsy (Junque Gypsy)
And what’s not to love about the all American Family scale?
I love, love, LOVE the colours in this photo.
Source: Cul de Sac via Pinterest
So deep and rich, especially with the tangerine tango of the leaves! The weather today feels like it could be autumn all over again…
Would you put these on top of your wrought iron fence?
Source: French Laundry Blog
Would you give them a makeover or leave them just the way they are?
I bet you’ll never guess what this rusty piece is…
Source: Tripwire Magazine
Would you believe it’s actually created in Photoshop? This is not a real object, it is layers of colour, texture and special effects! And no, I didn’t create this. I only wish I did!
What’s your style? Do you like rusty old stuff, or do you prefer some glam and shine?
I’m glad you stopped by! My last few days have been busy, and I’ve been suffering from inspiration withdrawal. Does that ever happen to you? Apparently the saying goes, real artists never look for inspiration, they just go out and create it. I’m not sure I actually agree with that, but I get it. And so… the projects will get fired up again!
THANKS FOR READING!
xo
It’s about coming home… and home is a remarkable space that tells your story!
If you would like some help with your space contact me here.
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You might also like:
An Explosive Beachcombing Project
How Was Your Earth Day?
By SZInteriors, on April 23rd, 2012%
Yesterday was Earth day… how did you spend your day?
We went to the beach, soaked in the scenery and savored the fresh ocean smell.
Enjoyed watching a dad teaching his son to fly a kite.
Stumbled upon a very cool fort made of driftwood.
And took a little peek inside.
Then had fun taking photos, and dodging my shadow!
Loved the way these old groynes line the shore…
And since I love anything that’s rusty and worn…
Had to get up close and personal.
And couldn’t resist a shot of this rusty old cable, too!
I think it looks pretty cool.
Got captivated by the colours in bloom…
Which included grasses, too.
And loved how the water just sparkled.
Like diamonds in the sunshine.
Just like this guy
We had such an awesome day.
The ocean is my favorite place to be.
Can you tell?
So glad the sun was shining today. What a great way to celebrate Earth Day!
I hope you had a great day, too.
The gorgeous weather added to the breathtaking beauty that surrounds us, and also served as a reminder to all of us to take nothing for granted. It is up to each of us to do our part to care for the world that we live in. For what we enjoy today is not a guarantee for tomorrow… but it is our responsibility to try to preserve.
THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY. I’M SO GLAD THAT YOU DID!
xo
It’s about coming home… and home is a special place that tells your story!
If you would like some help with your space contact me here.
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By SZInteriors, on April 20th, 2012%
Burberry…
Source: Luxpresso
Do you live in it?
Source: Salon of the Dames
Source: CoBurberry Sale
Source: Burberry Scarf 2011
Do you live in it?
Source: Addicted Reader 27
Source: House Beautiful via All You Need Is Style
Source: Burberry
Or…
Do you live in it!
Source: Sajkaca Blog
Source: Sweet Water Style Blog (Artist: Jens Werner Andersen)
Source: Mockitecture
It all depends on how you look at it!
How do you feel about plaid? You know it’s back, right? And it’s not all Burberry!
The vintage 70s plaids in blends of golds, browns, oranges and greens… well, I appreciate them from a ‘back in the day’ kind of way, but let’s just say there’s always a story to tell when it comes to bad plaid! I bet you’ve heard one or two
THANKS FOR READING – I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!
xo
It’s about coming home… and home is a special space that tells your story!
If you would like some help with your space contact me here.
Subscribe to SZInteriors by email or RSS feed
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By SZInteriors, on April 18th, 2012%
Yesterday I had planned on picking up some flowers for a little added colour splash. But I totally forgot.
So I cut a few leaves off my anthurium plant instead!
Do you think my plant misses these leaves?
No, I don’t either!
I actually like the simplicity of large leaves being featured on their own. They make a nice impact without a lot of fuss!
What do you think? Are you into featuring just the greens? Got any favorites to share?
Rethinking your options is always a part of decorating. And I really believe that shopping your home is a great place to start. You’d be surprised at what everyday items can do for your decor, especially when you’re caught in a pinch! It’s all in how you look at it!
THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO STOP BY!
xo
It’s about coming home… and home is a special space that tells your story!
If you would like some help with your space contact me here.
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Photos: Sheila Zeller
By SZInteriors, on April 17th, 2012%
I’ve had this little project brewing and semi-complete for a while now. But the hold-up in finishing was finding a shade that would work. It’ll all make sense. Trust me.
First, here’s the lamp I found thrifting.
I bet you’re wishing this find was yours. I know you do! Don’t you just love the sombrero scale of the shade?
Here’s a close-up of the base.
A little grimy, and in need of some TLC scrubbing.
Just the job for Bar Keepers Friend. Have you ever used this before?
I was introduced to it by Lisa from Lisa Goulet Design in this post… thank you for the introduction, Lisa!
Here’s a quick ‘Before’ and ‘After’…
Sure took the tarnish off.
But I had to get into the grooves with a Q-tip.
Can you see the difference between the pattern on the left vs. the right?
I didn’t want to emphasize the pattern, even though the black in the grooves was intentional.
After the lamp base was completely cleaned, check out the golden hue it took on.
Here’s another look at it.
And this is how the lamp was left since the beginning of March. But only because finding a shade was a lot tougher than I thought it would be.
Fast forward to last week, and here’s what I found just on spec at Liquidation World.
A pretty little cotton shade…
And the scale is good.
Perfect for what I have in mind!
Here’s what I did next.
Gasp! Ruin a perfectly good shade?
Yup, and blacken the frame, too!
You see I wanted to try a skeleton shade. Do you remember when I featured skeleton shades in this post?
But finding an inexpensive shade with the right center piece and all the wire sections was tough. Trust me, I looked!
Want to see how the lamp turned out?
First, a little look back…
Before
Remember the sombrero?
Well here’s the skeleton in place of the sombrero!
After
Kind of fun, right?
We replaced the socket piece with one that had a tri-light switch, but couldn’t find a clear tri-light bulb in this round shape. We ended up putting in a 40 watt bulb, and it’s plenty bright…
As you can see here.
…
…
…
What do you think? Is a skeleton shade for you?
I was inspired by a few blogs that I read, and some photos on Pinterest. This project was all about trying something new, and the key was to keep the costs down… but also just to have fun. By thrifting and being thrifty, this project only cost $15 total, and it was a lot of fun to do!
THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO STOP BY!
xo
It’s about coming home… and home is a remarkable space that tells your story!
If you would like some help with your space contact me here.
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Photos: Sheila Zeller
By SZInteriors, on April 16th, 2012%
I’m not sure if it was the sunshine, or just the sheer determination to see this DIY project through to the end this weekend, but our ReStore chandelier is off the project ‘to do’ list! If you missed the ‘Before’ post, feel free to catch up on it here.
This is where we started. The chandelier exactly as we bought it from ReStore.
Plans: to spray it out black.
And here’s a quick look at my trusty spray booth ready for the spraying action.
Well, my semi-booth…
And in my eagerness to get started, I almost forgot to protect the candle sockets, but luckily remembered just in time.
I cut painters tape to fit inside the opening – that’s the green you see.
And finally got the first coat sprayed on.
I was trying to be light-handed with the paint, but some areas got a little extra love on this round.
I learned that I probably should put some sides on my booth in the future. I got away without sides in other projects, but… let’s just say hubs was very understanding with the spots that accidentally hit his car.
I know they’re a little hard to see here (they are, right?), and from my perspective that’s a good thing Whew, most of these have come off! He must really love me now 
Especially since this next part was where he stepped in.
Down with the old… remember to switch the breaker off to the light’s power source before messing with the wiring!
The new hole drilled for the chandelier…
And a swag hook with a butterfly anchor installed.
This part always makes me nervous :-{
The new chandie had to be rewired with longer wire…
And a new black chain installed, too.
It all looks pretty messy, doesn’t it?
But then we finally got to test the new wiring out.
Breaker on, and…
It all works!
The final step, to decide how low to hang the chandelier, then cut the wiring and chain to the right length.
We went back and forth on the height. This space has a 9′ ceiling, so we started with 30″ above the table, but it felt a little too low to hubs, so we adjusted it to 32″. We don’t have a dimmer switch… yet, but that’s been added to the ‘to do’ list!
What do you think?
Now that we’re happy with the light fixture, we can shift our attention to the rest of the space! We actually have a larger farmhouse trestle table that hubby made. We want to swap it out with this one, but just need to give it a quick refinishing before we do.
Here’s a little re-run of the before and after:
Before
After
Before
After
And remember when I mentioned the clock was one of the reasons we wanted to paint the chandelier black?
Before
After
We think this chandelier is a better fit.
How about you?
It’s amazing what a difference a little tweak like this can make. And the process was fun as well. In the end making changes to your space that put a smile on your face are worth the effort involved… This was a perfect way for us to end our weekend. I hope you had a good weekend, too!
THANKS FOR READING!
xo
It’s about coming home… and home is a remarkable space that tells your story!
If you would like some help with your space contact me here.
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Photos: Sheila Zeller
By SZInteriors, on April 13th, 2012%
We’re finally rounding the corner on our weather… aren’t we? Soon we’ll be thinking BBQs and the beach.
And with that comes portable chairs like the deck chair.
Source: Design Boom
That’s right. The John Thomas Moore adjustable folding chair.
British businessman, John Thomas Moore (1864-1929), took out a patent for adjustable folding chairs in 1886, though deck chairs can be traced as far back as the ancient Egyptians.
As you can see in the illustration above, the early version of the chairs were made of three wooden rectangles hinged together to form the folding frame. A rectangular piece of canvas in olive green was attached to the frame to form the seat and back support thus becoming the infamous deck chair.
You’ll often hear these iconic deck chairs referred to as the Brighton Beach Chair.
Brighton Beach, 1948
And that’s because as you see here, the chairs grew in popularity and became part of the tapestry of Britain’s Brighton Beach.
And as iconic as the chair itself, is the blue and white striped fabric that replaced the original mottled olive canvas.
Source: Etsy – The Postcard Shop
Moore manufactured the deck chair in Macclesfield from 1887 onward, and by then they had become common place on transatlantic steamers. In fact, Moore supplied the Titanic with 600 deck chairs, of which only six survived the tragic sinking. Apparently, one of these was sold at auction in 2001 for £35,000, and it is believed this chair had been used as a makeshift life raft!
Here you see the deck chairs on the Titanic.
Source: Kottke (Francis Browne Photo)
Notice how their design is different from the original design, and includes a footrest?
And here you see a cane back variation of the original design, but with arms incorporated.
Source: Trip Advisor
Since the 1940s the adjustable folding chair has made its way onto lawns, cricket pitches, tennis courts, patios and anywhere a portable comfy seat was needed, as you see in this photo.
Source: Meet the Beatles for Real Blog
Any idea who the gentlemen are in the background?
Today you’ll find the iconic British deck chair still scatters the shores of Brighton Beach and beyond.
Source: Telegraph
And we are fortunate in the last few years to have a version of the British deck chair brought to our very own shores by Vancouver’s Gallant & Jones.
Source: Gallant & Jones – Venice Beach Deck Chair
If you haven’t heard of this dynamic duo, you might want to read about them here.
The Gallant & Jones deck chair is handmade of North American White Oak or Black Walnut, and is available in a number of bright and bold weather resistant fabrics.
Here are a few examples…
Source: Gallant & Jones (Janis Nicolay Photo)
Do you recognize this Vancouver beach?
Don’t the chairs look pretty sitting here?
Source: Gallant & Jones (Janis Nicolay Photo)
They’re named from beaches and lakes throughout British Columbia and in Great Britain, and just to show you local examples of that…
Here you see the Kitsilano and Jericho deck chairs.
Source: Gallant & Jones
I think these would be perfect around our new and improved BBQ area, don’t you? Especially once the plants are all potted up and in bloom.
From John Thomas Moore to Gallant & Jones… these deck chairs have come a long way, yet only gotten better with age!
How about you? Would you like a set of these chairs, too?
I really like the simple construction and lines of these deck chairs, and what I love about Gallant & Jones carrying on the legacy of John Moore’s design are the vibrant fabrics they use. But what I really appreciate is their environmentally conscious integrity around the construction of their deck chairs, and this: with every deck chair purchased a tree is donated and planted through the LOVE TREES PROGRAM. Gallant & Jones – environmentally responsible AND design savvy!
THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO STOP BY!
 xo
It’s about coming home… and home is a remarkable space that tells your story!
If you would like some help with your space contact me here.
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By SZInteriors, on April 12th, 2012%
Okay, I’ve been trying to tackle my project list instead of add to it, but this project is one that I’ve been dreaming of! And when the iron is hot… well, you know how it goes So… surprise, I’ve added another!
When hubby and I were visiting our friends in Sooke last weekend we stopped into the Langford ReStore on our way home. I always like to drop in when I’m in the area. You never know what DIY is just waiting to happen, right? Cruising through the lighting section is how I begin my tour… And there it was! My DIY waiting to come home with me.
But let’s back up for a moment.
This is our dining area.
And this is another view.
Do you notice anything wrong with this picture? Besides the builder’s standard, not-so-attractive chandelier, how about it’s placement?
Right. What were they thinking? The chandelier is centered in the room instead of over the actual dining area. And yes, we’ve had more than one tall person unsuspectingly hit their head on it.
Since we don’t own this home, it’s not in our best interest to reroute the light, and then have the ceiling repaired. Notice the textured ceiling? So, I’ve been wanting to find a swagged fixture to replace this one, and ‘swag’ it properly into position over the table.
And this is what ReStore had in store for us…
It’s a brand new fixture with one tiny flaw in it, which you’ll never see once the chandelier is hung. And I like that the candle sockets are wrought iron instead of plastic… and all at a ReStore price!
My plans are to spray it out black so it works with the rest of our decor.
This is what you see from the dining room.
Notice the clock?
That’s one of the reasons I think we need to go black – both pieces are accent features, so I think they need to compliment each other. And then of course, there’s the black fireplace to keep in mind, too.
So tomorrow I’m off to pick up my paint and get the spraying part done. And barring any mishaps, we should be able to get the chandelier hung up this weekend.
This is one thing I’ll be happy to have in place!
How about you? Are you looking for something key to change up your space?
It’s always so great to find a bargain, but when I find my bargain at ReStore it makes me super happy, because I know the money is going to support a great cause. And I like the fact that I’m working with the 3 R’s – reduce, reuse, recyle – that’s where the real value is in the bargain!
THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!
xo
It’s about coming home… and home is a remarkable space that tells your story!
If you would like some help with your space contact me here.
Subscribe to SZInteriors by email or RSS feed
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Photos: Sheila Zeller
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Meet Sheila  Hi, and welcome to SZInteriors! I'm a decorating enthusiast, and here you'll find a collection of all the little details that help make a house a home. I feature Mid-Century design, decor inspiration, and I even dare to share my DIY projects with you, too! I hope you like what you see. Thanks for stopping by - Sheila |
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