What I See...

Having seen the recent pictures of the new house, I now have a good idea of what decor items and furniture I need/want to buy.

Today, I'm sharing my plans for the nook by the stairs.

my personal photo

I'm thinking of a console similar to this one that I saw at Homesense a while back.  I'll check to see if it's still there next week, but I highly doubt it is since it's such a gem:

my personal photo - table found at Homesense

Some items I'd like to display include this beautiful Jen Ramos print (will stand it on table and lean against the wall vs hanging):

source

and a lamp with a chrome base and black shade...something similar to this:

source

I'll be sure to share a picture of the space once it's all finished and decorated!

Also, I think I've decided to get this lamp from Urban Barn for the family room.  Will pick it up next week (aka, the week BEFORE we move!!!!):

source

Here is the picture I took when I went to take a look at it last week:

Cheers,

Nosey Neighbour

Yesterday on our way to pick up the kids from school, I took a picture of a garden that I've always loved.  I honestly felt like that creepy neighbour that we all stay away from, but I really wanted a picture so that I could use it for inspiration in the new house.

My plan is to have something similar in our front yard in the new house and then in the backyard I'm going to do something similar to what we have now.  Lush, full gardens in the backyard and a minimal, kidney shaped, low lying but full of colour garden in the front with a beautiful, large, flat rock.  This garden is just beginning to bloom.  The plants at the back get quite tall, it's just so lovely mid summer!

So yes, I was that creepy neighbour, but it was so worth!

Cheers,

Sneak Peeks!

Hi friends! I hope you are all doing well and hopefully you are having better weather than we have been lately.  It's been cold and damp, but the sun is suppose to come out to play by the end of the week.  Fingers crossed.

Well, we are now 2 weeks away from the pack.  I can't believe it!  I've been counting down from day one, but now, it's really getting exciting and no longer feeling far away.

I have a few sneak peeks of the new house to share with you (if you're on twitter or instagram (@elliven), then you've probably already seen them).  I can't wait to see the house in person, I'm especially excited to see the kitchen!

Here you go:

entry

family room

living room

Cheers,
 

A Month?!

How does one go without blogging for nearly a month?! Oh dear.  I shall not bore you with excuses, especially since the last couple of blog posts have started off with me writing something along the lines of an apology for being MIA.

Well, we have beaten the colds (knocking on wood) and we are nearing the end of our countdown to the move (exactly 4 weeks from today, they will be loading our stuff onto the truck....seriously O-M-G!!!!).  Am I freaking out? Simple answer...yes.  Sanity seems to still be sticking by my side, but for how long...I do not know (fingers crossed it stays until at least the end of June).

New appliances have been purchased and delivered (pics coming) and more to be ordered in the next few days (waiting for a new week of sales...come on sales!).  Decor purchases have been put on hold, but the sourcing continues.  I'm pretty certain of what it is I want to buy, but will wait until after we are in the house until I go to purchase them.

Well, with that being said, here are a few pics of the happenings around here the past couple of weeks....

new appliance #1 (truth, yes, I did kiss it...swoon!)

mothers day - the boys did well!

one of the most beautiful moments, my boys sitting quietly watching the ducks & birds at the duck pond

added a little neon to my wardrobe thanks to Gap!

continue to look for decor inspiration, the cover of this issue is just that!

and sadly, we said goodbye to one amazing family member...my in laws dog (right)

The move is in 4 weeks.  I hope to blog a few more times before that.  Be sure to follow me along on twitter for more pics and updates!

Muah!

The Living Room

Something I'm quite excited about is to have both a living room and family room in the new house.  We already have most of the furniture for the family room, but will have to buy new pieces for the living room.

I'd like to go somewhat formal as it's right next to the dining room (no walls dividing the two), but at the same time, I want the kids to be able to go in there without worrying that they will break anything or ruin the furniture.  So it still has to be kid friendly.

I'm really loving the idea of going with a light leather sofa, like this:

-source-

But figure I'm just asking for trouble!  Anyone out there have young kids and a white/ivory leather couch?  If yes, how's it holding up?

I'm thinking of going with a glass top table similar to this:

-source-

And would love to have a set of armless upholstered chairs across from the couch, on the other side of the coffee table, a style similar to this, but made with different fabric:

-source-

This will also be a room the will boast some beautiful artwork (thinking something a la Jen Ramos) on the walls and a large scale floor mirror.  I'll also have to source out a lovely rug to go beneath the couch, chairs and table.  For the windows I'd like some type of silk curtains.  Let the sourcing begin!

Cheers,

Pulling It All Together

Hello, hello!

So as we near the closing on our new home, I am beginning to pull together a decor scheme.  I'm currently focusing on the main floor and our master bedroom. I recently ordered a few fabric samples from Tonic Living in Toronto and am pleased with the direction I'm heading.

My goal for the kitchen is to have a bright, fresh and soothing space.  We went with bone coloured cabinets, a marble-ish looking quartz and a java toned hardwood.  Here is a pic (I apologize for the poor quality) to give you an idea as to what it will look like (the cabinets are not the same design as the ones we chose, we are just using this one for colour reference):

Another pic of the counter:

-source-

I'd have to say that the kitchen is by far my favourite room in the house, always.  I don't know what it is about the kitchen that I love so much, but I enjoy sitting in there and just hanging out.

We have a reclaimed wood harvest style table that will go in the breakfast area (also in the kitchen) and I've chosen this light to hang above it:

-source-

For the window above the sink, I'm thinking of going with either a hobbled or rear tucked roman shade and then drapes for the patio door (which is off of the breakfast area).  Both made with one of these fabrics:

By the way, Nancy over at Marcus Design recently wrote a fabulous post on roman blinds, definitely worth checking out.

I'm also really excited about the dining room.  I've chosen this light fixture for above the dining room table:

And have fallen for this table by Woodcraft:

I have yet to see this table in person, but it is exactly what I'm looking for, so my fingers are crossed that it looks just as good in person as it does online!

Okay, I think that's good for today.  I'll also fill you in on my plans for the living room, which is attached to the dining room and the family room which is off of the kitchen.  Plus any other decor decisions we make in the coming weeks (I'm sure there will be plenty!).

It's quite a bit of fun decorating, slightly overwhelming as the decision process can take quite a bit of time, but fun seeing everything come together.

Cheers,

The House Hunt

Hello, friends! How are you? How is spring treating you so far?  We are doing well over here!

We just recently took a trip to our soon to be new city to buy a home.  It was a great trip in that sense.  We found our new home on the first day that we were there after seeing 14 others.  It was love at first sight!

We have something for house numbers, do you?  Our current home is the same number of my father in law's snowbird plane when he flew with them.  Our new home is my husbands old CFL number from his football playing days.  The house just felt like it was made for us, I love how sometimes, the house chooses you.  We are so pleased and thankful.

Anyhow, because it's a new build we were busy picking finishes for the remainder of the time that we were there.  I'm totally excited and can't wait to see the finished product and, to of course, share it with all of you!

Here are a few photos from our trip:

going through the airport

lights

lights (the one in the middle with the brushed nickel trim)

more lights (oh my)

outdoor lights?

master bedroom light

sneak peek at my kitchen (cabinets not the style, just using this one for colour reference)

So, we made a lot of decisions and have quite a few more to make.  It's all coming together though and we're finally feeling as though we've gotten over the hump.  Now it's more like a waiting game.

I apologize for the lack of photos, but I really want to show you the finished project without sharing toooooo many sneak peeks!

I hope you all enjoyed an absolutely wonderful Easter weekend and that the weather is beginning to perk up a bit where you are!

Cheers,