Kitchen Table

A weekend repair:

I have a small eat in area in the kitchen.   I honestly don't ever eat there, but it is a good spot to set out dishes and things when I entertain, and I like having the chair there when I use the phone, or a friend is over and we are chatting while I make tea.  I found the chair at a roadside sale and painted and re-upholstered it ... it is a really pretty, small chair, the perfect size for that area.

My brother (who is absolutely amazing and can build anything) made me a top of two laminated pine boards with a routered edge.   This sits on top of a black iron sewing machine base.   I love this table.

The factory lamination on the sides had started to dip, and I was afraid they would split off, so I took the top off, and screwed and glued two stabilizing boards on the underside.  Now I can sit anything on the top and it is strong enough that I don't have to worry.

You can only see the stabilizers if you are on level with the top.  (it looks like it still dips in this photo, but it is actually level now)

It's a little thing ... but it makes me happy.

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PS .... Just a question .... do you ever stage your posts?  I know when I was looking at my final picture I thought "wouldn't that look nice with an ironstone pitcher full of tulips"   I came back to reality when I realized I would have to get out of my sweats, wash my hair, put on some makeup, and go out in sub-zero weather to get tulips.    Sorry ... you got reality ... a candle that doesn't have to be watered, and never dies!!!

Ceiling Fan for the Bedroom

I was sick after the holiday break.   You would think that lying in bed, in a weak state, staring at the ceiling, wouldn't make you think about decorating ... but if you had to look at my ceiling it would.

My ceiling fan drove me nuts.   It is not centred over the bed ... or in the middle of the room. It is off to one side of the room!!  Laying flat on my back in the middle of a queen size bed ... this is the view!  All the ceiling lights in this house are in very strange locations, but because I look at this one daily (or nightly) I am more aware of it.   By the end of last summer it was squeaking and no amount of oil would make it quiet.  I know it has to be replaced before summer ... so what do I get?

I already know ... I just want another white fan that disappears into the ceiling ... without a squeak!

Fans:   1) Southern Living, 2) Martha Stewart Living, 3) Verandah Magazine, 4) Traditional Home, 5) Wilcorp Fans

Bathroom Mirror

Recently in the morning as I stand at the sink staring at the medicine cabinet mirror, I see nothing.    I put my makeup on hoping my eyebrows end up in an approximation of the general area that eyebrows belong.   Eyeliner ... is it near the edge of my eye lid?

I decided I needed an industrial strength mirror.   I purchased a Frack Ikea extendable one, and I just finished putting it up.

WOW ... 10x closer!!!! ... all that expensive makeup will now land in the proper place ... imagine how lovely I am going to look now.

Only thing is .... was that hair always there???

Isn't it interesting .....

I always find it interesting what your favourite new item ends up being a couple weeks after Christmas. When all the big and glitzy gifts have been put away ... what is it that you really really love. It usually isn't the thing you absolutely had to have...it is usually something simple.

My favourite new 'things' are these mugs. They are pretty ... and they are big, 6 inches high.   Easily a two cupper!

Isn't it nice to be happy with something so simple?

Where are your Favourite Toronto Shopping Places?

I was on Aubrey and Lindsay's Blog yesterday, and she was mentioning a trip she had made to Of Things Past , the consignment store, and it made me think ... how many other great places are there in the Greater Toronto area that we all love to shop ... or where are great places that we don't know about.

Another consignment store I like is The Elegant Garage Sale on Bayview, and Frontier Sales, 3313 Danforth.

A staple for me to shop is Designer Fabrics on Queen Street.   It is heaven when you are searching for fabric.   I can spend hours just wandering and pulling fabrics.

I did a post on Designer Fabrics, when I picked up fabric for a faux roman blind.

Another great fabric store is BB Bargoon's, 8201 Keele Street.   Lots of selection of fabrics.   They also have a selections of ready made drapes on site., in Vu Drapery Company.

A great lighting store is Universal Lighting, 121 Cartwright Avenue. 

I love Flik and Company, on Queen Street for their quirky accessories

 and My Backyard Shed in Burlington.   They both have pretty country furniture.

I keep coming back and editing .... how about the Door Store, 1260 Castlefield Ave.   ... love love love their hardware and architectural finds.

and Restoration Hardware at the Bayview Centre.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE SHOPS?

My bedroom ...

I love my bedroom.  It is calm and serene.... ahhh!  It was the first room I completed after I moved in.   I think you deserve to end your day in a room that let's you relax ... no matter what chaos is happening in the rest of the house.

The colour on the walls is Benjamin Moore Hollingsworth Green and all the accents are white.

Circular mirrors over the bed:

Vingette on top of the armoire:

Wicker Chair (mostly) for the cat

View to the ensuite

I have a white matelasse coverlet, and I made the quilt draped at the end of the bed.   It is a scrap quilt in soft greens and creams.  A little bit Country ... but subtle.

All in all, my favourite place to end the day.