Only in the US have I seen the golden brass armed chandelier as a standard light fixture in almost all newer homes. (I think (or hope!) that the trend is almost gone). I am a pretty upbeat gal who likes most things but I can’t think of a more hideous chandelier. It is mass produced, yellow brassy and totally charmless! I’d rather have an unique light bulb on a pretty cord than this. (Even when we rented homes years ago, I took them down!)

And for those of you who still have one and don’t know what to do with it — I would normally have said let Salvation Army pick it up. Until… I recently saw this project and now I almost wish I had kept one of my old ones! Haha! Did I really just say that?!

Talented Victoria took this ugly duck (you can’t even see the details because of all that glaring brass):

And turned it into this — with the help of some primer (I suspect) and matte purple paint. I have seen makeovers like this before with white and black and even red paint but purple is a first for me. Didn’t it turn out great! It cost her only $10, people! And now all the details really pop.

I will forgive you for keeping your mass produced brass chandelier only if you turn it into something more unique!

Warm hugs to you all.

Images via Design Sponge.

More Domino Magazine goodies, ripped out and saved in a large box — until now. You might remember some of these.

How brilliant! Dress up a “manly” file cabinet by making a photo copy of lovely wall paper and glue it on. (This I must try for my own home office).

Create your own, unique office desk by putting a glass top (can be found at Ikea) on a pair of architectural columns. I really, really like this idea!

Decorating on a shoe string budget but you still want something new and fresh. Why not paint  a canvas with a stencil (a few were used here) or simply stretch a pretty fabric over a canvas? Instant and unique art.

Lucky owner who found this mail caddy (that once used to hold mail and keys at a hotel in Paris) and turned it into shoe storage.

I remember saving this image for its composition but also because I loved that little square vase filled with fresh Freesia. I might go to the market for that alone tomorrow!

I am back from lovely Vancouver (we had so much fun!) with the most terrible sinus cold I think I have ever had. I am ready to chop off my head. I will be under the covers for a day while the kids are enjoying a school free day (or two) due to massive snow that just came down. The trees look so magical with thick snow on their branches!

Warm hugs to you all!

All images scanned from old Domino magazines.

When I saw this print in the latest issue of Living Etc., I smiled with my whole body. I have not bought in to that whole graphic print trend with witty quotes and statements but if I am going to buy just one — it will be this one, by Anthony Burill. (Anthony Burrill’s persuasive, up-beat illustration and design has been commissioned by cultural, social and commercial clients around the world from New York, to London to Tokyo). A little bit of fun and a little bit of color.

And this is where I have been hanging out for the last few days — in beautiful Vancouver, BC Canada. For any of you visting us/Seattle — here is another destination for you to consider. It is only 2.5 hours away from Seattle and packed with culture, a good social scene and terrific shopping. Along with Stockholm (well, of course!) it always ends up on the list of the most beautiful cities in the world. 

Pan Pacific Hotel down town is where we have been hanging out. Hubby made sure we had a water  and mountain view.

One of the best gifts any mother can get, is a getaway with no cooking, cleaning, chauffeuring to 200 activities and picking up “stuff” after a small army of people and animals. Another reason to smile from ear to ear!

Warm hugs to you all.

(I will check in with all of my blog friends as soon as I have caught up).

Do you recall my search for the perfect light fixture above our new kitchen table? Well I am probably going to disappoint a few of you but I could not get that industrial looking glass pendant out of my head. I am talking about the one I fell in love with over at Restoration Hardware. Some of you liked it, some of you not so much. But I personally love the style! A little bit of an edge to my gray trestle table won’t hurt.

I was however a tad worried about the scale and many of you echoed my concern. It was simply too big for the table. But I just found out that Ballard Designs carry a very similar pendant which is perfect in size and only$399 compared to $950 for the one at RH! It has been ordered and I can’t wait to have it installed!

For a warmer effect I am going to order Edison filament bulbs with a more yellow light. I don’t want a cold and sterile feeling kitchen area. A kitchen should be cozy in my opinion. I will get mine through our fabulous local store, Velocity.

I have never bought any furniture at Ballard Designs but I feel that they have some pretty neat accessories. I think this floor runner could be a fun accent piece on our dark hardwood kitchen floors. I am going to inspect it a little bit further. I like the poem written on it.

Warm hugs to you all. (My kids are having mid winter break. We will spend a lot of time away from the house and even try to find some snow!).

Inspired by the whole industrial vintage look and many talented peoples’ DIY projects, I have been on the hunt for a vintage wooden crate to use as a toy bin in William’s “new” bedroom. Here is some lovely inspiration.

Via Komma Hem

Via Lisaroy.

I have been looking for a while and was getting  ready to buy one on E-bay (for about $50 + shipping) when I stumbled upon this beauty at a local garage sale. I paid $5 and could not believe my luck! A good clean and four casters (from Home Depot at $4.98/each) and we are in business! (And this one is all about Lucerne Milk and not wine or hard liquor. A more appropriate message for a 3 year old!).

Prince William will soon get his own cool, rolling toy bin!

The room is now painted and I am getting ready to pull it all together. Now the fun begins! More on the progress soon.

Warm hugs to you all.

Image no. 1 via The Stir.