Monday Musings

This weekend was a whirlwind!  Loads of fun and lots on the go.  While Monday came a little too early, I'm actually enjoying the quiet as I work from home today, uninterrupted.  My peonies are blooming and my new tea towel from Liberty London has me all 😍heart-eyes😍:

:: Union Jack tea towel ::

:: with my one of my favourite flowers ::

:: closeup ::

(FYI the tea towel uses some of Liberty's most popular patterns sewn into the shape of a Union Jack.  Now do you see the reason for being so crazy about a TEA TOWEL???)  But I digress.

One of the projects I'm working on is my home office.  This room has become the dumping ground for unwanted furniture, Christmas wrapping paper and pile of files that need to be re-filed or shredded.  And I'm sick of it.  So I'm going through my design process that I would do for a client to try to ensure this project gets completed!

Here are the original floor plans for the room:

:: home office floor plans ::

Stay tuned for before (cringe!) and after (yay!) photos.

What are you up to on your Monday, web-world?

Til next time...

Julia x

Landscaping Inspo

I have neglected this blog for years!  It was my creative outlet and I've been missing that escape lately.  Here I am again to post my musings out into the ether.

This past week I've been working on a planting plan to add onto landscaping at our Beaumont Build.  My focus has been on other business and this project has been neglected, pretty much since shortly after we moved in about two years ago.   I like to think the existing hard- and soft-scaping we've got in place is beautiful, it just needs a little fleshing out.

To that end I've been searching for inspiration.  Here are a few images that have provided just that:

This design by Doyle Herman Design Associates is in keeping with the clean-lined aesthetic I'm going for:

:: concrete pavers & boxwood similar to our existing planting scheme :: 

I want to add some climbing elements to soften our planting plan.  I'll have to convince the mister, though.  I love this look by Kelly Nutt Design: 

:: gorgeous climbing rose ::

I want to add hydrangeas but plan to layer them with evergreen shrubs that will last year round.  These gorgeous overblown white hydrangeas featured in Domino.com are absolutely stunning:

:: beautiful display of white mophead hydrangeas ::

The following picture was taken two years ago when our landscapers were putting in our sod and yew trees:

:: Sterling Landscaping hard at work ::

I plan to take some more pics and post as we progress.  Until then bogland.....

x Julia

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

My Uncle Paul has gone missing off the coast of BC.  News reports can be found online here & here. He was an experienced sailor & outdoorsman, a strong Christian & loved being in the wild.  We, his family, & all of his friends are praying for his safe return.  My cousin (Paul's daughter), Marian, shared a quote & it is one that Uncle Paul would have enjoyed:

{ explore  dream  discover }

We appreciate the prayers & support of you all, near & far.  

Til next time...

J

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom;

My husband was recently at the Ace Hotel in NYC.  He took this picture of the staircase & texted it to me:

{ Bob Marley's wisdom }

I love it!  

Til next time...

Julia

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

When I am working on a large project I can get overwhelmed by the big picture.  It happens every time.  You'd think after 40+ years on this planet I'd remember that this happens to me and act accordingly, but... nope!  Mostly I just know that I know more than I did at 20 but I certainly don't know as much as I thought I did at 20.  But I digress....

In the process of working on a big job like a house build, I can, from time to time, get boggled (one of my wonderful mum's words) & stuck & paralyzed.  But as soon as I begin to break the huge project down into larger chunks & those chunks into manageable piece I breathe easier.   A 'to do' list emerges and if I can strike a few of these little 'to dos' off every day I feel productive & less boggled, stuck & paralyzed.

When doing these small tasks I will try to be mindful of Mother Teresa's words:

{ love is in the small things }

If great love is put into the smallest of details, imagine how wonderful the big picture will be!

Sending summer sunshine your way....

J xxo

Millwork Design

I am thrilled to have enlisted Simon of ESQ Design to do the millwork in our new build.  He worked on our last custom home & we were very happy with the results:

{ closeup of range & hood fan }

 {kitchen & family room }

{ master ensuite }

{ spacious laundry room ~ usually not quite this tidy! }

Simon has worked on many other projects and here are a few of his favourite shots:

{ West Side contemporary kitchen }

{ classic ensuite }

You can check out more on ESQ Design's Houzz site by clicking HERE.  I am looking forward to seeing his finished handiwork in this latest project of ours.  

Until next time...

J xo

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom - Tinza's Tiddly Bits

Since I have been negligent in doing an update I thought I'd repost something from my sister's well-written & much-followed blog:  Tinza's Tiddly Bits.  It is a wonderful definition of luxury & good food for thought:

{ luxury found in time & quiet }

Family always comes through, even if they don't know they do. Thanks, Leah!!

{ photo from anewspaper article in the early 1990s aboard the Pacific Swift }

Stay well, blogland...

J xxo

Be Brave Be Courageous ~ Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

I am up at our cabin right now with our kids.  It's quiet here because most people haven't started their summer vacations.  It is wonderful to be in this place where there is lots of family history.  There is much involved to get up here.  But it's worth it.... Certainly well worth it.  See proof below:

 { tire swing at Gramma Barbie's Beach }

{ John & Carol's shell & driftwood creation }

{ three of the best }

{ into the deep }

{ racing to the slough }

I love this poster from Lay Baby Lay (buy it here) which is a quote from Psalms.  A wise reminder to me in the every day struggles & joys of life to be brave & courageous.  And if I am struggling, rely on the outstretched helping hands.  Because they are there.  They are.

{ Psalm 27:14 }

Til next time... 

J xo

Happy Father's Day

This post is dedicated to my Dad, Martyn John Clark.

{me, Dad & my sister, Rachel ~ Bahamas mid-1970s}

Dad... Thanks for showing me great adventures while keeping us all feeling safe.  Thanks for teaching me to love literature & a good story but also to encouraging us to get out enjoy the great, wild world.  You showed me the importance of family dinners, the power of a good story, how punctuality equals respect, how to give thanks to God, how to tie a clove hitch... thanks for making us tasty omelettes every Sunday, for being a father figure to many young people (most importantly me, Rach, Crick, Est & Leaps).  

Thanks for being my Dad.  With much love, always,

Do-Bug

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

I'm sad I missed last Wednesday's "words of wisdom" post because I had so many great ideas for celebrating the great Maya Angelou.  But so many other, more prolific bloggers filled the gap so all was well.  She will be much missed by many - what a woman!

Quick post today as I've had a full week.  Last weekend I went to LA for a girlfriend's 40th.  I'm off tomorrow to Toronto for my sister's children's baptisms.  I'm so excited to see her & her family, other friends & relatives who will be there & my Mum & Dad too.

Here is a great reminder when we are thinking too hard about our living spaces:

{ your home, your story }

Til next time, blogland...
J xxo

Progress at the New Build

Things are moving forward at the new house.  We poured walls for the garage and the basement bar last week & the trades have been on site forming the retaining walls.   I love seeing the bones of the home rise up out of the ground:

{concrete footings poured, retaining walls being framed }

{ concrete truck onsite pouring basement bar }

{ inspecting the steel }

{ walking on what will be underground }

{ vibrating the concrete to ensure concrete consolidates }

I can't wait to see the walls when they are stripped and the concrete is exposed.

I'm headed to LA at the end of this week to celebrate a friend's 40th so I am looking forward to some Southern Californian inspiration. 

'Til next time...

J

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

I stumbled across this a couple of weeks ago:

{ Vincent van Gogh's wise words }

When in yoga class, we are reminded to be intentional in each movement, each breath.  I have been not been practicing yoga regularly for a while but I love the sentiment behind this.  Daunting, big projects can be broken down into manageable chunks and no job is too small to be blessed. 

Beautiful.

Til next time, blogland...

J xxo

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom on Change

This quote from Socrates rings true to me whether taken in the context of a built environment, a society or my own self:

{ the secret of change }

What do you think about this quote?

Til next time...

J xo

New Project

I am very excited about a new project I am working on!!  More details to follow... but for the time being I will share this:

The client is lovely.  I lucked out.

{ lovely like this?  yes, indeed }

The project is inspiring.  We're working on a kitchen and master bedroom & ensuite redo plus a refresh of the entire feel of the main floor.  I can't wait to see the magic unfold, just like this space waiting for what's next:

{ blank canvas }

The original plans are old-fashion blue prints.  There's something tactile & beautiful about hand-lettered plans:

{ blueprints }

Looking forward to sharing this project as it progresses.

'Til next time, blogland...

J xo

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

Luxury as defined by Oscar de la Renta in this quote:

Interesting words from a man who could probably buy as many expensive things as he'd like.  

'Til next time...

J xxo 

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

I've been second guessing some decisions on the new build.  Then I was reminded of this quote {thanks to design*sponge}:

When in doubt don't add, take away.  Simplify, don't over ornament.  I think the spaces below are wonderfully inviting.  Check out this window seat & fireplace.

{ looks like a soft spot to land }

I love this sophisticated landscaping:

{ concrete treads & boxwood risers }

And how about this spot to soak in with a good book?

{blissful outdoor bath }

And this??  

{ yes please where do I sign up }

Yes, Leonardo... I do believe you are on to something.

Til next time, blogland....

J

xo

Concrete Pour

Last week the the footings for the retaining walls & garage were poured as well as the smooth "paper face" finish cap on top of the board form fireplace.

{ forms in place }

{ crew pouring the footings for the south & east retaining walls }

{ pumping the concrete into the forms }

{ board form chimney with paper face cap }

{view from the north side of the house looking south east }

I love the combination of the contemporary concrete with a traditionally lined house.  We are excited to see how the contraposition of the two plays out.  

'Til next time, blogland....

J xxo

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

I can think of only cliches to describe the speed at which the past week raced by.  We (take a deep breath)...

... celebrated two birthdays (Paulina's 9th & Hugo's 3rd), had four days holiday from school, ate  lamb dinner at Craig's aunties' house, had baseball practices, baseball games, inline hockey games, played ice hockey hockey, had track practice, went to dance & soccer, went to open gym, went to school, slept, went to an Easter brunch, had mimosas, decked out a friend for a 70s party, opened presents, drank wine, blew out candles, had a lovely belated birthday dinner at a friend's house (girls only, no kids), had a Skype call with my family in the UK, Ecuador, Mexico & Canada, visited the emergency room at Lion's Gate Hospital (all's well, just a false alarm!), went to church twice, had two Easter egg hunts & sang happy birthday countless times.


Phew!  So it's already Wednesday & I need a quote to inspire me for the few days ahead in this (for me & many) short week.  Here it is:

As always, you can check out my Pinterest page for more words of wisdom by clicking here.

Til next time, blogland...

J xxo

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom - Paulina's Special Edition

It is our daughter, Paulina's, 9th birthday today.  In honour of her this quote (more good stuff here on my Pinterest page):

{one of my favourites}

To follow, a few shots of Paulina, exhibiting above characteristics:

{ siblings' first meeting }

{ roar }

{ sand ball wars at Second Gap, Thornmanby Island }

{ surfing ~ Buccaneer Bay }

{ mermaid princess ~ Second Gap, Thornmanby Island }

Happy 9th Birthday, Paulina.  You are small but mighty & you are fearfully and wonderfully made.

With love,

Your Mama