Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

Yesterday was my birthday & in light of this I thought I'd share this Audrey Hepburn quote with you:

Self reliance AND being willing to lend a hand to others are two qualities I've always admired in others.  This year I hope to become better at both.

'Til next time, blogland!
xo J

New Build Takes Shape

Quick update on the new build.  It's taking shape - we've got the framing almost completed & the roofers & plumbers are working onsite.  Here are some shots taken over the past few months:

{ house in the snow; top floor being framed }

{ forming for chimneys... best guesses we had from neighbours as to what the 'things on the side of the house' were:  elevators & grain silos!! }

{ board form chimneys installed }

{ bluebird day, roof on }

{ landscaping underway }

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

Some words of wisdom for your Wednesday:

Today I needed this.  Hope it inspires you, too.  For more quotable quotes you can check out my Pinterest board. 

xo blogland...

J 

Established Exteriors

Inspired by my sisters' & sister-in-law's faithful blogging habits (Esther Clark's Hipona Consulting,  Leah Clark's Tiddly Bits & Karen Parry's Get the Skinny Fat) I will, once again, try to update my blog with regularity.  Here's to keeping this resolution THIS TIME.....

In spite of the fact that we are building new, I find myself drawn to exteriors that are established, have some wear & tear, some history, some 'ghosts'.  Here are some examples:

{ rustic brick & ivy covered Atlantan Home}

{ 17th C Chateau de Mossiac }

{ established manor home }

{ Francine Gardiner's residence }

It seems to me that contemporary structures don't age as well.  Or perhaps they just haven't been around long enough to be properly tested.

{ pinned by me ~ I don't know the architect }

I do love this concrete house & the landscaping looks verdant so perhaps I am being proven wrong already!!

Have a great weekend, blogland....

J xxo

Published in Home Decor & Renovations

I am very excited to share with you that I am published in a design magazine, Home Decor & Renovations.  It is a free print publication or you can read the magazine online by clicking here and going to page 26.

{ February/March 2014 }

I am hoping I will be a regular contributor but I suppose it will depend upon the quality of my prose and how many exclamation marks I pepper my writing with!!  My dear friend, fellow wine imbiber & bibliophile, Stephanie MacDonald, is editor of Wall Media's myriad of real estate publications.  She asked me to write a few words on getting your home into the swing of spring and here is the article:

Hope you enjoy!

J xxo

Pantry Planning

Wikipedia's definition of the pantry describes it as "... a room where food, provisions, dishes, or linens are stored and served in an ancillary capacity to the kitchen. The derivation of the word is from the same source as the Old French term paneterie; that is from pain, the French form of the Latin panis for bread".

I love the idea of loaves of bread {like these below}being stored in my pantry to be consumed with copious glass of vino, melty butter & sharp cheese.  Mmmmmm!  

{ gloriously crusty baguette }

But I digress...  

Lots of time has been spent space planning and sketching the elevations for the new build these past weeks.  I've been looking at the pantry & figuring out how many shelves & cupboards make sense.  We will have a deep freeze in the pantry as well.  I've sourced a few inspiration images to serve as creative fodder for a utilitarian space.  I love the colours & combination of textures in this pantry by ask anna & the fact that she has a chandelier in the pantry is perfection!!  

{ grey & white... what's not to like? }

I'm dilemma-ing over open shelving and cupboards with doors that hide all of the mess inside.  It seems like I'm drawn to the open cupboard concept for easy access & display but like having all the mess hidden away behind doors (which also keeps the dust at bay).  Perhaps a mix of open uppers with cupboards on the bottom makes sense with some counter space as a landing spot for food that's prepped but yet to be served.  I love the wallpaper in this pantry & the vintage crate storage on the bottom shelf..

{ "House of Smiths":  apropos, no? }

To think I've spend many years living in homes & aboard boats where this amount of space would seem gluttonous:

{ love the wicker baskets & glass jars }

I must say that sourcing these images & looks and the stockpiles of food have makes me grateful for all we've been blessed with.  We really do have so much & it is good to stop & give thanks.

'Til next time...

J xxo

New Build Begins...

I think I was as excited as my children look a few months ago when the demo of the old house started:

{ Paulina, Hugo & Sebastian watching the destruction }

{ old house is reduced to rubble }

{ kids plus a friend after school take a rest in the digger }

Prior to the demo the house looked like this:

{ dining room }

Complete with vintage wallpaper, carpet & drapes:

{ the flocked wallpaper was in great condition }

{ these drapes! }

{ this kitchen carpeting!! }

And after a "house wrecker party"with this cast of characters...

{hockey in the dining room }

{a few bevvies with the boys }

{  girls having some laughs }

{ cuties on bikes }

{ graffiti artists }

{ and more lovely guests }

The last minute party & demolition continued on into the evening as you can see below...

{ hooligans... but cute hooligans }

And this is the result:

{ I did rescue the chandelier - with a fresh coat of paint it will be quite cute }

We're well into the project now with the framing started.  I'm working on final drawings for the interior plans & elevations.  I'm going to try to keep on top of this blog a bit better as it's an interesting way to chronicle the building process plus give me a little creative outlet.  I'm also working on updating the blog & my website so to that end, wish me luck!

'Til next time, friends...

J xo