Budget-Friendly Family Room

Hello, friends. I hope this finds you well. Hard to believe tomorrow will bring us into December! The last month of 2011 and then a new year begins. Over the holidays, you'll likely enjoy some family time, and there's nothing like spending that time in a comfortable, family-friendly space. I've put an imaginary family-space together, AND... it's budget-friendly.

White & Grey form a neutral base. Wood and Brass Accents warm up the space. Blue Tones and Hints of Pink add some colour.

Budget Pieces:
Ektorp Loveseat & Chaise Lounge at IKEA $600
Formosa Tray Table (white) at CB2 $60
Soho Dhurrie Rug (grey) 5x8 at Shades of Light $288
Madeline Chair (Turquoise) at Urban Outfitters $350
Grey and white throw at IKEA $15
Carved Wood Coffee Table at West Elm $321
Ikat Dot Grey Fabric (for curtains) at Tonic Living $10/yard
Jade Bylbos Pillow at Caitlin Wilson Textiles 20x20 $60

Slight Splurges:
Devon Round Mirror at ZGallerie $200
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp at Shades of Light $225
Moroccan Pouf by Jonathan Adler $275
Basket at Crate & Barrel $70

I could definitely see my family cozied up and kicking back in this space. What about you?

I had originally thought this round, marble-topped coffee table might look nice but opted for the wood table instead. (The wood table looked more beat-up-able, and this is a family room after all.) I do think this marble-topped beauty is lovely though, and it's also quite affordable.

Smart Marble Round Coffee Table for $350 at CB2.

-Sarah

Artwork: via pinterest

Design Crush: Commune

You have to check out “The New Modern House” in House Beautiful by the awesome designer Pamela Shamshiri, from Commune.  Amazing stuff going on here - layers upon layers of greatness!! The house has such a cool, hip vibe to it.   Don't tell Pamela, but… I'm ripping this look off for my house!  

Now this is what I'm talking about - the sofa is so hot with all these found kilim pillows. It's screaming at me - sit on me, hang out for a while.  Also LOVE the fact they hid the TV and all the stuff that goes with it…  I need,  I want!!

Can u say... sexy kitchen chairs?  Look how they executed the upholstery! 

Please...how nice is this?

Go check out the December issue of House Beautiful for more. 
Btw, check out the Commune Design website for other projects and a cool shopping section.

I'm in love, again!   Hope you liked!

K&M

Stylist's 100-year old home renovation

Happy Wednesday...or like I like to call it...Happy Second-to-last-class day!

I have long been obsessed with the following kitchen. In fact not only have I saved it in my inspiration files, but it was one of my jumping off points for my kitchen project in class. I just love the unexpected use of the unlacquered brass hardware, found in vintage shops and on eBay. It really makes this kitchen special.  And can you believe these cabinets are from Ikea!?!? Reinforces my desire to do a completely wonderful kitchen reno using Ikea cabinets and fabulous hardware!

So when I found out more about this gorgeous home, I had to share with you.

This newly renovated jewel is the home of Toronto props and food stylist Sasha Seymour. Check out the spectacular "after" photos, featured in House & Home, of this 100-year old home.

PS--I'm really digging roman shades lately. They aren't nearly as dramatic as floor to ceiling curtains, but they really show off a bold graphic print well without overwhelming the room.

Photos by Michael Graydon

I'm Smiling

Yesterday my hunny came home with an early Christmas present for me. Have a look...

Now, in case you're thinking that I'm a total techie who is always current with the latest and greatest, I'm not. This is my first iphone and (get this) my first cell phone ever! Yep. You heard that right. Anyway, my husband decided it was high time for me to carry a phone, and he thought it made sense to make it an iphone. That sounded just fine to me.

I've been having fun learning how to use it, and now I have something to do while waiting in line at the grocery store (as if keeping my kids away from the tic tacs, menthos and chocolate bars wasn't enough).

I picked up a case at Future Shop last night. I thought it should have something protecting it. Perhaps I'll change it up down the road. 

So, I'm mobile now and liking it. Merry Christmas to me and thank you to my darling husband! (Smooch!)

-Sarah

meanwhile at KMInc...

Here is a little peek of a recent project. The items below were selected for the lobby area which represents a transitional space into an industrial-rustic-masculine vibe for the other rooms. As you can probably tell, the director’s chairs were something the client wanted to incorporate.  Which option is your favorite?

Xoxo,

K&M

Cottage Chic Guest Room

Happy Tuesday everyone! I have another exciting project in the works...I am helping a friend refine/reorganize her den/study, living room, and guest room. Besides the fact that her house is absolutely gorgeous (her and her husband recently finished huge renovations) she is so sweet and has great taste...let the fun begin!


I started with the guest room, as this is the simplest room as far as design so I figured it'd be a good place to start...

I normally don't like to source everything from one store, in this case Potterybarn, but I definitely knew the look I was going for and everything I had in mind just happened to be at Potterybarn. I wanted to do something charming and cottage-y while still being crisp and chic. I absolutely love Benjamin Moore's Woodlawn Blue, it is the perfect balance of country and modern. I thought the color combination of Woodlawn blue, white, cream and natural accents (with a pop of mirror) would be absolutely stunning!

Here is what I came up with...I'll let you know what we actually move forward with. 

Cottage Chic Sources

Stratton Bed & Baskets

·      Potterybarn, $999

·      Full/Queen Bed: 60" wide x 80" deep x 16" high

Charlotte Headboard

·      Potterybarn, $499

·      Queen: 62" wide x 2.5" deep x 63" high (I’m guessing it’s about 50” high at lowest point)

Charlotte Armoire

·      Potterybarn, $1149

·      46" wide x 26" deep x 72" high

Park Mirrored Bedside Table

·      Potterybarn, $399

·      24" wide x 18" deep x 28" high

Gilded Gold Frames

·      Potterybarn

Grace Duvet & Sham

·      Potterybarn, $129 queen duvet, $49 Euro Sham (x2)

Pick-Stitch Quilt & Shams

·      Potterybarn, Sandalwood, $159 queen, $25 Standard Sham (x2)

White Sheets with Monogram

·      Potterybarn, White with LightBlue/Porcelin Blue Monogramming, $89

Benjamin Moore paint in Woodlawn Blue

Natural Roman Shades for both windows (Smith & Noble or Next Day Blinds)

Botanical Calendar for art (we can frame with gilded frames)

·      Paper Source, $21.95

Saarinen's Treasure

Check out the new Dwell magazine for beautiful photographs of the Miller House, a treasure designed by Eero Saarinen and Alexander Girard. With an open layout, flat roofs, skylights and a mix of stone and glass walls, the house exemplifies a typical modernistic aesthetic.  Inside, the beautiful contrast of bold colors and rich textures against white and smooth surfaces fills the space with life and interest! The good news is that the house is open to the public... I hope someday I'll see this gem in person! Fore more, follow me:

The pictures below are like music to my ears. Every element is so well orchestrated…

I’m going to tag this “perfection”!

The cylindrical fireplace above, although lit most of the time during the winter, had its base filled with plants during the warm months of the year... I can't help but stare at it!

 Dining Room

Office 

Kitchen

 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12

We totally needed some inspiration to start the week after such a long break!

Hope you have a great week ahead!

Xoxo,

K & M

Navy & Camel

A new week begins! I hope you had a good weekend. 

Today, a simple look at a colour combo that has been grabbing my attention lately. Navy & Camel. Two colours that work beautifully together, creating a bold but classic look. 

This Girl...

Reads Her Favourite Novels Here...

This Girl...

Relaxes with Friends and Family Here...

And This Girl...

Gets Her Work Done Here (when she's not out shopping for fancy new duds)...

I like the colours best when paired with a healthy dose of white, but black can also be thrown into the mix. Yes, black and blue do go together! (At least that's what the "rules are meant to be broken" people tell us.)

Hugs,

-Sarah

p.s. Thanks for all your feedback on my "black Friday" post. It was great to hear that so many of you felt the same way. Here's to future black Fridays free of pepper spray and hand guns.

image sources: pinterest (3 images); Apartment Therapy; pinterest; Atlanta Home Magazine 

Navy + Orange Nursery

I'm back! I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted. This has been the longest I've ever gone, and I've missed it every day! To say I've been a little overwhelmed is the understatement of the century! Between work, school, the holidays...oh yeah and did I forget to mention...I'm 5 1/2 months pregnant!! :)

That's right! I'm having a little boy, due in late March/early April. So exciting!!!

Which has made me focusing on nursery designs...I think I'm going to do a preppy navy/orange/white

Something like this...

I love when baby rooms are charming without being overly baby!

Check out some other super cool navy & orange spaces & ensembles...

And here's a photo of me preggers...