House & Home: March 2012

Weekend Getaway - Alila Hotel

This has been such a fab week at KMinc.

We hosted our very first giveaway - BTW, there's still time to participate, your odds are better than the LOTTO!

then we opened our shop on Etsy - please go check out the amazing stuff we have there!!!

Now....it's time to escape to our Friday Favorite series "Weekend Getaway"!

Back to Bali at the Alila Hotel.

See for yourself...

Designed by Singapore-based SCCDA and inspired by contemporary Asian architecture,
the design of the Alila Villas Soori blends beautifully with its natural surrounding.

LOVE the stone wall! And...that beautiful tall candle stand! Uh-mazing!!!

Is that a hot tub in the middle of the pool?

Isn't it beautiful?!

Click HERE for more info about the Alila Hotel.
Also, our giveaway will end this Sunday at midnight. Don't forget to sign up!
Click HERE and leave your comment to participate.

Thanks for stopping by.

Have a fabulous weekend!

A-List Lighting (For the New House)

I'm knee-deep in lighting options right now. We can't choose lighting from just anywhere because of warranty issues and such with our builder. That doesn't mean there isn't a ton to choose from though, and we can always change things up down the road if we want to. Some options that have caught my eye...

1. Chrome Dome Pendant at Robinson Lighting (To possibly hang above a round table in the foyer.)
2. White Drum Shade & Chrome Semi-Flush Mount at Robinson Lighting (Front Entrance)
3. Jolene Mid-Sized Chandelier at Richardson Lighting (Considering two of these to hang above the kitchen island.)
4. 5-light Drum Shade Chandelier at Richardson Lighting (Perhaps for the Dining Room)
5. Quatrefoil Semi-Flush Mount at Robinson (Mudroom or Hallway)
6. Exterior Lighting at Robinson
7. Drum Shade Semi-Flush Mount (in black or white) at Robinson (Mudroom, Hallway, or Master Bedroom)
8. Sconce, Brass with White Shade at Robinson (Considering a pair to flank the fireplace in the LR.)
9. Bathroom Fixtures at Robinson

Here's another fixture I thought was rather stunning (at Richardson). It's unfortunately quite expensive. I love the simple, clean lines and the vintage feel though. We could eat noodles for a month, right?

Obviously this doesn't cover all the lighting in the house, but it's a start with a focus on the main living areas.

So, what do you think of the lighting so far? Love? Hate?

-Sarah

big beautiful stripe

I found this pic on decor pad. I'm in love with this big beautiful stripe in gray and white!

It's just perfect with the venetian mirror and this french bergere chair

AND...of course that pop of PINK!

Everything about this arrangement is fabulous.

Thanks, Decor Pad!

Leaving now for my meeting.

Have a great day!

Thoughts on Choosing Hardware

Hello, friends. I hope this finds you well. We had a big morning around here. My little girl got her first "real" (professional) haircut and she did amazing. I've always been the one to ~~trim~~ butcher her hair in the past but since she's going to be a flower girl this weekend, I thought I would trust the experts with her "do" this time. To celebrate the occasion we ate ice cream sandwiches for lunch, and that makes me the best mom ever!

So, I've been on the hunt for some good hardware for our kitchen cabinets and still haven't made any final decisions. Originally I wanted brass but it's difficult to find just the right brass finish. I don't want bright brass because it can look cheap and it really shows fingerprints, but I don't want aged brass because it would be too rustic-looking for us. I thought it be nice to have a brass handle with a glass knob but getting the two to look good together is tricky. I also want to make sure we choose hardware that is a standard size so that we can replace it easily down the road if we want to. Maybe I'm overcomplicated things. I just get nervous thinking about putting holes in my brand new kitchen cabinets.

Here are a few options I was considering until I saw them in person.

I also briefly considered recessed hardware which is popular right now, but I'm too scared to make that commitment. It would be difficult to replace since it's actually set into the front of your drawer or cabinet.

Glass knobs are always lovely and add the perfect amount of sparkle to any space. Still considering them.

Here are two options that are still options for us as well. I like the brass finish on both of them. The one is more classic or traditional looking, the other more contemporary. (The second one looks quite rustic in the picture but it really isn't.)

I would highly recommend that you choose your hardware in person if possible. It made a huge difference to actually see them and feel them, because how they feel in your hand is important too. You don't want something that feels flimsy and cheap.

Feel free to share your thoughts. I'd love to hear your tips and suggestions.

Still on the hunt...

-Sarah

All hardware from Lee Valley

shop until you drop!

Hi everyone,

KMI shop is finally open!!!

I've been dragging my butt forever trying to get this shop together!!!

Thanks to Ms. M who's constantly inspiring me and pushing me to get out there and

sell my little treasures. WELL...We've finally done it!

Through my travels, while shopping for my clients and MOI, I have purchased

beautiful textiles, pillows and accessories (both interior and fashion)

You know how it goes...

one for you and one for me!

Sooo....I've decide to stop hoarding all my beautiful things

and share them with the world!

I can't wait for you to see the first fabulous selection of handpicked

vintage items and textiles that we put together.

Hand-woven vintage embroidery pillows and fabrics, baskets, sea fans

African carved-wood figures, Indian vintage throw, and much more.

This is just the beginning.

Keep checking as I will be updating the inventory constantly!

I hope you LOVED!

Now... go shop!!!!

Click HERE to check out my shop on Etsy.

XOXO

Notes from Samantha Pynn

Here are some notes I took from Samantha Pynn's presentation at Home Styles (Saskatoon, SK) this past weekend.

She gave us four main points for decorating a space. Her approach is practical and accessible.

1. Start with a Floor Plan. Either draw it by hand or try an online program. Lots of furniture stores have programs you can use for free.

2. Create a Storyboard or Inspiration File. Collect pictures of furniture and write down the dimensions for each piece. Carry paint chips and fabric samples with you. Don't try and go from your memory.

3. Work with what you have.

4. Buy vintage or 2nd hand. Consider upcycling what you find with a fresh coat of paint or an upholstery job (or even just a professional cleaning job).

Other little tidbits:

Avoid too many big pieces in a space.
Repetition is your greatest tool.
Be VERY purposeful with your feature wall. If not done correctly, it will look cheap like you couldn't afford to paint or paper the whole room so you just did one wall. (Very true.)
Create banquette/bench seating with short, "above the fridge", upper cabinets. This is way cheaper than having something custom built.
Mount sconces at eye level.

I mentioned yesterday that the subject of the "oak package" came up several times. Samantha's solution was to paint it (which isn't surprising). She said that oak trim visually breaks up your space too much, whereas white trim blends in better. White trim almost recedes into the background, allowing other things (like your furniture and artwork) to take centre stage.

Here are some of my favourite "Samantha Interiors". She's one talented lady!

Oh, and she has a new show airing April 2nd called "Summer House" where she and her team decorate 13 homes in cottage country. Sounds like it will be good!

-Sarah

under the stairs

Sometimes this valuable space becomes waste!

"Haste makes Waste"

Here's a few good solutions!

Great place to add a closet/pantry...

...OR a storage for the hall.
Loving this entry!!!!

indoor garden

nap time

a cool niche display

or...a little library

Gives you something to think about in your next remodel!

or.... wasted space lurking around your

home!

Come on Peeps!

Don't forget to sign up for our giveaway!!

I know it's a bribe! But...A GOOD one!!!

Have a beautiful day!

A Few New House Goodies

Sorry for the late post today. I've been feeling crumby. I did have a good weekend though. It just tired me out and I think I was already on the edge of coming down with something. Just need some extra rest and I'm sure I'll be back to normal.

I had a good time at Home Styles this past weekend. It was a treat to hear Samantha Pynn speak and I had a chance to meet her afterwards. She was really sweet and gave some helpful advice in response to the questions that were asked. (I took some notes so I'll tell you more about it another time. I will say that the subject of the "oak package" came up more than once though.) We also got some inspiration for our new build at the show. Speaking of which, I did some running around on Saturday and had a look at some flooring, lighting and hardware. My iphone is loaded up with pictures of things that caught my eye, and I came home with a few goodies in hand.

The colour samples are for me to choose a kitchen cabinet colour and you'll see a sketch of our kitchen layout beneath. I ended up buying a few hardware options for us to consider too. I'm having such a time choosing the hardware. Perhaps I'll have to put it to a vote in the end (if you don't mind helping me with that)!

So, it's coming together. They are actually going to start framing tomorrow (Tuesday), so I'll have a picture for you next week that actually looks a bit like a house.

For now, I'm going to curl up on the couch and have a little nap.

-Sarah

Giveaway!!!

Hope you had a great weekend!

Today I have a couple of reasons to be super excited...

One, I will be showing you a line of jewelry that I love.

Two, I will be doing my very first giveaway!

Thanks, to Maggie!!! My GF who's a little hipster on all things current and cool!!!
Maggie also works for Dogeared as their merchandiser - go figure!
Sooo... thanks to her, Dogeared is helping us out with our first GIVEAWAY!

Dogeared is a jewelry company founded in California in 1991
out of the desire to share beauty and good energy with the world.

- I like that! -

Inspired by objects found in nature, collected in curio-cabinets and even discovered in their own jewelry boxes, dogeared uses different art forms and techniques to create an uncomplicated and organic aesthetic that I LOVE!

Besides, each piece has a story to tell... take a look below and see for yourself: