joshua tree... mojave sands motel

As some of you know, I have been extremely energized and inspired by the mid-century vibe of Palm Springs, California design for many years now. On my most recent trip, I decided to spend a few days with Mike and Poppy in Joshua Tree. It's an odd yet intriguing little town and the landscape is completely spiritual and awe-inspiring with its outrageous rock formations, yucca trees and a sky full of stars... it really feels like your on another planet. In addition to the natural beauty, we happened to stay at a special little motel worth blogging about.

The Mojave Sands is a modest and unique 5-room motel just outside Joshua Tree park. Each room is equipped with a typewriter, record player and eucalyptus steam shower while the outdoor space is sprinkled with vintage designer chairs, acorn wood-burning fireplaces and potted cactus gardens. It's a simple and beautiful life staying at the Mojave Sands. The 9-year renovation was obviously a project of the heart as every detail was considered. I hope you think the Mojave Sands Motel is as cool as I do. Please enjoy...

as promised... poppy's room

A while back I provided some images that inspired the design of my baby's room with hopes of inspiring those of you preparing baby rooms of your own. I also wrote that I would post photos upon completion of the room. Well, the room has been enjoyed by my little Poppy for almost four months now. So without further ado... please enjoy.

{photos by Shane Oosterhoff}

been a little busy...

I apologize for my recent absence... I have been busy with the little one. I will be back soon to post some new and exciting design inspiration. Thanks for understanding!!

wall of books...

A bookshelf wall is such a simple and striking way to add a layer of interest to a room. The books provide texture and colour to your space while the size of the bookshelf provides impact as a feature wall. The way you choose to display your books within the shelves will reflect your personal taste. The books can all be stacked uniformly or colour-blocked; you can have some displayed vertically and others horizontally. You may even choose to mix in some knick-knacks or art. A bookshelf wall offers you a beautiful way to showcase your book collection and personalize your space.

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minty...

To me, mint green is a colour of calm vintage nostalgia. I think of kitchen gadgets from the 1950s and pistachio ice cream. Mint green manages to make a fun and playful statement while also remaining quite subtle. When used on modern materials, mint green has a retro feel, which might not be for everyone. But if you love the retro look (like I do… I’m a bit obsessed), it’s a great, unexpected punch colour for a stove, bathtub, light fixture, etc. If you are painting mint green onto a piece of old wood furniture or a vintage chandelier, it tends to create a more tranquil, aged look reminiscent of a worn-down barn or a 1930s lace dress. Mint green is surprisingly versatile and a great candidate for a hip and unique colour scheme.

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home tour on HGTV.ca...

My home was just featured on HGTV.ca.

Click here to see the full article and more photos.

And for those who were waiting to catch of glimpse of my baby's room, please enjoy!

moodboard inspired by... MK Olsen

This moodboard is inspired by Mary Kate Olsen. Her vibrant red dress with gold details has a vogue and vintage feel. I have selected some furniture pieces and accessories to emulate the feeling of her photo and create a living room space with a similar flair.

{images: 1. pierre frey fabric; 2. tubular metal burst; 3. arched marble table lamp; 4. art; 5. sofa (source unknown); 6. jett desk; 7. chandelier; 8. sunburst mirror; 9. suspended bubble chair; 10. coffee table (source unknown); 11. gold glasses; 12. aurora armchair; 13. southport side table; 14. alice pop armchair; 15. alpaca pillow}

not too shabby...

Okay, you keep hearing about it and nodding your head like you know what it is… shabby chic. Where did it come from? What the heck is it? Here’s the low down. The shabby chic look has two main qualities; items need to appear worn, weathered, distressed and vintage and the colours should provide the space with a light, airy and feminine feel. Shabby chic rooms usually include cotton or linen fabrics with a French romantic flair and furniture pieces where wood has been painted, re-painted and then stripped down a bit so the layers of paint can be admired. The shabby chic look originated in Great Britain and was meant to imitate cottage or country homes. The style should look effortless, elegant, minimal and weathered.

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flower power...

Nothing says summertime like bringing the outside in with fresh-cut flowers. There are so many clever and beautiful ways to display them in your home. Stick to just one flower or plant for a monotone colour scheme, mix and match a variety of wild flowers, or carefully select your vase and flower duo to create a complementary colour scheme. There are some wonderful and creative ways to display succulents and grasses such as suspending them from above or using an everyday object like a cinder block. If you’re having a party, displaying your flower arrangements in old bottles or tins creates a cheerful, clever and cost-effective centrepiece.

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tulip time...

This classic mid-century chair and table were designed by the Finnish-American architect and industrial designer, Eero Saarinen, in 1955 and 1956 for the Knoll company. The rounded form was considered futuristic and “space-age” at the time and the chairs even appeared on Star Trek!! This dining ensemble’s classic look has stood the test of time, making the design a staple in the ever-changing and evolving interior design realm. The tulip table can be paired with so many different types of chairs and still look amazing. And the tulip chairs are often used in combination with desks to create an adorable workspace. The options are endless when it comes to cushion upholstery for tulip chairs and it’s great to see tulip tables with tops made of different materials such as marble or wood. So sleek and cheerful, the tulip chair and table are one of my very favorite designs.

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happy birthday...

Mike and I are thrilled to announce the arrival our baby girl. We are proud parents... happy and in love with our sweet little one. We wanted to take this opportunity to share our joy.

{bird and poppy image by Geninne D. Zlatkis, Mexico}

the beauty of backsplash...

When it comes to designing your kitchen, backsplash can really set the tone. There are so many options from patterned tile to subway tile, marble to metal, glass, porcelain and even wallpaper backsplash! White subway tiles always provide a clean and crisp look for an extremely reasonable cost. It’s a great place to save money on your project so you can put it towards other aspects of your kitchen. Plus, white subway tiles compliment many different design looks such as modern, traditional and French provincial. Wallpaper can be used as kitchen backsplash, adding a wild and fun element to your space. Just make sure to put a coat of polyurethane on top so that the paper is easier to clean, as it will most likely get dirty. Changing up your backsplash can be a fast and relatively low-budget way to make a big transformation in your kitchen.

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lovin' lucite...

I have always had a thing for Lucite… what a unique and inspiring material! Lucite is actually a brand name for an acrylic resin developed in the 1930s… so pretty much Lucite is just a type of plastic but it sounds so much fancier when we refer to it as Lucite. Since it arrived on the design scene, this see-through beauty has made a lasting impression, providing us with a strong array of classy and chic furniture. Lucite’s airy presence is especially useful in small spaces, as it adds no visual clutter. It’s funky, it’s crisp and it’s neutral… it’s time for you to add some Lucite to your life.

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dwelling for little one...

My husband Mike and I are expecting our little one in less than a month now (holy smokes!). We have had fun creating a special, happy and cozy space for our baby to call home. We have filled the room with hand-made items created with love and we put our energy into producing a functional, cheerful and positive environment. It’s tricky to make a space gender neutral but I think we have done it successfully. Here are some images that inspired our nursery… I hope they inspire you too! Stay tuned for photos of our nursery.

{images: 1. bungalow rocker, 2. mobile, 3. eclectic and colourful nursery, 4. whale tissue box, 5. pouf, 6. giraffe lamp, 7. wallpaper in nursery, 8. beanbag bookend, 9. mid-century nursery}

white space...

Nothing brightens up a space like crisp white walls. A fresh coat of white paint will immediately illuminate your room and even make it appear bigger. The key to utilizing white walls effectively is choosing bold and punchy colours to create a happy and cheerful environment or pairing the stark white walls with warm and natural materials such as wood or leather to create a sense of balance. White does not mean sterile… with the right personal touches it can provide you with a bright yet cozy modern space.

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we'll all float on...

Who needs legs and brackets when you can embrace the effortless beauty of the float. There is a magical simplicity to interior design features that appear to be floating. Floating shelves, desks, vanities, benches and staircases have become quite popular, offering a very modern and minimal look. By taking visual weight out of the equation, your functional furniture appears light and airy. The floating staircase is an especially impressive invention, as it seems to defy the very laws of physics. Sometimes less is more… these sleek floating features appear simple in design, however, they have a strong visual impact.

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summer time and the livin's easy...

Summer time and livin’s easy… and the design is freakin’ cute!! The sun is shining and it has inspired this bright and colourful post. Here are some adorable outdoor products to make your summer time interior design style funky and fun. I believe that your environment directly impacts your mood; these products are guaranteed to create a happy vibe so get outside and surround yourself with some hot summer finds.

{images: 1. tivoli radio, 2. bbq, 3. camera strap, 4. planters, 5. bird feeders, 6. towel, 7. ping pong paddle (+ cover), 8. outdoor pillows, 9. hee chairs, 10. acapulco bag, 11. beach umbrella print}

kelly wearstler...

Kelly Wearstler is a beautiful, innovative and established American interior designer. Her focus caters to a high-end and international clientele, including hotels and resorts such as the Viceroy properties and the Tides as well as outfitting her sought-after flair to high-profile Hollywood celebrities. Her recognizable style provides a vibrant and glamorous luxury. On top of being a busy and successful interior designer, Wearstler is an author of three design books and has a coveted rug, wallpaper, fabric, bedding, dinnerware and table linens line of goods sold at high-end retail stores such as Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. Kelly Wearstler is inspired.

{for more information and inspiration, visit Wearstler’s website and her blog... please enjoy!}

map it out...

Working with individuals on their homes, I have noticed that to many people, choosing wall décor can feel like an obstacle. Selecting art that fills the wall, feels personal on some level, adds to the room and makes a statement without breaking the bank can seem like a daunting task. Lucky for us, maps have made their way into the interior design realm, offering a flexible and inexpensive way to add a graphic statement to your space.

There are so many different types of maps out there with varying vibes and personalities. I personally have a vintage elementary school pull-down map hanging in my den and it adds a fun splash of colour and nostalgia to the room. Try to choose a map that has personal meaning to you (a map from a certain year, a region that you have traveled to, a place that has always interested you, or the city from which you hail) so that it feels natural and makes you happy. Whatever you choose, there are plenty of ways to map it out.

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the urban cabin...

Okay… it may not be the season to light your wood-burning fireplace but that doesn’t mean we can’t take this moment to appreciate the rustic charm and beauty of stacked wood. What a wonderful way to add texture to a space. The organic material offers a brilliant contrast to a modern home. And you don’t even need to actually use the wood; it can just be for show… I won’t tell. So stack it up! Create a little nook or designate a shelf or wall for your lumber. Have fun fashioning your own cozy cabin within your urban environment.

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mix + match...

We are lucky to live in a time where design rules are readily and creatively broken. One area where we are seeing a lot of rule-breaking is in the dining room. Mixing and matching dining chairs is a fun trend that offers many opportunities to express your individuality. Although it seems like anything goes, there is still a fine balance when selecting an eclectic group of chairs. Figure out what you want your space to say, what vibe you would like it to have, and make sure that each chair adds to the articulation of that look. Mix textures, styles, colours, or patterns… be playful and just have fun with it!

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let's dish...

Whether you like to mix and match or stick with one design, finding dishware with personality can be a challenge at times. These are some of my personal favourites. I hope they inspire you and offer some new suggestions of places to shop. If you like the colourful and eclectic look, scavenging through your local vintage stores can be a fun and on-going mission. Setting the table with different colour schemes or patterns for different occasions is a great way to create a particular energy in your space. Perhaps gold and white for new years and a poppy turquoise and yellow for a springtime brunch. Dish it up.

{images: 1. urban outfitters, 2. marimekko, 3. anthropologie, 4. vintage dishes, 5. cb2, 6. west elm, 7. kelly wearstler}

boho chic...

"Boho", which is short for bohemian, is a term that has changed and evolved over time. Originating in Europe in the late 19^th century, “bohemianism” represented people who lived in lower-rent gypsy neighborhoods and led unconventional and creative lifestyles. Today, the “boho chic” look still reflects the romantic foundations of bohemianism, emulating a true appreciation for beauty and the freedom to express individuality by mixing pieces of furniture from different cultural or design backgrounds as well as mixing colours and prints. “Boho chic” is a more contained and polished look than just plain “boho” but it is still quite eclectic and wildly romantic.

{images: 1.feminine bedroom, 2. workspace, 3. boho bed, 4. living room, 5. dining, 6.romantic curtain}