Notice anything new? Mmm-hmmm, you’re lookin at a brand spankin new design theme for velvet toolbox. I have been meaning to do a more elaborate redesign for a while now, but this quick switch up is gonna have to do for now.
I picked a design that was simple, clean and fun. I also find that this theme provides much larger real estate for the photos, which – let’s face it – is what most people focus on.
I hope you like it!
I’m soooo excited to see the fruits of our labor come to life. The upstairs guest bathroom is nearly done, and it’s looking absolutely gorgeous.
The tiles turned out beautifully. Our tiler ended up doing a great job and it cost less than we estimated (THAT really happens??).
Before grout:
After the grout:
I installed moldings on the wall sections that will be exposed, and painted them the same color as the moldings in the rest of the house:
Mountain Peak White by Benjamin Moore. Aura Collection, Semi Gloss finish
Adam’s nearly completed installing the corner shower. I call it the bubble. I would have loved a bigger shower, but this bathroom is pretty teeny. It’s even a miracle that we are able to have a separate tub and shower.
And, the ceiling lights above the bath were installed. So cute!! Another Restoration Hardware purchase….
As you can see, we’re almost done! Left to do: Install the tub (today), the vanity and toilet (next weekend), and then all the accessories.
Wishing you all a healthy and happy new year 
Montreal’s been buried under a record amount of snow over the last week, and while we would have loved to head down south for a little R&R, this turned out to be the perfect week for a staycation. We’ve made some headway in the bathroom – the walls have been sanded, primed, and painted.
Only the exposed walls were painted. The ones left as-is will be entirely covered by tiles.
The photos don’t really give the paint color justice, but the walls are a soft minty green color. Dewdrop by Benjamin Moore. The ceiling is Mountain Peak White by Benjamin Moore.
We’ve also installed the light fixtures, and now need to start tiling the floor, shower and bathtub areas. We’ve decided to preserve our energy and outsource the tiling job to a pro. We found a guy who’s not only affordable but also does excellent work. The downside is that…ermmmm…. he didn’t show up 2 days in a row as planned (supposedly due to the snowstorm). I had been warned in advance that he’s not 100% reliable, but given that he’s good at what he does, we’ve agreed to give him the benefit of the doubt and keep busy by starting the dining room renovation.
Goodbye two-toned dining room with useless half walls!
Yesterday and this morning, I removed all of the original moldings, while Adam knocked down the ceiling and outdated half-walls separating the dining room from the living room. The plan is to leave some sort of separation between the two rooms, to allow for a different paint color in each room. I think I’m gonna go for dark and dramatic in the dining room, while keeping the living room light and airy. The reason for removing the ceiling is a) to get rid of the 70s popcorn look, and b) to add strapping so that electrical wires can be easily fished through the ceiling to install potlights.
We completely sealed the entry to the kitchen to minimize dust in other rooms. The big NO sign is for Adam.
The carnage
Sadly, I must return to work tomorrow, but Adam’s still off for the rest of the week. His goal: add wood strapping to ceiling, prep electrical for pot-lights and hopefully also install new drywall. Who knows, maybe I’ll be able to get started with plastering by the time the weekend rolls around.
So that’s where we’re at. Oh, and I’ve been working on the nursery layout too – stay tuned for updates!
Ciao for now.
One year ago today, I published my very first velvet toolbox post. So much has happened in the last year – sold my loft, decorated my neice and nephew’s guest bedroom at my parents’, moved into a full-on 4-bedroom house deep into the burbs, quasi-gutted the entire main floor of said house, and renovated a kitchen.
I’m so excited to begin another year with you, sharing all of our reno and decoration adventures to come. And I’m so thankful to all of you who read and contribute to this blog. Your comments and feedback have encouraged me to continue writing and scouting for more beautiful things to share with you. If it weren’t for all of you I’d be talking to myself, so thanks for not making me look like a nutter.
Happy Birthday, velvet!
Wishing all of my readers a very happy and healthy new year!
It’s about that time where I need to select lighting for our kitchen. Pretty soon, we’ll be done with the plumbing and will need to move on to electrical wiring, so I’ve started researching options to get an idea of how many lights I’d need and where. Our plan is to install pendant lights above the island, a single fixture above the sink, and then pot lights near all of the kitchen cabinets.
I’ve been dreaming about certain fixtures at Circa Lighting, ever since I visited Savannah in the late summer. While I’d love to buy out their entire store, I think it’s time to narrow down the selection and pick a couple.
Before I show you the options, I think I need to provide you with some context around the aesthetic I’m aiming for in our kitchen.
Close your eyes and picture this. Or maybe read first, then close your eyes. Unless you have some sort of text to speech software, in which case you can do the first thing I said. Or…never mind.
Warm white kitchen, with tone-on-tone cabinets and counter tops. Antique Brass accents. Warm wood floors. Barnwood-covered beam. Fabric-upholstered counter stools. Think modern classic with a touch of rustic.
Do you see it?
So, option 1:
left: Circa Lighting, right: Restoration Hardware
The hicks pendant light (on the left) is trending now, big time. Here’s an idea of what it would look like in a kitchen:
via Style at Home
I like how the black color contrasts against the all-white kitchen and adds a nice touch of glamour to the space.
Here’s option 2:
The second option has a more country feel, and would blend very nicely with the wood and warm white tones.
I’m totally torn because I love both. Which do you prefer? Please share and tell me why!
I recently went with Adam and a couple of friends to Les Enfants Terribles for brunch. The food was great but what I couldn’t take my eyes (and mind) off of was the artistic floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall installation of reclaimed wood.
I’ve been swooning over reclaimed wood for months now. I just can’t get enough. The possibilities are endless in terms of what you can do with it.
You can make small objects like key racks,
Covering a wall with rustic barnwood adds warmth and interest to a space:
via Vintage Finds
You can build a headboard out of barnwood to add drama to your bedroom:
Via Crafty in the Concrete Jungle
There are also plenty of ways to incorporate reclaimed wood in the kitchen. On the ceiling, the cabinetry itself, shelving, and architectural beams:
via Country Living
via Houzz
Starting to see where I’m going with this??? Last week, we received our long-awaited barnwood boards that we will be using to cover the beam between the kitchen and the family room. We are extremely lucky to have a friend whose parents live on a farm and who coincidentally had a big barn that they were about to tear down. Can you say score???
I’m a first-time barnwood decorator, so I’ll have to do some research on how to prep the wood before covering the beam. I’m not keen on sanding it too much, for fear of losing it’s authentic rustic feel. But maybe I have to protect it? Seal it? I have no idea…. BTI! (Bless the Internet).
Here’s a pic of what it currently looks like:
I’m no baker but who says I can’t pretend? Anthropologie‘s new line of baking items is absolutely delicious. When oh when will my kitchen be done so that I can buy these lovely items?!?!
My faves:
Adorable Cookie jar
Milk Bottle Measuring Cups
Dishtowel
Large Farmer’s Market Basket
The Art of French Baking, Phaidon
Magic Whisk
Ceramic canister
