Half-Painted Walls

Lately I've been drawn to the idea of half-painted walls, with the colorful half on the bottom. A block of color at the base of a wall brings coziness to a large space or a room with high ceilings by bringing the eye down. It's a way to incorporate rich color without making a massive commitment and when the top half is kept white, almost any color base can be successful. And when a change is wanted, it's a lot less work to repaint.    

 

Images: 1 & 2) Color Chats/Benjamin Moore. 3) Keltainen Talo Rannalla. 4) Mod Vintage Life. 5) Mommo Design. 6) Casa Greer. 7) Puro Deco. 8) Design Stiles. 9) Geninne's Art Blog. 10) Pinterest.         

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Inside Out Magazine - Sneak Peek!

Styled by Megan Morton, Photography by Sam McAdam-Cooper, Inside Out Magazine

We've got a nice little sneak peek of the newest issue from Inside Out Magazine coming out today (Wednesday, June 12/13). Starting with some gorgeous pops of colour, Inside Out's Managing Editor, Lee Tran Lam tells us - with this sneak peek we have, "stylist Megan Morton's story on giving traditional and provincial looks a contemporary (often bright) twist. It's very colourful, without getting too out of hand (even though playing with colour can be addictive and you can easily go over the top!) Photography by Sam McAdam-Cooper".

Styled by Megan Morton, Photography by Sam McAdam-Cooper, Inside Out Magazine

Styled by Megan Morton, Photography by Sam McAdam-Cooper, Inside Out Magazine

Next, style editor Jessica Hanson does a story on bedside tables. (We're on the hunt for some, and loving so many of these!) Photography by Sam McAdam-Cooper.

Styled by Jessica Hanson, Photography by Sam McAdam-Cooper, Inside Out Magazine

And lastly Lee Tran mentions, "some pics of Fab.com founder Bradford Shellhammer's ultra-bright and very fun New York weekend home. (Love the fake donuts in this kitchen!)"  We do too! Photography by Trevor Tondro/Living Inside.

Photography by Trevor Tondro/Living Inside.

Photography by Trevor Tondro/Living Inside.

Also a big thank you to Inside Out for including Poppytalk's online marketplace in their "online stores" feature (see below)! Honoured and so happy for the handmade community!

The latest issue of Inside Out (will be available Wednesday, June 12/13)! Click here to become a subscriber or visit here for a digital copy. Always fun to check out!

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Salvage

I've always loved a salvaged door (as the barn door in my former living room above will attest). A great old door can separate two spaces or fill the role of headboard for an otherwise ordinary bed. When hung from the ceiling, windows can act as room dividers without blocking light. Or when propped on a console table, they introduce height to a grouping of found objects. Old signs that have nothing to do with a room's purpose add a bit of whimsy and fill the role of art at a fraction of the price. A room that otherwise leans toward the feminine finds balance when factory pieces are introduced. Chipping paint, cracks and rust are part of the appeal -- perfection is over-rated.

railroad sign

railway sleepers

English pub sign

garage door

architectural columns

 

 carnival ride & industrial baskets turned upside down

Images: 1) L.Gaule. 2, 3 & 4) Country Living, May, June & November 2012. 5) Elle Decoration, May 2012. 6 & 7) Flea Market Style, Summer & Fall/Winter 2011. 8, 9 & 10) Vogue Living, July/Aug 2011, Feb 2012 & July/Aug 2010. 11) Cote Est, Sept-Nov 2011. 12 & 13) Flea Market Style, Winter 2012 & House Beautiful, July/Aug 2012.    

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Chevron

I'm finding myself gravitating toward the chevron trend in home and fashion this season. Though my own personal taste veers more toward the colorful boho version of this pattern than the clean, modern version, all incarnations feel fresh for spring.

Images: Sunbutter & Jelly.  House of Turquoise. Amber Interior Design. Matchbook Mag Blog.  Flytrap. 100 Layer Cake. Apartment Therapy.

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Sleeping Nooks

My love of sleeping nooks can probably be traced back to seeing my childhood friend Jesse convert an entryway closet into her bedroom. Just big enough to hold her bed, it gave her the privacy she needed in a busy house and provided the perfect spot for us to hide from the world. A sleeping nook can be a way of carving a bedroom out of a small home. But even when square footage is no issue, a bed nook provides an embracing space to retreat to at the end of the day. I'd say it's worth the extra effort required to make up the sheets in the morning.

Images: Bright Red Hoodie. Fint. Interior Magasinet. 16 House. Apartment Therapy. Acoustic Garden. House Beautiful magazine, July/August 2012 issue. The Aestate. The Bottom of the Ironing Basket. Wicker & Stitch. Canadian House & Home.

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Red & White

In honor of Valentine's Day, I thought I would track down some photos of red-and-white themed eye candy. For some reason, I've never included much red into my decor. But these photos prove that the red and white combo works as well for sleek and modern interiors as for spaces that fit the pleasantly cluttered English cottage style. Having just endured a six-week snowathon on the east coast, I can imagine being cheered to come home to this color palette. The red dining chairs are so inviting that they could almost cure me of eating on the fly and draw me back to having meals at an actual table.

Images: At Home with Country: Bringing the Comforts of Country Home by Christina Strutt, photography by Edina van der Wyck, published by Cico Books, 2010. Lonny magazine, Aug/ Sept 2010 issue. Casual Living: No-Fuss Style for a Comfortable Home by Judith Wilson, photography by Polly Wreford, published by Ryland, Peters & Small, 2010. Simple Style by Julia Bird, photography by Hotze Eisma, published by Friedman/Fairfax, 2003. House & Home magazine, August 2010 issue.

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