Happy Friday everyone! Hope you have a restful and inspired weekend. It's my birthday tomorrow and I am hoping for cake - perhaps something pretty and old fashioned like one of these little beauties from Herriott Grace via Poppytalk.  I will return on Monday - older and hopefully wiser!

Inspiration

Let's look at some furniture today. I was talking to someone yesterday about how, in our 20s we spent so much time tracking down cast off furniture and stripping it and painting it and trying out faux finishes(you can tell this was a long time ago can't you?) Each piece of furniture we owned had a story to tell and we had a lot of fun gathering pieces at yard sales and thrift stores. Then it seems like in the last few years we all subscribed to a boring, homogenized decorating trend that ripped the soul out of everyone's home decor and encouraged us to minimalize and neutralize. BORING. Let's get thrifty back. I know you 20 year olds are all still doing this but the rest of us need to head back to the flea market and bring the boho home!

This nicely finished piece is from Poppy Seed Living in Toronto

Inspiration

So to inspire you here are some great examples of creative restoration from the very clever people at Knack Studios - great stuff! They do a wonderful job and I think their prices are great too.

Inspiration

Here's a great before and after - I have an old white dresser that I'd like to finish like this - maybe this summer. This example is from Localism.

Inspiration

I couldn't resist this pretty pink picture by designer/jeweler Alicia Hanson - so fun!

Window Shopping

I'm not waiting any longer to get my deck furniture out - it's coming out this weekend - and what I'd do for one of these little beauties! I have always loved a traditional deck chair and these are my favourites on the market. Handcrafted by Gwyn and Tamra at Gallant and Jones in Vancouver - aren't they superb? You can see more also on their Etsy site. Now I just need some sunshine.

Found

I was browsing through Magpie Lovely's site and came across a few things that caught my eye - first up are these rings. They are so unique - such wonderful surreal objects. Designed by Involution - they are available at Magpie Lovely's shop for $36!

Found

I've seen this type of rubber gloves in the stores but i think it's great to buy some handmade ones - in such beautiful fabrics. There are lots to choose from and only $16.95 a pair. Going going gone - from Fresh Studio

Found

Next items that caught my eye at Magpie Lovely were these bamboo and acrylic clocks. I think the designer, Decoylab, has really created a beautiful object - the patterns are lyrical and the scale has been well thought out - very nice!

Stop Press

This is the cutest little idea I've seen in ages - personal bunting - superb! Get yours here!

Window Shopping

Okay so enough about my vacation, lets get back to beautiful design and fabulous designers. I was reading one of my favourite blogs yesterday(House Martin) and noticed this link to Day a Danish store with the most fabulous esthetic - lots of black and white which I adore in any interior. I just know you will love it too.

Road Trip

When we were on Vancouver Island this past weekend we went for a little road trip to Cowichan Bay(about a half hour from Victoria). We ended up at the True Grain Bakery, right down at the waterfront village of Cowichan Bay - very authentic, rustic fishing marina. I was so impressed by this bakery - from the wonderful earthy interior to the fact that they grow and mill their own grains - I could have moved right into this place! And the bread is to die for - of course!

The next 2 images are copies of 2 above but I put them through the Lomo filter on my iPhone - I just wanted to show you what a cool effect you can get from a $2 iPhone app!