Let there be Light...

You may have heard we are thinking of a kitchen reno...so I am completely obsessed with white kitchens and everything kitchen-y these days...and by obsessed I mean I am driving my husband crazy with my constant banter about it.  He's trying to stay interested but I've noticed his eyes glazing over quite often lately...what do you mean you don't want to talk light fixtures at 8am before work???

As in everything I do, I am trying to get the look I want for less.  We are going with white Ikea cabinets, wood countertops and wood floors.  I want it to be sleek and clean but will add lots of warmth through the wood and some great vintage pieces for interest.  I am going to be making the kitchen island out of old doors and hoping to get some old stair treads to use as the top for that too....that's a whole other post though and will happen in a month or so.

My latest sourcing is lighting.  We can't really put in potlights without ripping apart the ceiling, so I want a fixture to give off light from all over as well as shine down on the island.

I found this light from Restoration Hardware...which I love, but wanted to see if I could get something similar but vintage for more character.

I have been on several vintage/reclaimed materials websites looking for these.
Here are a few jems I came across...
www.timelessmaterials.com
www.artefacts.ca
www.legacyvintage.com
www.lucanarchitectural.ca

These places are amazing sources for old reclaimed materials and have some really great finds.  All are about 1-2 hours out of the city so I find you get better material and not at city prices....worth the drive!

In my search, I found lights like this at http://www.victorian-revival.com/

 

 I want to take 2 or 3 of these and get them made into a fixture like this....

.....but for less than the $1000 I was quoted if possible

Of course I called my guy Ed and have him on the case searching for these lights as well....we will see what he comes up with.

I also want some light around the new banquette area...still waiting on my chalk paint to arrive to finish the table...and decided sconces were the only option due to our high sloping ceiling there.

I ordered some online from Home Depot that I liked....

I really liked the textured glass and the details and they were a steal at only $50 each!!
Of course then I found these babies at Victorian Revival...

And it was love at first sight...so I have some returning to do...These guys were $85 each but still a bargain and more in keeping with the industrial look I want for the kitchen.

Lighting is a crucial element in any room but especially in the kitchen where so much work is done and we spend so much of our time.

I will keep you posted on how my island fixture turns out...and also how the sconces look in their new home once my electrician (read husband!!) installs them.

When is it okay to fake it?

Today I went to Homesense to return some props we didn't use on a shoot.....it's one of my happy places!! 

This trip lead me to thinking about when it's okay to use a fake or copied item and when you need to go for the real deal.

While I was there, I picked up a chandelier for our living room.  My friend Tammy (who is amazing, talented and super helpful at sourcing bargains) told me about this fixture.  It is a copy of one from Restoration Hardware...also a favourite shop.

Our old fixture in the living room is original to the house which is great, but it flickers and doesn't really light all that well....the wiring is old and it's not reliable.

The decision to replace it wasn't easy since I really liked the old fixture.  I know we could re-wire it but when I saw this other one...well, I was sold.  I knew it would freshen up the room and add some character as well.

Here is the Restoration Hardware fixture....

The cost of their version is $2595 US plus delivery....the delivery charge is something that really bugs me with Restoration Hardware since they have stores here...why can't they order it in for me and I pick up from the store instead of paying $80 to have it delivered??  At least give me an option to save that delivery fee please.

The one I picked up was only $179!!!  I think that at a difference of over $2000, it would have to give off light so amazing that I looked 20 years younger and 20 lbs thinner....and even then I don't think I could spend that much.

So, in this case, the decision is to go with the fake...it is a great option that gives you the look for less.

The other item I picked up while at Homesense is cookie mix...I know, right?  Kind of a crazy combination of items to buy in one place!!

This cookie mix sounded great...healthy, yummy and easy to make.  I have purchased things from this company before and they were good quality so I trusted them.

Excited to make these for my kids after school I preheated the oven and got ready.  All I had to add was a bit of butter (I used coconut oil instead) and an egg...perfectly simple. My youngest son Luke and I added the ingredients and started mixing.  Whenever we make cookies we always try the dough before we bake them.  Luke says it's "just in case" so that we don't "poison" anyone with our baking...I say it's because he has a sweet tooth like his mom.  So spoons at the ready we tasted the dough...it was pretty dry and crumbly....and it was pretty horrible.  Tasted a little like sweetened cardboard!!  I made the executive decision to add some more butter to make them a bit richer....mixed again, tasted again...still awful.  I decided to throw in some peanut butter...to give more moisture and some flavour.  We put them on the cookie tray and baked them up.

The end result wasn't too bad, but a pretty poor substitute for the gooey and delicious chocolate chip cookies I usually make.

The verdict here is that the "fake" cookies that are trying to be healthier just don't cut it.  Sorry Bob, but your cookies don't make the grade.

Progress Report

Well, this banquette/dining area is taking quite a bit longer than I expected but I have to say I am please with the results so far.

If you remember from my last post...I wasn't really happy with how the table turned out once I sanded it down and finished it....

It turned out just too red in colour and too "finished" looking for my liking.  I wrestled with the decision to re-do it and I am really glad I did.

I took this piece I had made for our dog's bowls (out of a table at the curbside) as inspiration.

It has the more rustic look I was going for on the pew and the table. 

So back to the workshop I headed.  I wanted to make the table top darker and decided to paint the base white (one order of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is on it's way to me as I write this).  So I sanded the table...again....to take off the oil finish and then added a coat of Dark Walnut Stain.  Then I re-oiled the top....I left the base as it was since I was painting it anyway.

Of course once I did that I took a look at the pew and wasn't happy with it...it's sort of an annoying habit I have.

I really have an aversion to orangey/red coloured woods...like really really have an aversion.  The pew was in it's original state and I was hesitant to mess with it.  But my theory is, if you don't really love something why have it in your house?  Don't we already have spaces that are too small, lives too busy and funds too short to put up with things we don't like just for sake of tradition.

Soo....my little pew underwent a mini makeover.  However halfway through my sanding...yes again sanding...I honestly was doubting the wisdom of this idea.  At least this time I decided to move outdoors to do all the work so the house wasn't covered in dust again.

Here are the results so far.....

Now all that is left to do is paint the base of the table (I am going to cover everything but the very top oval) in white, distress that paint a bit, wax that paint finish and re-cover the two chairs in a fabulous-yet-to-be-found-fabric.....sounds easy right?

I'd love to hear you weigh in on whether I should paint this table though...I have been flip flopping on whether to paint the base white, or just stain the whole thing dark like the top.  My gut says paint since we are redoing the floors in hardwood and I think it might just be too woody for my liking...thoughts?

This is what I am picturing it to look like ....

I plan to finish this project just as soon as my paint arrives....so hopefully that little brown UPS truck comes rolling up my street real soon...

Back to the Drawing/Painting Board....

So a few posts ago I was talking about this great table I found for our dining area.  Here it is as I found it many weeks earlier.

As mentioned, we have an old church pew that I wanted to use as the main piece to make a dining/banquette area.  I was super excited and finally had time to get into the workshop and start the finishing process.

As I had also mentioned, I was going to use my sander to avoid the fumes, mess and toxic chemicals....so I started out with the coarsest grit sandpaper and then worked my way to the finest finish grade paper.

Super rewarding work but it does take some time....luckily this winter has been mild enough in Toronto that I was able to do most of the sanding outside....truly recommended to avoid the find coat of sandpaper all through the house.  We actually noticed that the furnace stopped working due to a clogged filter....so it's definitely worth avoiding that situation!!

The old finish came off easily and the wood beneath was revealed...

I wasn't totally sold on it, but keep going till I had completed each piece (I had taken them apart to work on them so it was easier to manage and get all surfaces).  I put the table back together and added a coat of Tung Oil.

After the oil finish went on the true colour of the wood came through....in a very RED way...

I really wasn't loving it, but thought I would bring it up to the kitchen and put it in place to see how it looked in the space and light up there.

ARGH!!!! It looked even worse in it's new home!!!  I was so disappointed in the results.  I had to leave (drop kids off, run, get to work etc etc) so I left it there and waited til I got home to reassess.

The whole day I was trying to think what look I wanted for that area.  I wanted something rustic and more in keeping with the old church pew.  I tried to visualize what finish I wanted on the table.  I decided that what I really wanted was a painted/stained combination.  I wanted the base to be painted white (with some rubbed off in places to make it look aged) and the top to be stained dark.  I didn't want a painted top because in my experience that doesn't work well with kids, markers etc.  I think the stained wood finish is more durable and able to take abuse better than white paint.

On a whim (okay knee-jerk impulse reaction) I ordered some Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Pure White....remember Annie from my other painted project?

Annie and I are now besties.....she had me at "1 coat, no prep"

Sooooo.... you will all have to stay tuned yet again to view this work in progress.  I have also decided that the pew needs a good sanding to take off some of that shiny finish (I prefer the matte look)....apparently this little bargain purchase of the table is turning into a bit of an epic project!!!

I really think that when doing something like this you shouldn't be afraid to head back to the drawing board...really consider what you want and if it doesn't work out...you can change it.  It will be worth all the effort once I have my banquette area just the way I love it.  Not so sure my husband would agree on that one though...

Tip of the hat...

So this blogging thing is still very new to me and I find that I can't always keep up with posting...or come up with ideas for posting.  It is hard to find original ideas in this day of shared information where everything seems to have been talked about already.  Then I realized that it is okay to pass on info from other sources and to share their resources.

My super talented and amazing friend Carol has a blog called The Design Pages.  www.thedesignpages.blogspot.com  You have to check out her blog...she is inspiring and creative and just...well....worth following.  She recently blogged about these great bowl/mugs called "The Baby Buddha Bowl" by Flavour Design www.flavourdesign.com
I was so in love with them at first sight and remembered them when this styling job I am working on called for original and cool looking mugs.  Carol I tip my hat to you for introducing me to them. See for yourself how great they are!

I love the great colours they come in (more than you see here) and that you hook your thumb in them and cradle them...exactly how I drink my morning cuppa.  I think they would be a welcome addition to anyone's kitchen...and what a good gift to give a friend...a couple of these and some tea from David's Tea (my new favourite passion) www.davidstea.com or a pound of coffee beans.  Who wouldn't love a guest that showed up with those?  Oprah even listed them as her "favourite things"...

While trying to find some for this shoot I am styling, I emailed the company to see where I could get my hands on a few. Of course now that the client fell in love with them they had all but disappeared.  The owner, Elan, emailed me back within an hour...and that includes the 3 hour time zone difference...Elan was helpful, polite and so kind.  She helped me find a store that carried them and I now have them to present on set...I really hope that after the shoot one of them might find it's way into my kitchen. 

So....from reading about these on one blog, I have been inspired to re-post on my own....reminds me of that commercial from the 80's..."and she told 2 friends, and so on and so on"

Let's not ever be worried about stealing sources, resources or trade secrets...I think the more info the better and if someone ever finds something I write about worth re-posting, I will be flattered and happy to share the wealth...that's what this blog world seems all about to me anyway.  Thanks Carol for the inspiration!!

New vs Old

So I have been searching a lot lately for pieces of furniture...for work, for my house and for other people.   Along the way I have found lots of treasures...some unexpected and some rediscovered.  I have been to the usual suspects...Ikea, Homesense, CB2 and many other furniture shops.  I have also checked out kijiji, craigslist and antique/junk shops.

Which lead me to start wondering....when should you purchase new...and when is it worth it to buy a piece and refinish/rework it?

There are so many great new items out there...Ikea has always lead the way in style at an affordable price.  They are trend forward and put out some really great things.   For example...

 

Ikea Docksta Table...a Saarinen inspired piece

This table is a timeless design.  The style has been around since the 50's and is still considered current and chic.

But I think there is a time to consider investing either time or money into a few key pieces.  There is something to be said for quality design and craftsmanship and materials built to last.  These days too many furniture items are made of particle board or other wood substitutes.  They look great on the outside, but won't really stand up to years of wear and tear.
Think of real hardwood floors vs. laminate...they both look okay but after years the hardwood will wear better and to me just feels better....any nick or scrape in real solid wood adds character while in a laminate or veneer will show the difference in quality.

So...when is it worth it buy something and fix it up?  If you read my last post you know I am working on a table for our kitchen.  I knew it would be worth the effort and time if I could find a solid piece with great lines and solid construction.  If you find something that you love the look of....proportion, shape, contours etc..then it is worth the effort.  You can't ever change the proportions or bones of a piece so if you see something that you love the lines of and it is solidly made, it is worth either refinishing or fixing up.

I am still working on my table, but the fact that it is well built with good design will make the hours of work pay off in a piece that is good quality and finished exactly how I want it.

Up on a Pedestal....

I have always wanted a banquette seating area in our kitchen.  It isn't a large space so finding the right pieces to fit is key to making it work.

I thought of an upholstered bench/banquette at first but we don't have the space for something that elaborate.

Another thing I have always loved is using a bench as a banquette.  I started looking for benches and soon discovered an old church pew on Craigslist (which is like an online garage sale and an amazing place to find bargains). www.craigslist.ca

I loved the history and character of the pew and knew it would be perfect in the kitchen.  I had to cut it down about 10" to fit on the angled wall which wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.

Next problem was the table...our existing table has 4 legs and is large and rectangular.  The legs made it awkward to squeeze into the pew to sit without moving the whole table.  I knew I had to look for a pedestal table that had a more central base and gave some legroom.  I checked Craigslist, Kijiji and some antique stores...and kept checking...and kept checking.  As always, I know that when I find the right piece it will speak to me.

I happened upon a great little Antique shop called "The Captain's Treasures" run by Captain Errol Boyd...yes, he is a real captain!!  http://www.captainstreasures.biz/

I had visited them to get one of the vanity tables I used in the Jonathan Adler bathroom vignette from my last post.  It's one of those places you need to go to often because he gets shipments in each week from the US.

I was in the area and decided to check it out again and there...at the very back...was my table.  As soon as I saw it I knew it was perfect.  I took a picture and the measurements and went home just to be sure it would fit....definitely measure twice and buy once applies here!!  Better to take your time and make sure it will work than to be stuck with something you are less than happy with.  Like most things the Captain sells it was a huge bargain...but also needed a lot of work.

Scratched finish and missing drawer, plus it was falling apart at the joints.  I knew I could bring it back to life.  I thought it was a little too high to sit comfortably in the pew so I took the table apart and cut the legs down by 1 1/2". 

Then I started sanding it down to the original wood.  I didn't want to use paint stripper because I find it really messy and toxic.

Here is how it looks so far, there is still lots of work to be done...stay tuned to see the final result!!