Inspiration for the Master

Restoration Hardware Pillows and Bed

This summer I spent a lot of time at Restoration Hardware. Probably more time then one person should. I'm not in love with all of their product line, however I do think that a faucet here and a bed there really does add warmth to a home.

I was determined to do something different in our new bedroom as loft living had left me feeling a bit cold. I wanted a room where our kids could run in, jump up into bed, sink into pillows and cuddle us.

My usual inclination is to just make everything white! Which I love, but I was determined with this house not to just white wash everything. I fell in love with Restoration Hardware's vintage french linen pillows. And the great thing about pillows is, they can always be changed if you go off them.

Then I had to find a bed that John would agree with... which is hard since he doesn't like headboards! Some how I managed to convince him that the Chesterfield bed was the right choice. He prefers a more modern look so I was surprised when he agreed.

Details:
Bed- Restoration Hardware Chesterfield Bed in Linen (fog), Sheets- Dreams (always a good deal at Spadina & Queen St W.) Crisp and of course white, Pillows- Restoration Hardware Vintage French Linen Pillows (linen with grey detailed writing)

Eggs in the house

Declan's Easter Hunt Treats:
love notes from Mummy & Daddy + small chocolate egg.

Coloured Eggs dyed by Declan

Glittery Bunny Garland made by Declan

Alright, so these aren't exactly photos of the house, but they are taken inside the house... SO I feel justified in posting them. And it is Easter weekend.

Our wee lad has become quite fond of chocolate. It's my fault, as it has been my number one craving during this pregnancy. I'm not in love with the idea of him eating loads of chocolate so I decided that this Easter we would fill plastic eggs with "love notes" to Declan. We have included a chocolate in a couple of the eggs... just so we aren't bad parents.

Declan and I also made a bunny garland, dyed eggs and made place settings for our Easter dinner. All in all, I am having a wonderful time with the arts and crafts part of parenthood. And Declan is loving every minute, especially when Daddy joins in the fun.

Next post... will be photos of the house, not eggs. Promise.

Shoes...

The practice of concealing shoes in the walls of a house is a ritual dating back to the 15th century. The purpose was to ward off evil spirits and it was particularly popular during the end of the 18th century. The shoes are generally children's, although they can be adult shoes as well. They are generally well worn leather, perhaps this is because they didn't want to waste new shoes. They are usually hidden around windows, doors, under roof rafters and behind old chimneys.

I read about concealment shoes just as we were about to begin installing dry wall. The idea seemed somewhat magical to me and so I decided to put a pair of Declan's leather infant shoes behind our walls. I called Zach, who thought I was crazy.... and headed to the house to select a location for Declan's shoes. I chose a wall in our master bedroom, kissed them and placed them in!

Above is a photo of our house when it was first built (first house on the left) and below that photo are Declan's leather shoes in the wall.

Framing & New Windows

Framing. I've decided that framers are quite brilliant. We decided where the walls on the third floor were going to be by using a chalk rope! Bruno the very talented framer, Zach the builder extraordinaire and myself discussed different options and used this chalk thing to lay down the plans of the walls. This was also the meeting where John decided to raise the ceiling on the third floor and change height of the pitch toward the roof. We also finalized the discussion on Declan's "secret room" and his window seat. Two things I had on my major must have wish list.

Our windows started to arrive and truly changed the look and feel of the house. I think one of the best decisions that we made and I continue to admire them each day that we live in the house. Oh and we got some stairs to get from the second floor to the third.

Demo... Demo... Demolition

I think the above and below photos sum up nicely the emotions of all involved! Me... quite happy, Micky... a little overwhelmed & good old John... on the phone.
The bin is one of many that we filled.

Declan's room (above)

Master Bedroom (above photo)

stairs gone, walls taken down

This missing area of floor is what the whole house looked like just a couple of days before!
I wasn't able to take a photo, because there was nothing to stand on.

And then they took away the stairs.

A view of both the second and third floor of the house.

Missing Floors, Walls and Stairs. This was probably one of the most interesting parts of the whole renovation, the total strip of the house.

BEFORE: Our 2nd Floor- The smoky floor

The third floor of the house which is our second floor (confusing I know) was so smoke infested it gave me a sinus infection every time I visited the house! I knew that this floor was going to take some serious work and in the end we just took out all the walls, studs, floors, raised the ceiling... and started fresh. We changed where the entrance to the washroom was and took out the closet in the small hallway to give it a more open feeling.

This was originally the bedroom and has become Declan's room. It now has a window seat and built in bookcases on either side with storage underneath (photos to come shortly).

This is the other side of Declan's room.

Declan's room. The original entry to the very small bathroom.

The original bathroom.

The kitchen, eating, living area. There is a walk out to nice sized deck. This has become our master bedroom.

This is the master bedroom.

Stairway to the second floor.

The Deck

Although we all thought this deck could stay as photographed above... in the end due to code and our builders deep concern for the safety of wee Declan it was re-built. I have to say... it currently looks much better and feels safer.

Not to be forgotten.... the bathroom on our first floor

Original Bathroom- now a much nicer bathroom

Stairs to the second floor

Before: Our First Floor

South Facing Bedroom- Now Dining Area

Hallway

Kitchen- Still a kitchen... but much nicer

East Facing Bedroom- Now Livingroom

Original Living room- Now my office!

West Facing Bedroom originally connected to the living room- now our guest room