UK Beauty - 47 Park Ave.

I was thinking about showing some of my home again and then I came across this house of Michael Minns of the UK on Pinterest.  I was searching black rooms because my daughter is now a teenager and would like a black chalkboard wall in her room, and I'm also debating about painting my master bathroom ceiling black.  Then I stumbled across this genius work and decided I might never show you another room in my house again because this is spectacular.

You can check more of his designs out at 47 Park Ave.  I'm so inspired!  I think I'm going to change my whole house now.

Lighting Can Add Drama to Any Space

One sure way of making a quick and easy update to any space is changing out the light fixtures.  If you live in a new build like I do you probably have a lot of lights to replace.  I love to add drama to every space and a new light fixture is a great way of doing this.  

Take a look at each of these photos and imagine it without the light fixture.  

See what I mean?

above pics courtesy obaz.com

If you're in the market for a new light, check these out from Joss & Main.

Urban Barn Open House

I was invited to attend the opening of an Urban Barn in our area last night.  I'm proud to say they are Canadian with stores all across the country.  Love this Ikat Zag Pouf in dijon (above) which is very on trend right now.  What a great way to update and add colour to a space. They also have woven, plain round poufs in many different colours.  

Here's some of what I saw. 

 Another way to add some colour to a room for spring or to spruce up a cottage, is to add these coffee tables above.

This would be a great place to pick up some white bedding which I talk about here.  They also had some pillows and accessories in mint green, which is another colour that is big for spring right now.

If you live in Canada, swing by Urban Barn.  You won't be disappointed.

Some White Inspiration on a Snowy Day

We've had a very loooong white winter and it's inspired me to post some white rooms. 

I've never had a white room but I really appreciate one when it's well designed.  

Layers and texture are very important when you do a tone-on-tone room.  

We're getting a couple more inches of 

snow tonight - can't wait!  

above via Better Homes and Gardens

via Veranda

via NZ House & Garden

OSCARS 2014 Hits and Misses

HITS

Chrize Theron wearing Dior

I wasn't blown away by the fashion at the 2014 Oscars, but I do have some picks.

Glenn Close wearing Zac Pozen

Cate Blanchett wearing Armani

Camila Alves wearing Gabriela Cadena

 

Amy Adams wearing Gucci

 Jenna Dewan-Tatum wearing Reem Acra

Sandra Bullock wearing Alexander McQueen

Naomi Watts wearing Calvin Klein

It's hard to tell but there is a baby bump below.  This dress has a white stripe down the back which is a beautiful detail.

Olivia Wilde wearing Valentino

These next two dresses I thought just missed the mark.  I didn't like the hair band or the neck line for the first one, and I thought Jennifer's dress has been seen a bit too much.

Lepita Nyong'o wearing Prada

Jennifer Lawrence wearing Dior

MISSES

These dresses (and one bow tie) are 

misses for me.

Angelina Jolie wearing Elie Saab

Jennifer Garner wearing Oscar de la Renta 

Julia Roberts wearing Gevinchy

Anna Kendrick wearing J. Mendel

Meryl Streep wearing Lanvin 

Penelope Cruz wearing Giambattista Vali

 A red bow tie is never fashionable.  I don't care who made it or who's wearing it.

All photos via Vogue.