Cool Finds at Home Depot

 I ran out to Home Depot recently to get a paint sample and while I was waiting I found some pretty cool things. Not only are they all stylish, they're all very reasonably priced.   First up are these beautiful rugs.  I found these wool rugs hiding in the middle of their Special Order section.  They come in all different sizes and colours including dark grey, light grey and black.  (In the store the 5' x 7' was under $200.00.  The link above was the only one I could find).

Next up I found this stunning Moroccan grey and white marble tile.  Love this tile!  I also found the grey and white marble subway tile...these would look amazing together in a kitchen or bathroom.  
(Sorry but I wasn't able to find a link for the first tile).

I also really like this retro, black and white hexagon tile below.  This would be perfect on a bathroom floor.

And last up are these industrial lights.  (I'm loving industrial right now).  These were all under $100.00 each and would look great in a kitchen, laundry room or kids' room.

Open Shelving Kitchen Inspiration

 via howtodecorate.com

So these kitchens are pretty amazing, don't you think?  Being eclectic, I like them all and can't really decide which one I like better.  I've recently been helping someone with a kitchen and suggested that she leave some of the upper cabinets out and just tile the wall.  She did it and is very happy with it, and now we are in the process of choosing tile and shelving.  Open shelving is a great option whatever your style is.  If you have a galley kitchen or a small kitchen, it can also make your kitchen feel bigger and more open.      So here is just some of what I've been pinning.

 via lonny.com

 via lonny.com

 via simplifiedbee.com

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 via Better Homes and Gardens

via domainehome.com

 via House & Home

 via elementsofstyleblog.com

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I also like just part of the wall tiled and then shelving (above) or tile carried right up to the ceiling (below).

via bloodandchampagne.com

Have a great weekend!!!

My Favourite Dresses from Golden Globes 2015

Kelly Osborne wearing Georges Chakra 

I curled up with my dog, Po, last night and watched some of the Golden Globes.  To tell the truth, I actually watch it to see all the amazing fashion.   My favourite dress last night was the one above worn by Kelly Osborne.  I thought it fit her so well, and I love the train and the bell sleeves.  This dress has beautiful lines and was stunning on her! 

I thought most of the dresses were just not right for the person, or in some cases, didn't fit right.  But here are the ones I thought stood out.

 Diane Kruger wearing Emilia Wickstead

 Katherine Heigl wearing Zac Posen

 Jennifer Lopez wearing Zuhai Murad

Helen Mirren wearing Dolce & Gabbana

Taylor Schilling wearing Ralph Lauren 

Deborah Norville wearing Austin Scarlett 

 Emma Stone wearing Lanvin

 Frances O'Connor

My 2014 "Benchmarks"

In looking back over this year, my first year of blogging, I seem to have taken a lot of pictures of benches - built-in or otherwise.  So I thought it would be cool to recap my 2014 by showing all the benches I've taken photos of.  I don't know why I like them so much...I think I just find them classic and relaxing. 

Above is an old church bench painted white which sits in the porch of our friend's country home. I took this shot during our trip up north in the spring.  There was actually one exactly the same on the other side of the room, but the shot was too wide for me to take (with my iPhone), so I just took the one side.  The pic below is the inside of this same house and this bench is a great idea.  When you have a small eating space, make the window into a seating area and move the table over.  Great use of space!

The one above is from my friend's gorgeous country kitchen and below, a garden tour in June.  

The four benches below were from our end of the summer Muskoka trip.  This "cottage" was amazing inside as well and had built-ins in every bedroom and at the front entrance.  The one below at the entrance also had drawers and a cubby flanking it which I thought was perfect for storage.  The window seats in the bedrooms also had drawers under them for extra storage.

These two benches below remind me of England and have  black and white striped cushions to add to the classic look.  

And last but certainly not least, is this outdoor bench I saw this Fall.

Just want to thank you all for following me this year on this blogging journey.  I hope to continue to bring you photos of beauty and inspiration from wherever life takes me.  My goal has always been to show people that good taste and design doesn't have to cost a lot.  

I'm hoping to focus a little more on my clothing and fabric designs this year.  As much as I love interior and garden design, fashion design has also been a real passion of mine.  I often wake up at night with a design in my head and have to draw it right away before I forget it.  I'm also working on some fabric designs which I hope to share with you soon.  (It involves technology, which is not my thing, so it's taking a bit of time).

Remember, you can follow me on Google, Instagram and Pinterest.  And to those who are already following, thanks again for all your support!

Wishing You a Peaceful & Beautiful 2015

Today as we start this new year, I just wanted to wish you all a very peaceful and beautiful 2015.  In a world that seems chaotic and hectic, I hope you can take time to be still.

In our house, instead of choosing a New Year's resolution, we always choose a word for the year.  This word we then apply to every area of our lives.  When we first moved to this area 5 years ago, because we were starting over, my word was "plant".  I'm also a gardener so I was planting my family, my garden, my home, etc.  For my daughter, who has a hard time completing tasks, her word one year was "finish".    I've decided my word this year is going to be "focus".  I've been having a very hard time focusing lately and want to work on this.  Other words I've had over the years have been "create", "grow", "elevate" and "turn".  I strongly recommend this for you and your family.  Make sure you write it down and revisit it now and then.

I've had a very exciting year and have really stepped out of my comfort zone.  I want to encourage you to do the same in your life and take that leap of faith.  

(Pics above are mine, taken near my home with my iPhone).