LACE

As we round the corner into August I thought I'd share another summer staple of mine.  Finding white lace pieces is relatively easy at various price points. Make it a boho chic vibe or ladylike and delicate. 

BOHO BREEZY:

SHOP THE LOOK:





LADYLIKE AND DELICATE:

SHOP THE LOOK:


















lifestyle images: top row boho  1 // 2 // 3   bottom row ladylike  1 // 2 // 3 


CANVAS INTERIORS: MIXED UP

One of the things that always makes me smile is how well the Canvas Interiors crew mixes things up on the floor.  We stick to a consistent edit when putting the look together which means it is pretty seamless when you want to move things around. And they always find just the perfect mix/shift/combo.

Think about applying that theory in your own home. It is like the idea in yesterday's post...start with the style staples and add from there.

Here is a dining room that is a mixed bag of texture and style.


Mercury glass pendants hang over a zinc-top table.  Slipcovered chairs dress it up while reclaimed wood adds a casual flavor. Add benches on either side, or more slipcovered chairs. The possibilities are endless when you start with the basics.


SHOP THIS CANVAS INTERIORS LOOK:

dining chair // pendants // zinc top table // candlesticks // cabinet 

ps:  The rugs are awesome, one of a kind in various sizes - please email hello@canvasinteriors.com for more information and dimensions

WARBY PARKER TWO WAYS

The lovely folks at Warby Parker asked me to style a couple of looks using their summer 2014 collection.  I am a fan of the brand so I thought why of course, fun, sure! 

I picked my two favorites which basically speak to both sides of my Gemini personality. The Crossfield and the Piper. These two are all I need in my canvasstyle repertoire... a classic aviator and a little girlie glam. 

CROSSFIELD:   Relaxed vibe with a little boho twist.  

I would style these classics with a breezy top and baggy denim cut offs. Toss on some wooden beads and an interesting sandal for a laid back look. 

shop the look:   top  |  sandals  |  bracelet  |   hat  |  shorts 



PIPER:  A delicate  ladylike vibe with understated cool.  

I would pair these sunnies with a crisp white jean, structured lace top and understated sandal. Let the glasses do the talking. My trusty simple clutch completes this mood. 



shop the look:   blouse  |  clutch  |  white jeans  |  sandal 




LINKS:

Crossfield and Piper sunglasses

Warby Parker is philanthropic, affordable and convenient  - read about it here



*please note all opinions are my own and while they reached out to me this is not a sponsored post.

CANVASSTYLE STAPLE: TOMS

Today's post is a quick summary of the approach to clothes here at canvasstyle.  Basics, easy, comfort. Starting with these TOMS that found their way home with me yesterday. Oh my am I happy with these. 



They are so simple, cool, comfortable that I think I might have to get another pair/color. 

Here is how I would style them. 

A. Trusty boyfriend jeans and white silk tee for an easy laid back style. 

B. Black sweater and black skinny crops for a little more attitude (I am lusting after these  black motos).  


The best part of this style staple approach? Put the black sweater with the boyfriends and the white silk tee with the black skinny motos.  New outfits.  Presto!

LINKS:






















black vince sweater:  http://bit.ly/1rGLlXJ

BACK TO THE ISLAND

Today I am taking you back to Harbour Island. We have only been home a few weeks and I am already dreaming of next summer's trip. In one of my dream states this gorgeous room popped up in my instagram feed and I had to share it with you. It is the beautiful work of designer Alessandra Branca (follow her for inspiring insta-images). 


The Dunmore (site of our wedding 9 years ago) underwent a fresh-faced makeover and reopened at the end of 2010. The last few years have seen continued growth and refinement including new-construction residences on the property. This is one of them and Alessandra Branca has has created a stunning island home for her clients. 




In my life stateside I am all about white, light, neutral decor but when I get to Harbour Island I appreciate and gravitate toward the colors of the island. What I love about this space is the white backdrop and incredible balance of color and pattern throughout.




On a side note I was tickled to see my favorite mirror above. You know I never do this 'get the look' thing with interiors unless I'm using my own images, but I was so excited to see that this mirror  had found its way to Harbour Island that I had to share that we carry it at Canvas Interiors. It looks absolutely perfect in this island bath. 




Always inspiring, this island never fails to find its way back to my heart.


LINKS





images: Douglas Friedman || Lonny Mag. 










LOUNGING

Do you ever have those days where you are happy to be home puttering on a rainy day?  Yesterday was a much needed down-day for me and I did just that.  But what to wear?  I wanted to be out of PJ's but not in sweat pants.  Not 'dressed' but not schlumpy.  

That's where the lounge pant comes in.  Add a white or gray tee and putter to your heart's content. Now you may be thinking "that's an awful lot of pattern for you Catherine!) and you are correct. But every now and then I bust out a little pattern and color much to the surprise of my friends.  

Here is my edit for you - favorites from $19 and up:


L to R:  1 // 2 // 3 



 L to R:  1 // 2 // 3 (#3 Tory Burch on sale fyi)

And if the UPS guy comes to the door with packages from Shopbop you will be well dressed to answer it. 


SLIGHTLY OBSESSED: FIXER UPPER

This is a first. The first time I have talked about a TV show on Canvasstyle. But this one has me hooked and I thought I would share.

Mr. K and I have a little crush on another couple. We basically spent this past weekend between kids activities and FIFA looking for any episode we could find of 'Fixer Upper' on HGTV.


Joanna and Chip Gaines are utterly charming, determined, talented and well - just plain cute. I am a huge fan of 'before/after' reveals and this format on HGTV usually sucks me in. However this one has not only sucked me in, it has inspired me. 

Perhaps it is the parallel for us of a couple working together, or the interior design aspect of it, or the furniture part. Mr. K and I swim in these waters together so this show resonates with us. All I know is I am slightly obsessed with this one. We both look at the old forlorn houses as Chip and Joanna show their clients a potential reno house and say 'ohhhh that is so beautiful!".

Here are a few before/afters:






and some simply amazing afters:

Fixer Upper just aired its last episode of season 1 and is currently shooting season 2. I am so looking forward to season 2.

If you like old (read: decaying, falling down, long forgotten) homes and the idea of loving one back to life, you need to watch this show. Not to mention Joanna's wardrobe is so laid back cool I want to shop her closet. Very 'canvasstyle' - easy classics, jeans and fabulous boots.

Check out these links for more info and for their great shop Magnolia Market.

Joanna's Blog

Magnolia website

HGTV / Fixer Upper









STRIPES

Well, it happened. The first fashion 'Fall preview' email has hit my in-box. While I love fall clothes and boots and such, I am still basking in the delights of summer dressing.  The furthest I will go into fall thinking right now is a style staple of mine... the Breton Tee. I got my first one in Toronto in high school at "Tom Tailor" and have had one in rotation ever since. 

I will have one or two freshies on hand for those surprisingly cool fall days but other than that... fall... you can wait. I have a few new floaty summer maxi dresses I still haven't worn yet. 


Chunky or thin stripes, blue on white, black and white, I love them all.  My ideal? Not too thick, super soft and a bit long in the tail.  


Here are my favorite picks for you, from the ever-classic LL Bean to my all time favorite St. James for J. Crew.








lifestyle images: tumblr-land

VARIOUS AND SUNDRY

I have had a slight obsession with the Sundry clothing since I blogged about them last summer.  I adore, love, covet their pieces. I have one summer staple that is about to shred... a little white dress skirt coverup that I reach for before all other beachy items...sadly I can't find it in this summer's collection. So I treat it nicely, wash it gently and hope to get through this summer with it.

 a rare appearance by me on my blog, image L: Babs Langdon // image R: John Washburn while we were on a '3 hour tour'

I love the look and feel of this brand, the sunny carefree attitude of the styles. Companies like this inspire me to create a pure, unfiltered presentation of our 'Canvas' brand. The blog and the store all have the same philosophy. Keep it simple, be true to yourself and your style.  If you start with a simple canvas, you can create a life of style. Sundry pieces work into that equation for me. 





Here are some of my favorite Sundry pieces:






Happy, casual, carefree. Works for me. 




GALLERY WALLS

Rather than spread pictures out here and there around the house I prefer to group them. Maybe it is my way of compartmentalizing life therefore feeling more organized? (deep thoughts I know).  Mostly I just like the visual impact of a group of similar yet different items. 

The great part of this concept for me is that it is an ongoing creative project. I keep my eye out for images I can add to the wall. It is something that will organically grow when the right art presents itself.  I like the hunt (flea markets are my favorite thing in the world) so to have a collection to curate fits right in with that part of my DNA. It doesn't have to be expensive or fancy or well known. I just have to love it. Which makes the whole thing more meaningful. 

Here is our little salon dining area.  A little sparse to start but I have to love it for it to go on the wall. So we take our time. Some pieces are photography I purchased during my 1st life an Art Buyer. Early on I was making very little money but had access to talented and very nice photographers.  Some pieces my Mom has sent me from our childhood home. Some old, some new. Paintings, drawings, vintage book pages.  This mix of genres and memories makes me happy. 







The goal for me is to make it feel full but not too full. Different but not too disjointed. Isn't that going to be fun?  I love a challenge. 


ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE ART:




Photos.com (getty images art prints)



WINE OH

I am having a little love affair with Oregon Pinot Gris. This would naturally translate to my curiosity about these cans:


These little cans, made by Union Wine Company (just outside of Portland) are a sure sign that these people are thinking differently. You can read more about their founding philosophy on their website listed below. I especially like the "Pinkies Down" aspect of their personality. As in: leave the snobby wine thing behind and enjoy a great, well priced wine.


I saw their tasting truck on Remodelista and had to explore further. It is a 1972 restored Citroen H Van. These folks not only have a great sense of graphic design, they have a very cool truck. A bar on wheels. If you live in Portland the truck will be at 33rd and Division St. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon/evenings starting in mid July (thank you Remodelista for the info).

The good news for those of us living very far away from Portland? We can order these and other Union Wine Co. wines online. I will be ordering my cans online asap and drinking them with my pinky down. 

LINKS:

Union Wine Co. website: here

Underwood Pinot in a can order form: here

Remodelista article: here


SIMPLE PLEASURES

have a beautiful 4th of July weekend!


xoox
catherine




image found: here

WALL TO WALL

We are at a standstill on the addition.  In a stroke of timing genius apparently the roof shingle company 'shut down' due to an 'issue' and is 6 weeks behind on their orders.  The one roof shingle factory in the country we need to use in order to match our existing shingles and that is the factory that shuts down. Now. This month. Awesome.

I have my fingers crossed that shingles arrive in the next two weeks as we ordered them a while ago. Until the roof is complete we can't move forward with doors/windows/AC etc... the space has to be secure and dry before we move on.  

In the meantime I had an epiphany yesterday. We are struggling to match existing flooring in the family room/kitchen (travertine tile that I don't love in the first place).  I have driven to a multitude of hot and far away tile places to try to find something at least close enough. Round and round I go, not finding what we need.  Then I had a moment yesterday. It struck me like a ton of bricks. Wall to wall sea grass. Done. Decision made. 



I asked "Mr Google" as my kids call it, and found these images that led me straight to Cote de Texas' fantastic 2009 post on the subject. Durable, spill resistant, classic.  Her info although written a long time ago, is super helpful. Lots of tips and advice.









I am so happy to move forward with this decision and think it will look fantastic. It works in any setting whether fancy or informal. 

Thank you Cote de Texas for the informative post - it really sealed the deal for me.  








CANVAS INTERIORS SUMMER SALE

Busy times here. The Canvas Interiors Summer Sale is going on now. I went to the store yesterday to take pictures and even I was excited and amazed at all the goodness on sale.

And in a moment of retail heart-quickening I had split second where I saw something and said "oh I should buy that!".  If you are new to the blog, Canvas Interiors is a furniture store that Mr. K. and I cooked up. It is our third child and my other creative endeavor besides this blog. So you see why my buying something actually makes no sense.

Instead I will send you to our website if you are looking for a little something to feather your nest. I will live vicariously through you. 



Really. Good. Sale. 
Have fun!

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