secret getaway

Hello and happy Monday to you. I hope you had a nice Sunday enjoying an extra hour of daylight.

Today I am sharing attic spaces with you.  I know they have been blogged about many times but one image caught my eye and took me back to my childhood so I decided to collect a few more images. 

Whether a true converted attic or a 'created' one through a build, there is something cozy and almost escapist about an attic space. A secret little getaway where you can be creative or simply take a nap.  

This last image is the one that reminded me of our farm about 2 hours north of Toronto. We lived in the city and every weekend would go to the farm. The farmhouse attic was an unused storage space. It was turned into pretty much this room exactly. A row of 3 twin beds on one side, 3 on the other. The beds were covered in quilts my parents collected on our family trips to Nova Scotia.  Friends and cousins visited and we immediately ran up the steep attic stairs to our own little world. 

It was a sunny place to play board games, tell secrets, be a kid.  

I think there is something about an attic that makes an adult feel like a kid again...

sneaking away to their own little world. 

And we all need a little of that every now and then. 

images found: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9

dream house Cali style

I think I just found the plan for my dream beach house.  This one is in Stinson beach so of course it immediately scores as close to my heart. I just happened upon it not knowing its location. It never fails that the thing that catches my eye is usually the one that ends up being true to my heart.  Stinson beach is one of those places. 

Simple, well thought out and just the right amount of space. I love the "H" design with the center portion of the house for living both indoors and out.  The outdoor deck is an extension of the living room for the ultimate indoor/outdoor experience.  

To read more about this Stinson beach home look at architectural firm Butler Armsden's site.

There you will find a little story about the lot (purchased by a family in the '50's but not built on until the '80's).  You will also read a little about the inspiration for the house and learn more about its construction.  Not to mention all the other fabulous projects in their portfolio.  Very inspiring work.  

Enjoy this California dream.  I sure do. 

This post inspires me to start a new Pinterest board called 

'my someday beach house' 

and these will be the first pins.   

images: Butler Armsden

merry

As we head into full holiday mode here Chez K 

I leave you with some peaceful winter images to start your week.

I'll be taking a little break from the web waves this week to relax. 

And thank you again for visiting me here - I know there are a lot of fabulous blogs out there 

and I am humbled by your visit to this one.  

To you and yours I wish you all the best.

xoox 

catherine

images found here: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

the winter retreat canvas style

A friend of mine from childhood used to invite me up to her cottage in Muskoka in the summers. I have such fond memories (and sneaking-around-with-boys-and-beer-in-boats memories if we are to be totally honest here) of teenage summer days spent at her amazing cottage. What a treat it was to be a guest in this ultra special place. She now lives in chilly Calgary and once commented that al my beachy light white posts make her long for the sun and warmth.  So here is a wintery take on canvas interiors style just for her. This one's for you Leslie !  

Put on some cozies, make a cup of tea and enjoy the wintery wonder of 

white in a rustic setting. 

Rustic stone fireplace, comfy sofas and natural tones make this Muskoka room super cozy. 

Symmetry and clean lines keep it from feeling fussy. 

Lots of natural light a few darker accent anchors make these white sofas grounded and inviting

White and antiques (the marble desktop is from an old bakery) 

create winter ambiance

I know we've all seen Aerin Lauder's Aspen home but what post about a cozy white winter retreat would be complete without at least one image from this amazing home. 

A Muskoka bedroom feels inviting and warm with white fuzzy rugs and simple white bed

A tailored daybed mixed with antique finds and white slipcovered chairs 

makes this room sophisticated rather than cliche cabin

Cheeky accents look like art against a white backdrop

Candles and  mix-and-max chairs make this winter white table work.

Flea market finds and fresh white sheets 

keep a cottage bedroom from looking too cottage-y

Layers of white and cream in cotton and wool make for a cozy nest

And last but not least a Vail mountain home done with neutral colors and clean lines.  

Not to mention the canoe with Canadian flag hanging from the ceiling.  

What an appropriate way to close a post that started with Muskoka memories.

I hope this inspires you to add a little light and white to your winter decor. 

images found: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 

cozy beds

After a whirlwind weekend of travel it was so good to be home and in our own beds. Here are some cozies to inspire your winter room.  A knit throw, a touch of fur, a drippy sparkly chandelier... small changes that make a big impact. 

Dreamy, restful and inviting.  

images found: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4

school house rocks

A little virtual trip to Park City Utah today...

I came upon a little article about the Washington School House last spring and was excited to discover more about it.  Built in 1889, this Park City Utah landmark has been transformed into a luxury hotel. I stored the info in my files for a more ski-appropriate time of year and I'm thinking this is that time. I saw this image today on pinterest and it sent me into my 'draft' files to finish this post. 

I just revisited the website and am still as blown away by the whole idea of the place as I was last March. The images speak for themselves. Inspired design using luxurious fabrics, vintage pieces and most of all... restraint.  Everything is so well curated I can't stop looking at it. Three words come to mind: Simple.  Luxurious.  Creative.

The creative team behind this project knows what they are doing. 

Right down to the photography and the tone of the brand.  

Look at the little bench in the image both above (end of the bed) and below (up by the railing)... this is a lofted one bedroom suite. Sweet.

imagine how many little feet walked up and down these stairs

This hotel is on my must-visit list.  

Check out the website and story here.  There are a few vintage pictures and a brief history of the school which is always interesting. 

My hat is off to this creative team.  

Unless of course I am in Park City at the Washington School House in the winter. 

Then my hat will be on, my skis over my shoulder. 

all images: Washington School House