canvasstyle: let there be white

Showing posts with label let there be white. Show all posts

Imaginary house hunt

I have an insatiable curiosity about two things that I attribute 100% to my parents.

1. 'Picking' or in more genteel terms 'antiquing'

2. Looking at real estate all the time even though I have absolutely no need to move.

My Dad used to look at real estate listings no matter where we were. Just to look. Just because. Whenever we traveled be it countryside, mountains or the next neighborhood over, he would stop in to the local real estate office and get the little brochure thingy. And everywhere we went there was an antique store, old barn or dusty old junk store my sister and I explored.

In that spirit I am going to start showing a few listings here and there just so we can get a little travel, picking, voyeurism and a dash of wishful thinking all rolled into one post. Sound good?

Today we travel to Sweden to Villa Viktors Hill. Original period details mixed with things like a modern kitchen make this home feel modern/ historic. And of course simple white slipcovers and loads of white paint make it very canvas style.

If you are curious about the price, here is the currency conversion.

25,000,000 SEK = 3,842,130 USD

White paint and new slipcovers = much less

Hope these images inspire you to

hit the countryside this weekend,

stop at a yard sale, or paint your living room.

images found: here

sylist Kate Horsman's condo

Sunday morning reading this weekend started with coffee in a pink Pantone mug (blossom 1767)...

...and a tour of stylist Kate Horsman's beach-inspired city (Vancouver) condo. She saw it while looking through the real estate listings on a Sunday night and by 2pm the next day she had her offer in. The previous owner had headed in the decor direction of 'Italian villa". After applying lots of white paint and a casual beach-luxe vibe, she successfully made a U-turn from Italy and ended up on the beach.

Natural elements like crystals and shells add the luxe sparkle while the whole space stays grounded in organic elements such as the reclaimed wood table a friend helped her design and build. The space glows with light and an uncomplicated sophistication. Ghost chairs and contemporary sofa add a touch of city while the shell chandelier and driftwood bring in a subtle natural vibe. All in all, a beautiful and serene city escape.

Oh, and I do love the dress.

images: Janis Nicolay for House and Home

video tour here: http://houseandhome.com/tv/segment/feminine-vancouver-condo

labor day lazy

I am indulging in the lazy hazy days of summer today and hope you are doing the same. I will be back tomorrow with what I think is a completely amazing fall collection from one of my favorite designers.... who could it be?

In the meantime I hope you have a wonderful Labor Day.

Will you wear white after Labor Day? My answer is yes.

I am not ready to retire my white jeans... its just time to work in some grey, camel and navy layers.

Add a boyfriend blazer or soft grey cardi.

a navy coat and scarf

a camel coat and booties

soft cozy cashmere

grey and camel softness

A few easy changes and those white jeans are an instant classic.

So after you wash off the last sunblock of the summer and tuck away the bathing suit

don't forget about your white jeans.

images found: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

Dear Lisa: can I come over?

While finally catching up on my Lonny mag fix (Mr. XS otherwise known as youngest child went back to preschool today!) I saw this. The beach getaway of a girl named Lisa. And I wanted Lisa to be my friend so I could drink wine with her right here:

This is my kind of beach house. The tone on tone creamy palette is so inviting and casual. And the sink-in-and stay awhile message is loud and clear when you add the fur pillows, fuzzy hide and cozy throw. The sea grass, jute and light wood makes the room glow with a sandy warmth.

One of the first homes built on Bald Head Island in the early 70's, this gem was ready for a renovation. Starting with white paint, Lisa's reno plan is thoughtful and stikes a perfect beach house balance. I often talk in terms of 'beachy yet not too kitchy". I have been known to use the words "sophisticated yet not too precious". I like the word 'yet' when describing a look. It connotes that a look is not one-note, not straight out of a textbook. If you read the Lonny article, this is exactly how she describes her goals for the renovation. Her signature is 'casual luxe' and it totally resonates with me.

My favorite interiors are ones that show both balance and tension. Balance of scale, tone and texture. Tension between fancy and flea market, rustic and sleek. This place has it down.

As each page unfolds I think "yes, yes that's perfect!". I love her taste, but more importantly her style. It takes a certain something to put a look together that is eclectic yet seamless (see more of Lisa Sherry's work here). And as always, Patrick Cline does a superb job of capturing the essence of the home in his images.

These images are going on my old-school bulletin board.

This home is too inspiring to live only in virtual land.

Must get more printer ink stat.

coming clean

This post is totally self-serving. I am trying to convince Mr. K. that we need to do a 'slight refresh' of our laundry and mud room. It currently functions as the center of chaos in our home. As in, complete disaster area. The laundry room is tucked under the stairs, the home office has some space constraints and sits in the mud room. Add 6 and 4 year olds to the mix and its a freak show of shoes, bills, towels, bags and wait... more shoes.

To top it off, the countertops are black. As you may have figured out by now, white would be my preference. So in an effort to gather enough visual stimulation to convince him to do this, I am posting a few images here.

Doesn't that look nice?

ps: 'like' me on facebook to support the 'refresh the laundry room' idea!

I need all your votes!

(now isn't that more fun than politics?)

images: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7

pretty pictures

I feel like looking at pretty pictures today...

images from my tumblr

hanging out

I got on the pinwheel (pinterest pinning frenzy) and saw this image along the way. So as I do, I sleuthed around and found more by photographer Jeroen van der Spek. Which also took me to the Style Files, a wonderful blog. It looks like an eclectic comfortable beach house.

And it looks like no matter what part of the world you are in, a nice image and a nice beach communicate the same thing no matter what language you speak.