DIY Project Two- Framed Doorsways

On a recent trip, Stu took the liberty of photographing several doorways he thought were architecturally interesting and worth documenting. I printed four of them out in colour (4 x 6) and framed them in 11 x 14 black frames with large white matts. They now hang by the front door of our Montreal apartment and look fantastic. An easy and inexpensive project for anyone in need of a focal point in a room, especially when they are hung in unisense.

Sofa Shopping Finished!!!

We selected a sofa today! It is not one of the ones I blogged about but it is similar. Stu and I have different tastes when it comes to sofas. He likes the wider arms and I like the square arm. We compromised on the tappered square arm. We are going with a woven wool-like fabric in a taupe colour that is very similar to our living room wall colour. Also getting a great deal = total for the sofa and chair is $1962.

Wood Countertop Inspiration

Stuart and I are thinking of replacing our current kitchen countertop (which is laminate) with a wood countertop and single basin farm sink (which we saw on a recent trip to IKEA). I love my kitchen but feel it lacks warmth and I think the best way to solve that is by adding wood. The bonus is that I will finally get the breakfast bar I have always wanted.
I was searching the web to see if I could find any pics that have light coloured wood countertops with darker hardwood floors (which is what we would have). I thought I would share the pics I did come across.

Pictures with both wood contertops and farm sinks...






Pictures with just wood contertops...


The above 2 pictures are of the same kitchen but from different angles and display how nice the 2 different woods can look in a space.



Pictures with just farm sinks...






Jenn's kitchen has the larger version of farm sink I want...

Mud Room- After

It is such a shame that we do not have a before picture of this room but I will do my best to describe it and try to capture just how hideous it was.

On one side of the room the washer and dryer were divided by one of those plastic utility sinks... which had taken a beating over the years and was marked with stains and rust. On the wall above the washer/dryer was an exterior window (window panes left in and all) on a now interior wall. The other side of the room had an unfinished "built-in" closet made with exposed 2 x 4's and plywood. The floor was a vinyl sheet that was completly ripped up around the exterior door.

Now the after...




What we did:

1) Removed the exterior window from the wall above the washer/dryer and finished the opening.

2) Removed the utility sink and installed a free standing IKEA cabinet which houses the kitty litter. We finished the cabinet by adding and staining a small section of wood counter top. The basket on the counter holds dog towels for rainy and snowy days.

3) Added shelves for visual interest. Also added a chalkboard (not shown) above the dryer where I leave messages for our guests.

4) Removed the "built-in" closet and replaced it with 2 free standing cabinets and a bench. The cabinets are from RONA and are solid wood. They came unifinished and we painted them cream. They hold pet supplies, laundry and cleaning supplies, shoes, craft supplies and much more. The bench in between the cabinets is from Michaels and holds our winter hats, mitts and scarves. The bench came unfinished and we painted it cream to match the cabinets.

5) Removed the vinyl floor and replaced it with a neutral coloured ceramic tile. The tile was from the Home Depot and was super inexpensive. Stuart installed it himself.

6) Added a long shelf above the cabinets which houses my outdoor summer plants for the winter. This was more or less necessary to conceal a change in drywall depth where the wall goes from two pieces thick to one piece thick... don't ask.

7) Expanded the opening to the dining room. This was actually a fun job for me. Stuart was not sold on the idea so when I was alone in the house one day I decided to do the work myself. He came home to a large section of the wall missing. In the end I am glad we did it. The room is much more functional this way.

8) Added some hooks for jackets, etc. One of the major problems that I have had with this house is a lack of convenient places to hang jackets. This solves that and the hooks themselves are quite nice to look at on their own.

Sofa Shopping Cont...

Fifth stop- The Brick

Just for comparison purposes I have been searching the bargain furniture stores online. I am actually surprised at some of the deals I have found.





I was pleasantly surprised at the Preston Contemporary sofa, chair and ottoman from The Brick.

Pros
- the fabric is a great colour (graphite) and highly durable
- good size with clean lines
- nice coloured (espresso) wooden legs
- delivery from the local store will be reasonably priced
- amazing price for sofa and chair at total = $1150 so why not get the ottoman too for total = $1450
- stain guarding is an option

Cons
- not sure about the quality!
- no choice on fabric
- may not be able to see all pieces in person
- style may be too contemporary for my space


Sixth stop- Leon's Furniture Store




I was also pleasantly surprised at the Tiger Lily sofa, chair and ottoman from Leon's.

Pros
- all 3 pieces are currently on sale!
- the fabric is a good colour (wheat) and highly durable
- good size with clean lines
- nice coloured (espresso) wooden legs
- delivery from the local store will be reasonably priced
- amazing price for sofa and chair at total = $1028 (on sale) so why not get the ottoman too for total = $1307...best price yet!
- stain guarding is an option

Cons
- not sure about the quality!
- no choice on fabric and not 100% about fabric texture
- may not be able to see all pieces in person

Halloween- Better late then never

It took me a while to actually post our halloween party decor pics but here they are.




The budget breakdown is as follows:

- white sheets, candy bowl, black vase, skeleton, white serving dishes and 3 small black pumpkins were all things I already had
- cob/spider webs, bats, 2 skeleton tongs, pumpkin napkins and black plastic utensils were all from the Dollarama
- flower arrangement and black tapered candles were from Micheals

Total cost = $15

Sofa Shopping Cont...

Third and fourth stops- Local stores


I Really like the look of the Stylus Lyric sofa and matching chair (not shown).

Pros
- they are made in Canada
- we choose the fabric and it is custom made for us (I am leaning towards a beige coloured canvas look fabric)
- good size with clean lines
- nice coloured (espresso) legs
- quality construction
- delivery from the local store will be reasonably priced
- fabric I choose is 100% polyester i.e., will be very stain resistent

Cons
- most expensive sofa and chair yet at total= $1949
- smaller depth then our current sofa
- I was not able to see the 3 seater sofa or co-ordinating chair in person



My favorite yet! The Statum sofa (style no. 2213). The above picture does not do it justice.

Pros
- they are made in Canada
- we choose the fabric and it is custom made for us (I am leaning towards a taupe coloured linen look fabric)
- great size with clean lines
- really comfortable
- nice coloured (espresso) legs
- quality construction
- reasonable price for the 2 pieces (total= $1798)
- delivery from the local store will be reasonably priced
- option of getting stain guard for 5 years

Cons
- I was not able to see the chair in person

Even though I really like the Statum sofa I am going to continue my hunt...

Sofa Shopping Cont...

Second stop- Sears (online)




Love the Fleur sofa and chair from Sears.

Pros
- they are made in Canada (as are most of Sears' sofas)
- great neutral colour that will work with our existing space
- good size with clean lines
- nice coloured (dark brown) legs
- excellent price for the 2 pieces (total= $1198)
- Sears always has sale weekends where you can save the tax i.e., the price is even better
- delivery from the local store will be reasonably priced
- can pay extra to have them both stain guarded

Cons
- will have to travel to a Sears Home Store or Department Store that has furniture to see the pieces in person
- not sure about the micro fibre fabric
- not sure about the quality (which is why we would like to see them in person) and their are no reviews online to help

Now off to some locally owned stores to see what they have...

Sofa Shopping

My husband and I decided to be practical this Christmas and get eachother a new sofa and chair. Our old sofa is (and has been) well used and is showing it. I am on the hunt for a great sofa and chair for a good price. Now the fun part... shopping.

First stop- IKEA
Normally I would not consider IKEA (b/c it's far from my house) but they have a sale on until November 21 that if you buy any fabric sofa you get a second piece at half price.

FYI- They do not look the same colour in the pictures below but they are.




Love the IKEA Stockholm 3.5 seat sofa and 1.5 seat armchair.

Pros
- great neutral colour that will work with our existing space
- good size with clean lines
- great price for the 2 pieces (with the sale = $1748.50)
- slip covers are available for both pieces

Cons
- either have to pay for delivery or rent a trailer to pick them up
- no option of having them stain guarded
- not in love with the stain on the oak feet- definitely don't have anything in the space that is the same colour