Happy Halloween!

Hope everyone has a fun time trick or treating tonight.

Frank Lloyd Wright Designed a Dog House

I read a great blog called Letters of Note.  It features various letters, postcards, telegrams, etc. and includes a little history behind the authors and their backstory (always fascinating).  This week, they featured an exchange between a little boy and the architect Frank Lloyd Wright.  12-year-old Jim Berger commissioned the design of a dog house for his dog Eddie (Wright had designed his parent's home).  Wright eventually sent along plans for the dog house and the structure was built.

Completed dog house

Sadly, Eddie did not appreciate the fantastic design and the dog house was demolished within 10 years.

You can read the full exchange and see a diagram of the plan at "Please design me a dog house".

Glitter love - Halloween Pumpkins

I purchased a few mini-pumpkins for Thanksgiving and decided to give them a Halloween makeover.  I was working on another project at the time and already had my chalkboard paint out.  The next step was to get out some silver paint and my gigantic box of glitter.

Trying out Martha Stewart's chalkboard paint for the first time 

Big box of glitter - I do have a problem 

Time to try some silver metallic paint

Now add some pumpkin coloured glitter 

So pretty but so messy 

Two-tone effect 

Finished product - a little hairspray seals the glitter and adds some shine

Store Love - Country Furniture

Country is certainly an expected decorating style here in Calgary but what you actually find in the stores is a more modern interpretation.  Think less chintz and more plaid, darker tones rather than pastels and industrial-influenced accessories instead of folk art.  This more modern interpretation still has a relaxed and cozy feel to it though just like traditional country decor does.

Country Furniture (738 11th Ave S.W.) exemplifies this modern country aesthetic.  They carry a wide selection of items that would work well in a lot of spaces.  The store is also set in an historic building in the design district which just further adds to the shopping experience.

Beautiful brick building

Great mirror (similar to mine) and love the handblown oversize glass bottle

Great mix of lamps and large pieces of furniture

Mansard mirror, rustic wood bedframe and cozy linens

Chevron orange rug - still not tired of this look

Great oversize artwork

Canoe hanging from the ceiling - sculpture?

Really liked these birch planters

Hanging glass orbs for candles and lovely white dishes in the background

Wire baskets have so many uses

Make your own house number

Wire baskets hung upside down and used as light fixtures - great for a rustic kitchen

Masculine lamp and sidetable

I want a zinc cabinet for my bathroom

Great living room vignette

A display of clocks greet you at the front door

Store Love - The Consignment Gallery

While attending the Calgary Home & Design Show last month, I chatted with some women from The Consignment Gallery (533 58th Ave SE).  I was really impressed with the quality of items they had on display so decided to check out the store.  

Some items that caught my eye:

Small chairs that fit together perfectly 

Dining table chairs with a great shape and easily reupholstered 

Masculine chair with chrome accents

Mirror with shelf - great for the front hall 

Fireplace screen - I've seen this spray painted fab colours on DIY shows

Rustic buffet 

Apple green stools

Gigantic clock

Carved "branch" shelf - certainly a unique piece

And who doesn't need a giant lion!

I highly recommend viewing their on-line gallery as it is a good representation of the styles of furniture they have in the store.  It is an ever revolving inventory though so certainly worth letting the owners know if their is something specific you're looking for.  

I'm also really impressed with the ease at getting items to them.  For a nominal fee they'll come to your home to view items and even organize pick-up.  Certainly worth while if you aren't interested in putting an add on Craigslist and vetting potential buyers.

Letterpress drawer - DIY

Before I left TO, I stopped by a local letterpress shop and picked up two vintage job aids for a fantastic price (one for me and one for my mom).  I planned on hanging mine on the wall and using it to display little trinkets, photos, bits of fabric, ephemera, etc.

Waiting to find a home 

Looking on a few sites though, there are a lot of other inspiring DIY projects and uses for these hardworking tools of organization and now I'm not sure what to do with my tray.

Store/display your jewelry with a pop of apple green -  via BlackForestCottage

Turn it into a coffee table - instructions via Martha Stewart

Add it to an existing piece of furniture - design via Schub Laden

Turn it into a collage of family photos and trinkets - instructions available at Offbeat Home

So many great options and now I'm really confused as to what I'll do with my tray.  I think I'll stick with my original idea though knowing that when I'm tired of the look I can change it out into one of these other DIY projects.

Store Love - Inside Avenue Antiques

I love antique malls and have found a great one in Calgary.  Inside Avenue Antiques (3419 8 Street S.E.) stretches over 10,000 square feet and includes 30+ vendor booths.  You can find magazines, china, silverware, furniture, lamps, and lots of kitschy accessories.  The selection and prices are great.  I took photos of some fabulous finds:

Russian hand-painted door

Fiestaware

Collection of radios   

Antique windows

Vintage tins

Telephone switchboard 

Rows of oil lamps 

Fantastic rewired artichoke pendant

Covet Garden - Issue 27

I'm taking some time this holiday Monday to catch up on some blogs I follow and read a few on-line magazines.  Issue 27 of Covet Garden is available and the styling for the cover represents autumn perfectly.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm hosting Thanksgiving this year in my new place and am extremely thankful to be able to spend this day with my family.

Happy Thanksgiving!