Happy Canada Day!
Happy Canada Day everyone! Hope you are celebrating this wonderful country of ours surrounded by family and friends.
Card by etsy seller ktcrawford
Things That Became Apparent After I Became A Parent Part II
Part I here.
- 'Sleeping through the night' is a myth. If you do manage to get a few nights of uninterrupted sleep, baby will suddenly change it up by throwing in some teething, 2am play times, sickness or standing in her crib repeatedly, just to keep you on your toes.
- Your toddler will be able to squeeze herself into spaces that seemingly only bunnies and tiny fairies could fit into.
- Sometimes, your toddler will crawl faster than you can run.
- It takes only a one-time showing for your toddler to learn a new bad habit.
- Finding some "alone time" means spending five extra minutes in the shower.
- Daddies come with an innate talent for throwing baby high up in the air and making her giggle uncontrollably.
- Your little one may refuse to eat the healthy organic meal you spent an hour preparing but 10 mins later will instead choose to pick up and eat the kernels of rice that fell onto the floor.
- Your toddler's first tricycle may be cooler than your first car.
- Your toddler will know things and you will have no clue how they learned it.
- There is nothing more heartwarming than seeing your parents play with your children.
- No matter how hard you try and practice, "mama" will likely not be your baby's first word. However, she can say "dada", "dad" and "daddy" with perfect elocution.
- Helpless babies turn into walking talking toddlers in the blink of an eye.
Any things you moms want to add to the list? Read more...
Campaign Chests
I saw these (minus the side tables - maybe they were sold already) at Frontier Sales on Saturday.
Somebody PLEASE buy them and do this...
Reader Question: Kristina's Toddler Room
Kristina wrote to me recently with a design dilemma...
"We are moving into a new place and I was wondering if I should re-do my son's nursery with a baby theme or should I dive into a toddler/little boy theme...and what themes do you suggest? I want to stay away from the typical theme that everyone else is doing. I'm looking for something unique and something that blends in with his personality. He's at the stage where he clearly isn't a newborn baby but I'm unsure if I should just jump into spiderman and superman themes. (I myself never had any brothers or grew up around boy cousins so all this "boyish" stuff is too confusing).
He LOVES books and balls but will play with cars, teddy bears and plush animals. He's very active, shy around people and curious. I'd like a room that is stylish, modern, fun and maybe a bit of a vintagey feel."
What a fun challenge, Kristina! There's nothing I like more than putting together a kid's room. I also think you don't need to sacrifice style to be child-friendly. Kids can learn to appreciate beautiful things too!
Kristina is a stylish and crafty mama (here's the nursery she put together) so I knew this toddler room definitely had to have some flair. Taking inspiration from my current favourite colour combo for kids (red and aqua) and from the recent Vancouver Olympics (go Canada!), here's a scheme I call "Cabin Cool".
Toddlers, boys especially, can be tough on their spaces. I think the ideal room would be one with room for adventure, imagination and creativity. Nothing could be too precious so this little boy could feel free to climb on the furniture, jump on the bed and be a kid.
- these Martha Stewart FLOR tiles in Faux Bois really set the tone for the space. They add some fun texture and colour to the room and they're sophisticated enough for adults to appreciate too. The pattern will also hide some of those inevitable spills and messes kids make.
- the Ikea PS cabinet is a modern classic. Its steel construction is durable and will give this piece some longevity; when your toddler becomes a teenager, he could use this piece to store electronic equipment or anything else he wants to keep under lock and key. For now, Kristina could use it to house clothing or less often used toys in shallow baskets.
- A solid wood toddler bed like the Dorel Millbrooke is a functional and stylish piece. Kristina is a pretty handy sewer and could make some bedding, accent pillows, or curtains from this damask antler fabric and this lattice fabric from the divine Joel Dewberry Deer Valley line. Don't these fabrics conjure up memories of camping and log cabins and trekking in the forest?
- And what's a cabin without some moose nearby? This whimsical Sprallig hook rack from Ikea is a playful way to encourage your toddler to hang up their clothes.
- This Madison Bookshelf from Pottery Barn Kids is one of my favourites. The slim front-forward design saves space and encourages little ones to help themselves and pick a book of the shelf.
- All kids need a place to sit and create. I thought this P'kolino Chalk Table and Benches (not chairs!) continue the outdoorsy vibe.
- The final touch (which is something I hope to put in Chloe's room someday) is a teepee. Kristina could do an easy no-sew DIY version with these instructions found here. Kids love to have their "own" spaces and I thought this teepee would be the perfect place for a sweet little boy to curl up with his favourite books.
Thanks for writing in Kristina!
Do you have a design dilemma of your own? Write me at ramblingrenovators@gmail.com.
Tonic Living Custom Drapery!
I've kept you waiting on progress on the master bedroom renovation, haven't I? I don't mean to, but we're still waiting on the swing arm lamps and deciding on some art and other small projects so I'd hate to reveal the room before its all done. But hopefully, this will tide you over for a bit...
The window coverings are up! And boy, do they add some personality and colour to the room. At first, I had wanted to have a single wooden blind across the three windows like I've seen in so many decorating photos but we went to RONA and the draperies lady highly recommended we don't go that route. She said that wood blinds will warp and distort over time because of sun exposure and moisture changes and given the large size we wanted, it would be very evident. Oh - and the custom size would cost us in the neighbourhood of $700!! Yeah, scratch that idea. We ended up getting three wood roman blind shades in a standard size for about $75!
And then there's the curtains... how I love them. I'd debated getting custom drapes or getting something off the shelf like this or this or this. But the colours and patterns were boring and I would have to get some of the drapes black-out lined as well. I decided to ask my seamstress who did the curtains and upholstery for the nursery and the deck but her quote was too much to swallow.
Then I remembered Tonic Living. I'd ordered fabric samples from them before and I remembered they also did custom work. So I asked for a quote:
- curtain panels for 11' wide window, 1.5x fullness
- top pinch pleat
- using their yummy Sweet William in Teal fabric
- blackout lined
- custom length of 90.5" (from the bottom of the curtain rings to just grazing the floor)
They came out perfectly.
I can tell you I was a little nervous ordering something custom sight unseen (though I did order a fabric sample beforehand - only $1 per sample!) but I need not have worried. Tonic Living was an absolute pleasure to deal; their customer service is top notch and the quality of the end product is great. They're based out of Toronto so I was glad to patronize a local company to boot.
Since I was so happy with the product, I thought I'd do a little mention of Tonic Living here on the old blog. If you are in the market for fabric or custom sewing, definitely check them out!
And lucky you - Tonic Living is offering you a 10% discount off any order (no minimum)! To get the discount:
- enter the coupon code RAMBLING on the first page of the check out process in the coupon code box
- plus, Canadian customers with postal codes starting with L, M or N get free shipping on orders of $50 or more (pre-tax)
What are you waiting for? Get fabric shopping! And I'll get back to slowly putting my room together ;) Read more...
On Motherhood: Up and Away
This, then, is the art of motherhood, and it is not an art of the mind: to hold on and let go, at the same time.
-- Her Bad Mother
This is where I am at these days. Chloe and I are in a new routine - I'm back at work (working from home luckily), and she is shuffled between daycare, Grandma, and home with mom or dad. Its a tough transition and the little one knows that she no longer has momma all to herself like she's had 24hours a day, 7 days a week for the past 13 months. So we struggle. Chloe has never been the clingy sort but these days there are times when she will wail if I put her down. Our nighttime routine is broken and we are muddling our way through sleepless nights peppered with comfort nursing and sobbing until we bring her into our bed. Sometimes I wish it all away and look forward to the days when Chloe is more independent, adjusted, weaned.
And then there are those times that I can't hold her close enough. That I can't wait to lay down beside her, hear her hum along as I sing her to sleep. These temporary moments are anchors in our day, quiet and still. The rest of the time is a whirlwind. She is a toddler alright, doing laps around the main floor, trying to squeeze herself under furniture, poking, prodding, tossing, eating, touching, roaming, yelling, laughing, examining, experimenting, discovering. I sit back and marvel at all the new things she's learned. But it breaks my heart just a little bit too to watch her grow up, watch her grow away.
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Read this.
Found via reader jbhat (thanks for the recommendation) and domestic reflections.
Redux Park
If you could re-imagine the urban park, what would it look like? Would it be a visual stunner like Millenium Park in Chicago with its fantastical web of structure and sound and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion...
Or more like Stanley Park in Vancouver, a lush oasis on the edge of the city...
sourceMaybe you like parks in the heart of it all, like the Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston?
Come out this Friday June 18th and hear 8 of Toronto's hottest architects, landscape designers, and urban planners give their thoughts on "re-imagining the urban park", all in lightening-speed 7 minute presentations! HandyMan and I are doing it again and have put together this exciting next edition of PechaKucha Night Toronto.
Arren Williams (that always-stylish chap you may know from CityLine and Canadian House & Home magazine) is our host once again.
And the event is FREE. By the lake. With a bar :) Harbourfront - York Quay, 235 Queens Quay West, show starts at 8pm. Hope to see you there!!
Come out this Friday June 18th and hear 8 of Toronto's hottest architects, landscape designers, and urban planners give their thoughts on "re-imagining the urban park", all in lightening-speed 7 minute presentations! HandyMan and I are doing it again and have put together this exciting next edition of PechaKucha Night Toronto.
Arren Williams (that always-stylish chap you may know from CityLine and Canadian House & Home magazine) is our host once again.
And the event is FREE. By the lake. With a bar :) Harbourfront - York Quay, 235 Queens Quay West, show starts at 8pm. Hope to see you there!!
We ♥ ikea
Its no secret that we love Ikea here at the HandyLuster household. We've used it in many of our rooms like our home office and nursery. Mostly, we love to customize it to suit our needs - make it look built-in, tailored, bespoke. So when I come across innovative ways to use Ikea, it makes my heart flutter.
These are evocative and moody images from the new Ikea catalogue (styling by Lo Bjurulf). I've never seen Ikea look so bohemian!
Do you ever think that Ikea stuff looks 'too Ikea'? Here's some clever ways to incorporate pieces into your home, without sacrificing your personal style...
Images above are from the Ikea LIVE site, a place for tips and inspiration from real folk like me and you.
And if we're talking Ikea, we have to talk Ikea kitchens. We're planning on using some cabinetry in our basement renovation, in the craft area, work space, and laundry room. I'd like to stick with the shaker-style look we have throughout the rest of our home. Here's a fabulous & informative article on painting Ikea kitchen cabinets from interior designer Carol Reed. Its a must read for every DIY'er using Ikea, I think!
How about you? Any favourite Ikea products or projects in your own home? Read more...
Laundry Room Inspiration
We haven't progressed much on the plans for the basement reno lately. But that's kind of how things happen around here... draw up lots of sketches, wait for more inspiration to strike, let the ideas stew in our brains until we feel like we've found "it", the perfect design solution.
I've been thinking about the laundry room. Why is the laundry room often one of the most neglected rooms in the house? At worst, you have washing machines sitting on a concrete floor in your unfinished basement, with a bare hanging lightbulb buzzing overhead. At best, you have a clean, simple, finished room.
Clean and simple is what I'm hoping for, something like these inspiration photos:
This laundry room resides in The House That A-M Built. She just sold this house (and had I lived in Brisbane and had an extra $700K in my pocket, I would have scooped it up myself). I love the mix of open storage, and closed cabinetry with frosted doors. White always looks right in a laundry space. The glass door is a nice touch, to bring in even more light.
I've had this photo from Canadian House & Home in my inspiration folder for a long time. There's just the right amount of spring colour. A rug underfoot is a good idea too.
Yummm, beadboard! I love the vintage feel of this room. The drying racks and cabinet trim add some style to what is typically a spare functional space. The hardwood floor looks great too though I would probably opt for something more water resistant.
Another fave from Canadian House & Home. The rod for drying items is a great idea and we'll be doing something similar in our laundry. The industrial farmhouse stainless sink is pretty fab. Right now, we have a deep plastic utility sink and its always getting stained and nicked.
I think this laundry room is practically perfect... lots of counterspace for folding; storage for linens; good lighting, and pretty green glass knobs to boot.
If I had a laundry room as pretty as these, I actually might be motivated to do more loads!
Read more...
Friday Fun
What do you do with your wife's wedding dress when she walks out on you after 12 years of marriage? Maybe you do this...
and this...
and some of this...
Sweet revenge, I think. Check out 101 uses for My Ex-Wife's Wedding Dress.
Vintage Finds
Its funny how having a kid literally changes your view on things. I don't know if its true of all parents, but I find my myself increasingly drawn to cute things, to whimsical, sweet, miniature things. Things with adorable details and things that remind me of my own childhood. I'm not sure I would have even noticed such items before but at the Christie Antique Show I was instantly drawn to the booths with the vintage toys, old schoolbooks, and worn out board games.
I picked up this little cutie. Its a child-size dress form. She has the most perfect colour, a rosy pink hue. I like the subtle texture of the paper mache and the delicate pattern.
She is tempting me to dust off the old sewing machine and make cute little aprons and sundresses for my girl (that is, if I could actually sew!). I envision this going in Chloe's new play area when we redo the basement. She can put her costumes on it, her tutus and boas and hats. 
This is a little chair and table I bought for Chloe too. I won't be repainting it; the rich red and marks and nicks are part of its charm! There was only one chair so I'll keep my eye out for other kiddo chairs to add to the mix.
And I'm not a big baker, but I have a nice collection of cake stands. I just had to have this one:
Oh, Fenton hobnail glass cake stand, you make me swoon! I think I will have to whip up a batch of cupcakes pretty darn soon just so I can have you sitting out on my counter.
