Work with wood?

My favourite materila to see around the house is definitely wood.... So when I saw this.... I was so super impressed with Olga's work that I just had to share it with you all!!

Olga Oreshyna is a Canadian Designer who uses natural and previously used wood to create the designs below.



Her sole intention is to make your home warm and comfortable with stylish handmade wooden blocks panels. Since all the wood was already used before, it’s a great contribution to being green!



Olga uses only natural fragments of wood as a source of inspiration and what comes out of it... is simply magic!! Explore her designer collection of decorative panels in which simple wooden blocks create sophisticated pattern and plays with contrasts.

For any queries write to her on olga66.design@gmail.com

You simply have to see Olgas work and the simplicity with which she describes it... : http://olga66.wordpress.com and http://olga66.blogspot.com

Patience grasshopper (kids room inspiration)

I know. I KNOW. I hate that I have to do it, but I am going to reveal the big boy room later this weekend. I KNOW! Stop yelling at me! :) Life has gotten in the way this week just a bit, so I’m going to finish up the little details tomorrow and then take pics this weekend. I will tell you, it is so beautiful. I’m not even kidding…I just adore this room. It is now our favorite in the house!

Sowing Seeds

I've always thought it would be fun
to start flowers for my yard from seeds. This year with finances so tight, and still having a desire for
a bounty of beauty,
it has become a necessity. To help fill our gardens with flowers,
I decided to try my hand at sowing seeds indoors. I purchased little green houses and
gathered a few packets of seeds. Now, just a few days later, I'm excited to report
a little growth.

Does it concern me that I should have
started this process about six weeks ago
in order to enjoy blooms before the fourth of July?
No.

Not really.
Okay.
Maybe.
But isn't that what real growth is all about?Overcoming our mistakes and
blossoming despite them.

Blossoming Inspiration

Inspired by Susan's surprise and a trip to the dollar store,
where I spied these poppy bouquets,
I decided to create a new door display of my own. I began by rummaging through my
thrift store orphanage/storage room and discovered this
charming metal hanging pocket. I was naturally drawn to it about a year ago because
it replicates old ceiling tins.
I was thrilled to be finally giving it a purpose in my home.
I think it's the perfect poppy container! They both conjure up feelings of years gone by,
so what would be more appropriate than to finish them off with
a little burlap and vintage lace.

Decrapification: The kitchen

Hellooooo there! First things first – the randomly drawn winner of the $50 HomeGoods gift card is Wanda from Bunco Babes! Wanda, email me your address and I’ll get that sent out to you! I know I’ve been going on and on about the big boy room and I am REALLY hoping to show you this week. (Finishing touches are SO close to done!!) But even when I’m working on a cutie patootie room for my cute

Staircase inspirations...

The best thing about blogger is sharing ideas and inspirations..

This one is my favourite.. I'd love to have a seating / reading corner like this...

These images were googled to me by Kanika.... What an inspiration!

Only problem is ... my staircase space isnt really this big. You cannot walk into it.. or sit below it.

Aisha (my friend) sent me the below two images.. I like the idea of storage.. Part of me is thinking maybe I can make it a wine rack or a bar counter??

The bookshelf idea.... is lovely!! This was what I had in mind first... But the area is rather wide... So putting a bookshelf means I will loose the space behind it...

And.. I dont want to loose any space.. so for now.. I'm dreaming of a fountain, a few plants.... a buddha... a few cushions... All this.. with my swing in the front?? Not so sure!!! But it my head it seems ok... I'm still hunting for ideas... as this space is not on my priority list as yet!! If you have any ideas... do share them with me.. Post a comment or email torresp27@hotmail.com

Bowl-d Over

One of

my favorite thrift store treasures

is my huge, wooden, bread dough bowl.

I just happened to be at the right place at the right time when they brought out this little beauty. It was one of those finds that everyone in the store commented on when they spied it in my cart. That's when you know you have a real treasure!
I love every inch of the wear on this bowl. Even the large crack down the center makes it unique.I adore the way it was repaired with nails and strips of metal.This bowl is in constant use at our house. It usually sits on the kitchen island or table. In the fall it's loaded with pumpkins and gourds. The rest of the year it's usually laden with fresh fruits.

I thought I'd give it a little vacation from it's usual kitchen duties.
I brought it into the living room and filled it full of glass floats and Christmas ornaments that I've gathered over the years on clearance and at thrift stores.

I think it's enjoying it's little vacation and so am I.

Magical broom

This was in the Gulf News a few months back... I was absolutely amazed with the DIY lamp... and thought it was a fabulous idea!! I have a few DIY lamps at home... but most of mine are just a few fairy lights put into a pretty vase or bowl... Do you have any creative lighting??

Susan's Surprise

I recently worked with Susan rearranging and styling her home. On my second visit I asked her to bring out all of her decorations and accessories that she had stored away but that she wanted to find a place for in her home.

I love this part of my job!

To me it feels like Christmas morning with new toys for
play and imagination.

One of the items that appeared from her box was this
decorative iron piece. I immediately saw it's possibilities!
I told Susan the items she needed to purchase,
then she gave me the opportunity of pulling it all together.

First I cut a piece of cardboard to size then
I adhered floral foam using hot glue. Next I dressed the foam with plenty of moss
and slipped the entire thing into the metal piece. Then came the real fun!

I started with the fillers,
a beautiful backstage of greenery.

Next I placed the florals,
pretty poppies in red and yellow.

I attached a metal wire to the back for easy hanging.

Now Susan has a beautiful arrangement
to hang on her door or in her home,
made from an item that she had stored away.

Do you have something hidden away
that with a little transformation would become
a beautiful accessory?

Painting the backs of built ins

Well, I finally did the last of the painting in the Bub’s room today – sheesh, this room has involved a crazy amount of painting. I am not touching a paint brush again for months! OK, weeks! OK, probably tomorrow! I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was struggling with the color for the backs of the built ins. I was thinking the navy may be too much. The accent colors of red or yellow would

Are you coming home??

Welcome to my new home.... I've just managed to find a cabinet space for nearly everything... Which means... all my stuff now has a home.. and I can start concentrating on the individual rooms...


The minute I open the door... this is what you can see!!! Atleast the elephants have found their permanent place...

My dolls... hanging on my swing... and overlooking the rest of the house!!

Sofas only arrive sometime this week.... till then this is our makeshift seating..

For now... I've placed my swing here... coz I just couldnt find a better place... But inturn lost my creative space under the stair case...

Huummm... I dont know what to do right now!! Do you have any ideas for under the stairs?? Share them with me on torresp27@hotmail.com

Bench

I could do with this bench... I dont know where I will keep it... but I like the dark wood look.. and the cushions.. Although I'd definitely add some more colourful cushions... Do you have a seat like this?

Because I’m nice

This giveaway is now closed. I’m doing another giveaway this weekend for my final $50 HomeGoods gift card!! Whoo to the hoo!!I’ve had a blast judging entries for the HomeGoods Spring Challenge over the past few weeks! I’m always blown away by everyone’s creativity. There is one week left of the challenge – for more info on how to win some great prizes and a ton o’ moola, go here. For a chance to

Client Project: Dream Kitchen on a Budget

In a previous post, I spoke of my love of Ikea kitchens. I also have mentioned, just a few times, the classic appeal of white kitchens. This client wanted not only to update her small kitchen but also make it more functional.

The only change to the layout was to move the refrigerator to the opposite wall with a narrow pantry for all her food items. This gave her a 5’ run of counter space for food prep where previously she only had about 2’ to the right of the sink. We also saved on counter space by installing a new microwave above the range.

We gained additional storage space by extending the cabinets to the ceiling. This also gives the impression that the ceiling is higher than it is.

We added symmetry to the room by installing glass front cabinets on either side of the window. The client can display her pretty dishes. A new white subway tile backsplash is timeless and works well with the white cabinetry.

My favourite part is the counter which is a quartz in a beautiful grey brown colour (it’s not quite grey, yet not quite brown). We replaced the dated, small ceramic floor tiles with cork which is environmentally sustainable as well as soft on the feet and legs.

We replaced the lighting with an inexpensive pendant from Home Depot and one of my favourite ceiling fixtures from Robert Abbey. My client says it looks like a cake! We painted the walls a soft blue grey.

I loved working with this client and she LOVES the transformation of her kitchen from boring beige to classic white. (I will add additional “after” photos once I receive them from the photography student who took this one.)

I’m taking part in Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch and The Sunday Showcase at Under the Table and Dreaming. Head on over to see some great Before and Afters.

If you need help with a kitchen reno or any other design project, please contact me at vanessa@vanessafrancis.com.

Spicy Makeover

When I discovered this spicy orange floral fabric in the clearance pile I knew that it would look great in my family room.I pulled the perfect chair from another room in the house to give it it's inexpensive update.I removed the seat and covered the existing foam with a fresh layer of batting for a little extra cushiness.Then it was just a matter of cutting, pulling and stapling.Now I have a gorgeous addition to my family room that took me only a few minutes and around two dollars to create.

How's that for a little spice of life?

I am so happy to announce that Joys of Home has officially been declared the winner of the JDR Blogger Awards in the category of interior design!!!!!
I am indebted to those of you who took the time to vote.

Thank you,
thank you so very much!!!