Mint Condition

I'm working on some interior selections for an exciting project that is near and dear to my heart! Hint...there is a lot of black and white. Keep your eyes peeled for the details as they unfold!

January Bulletin 2018

Reflection and contrast

Nordic Sweater

I have been on the hunt for a black and white Nordic sweater for years and this $5 beauty jumped off the thrift store rack at me the other day! The red collar makes it extra mid-century ski outfit-esque.

Old Lace

I love the intricacy of lace and doilies. They are elegant, ethereal, and versatile. They can be used as a myriad of embellishments...patches on jeans, sewed into a tablecloth, starched into a pendant fixture...the list goes on...

Multi-talented Moms

Happy Mother's Day to all you heartwarming, multi-talented ladies!

Homebody

This pillow from Chapters has made itself at home on the sofa. I can relate. The reason why I love decorating, architecture, and the history of domestic life is because I see the home as being a sanctuary of beauty. In the words of William Morris, "It helps the healthiness both of body and soul to live among beautiful things."

Sleepy Sketch

My talented friend Anni drew this guy! Beautiful line work, isn't it?

Top Hat

If you need some glamourous inspiration, I highly recommend Top Hat (1935), starring Fred and Ginger! 

It is Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers' most famous musical comedy, and the stunning sets and costumes are at the same incredible level as their dancing!

The lighting and contrasts are so elegant.

New Designs in Shop: Contrast

Happy Friday! Here are some neutrals with a whimsical twist! They are all available in the Creatively Graceful Surface Pattern Design Shop as fabric, wallpaper, and gift wrap as well as cut-and-sew patterns and homewares. Finally, here's Gentleman (Movember, anyone?)

Ebony and Ivory

Contrast Bouquet in Black, also available in White

Dill

Spoonflower (couldn't resist the pun)

Church Street School

This turn-of-the-century photo was taken in a school in Almonte, Ontario. Oh the smirks and blank stares.

Daily Surface Patterns

 You know you are a total surface pattern design nerd when pond scum makes you squeal with delight!

 I mean, it's dynamic swirls and paisley in stunning black and white contrast! How can one go wrong?!

1950s Porch Dwellers

I found this photo in a Country Living magazine. Such youthful summertime bliss!

Mother Daughter

Happy Mother's Day to all you multitasking ladies out there!

Vintage Church Print

I found this gorgeous framed church print at Value Village for $6.99! 

It's godly, vintage, black and white, architectural, detailed, distressed, and French, therefore it will be prominently hanging on my walls for the rest of my life!

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:16-19

Namesake Sign à la French Country

 No, this isn't me awkwardly posting belated Christmas stuff in January, this is a sign I made featuring my last name. My mom found the frame at Value Village a few months ago, but the art within was some folk art painting that had nothing to do with the fleur-de-lis on the metal inset. 

So, I flipped the picture around and painted on the black back of it. I whipped this vintage French ephemera font out of my mind based on the French Country style of the rest of the frame, and went to town with some white acrylic paint and paint pen. Voilà!

Dress For Occasions

 Some glam illustrations from Modern Manners for NYE.

Billings Estate

Billings Estate a.k.a. Park Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, was built between 1827 and 1829 for for Braddish and Lamira Billings. The Estate was designated a National Historic Site in 1968 and became a museum in 1975. It has a cemetery on the property with graves dating to 1820. 

This home is a great example of Georgian architecture for its landscaped lot, symmetry, wooden cladding, paired chimneys, dentil moulding, portico, dormer windows, and 5 bays of multi-paned windows with a centered door occupying the middle bay on both floors. 

It is sensible and elegant.

Inspiration: Vintage Blue Car

Sleek blue in rough black and white brush.

Eyes to the Soul Skirt-to-Be

Today I received my Spoonflower order of three yards of my Eyes to the Soul fabric on Basic Cotton Ultra. I'm gonna make it into a skirt! Woo!

Vintage Postcard: Square Notger, Liège

Liège, Belgium. I found this postcard and several accompanying postcards from Liège in a little plastic baggie at a thrift store.