Knolling

This is one of those moments when I can ecstatically say that I have discovered a term to describe something I do all the time, in both surface pattern design and blog photography! According to this article, the above is an example of "knolling". I love that the concept of knolling was created by a janitor in a furniture shop. You go, Andrew Kromelow! It also happened to be the furniture store Canadian-born furniture designer Frank Gehry! He's the Wiggle Chair guy! More examples of this eye-catching organizational style here.

Dancing Sugarplums

I'm flitting around, doing some seasonal shopping, dreaming up gifts, making said gifts, fashioning festive outfits, and grand jeté-ing and swinging out to Christmas tunes at every opportunity!

Cheertown

 A little follow-up from Almonte's Holiday Night Market...here's Baker Bob's and Tin Barn Market during the day! Punches of red, the whole Gingie clan, baby firs, and a skating bunny. Absolutely charming!

100 Years

I find it fascinating how WWI launched the world out of the poise of the Edwardian Era, and caused the reaction of the Roaring Twenties. WWI is the pivotal point of vast societal change, which influenced everything stylistic as well--design, décor, architecture, fashion, and so on--read any history of design book and you'll catch on to that trend pretty quick. Here's to those who sacrificed their lives and lifestyles, creatively adapted to new ways of life (I would love to hear more of their experiences), and helped give us the freedom we enjoy today! 

October with Anne

In the words of Anne Shirley, "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." The trees are rivaling Anne's hair. Tonight, on this chilly autumn evening, I am hunkering down to watch some Anne season 2!

Mandy's

 I went to Montréal (again) and fell in love...with this restaurant. Mandy's. I've never been in a restaurant that is as close to an embodiment of my own personal style as this place, both in terms of stunning décor and gourmet allergy-friendly food which is incredibly rare! It's like the creators crawled inside my brain and lounged on a sofa in there for a while, soaking up the details. It was like walking into my Creatively Graceful Boutique design realized as a restaurant, with a dash of tropical paradise thrown in for originality. Can I just point out that pink and gold semicircular channel back banquet?!

Sewing machine table, picket fence, sunlit patio

Crisp black paned doors, topiaries, black and white stripe scalloped awnings

 Chippy turquoise door, greenery

 You can create your own salad! Delish choices! Well priced!

 Black and white checkerboard floor, ornate ticking stripe chair

 A ready-to-eat boutique section, complete with foodie décor items

Soaring ceilings, architectural fixtures

 Can I just get the whole place to go, pretty please?

A bar of pure cheer

Thonet chairs, gold globe pendants, cane stools

 Wildflowers, mason jars, marble bistro tables, gold flatware

Oh, it is! It IS!

I even stumbled upon a Mandy's truck dans le Vieux Port! A glossy pink beacon of bliss!

Strawberry Stuff

This is a pile of 3 generations' worth of strawberry themed goodness. My grandma's signature icon was a strawberry (she was a painter and had a strawberry on her business card), my mom has followed suit in collecting strawberry themed items, and I am also in love with the cheery summer fruit! 

This is one of those fluke enduring cheer paintings...I painted it on a whim in an afternoon in 2009 and it still makes me smile. It shall be the new heirloom. Keep your eyes peeled for more strawberry stories...

Overcome with Good

I adore the hope of Easter in Christ! In moments when things are seemingly hopelessly flustered I praise Jesus for His beautiful truth, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

He has overcome the world!

Blue Skies

Cheery yellows and blues and birds!

Plaid & Peace

"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:14

The Pretty Lady

I found this edition of 1918 novel The Pretty Lady by Arnold Bennett (1867-1931) at a book sale for a song. I admit...I bought it purely for the title and the glamorous gilded pattern on the black cover!

Dundee Marmalade Jars

These marmalade jars have a talent for popping up in décor magazine vignettes, and it just so happens that I have a few on hand from thrifting jaunts. Judging by this article, the jar on the left is from the 1860s and the jar on the right is post-1960. The striking black logo on the stoneware makes them pretty storage containers.

Urn It

I've been playing around with this collection of thrifted urns; I love the variety of materials and textures. It makes me chuckle that an urn gives the displayed item a little bit of elegant pomp.

Steadfast Thanksgiving

I'm off to a Thanksgiving meal and am so grateful for God's steadfastness! "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in Him.'" --Lamentations 3: 22-24

Sketchbook

This is a week of observing, reading, pondering, and doodling. 

1897 Art Nouveau book cover of Sketchbook by Washington Irving, 1820.

Equinox

Rust, peach, mustard...I love the colour combinations of this season. This oil painting was thrifted for $3.

MATS Home Décor: Wood

This fifth and final week of Make Art That Sells: Creating Collections for Home Décor is about creating art for wood products. Feel free to check out the product designs I create here and the rest of my portfolio here!

MATS Home Décor: Ceramics

This fourth week of Make Art That Sells: Creating Collections for Home Décor is about creating art for ceramic products. Feel free to check out the product designs I create here and the rest of my portfolio here!

MATS Home Décor: Glass

This third week of Make Art That Sells: Creating Collections for Home Décor is about creating art for glass products. Feel free to check out the product designs I create here and the rest of my portfolio here!

MATS Home Décor: Fabric

This second week of Make Art That Sells: Creating Collections for Home Décor is about creating art for fabric products. Feel free to check out the product designs I create here and the rest of my portfolio here!