Tag Archives: design

Weddings are a good excuse to craft things!

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The wedding planning has been going as well as it can. I’m 33 days away and have most things done. Weddings still kind of blow my mind. The planning experience has been a little tough, stressful and frustrating but everything is happening… but I can’t wait til it’s all done and over with – I don’t want to plan stuff anymore!

One of the more enjoyable things for me has been the excuse to get crafty! With the help of a friend I designed and crafted the Save the date cards, and programs. These two things have improved my illustrator skills tenfold. The world of print is so daunting, but I feel like I’m starting to understand it more and now want to create and print more things.

The latest craft project is what I’ve chosen for centerpieces. They are unfinished wooden “Taj Mahal” birdhouses purchased from Michael’s:

Taj Mahal Mosoleum

Taj Mahal Birdhouse

I’m not sure what kind of bird would even fit into that. The actual Taj Mahal is a masoleum, not a palace or house of any sort. So maybe this is more of a “final resting place” for birds, rather than a house. That’s a bit grim. Maybe I’ll put 2 tiny coffins in each one. Tee Hee.

I’ve started work on 2:

Centerpieces... in progress

Centerpieces... in progress

The one on the left was decorated using scrapbook paper and modpodge – much like my “Ikea Fira Chest” project. I painted the pink, purple and gold on the domes. I love the colours.

The one on the right was a more random idea. Using a black sharpie and ruler I drew random diagonal lines all over, and started randomly filling in colours. I’m not sure what type of look I’d call this, but the colours have a sort of  ’70s feel to it. I’m not sure what to do with the top parts – I didn’t want to try drawing straight lines on the curved surfaces for fear of screwing it up but I don’t think they should just be one solid colour either. I’m sure I’ll figure something out.

My friends have taken on a few of their own and I can’t wait to see what they come up with. I’m excited that they’ll all be a little different with a dose of individual personality. I have about 3 – 5 more to do and trying to think about types of art and design I am drawn to an how to incorporate it into a design.

I think the next one will use ribbons and string to give more texture. I’ll post more pictures, and hopefully after the event I can post them all.

The Couch

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We have a good idea of the look we want. Mid-century Modern. Or, if you will – “old timey”. Baron and I have a ever growing love of the old timey times (that is what we call them). The looks of the 50′s. Not so much the social and political strifes of the time. No, I wouldn’t want to go back in time and LIVE in the 50′s. That might be horrible. I do however want to decorate my home and possibly my person to reflect the stunning style of the time. The first step to doing this is the couch.

The perfect. mid-century modern 50′s era couch.

I have a few candidates in mind:

Bantam Sofa, from Design Within Reach

There are many colour options and what not. The tuffted back buttons, single seat cushion slight angled lines and wooden feet all appeal to me.It is approximately 1,863.57 CAD. Not including shipping. (DWR is 3 blocks from my home… I don’t want to have to pay an arm and leg for shipping!)

Spencer Sofa fro Style Garage - Gus Modern

Spencer Sofa, from Style Garage

This one has a few colour options. I am not fond of the metal legs – but I do love the slim square pillows for the arms. It also features few more rows of tufted buttons. This one comes in at $1950 CAD. I do not know what the shipping expense would be.

Rochelle Sofa, from Style Garage

The Rochelle Sofa is also from Style Garage, and also $1950CAd. It features wooden legs that actually go half way up the back of the couch itself. Again, available in a few colour/fabric options. So ar I do like the colours of all of these. the Grey may be my favourite.

This is and the Spencer are both Gus Designs.

Manhattan Sofa

Manhattan Sofa, from Urban Mode

This one is from Urban Mode on Queen W. The price starts at 1598.00 and I imagine goes up with different fabric prices. Unfortunately they do not have this one in the warehouse. I can’t imagine myself buying a couch I haven’t even sat on. I wish I knew the makers of this couch so I could find their site.

Bel-Air Sofa, from Urban Mode

Bel-Air Sofa, from Urban Mode

Same deal with this one. Haven’t sat on it.  This one costs $1,990.00

Rolly Side Table, Design Within Reach

Rolly Side Table, Design Within Reach

As you can see, it’s pretty clear what we want. A single cushioned couch with tuffted buttons – preferrably with wooden legs and nice squared arm rests. I want something made in Canada with quality materials – something that will last a damn long time.  Does any one have any input, ideas, suggestions or lists of other stores we should visit?

I don’t know if it matters or not, but I’m dead set on getting this side table – I’m sure it’d go with any of these couches (by god I’ll make it go!)

For the sake of reference, here are two not so great pictures of my current couch/living room set up.

Current set up 1/2

Current set up 1/2

Current set up 1/2

Current set up 2/2