Gratitude...and it's only January

The past couple of weeks have been filled with emotional ups and downs for me.  While I tried to get myself organized to work on business plans for the New Year I had some bad news from a close friend about a family death.  I then received word of another friend getting engaged and another getting a well deserved promotion.  I read wonderful stories of business success from friends in the design industry. Meanwhile, my mother recently fell and broke her shoulder and yet she is more worried about being healthy for my step-dad who’s still recovering from heart surgery last year. 

Every time I went back to my business goals for this year, I kept pausing to think about the emotional roller coaster I’ve been on while sharing the joys and sorrows, the highs and lows, the possibilities and the disappointments of events in the circle around me.  

It just kept leading me to stop and think harder about my own life goals.

So today I stopped…

I stopped to reflect on what it all means to me … and ultimately I feel deeply grateful!

Grateful that I can share in the triumphs, the rewards and the accomplishments of people that have worked hard for what they achieved and give them the pat on the back they deserve.

Grateful that I can be a shoulder to cry on, a voice of reason, or a compassionate outlet for someone who just needs to be listened to and deeply cared about.

Grateful that I am able to have this time in my life to pursue new things;  to have more time to support and revel in my son’s creative journeys;  to fully understand my husband’s corporate musings;  to make the effort to seek out new friends and colleagues while remaining loyal to the old ones I cherish. 

I’m grateful for what I’ve learned in my career about the importance of relationships - the real benefits of networking, the rewards of good organization and presentation skills, the critical abilities to communicate well and to read people’s body language and facial expressions.

I thank Oprah and The Secret for opening my eyes many years ago to the fact that positive energy can do amazing things and that we all have the capacity to manifest it.

I’m grateful for my ability to look around me and truly soak it all in while learning from others who have something to pass on.  Although my need to observe sometimes impedes my need to act – I’m always learning,  and I’m working on more action!

Today’s action is to be grateful for what I have achieved and stop comparing myself to others.  

This is what I keep telling my son and need to tell myself while I continue to make new goals and grow into an even better version of me.

Thank You for stopping by.

Going Green

I've never been a fan of the colour green for some reason.  

Although I enjoy the green of the outdoors, having olive skin myself, I've never worn green because I felt it washed me out.  

So when a new client mentioned green was her favourite colour and that she would love to bring it into her new living room, I had to do some digging to get inspired.

So I head off to the interweb to find shades of green that would work alongside the browns and creams going into the adjacent kitchen.

This image nearly jumped off the page at me and made me do a happy dance!  

Yes, it could be done, and I would love it too!

So elegant, so fluid and natural, and so alive!  

Green literally brings the outdoors in.  

I love the worn cobblestones and the patina of weathered wood, iron and stone against the bright green.

     

The olive green with chocolate leather, fur pillows, linen and antique brass are a combination that are both comforting and elegant at the same time.

How beautiful are these Moroccan tea glasses?

What about green velvet with grasscloth wallpaper and high gloss black furniture?

Funky-Cool!

Celerie Kemble

I like how the gold & green make this room so airy - but the black & white art gives it some edge.

 So I started to put together this little inspiration board for my client.  

They insist on the TV over fireplace to save the walls for art - not pretty, but that's life!  

It will be recessed and maybe I can have another piece of art on hinges to hang over it... TBD.

Green onyx surround for the fireplace against chocolate brown walls.

Antique, mirror-front chests on either side of the fireplace.

Burnished gold sconces and central light fixture.

Sexy-back sofa (client's request) with yummy bolster pillows.

Coffee and/or side tables in antique brass with glass or marble tops.

And some fabulous artwork via Etsy.

Drapery will be neutral colour - maybe raw silk.

And I need to find some chairs in a green patterned fabric - but I know it can be done!

I now love the goodness of green 

and all the gorgeous possibilities!

all images here

Kitchen Kraze

Over the last few months I've seen a growing interest in kitchen renovations from clients, friends and family.  My Real Estate Agent friends also tell me that people are looking to buy homes with mediocre kitchens so that they can build the spaces of their dreams to meet their specific needs.  It's worth the investment too because a good kitchen renovation can increase the value of your home by up to 15%!

I love a classic white kitchen with marble counters, open shelving, and restaurant grade appliances - it's a favourite look in the design community and the shelter magazines because it's timeless, elegant and works for almost any style.  

BUT... I also want to see something different. 

So where to start, you ask??

With any kitchen client, the basic functional needs are similar:  good storage, ample counter space, improved lighting, and overall better flow and integration with the rest of the home for the way people are living today.  We spend a lot of time getting the layout right to maximize every inch of space and provide a highly organized work space customized to the client's specific culinary needs (or lack thereof!).

However, from an aesthetic point of view, the sky's the limit! 

Once we've determined we're going classic, transitional or contemporary, 

the options for finishes are extensive.

Here are some recent inspiration shots that were chosen for 3 different clients - all of whom said they didn't want a white kitchen.  

You'll see a variety of styles for classic, transitional and eclectic kitchen styles.

I love how the quartz top on the counter was used for shelving on the island.
Open and closed storage allows for function and pretty to live together in harmony.

I like the different materials used for the island to create interest and drama

Industrial pendants and metal cabinet doors really make a statement in this eclectic kitchen by Nate Berkus.

A classic white kitchen with a twist - the punch of blue cabinetry with wooden counter top on the island turns this traditional kitchen into a real showpiece!

How smart is this?  See how happy mom is?

I would love to see these finishes in a loft with concrete floors and exposed brick walls.

Aya Kitchens

I think grey is the new white - it's definitely a classic look!

Now, scroll back to the top and look at how different all the light fixtures are in each space.  Each kitchen style can accommodate a variety of lighting options based on the feel of the space.  

Lighting is an integral part of kitchen design; whether to add sparkle and drama, or to contrast with the cabinetry, enhance counter tops and of course, provide much needed task lighting.

This is just a tiny sample of how you can create a truly unique space that fits your family's lifestyle and your design aesthetic... 

and why it's a great idea to hire a designer to help you get the best looking kitchen in the neighbourhood!

images via