Second Wind : vintage finds

Showing posts with label vintage finds. Show all posts

Modern Rustic Loft

You know you're a designer when....

an empty room makes you squeal with joy!

That's what happened when I first saw my client's loft.

Not just any loft, but an authentic schoolhouse built in 1894 that was converted into 66 unique apartments - featuring a towering 22 foot ceiling with timber beams, exposed brick, vaulted ceilings, a skylight and an open railing across the top floor bedroom.

That's the BEFORE (above)

Only the kitchen was installed when my client took possession of the 1100 sq. ft space.

There's a bedroom and bathroom in the upstairs loft.

We had medium-tone hardwood floors throughout and creamy vanilla walls to work with.

This is my client's first home that she could decorate any way she wanted.

She liked all the rustic elements that came with the space but wanted to ensure it was still very comfortable and a modern space for entertaining.

The crazy thing about this cool space is that it lacked two very important elements,

lighting

storage

There were only 2 hall fixtures in the whole place, along with the bathroom and under cabinet lighting in the kitchen. So, that was a big priority!

Also, this client is a Fashionista,

so we started in the bedroom by expanding the closet doorway to allow her to take advantage of the 10 foot height of the space. The closet doors were removed and the opening raised 3 feet higher (they would be draped for privacy instead of getting custom made larger doors). By not removing the center piece of drywall, we saved the expense of having to repair the floors and it allowed us to mount a new closet light switch on the outside center wall as well.

We also opened up the space under the stairs to create a huge 6 foot storage closet and extra crawlspace under the stairs landing. This is where the luggage and seasonal items get stored.

I created a floor plan that allowed for 3 distinct zones

Entertaining/TV watching

Work space / home office

Dining + Kitchen Area

Once all the structural and electrical needs were addressed, we focused on creating a comfortable space that was part rustic, part chic and very unique.

Reclaimed wood dining table with a metal base is accented by black Eiffel chairs with chrome legs.

The old bronze "sticks" pendant over the table is pretty huge and is a statement piece that can be seen from anywhere on the main floor. I was ecstatic when I found the dramatic artwork hanging in the background and knew it would be perfect for this space and the client's style.

Cozy curved back sofa and an over-sized reclaimed wood coffee table with huge drawers provides great storage. The huge window's frames were painted black to work with the space.

I created an 8'x8' chalkboard wall to help ground the office space as well as for function.

The framed picture is a wallpaper print I found of statistics formulas via Spoonflower.

(the homeowner is working on her PhD in Statistics - fun, right?!)

I'm still looking for a nice saucer to put under the concrete plan pot.

Love these asymmetrical steel mesh pendants over the kitchen island.

Staircase railings and posts were painted black to play up the architectural feature.

Custom made live-edge shelves were installed between the pillars for more display.

I found the perfect vintage red cabinet for added storage and a splash of colour.

We will be adding a mirror on the back wall behind the shelves and removing the coat rack that's there now.

I framed some vintage magazine ads and created a gallery wall on the staircase landing.

Some small mirrors with metallic frames add a little bit of sparkle and add light to the space.

A view of the dining space from the staircase landing.

The view of the art and live edge desk from upstairs is even more dramatic against the black chalkboard wall.

A little Yves St. Laurent clutch and Jimmy Choo heels for extra glam styling (client's own).
I told you she was a Fashionista!

The vision for the bedroom upstairs was a bit more edgy than downstairs.

I found a cool wall mural of Torn Advertisements that created a dramatic backdrop for the bed.

For a bedside table, I found a wooden vintage school desk with black iron base that fits perfectly.

I had sleek metal sconces attached to the wall for night time reading.

Organized and filled closet space.

Custom drapery panels in a black & white stripe on a simple iron rod keeps the room tidy.

We went for a "Rocker Glam" vibe with this vanity table.

The chrome sconces are not only very retro-cool,

but they are practical when putting on make-up here.

This was a very fun project that came together in record time.

It helps to have an easy-going client with a great sense of style; a reasonable budget that aligns with the requirements, and my skilled trades to help with the technical details.

Next project is the builder's basic powder room.

The Glamour of Art Deco

I've always had a love of the Art Deco period and the beautiful furniture

with its curved lines, waterfall trims, two-tone wood, aged brass hardware and ultimately,

just beautiful craftsmanship and attention to detail.

I recently watched and loved The Great Gatsby movie

The interiors

the clothes

the luxe

the Leonardo...

and those heavenly parties - so decadent!!!

It made me relook at the many Deco-inspired items I've collected over the years.

Below are some of the treasures in my home, mixed in with contemporary pieces,

they really bring character and warmth to any space.

This armoire houses all our extra pillows, blankets and duvet covers.

The beautiful curves, mixed wood tones and hardware stopped me in my tracks when I saw it at an antique shop up north years ago.

The dark Asian chest on the floor next to it is going to be relocated (someday!)

aged brass door knobs up close

This lovely sideboard stores all my good table linens and sterling silver cutlery

(lovely things that are only used 1-2 times per year, so sad).

The bar cart was a common fixture in the party days (of the Deco period and of my youth LOL!)

This cart and chair are both finds during one of my Antique trips. The cart was $20!
The chair was quite scuffed up when I found it, so a quick spray spruced it right up.

The pretty, hand-painted emerald green bottle and glasses are vintage Italian glass, given to me by my mother-in-law (one of the few items she's given me over the years that I truly cherish).

I found this vintage radio at a Church sale up in Cookstown while I was Antiquing with one of my BFF's a few years ago. It sits on my stair landing now, surrounded by pictures of my trip to Paris, with said BFF.

This piece has been all over the house over the years because it's compact

and serves as a nice little surface to display things on top of.

When I bought it, I actually wanted to put shelves in the back (its backless now) and some castors, and turn it into a bar. Again, back to the BAR... I really don't drink much at all -

but I do love the look of a pretty bar set up!

I actually have a second bar tray display with lovely crystal bottles and glasses that were also given to me by various friends & relatives over the years. The tall one came from my favourite Aunt's house when she was downsizing to a condo and didn't want it anymore!

But enough about the stuff I already have...

Here are some extravagant pieces I would love to own to add to the collection

courtesy of 1stdibs

So beautiful...

and when I win the lottery

I will be prepared!

Finds - In the Junction

If you know me or follow me on social media, you know I love the finds.

A recently checked out a local area called The Junction; an artsy neighbourhood just west of the downtown core home to interesting shops, restaurants and markets. More info here.

I popped into Cornerstone and found some French inspired pieces with a rustic feel that I loved.

It can be hard to find stock cabinetry that's nice quality, has good scale and great hardware - but these would be fantastic for extra storage in a home office, living room, dining room or kitchen.

I would put some of these pretty jars and bottles in them too!

These upholstered pieces have beautiful lines that generally work well with a simple linen fabric

However, this stately, barrel-back chair is just not living up to its potential with this fabric...

it needs a PUNCH of one modern drama - perhaps with one of these fabrics

Maxwell Fabrics - top sellers for June

or a little more subdued, but nonetheless gorgeous...

Kelly Wearstler for Lee Jofa

Staying on the COLOUR bandwagon for the love of Summer....

I then popped into a shop called Haveli Home and was greeted by a cute little bulldog

(I didn't get his picture because he was too busy licking my ankle at the time!)

but he looked a bit like this

source

They had lots of beautifully carved furniture from India, but what caught my eye was these colourful blankets in a lightweight cotton that's perfect for summer bedding or an evening lounging outdoors with a nightcap.

Haveli Home

Next, I wandered a bit down the road and came across a couple of little vintage shops and picked up a sweet little hand-painted green vase from Italy that will get some freshly blossomed pink peonies and go straight to Mom's house this weekend - she'll love them!

Antique Shop & my backyard peonies

There were some great cafes and restaurants, but I didn't have the time (aka anyone to drink with) so I headed back to the office to get some work done.

At least I got some fresh air, sunshine and the inspiration I needed!

Digging for Gold

I've struck gold... or it struck me!!

As someone who's always appreciated the blingy things in life, I must say that my love for all things gold was stuck in the 80's but as of late, it's been totally revived.

Any shade of gold will do...burnished brass, vintage gold, even antique bronze.... all good!

The brass movement in design been making its way over from Europe for the past couple of years but has really hit hard in the decor industry in the last couple of seasons. It's not the shiny yellow stuff from the decades past, but a more weathered, warm tone that works so well in almost any home.

Here's what I'm digging lately.

The first 3 pics are vintage finds I've picked up recently at my favourite antique shops.

I picked up this Italian tray for a client who has an eclectic space
with a mix of Asian and European antiques with blue accents

This is one of a pair of lamps that I found with mega-ugly shades. I love all the details.
They'll be topped with black drum shades with gold interior lining.