Sarah 101

I'm a little sad that Sarah 101 is now over, aren't you?  Although this year Sarah Richardson used a lot more color than she typically does, I think the majority of her rooms looked amazing. While the episodes aired, I was a little disappointed with the lack of neutral, calm rooms.  But as I went through each episode and picked my favorites from the season, I realized I liked more than I thought I did...

Here are some of my highlights from the season...



This was my ultimate favorite. The Sophisto-Nursery.  This is what I want to do when we have kids (no, not yet..my friend said it best, "the more you ask, the longer we wait" haha).  Maybe different colors, depending if we have a boy or girl, and pencil or ink sketches by my sister-in-law of the Winnie the Pooh characters (as my hubby INSISTS on Winnie the Pooh).  Crystal, I already warned you after I saw this episode. It's a must. Now you can see what I'm talking about. ;) You're the best!





Big Box Kitchen



I LOVED this clock.  If I can't do this (see here), I want to make a clock!

Clutter Free Basement

Fresh Laundry

Contemporary Living I love how they sewed two area rugs together!

City Chic Condo Black, White & Grey, how could I not like this one?  Could use a few colorful pillows in my opinion.  And Sarah took all the photos on the wall herself!



You can't see it well in this picture, but the hand-stamped canvas that Tommy & Sarah did was TO DIE FOR!  You'll have to watch the episode to get a close-up and see what I'm talking about. AMAZING.



Boho Chic Girls' Room To save space, she placed two beds end-to-end and built one frame for them. Brilliant!

{images via HGTV.ca}



Sarah 101...Sophisto-Nursery

Did any of you happen to catch Sarah 101 last night?? Well, I have to say, I was MUCH more pleased with last night's episode!  Her outlook on a nursery is something we should all keep in mind (especially if you dont want to renovate your child's room sooner than you thought you would!).  Sarah's view on a nursery is that it should be able to grow with your child, and not reflect the infant that they are for a short period of their life. If you design the room for a baby, it risks looking outdated and juvenile before he/she is out of their crib and into their first "big boy/girl" bed.  Instead, aim to create a space that can be used years from now, using bold & complementary colors (maybe it's just that I live in Edmonton, but blue and orange always shout OILERS to me!) and furniture that will grow with your child.  You can still add cutesy-baby decor, but keep items to a minimum so that you change out those items as the years go by (as Sarah did, with the art on the wall. The animal pictures can easily be replaced with other artwork, and the chair is not simply a nursing chair, but something the child can use throughout the years).  I love how she used a graphic wallpaper on the ceiling to hide the beam by the closet (genius!!). This also adds visual interest to the infant lying in their crib, and the impact it makes on the room is incredible.  She uses juxtaposition and mixes a uber-traditional paisley wallpaper print with more modern elements, such as the fabric on the curtains and the space-like orange chair in the corner....AMAZING. It doesn't make the room feel traditional OR ultra-modern.  I'm hoping that when we go to have kids, we can create a sophisto-nursery as Sarah 101 has taught me. We can still do a "Winnie the Pooh" themed room (as per my husband's request, as he LOVES Winnie the Pooh -- but not Tigger, oh no..."he's a jerk"...), but we could do it in a sophisticated way, and maybe only use Winnie the Pooh bedding and artwork. Genius? I think so!! But that's a ways a way yet...

Take a look at the Sophisto-Nursery

{images via Sarah 101 on HGTV.ca}

Sarah 101

Did any of you catch the premiere episode of the new Sarah Richardson show, Sarah 101, the other day?  She's probably my favorite Canadian celebrity designer (as I don't really know any designers unless they're famous...sadly....), but I have to say that I was a little disappointed with the room she designed.  I mean, I guess what makes a great designer and decorator is that you can give your clients what they ask for and what THEY like, not necessarily what YOU like.  Sarah didn't do her typical white-schemed room that she's known for, but went for bold colors and bold floral.  Not my cup of tea, but it is what the clients wanted.  The overall room still looks amazing, but I just couldn't picture myself living there, which is what I always want to feel when I watch her shows.  She takes risks and goes for a vibrant pink couch, puts a colorful overscale floral pattern on a pair of chairs, and hangs plates on the wall.  Would you ever think of that?? I wouldn't! But then again, I'm not an interior designer who needs to meet my clients wishes. I know it's difficult to come up with a plan that makes the client happy and produce something you're still proud of (as a client's vision of their house plan, I know, isn't always what I can give them).  I'm hoping to get some new ideas from upcoming Sarah 101 shows for things I could do in my house, or see myself doing....somewhere.  This episode ("Vibrant Living Room") just isn't my taste, but I still have to say that she does amazing work. It appeals to someone out there, and that's what matters.

{images via Sarah 101 on HGTV}