Wabi-Sabi

"Wabi-Sabi, the Japanese aesthetic, is the ability to perceive beauty in its essence. Simplicity without extravagances. Harmony of natural materials."

Skimming across my new favorite architectural site, Dezeen, I came across this place, called Wabi-Sabi.  Russian designer, Andrey Gorozhankin, renovated an apartment and added a curved ceiling, made of...get this...lime and wax!!  The contrasting white and espresso leaves this place feeling warm and open.  The curved ceilings and the exquisite staircase are art in and of themselves, don't you think?

{images via Dezeen}

Kelly Moore bag giveaway....via Eternal Reflections

I've been a follower of Eternal Reflections Photography blog for awhile now. So when I came across this Kelly Moore bag giveaway, I knew I had to share it!  Not to mention, with my new interest in photography, this camera bag giveaway is just TO DIE FOR!!  These bags look super stylish and can double as your purse!  I currently have a little backpack for my camera bag, so one of these would be lovely!! (they even have a man's version, incase your guy would never carry something that looks like a purse...)

{images via Eternal Reflections & Kelly Moore}

Office decor....

Like me, many of you may like to work in a festive office over the holidays.... well, we may have taken it one step too far...what do you think? This is how we spent our Friday afternoon at the office, ensuring our coworker (coming back after a 6 week leave) felt welcomed back...too much??

Your weekend...

Paris, France : Moulin Rouge (best show EVER!!)

{image by Krystal}

Christmas stockings....

Although the Christmas tree is up, we are still lacking some major decorations around the house. For one: stockings!  I have some beautiful stocking hangers, but no stockings.  I've been on the hunt for the perfect stockings to hang, but nothing has caught my eye just yet.  I've been tossing around the idea of making our stockings (or, I should say, getting my Mom to make them, as I don't actually own a sewing machine...).  As I'm loving white, I've been thinking white stockings.  Classic winter.  Maybe adding a touch of jewel tones to match my decorations?  Or damask? Or both? Or, since our fireplace is in the TV room with all the classic hockey memoribilia, what about hockey & figure skates? (I saw some nice ones YEARS ago - when I didn't need any - and haven't been able to find nice ones since...).  Here are some ideas I love....if only I could find ones I love in a local store....



I love the quilted look to these and the added touch of sparkle




Maybe change out the red with some electric blue or lime green to match our other decorations




Maybe change out the red for some pink....

 I would love to find these hockey & figure skates somewhere...I just love them. But I haven't seen any nice ones in quite some time.... (sigh)....any ideas? What do your stockings look like?

Would you live here?

When you think of an old abandoned church, what do you think of?  I think majestic, yet eery; calm yet spooky; beautiful yet mysterious.  That's why it would never cross my mind to think, "Hey! Why don't we live here?".  Browsing through the Brocade Home blog, I came across this church that was converted into a home.  Located in the Netherlands and designed by Zecc Architects, this former Catholic church was converted into a private residence.  Of course, the architecture of the old church is stunning and captivating, so why wouldn't it make an AMAZING home? (not to mention, probably GINORMOUS!)  As the monochromatic scheme seems to be very popular overseas (and is making it's way into our lives here...), it's no wonder they chose white to brighten the place and toning down the elements that clearly shout "CHURCH"!  The minimalistic approach to decor lets the architecture speak for itself and allow the modern touches not to overpower anything and blend in seamlessly with the classic elements of the church, like the stained glass windows, the organ in the loft, and the marbled archway with the cross overhead.  Going in a completely different direction from white, the bathroom leaves you with an overall warm and romantic feeling. 

{images via Zecc Architecture}

{image via Arch Daily}

Would you live here?

Brocade Home

I recently fell upon this site and instantly fell in love.  I don't know why, but this style just shouts "drama" and I want it!! A touch of gothic feel to things and a flare for...je ne sais quoi...only that it's completely "me" (although, goth is the last thing anyone would use to describe me!). 

If stuff from Brocade Home was a little more in my price range, I would definitely be filling my house with these treasures...

 How cute would this look at a make up desk?

 Stunning...

 Love it, love it, love it!

 Ah....to dream....

 Is this chandelier too much for a bathroom/laundry room??? I thought so too....but I still adore it!

This coffee table retails for $399 on the site ($488 to ship it to Canada). I found this exact same one at HOMESENSE for $39!! Steal of a deal? I think so!!

{images via Brocade Home}

And you can see my coffee table (along with my new chairs, lamp, & foo dogs) in my house, here (I think the lamp has that "brocade" feel to it, don't you??):

I wasn't sure if the coffee table would be too tall next to the chairs, so after I took the photo, I removed the price tag!! LOVE IT!

Do you love Brocade as much as I do?? I think I'll be following their blog soon!