Tin Ceiling Tiles + Plexi = Backsplash Art

Tin ceiling panels / tiles are one of my favourite elements in century homes. I die when they are used for a backsplash material. In our very first house, 15 years ago,  I used a wallpaper that looked like tin tile as a backsplash above the existing single row of tile ( I even "rub n' buffed" it so that it had a vintage patina, remember that stuff?!) until I could install the real thing... You know what? It wasn't terrible!

The problem with using this vintage gorgeousness, or anything with a texture for that matter, as a backsplash is that they are not so fun to clean. I'm not sure about you, but I am a bit of a countertop/backsplash germaphobe, both get wiped down thoroughly after cooking.

This is why this photo caught my eye on Pinterest this morning - painted tin tile presented in a grid pattern to the ceiling for a very cool modern take, and the best best part - it's had a layer of plexi or glass layered in front, so that it is completely protected!! Genius. this would take seconds to clean, and having that layer almost gives it art feel, no? It's like we've framed out these beautiful tiles and placed them there for display. I'm in love. In love.

Hope you are having a wonderful day, friends! x am

Best Friends : Autumn & Tartan (and plaid, and buffalo check!)

It's been chilly here. Had to turn on the furnace chilly. That means jeans and sweaters and jackets have been pulled out, and we've begun to add layers around the house - specifically blankets!

All this cozy makes a girl begin to appreciate autumn, and with autumn comes tartan, right? Whose with me?

Btw have you ever wondered what the difference between tartan and plaid is? 

Maybe it's just me, lol.. but I looked it up…

according to Wikipedia (the absolute authority, right?) 

"Tartan is often called plaid in North America, but in Scotland, a plaid is a tartan cloth slung over the shoulder as a kilt accessory, or a plain ordinary blanket such as one would have on a bed"

and there you have it, your most burning questions answered here :)

So this is not by any means a fashion blog,
but I've def got my eye one a few things for the wardrobe as well as the house…

A skinny plaid shirt to tuck in under a sweater, 

and in my dream shopping cart, a plaid suit, worn so well.

The bottom photo is what started it all. Damn you, pinterest!

I passed on a sweater like the top right one and am still regretting it.

Early fall outfits

Late fall outfits

(or maybe early fall, if you live near me!)

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Since I'm blogging from canada, I'm going to say that buffalo check counts as plaid, 

because they are inseparable here - Canadians being lumberjacks and all ;) 

That Kate spade bag is the cutest. THE cutest.  

Of course a shirt from Aritzia is on the list. Enter store = budget blown!

The scarves are from  H&M,  Roots,  Scotch and Soda  and  Ebay.

Yes ebay - that last one is a not a great photo but is much more vibrant up close,

 and is also available in a pattern close to Black Watch.

 Cost : $11.00. Really. 

The slipon's are from Target, and I bought them in the leopard as well, not going to lie! 

Those yummy Hunter boots are available at Marshall's right now… really trying to stay away, sort of…

Any plaid items tickling your fancy? Maybe you are lucky enough to still be living with sunshine…

I'll move onto plaid items for the home later in the week - must get to work! Three consults on the go - x am

10 Minute Large Canvas Art DIY

Happy Monday! Hope you had a fabulous weekend :)  Hockey madness has begun here - with two kids playing and a third swimming competitively, we are officially outgunned, lol.

What about that title? Sounds impossible, right? Well, what if you thought of your art as a place to simply add a bold splash of colour, and painted out a huge canvas in a solid shade? That's exactly what this is - a canvas painted out black, as found on Rue. It becomes part of the composition, grounds the whole wall, and functions as decor. Almost like colour-blocking a wall, but so much less permanent, and really, you could change this with the seasons if you wanted - a deep merlot for winter, a beautiful azure for summer, etc...

Thats about as much time as I have to make art these days! You? Thoughts?

x am

Palette: Bone and Black | Inlaid Bone

So I've been posting about bone and black this week, and of course must include inlaid bone furnishings. I cannot fathom the hours of work that go into these gems, it truly is an art form. In a quiet interior the pattern would add so much visual interest, yet is graphic enough that other colours and patterns can be played against. Wouldn't you love to have one of these pieces somewhere in your home?

The Traditionals

The Contemporaries

Subtlety in White on White 

Against a black wall? Heaven.

The Easy Update

The To-Die-For

From the home Of Jessica Marx. 

Can somebody please place one of these on either side of my bed? Thank you.

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You can also use furniture inlaid with Mother of Pearl for a similar effect, just with a little more sheen. I prefer bone, it is more matte and allows the pattern to take centre stage. Is this something you would use in your home or for a client? Have used?

x am

Palette: Bone and Black | Kitchen

Today I thought we might look at a few kitchens that have eschewed the traditional white for bone and shades of black… my dream kitchen would include some of these elements, like the stone floor below - perfection.

Rustic woods and stone floors. 

No glam here - this is all about scale and simplicity, allowing the textures to speak for themselves. 

Wish we could see this in the evening, with all those lights on...

Okay, it's not really a kitchen, but it's so darling! Those sconces completely make the vignette, right?

A black-stained plank floor laid in a herringbone fashion ground the space. 

I love, love, love the understated hardware and slab backsplash - so quiet.

Rare for a kitchen to have this ethereal quality.

Small in stature but large in interest, the floor balances the black range and energizes the space.

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Will be back with another bit of black and bone in the next days... fantastic to be finally posting these!

x am

Palette: Bone and Black | Art

Let's take the time-worn lustre of bone, and juxtapose it against the sharpness of black.... Opposites attract, yes?

I'm going to do a few posts on this combination this week.  The genius pieces of artist Jennifer Arment have caught my eye. Usually artists will pair black with a crisp pure white, but she chooses the softer palette. it adds a level of sophistication to her work. While the composition and simplicity of form are beautiful, it's the wit, the tongue-in-cheekness that I love.

These are strong enough to stand alone, but wouldn't they be a welcome addition to a gallery wall paired with vintage oils, or some high contrast nature photography? Rooms that take themselves too seriously are boring, after all!

What do you think? Feeling this palette? The art?

West Elm Mixes Up Mainstream

 A client is considering a chandelier from West Elm, and wanted me to have a look. Have you been by the site lately??  Although I am never a huge proponent of "catalog" design, they mix in enough ingenuity in their lines that the pieces remain current without being completely trendy, looking generic, or strictly one aesthetic. Really lovelies,  West Elm has got it going on right now!  I decided to try and do a mood board that is strictly West Elm product and see if it still has interest. Feeling incredibly lucky today to have time in my schedule to be able to play!!

Those butterfly inspired prints are to die for, right? Feel like we are on the verge of a butterfly resurgence, but that is another post - maybe next week :) I like the idea of two curved sofas placed side-by-side to create a more intimate seating arrangement. Six gold cubes form a sculptural coffee table that brings in a little sparkle and light. There is a comfortable reading chair and two leather/metal chairs that provide visual lightness and pull in some black linear elements which reflect the artwork. West Elm has quite and interesting floor light/side table option that is not at all like the brass/glass version of the eighties. The chandelier and side lamps are gorgeous, obviously. In fact, all the lighting on the site is something I could use in different clients homes. There was very little that did not appeal to me. The snake candleholders are amazing. Ah-mazing. Need! The wallpaper is perfection, go and see a sample up close on the site, this may be inspiration for a diy down the road in my own living/dining space….

 What are your thoughts about the living vignette above? Are we feeling it? Have you purchased anything from West Elm lately?

Art Love: Lauren Mabry, Abstract Ceramic Artist

Well, well well. It's been far too long, my friends.

Almost three years ago I accepted a part-time position in the travel industry, a very long and involved story. It was not the best time, I was quite busy with clients, but such a great opportunity I accepted, thinking I could "do it all" - why do we do this to ourselves?! It became much more than part-time, and really began to take over the part of my life that allowed me to blog and pursue my true passion, which is design and colour. That incredibly hectic lifestyle also led to a move and several other life changes.

So. Although this family loves the benefits of highly affordable travel, a decision was made this summer to drastically scale that back in order to get back to my true love, which is this!

Hope you will all join me as I venture back into the blogosphere… there have been so many luscious things happening, and I have a backlog of about a million interesting bits bookmarked for blog posts!

The first of which is the work of Lauren Mabry. A combination of abstract paintwork and ceramic, Lauren has taken the humble cylinder and wall plaque to another level. Top of the wish list, friends!

Rather beautiful, aren't' they? I love the originality here. Nothing got under my skin more as an art student than a professor insisting on doing things the "correct" way. Art is about taking a medium and making, about putting a little bit of your soul into something. When artists throw out the rulebook they share gorgeousness like this with the rest of us…

Now just need to work out how to add an installation like above into the budget, lol!

Best, Anne-Marie