Here is what caught my eye last time I was there…

The new building, which has strong Mediterranean style elements, fits in perfectly - not because the architectural style mimics anything surrounding it, but because this little pocket of Vancouver Island is so diverse that it seemed to need something that stood out as “different”. I really love the wrought-iron balconies. I’m not sure I’ve seen that used anywhere else on Vancouver Island. The building’s lower level is home to a selection of Asian furniture which is displayed in a large room with reclaimed floors.

Just behind the produce and garden market is a little shop where I found simple cotton quilted blankets. There wasn’t a huge selection, but there was certainly something for everyone.

This will definitely be a frequent mini-road-trip destination this summer!
(and have you seen the size of the ice cream cones?!)

]]> http://www.comoxvalleydwellings.com/2010/05/local-shopping-goats-on-the-roof-style/feed/ 0 http://www.comoxvalleydwellings.com/2010/04/work-at-home-lindas-home-installment-1/ http://www.comoxvalleydwellings.com/2010/04/work-at-home-lindas-home-installment-1/#comments Tue, 27 Apr 2010 07:00:25 +0000 bethany http://www.comoxvalleydwellings.com/?p=1785 The big question over at our home for the past 6 months or so has been “where will we work?”

After some seriously strenuous conversations, we’re almost entirely convinced that we’ll work out of home. What that means, is that we’re going to need to make some changes around here. Working from home means that our previous plans for renovations are now scraped, and new concepts are emerging that allow for a flexible work/live arrangement. This is not an easy project when we’re talking about less that 1200 square feet!

We have a friend who is in the same boat as us. She also lives and works in a small vintage house. Her line of work is much different than ours; Lynda owns a fair-trade silk business.

The design  factors for both our home renovations are the same:

a). We need efficient work space that is separate from the rest of the home, yet still feels like it’s part of the home.
b.) We need flexible rooms that can multi-task (thinking about: guests, re-sale, entertaining).
c.) We need to take advantage of as much natural light as possible. (site “re-orientation” for renovations).
d.) We need to create key design features that showcase our personalities.
e.) We need to design on a foundation of “quality”, “classic”, and “timeless”.

f.) and of course, we both want to design around what we LOVE.

I’ll get to sharing plans for my home/workspace eventually – but for now, I’d like to share a concept for Linda’s home inspired by the bright colours of some of the beautiful silk goods available through Lynda’s business, Floating Stone Silks.

Work:

These silk purses and silk headbands are goods from Floating Stone Silks. I’m really enjoying the ruffle on the dainty bag… very feminine.

The office image shows a neat and tidy work area with a timeless good quality wood desk. I think this is a great idea because it’s likely it will last a long time, and it’s neutral enough to decorate around when/if changes in design down the road. I also like nod to re-claimed with the vintage shutter as a place to keep notes.

The image of the fabric is so lovely! Lynda won’t need to hide away her fabric samples – they would look beautiful on display!

Home:

The row of images at the top is from theBemz e-newsletter. When I received this in my in-box a couple weeks ago I knew my colour prediction for BRIGHT and BOLD and possible FLOURESCENTS was right-on. Europe is always a few steps ahead of us…
The slip cover concept, seen here on dining chairs, is a practical one - a) it protects your furniture b) it can be changed when you’re ready for something different.

This yellow barn-style door (via SourthernLiving) is just beautiful. I think the steel elements have a nice contrast to the silk. Also, the salvaged wood and metal combination is an elegant infusion of humble materials.

Lastly, this sleek, simple kitchen is a blank canvas for creating culinary art after a long day at the office (down the hall – hehe) – or for entertaining friends on the weekend. A tip from this picture? Paint can do marvelous things!

Keeping it Local:
Resources for this project – right here in the Comox Valley!

1. Antique oak school desks at Coopers Government Surplus.
2. Shutters from Habitat for Humanity ReStore (but sorry, I may have purchased them all!).
3. Sturdy solid-wood shelving from the John’s Bedroom Barn.
4. Barn-Door systems – We can help you with that.
5. Modern-style kitchens from Acacia Decorating and Design – the display model at the Spring Home Expo was beautiful!

Stay tuned for another concept for Lynda’s work at home space…

ps. The Sunrise Veterinary project will be complete this week. There is a block party this Friday and the community is welcome to come by. This also marks our first Design-Build project and naturally we’re very proud of it and want to share! Details will be in the Comox Valley Record on Wednesday.

Every day I can be heard asking,“is it June yet?”
I graduate on June 11th. 

Here is what I’ve been dreaming of these days:

Industrial. Farmhouse. Craftsman. Reclaimed.

Can they co-exist peacefully?

I think it’s possible!

via: www.beadboard.com
I love beadboard ceilings. What better way to cover up the horrid textured ceiling without having to grind it all off upside down for hours upon hours?

Anyone know where this image is from?
This floor is similar to the Premier Garage floor I blogged about here. Also, I’m in love with industrial style pendant lamp.

This image is forever stored on my computer. I also have the publication from Better Homes and Gardens where it was featured. This reclaimed mantel is exactly what I want in my house. I foresee multiple trips to Demxx in coombs…

I love this exterior by this renovation company in Washington. Our home could definitely look like this with a little assistance!

Alright – back to work for me!

-b

featuring Animals in all their

exuberant energy

and

lovable innocence…

All of these pieces are by Canadian artists.
I have had the honor to personally meet every single of of these talented people. What a wonderfully artistic country we live in!

Click on the painting to visit the gallery
and learn more about the artist.
Buying original art supports artists.

(Interested in learning about galleries, ethics, and how it all supports the artist? Start Here)

ARTISTS:

Ken Campbell
Les Thomas
Sheila Norgate
Terry McCue
Lucy Schappy

]]> http://www.comoxvalleydwellings.com/2010/02/art-round-up-animal-art-for-your-home/feed/ 1 http://www.comoxvalleydwellings.com/2010/01/floor-coatings-durable-beautiful/ http://www.comoxvalleydwellings.com/2010/01/floor-coatings-durable-beautiful/#comments Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:00:42 +0000 bethany http://www.comoxvalleydwellings.com/?p=1616 While planning for a local commercial renovation, we’ve been exploring some alternatives for flooring. For the type of application we’re using it for, it needs to be extremely durable but also professional looking. Marmoleum, as efficient as it is for commercial use, isn’t exactly the most beautiful product available. Tile looks great, but it’s very hard on joints when working on it all day.

Here are two alternative products we’ve considered during the design process. I can imagine these products in a commercial setting, but also in a sleek residential one.

#1. Premier Garage – Floor Coatings

These floors are made from a hybrid polymer. The product has been specially designed to withstand typical wear and tear in a garage. This product has a 10-year warranty against peeling, and a 10-year warranty against staining*. One of the best parts in my opinion, is the fast turn-around in installment – typically it takes only 48 hours finish. It is available in a high-gloss finish or a speckled “granite” look. I’m imagining the high-gloss flooring in a modern setting… stunning!

 #2 StoneCraft

StoneCraft offers another great solution for floor coatings. This product is a cement and plastic combination that can be applied in a variety of ways. It can be applied as a smooth surface, or can be created to have the look and texture of tile. This product is pretty dynamic, and can be applied vertically up a wall  – in fact, StoneCraft has been used on climbing gyms. This product also installs in approximately 48 hours.

As with any new product on the market, make sure to do thorough research before buying. If you are considering purchasing a product like this, perhaps ask the business for a few references from satisfied customers. If using it for commercial applications, it’s a good idea to compare the product’s durability with any heavy-duty cleaners that are used in the building.

Photos:
Top – Premier Garage
Bottom – StoneCraft

Local Contacts:

Cory at Premier Garage (Parksville) : 250-228-7768
Melanie at StoneCraft (Nanaimo) : 250-716-9294

Please note: this is not an advertisment. I just think this stuff is great!

*always confirm full details of warranties with the company.

The storm last night and this morning has thrown all sorts of beach debris on the Old Island Highway. Some poor soul, who parked his car on the side of the road with a “For Sale” sign on it, will find his car this morning completely blocked by logs swept in by the ocean. I’m guessing there will be some damage on the car from all the logs and rocks…

I stopped by two homes where the residents were standing outside discussing the mess they find themselves in this morning.

They said they suspected something like this would happen. High tides and high winds are the perfect recipe for storm like this.

“The dog was startled last night by a wave hitting the second story bedroom window”, home owner Kath Brown told me.

Kath, who lives in an oceanfront home on the Old Island Highway, says the last time her home flooded like this was 7 years ago. At that time the flood was a result of poorly serviced culverts which overflowed and caused water to flood down over the highway from the rivers and streams into her home. This time, the water is coming from the other direction.

When I asked her how long it took for her insurance company to help her out with the repair last time, she said that she didn’t think her insurance would cover this kind of thing.

As Kath headed into her home wearing pj’s and her rubber boots, she remarked with half a grin, “I had plans to be in the garden tending to the snowdrops that are popping up, guess I won’t be doing that today!”

I’m over the moon this morning. It’s so fantastic to see our little community get some international love on a website dedicated to all things design.

Check it out!

We do, indeed, live in a very special place!

Thanks to Simone for sending this in to Design*Sponge :)

When it comes to visualizing ideas for our current renovation, I’m over the moon when I find a photo that represents what I’m considering. YAY for this book!

For my school project (see post below), I’m finding that I need visual inspiration for the interior floor plan. I have ideas of what I’d like, but most of the time photos help me to expand on my own ideas and brings up a creative flow that wasn’t there before.

Here are some of the interiors that are catching my eye today:

Via: www.decoratingguru.com
Photo: Ngoc Minh Ngo/House Beautiful

Timber-frame is something Joe and I are really into – but for this project I’m going to leave it aside so that I can concentrate on learning how to use AutoCad for traditional framing. However, I’m going to incorporate some timber-frame elements into the design. For example, this banister could become a timber-frame inspired jointed piece.

Via: www.willowdecor.blogspot.com
Photo: Southern Accents

Ski chalets often have beds for as many powder lovers as possible. Perhaps doing the two “kids” bedrooms with built-in beds would help to carry that idea into a modern year-round home? Two beds in each room might seem a little extravegant, but the second bed would be wonderful for sleep-overs or reading stuggles.

Via: www.stovesonline.co.uk

Oh woodstoves, how I love thee! A REAL woodstove is a must. Fireplaces are lovely too, but there is nothing like the cozy heat of a woodstove. Although this blue is a too overwelming for my taste, I like the combination of the blue and red. Perhaps if the walls were more of a dusty blue/green…

Also, totally in love with the black/glass combo beyond…

In the months of exploring the Comox Valley for our next place, we kept a keen eye on Forbidden Plateau. We looked at a couple places, and even put an offer on one. The offer was rejected – since we offered much lower than what they were asking. (This is another story entirely and has something to do with the fact that the building “inspector” who looked at the house reported it as having a full foundation – which it did not.)

The house that we bid on could be described as a “gingerbread swiss-inspired ski chalet”. It looked a lot like this:

We never did purchase a home on Forbidden Plateau. But the idea hasn’t left our minds…

This week our instructor at the NIC Drafting program introduced us to our next project. We’ll be learning about architectural drafting - while incorporating studies in building design, site orientation, bc building code, interior detailing (millwork etc.), amonst other areas.

After much begging, he allowed us to choose our own house plans out of various old plan magazines. At first I wanted to choose a clasic Craftman home, but I changed my mind when I spied a 1987 plan for a swiss-inspired gingerbread vacation chalet. The gears started turning…

For my project I’m going to take this vintage plan and attempt to modernize it while infusing some classic design to help it become more timeless. I’m one for dreaming, and today I’ve been dreaming about how satisfying it would be to take the history of Forbidden Plateau and incorporate it into a home that pays tribute to the area and looks after the land it sits on.

It’s going to be a major challenge to the the “kitch” out of this type of architecture – but I’m game!

If you want to read a great post about Forbidden Plateau head over to Keira-Anne.com. She wrote about it back in September…

Some Inspirational Photos:

Via: www.vacationrentalpeople.com

Via: www.dgspc.co.uk 

Via: www.ofis-a.si

Nearing the end of the task Joe and I were both amazed at how large our tiny house seemed all of a sudden. Moving the office from the living room into it’s own room (having a home office finally is a dream come true!) has completely changed the way I feel about the space. Now I want to start entertaining… guests can actually move around the room without tipping piles of paperwork!

The space is cleared - and I’m feeling inspired to do a little re-design.

When writing the last post I reviewed Kari’s post on incorporating purple again. Perhaps purple should join green as a hot colour for 2010?

This is what I’ve come up with.

Sofa:Ikea Ekeskog – Discontinued, sadly. But covers can still be purchased at www.Bemz.com
Fir Cupboard – 40’s Vintage with leaded glass doors. Thrifted at Community Thrift Store on Cumberland Road.
Mission-Style Coffee Table – Stokes Furniture
Green Chair – This one is from Crate and Barrel. My green chair could possibly be found at McConochies Furniture on 5th Street – Great selection at that store!
Rug – No idea. This is actually a piece of fabric I liked… I’ll have to hunt a rug like this down.
Cushions Covers - To Sew*. Fabric resouces: Buschlen Furniture or Fabricland.
Curtains – To Sew*.

*hopefully I find some time to sew this month!

The more I hunt around the more I discover that we have fantastic resources for interior-design in the Comox Valley. Let me know if you spy something!

ps. Anyone else in love with vintage Jadeite? If you’re lucky, you might find some at Red Living…