Swirl

Do you ever find yourself only ever venturing out in one section of your city/town? I do. I have a habit of sticking to the mid-south-west. Partly because everything I need is around there and partly because of a certain familiarity I have with the area. I could walk down the street reading a book without once needing to lift my head up, save to check for oncoming traffic.

But yesterday, to celebrate my friend Jon's birthday, we ventured out to Leslieville to swirl wine bar, and boy am I glad I did. For a wine bar, this place is neither pretentious nor overly priced. Reminiscent of a country vineyard, the bar has been converted from a one-bedroom apartment on the upper level of a Victorian home.  Most of the furnishing is of reclaimed furniture, and has been decorated with  an eclectic flair. I couldn't help but sneak off to capture a few photos of the place. I did miss the table that had been converted from a vintage swinger sewing machine.

I'm nowhere close to being a wine connoisseur, but what I had, I did like. They also serve a yummy selection of cheeses and spreads.  Plus they have decent selection of board games, and host book swaps. What's not to love? Badabing.

Rustic

These settings from pottery barn ooze rusticity. It's the weathered wood, the neutral tones, the careless organization, and the gallery wall that just never gets old.

 

clockwise from left: here, here & here

You know how as a child you go "when I grow up, I'm going to..."? One of mine was to get a photo booth in my flat. I know right?! But the hope still lives. 

 

Sea Voyager

found here

Meet me by the sea again
Past the point of shoreline bends
Where the sand is soft and warm
And hangs upon your golden arm
And time won't move at all

Jesse Harris' The Secret Sun has been the perfect summer soundtrack. Each time it comes on my playlist, I get this image of me making my way across the seashore picking up an assortment of sea shells that will make their way back home with me, and get used for crafty little projects. The possibilities for those pretty gems seem boundless...

...as a jewellery dish

...as a shell candle

...as a centrepiece

...as a mirror frame

Nifty ideas non? But alas, I'm mainly surrounded by lakes lacking sea creatures which means shells are few and far between. On another note, did someone ever find out why sally sold seashells by the seashore when anyone could have just picked them up?

  

Blumenfeld

Designer Alison Blumenfeld has a talent for combining modern and traditional pieces in effortless ways that have me taking notes. Like this Los Angeles Moderne home. The touch of pastels creates a fresh, warm & inviting aesthetic. I could definitely see myself getting cozy in this home. How about you?

Frame Photo Wall

alifeofblue, apartmenttheraphy

A friend of mine had dented several holes in her wall and instead of getting it fixed, she placed frames over them till she built a neatly crafted frame wall of sorts. Although, I do have a sneaky suspicion she may have accidentally-on-purpose placed the 3rd, 4th & 5th dents in there herself ;)

I love these wall combinations with varying textures, shapes and sizes of frames, mirrors, clocks and other knick knacks. My favourite? The addition of vintage photos as it allows you to recreate fantastical stories of your own.

Colour Infusion

I live with my sister at the moment, but come Fall, across the pond she goes. Where does that leave me? Competing for a one-bedroom with the bagillion other people that just so happen to flow into Toronto that time of year. Making a place feel like home takes a while, but I've found that there's nothing quite like the infusion of colour to help speed up the process. This apartment-studio on marie claire maison is a prime example. Refreshingly colourful without bordering on juvenile.

Know of any hidden tricks to make one's space feel homier?

 

A Charm From the Sky Seems to Hallow Us There

Cabin Fever

Hurray! It's mid-week once again, which means one more day left before the weekend (I personally believe weekends begin on Thursdays) and all the lovely activities that comes along with it. Toronto has definitely not been lacking in the arena of eventful happenings. With the incessant rain (i actually happen to love the rain- when indoors with a hot cup of tea and a good book) that marked the official beginning of summer and the extra tight security and tension hovering over the city.

As if all the hoopla surrounding with the G20 summit wasn't enough to put everyone into a frenzy, nature decided to pay us a visit in the form of an earthquake. Things are definitely shaking up around here (pun intended. Ha!). It's in times like this I wish I had a nice little place outside of my flat to escape to; sadly, that is not the case for this weekend.

Alas, I will be sitting at home for the most part in order to avoid the commotion. I foresee a lot of cooking going on while thinking up ways to remodel my flat; my room in particular, is need of a face-lift. I would love to have a modern/contemporary feel with vintage and classic accents. I've compiled some photos below

Clockwise from left: style starts at home, anthropologie, this is glamorous.

  Dressing Table

 

Clockwise from left: this is glamorous, freshome, apartment theraphy

 Clockwise from left: this is glamorous, freshome

Clockwise from left: apartment theraphy, freshome, this is glamorous

Lounge

Clockwise from left: roomenvy, style starts at home, this is glamorous, homelement, this is glamorous,country living

 Bedroom

If you have any suggestions of where to look for furniture or any lovely decorating ideas , I would very much love to hear them! Pray tell....

Bisous,

Abs