Cottage Dreamin'

If you haven't gotten a copy of House and Home's April Edition...Go...Get one...Right now! You WILL NOT be disappointed! 

Whether it's the Frenchie with the Sunshine Yellow Bentwood Bench or the articles on 'The French Translation' and 'Pretty Organized', this volume is full of great ideas and pops of colour for Spring!

It also has an article that completely stopped me in my tracks and literally made me say, "Wow" out loud....The article is "Fresh & Wild".

It's about "a young couple who reinvigorate a lakeside cottage with nature-inspired finishes and exotic flourishes".

To me this is THE perfect cottage....the stone fireplace, exposed beams, the open-airy feel, the decor, colours, textures, layout, living space, the lot, the lake, the deck, the dock, the cedar shakes on the exterior...the list goes on and on about what I love and I literally would not change a thing!

They did a great job of mixing rustic, antique, weathered pieces with fresh new pieces. The 'beachy' colour palette helps keep the airy feel throughout, in combination with the tall ceilings and so, so many windows!

I love the owner's quote..."Cottages need a bit of whimsy...I love the relaxed vibe created when pieces from a million different places come together." I couldn't agree more!! The article talks about how this cottage has been a work in progress for quite some time and to me, that's exactly what a cottage should be...a never ending project that allows you to transform it into a place that is truly you...

If you are a regular reader of my Blog, you know that my goal is to own a cottage in the next 3-5 years....this is just the kind of article that helps me keep focused to keep on track to my goal of cottage ownership!

Happy Sunday!

RR

A "Tablelift"

This is what my dining area used  to look like with a four legged table and black leather dining chairs. A more  rustic-industrial look that I had brought with me from my loft.  They were perfect for that space, but I felt that they were just a bit 'heavy' and 'clunky' for the "cottage".

I showed you the table below in one of my earlier posts. Solid oak, in really great shape and the perfect size (it has a leaf so I can expand it for when the guests start arriving!)

I also really like that it had a pedestal base which allows me to pull the chair right up under it because when you live in 800 sq ft, every inch counts!

As much as I liked the table, I really was not a fan of the oak colour....so, a "tablelift" would be in order!

I got it home and into my basement workshop....then the fun began!

But ...before I could get started, I wanted to be sure I had the proper 'tools' for the end product I wanted to achieve. I purchased a set of good brushes from Home Depot and the paint I decided to go with was from Rona's ECO Recycled Latex Paint, Velvet Finish in the Colour Ocean.

I started with a rough sand to help the first coat adhere, wiped it down with a damp cloth and then began the first coat of paint. The final look I wanted to achieve was a more rustic, imperfect finish, so if you could see the odd brush stroke here and there, that was perfect!

This is part way through the first coat..... (please excuse the mess that the workshop is currently)

Then....after a second coat and bringing the table back upstairs, here is the final product........

Even Charlie was happy with the final product (he gets himself into so many photos)...

The wool table runner is also from the same vendor at the Hanover Market. The peacock feathers in the rustic vase tied the blues in the table to the brown hardwood and the green glass in the room.

Here's a better view of the colour and the wool table runner.....

I'm a big fan of keeping my space fresh and changing out items to add variety, different textures, lines and colours. I sold my old dining table and chairs and with the great deals I was able to get for this table and new-to-me harp back chairs (you'll see more of them in future posts, but here's a sneak peak of their 'before'), changing the entire look and feel of my dining area was no extra $ out of pocket whatsoever.

If you're willing to put in a bit of time and effort, you can change the entire look and feel of your home for practically nothing but a little bit of 'elbow grease'.

RR

40 Years...

St. Patrick's Day has always been more than celebrating the Irish with our family. My parents tied the knot 40 years ago, on St. Patrick's Day, in the snow storm of the century!

To help celebrate this amazingly special day, I wanted to get them the perfect bouquet. I turned to Sweet Violets in Guelph and as you can see...the final product was just that...perfect!

We'd selected the flowers and then it was time for them to work their magic...I love how they let the greenery, petals and stems accumulate on the floor around them as they put together their gorgeous arrangements.

Just....love....this.....

With it being their 40th....my brother and I really wanted to try and get them something of meaning...of significance....

I think we succeeded...

When we lost the house to the fire, we lost all of our photos, including Mom and Dad's wedding album.

We had contacted our local photo studio, who is still operating 40 years later and who had done the photography for the wedding....and......THEY STILL HAVE THE NEGATIVES!!

I don't think I could have thanked Mr. and Mrs. Snyder enough! What are the chances of that after 40 years??

We're going to print them all out in 4x6 initially to have another look at them (and make more decisions re: sizing from there), but for now, I asked that they print one for the anniversary so they could have one on 'their' day after 40 years.....

Here it is.........

How cute are they?!?

I had found this green glass mouse and had to get it too....it's a mix of  significance of my brother and I...and Mom and Dad know why :)

While we were all home reminiscing, we couldn't help but remember the same weekend last year......we had taken a road trip to the beach to enjoy the amazing summer like temperatures...

This is the morning of March 17, 2013....

and........

This is March 17, 2012......

These pictures just show what a difference one year can make....we've been through quite a roller coaster over the past 12 months...but St. Patrick's Day....Mom and Dad's anniversary...was perfect!

Love you LOTS Ma and Pa!! xoxo

RR

Life Right Now.....

I have a feeling this is another year that is going to fly by and it'll be Christmas again before we know it! I love capturing life via photos and here are a few from the past few weeks!

Beautiful sunset as we were out for our evening walk....

This handsome guy turned 8 on March 5! I can't believe how quickly time does indeed fly by!

 

With Spring around the corner, I head to Blush to get the perfect minty purse and clutch! I can't wait for a bit warmer weather to work these into the mix!

I've added a few more items to my Rustic Retrievals Etsy shop! This is an Emerald Green Tea/Coffee set. Perfect as we're getting so close to St. Patrick's Day and it's also the colour of 2013!..Pop on over to our shop and have to look to see our other items!

I was finally able to get together with a great friend (A Paper Buffet and Knitley Road) and we had a chance to exchange Christmas gifts (yes, we've both realized we need to slow down a bit). Part of my gift was this absolutely scrumptious homemade Baileys! I've already put in my order for next year (I'm keeping my finger crossed for maybe 2 bottles!) I decided to try it in my latte on a SUnday morning and needless to say, it was TRES YUMMY!

The finished product....It was soooo good! 

Last weekend we got our first taste of Spring so Charlie and I headed out to the front porch to enjoy the sunshine and my new issue of House and Home magazine.

As much as I enjoy the snow and colder temperatures, I'm more than ready for Spring to arrive!

RR

Small towns ARE the place to shop!

If you are a regular reader of my Blog, you know I'm a HUGE believer and supporter of shopping locally and supporting small businesses! I could name you a great lil shop, boutique or store in almost every small town listed on the map of Southern Ontario below. I love my road trips and finding these hidden gems, all within 1-2 hours of home!

My last post talked about some fabulous chairs I found a new a Market close to the small town where I grew up. I thought in this post I'd show you some more of the amazing offerings at this Market in Hanover, Ontario.

The first thing you saw when you walked into this vendor's shop was this Solid Oak Table set and China set...needless to say, I walked out with the table and the China (all for $100!!) Keep reading for the story behind the China set....

I loved how she displayed this collection of crystal S&P Shakers! I collect crystal candlesticks...maybe I should start a new collection!

I would have purchased every piece of glass in this display if I had a place for it at home...Milk glass, Amber glass, Emerald Glass, Crystal......

I was THIS CLOSE to getting the 2 Emerald Glass Candlesticks (Pantone's Colour for 2013) ...but..I left them behind for another day....If they're still there the next time I go, it'll be fate and I just might have to bring them home with me!

These Milk Glass vases/pedestal bowls with Floral Frogs caught my eye instantly! They would be perfect for wedding centerpieces or a Spring/Summer dinner party to help dress up the table! I just had to get one of the smaller ones (only $8.00!)

Then....there was this beauty! If I had an extra 100 sq feet, this would be sitting in my home as we speak! It was only $125 and in PERFECT condition...plus, I could use it to display my new China!

Speaking of my new China.....here it is! I LOVE everything about it...the colours, the pattern, the gold edges...its is the quintessential rustic beauty! The name is perfect too..."Canadian Wheat".

The story behind the China set makes me smile.....and makes me believe that everything really does happen for a reason! I had seen this set at a shop called the Neustadt Mill in Neustadt, Ontario (just outside of Hanover). I himmed and hawwed about getting the set and ended up walking away without it...I went back again and the set was gone. I was disappointed, but I do believe that everything happens for a reason. 

So, as you can believe, when I walked in to that vendor's shop and saw the China...I was NOT going to leave without it! And, to make the story even better, she gave me an AMAZING deal on the set....it's a complete set for 8 (short of one tea cup)...complete with serving pieces....I wasn't going to let it get away twice!

As Spring is slowly starting to appear.....I strongly recommend heading out on the highway and get out and explore the small towns in your area....you never know what hidden gems you may find!!

RR

Just meant to be.....

A few weeks ago, I had posted the link to Dwell Studio's Calvin Leather Chairs on the RR FB page.

When I saw these tub chairs, I loved absolutely everything about them...their shape, their lines, their colour...everything! Then,... I noticed the price....not unreasonable whatsoever for such a timeless piece, but definitely out of my range.

I also realllly liked this version in the Glazed Linen fabric shown below!

So.....I happened to be out and about on Saturday with a good friend, checking out a new Flea Market in the area when......we stumbled upon these 2 'diamonds in the rough'............

Now I know they aren't EXACTLY like the Calvin chair, but when you remove the skirt, they're quite close! They're incredibly comfie (we did the 10 mins sit and chat test), they're in really good shape and best of all...they were only $20 each!!

As we were sitting there chatting, I got out my phone and went straight to the Tonic Living webpage to  see if I could find an upholstery weight fabric that I could cover them in. 

Needless to say, I would have had to have purchased about 20 chairs to re-upholster for all the fabric choices that I loved, but I was able to narrow it down to the option below....

It's called "Willow Storm" and it is a 'faux bois' pattern by Premier Prints.

Here's another view...

My friend and I had fallen for the chairs and when I posted their picture along with the fabric choice on my Instagram page, so did everyone else! The responses were all in complete agreement....GET THEM!!!

And this is where the story gets ever more interesting!



When I had been looking at the Calvin chairs, I had also noticed and really liked this Mallory Chair, also by Dwell Studio.

Again, it had great lines, it looked extremely comfortable,  I loved the exposed wooden legs and the Glazed Linen Pearl option below had me almost drooling!


So...on this same day of treasure hunting with my friend...what else did we happen to stumble upon?!?!

Wellll.....This!!!! (see below)

Another chair that was very, very close to the Mallory and again, after another 'sit and chat' test for comfort, I got it! Just like the other 2 chairs, it too was only $20, is in great shape and has fantastic lines!

On to the Tonic Living webpage we went again and found this.... This is called "Cameron Storm", a more rustic, hand drawn chevron design, also by Premier Prints.




My friend and I were hooked, but I again turned to my Instagram followers and again received a resounding response to GET IT!!!

The only thing that concerned me was the actual re-uphostering....I had never done an entire chair before and thought these may be a little beyond my level of expertise until I had a bit more practice. As we were checking out, my friend and I were talking about this when the woman at the register said, "if you're looking for someone to redo your chairs, I know just the man and he's here right now".

THE FATES WERE WITH US ON THIS SHOPPING TRIP!

She took us to one of the other booths and introduced us to this lovely gentleman who had a look at the 3 chairs, we came to an agreement on price for all 3 for his work, I left them there for him and as they say, the rest is history (until I get the fabric delivered and can get it to him that is)......

It was one of those days when everything just fell into place....and by my calculation, I'll have 3 'new' chairs for just less than $200 each!!! Talk about something being meant to be....

It really does 'pay' to shop local and support local artisans!

RR

Winter has returned!

As we continue to dig out from the most snow we've seen in a few years, I must say...I LOVE IT!

This is what winter should be...

As you can see, Charlie loves the snow too!!

I'm taking a break from shoveling and am having a look through the recent online issue of Lonny Mag. As I'm flipping through the pages, I have fallen in love with this Austrian Ski Lodge. I can just imagine coming back to this lodge after a day on the slopes, curling up on the couch under a fur blanket and enjoying a good book with a hot toddy! The heated year-round pool also looks super inviting to help ease aches and pains after a day of skiing (or, a day of shoveling as is the case here).

I hope you all are safe and warm. If you have the chance, get outside and enjoy this winter wonderland!

RR

Bring the outdoors in....

I spent the day outdoors on Wednesday and it made me wish I was on a ski hill somewhere or out skating on a frozen lake.

 

It was a gorgeous, sunny day, but absolutely frigid. I found this Ski Home in Architectural Digest that anyone would want to come home to after an equally cold day on the slopes and just sit in front of the fire with a glass of wine or hot chocolate.

The modern- rustic alpine style, combined with the breathtaking mountain views, allows the beauty of the outdoors to literally become part of the home and compliments the style perfectly.

 

 

 

Whether it is the soap stone fireplace or the Burma-teak marble in the master bath, the naturally inspired elements bring the attention to detail to an entirely new creative level.

RR

 

The Little Things...

 

I've been looking through my photos from the past few weeks and realized, the moments I have photographed...the moments that make me smile....are those little moments...everyday life...

They are those moments that make me happy and that make up what I am lucky enough to call my life.

 

 

Watching the world go by....

 

 

Mother Nature can be fierce...

 

 

A furry friend enjoying breakfast....

 

 

A collection of namesake jars.....

 

 

Sunrise.....

 

 

A Saturday morning at the market....

 

 

Homemade mac and cheese.....

 

 

Flowers....

 

 

...flowers...

 

 

..and more flowers....

 

 

Letting the sun shine in......

 

 

 

 

Live my life and be happy....The most important thing!

 

Hope you're having a great week!

 

RR

Re-fresh...

I'm sitting in my living/dining room area after finishing a yummy breakfast of  frittata made with Farmer's Market fresh veggies, eggs and hashbrowns and a tres yummy latte, and am thinking I would like to re-fresh some rooms in my home.

I am a big fan of change, especially around the house and especially when it comes to keeping things fresh. So of course, where do I turn to for some inspiration but Pinterest ....

I have a lot of these pieces in my home already....rustic wooden boxes, barn board, mercury glass etc.....it's time to move them around and re-imagine the uses of theses pieces.

I'm looking for a new entertainment stand/console...this table would be perfect! I would like it to run the entire length of the wall that houses my tv and I may have to add some framed mirrors on either side of my tv as well!

I am always on the look out for equestrian-style accessories.....I would really, really like to find an old saddle and bridle to add to my home....

I don't see anything in this picture that I don't like...the cow hyde area rug, the rustic sideboard/dresser, the exposed beams, those windows and fireplace........LOVE! I think it may be time to head to the Old Mill and get myself a new area rug....

I will always love an exposed brick wall....I had them in my loft and loved the warmth they brought. I  like this idea of painting them out in a grey/white wash...I just don't know if I would have the guts to do so...

I really like my current dining set, but again, time to refresh....I would love a rustic barn board table and these green chairs are a perfect pop of colour!

This mix of rustic and clean lines is the look I would like to work towards in my home....

Rustic Simplicity for the kitchen...a piece of barn board and an iron bracket....

A perfect DIY...a pallet top desk...I can make it whatever size, whatever height and whatever colour I would like to suit my not overly large office... The next few photos are some of my 'dream' home ideas...someday I will be able to incorporate these into a home I own.....

I hope you are all having a relaxing, lazy Sunday....Why not hop on the internet or look through some old magazines for some inspiration to re-fresh some rooms in your home!

RR