Birch + Bird Vintage Home Interiors

Well, Rachel and I are back from a successful week of lounging on the beach with our men! There’s nothing like a week of being completely offline and away from everyday stresses (and children!) to remind you how good it feels to slow down and decompress. We were ready to come home to the kids by the end of the week but I’m having a hard time getting out of relaxation mode and back into the swing of things, especially after hours of doing this…

But now it’s time to gear up, go grocery shopping and start checking some of those to-do’s off of my list of household projects. What better way to get motivated than by browsing some other fabulous interiors…

Whether you call the pattern herringbone, chevron or zig zag stripes, it’s no secret that the classic herringbone pattern has been on trend in home decor and fashion for some time now. I’m a big fan and finally bought some brown and cream covers for some pillows on my couch a couple of months ago and I absolutely love the bold graphic energy they bring to our space! There are some fabulous rugs, artwork and more out there featuring this traditional pattern in some fresh new colours.  I have a particular soft spot in my design heart for weathered, vintage looking wood floors laid in the herringbone style…don’t they add such subtle interest and a sense of texture to these spaces?

Photograph by Per Ranung via Door Sixteen

Freunde von Freunden

Selldorf Architects via Cococozy

Rectangular tiles can also be laid in the herringbone pattern and I think the look is so striking! Using a contrasting grout colour, like Tommy Smythe did in the first home, adds an even more dramatic and graphic look. Not wanting to commit to so much pattern on your interior floors? Add some interest to your fireplace insert instead. Or head outdoors and lay a brick patio or pathway like this one on Stella McCartney’s amazing property…

Canadian House & Home

Bandelle

Houzz

Photo by Bruce Weber for Vogue via Habitually Chic

If you’re like me and tend to make short term commitments to trends, dramatic impact can be brought into your space easily with area rugs, pillows and throws. You can even dress the part with herringbone tweed accessories or chevron shaped earrings…

Anthology via Old Brand New

1. Anthropologie 2. Wit and Whistle 3. A Common Thread 4. Ika Bags

Honey Pie Design

How much pattern do you like to live with? I personally like to layer a number of patterns but most of them are somewhat subtle and within similar colour schemes. I encourage you to play with pattern and colour in your own homes…you’ll be surprised at how easy it is and what an overall homey feeling it brings to a room!

Well, our holiday is just about over and we’ll be home tomorrow.  We sure will miss the warm sun, the white sandy beach and all that relaxing.  Ahhh…bliss.  But it’s time to get back to real life, our lovely children, family and friends. Now, that I’ve had a chance to rest and recharge, I look forward to plunging into a few projects here and there, to share, perhaps.  And Lily and I both have quite a stock pile of new items for our shop that we haven’t even taken pictures of!  Stay tuned for those.

What are you up to this weekend?  Whatever it is, I hope it’s the best!

We’ve said it several times before, but the love Rachel and I have for Anthropologie knows no end! Each season, they bring in fresh new finds, somehow even more gorgeous than the last batch…how’s a girl to choose just one thing? So, I chose to feature several of my favourite finds in the juiciest hues possible…happy shopping!

Anthropologie

Our vacation will sadly be coming to an end tomorrow but we’ll be returning home refreshed, renewed, and with golden skin (hopefully!) and we’re so excited to share many more finds with you in the year to come!

During our Blogging Your Way e-course, Lily and I were asked to put together an inspiration board.  I really loved it and I’ve thought ever since that I really should put together boards more often or at least have a place to post anything that inspires me in plain sight.  Here are a few ideas that I found to move past the “file it away in a binder” stage.

Chances are that everything you come across is something you love, so why hide it away.  Using a large frame and bulletin board is a good place to start.  And don’t go out and spend a lot on a new frame, thrift shops have plenty to choose from for much less.  A can of spray paint in the colour of your choice will make it feel more at home.  If that seems like too much work, then I love this clip board idea.  It’s neat and tidy and making changes would be so easy.  Again, source these clip boards at thrift shops.

If you have big ideas, then just go with it!  I’m aiming for something like this.  And I love the antlers.

Go…be creative.

As your reading this, Rachel and I will be sitting beachside in what will hopefully be oodles of sunshine! We’re off to Playa del Carmen with our hubbies for a well needed week of relaxation and fun, away from the drizzly damp weather at home! Hopefully you have a similar vacation in the works but if you don’t, here are some colourful images to inspire you with thoughts sunshine…

Geninne’s Art Blog

I mentioned the gorgeous watercolours of Geninne D. Zlatkis, along with some pictures of her stunning Mexican home, in a post not too long ago. At the time, Geninne was taking a little time off from her shop but, now that she’s open for business again,  I thought this would be the perfect time to showcase some of her colourful works of art…

Five Sparrows

Collection

Peacock Tree

Walkabout

Bird No.23

Stop by Geninne’s Art Shop to see many more lovely birds and creatures available for sale! Adios for now