Birch + Bird Vintage Home Interiors

Today is a crazy busy day because we’re flying out on a jet plane in the wee hours of the morning and I haven’t packed yet so I’ll have to make it short and sweet.  We’re so excited to see everyone and our calendar is full of visits that will go by far too quickly.  Once we’re home, we’re moving…two days later.  Ahhh!  Yes, it’s true.  I’m so grateful and excited to have a home and I can’t wait to put my mark on it.  I also look forward to our schedule becoming more routine because lately it’s been far, far from routine.  Anyways, I was browsing the online magazines for some inspiration and spent some time over at Rue.  I loved all the character in each one of these images from their Details gallery and thought you’d enjoy them too.

 All images via Rue

I’ve got some suitcases to pack.  Bye, bye for now!

Phew, what a weekend! Did yours go by as quickly as mine did? The sun was shining and it was beautifully hot for Mother’s Day yesterday . I can’t say that it was super relaxing as we hosted 15 people (both of our families) for lunch, but it felt so great to spend the afternoon on our patio celebrating our moms and grandmothers while soaking in some much needed rays.  On Saturday night, we were treated to a fun evening out by some dear friends which included a limo ride (ooh la la!), a cooking class by Chef Dez at Lepp Farm Market and a yummy pastry demo by Tina of The Pink Spatula. I don’t think we were the ideal students…we get pretty chatty when wine is involved…but it was a really great time with some wonderful friends! How was your weekend? Did you get breakfast in bed or have a chance to spend time with your mama? Hopefully you got the same dose of sunshine that we had! Speaking of warm and bright, take a peek around this gorgeous apartment in Sydney, Australia….

The Design Files. Photo by Felix Forest.

The Design Files. Photo by Felix Forest.

The Design Files. Photo by Felix Forest.

The Design Files. Photo by Felix Forest.

The Design Files. Photo by Felix Forest.

The Design Files. Photo by Felix Forest.

I can’t get enough of all of the gorgeous rugs, red accents and warm wood furniture throughout and I’m pretty sure I could handle curling up on that window seat with a good book for hours at a time! It’s hard to believe that it’s only a two bedroom apartment, isn’t it? Belonging to Vanessa Steele and Peter Braig, it is “One of just a handful of boutique apartments in a building known as ‘La Granada’ in Sydney’s leafy Bellevue Hill neighbourhood…Tucked at the back of the block on the ground level, and opening out onto a leafy patio, it’s wonderfully private, and with windows on all sides, it feels more like a house than an apartment.” City living at it’s finest, I would say!

The Design Files. Photo by Felix Forest.

The Design Files. Photo by Felix Forest.

The Design Files. Photo by Felix Forest.

This looks like one very happy and liveable home, wouldn’t you agree? I feel so very blessed by my mom and the many other amazing women who bring so much joy and warmth to my life! My mom has always encouraged me in all of my creative endeavours, has supported me in countless ways and has helped us with the kids soooo much. My sister is also a huge part of our lives and I am so excited to say that I’ll be an Auntie sometime in December! Becky and her husband are expecting their first bambino and I’m so happy to see them move into this next phase of life. Hurray for the moms, moms-to-be and amazing aunties everywhere!

Oh my, I think this week has gone by just a tad too quickly! I’ve got a few important market to-do’s to check off my list before the weekend and I still have Mother’s Day to think about, not to mention little ones to cuddle, a house to clean and cupboards to fill with at least a few groceries…busy days! But, like all good procrastinators, I have found squeezed in some quality time on Pinterest and while looking through my boards the other day, I couldn’t help but notice that rafters and beams seem to be a key architectural feature in many of my favourite spaces….

Country Living. Photo by Mikkel Vang.

Grey Gardens via Design*Sponge

Dwell. Photo by Pia Ulin.

Haynes Roberts Inc via Remodelista

Homelife. Photo by Sharyn Cairns.

From rustic wood cabins to modern white and the combinations in between, I’m not too picky! I just love the character and lofty effect that exposed rafters bring to a home and they seem to allow so much light to pass through each space, don’t you think? White or wood, which do you prefer?

Robert Young Architecture & Interiors

Country Living. Photo by William Waldron.

Morrison Hair. Photo by Laure Joliet. Styled by Morgan Satterfield.

Amy & David Butler‘s home on Apartment Therapy

HGTV

Well, I’m off to a Mother’s Day tea at my daughter’s preschool before checking in at our market space and having a conference call with Rachel. She’ll be here with her girls in just a few days and we’re all making excited X’s on our calendar. Hopefully, we’ll be able to squeeze at least one more shopping day in before Scout to stock up our own inventory and I’m thinking some wine and sushi will be in order too! Off I go…

Oh dear, I made the mistake of looking at my calendar last night and there are only 17 days until market day, eek! I had a momentary heart palpitation but think I’ll be okay…let’s hope so! Actually, things are feeling pretty organized and the excitement of all of the vendors and everyone else involved is really inspiring! I managed to make a quick trip out to Got Craft? on the weekend where I met up with my friend Janis. We couldn’t get over how much creativity and talent was in one room and we met a lot of new artisans and craftspeople along with a few other great vendors who will be joining Rachel and I at Scout. Creativity is contagious, isn’t it? I came home and brainstormed a few easy DIY’s that I hope to squeeze into the next few weeks and organized my work space…it’s much easier to make things when you have room to work! I think colour is also contagious. After such a long and dreary winter, the more colourful home accents I see, the more I crave! Here are some examples of relatively small details that make big impact…

New York Times. Photo by Russell Gera.

Photo by Janis Nicolay. Design by Nancy Riesco.

Style At Home. Photo by Michel Dube.

Ok, so these tiles aren’t a small decorating detail but aren’t they amazing? I am just in love with that watery emerald green colour …

Claesson Koivisto Rune via The Style Files

Bethany Nauert Photography

Canadian House & Home. Photo by Donna Griffith.

Ikea via Bright.Bazaar

Style At Home. Photo by Stacey Van Berkel-Haines.

Better Homes & Gardens

Looking to add some colour to your space but still want to keep it mostly neutral? I love the subtle addition of the navy blue base cabinets in this otherwise white kitchen…classic but with a fresh twist. Definitely a colour that I would love to see more of in my home!

Apartment Therapy

Griottes

Budget is always on my mind these days and I love a simple DIY project that’s nearly free…who doesn’t?! Use different shades of leftover paint or discounted mis-tints to coat the inside of glass jars…wouldn’t they make a beautiful centrepiece, grouped and filled with fresh blooms from the garden? Something I’ll definitely be trying soon…well, maybe after May 26th! And just a head’s up that one of our market sponsors, Delish Magazine, will be doing regular features on many of our vendors over the next few weeks. The first two interviews are now live so be sure to check them out here…it’s always so interesting to see what inspires others to create! I think that Delish’s motto, “Make everything with Love“, is perfectly fitting for the weeks to come so I taped their postcard up on my computer to keep me motivated. Do you have any projects on your to-do list, big or small? Please share!

A few years ago before the “put a bird on it” craze, I spent a tonne of time searching high and low for a simple piece of art with a few birds on a branch.  Believe it or not, I couldn’t find anything that fit the imaginary piece of art that I had in my mind.  So, I bought three canvases, dug out my leftover latex paints and made my own piece of art all in an evening’s time.  It felt good to be creative on a whim and I got exactly what I was looking for.  Best of all, it fit my budget.  I’m sure most of us have seen a piece of art or two that you think you could replicate easily.  Right?  Well, I did some digging and found some great DIY art projects and the artists were even kind enough to write down the instructions!  Why not create a masterpiece of your very own for that bare wall that’s been speaking to you for ever and a day?

 Pixel Painting by Wit and Whistle

 Simple DIY Painting by Dans le Townhouse

 Abstract Art by Oh Happy Day

Graphic Art by Curbly

 Scrabble Pixel Art by Belrossa

 Slatted Wood Map by Design Sponge

 Basketweave Wall Hanging by Today’s Nest

 String Art by Creative in Chicago

Paint Chip Mural by Murobond via Remodelista

Upcycled Paint By Number by A Beautiful Mess

Today is a huge day for us.  We will find out whether or not, we’ll be moving into a new home in a months time.  The real estate process has been extremely frustrating, like we had a feeling it would.  To give you an idea, when we sold our home in British Columbia, once we had an accepted offer, all the conditions were removed within 5 business days and a sold sticker went up shortly after.  In Florida, it’s taken about 6 weeks with all sorts of pushing from our end.  But with all the waiting and wondering whether or not it will happen, I think I’ve been able to process the pros and cons of both outcomes.  I know whatever happens will be just fine.  But still, be done with this already!  Wish us luck!  Happy Monday, everyone!