The rains are settling in for the long haul, days are getting shorter and I’m starting to feel like quite the homebody these days. Not that I’m complaining…we had a fantastic summer that stretched far into fall but I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a West Coast girl at heart and love a cozy evening indoors while the rain pours down outside. It’s also pushing me to put some more effort in decorating our new house (can I still call it “new” when we’ve lived here 7 months?) and I’m excited to finish a couple of small projects and maybe even paint (or wallpaper!) a room or two. I absolutely love white walls but have been feeling the urge to add some colour to our bedroom (I’m thinking a deep moody teal, on the navy end of the spectrum…thoughts?) and came across this carriage house on a Pinterest search last week. Located in a Prohibition-era back alley of Washington, DC, this once derelict space has been transformed into a Bohemian home ready to entertain…

Garden & Gun | Photo by Patricia Lyons

Garden & Gun | Photo by Patricia Lyons

Garden & Gun | Photo by Patricia Lyons

So full of personality, isn’t it? You can see more great photos of this small space over at Garden & Gun so be sure to check them out. On another note, I’m going to cut down to only a couple of blog posts a week but you can always keep tabs on what I’m up to over on my Instagram feed in the meantime. Wishing you a frightfully good Halloween and a sugar-filled weekend ahead!

Along with some other fantastic partners, some of our rental pieces from were invited to take part in this year’s KINFOLK dinner in Vancouver a few weeks ago and it came together to be a truly beautiful evening in every way. This year’s event was an intimate gathering and dinner at Union Wood Co.?s new warehouse and was based around the theme A Messy Meal: Embracing Wabi-Sabi in the Everyday. One of my partners, Elisa, and our store manager, Breanne, attended the dinner and had an amazing experience, sampling chef Juno Kim‘s seasonal and local multi-course meal and meeting new friends in Union Wood Co.’s cool new space. Have you ever been to a long table dinner? It’s remarkable how many real connections can be made when we step out of our comfort zones and break bread with strangers, isn’t it? Britney Gill captured the event perfectly and I wanted to share just a few of my favourite pics. You can see many more over on Britney‘s blog as well as Spruce Collective. Our reclaimed wood benches and enamel pitchers looked right at home at the long table gathering, don’t you think?

All photos by Britney Gill 

All photos by Britney Gill 

All photos by Britney Gill 

Britney Gill Photography | Union Wood Co.  |  Niche Wine Co.  |  Victory Gardens  |  Piccolo Design Co.  |  Pallet Coffee Roasters  |  Postmark Brewing  |  Juno Kim Catering  |  Tantalus  |  Earnest Ice Cream  |  Written Word Calligraphy  |  Greenstems  |  Woodlot  |  Dahlhaus | Vintage Rentals by Spruce Collective

Collaborations are a beautiful thing, aren’t they? Have a fabulous Monday!

Hey, there! This week has already been chugging along at a fine pace and the school district decided to throw in some half days and a Pro-D (just to spice things up!) so the next few days will be even more of a juggling act. So it goes sometimes but, thankfully, I’ve got family and friends to help me out with the kids in a pinch and Brad will be home this weekend so I’m confident that my daily grind will be eased somewhat by next week. Thank God! It’s been a loooong month. Anyway, onto more exciting things, like a little peek inside one of my all-time favourite designers, Emily Henderson‘s, gorgeous home in Los Angeles. It was featured in Domino last month and is absolutely everything I would have expected and then some. Be sure to check out both Domino and Emily’s blog for many more great photos and details on the furniture and decor throughout. Come take a look:

Photos by Brittany Ambridge for Domino | Style by Emily Henderson

Photos by Brittany Ambridge for Domino | Style by Emily Henderson

Photos by Brittany Ambridge for Domino | Style by Emily Henderson

I just love how clean and curated Emily’s family home is. Everything looks intentional, there because it’s loved or has meaning, and although it’s packed with stylish finds it doesn’t feel cluttered or “trendy” in the least. Full of personality, mid-century bones and an eclectic mix of old + new make it a definite win in my books! Hope you’re having a great week so far 🙂

Boom. Just like that, another week bites the dust! Anyone else wish that time would slow down just a tad this Fall? My days are full (we’re talking full) to the brim with kids/work/driving/life and I’m definitely counting down these final 8 days until Brad gets home from the wilds of Manitoba! Here’s a little roundup of some links I’ve loved this week but I didn’t quite make it to the usual 5 for Friday as I ran out of steam by number 3 😉

1. I love everything about this gallery wall and eclectic bedroom spotted over at The Everygirl yesterday:

The Everygirl | Michelle Lange Photography

2. Um, how flipping adorable is this Maria costume?!? I love The Sound of Music (I mean, who doesn’t) and think this is the most darling idea ever. See how to make this cutie and an astounding amount of other sweet costumes over at Oh Happy Day:

Oh Happy Day | The Sound of Music Maria Costume | Photo by Paul Ferney

3. I’ve wanted to make homemade caramels forever (I think since reading about Laura making pulled taffy in The Little House on the Prairie books when I was little…anyone else remember that?) but never have for some reason. These salted butter confections look too decadently delicious not to try:

Salted Caramel Caramels | A Beautiful Mess | Photo by Emma Chapman

Any exciting plans for the weekend happening out there? Mine’s looking fairly quiet, other than being surrounded by my brood, but it’s always a treat to take a break from the schooldays routine and put my feet up…like, before 9pm 😉 Cheers to the weekend!

We were supremely spoiled with sunshine and warm temperatures this summer so it’s hard not to feel a little under the weather (so to speak 😉 as the West Coast rainy season rolls on in. British Columbia winters may have a gloomy reputation but I like to think we make up for it with bright spaces that maximize natural light and this amazing studio is no exception! I spotted Leslie Shewring‘s creative hub over on Decor8 last week and was blown away by Kelly Brown‘s photos and studio tour. White brick walls are the perfect backdrop to this light-filled space located in Victoria’s Chinatown and although it’s somewhat minimal in design, it’s incredible rich in style and bright pops of colour. Here are just a few of my favourite images but you can see many more over at Decor8. Enjoy!

Leslie Shewring‘s Studio | Decor8 Feature | All photos by Kelly Brown

Leslie Shewring‘s Studio | Decor8 Feature | All photos by Kelly Brown

Leslie Shewring‘s Studio | Decor8 Feature | All photos by Kelly Brown

Leslie Shewring‘s Studio | Decor8 Feature | All photos by Kelly Brown

We’ve been dreaming of a huge studio space for Spruce Collective right from the very beginning and I can just imagine the creativity that could flow in a workspace like this! I’m super envious, in the most well-wishing sort of ways 🙂 Be sure to check out more of Kelly Brown‘s pics over at Decor8 and see what type of projects Leslie is working on over at her blog, A Creative Mint. Have a wonderful Wednesday!

It’s Friday, yeah! And better yet, I’m making a run for the city, double yeah! I’ll be hanging with a couple of friends tonight for an impromptu girls night out before meeting up with my  Spruce girls to set our vintage rentals on display at the Hush wedding show on Saturday night…the perfect mix of work and play!  Despite the never ending downpour outside, I thought I’d get this weekend started off on the right foot with a dash of glamour and what could be more glamourous or on trend than gold! If you’ve met me, you’ll probably recognize this necklace (I’ve been wearing it longer than I can remember) which was given to me when I was 9 by my Baba and Dida (Croatian for Grandma + Grandpa). My sister has one with her name on it too and I plan to get similar ones made for my girls when they’re a little bit older…

My namesake necklace

I fell in love with this kitchen some time ago and haven’t been able to look at chrome hardware in quite the same way ever since. I know, I know, it feels like you just finally purged the ’80’s out of your kitchen and it’s all come full circle, right? Ah, but so it goes and I’m loving the revised clean lines and minimal take on warm metals this time ’round…

Matthew Williams for Dwell via Camille Styles

West Elm Martini Side Table

Rue via SF Girl by Bay

Lovely Indeed

Emily Henderson

Luna Lighting

NY Times via Automatism

Although some may cringe, I’m a big fan of mixed metals too…no matchy matchy for me! Worried your new stainless steel appliances will clash with burnished bronze accents in your kitchen? Don’t be. They’ll warm it up and add character in no time! Enjoy your weekend…I know I will 🙂

Despite my positive thoughts to encourage warm Spring sunshine to stick around, the weather has been pretty manic lately. Pouring rain, beaming sunshine and even a random hail shower all made regular appearances over the weekend. Needless to say, it’s hard to know how to dress each morning! I know that it’s still February for a few more days but I wonder if March is getting a head start…In like a lion, out like a lamb, as the saying goes. Hopefully that means milder temperatures will get a head start too! In the meantime, here are a few more bright spaces to cheer us all up on this soggy Monday morning…

Country Living

Lovely Life

Pencil Box

West Elm

Wood & Wool Stool via SF Girl by Bay

A Beautiful Mess

The Design Files

I’ve got a busy week ahead, how about you? We’ve had an exceptionally busy start to the year at Spruce Collective and I don’t feel like I’ve had many moments to catch up. Definitely not a bad thing but I’m hoping to settle into somewhat of a routine at some point soon. It’s hard to believe that we’ve already been open for 6 months! I’ll be sure to share some pics of what we’ve been up to at the shop with you soon. Have a great start to the week!

The photo below caught my eye on Facebook the other day and when I checked out the rest of the space, I knew that this home was far too good not to share! Shot by Vancouver photographer Tracey Ayton (whom I’ve had the pleasure of hanging out with at several local blogging events!) and designed by the talented duo over at A Good Chick to Know, this family condo exudes light, personality and all-around perfection in my books! It’s currently featured in the new Seattle-based magazine, Gray, for good reason. But don’t take my word for it, come see for yourself….

Tracey Ayton Photography for Gray Magazine. Design by A Good Chick to Know.

I just love all of the vintage touches and layers of pattern and colour that have been combined together to create this liveable family home. Set against a backdrop of crisp white walls, the result is effortlessly young and fresh without feeling trendy…not the easiest look/vibe/feeling to achieve but Jennifer and Megan have done it oh so well! Be sure to pop by their blog to see more of Tracey‘s fab pics of the space…

Tracey Ayton Photography for Gray Magazine. Design by A Good Chick to Know.

Tracey Ayton Photography for Gray Magazine. Design by A Good Chick to Know.

Tracey Ayton Photography for Gray Magazine. Design by A Good Chick to Know.

Ah, now I’m even more inspired to tackle some of my own design projects! Brad’s back from Florida and is putting the finishing touches on our tiny ensuite bath so I’m excited to share some before and afters very soon. Have a wonderful Wednesday!

It’s been a while since I’ve featured any kids rooms on the blog but after getting a glimpse of this perfect space last night, I just had to share! A collaboration between Sharon Montrose (you’ll probably recognize her adorable baby animal photographs), Morgan Satterfield and Laure Joliet, this darling nursery would be a dream to rock any baby to sleep in! What I love most is that, with the exception of the crib, this room could be for a child of any age…or an adult for that matter. And it’s the perfect example of how little you actually need to put together a creative and stylish space. My sister is due with her first baby in a few weeks (yay, I get to be an aunty!) and we’ve had this conversation a few times along the way. It seems like everyone has their opinion about what you must have for your newborn but the reality is that they really don’t need all of that stuff. By baby number 3, we’d nixed just about everything, including the change table! Natural light, vintage touches, graphic pattern and just the right touch of whimsy puts this nursery at the top of my “best ever” list. Oh, and if you live in the US, you can enter to win a number of ingredients to this amazing space here…

The Animal Print Shop Nursery, designed by Morgan Satterfield and Sharon Montrose. Photo by Laure Joliet.

The Animal Print Shop Nursery, designed by Morgan Satterfield and Sharon Montrose. Photo by Laure Joliet.

What are your plans for the weekend? Mine is already filled up with work, pumpkin carving with the kids, a girl’s night and a Halloween party with young friends…busy busy! I never did get a chance to try painting those pumpkins at the shop but will see if we can squeeze at least a couple in over the next few days. Have a great weekend!

Rachel and I have mentioned several times before about our longing for home workspaces of our own. Now that the kids on vacation from school it’s been especially hard for me to sit down and write (between “I want a snack!” and “can you turn the sprinkler on?” interruptions) and I’ve pulled a few more late nighters than I anticipated. I did plan on stocking up at least a few more blog topics this week while they were at their day camps but suddenly found myself very distracted with a potential business adventure and it’s BIG! I am literally chomping at the bit to tell you more but for now will have to leave you hanging, at least until some key details fall into place. But these pictures may just give you a huge hint about what’s in the works for the very near future…

Photo by Bethany Nauert for Apartment Therapy

Lonny

Micasa Revista. Photo by Jake Fitzjones.

Amy Osaba Floral Workshop via 100 Layer Cake

Photo by Carina Olander for Bolig Pluss

Lonny

Design Milk

Atlanta Homes via Verdigris Vie

The Globe & Mail. Design by Kelly Deck. Photo by Barry Calhoun.

Photo by Jennifer Causey for Design*Sponge

Have you had the opportunity to sit with a group of like-minded people to brainstorm and swap ideas with? I’ve been lucky enough to share plenty of creative sessions with Rachel (who I’ve been missing more than ever this week!) and casual coffee dates with other vintage sellers, bloggers and larger groups as well. It always feels great to bounce ideas off of others who “get” what you’re doing and I’m always amazed at the amount of creative inspiration that can spark from seemingly chance encounters. Fingers crossed that I’ll have many more of these meetings-of-the-minds very soon! Sorry for the cliff hanger but please stay tuned…