Design: Grout Colour Options

March 12, 2018 | 4 Commentaries

You’ll see an increase in reno-focused posts over the next little while as I have quite a bit on the go at my house, and I like to share. I hope you’ll enjoy learning about the reno process, too.

In my new bathroom, there will be white subway tiles in the shower. This means that I need to settle on the grout colour. Originally, I was all for white grout, but considering the hard water we have in Waterloo, my lack of desire to scrub showers, and a conversation I had with my tiler, I’m reconsidering the white (dramatic, I know!).

Here are the options:

Option 1: white (subway) tile + white grout

HGTV

Apartment Therapy

via

Option 2: white subway tile + grey grout

Option 3: white subway tile + black grout

Inside Out

Domino

Apartment Therapy

Love Create Celebrate

I do prefer the white-on-white because the grout lines would just blend in with the tile, but I really want this space to be clean for a long while, so I’m almost certain I’ll go for grey grout. I think the grey will look nice with the flooring, too.

The Friday Five: Learn, Donate, Love

March 9, 2018 | 1 Commentary

February was a wild month on my end. There were very happy days, of course, but there were also really sad days, too. Every week seemed to bring difficult news of one sort or another. Illness. Job stress. Relationship challenges. I hope March brings joy to my loved ones. I hope happiness finds its way into your homes, too, if you’ve been experiencing some trying times.

So, today, I’m taking a break from talking about renos and fashion and furniture to raise awareness about some important causes.

Mental Illness

A friend’s brother passed away last week due to mental illness. It’s devastating and awful. He was much too young. To donate or learn more about this disease, visit the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Prostate Cancer

Some people say that prostate cancer is a “normal” or “good” kind of cancer. How is cancer normal? How can it be good? To donate or learn more, visit Prostate Cancer Canada and the Movember Foundation.

Breast Cancer

My friend Lisa wrote a personal essay about how cancer changes the conversations you have with your partner. It was recently published in the Globe and Mail. There are several organizations you can donate to to improve awareness and research for breast cancer. I usually learn more or donate to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Metastatic Breast Cancer Fund, or The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.

Ronald McDonald House

I heard of the much too early birth of twins of friends of a friend. I also learned of how the Ronald McDonald House Charities is supporting this family who needs to be close to their babies while they’re in intensive care.

Diabetes

Did you know that 11 million Canadians are living with diabetes or pre-diabetes? And about 50% of people with diabetes may experience kidney damage. To donate or learn more, visit Diabetes Canada or The Kidney Foundation of Canada.

Triva Thursday: The Womb Chair

March 8, 2018 | Leave a Reply

A friend and I recently had a discussion about the womb chair. This chair was designed by Eero Saarinen in 1948. Even though the chair is now 70 years old (seventy!), it’s still very much in demand. The curves are easy to like, and it’s a great chair for lounging in multiple positions.

Style at Home

Design: White Subway Tile

March 7, 2018 | Leave a Reply

What are your thoughts about white subway tile? Are you sick of the look? Are you tired of seeing yet another bathroom with white subway tile? As for me? I’m definitely not tired of them. Year after year (after year), I come across images of gorgeous spaces that use them, and I always think that it’s a beautiful, clean, classic tile option for a kitchen backsplash or bathroom.

Magnolia

my kitchen – featured in Style at Home

Decorist

Maison de Pax

I’ve picked up a 4″ x 12″ white tile for my new laundry room/bathroom, and I think it’s going to look great. I know patterned tiles are very a la mode at the moment, but they just don’t fit well with my aesthetic. White subway tiles on the other hand? I can’t get enough of them!

Although I prefer the tiles (small or large size) to be installed in a brick formation, I do like the look of the stacked installation as well.