Much of my Internet travels lately has been focused on Paris. My trip is in a couple of months, yes, but it’s never too early to travel plan as far as I’m concerned. Plus, my trips around the web have brought me to some incredibly beautiful and interesting apartments and homes to rent.
Villa C̩sar Рa massive Parisian home Рis one of the gorgeous rental properties available on The Collectionist.
The Lower East Side home of Daphne Javitch and Pali Xisto Cornelsen is just too beautiful. From the custom couch to the wood beams to the quirky pottery, this home has plenty of charm.
photos Sarah Elliott via Jenni Kayne
You may have heard that MUJI has opened up its largest location outside Asia in Toronto (at over 19K square feet!), but did you know the company has a hotel line, too? There are currently two locations –Â Beijing and Shenzen – and a third is due to open in Tokyo this March. Would I love to stay there? Of course I would. Just look at the simplicity and design of these rooms.
all photos from MUJI
December is right around the corner, which means it’s time for me to start my holiday decorating. I’ve collected these images over the last few weeks, and they certainly inspire me to include greenery and simplicity in my decor this season.
via Svenngarden
via Country Living
via My Paradissi
I have been collecting images of interesting light fixtures for a little while now (beyond this ribbon lamp that I have loved for years), so I thought I’d finally share a few. Here are ten fixtures at various price points – and in many styles – that have caught my attention.
glass disc chandelier, $374USD (on sale), West Elm
Petite Friture x Daniel Emma, Cherry White Large, $402 Euros
Lauzet chandelier, $6299USD, Aerin via Circa Lighting
Eleonor table lamp, $105.99 CAD (on sale), Wayfair
Safavieh Pauley table lamp, $220CAD, Walmart
Hanna table lamp, $179USD,CB2
Castle Peak glass lamp, $949USD, Kate Spade via Circa Lighting
Darbon sconce, $489USD, Aerin
Selfoss sconce, $799USD, Aerin
Simpson floor lamp, $439CAD, Casalife
Dear Readers,
I’m having an issue with WordPress, so I need a couple of days to sort some things out. I’ll be back in a jiffy!
In the meantime, have a look at this gorgeous kitchen.
via Elle Decor
The rest of Michael Bruno’s (of 1stdibs) home is equally spectacular.
Here’s a week in review for this Friday.
1. It was One Room Challenge reveal week. There’s much to catch-up on if you’ve followed along or you’re interested in fun before-and-after scenes. I’ll direct you to my friend Tim’s redo of a client’s office. It’s full of some seriously interesting items like Angela Chrusciaki Blehm‘s ribbon art.
I also was impressed by Kristina Lynne‘s kitchen transformation. The change is definitely dramatic.
There’s plenty to see with all sorts of designs, so if you have some time to read up on the reveals this weekend, check out the One Room Challenge site.
2. I love this fun, little coat.
3. Carly the Prepster brought us on tour of her recent stay at the Ritz Paris. Oh, dear. So gorgeous! The service sounds impeccable.
4. I finished audio-listening to Haruki Murakami’s Colorless Tsukura Tazaki and his Years of Pilgrimage. I’m now onto Dance, Dance, Dance by the same author. I can see why Murakami is one of Japan’s best-selling authors. The stories are unique and very well-told. In terms of what I’m learning about Japan, well, both stories refer to Hokkaido, a northern part of Japan, but I won’t have a chance to go there when I’m there in April. Colorless Tsukara Tazaki also has scenes in Tokyo, and I appreciated Murakami’s description of the Shinjuku train station at the beginning of Chapter 19. Here are screenshots of the text if you’d like to read a small excerpt.
From the bit of research that I did, this seems to be the photo Murakami was referring to in the text:
via Asia Times
5. Finally, isn’t this a pretty colander?
colander, designed by Marcel Wanders for Alessi
Have a great weekend, everyone!
I love it when beautiful images of white spaces and objects come through my email. Over the weekend, my friend sent me a link to her brother’s Stockholm condo that is currently for sale. Naturally, I drooled. All the white! And in Stockholm! I am happy to share this sleek home here.
 images from Nestor Fastighetsmakleri
Thanks L.U. and I.S. for sending this my way.
We’ve had another great month of #WhiteCabanaWearsPink. I hope you enjoyed the weekly infusion of pink. As you know, I do this every October to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer awareness.
To end the series this year, I’m sharing some amazing pink coloured spaces.
pink bedroom, My Beautiful Mess
One one side, there are no windows. On the other, there are multiple. Look at this gorgeous white home in Kanagawa, Japan by architects Sinichi Ogawa & Associates.
via Dezeen
Leopard! It’s one of my favourite patterns. I love to wear it, and I like its muted shades in home decor.
Chelsea boot, Cole Haan
Pacific Palisades, Studio McGee
Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian readers!
Some days, I really want to get rid of everything I own and start fresh as a minimalist. Yes, even though I do really love all of my collections! But just look at these spaces. Every piece, every fixture, every finish is placed and purchased so thoughtfully.
Many of us in the design community are used to seeing large round mirrors in hallways, foyers, bedrooms, and bathrooms, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for the classic rectangle. There is! Check out these beautiful spaces with rectangular mirrors.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Today’s two of a kind are chic kitchens that include a lot of white subway tile, black grout, black cabinets, wood, art, and a touch of gold.
Christine Dovey, Style at Home
These stone sinks are impressive vessels, aren’t they? While I can’t quite see one in a suburban home, I can definitely imagine a beautiful stone sink in a gorgeous Italian villa! Can’t you?
via My Paradissi
via Carla Aston
Coqui Coqui Residence and Spa, via Remodelista
via My Domaine
via One Kin Design
Have a great weekend!
I came across the D Pages and the D Shop on one of my tours around the Internet, and I was drawn right on in. D Pages features beautiful interiors and architecture in all of my favourite shades of white. D Shop is an extension of that design inspiration and carries a collection of the most beautiful pieces of furniture, lighting, and home accessories. There is so much that caught my attention which is why I’m sharing so much of it here today.
Mategot Natasaki chair, $639 USD
Sereno marble coffee table, $3600 USD
Beetle stool, $559 USD
Pacha lounge chair, $2369 USD
Shepherd’s chair, $3500 USD
Amare salt and pepper set, $195 USD
Dearborn large bowl, $80 USD
Signal globe, $1645 USD
Jean Prouvé was a French industrial designer and architect. While he may not be as well known as designers like Eames and Herman Miller, Prouvé certainly made his mark in the design world. One of his most recognizable works might be The Standard chair. I first came across the chair when I stayed in this Paris apartment. It was love at first sight! Not only do I like the design, but the chair is incredibly comfortable. It’s little wonder why it’s a sought-after piece by designers and collectors of beautiful design.
photos via Vitra
Jean Prouvé chairs in the Rue Bonaparte apartment (where I stayed in 2014)
Galerie Miquel Alzueta, via Pastolux
Airhouse Design Office, via Contemporist
Paris apartment, via Architectural Digest
Designer George Nelson was a director at Herman Miller from 1945 to 1972. During his time there, he managed to recruit other design greats such as Charles Eames and Isamu Noguchi. He also continued to develop his own designs – desks, clocks, and benches – what we now recognize as some of his trademark designs.
Nelson’s saucer lights, in particular, have become a favourite among designers (and white lovers like me!). The lights, manufactured by Herman Miller, come in a variety of shapes, but have common elements:Â white, steel wires, translucent plastic covering.
The Bubble may be one of Nelson’s most recognizable lights.
Nelson Saucer Pendant, $395-$1295USD, Design Within Reach
When I saw this earlier this year:
Tiffany & Co. sterling silver tin can
I automatically thought of this:
Piero Fornasetti was in Italian painter, sculptor, interior decorator, and engraver. He may be best known for his pieces that include the image of a woman’s face in black and white. The face is that of operatic soprano Lina Cavalieri. In addition to this face, many of his pieces include images of the sun, time, and architectural elements. Now, his son Barnaba Fornasetti continues to design in his father’s name.
Fornasetti’s plates are quite popular in the world of interior design. These and other Fornasetti pieces add whimsy and interest to many spaces as you can see in the images below.
Colette May, via Elements of Style
Colette May, via Elements of Style
 via Archimir
via Est Magazine
If you have some time to spare, I encourage you to watch some of these behind-the-scenes videos of the Fornasetti Atelier. I enjoyed watching a bit of the design and manufacturing processes of Fornasetti’s pottery, textiles, and metal work.
If you’ve ever seen my house in person or really paid attention to my stories here on White Cabana, you probably know that I dislike my upstairs bathroom. It’s huge. It has a corner jacuzzi tub that I rarely use and the smallest corner shower. When I bought my house five years ago, I did a quick reno – removed the shiny grey wallpaper, painted the 80s wood trim on the cabinet, and replaced the counter, sink, faucet, and lighting. I also tried to draw the eye up from the grey tub and linoleum floor by crafting a giant inkblot art wall.
This was a good mini makeover, and it’s still serving me pretty well. And since I’ve spent my renovation budget on other things in my home – painting, tiling, doors, trim, and my laundry room – there has been no room in my renovation budget for the big bathroom.
So I’ve had to continue to get creative. With input from other creative people, of course!
When my sister was over a couple of weeks ago, she encouraged me to rip out the disgusting shower door and replace it with a pretty curtain. Just rip it out. Sure.
Yup. I thought this was a manageable DIY task.
  The Before
So, one morning, when I was still in my pajamas, I took out my tools and started removing a dozen or so screws. I chiseled, hammered, pushed, and pulled the door and frame out of place. It was gratifying.
The Tools (perfume optional)
I then scrubbed the built-up gunk off of the marble step. This made a huge difference. I felt like I had a brand new shower.
I filled all the old shower door screw holes with silicone, hung a shower curtain tension rod, and added a pretty curtain. Done and done.
The After
This was an easy DIY that has made a big difference. The whole project cost about $50 (for the rod, shower rings, shower curtain and liner). Yes, I still dislike the corner shower, but at least I don’t have a dirty door to look at every day. Much improved!
Books. Magazines. I love them stacked. I enjoy seeing my books and magazines (neatly) over-flowing all around my home. I tend to keep my stacks in my kitchen and office, but I also often have stacks of books and magazines in my bedroom. They make me happy. And it seems like these stacks make others happy, too.
via Domino
designed by Alexander White, via Home Adore
via Love Eva
Have a great weekend! Happy reading!
Serge Mouille was a French designer who is best known for his lighting. You may have seen his arm chandelier or sconces floating around design magazines and blogs for many years now.
Original Serge Mouille lights cost in the thousands of dollars, but as many iconic designs, there are plenty of reproductions online and in stores that cost a few hundred dollars. And you can see from the images below that Serge Mouille lighting looks great in a variety of interiors.
Julie Hillman, via The Decorista
Christine Dovey, via Style at Home
 via SF Girl By Bay
via Goop
If you see any photos of my home, you’ll notice that flowers often make an appearance. My mom is a retired florist, so flowers have been on my mind for most of my life. On market days, I pick up bunches of flowers that will last throughout the week. Since I don’t have my mom’s skill in floral arranging, I tend to buy flowers of one variety, and each week, no matter the flower, they look beautiful around my home.
If I’m having people over for dinner and lack an arrangement, I grab an odd number of stems from one of my large vases, and I cut them shorter to put into mini vases (I often use the Riviera petits pots). This makes for an easy create-in-one-minute centrepiece.
Another great thing about the single-bloom arrangement is that you can create it with vases/containers you already own, and you can customize it for your favourite colour (for both the flowers and containers).
via VSCO
About a decade ago, I travelled to the Canary Islands, and on the island of Tenerife, I was struck by the architecture of the El Auditorio. The Auditorio de Tenerife was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, and his architecture is the focus of today’s post.
White Cabana (a few more photos of my trip to the El Auditorio)
Here are five other favourites from Calatrava’s extensive collection of white projects.
If you’re in Toronto, you may recognize another Calatrava – the BCE Place Galleria (built in 1992). I remember going to BCE Place when I was young, and I was in awe of the light that came through this building. Another visit is long overdue!
In 2016, Calatrava created the transportation hub at the World Trade Center in New York City. The structure looks like it’s about to take flight.
via Dezeen
I love the repetition of shapes on this building in Valencia, Spain.
Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias
The Milwaukee Art Museum is striking, too, with its dramatic points and curves.
via Simply Sinova
Finally, this building at Florida’s Polytechnic University easily caught my eye. In fact, it caught my eye a couple of years ago on a drive from Tampa to Orlando, but I never pulled over to investigate it up-close. Maybe I’ll get an close-up view if if I end up taking the same road trip in a few weeks!
via Dezeen
Have a great weekend, everyone!
If you’ve been to a design museum, then you may have come across Vico Magistretti’s Atollo table lamp. The lamp was designed in 1977, and many people would agree that it is as beautiful today as it was 30 years ago.
via Mohd
via Remodelista
Let’s go all out luxury today, shall we? I had a browse in the lighting department of 1st Dibs, and my jaw dropped as I scrolled through pages and pages of crystal. I’ve included the rough prices of each, but try to divert your eyes.
Bakalowits Crystal chandelier, $15K+, 1st Dibs
rock crystal chandelier, $6K+, 1st Dibs
Emil Stejnar Snowball chandelier, $5K+, 1st Dibs
Kinkeldey chandelier, $3K+, 1st Dibs
Rock Crystal Sputnik chandelier, $42K+, 1st Dibs
Yes, yes, cottages remain on my mind. I keep coming across some gorgeous cottages online that I hope you don’t mind that I keep sharing them here.
This place by la Shed is bright and airy, and it comes with incredible views.
I could move right on in!
Here are just a few things that have been on my mind this week.
1. Pearl Morissette
I just learned of Pearl Morissette winery and restaurant in Jordan, Ontario, and it’s now on my must-visit list.
2. DIY Wedding Details
The DIY details of Homey Oh My‘s recent wedding definitely impressed me. Amy and Oleg set such a pretty scene for a special occasion.
3. Bramasole
Did you read Under the Tuscan Sun? See the movie? If so, you’re certainly familiar with Bramasole (aka Villa Laura). And now…you can stay there!
4. Pool View
Oh, this exterior pool scene is beautiful.
Tiger tail residence, Edward Ogosta Architecture
5. Elizabeth
I watched Elizabeth this week. I liked it a lot. The costumes are incredible. I know this movie is from 1998, but I hadn’t ever seen it. How had I never seen it?
Have a great weekend, everyone! Happy Canada Day!
Recognize this wavy vase?
It was designed by Alvar Aalto in 1936, and it has been a design collector’s item ever since. Each vase is mouth blown at the Iittala glass factory in Finland, making each piece unique. The full Alvar Aalto collection includes other shapes, sizes, and colours, too.
If you’re in Canada, you can purchase Alvar Aalto pieces at William Ashley.
I’m starting continuing to gather inspiration images for my dream bathroom renovation (which is still years away, I’m sure!). Specifically, I’ve had my eye on double vanities and the lovely double mirrors that go with them.
Vanessa Alexander, via Dering Hall
via Becki Owens
via Decorist
I definitely wasn’t expecting to like Ann Arbor, Michigan as much as I did. I wasn’t even planning on writing about my quick trip there. But I was so surprised and happy about my visit, that I have opted to write a mini recap here.
Ann Arbor. Do you know anything about Ann Arbor? Before I set out on my drive, all I knew was that it was kind of near Detroit, and it was about a 3.5 hour drive from Waterloo. Beyond that, since I was going for a conference, I didn’t do any pre-trip research because I knew my free time would be limited.
Stay
I stayed at the Graduate Ann Arbor. The bed in my room was comfortable, and I had ample room to spread out my work and belongings. Although the room was darker than I prefer (moody dark walls), and my bathroom was low on counter space, the linens and bath products were lovely, and there was a fridge and a Keurig machine which came in handy for a late-night work session. Service was great, and the location was perfect. I would definitely stay here again.
Do
I spent much of my days at the conference which was held at the University of Michigan. You know, the university with the big yellow and blue “M”. There’s definitely a high school spirit at UofMichigan, and there were a lot of people walking around town in blue and yellow athletic ensembles. The campus was a short walk from the Graduate hotel. The buildings on campus were historic and charming, and the quad was lush and green. I know I’m an academic, but I can’t be the only one who loves university campuses. Surely.
Nickels Arcade is an interesting piece of architecture. On either side of the walkway are shops and the very charming Comet café.
The area of Kerrytown was another short walk from the Graduate hotel. This is a small, historic district that has cobblestone streets as well as interesting buildings, shops, and artistic spaces. A highlight here is Zingerman’s which is a deli-bakery-everything-you’d-ever-want-to-eat type of place. I also enjoyed the store/gallery Found. I spent much too long in the store looking at every bit of goodness inside.
If you stay downtown, the area is very walkable. Main St., Liberty St., and Washington St. have an abundance of cafés, pubs, restaurants, and shops. Strolling casually along makes for an enjoyable little tour of the area.
Eat
I had a few opportunities to eat out while I was in town, and I would go back to every restaurant I visited. Good sign, right?
I loved the fresh, young, energetic, and stylish vibe at Sava’s. Beyond this, my salmon rice bowl was delicious as was Sava’s version of tiramisu. Everything was fresh, and service was attentive and friendly.
I know it’s not so common to go to a tapas restaurant solo, but this is what I did late one night. I had passed Aventura at some point on my trip, and I wanted to try it, so I did. I met the nicest people while I was sitting at the bar (Note: I have absolutely no problem dining solo. I know some people would never do it, but I enjoy it. I always end up meeting people, which is fun. Do you dine solo?). My meal at Aventura was fresh and tasty. I opted for brussels sprouts (that had sweet apple mixed in) and the jamón flatbread. Salty goodness! Again, service was friendly, and the decor was lovely. Unfortunately, I must have been too tired to grab any photos!
One morning, I opted for breakfast at Fred’s. As with the other two restaurants, one of the reasons why I was keen on this place was because of the decor. When I walked by it one evening when it was closed, I saw white-on-white-on-white. I had to go! Oh my goodness. If Anthropologie had a restaurant, it would be Fred’s. Every angle was beautiful. Beyond the decor, the food was awesome. I went for the ever-so-popular açaà bowl and a cappuccino. I’d order this again today if I could. It did not disappoint.
Ann Arbor makes for a great weekend getaway, especially if you live with a 3-4 hour drive. The next time I go, I’m going to review the Design*Sponge Ann Arbor City Guide because I know I didn’t have time to enjoy all that the city has to offer.
This weekend really felt like summer. I celebrated the completion of my MBA with family and friends, I ate ice cream, and I spent time at the pool.
So today, to “cool off,” I’m taking you on a virtual tour of some spectacular pools. Ready to dive in?
Bulgari Hotel, photo by Christina Arrighi
via Reno Guide
House Chapple, Tribe Studio Architects
Are you a bathtub or shower person? And if you like bathtubs, what style do you have? If your tub sits on four ball and claw legs, then you have a traditional clawfoot tub.
Emily Chalmers, via SF Girl By Bay
This style reached popular stats in the late 19th century when it spread to England from Holland at a time when bathing became fashionable. Fashionable. Could you imagine living in a period where bathing was such a luxury. In some parts of the world, I know it still is!
In the 1880s, companies started manufacturing porcelain enameled cast-iron tubs. Nowadays, these tubs could be made of fiberglass or acrylic, which makes them much lighter than the traditional cast-iron version.
What do you think of this French villa? Do you appreciate its simplicity? The view? Nothing at all?
Villa Tranquille (“Quiet House”) was built around four courtyards to encourage easy transitions between indoor and outdoor living.
 
architecture: Artelabo, via DesignBoom
I was in Goderich and Bayfield on Saturday because Ontario beach time has been long overdue for me. It was an absolutely wonderful day out, and it got me dreaming (again) about owning a cottage one day (remember this cottage post from November).
Recently, my cottage dreams seem to lead me to the classic A-frame style. The A-frame (literally shaped like the letter A) style appeals to me for a cottage because it looks cozy, seems to blend in well with country surroundings, and mimics the shape of trees. I don’t know. I just think it looks kind of cool. And with a white interior? I think it would be fun.
So, naturally, my dreams have led me to create this blog post featuring cool A-frame houses (or cottages) that I find so darn beautiful.
source unknown
Allandale House, William O’Brien Jr.
Whistler A-frame, Scott and Scott Architects
I recently learned of a design firm called Three Birds Renovations, and each project is absolutely stunning. You wouldn’t have to twist my arm to live in any of these spaces.
If you’ve been following along regularly, then you know that over a 6-week period, I shared the progress of my laundry/bathroom combo room makeover as part the the One Room Challenge event this spring. Last week, I shared five room reveals from the featured designers of the One Room Challenge. Today, I bring you five more gorgeous spaces, but this time, from the guest participants of the event..
Here’s a sneak peek at 5 rooms from the guest participants…
And one more for good luck:
And just a few more:
Decor Happy’s teen girl’s bathroom
The Posh Home’s modern living room
A House in the Wood’s shared girls’ bedroom
Wonderfully Made’s laundry room
Cait Waite’s bedroom
Deeply Southern Home’s library
Home Glow Design’s she-shed
Hartley Home’s laundry room
Jessica Devlin’s living room
My Pinecone Home’s guest bedroom
Have a great long weekend, everyone! See you back here on Tuesday!
p.s. In Royal Wedding news – this cake recipe!
Ladders in the home are not just for dark, moody libraries. They’re used in kitchens and closets to reach high shelves, and they’re used in living rooms and bedrooms for hanging blankets. In my own home, I have a couple of bamboo ladders – one for storing extra towels in my bathroom (well, “just for show” towels), and another that is decorative in my basement lounge.
These photos show the diversity of this decorative – and functional – piece.
I’ve had a look around shops online, and I found some great ladders that could work well in a variety of spaces.
ladder, $102.99 CAD, Wayfair
ladder, $214 CAD, Target
ladder, $98 USD, Anthropologie
ladder, $99 USD, The Home Outpost
ladders, $80-96 USD, West Elm
It’s been all One Room Challenge around the design blogosphere over the last six weeks, and the featured designers and guest participants shared all their after photos on Wednesday and Thursday this week. This means that we have a lot of reading to catch up on this weekend! Hooray!
To get us started, here’s a peek into five beautiful spaces from the featured designers. Next week, I’ll share some of my favourite spaces designed by the guest participants.
backyard oasis – Jojotastic
basement – Coco & Jack
master bedroom – Rambling Renovators
living room – Natasha Habermann
office – Bisou Style
Have a great weekend, everyone! Happy Mother’s Day!
Today’s the day! It’s the One Room Challenge final reveal day!
So, without even a moment more of pause, let me welcome you in to my new laundry/bathroom combo room!
And before I share more photos, let’s have a look at the before photos of the space. (Note: You can see more photos in this Week 1 post.)
I’m so excited to share these after photos with you. The last six weeks have been full of mess, clean-up, shopping, and styling. I’m beyond thrilled with the end result, and I am so grateful for the team of experts who helped me transform this space. I now have a bright space for laundry days, and my guests have a beautiful white bathroom to enjoy while they visit.
As I showed you over the last six weeks, we completely gutted this space. No surface was left untouched, and nothing from the original room remained. Everything is new – from plumbing to studs to tiles to accessories. This space needed an overhaul, and that’s exactly what it got!
I’ve always called this space small but mighty. I demand a lot from this space in terms of functionality, and the changes my construction team and I made have definitely improved every aspect of the space. It’s a combo room – laundry plus bathroom – so it’s really going to be put to work!
I am absolutely loving having a large laundry sink. After five years with a bathroom vanity sink, this change is a big one. I was lucky to work with Blanco on this project, and the company generously provided me with the durable Liven laundry sink. The Silgranit material is supposed to be “exceptionally resistant to heat, scratches, and impact,” which is exactly what I need.
To match the sink, I opted for the Blanco Urbena faucet. When the box arrived way back in the fall, I took the faucet out immediately, and was so impressed with its strength and substance. Now in place, this piece looks even more beautiful (and it’s even better in person). The pull-down faucet function is going to be great as I start making a mess in this space with indoor gardening projects, hand-washing delicate clothing, and more.
I had a custom cabinet made in Toronto. It’s painted Chantilly Lace, and it has the same door front detail as my interior doors (see below). For the counter, I went with white quartz, and a 6″ backsplash. The door pulls are from Ikea.
I have used some pieces in this space that I have already in other spaces in my home. Why change a good thing, right? For example, I have the larger version of the mirror in my powder room. And I have the same toilet and toilet roll holder in my powder room. I know many people like to switch things up in the design world, but I like consistency and simplicity, so I was happy to use these same pieces in my new space.
The addition of a beautiful new shower has really made this combo room that much more functional. This was a big job, and I lived with a trench in my floor for a couple of days as my plumber was working his magic. I opted for classic white 4″x12″ subway tiles, and my tiler surrounded the shower with them. I carried the hex floor into this shower space, too. The shower system is the Arris style by Moen.
The little “door” that you see in the photo below is a genius invention by my drywaller. It slides up and down, and it hides my main water pump/valve. It’s incredible. It’s so handy, and it looks sleek, too!
The floor is much more exciting than what you might see in these photos. Beneath these gorgeous hex marble-like tiles is Warmup‘s floor heating system. And it’s luxurious! The thermostat is easy to use, and I have been playing around with different schedule settings. I can even control the temperature from my phone. You know what this means, right? I can lie in bed on a Sunday morning and only get out to do laundry once my floor has been heated up! Genius! (Note: I haven’t added a bath mat to the space yet because I want to stare at the floors!)
The doors in this space are Metrie’s Masonite Lincoln Park. I used the same style in my #byebyebifold makeover, so it only made sense to carry them into this new space. Side note: In fact, I have replaced all of my interior doors, and the change has refreshed my whole home! The door hardware (just like everywhere else in my home) is the Milan in satin chrome from Direct Door Hardware.
The addition of the pocket door to separate this gorgeous space from the less-than-gorgeous furnace room has been an especially smart addition. I was beyond ready to get rid of the accordion door six weeks ago, and I was even more thrilled when my drywaller told me he could get in a pocket door.
To bring more beauty into the space, I reached out to my friends at pamuk & co., and they sent me the softest set of Turkish towels and a matching robe. I am so spoiled with these items! Each towel is a piece of art, in my opinion. And have I mentioned how soft they are? Absolutely luxurious! You can see the robe in #WhiteCabanaStyle action in this Instagram photo! (Side note: pamuk & co. has been spotted in Meghan Markle’s hands post-yoga and in her former Toronto home!)
I have two pieces of art in this laundry/bathroom combo room. The top piece above the toilet is Clothespins 2 by Elliot Stokes from Minted. Under this is a photo my friend Suzanne took, and I printed. It’s a close-up photo of a large-scale piece by Marco Godinho called “Forever Immigrant.” If you’d like to see more of the art, I recommend this video.
And one final look before I leave you for the day (to explore other One Room Challenge participants’ reveal posts):
Thanks again for following along this renovation journey with me.If you’d like to take a walk down memory lane, check out my week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, and week 5 posts. And for more inspiration, click on over to the reveal posts from the One Room Challenge’s featured designers and guest participants.
Thanks to Blanco, Warmup, Minted, and Pamuk & Co. for collaborating on this project. All opinions are my own.
Thanks to my construction team for making my design come to life: Chris, Troy, and Tony. Thanks to Mom and Dad for your continued willingness to help out and get messy!
***
Sources:
sink: Blanco Liven (c/o)
faucet: Blanco Urbena (c/o)
floor heating: Warmup (c/o)
robe and towels: pamuk & co. (c/o)
art: Minted (c/o)
art: photo from a friend
hooks: Ikea
hangers: Ikea
cabinet and counter top: custom
cabinet paint: Chantilly Lace
mirror: HomeSense
doors: Metrie Masonite Lincoln Park
door handle: Milan, Direct Door Hardware
floor tiles: Toronto
wall tiles: Toronto
shower system: Moen Arris
toilet paper holder: Bed Bath and Beyond
toilet: Costco
ceiling lights: Costco
We are near the end of this spring’s One Room Challenge event.
I can barely believe it actually. This week 1 before post seems like a distant memory now that all my new pieces are in place. This is definitely going to be a dramatic before-and-after feature, so I hope you’ll stick around until next week to see the big reveal.
For now, here are a few glimpses into my transformed space.
My Blanco Liven sink and Urbena faucet were installed. They’re surrounded by a white quartz countertop and a custom cabinet.
My drywaller made the greatest invention to cover my water main valve. 
My pocket door is one of my favourite features of my new room.
And my new mirror adds some classic shine to this high-functioning room.
Finally, my WarmUp floor heating thermostat was installed, and it works perfectly. My floor warms up in minutes, and it’s definitely a luxury for this space. Without the floor heating system, my tile floor is so cold!
Over the next week, I’ll be adding all the finishing touches: shower curtain, toilet roll holder, and art. It’s going to be a fun week!
Check out my week 1, week 2, week 3, and week 4 posts to get caught up on all the action. And for more inspiration, click on over to the posts from the One Room Challenge’s featured designers and guest participants.
Thanks to Blanco and WarmUp for collaborating on this project. All opinions are my own.
If you’re looking to refresh your bookshelf style this spring (you know, if you follow the declutter-reclutter pattern like I sometimes do), then you might be inspired by today’s collection of images. With the inclusion of objects, plants, and books, these shelves look tidy and stylish.
via Framebridge
Welcome back to the One Room Challenge, everyone! Are you enjoying seeing all the progress participants and guests are making? I sure am! If you’ve just joined in on the White Cabana laundry/bathroom reno fun, check out my week 1, week 2, and week 3 posts. Week 4 means things are starting to get pretty!
Last week, I showed you a relatively cleaned-up space (a big change from the weeks before where I showed you a fully gutted space). In the past couple of weeks, the WarmUp heated floor was installed. The drywall was finished. Pipes were in place. And things only improved from there!
The major game-changer to the look of my space this week was the tile install. Like my other tradespeople, my tiler was top-notch. Honestly, everyone, I feel so lucky to have worked with my team of tradespeople. I was worried pre-reno because I didn’t have any contacts in Waterloo, but one thing led to another (one phone call led to another), and I ended up with great people!
My tilers were so precise. And my room looks amazing because of their work. Have a look:
The picture above shows the space as you walk into it. The stacked laundry unit will be on the right side against the wall. It may not seem much to you, but all those pipes and holes in the wall mean major progress for this space! Of course the new pipe set-up increased my costs, but it was worth it. My plumber did a great job, and everything is much tidier than it was pre-reno. And the dryer vent was moved up high which makes much more sense. So tidy! I love it!
I went with ceramic hex tiles in a marble-esque pattern. So pretty. I had considered marble for the space, but because of all the water spillage that can happen in this workhorse of a room (and Waterloo’s awful hard/soft water issues), I just didn’t want to risk ruining marble.
On this side of the room, I’ll have my toilet. The sink will sit in between the toilet and the stacked laundry. My plumber cleaned up some of the pipes that you see in that wall hole. So good. And my drywaller has fashioned the best cover for that hole, too. I just don’t have photos of it yet, so stay tuned.
And on the left side of the room is this beautiful shower! Oh my goodness! What a treat to have a shower in this space. Small but mighty! That’s what I keep saying about this room, and that’s what I continue to believe. My team installed this basic 34″ x 34″ shower, and it’s going to be so convenient for me and my guests once the space is done. The flooring is a continuation of the 2″x2″ hex tile from the rest of the floor. It’s easier on the eyes. On the wall, I went with my fave – a subway tile. This tile is 4″ x 12″, and I’ve got pretty small grout lines. I’m really happy I opted for this larger version of the classic subway tile.
Did you notice how everything lines up so well? Sign of good tilers! They completed this job in just three days, and I was very pleased that this part of the project progressed so quickly.
I opted for grey grout everywhere, and things are looking sleek and clean…just how I like it! Isn’t it exciting to know that the full reveal will be in just two weeks? I can’t wait!
As per usual, I encourage you to check out what the One Room Challenge guest participants and featured designers have been up to during week 4.
If you’d like to see more of my ORC progress, see my week 1, week 2, and week 3 posts. Thanks to WarmUp for supplying my new floor heating system. All opinions are my own.
I’ve been keen on terrazzo lately. Terrazzo is a type of polished concrete flooring that has bits of marble or granite set into it. Â While I have no use for terrazzo in my house, and the installation process does seem intensive (I’ve watched plenty of YouTube videos to prove this), I keep wondering about how I could possibly use it in the future. Maybe for my third bathroom redo? Hmm…
Here are five gorgeous spaces that use black and white terrazzo.
via Buk & Nola 
via Buk & Nola
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Welcome back to the One Room Challenge. Today marks the halfway point of this 6-week makeover journey, and things are looking pretty good in my new laundry/bathroom…even though the photos in this post (and my week 1, week 2 posts) are full of dirt, dust, and mess!
This week, I’m sharing what happened after the plumber gave my pipes a makeover. He installed a shower, as you may recall, so when he left there was a big trench in my room. The floor needed patching, the walls needed insulating, and there was still a bunch of plumbing to take care of. Â 
 the beginning of a beautiful shower
check out those pipes
insulation installation
My drywaller patched up the floor with cement(I keep calling him my drywaller, but, honestly, Chris can do everything!). Once that was dry, my electrician (aka my dad) and my tiler got to work.
drywall installed
In terms of electrical work, quite a bit needed to get done. Dad installed new lighting, updated outlets, and did the prep work for my floor heating system. He also installed a new fan.
new electrical
In terms of the floor heating system, I’m very lucky to be working with WarmUp on this project. The people I have been working with from WarmUp have been phenomenal. Really informative and great communicators. I was so pleased that they were as eager to work with me as I was with them!
To get the floor ready for the heating system, my tiler first installed the WarmUp insulation boards. These insulation boards not only prepped the flooring for the heating mats, but these boards will also ensure more energy efficiency.
WarmUp insulation boards installed
After the boards were secure, my tiler laid down the heating mats – the DCM-PRO membrane.
Dad was then able to install the cables on the mats. The cables were tested before, during, and after installation to ensure the product’s resistance had not been altered. Dad let me know that the installation of these cables was eaaasssy! Good to know, right? He liked the simplicity and straightforwardness of the DCM-PRO system, and he liked the contrasting colours, too, because this meant that everything was really easy to see.
WarmUp floor heating mats and cord installed (no heating on the right side of the photo because that’s where the toilet and vanity will be installed)
Stepping out of the shower onto a heated floor is going to be divine!
After everything was installed and tested, the tiler put a skim coat over the WarmUp floor heating system, so that it would be ready for tiles.
I encourage you to check out what the One Room Challenge guest participants and featured designers have been up to during week 3.
If you’d like to see more of my ORC progress, see my week 1 and week 2 posts. Thanks to WarmUp for supplying my new floor heating system. All opinions are my own.
Simple black lines can be quite striking. This duo caught my attention.
House C. staircase
Ron Gilad – Molteni & C, via Azure
 
 