Friday Five

The Friday Five: My Mom’s Favourite Websites

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Today I thought I’d highlight some of my mom’s regular go-to websites. After she stops in at White Cabana (her first stop online, obviously), she clicks onto these sites (yes, usually in this order) to see what’s going on around the world…

1. 8foot6. This is a daily read for my mom, my sister, and me. The three of us lead very different lives but Shannon at 8foot6 appeals to us all. My mom, sister and I often touch base and discuss Shannon’s daily updates (Shannon – if you’re reading this – we seriously do talk about all the goodness that you’ve got going on in your home!). We love Shannon’s home, her photos, and her growing Pyrex collection. We are also impressed with how much she manages to do with two toddlers in Toronto.

8foot6-Pyrex Collection

via 8foot6

2. The Enchanted Home. My mom loves following this blog and often gives me the update about what changes Tina (the author) has made to her incredible home or what new orchids or plants she has placed in her massive collection of blue and white ceramics. Tina’s home is not just gorgeous – it’s pretty spectacular. She has amazing taste in fabrics and decor and watching her build her house from start to finish was a real treat for us readers.

the-enchanted-home

 via The Enchanted Home

3. My French Country Home. My mom’s third (well, fourth if we count White Cabana) stop around the internet is My French Country Home. My mom keeps me informed about Sharon’s horses and her tours of the brocantes (flea markets) in France. Like Tina, her property in Normandy is pretty incredible.

French-iron-chair-My French Country Home

via My French Country Home

4. After White Cabana, 8foot6, My Enchanted Home and My French Country Home, my mom usually clicks on the blogroll (aka the list at the side of the blog) at My Enchanted Home to see what else might be interesting on a particular day. Often she clicks onto French Essence.

flea market-Paris-French Essence-blog

via French Essence

5. Kijiji and Craigslist. My mom loves Kijiji and Craigslist. She has dragged me to who knows where to buy who knows what random one of a kind item for her home. She entertains me with her incredible searching skills. Honestly. My mom can find anything you need at an incredible price. It’s a talent like I’ve never seen before. Her determination and persistance in finding beautiful high quality items at incredible prices is really to be admired.

bentwood-chairs-Craigslist

via Craigslist

Happy weekend! Wishing everyone a wonderful mother’s day. (Is there such thing as aunt’s day?)

The Friday Five: Dining Rooms

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Whether you’ve got a table for 2 or a table for 12, a beautifully decorated dining room invites you, your family, and your guests to relax and enjoy a wonderful meal together.

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via Stadshem

Design-for-Mankind_dining-room1

via Design for Mankind

JO Malone_via Lonny Mag_March 2013_1

Jo Malone headquarters London, photo by Patrick Cline, via Lonny Magazine March 2013

dining room-Jason_Rogenes_s_pendant_fixture_floats_above_the_dining_area_s_custom_UM_Project_table_and_Antonio_Citterio_chairs_

via Interior Design

dining-room-via Sous Style

Casa Almare in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, via Sous Style

And it’s a real bonus if your dining room has a fireplace like a couple of the ones I feature here – those lucky homeowners!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

The Friday Five: Bathrooms

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I love the variety of design in the bathrooms that I’m featuring in today’s Friday Five.

1. The tendency is toward vintage in this bathroom’s design. The art-deco chandelier, the simple mirrors, and the marble counters make this bathroom a winner from top to bottom.

what-a-bathroom

via Sojorner

2. This bathroom is modern, modern, modern. The artwork, the shower faucet system, and the floating sink and toilet make this bathroom sleek and clean.

po-view10_131_513327b29606ee32db848e1f

via Emmas DesignBlogg

3. Exposed plumbing is one of the things that I’m attracted to in this bathroom. The simple oval sconces seem to add an industrial feel to this space.

bathroom_badrum_brooklyn_2

via Desire to Inspire

4. Shimmer and shine through the use of glass doors and walls makes this bathroom modern. The hard-edge tub and the simplicity of the stand alone faucet are two of the many elements in this space that make it stand out.

09-MH0509_ALPER_35Chicago residence by Dirk Denison Architects, via Desire to Inspire

5. My favourite feature in this bathroom is actually the window because it reminds me of France. I love the addition of the antique scale and the simple light ball fixture over the sink. It’s a little bit rustic and a whole lot of calm.

bathroom

via 79Ideas 

Happy Friday!

Have a great weekend everyone!

The Friday Five: Living Rooms

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Let’s end the week with inspiration from five gorgeous living rooms. The ceilings, the furniture, the windows, the lighting…these all do their part to make these rooms inviting and gorgeous. Yes?

JO Malone_via Lonny Mag_March 2013_3

Jo Malone headquarters London, photo by Patrick Cline, via Lonny Magazine March 2013

via Real Simple

sunroom-pillows

Julie Blackmon’s sunroom, via Design Mom

sarah4

Sarah Hubbell’s living room, via Design*Sponge

living room_Front_s_equine_lamp_overlooks_the_living_area_where_a_quilted_sofa_by_Paola_Navone_a_sectional_by_Pier_Luigi_Frighetto_and

New York penthouse by David Hoston and Ghislaine Viñas, photo by Eric Laignel, via Interior Design

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

The Friday Five: Bookcases

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I am currently drowning in work. There’s a lot going on in my PhD life at the moment – all exciting and challenging stuff – which means that my eyes are tired from reading, my brain hurts from thinking, and I fear my fingers will soon be stuck in a perma-typing position. So, in the spirit of hard academic work, today’s post is all about fabulous home libraries.

bookcase_Jane_Matchbook

Jane Lilly Warren’s home, photo by Courtney Apple, via Matchbook Magazine

bookcase_white_79 ideas

via 79 ideas

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via

bookcase

via

item2.rendition.slideshowWideHorizontal.library-03-simon-jacobsen

photo by Robert C. Lautman, via Architectural Digest

Happy Friday everyone! Enjoy a wonderful weekend!

 

The Friday Five: Would You Buy This?

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Would you buy any of these it’s-puzzling-to-me items…and actually use them?

This is Muji’s lunch box band. I have no idea what a lunch box band is. Help?

lunch box band_Mujilunch box band, $6.50, Muji

I really have no desire to spend an extra few minutes massaging my jaw line with this Muji (yes, again) creation. Do you?

face massage roller_Mujiface massage roller, $12.95, Muji

What would make you want to spend money on a set of plaster teeth?

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white plaster teeth, $10, Old Nerd

I’m not quite sure how this vest/tank-top really tones? If it does in fact tone then there really is no excuse for not having a six-pack, right?

203512696gx2torso toner, $60, Sky Mall

This multi-purpose hat…would you really walk around with one of these on your head?

enhanced-buzz-1620-1355935208-7multi-purpose hat, via Buzz Feed

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

The Friday Five: Flatware

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Does your flatware set have a history?

My everyday flatware (I am not mature enough to have a separate fancy set) is a hand-me-down set from my parents. My dad was working in Sweden for a while and he brought back this Boda Buffe cutlery set as a gift for my mom.

photo

The set has been in my possession for almost a decade and I still love its design. I’ve been in search of replacement pieces but I’ve been unsuccessful. I did, however, come across this ad from an Australian newspaper, The Age, from 1983. Fun! (I don’t have the stand, by the way.)

Boda Buffe Ad_May 3 1983_The Age_AustraliaBoda Buffe advertisement, May 3, 1983, in The Age

While I have no desire to buy a new flatware set anytime soon, it is still interesting to see what’s available in simple, sleek, and modern design. Maybe one day I will find it necessary to own more than one set.

lard--piece-flatware-set__0104599_PE251625_S4LARD flatware, $19.99 (on sale), Ikea

foster-flatware

Foster flatware, $25, Crate & Barrel

Vera Wang Wedgewood flatwareVera Wang Wedgewood flatware, $75, Macy’s

MoMa_Arne_Jacobsen_FlatwareArne Jacobsen flatware, $100, MoMa

sVilleroy & Boch flatware, $346 (on sale) 60 piece set, Macy’s

Update: My set looks a bit yellow in the photo but I can assure you the handles are very white. Also, my dad wanted me to add that he bought the set in 1980 in Stockholm.

The Friday Five: Valentine’s Day Cards

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While I think Valentine’s Day is wonderful holiday to celebrate love between friends, couples, family, and children, I’m also one of those people who thinks that it should be celebrated beyond February 14th. Perhaps this is because I used to work at my mom’s flower shop every February 14th and I really just wanted to tell everyone who came through that everyday is a good day to buy someone flowers – why limit one’s generosity to red roses on one cold day in February?

Anyway – you may already know that in addition to flowers I am very keen on stationery. Giving a card is one of the easiest things one can do to show any kind of emotion or good will. Here’s a round up of some great cards for this lovely occasion.

sValentine card, $5, Paper Society & Co.

s Day card_EtsyValentine card, $4, Julie Ann Art

i like you a lot_cardValentine card, $5, Red Bird Ink

Valentine gift card_Paper SourceValentine letterpress gift card, $4.95 for 10, Paper Source

s card_Hello TigerValentine card, $3, Quiet Tiger

The Friday Five: Shoehorns

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Judging by the shoe cloests of the White Cabana team, you’d think having a healthy collection would be a job requirement. But no, this is not the case. I wonder if my contributors would be appreciative if they found a shoehorn in their mailboxes. It would be amusing, don’t you think? To wrap up a shoe horn and put it in the mail*?

Look at how the prices vary of these shoehorns:

shoehorn_Muji shoehorn, $5.95, Muji

Koziol pip bird shoe hornpip bird shoehorn, £9.95, Koziol

Georg Jensen_Shoehorn

Voyage shoehorn, €64, Georg Jensen

silver-shoehorn__18343_stdsterling silver shoehorn, $493, Annabel Chaffer

Elsa Peretti Padova Shoehorn_Tiffany & Co_$495Elsa Peretti Padova shoehorn, $495, Tiffany & Co.

What do you think of those last two shoehorns? Almost $500 for a shoehorn? Would you buy one?

Happy Friday everyone! Have a wonderful weekend!

*I once mailed Corie a hula hoop from Kingston, Ontario to Surfer’s Paradise, Australia. That was fun! The postie looked at me like I was crazy.

The Friday Five: Breezy Bedrooms

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The bedrooms featured here all have an airy, open, breezy feel to them which would surely encourage a calm and peaceful sleep.

via La Maison d’Anna G

Parrot’s Bay, Turks & Caicos, via Brides

via Out of the Bag

via

attic bedroom, via Country Living

Happy Friday everyone! Have a wonderful weekend!

The Friday Five: La Maison d’Anna G

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When Paris-based Anna G. is not working on her beautifully curated blog, she is tending to her online shop, La Maison d’Anna G. The collection of pretty white objects obviously caught my attention!

Photophore Alba n4, Finnsdottir Design, 20€

Torchon Plume tea towel, By Nord, 18€

Horloge clock couture, House Doctor, 85€

Guirlande Lumineuse, House Doctor, 45€

Coussin Pinwheel cushion, Hay, 109€

Images courtesy of La Maison d’Anna G.

 

The Friday Five: Wintery Living Rooms

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I’m ending the week here with five beautiful wintery white living spaces.

via Country Living

photo by Katya De Grunwald, via House to Home (thanks to Colin for the submission)

via Scrapbook

via House & Home

photo by Kate Sears

Have a wonderful weekend!

—

Don’t be surprised if you don’t see daily updates over the next week or two. I’m taking a mini blog break!

The Friday Five: Winter Wreaths

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I know a lot of us are focused on our trees right now…but how ’bout them wreaths? Do you hang up a wreath (or several) for the holidays? I have one with white wool pompoms (easy DIY) on my front door…it stays up all winter long.

via Dust Jacket

via Sweet Paul

DIY book pages wreath – via See Kate Sew

via Willow Decor

DIY pinecone wreath – via Casa Sugar

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

The Friday Five: Advent Calendars

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Well, okay, tomorrow is December 1st so I guess it’s appropriate to start the Christmas countdown. When I was growing up the only advent calendars that I ever had were of the chocolate variety – yum! Has an advent calendar been part of your Christmas tradition? Have you crafted one this year or do you have a store bought one?

via A Few Things from My Life

DIY advent calendar by Muffins in my Backpack

advent calendar votive set, $168, terrain

advent calendar, (sold), Pi’Lo

advent calendar by Charm Stitch

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy a wonderful beginning to December!

More advent calendar ideas here. Many thanks to Boba for sending me photo #1.

Friday Five: The Thomas Sabo Collection

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Hello Friday! We’re ending the week with some bling from the Thomas Sabo collection of jewels.

Thomas Sabo bracelet, $219

Thomas Sabo special addition sterling silver ring, $359

Thomas Sabo sterling silver bracelet, $139

Thomas Sabo classic sterling silver wing earrings, $164

Hope your weekend sparkles!

Images courtesy of Thomas Sabo.

The Friday Five: MoMA Store

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The MoMA store is one of my favourite places to visit online and in person. It is an inspiring shop full of affordable (and some not so much!) art pieces for the home. Here’s a round-up of what has recently caught my attention.

Ryan McGinness to-do list calendar, $24.95

Netzwerk bowl by Hedwig Rotter, $45

button magnets by Ikuko Nakazawa, $25

Switch salt & pepper dispenser by Chetan Sorab, $14

espresso set by Fellina Sok-Cham, $65

Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday Five: Living Rooms

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It’s Friday! I’m ending the week here on the blog with five inspiring living room spaces and sharing with you what I like and dislike about each space. I welcome your opinions too so feel free to comment below!

1. There are a few great aspects in this first space. The juxtaposition of old and new is attractive to me as is the awesome tufted white couch. I could to without the rug in this space though as I think it should be a touch larger.

Le Case di Elixir via Desire to Inspire

2. In this corner at the Grace Hotel in Santorini, I love the white, white walls and the high curved ceiling. I also like the sculptural light fixture and sweet curved window. I would get rid of the mirror though and maybe add some art in its place.

Grace Hotel Santorini

3. I love almost everything in this third space. The layered art pieces leaning against the paneled wall and the comfortable side chair are very appealing. The substantial stone fireplace is a beautiful feature in the room and the variety of textures in the room draw me right in. I would probably opt for a different sculpture although I can’t say that I completely dislike cupid.

via EclecChic

4. In this Douglas Friedman space I love the mix of textures – wood, lacquer, soft fabrics. I also like the clean lines of the high rectangular windows. I do wonder, though, how comfortable the side chair really is.

Douglas Friedman via The Style Files

5. In this last space I think the collection of white trophies, goblets, and vases is incredibly impressive. I love multiples and I am always curious to see what people collect. The layers of shades of white is also attractive to me. I do wonder if there are additional touches of blue throughout this space or if it is restricted to the striped carpet. I am a fan of a comfortable couch so it’s a bit disappointing that there’s no couch in this space (or as far as the photo shows).

via The Painted Hive

Let me know what you think! And have a wonderful weekend! Happy Friday!

Friday Five: Halloween at West Elm

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West Elm is still quite well-stocked for Halloween and so if you waited this long to purchase Halloween decor items then you’ll now be able to benefit from the sales!

skull mask, $2.04, West Elm

hanging skeleton people, $10.23 each, West Elm

skull candle, $10.23, West Elm

bone bottle opener, $6.14, West Elm

teeth bottle opener, West Elm

Happy Friday and have a great weekend!

The Friday Five: Bathrooms

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Is anyone tackling a bathroom renovation any time soon? Here are five serene bathrooms that may inspire you to renovate yours! (What else have you got going on this weekend? Right?!)

photograph by Ben Anders via House to Home

Per Gunnarsson

via AirBNB

the Hansgrohe Metris C collection

photo by Colin Poole via House to Home

Additional Reading: See previous posts featuring bathrooms here, here, and here.

The Friday Five: Turkey Platters

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Who is eating turkey this Thanksgiving weekend?

HIC turkey platter, $25

Gibson turkey platter, $29

Martha Stewart turkey platter, $22

Oneida Kitchenware turkey platter, $14.99

Bamboo Studies turkey platter, $17.25

For the third year in a row I will be cooking up a Thanksgiving feast (with the help of Martha Stewart, of course). Wish me luck!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Friday Five: Here I Go Again

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I’m gearing up for a few weeks of travel…beginning with a trip back to Florida…today! Hooray! I am so looking forward to some quality beach time so let’s hope the sun continues to shine!

Here are some thoughts about my trip – with the help of Mark Addison Smith‘s amusing illustrations:

So…here I go, off to the United States again…

I am using only a carry-on for this short escape so I have only packed two outfits and two swim suits because…

I haven’t packed any lotions, gels, drinks or food because I’m not sure if…

I hope that when I come back in a few days people might say to me…

because I’ll have a tan.

Right?

Happy Weekend!

Images via Mark Addison Smith’s You Look Like the Right Type.

The Friday Five: Offices

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I know it’s Friday and the last thing many of us want to do is to think about the office but trust me when I tell you that the offices I have featured below are worth your time (and stares). While they are quite different in style an aesthetic, each office is pleasing because of the minimalist (and complimentary) colour schemes, interesting textures and forms, and unique architectural details.

I’m taking you to office spaces around the world today beginning with a room of contrasts which includes the sleek Air Desk from Chicago-based Casa Spazio. Next is the minimalist black and white office area designed by Morpho Studio in Poland. The final three spaces, created by Brazilian designer Maristela Gorayeb, showcase amazing collections of books and artifacts in a pleasing and inviting way.

Casa Spazio via Escapade

apartment in Krakow, Poland; designed by Morpho Studio

interior design by Maristela Gorayeb, via Desire to Inspire

interior design by Maristela Gorayeb, via Desire to Inspire

interior design by Maristela Gorayeb, via Desire to Inspire

Happy Friday!

The Friday Five: The Beauty of the Ampersand

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Today I’m featuring a bit of typography…the simplicity and the interesting form of the ampersand to be exact. I have never been able to actually write it accurately (does anyone else have this problem?) but it does look pretty cool in various typefaces.

via The Proper Stranger

via Friends of Type

by Jude Landry

Helvetica ampersand print, $2.95, via BKS Design & Print

via Little Somethings

More ampersands here and here.

The Friday Five: Family Trees

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I have been working on my family tree on and off for at least five years now. It’s nowhere near complete. It keeps growing as I meet more family members (which is always nice) who can provide more information about relatives. Sometime in the future I need to go to the small Italian villages where my parents were born to learn more about my family history. For now, I’m happy to fill in names and dates as I learn them. My family tree is in very rough form and I never have a paper that’s large enough to fit all the info so I keep taping on paper extensions…

my family tree: this is only my mother’s side…I have another paper roll for my father’s side.

Maybe one day I’ll work it out so that my family tree is as pretty as one of these…

Diamonds Family Tree by Martha Stewart

Family tree by Melinda Beck via Martha Stewart

Inspired Goodness

family tree, Martha Stewart

How about you? Have you ever worked on your family tree? Any tips?

The Friday Five: Lights

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Today I’m featuring five very different but very interesting lighting options. I am loving the form of each one of these beauties.

Aki light by Studio Dreimann at Leucos USA

Raak Holland Saturnus lamp, $693, 1stDibs

Tahir Mahmood “Girgit 8” ceramic lamp, $475, Caviar20

Rare Neal Small white molded acrylic three-sided table lamp, $3650, 1stDibs

Parisian surgical light, $15,000, 1stDibs

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

The Friday Five: Kitchen Renovation (Almost the End)

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Six months ago my parents began a renovation of their main floor kitchen, laundry room, and powder room. You may have read about the progress here and here. I’m happy to report that the kitchen is (almost) complete. Here are five views of their new space.

What’s left to do? Well, my parents are currently dealing with a kitchen table DIY and the hunt is back on for the perfect set of chairs. It’s almost the end!

Custom kitchen by Parada Kitchens. Photos by Brunida Kaso.

The Friday Five: Overheard

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I’m taking a note out of You Look Like the Right Type‘s book (or, rather, blog) and sharing some interesting things I overheard this week. Each one just makes me laugh out loud.

1. Sometimes I’m jealous of birds.

2. People are not props.

3. I just want to pick him up and feed him vegetable soup.

4. I can really use a tree to hug.

5. I plant the silk ones and let people think they’re real.

What have you heard this week that put a smile on your face?

Have a wonderful Friday!

The Friday Five: Home Office Storage

| 4 Commentaries

Okay – I’m going a little crazy in my home office ever since I had to move out of my work office earlier this week. I had to move all of my books and files home and the chaos is making me nuts! I have a lot of books and files – as do most people in the academic world – and finding room for them in my home office (so thankful I have one!) is harder than I thought. As a result, I’m not being as productive with my organization as I’d like to be. And in the midst of all my reorganization I get mad at myself for (a) having too much stuff and (b) not being able to find a spot for it all in my 1200sq foot apartment. (Honestly – how do New Yorkers do it!?)

So here’s a peek at what I’ve got so far…

In one desk drawer I have my supplies organized in this handy drawer divider. I’ve used mini clear plastic bags to organize little items like band-aids, file labels, and batteries.

In the office closet I have stacked these clear plastic bins to organize everything from office supplies (how many supplies does one girl need?) to books to Christmas decorations to picture frames (Does anyone want small picture frames? I have a bin of them!). Everything is labelled because (a) it looks organized and (b) I love my label maker.

I only have a long two drawer filing cabinet (that I painted white, of course). I think I really need a four drawer cabinet but I’m scared of filling it up. I have designated one drawer for personal things and one drawer for work files.

About ninety percent of the binders I use are white. They are much more appealing on my open bookcase than a colourful group of binders would be. They are filled with PhD-related things (aka my dissertation – no big deal).

Finally, I use IKEA’s magazine folders and labels for current work-related projects. They are lined up and looking good on my bookcase.

I think one of my main problems that I have is that everything is half-size – 2 drawer filing cabinet, short bookcases, shallow desk drawers – so I feel like there’s just not enough room to fit both work stuff and fun stuff in this one space. I was sad when I had to empty all my bookshelves of my for-pleasure books and fill them back up again with work books. Sigh.

How do you manage to have both work and personal items in one space? What rules do you follow to get rid of things?

I’ll be reading Mo + Mo’s advice again this weekend – always a source of minimalist inspiration!

Have a great weekend!

Photos by Jordana.

The Friday Five: Blog Love

| 2 Commentaries

I don’t often give shout outs to blogs in posts because I feel like that’s what my blogroll is for. If you have a peek over at that list you’ll see some of the blogs that I enjoy reading on a daily and weekly basis. But there are so many great white (and colouful) blogs out there and, probably like you, I am always stumbling upon some new-to-me blogs. Today I’d like to shine the Friday Five spotlight on some of these gems.

Sous Style, headed up by Australian-born, Brooklyn-based Pippa Lord, is a great resource for inspiring home decor and recipes. The blog has some amazing regular features like Wake Up Call and Cook For Me. And I especially like the blog’s manifesto (copied below).

Sous Style

I only came across 79 Ideas, a blog written by Radostina, a graphic-designer based in Prague (hello – I love Prague). It’s such a soft blog and so pleasant to read. I enjoyed reading through Radostina’s likes and dislikes, some of which are copied below. Be sure to flip through her e-mag – it is full of the most beautiful photos.

79 Ideas

Sarah’s blog, A Beach Cottage is gorgeous because it includes two of the things that I love: white  and the beach. Really, do you really need more convincing to go read it?

the deck at A Beach Cottage

Tenessee-based Kayce Hughes is a designer, blogger, and mother of seven. I have no idea how she gets everything done. Kudos to her. Her blog is super colourful so if you need a colour fix go have a peek! Of course I’m most attracted to her more monochromatic photos (see DIY below).

Kayce Hughes

Finally, Icy White is a wonderful all-white tumblr (there are a few others out there as well). It is an excellent source of white inspiration (in addition to White Cabana, of course!).

Icy White

What blogs have you discovered lately? Let me know in the comments section! It’s the Canada Day long weekend here so I’ve got some time to catch up on reading (outside, of course)!

Have a wonderful weekend!

The Friday Five: Outdoor Showers

| 1 Commentary

Before we all head off to enjoy the weekend I thought I would end the week with some gorgeous outdoor spaces. They all have one major thing in common – a shower!

Illico Design via Desire to Inspire

Marie Claire Maison via Oceania Island Living

via Remodelista

via Country Home

via House & Home

What do you think? Would you make use of an outdoor shower? Perhaps you already have one at your home or cottage. Do tell!

Have a wonderful weekend!

The Friday Five: London Architecture

| 4 Commentaries

The arrival of the sunny warm weather in the last few weeks has meant that I have been spending a lot more time outside. On my walks around the neighbourhood I have begun to really notice the amazing architectural features of the buildings around me. I have started to bring along my camera and I have been snapping away. With all the traveling I have done these last couple of months, it feels really good to shine the spotlight on some local gems for a change.

architectural details in London, Ontario

Photos by Jordana.

The Friday Five: Knobs

| 5 Commentaries

Okay. Does anyone else go into Anthropologie, browse through all the knobs, fall in love with half of them, want to buy a bunch, then wonder what the heck to use them for, and walk out of the store empty handed? This is what happens to me. Every. Single. Time.

black & white stripe knob, $8

deco block knob, $10

squirrel knob, $10

linen flower knob, $12

molten spectrum knob, $8

The knobs are so pretty but I really have no use for them. Do you?

Images via Anthropologie.

The Friday Five: Play Spaces

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Today is all about play time!

via Varpunen

via Remodelista

DIY play space via Country Living

Celine Dion’s white treehouse

via Dekris Design

While the five play spaces featured here are designed for kids, I do think that it wouldn’t hurt to have a slide or super cool reading nook in an adult space – just for those days when you want to feel like a carefree kid!

Have a wonderful (and playful) weekend!

p.s. Don’t forget to submit your photos of whiteness to me at whitecabana [at] gmail [dot] com for our new series White Out. I’m curious to know what gorgeous whiteness surrounds you!

The Friday Five: Table Settings

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I don’t know about you but I love a beautifully set table. I think my appreciation of table settings may have started when I was a 16 year old exchange student in France. In the family that I lived with it was the responsibility of the youngest son to set the table each evening. I think he was 9 years old at the time and I remember being surprised at how he took such care in setting each place. The cutlery was where it was supposed to be and each family member had a designated cloth napkin which he would arrange thoughtfully at each place. (I’m pretty sure when I was 9, I didn’t care much about how the table was set – even though it was one of my chores too.)

While I can’t say that my own table is perfectly set for each meal, I can say that I love setting a pretty table to welcome guests. The four table settings featured today are beautiful because, while they do differ, they are all inviting, well-presented, and – best of all – they are simple enough to recreate in my own home! The last image of a table setting how-to (for anyone who still can’t figure out the salad fork from the meat fork) completes today’s Friday Five.

via From Me To You

via Black Eiffel

via Pinterest

via Ritzy Bee

via Say Yes to Hoboken

More table setting ideas here, here, and here.

Have a wonderful weekend! I hope you enjoy a delicious meal or two!

The Friday Five: Offices

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I’m curious – is an office an essential element in your home? Almost everyone that I know has some sort of office space in their home even though it is sometimes the case that they don’t work from home. When did the home office become such a necessity?

Fashionology office via Desire to Inspire

via Haute Design blog

via Elements of Style

via irideeen

via Sofia’s Journal

My own office makes me happy because it includes, among other things, a lot of natural light, a vintage desk, bookshelves, and artwork from around the world. And you? What are the absolute must-haves in your home office space?

The Friday Five: Kitchens

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Do you notice any similarities among the following five kitchens?

via House of Bliss

via House of Bliss

via Enchanted Home

source unknown

via The Kitchn

Well, yes, they’re white…of course they’re white! But did you also notice the crystal chandelier in each of the spaces? What do you think about adding a bit of crystal in the kitchen?

The Friday Five: Boston Architecture

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As Johanne pointed out earlier this week, I’ve recently gone on a bit of a tour of cities. My week of travel included a visit to Boston and, as always, I was on the lookout for white. While many of the buildings in this friendly city are constructed of red-brick, I did spot several beautiful white structures as I went about my explorations. Here are five white structures that caught my eye.

building with rounded corner on Huntington Ave.

mostly straight with a bit of curve, The Midtown Hotel on Huntington Ave.

This was the only white building I saw on the Harvard campus. Are there others?

Two Center Plaza – more curves here – on Cambridge St.

pretty doorway on Park St.

As you can see, Boston did not let me down. And red as an accent colour – I can probably approve that!

Photos by Jordana.

The Friday Five: Katie Ermilio

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Strong silhouettes, beautiful fabrics, a bit of menswear inspiration, and a lot of femininity make for a gorgeous collection from young fashion designer Katie Ermilio. While I like many of her colourful pieces (seen here), it’s the all-white pieces that I think are really quite striking. In no particular order, here are my top five:

Photos by Jamie Beck. Visit Katie Ermilio.

The Friday Five: St. Patrick's Day

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In case you haven’t heard, St. Patrick’s day is just around the corner – as in tomorrow – and while many people may opt for green beer this weekend, I’m more of a fan of the longer-lasting items below. A diamond ring – yes please! A cool clover chair – I see you! And a couple sweet clover-y tables – what an easy way to bring some good luck into your home.

Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra Ring

Comme des Garcons clover wallet, 145 euros

Ron Arad Clover Armchair

Ethan Allen clover table, $259

mirrored tray table, $480

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

The Friday Five: Fashion

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As you may or may not already know, I write about fashion on Mondays over at Johanne’s blog, Fashion in Motion. But every once in a while I love to bring some fashion elements over to White Cabana – in white of course. Here are some looks that are currently inspiring me.

1. I love this delicate necklace by DIYer and blogger extraordinaire, Geneva (of a pair and a spare). I think the white background is perfect for it.

DIY necklace, a pair and a spare

2. This looks like a really warm sweater. I can just imagine how soft it is.

Burberry sweater, via Pinterest

3. It’s still winter. This calls for some more winter white.

Brooklyn Blonde

4. Gwyneth Paltrow. In my opinion she always looks good but she looked especially gorgeous dressed in white at the Oscars.

Gwyneth Paltrow

5. I’m already looking forward to summer…and I’m definitely going to be wearing an outfit like Hanneli‘s. My Cole Haan is just waiting to be paired with summer whites.

Hanneli Mustaparta

Happy Friday everyone! I wish you all a fabulous (and fashionable) weekend!

The Friday Five: White Containers

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My collection of gorgeous white vessels has grown in the last couple of months thanks to the generosity of some of my dear friends.

fruit basket, Anthropologie (Thanks Johanne!)

Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal dish (Thanks Troy!)

C. Wonder ring bowl (gift to myself)

sugar canister (Thanks Indigo & Canadian Design Blogger Meetup!)

Sophie Conran large mixing bowl (Thanks Mom & Dad!)

Photos by Jordana.

The Friday Five: Music

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Three months ago, my family and I lost someone very dear to us. My Zia Rose passed away after a 3 year fight with breast cancer and our worlds have forever been changed. While each of us celebrates her life each day, it is still very hard to come to terms with her death. Personally, I love looking at pictures and videos of her. Being with my uncle and cousins also makes me feel happy because I know she would want us to continue to laugh, sing, and gossip with one another as often as possible.

It must have been almost a year ago when I sat in my aunt and uncle’s kitchen and we talked about White Cabana. While Zia Rose cheered my efforts she also wondered why I hadn’t posted anything music related. Come on Jo, she said. I tried to tell her that, although I like listening to music, remembering song titles and lyrics and compiling play lists is not my forte. Before I could get another word in, she was spouting off a list of song titles with the word white in them. She was so excited and gave herself a pat on the back for coming up with such a genius post idea. She made us all laugh.

I meant to write this post soon after that visit but I never did. Today’s the day for music.

White Wedding – Billy Idol

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgFh4RHgn0A&w=480&h=360]

White Room – Cream

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGZeqwdWoeo&w=480&h=360]

A White Sportcoat – Marty Robbins

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nFNnTA48K0&w=480&h=360]

White Rabbit – Jefferson Airplane

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgth6ZM0GxE&w=480&h=360]

Nights in White Satin – Moody Blues

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qkw9zoIFPHw&w=480&h=360]

This post is dedicated to Zia Rose and Zio Nick.

Many thanks to my friend Joel who helped me compile this list of songs. I hope Zia Rose would approve. I know she would sing!

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