Uptown: Working with Pink in my Basement

I didn’t intend to inject my basement with shades of pink, but some things were just meant to be. I couldn’t fight it. I didn’t want to fight it.

After I wrote about Minted’s collection of large-scale art, I was just about certain I was going to get a black and white piece for over my day bed. Instead, I was mesmerized by this piece, and I couldn’t say no. Minted generously sent over the gorgeous abstract art, and it hung vertically above my day bed for many months as I made progress on my fireplace redo.

*** Warning: Pink is about to make a brief appearance on White Cabana. ***

Holly-Katie-Craig-MintedHolly by Katie Craig

Once my fireplace makeover was complete, I turned my attention back to the daybed area of my space. I opted to rehang Katie Craig’s print horizontally, and I think it works much better in my space.

White-Cabana-Katie-Craig-Minted-artI adore the large-scale version of Katie Craig’s print. It’s bright and dramatic and bring a whole lot of interest to my space. As you can see, the room is still very much dominated by black and white even though there’s colourful art on the main wall. The addition of  fuchsia brings me joy, so I think I’ll keep it.

Here’s what (most) of the room looks like now:

White-Cabana-home-7 White-Cabana-home-3

I painted the Fjellse bed frame (made from two twins that came with my house) high gloss blackWhite-Cabana-home-1

(I’m still on the lookout for two side tables of the same height)

White-Cabana-home-4

(featuring my most recent Alessi addition – Karim Rashid’s Hellraiser tray for Alessi)

White-Cabana-home-5 White-Cabana-home-6

see how I transformed my old 80s fireplace into this beauty

I have recently published this makeover on Domino. If you click here, you’ll see a couple of before photos.

Many thanks to Minted for sponsoring this post.

Sources: art – c/o Minted; day bed (two Fjellse singles joined and painted high gloss black) – Ikea; wall paint – c/o CIL; white tray – Style at Home; black side cart – Market Road Antiques in St. Jacobs; chevron pillow cases – Target; bicycle pillow case – Urban Barn; coffee and side tables – Kijiji; shag rug, lamps – vintage; silver tray – Alessi; fireplace mantle – vintage; bamboo ladder painted high gloss black – garage sale; ceiling light – Ikea; art on fireplace – Janet Hill Studio, Chapters Indigo (tea towel); hex fireplace tiles – Twin City Tile

Marketplace: Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

This Valentine’s Day, I’m thinking hearts, hearts, and more hearts are the way to go. I’ve never been a major Valentine’s Day fan as I think love – and hearts – should be spread around generously throughout the year, so considering this, I think it’s as good a time as any to share some lovely items here (yes, even though we haven’t even yet entered February).

tictactoe_bw_imgJonathan Adler tic tac toe set, $98

modern-neon-letter-heart-a-jonathan-adlerJonathan Adler neon heart lamp, $95

vase-golden-heart-pep-reverterSister Clara vase special edition golden heart, designed by Pepa Reverter, $410, 1st Dibs

heart-slippers-Chapters-Indigofaux suede slippers, $40

cucinapro-heart-shaped-waffle-makerCucinaPro heart waffle maker, $58

bkr-heart-water-bottlebkr water bottle, $49.95

heart-coffee-tableheart coffee table, $2300, 1st Dibs

family-timeline-heart-Mintedfamily time line by Aubrey Bonneau, from $24, Minted

il_570xN.737812475_kldmheart pillow cover, $43, Etsy

Charmajesty-pj-setpjs, $185, Charmajesty (oh, how I love this set!)

hdc0080_color.whtcl_view.1fractured heart marble, $795, Kelly Wearstler

Okay, okay, for all you diamond lovers out there, here’s one exceptional piece to end this post:

diamond-heart-necklace-10-carat10.14 carat heart shaped diamond pendant, $785,000, 1st Dibs

Marketplace: I’m Curious about S’well Water Bottles

So…can anyone tell me why a S’well water bottle costs nearly $50?

Swell Water Bottles-whiteimages via S’well and Chapters Indigo

So many of the university students I see every day are toting one of these bottles. I don’t get it. The website claims that the bottle keeps drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12 hours. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never needed to keep my water cold for 24 hours…I usually need to refill my water after an hour or two. And hot? I’m not really a fan of 12-hour old coffee.

Maybe I just don’t have the need for a high-end water bottle because I was never a plastic-bottle water drinker, and there are perfectly good drinking fountains at work where I can fill up my glass.

What do you think? Do you own one? What do you think of it? Do tell!

Marketplace: Getting Organized

I have two MBA exams this week, so in light of this fact, I thought I would shine the spotlight on some cool office and organizational items. Yes? Yes!

chic-white-and-gold-office-e1425573328592-1via Best Friends for Frosting

news_0332016 agenda, Julie Joliat

Notizkalender_grau_1x1_webmemo wall calendar, $30

geQg75p6FXRMsvPet3bLFaKsD0DGg9Jtw8Y3CUGkHCgwhite toy blocks calendar, $40

IMG_3672yay tray, $20

Work+Hard,+Play+Hard+Mug+on+DLK-1work hard, play hard mug, $18

810988010102_hi7 year pen, $9.95 (I have this, I think I’m on to year 4)

45555_A2_Small_Steel_Swiss_Railway_Clocksmall Swiss railway clock, $215

821276806475_hipencil holder, $38

acrylic book endacrylic collator and book end, $24