Living Inside the Box...

I would never consider myself to be the type that could easily live in a simple 4 wall box. That is until a few years ago when I discovered the amazing world of sea containers! Now most of you will think of the ugly tin boxes stacked high in local shipping yards... that exactly right! These tin boxes are popping up around the world making a statement like no other!

Sea containers litter shipping yards around the world. They certainly don't look like much more that a tin box in their intended form but wait until you see what architects and home owners have been up to! I think it is truly amazing!!

How about a home in New Zeland?? Check more out here.

A Travelodge being built in England one container at a time...

The completed Structure! Read the full story by Inhabitat.

Affordable student housing is popping up everywhere! See more here.

Not convinced a sea container home is for you? How about a retreat?

Very simple, functional and easy to move! See more here.

This is the beginning stage of a gorgeous home! Ugly now but...

Absolutely stunning when complete!! Check out more photos at Inhabitat.

This AMAZING home was featured inside & out by G Living - worth a look!

SG Blocks is leading the way with Sea Container structures!

Ahhh.... a glass house with rustic garden. A beautiful sight!

Here is Vancouver there are sea containers advertised for sale everywhere! The dimensions are about 9 feet wide by 10, 20 or 40 foot lengths. Costs range between $2000 and $4000 depending on size and to have one moved to your location can be as little as a couple hundred dollars! That's affordable living!!

Building a structure with the sea containers is like playing with Lego's! Stack them, stagger them or place them side by side. Create small intimate rooms or wide open spaces by removing the walls, doors and roof. The strong steel frame is what makes them amazingly strong - if they can make it back and forth across the wide open seas several times in their lives they can withstand just about anything we throw at them! Finishing of the interior is similar to a traditional build, drywall, insulation etc. Exteriors can be covered with siding or left natural for the industrial look.

Europe is leading the way in the sea container revolution by building office towers, student housing, low income housing, recreation facilities, homes, elementary schools, libraries and more.

I can't wait to one day build my sea container home high atop a cliff side by the sea! Every time I see them in the shipping yards I can't help but imagine the small city they could create. The fate of those ugly tin boxes... simply beautiful!!

Shabby What?

I had a fantastic day shopping with my dear friend Xavier yesterday! She is having her first baby and is in the midst of decorating the nursery. With her inspiration photos in hand, off we went to the local antique stores along the historic waterfront of New Westminster known as Antique Alley.

I can imagine the smell of home made bread being cut on this table!!

Xav found some beautiful pieces in my favorite shop Urban Treasure owned by my pal Rick. Not only is his store jammed packed with antiques and vintage pieces, he also uses old building materials like doors, windows, mouldings etc. to create one of a kind furniture such as the cabinet and shelf Xav bought. When we were at the till, Rick made a comment about the two pieces being Shabby Chic. Xav had no idea what that was so I've decided to dedicate today's entry to my dear friend and her new found love of Shabby Chic!

I love the wrinkles and over sized bed skirt! Courtesy of Cottage Chic Store.

What an amazing Armoire filled with vintage glass wear!!

It's all about casual comfort!

According to Wikipedia, Shabby Chic is:

Shabby chic items are often heavily painted with many layers showing through obviously worn areas. The style is imitated in faux painting using glaze or by painting then rubbing and sanding away the top coat to show the wood or base coats. Fabrics tend to be cottons and linens, with linen being particularly popular, inspired by old French linens. Whites and worn or bleached out pastels are favorite colours. Fabric is often stained with tea to give it the look of old fabric. Bleached and faded are terms often applied to the style. The essence of shabby chic style is vintage and antique furniture painted white (or another soft pastel color) and distressed at the corners by sanding. Popular decor items are pillows made of vintage barkcloth fabric, vintage linens, chenille bedspreads, vintage chandeliers, and anything with roses on it. It is a soft, relaxed feminine romantic way of decorating that looks comfortable and inviting. Also called cottage style.

Another beautiful bed available at Cottage Chic Store.

Worn, chipped paint is the name of the game!

An amazing example of true Shabby Chic decor! What a Mish Mash!!

Photo Courtesy of Rachel Ashwell's book Shabby Chic Interiors

Rachel Ashwell is our modern day guru of Shabby Chic! The words 'Shabby Chic' are registered trademark of hers!! She has amazing stores located in Los Angeles, New York and London filled with furniture, bedding, linens and other fabulous finds. You can follow her amazing stories about Shabby Chic on her blog here.

Love you Xav!!

Obsession of the Colour Kind

I have an obsession with TURQUOISE! I know it's this year's hottest colour trend but my LOVE of the colour goes back... way back! The first recorded expression was in 1993 when I decided this prom dress and matching accessories was a good idea...

Yes giggle if you wish but at least I've matured to know it isn't appropriate to wear a hat like that unless I'm going to the Kentucky Derby! Now that I am older and wiser I stick with what I know best - decor. Again my obsession of Turquoise has taken hold and our home is a reflection of my love for the colour. I gravitate to it! It has a diverse colour range, multiple shades, is calming yet energizing and always makes me feel happy! I have experimented with many colours in the days of decorating and am proud to say that I now class it as a neutral. There isn't a colour out there that doesn't look good with it! Don't believe me? Just check out all Erin's examples at House of Turquoise.

We have numerous shades of Turquoise paint throughout the house but today it's all about some of the accessories, collections and other bits and pieces...

Vintage kitchen tools... a growing collection

I LOVE my 50's lemon Juicer! It gets lots of use in the summer!

Yes I even have a Turquoise cutting board!

A few hand blown glasses and bowels.

Fruit just wouldn't look as vibrant without a Turquoise bowl!

When it came time to get a fish... it had to be Turquoise!!

Our vintage kitchen chair. My favorite piece yet!!

Penny round glass tiles in the laundry room.

The antique oil painting I gave to my sailor boy for Christmas.

Just one of many Turquoise pillows throughout the house.

Today's thread on my sewing machine which of course sits on a turquoise table.

I am always adding to the collection and find Craigslist a fantastic place to get a great bargain, vintage piece and inspiration. I also scour the local antique stores and flea markets waiting for my colour to catch my eye! A few things I may like to add to the collection...

A Turquoise Bike! I found this one on Vancouver Craigslist.

If I had to wear contacts... I'd wear these ones of course!

I'd love a vintage office chair! This one is fantastic!

I chose white for the laundry reno but was so tempted by this Electrolux pair!

I had courage for the hat but not the hair!

This vintage sofa from Couch in Great Britain! A work of art!

And maybe one day I'll even have a Turquoise Car!

Colour is personal. It is a true reflection of who you are. I think growing up on the West Coast and being surrounded by water has had a direct influence on me but more importantly its how the colour Turquoise makes me feel... INSPIRED... a great reason to stay obsessed!

Close to My Heart

I ended my Interior Decorating career last year with one last project for a very special place in Edmonton. The Zebra Child Protection Centre is one of a kind in Canada, a child friendly facility focused on children of abuse. What makes this centre so special is that it is designed around making these children feel comfortable and safe rather than intimidated as most law enforcement, court, and clinical facilities do.

One of the rooms I was asked to recreate was the parent interview room. It had a very clinical feel and my focus became to create a casual, comfortable conversation area. The discussions that take place in this space are very difficult for parents so I wanted them to feel as though they were at home, having a coffee with a friend. The information brochures etc. had to stay so I came up with a better way to display them...

Parent interview room before.

After... a comfortable conversational area.

The second space was the kids play area. The problem with the space was that very often parents and professionals used it as a waiting room. I was asked to create a space that was friendly for all ages with the main focus still on the little ones. The biggest challenge for me was the fact that I was not allowed to purge any toys! I had to make sure every single toy, book, game and critter would find a new home within the space...

The space was fun for the little ones but not adults.

Much more inviting with loads of storage space!

The kids table was a must have...

An Ikea coffee table paired with little chairs now serves a dual purpose.

This area was a high traffic zone, somewhat wasted space.

Now it houses books, magazines, games and the media centre.

I spent alot of time decorating at the centre and often saw children arrive, so many of them with their heads down and a sadness surrounding them. The exceptional, caring staff and volunteers made such a difference in just one day that when many of the children left there was courage and hope surrounding them, sometimes even smiles!

Although I now live in Vancouver and no longer decorate, I couldn't resist the offer to come back to decorate once the new facility is built. I wouldn't miss the chance to touch more children's lives, creating spaces that make them feel safe, have courage and smile.

Nooky Nooky

I have been gathering inspirational photos for so long that I can't remember where I found them! Part of the reason to create this Blog was to start to share them with all of you and to give credit where credit is due. Our breakfast nook has been a major dilemma spot in the house, the space I spend the most time trying to figure out. We have a large window on one wall, an arched entrance to the kitchen on another and a set of french doors to the den on the third. My only option is to create a cozy nook in the hopes of seating 8 at the table.

Last month I purchased 2 antique cast iron table bases from an old hotel in Downtown Vancouver that I will eventually have marble tops put on. The bench seat itself... that's still up for discussion!

What a cheery little spot courtesy of Southern Living

My table bases are similar. This has a great cafe feel to it.

Simple and cozy courtesy of Country Living

One of my favorites!

An exceptional use of space considering how small it is!

A sunny corner with fab lighting courtesy of Katja Rimmi Interiors

Here is one I can totally relate too! Love the picture rail detail!

Super sunny & bright, cozy yet spacious... a real inspiration !


Do you have a Nook? Feel free to share the challenges you faced with your space as well as feedback now that you're living nooky nooky style!