Progress with a bedroom

Like my mosaics, this bedroom is (slowly) getting finished - little bits at a time.
Before                                                                      After

Closets finished √
Room painted white √
Mirror changed up√
Next project - hardwood through out.

October!

The Big Closet Makeover

I've been wanting to tackle 'my closet project' for a while now but kept putting it off. It seemed like such an overwhelmingly big, scary job! Three weeks ago, for some reason(?), I decided to take it on. After tearing up the carpet and removing the trim there was no turning back.
"I can do this" was my mantra.

BEFORE

Putting down the hardware (my first time) was the most intimating part of the project.

I used a mitre saw (which I had) to cut the hardwood and took my time - measuring 4 times! and cutting once:). The last couple of pieces needed to be ripped with a table saw (which I didn't have). The borrowed table saw that I used did the trick and it came with a bonus perk - I discovered that with a mitre saw + a table saw the 'building stuff' possibilities were endless. It was a game changer!

"I can really do this"... 

I put up a mirror that was removed from a bathroom years ago and trimmed it up, built two built-ins and trimmed them up, took the old trim and glued them to mdf boards (1x5x8) making for much nicer (bulkier) trim. It was all about the trim.

START                                                                                 FINISH

I learned a lot but also realized that I have a lot to learn. "I did this"... 

NEXT

There are two closets in this bedroom so I'm now on to the next one which will mirror this one.

AND AFTER THAT... 

The Blue Bedroom (yikes!) will need to be brought up to speed with it's white, trimmed up, hardwood floor clad closets. 

The good news is that it doesn't seem like such an overwhelmingly big, scary job anymore:)

My new mantra (which I use when mosaicking) - "It will get finished - one piece at a time"...

My next Mosaic Workshop - Sunday, Oct.19/14

You can sign up for my next workshop here.

Where is it: Artscape Youngplace (180 Shaw Street, Queen West. Rm 109)

When is it: Sunday, October 19th, 10:00am-5:00pm.

You'll learn a little about the history of mosaics, the techniques used and create your own pique assiette mosaic mirror. Note: All of the necessary tools and materials will be supplied.

It's all about being inspired and getting creative.

Before and After Bathroom Alcove

For the last couple of days I've been working on a small makeover in our 'master' bathroom. This alcove was made a little more useful and a lot more exciting by adding an easy to make built in shelf + some white paint (Benjamin Moore's 'Cloud White'). White♥

After the before and after is finished there is always styling to be done. Styling, I love doing it but it's racked with decision making:) Which one works for you?

Welcome.

Makes me smile.

Summer in a Vase

It really feels like summer when there is a vase full of Hydrangeas, from the garden, in our front hall:)

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July to our American friends.
This is my Stars and Stripes Mirror. I made it a couple of years ago. 'Assembled in Canada' - a good thing.
Nothing more to say:)

Paying the passion forward...

Photo: Mosaic in progress by Janine




My one day mosaic workshop, last Saturday, at Artscape Youngplace went really well. It was a fun day (10:00am-5:00pm) thanks to the three attendees. Seven hours wasn't enough time to complete the project that I'd prepared but that's not what it was all about. Hopefully everyone went away with a new found passion for mosaicing. I like to think that I paid my passion for mosaics forward:)
Thanks again Jean, Janine and Cesar for spending the day mosaicing with me.
Dates and times for my next workshop coming soon.

Want to learn how to Mosaic?

Sign up for my next workshop here

It's all about being inspired and getting creative.

Where: Artscape Youngplace (180 Shaw Street, Queen West)
When: Saturday, June 14th, 10:00am-5:00pm.

You'll learn a little about the history of mosaics, the techniques used and create your own pique assiette mosaic mirror. Note: All of the necessary tools and materials will be supplied. 

My New Studio/Guest Room

All the moving around, switching up and painting that we've been doing lately started with me wanting to move my studio space from our dark, unfinished basement to our bright, spacious guest room. Beds were switched, shelves were made and lots of painting was done.
I'm happy to say that I'm no longer working in 'the hole' as Marathon Man often called it. Our guest room is now my new studio/guest room. I'm loving all the light, the dogs are loving the day bed and how could our next company not love waking up to a room full of mosaics?!
From dark Basement...

To full of light Studio/Guest Room

I made 4 shelves that are all 8ft long. They were easy to make and are perfect for displaying my many sample boards.

Now it's time to get back to making mosaics and for William to take a nap:)

A Travelling Workshop

This was my workshop materials neatly packed into my car. And this was my workshop materials nicely unpacked at Artscape Youngplace. My first workshop at Artscape went well. I spent the weekend sharing what I love with a group of wonderful people.
Thanks again for coming out Shelley, Peter, Mary, Marg, Gilda, Kelly, Landon and Karen!

P.S. I took photos of their masterpieces but half of them were out of focus >:(
Note to self: always take 3 shots (a better chance that at least one of them will be sharp!)

Booth set up for IDS14

Today was set up day for The Interior Design Show. It went very well. We were in and out of The Toronto Convention Centre in a couple of hours! It was all done in 3 easy steps;) Load car with booth stuff. Unload booth stuff at convention centre. Load 5'x10' space with booth stuff. And now we're good to go with IDS14.
A Big thanks to John and Kevin Wiggers, Handy Man Dad, Marathon Man and Sue for helping make this set up go so well.

With my booth (#SN16) all set up I can now relax and enjoy the next 4 days. Hope to see you there.

Artscape Youngplace + Mosaicworks = Mosaic Workshop

EXCITING NEWS!
I am offering a Mosaic weekend workshop for beginners and novices. It's all about being inspired and getting creative.
Where: 180 Shaw Street, Artscape Youngplace (Queen West), Room 107.
When: Saturday, February 22, 10:00am-3:30pm to Sunday, February 23, 10:00am- 12:00pm
Cost: $130 (includes supplies, use of tools, base board for project).
Note: Lunch is not included. You can brown bag it or take advantage of The Youngplace Coffee Pub (open every day from 8:00am-5:00pm, located on the mezzanine level). They offer locally- roasted coffee, artisanal soups, salads, sandwiches and baked goods.
To book your spot go here

PLUS

 = Weekend Mosaic Workshop

Here's a little background on how this came about...
While surfing the internet one day I discovered that Artscapse Youngplace offered artists pay-as-you-go access to creative workspaces. The perfect location for a workshop (thought I).
Artscape is a not-for-profit urban development organization that makes space for creativity and transforms communities. Founded in 1986, Artscape develops and manages a portfolio of dynamic community assets in Toronto and in the process has helped create some of the city’s most creative and vibrant neighbourhoods.
Artscape Youngplace is located at 180 Shaw Street. It is Queen West’s newest community cultural hub, and at 75,000 square feet the largest building in the Artscape portfolio. After sitting vacant for more than a decade, the century-old former school underwent a $17 million transformation to become the largest cultural institution on Queen Street West (west of Spadina Ave.). Today, it is home to production, rehearsal, exhibition and administrative space for more than 30 artists and organizations, a shared studio program, public gallery space and a café lounge.
Artscape Youngplace + Mosaicworks = Mosaic Workshop!

Getting ready for IDS14

I've been busy getting ready for The Interior Design Show 2014.

Hopefully you'll come and see us. When I say 'us' I mean Me and The Queen of Hearts with The Mona Lisa Smile. She is my big feature this year. Our booth, SN16, is in Studio North.

IDS14 will mark the 12th anniversary of Studio North. Exclusive to IDS, this show-within-a-show was originally introduced to support Canada’s vibrant and independent design scene, featuring ateliers and design-makers from coast to coast. The showcase features 60 Canadian and international designers exhibiting one-off and custom collections of furniture, lighting, glass, ceramics, textiles and surface design in a gallery-like installation. Studio North has evolved into one of the most anticipated annual exhibits of CanCon design for design industry, media and a discerning design audience.

Below; my booth from IDS10 (the last time I participated in The IDS)

Anatomy of a Front Hall

Our Front Hall; before and after...and after...and after...I'm loving number 15. Which one would you like to come home to?

Black Doors + Black Trim

Our Front Hall has another new look:) Another small change with a big impact - black doors + black trim with grey walls (Benjamin Moore's Escarpment).

Small change, big impact

A couple of weeks ago I painted part of our upstairs hall. I decided to paint the trim the same black that I'd painted the doors then chose a charcoal grey (Benjamin Moore, 2121-10 Grey) for the wall. It's a very dramatic transformation. The question is do I like it enough to carry it through the rest of the hall?

P.S. I'm making my next move cautiously - as you can see, I'm being watched...

The Red Saree Mirror

 

I liked The Blue Saree Mirror so much that I decided to make a red version of it. The Red Saree Mirror is 40.25" in diameter and weighs 25lbs. It's made with hand cut red vitreous glass tiles, red and crystal glass seed beads, red and crystal acrylic beads, red decorative trim and red and crystal chained crystal rhinestone.
Inspired by stunning red bridal sarees.

Inspired by Red Sarees

For the last couple of weeks I've been working on a red version of The Blue Saree Mirror. This is it's sample board. I'm almost done. Just need to cut a few more tiles and order the mirror. When I get this close to finishing any project my mind is already onto the next one...I have some orange trim, in my studio, calling out to me:)

Inspiration; radiant red bridal sarees

Stayed tuned for photos of The Red Saree Mirror.