Thursday, September 2, 2010

Apartment 915 - Inspiration


West Elm Window Day Bed


Modern Chic Home


I have been trying to find a couch, no larger than 7 feet wide, although I have the space to one that is a little bit deeper. I have had trouble finding one that is everything I am looking for - cheap, comfortable, pretty, well made, original...go figure, right? I have also had my heart set on white, especially in case i decide to change my colour scheme in the future. I figured white was easiest for me. Until I remembered the beer drinking, potato chip crunching, and sloppy eating boys with dirty feet and a habit for spilling, who tend to inhabit my couch for hours on end watching movies and playing video games. On occasion - I also call them my best friends! [it's a bit of a contradiction to be one of the boys when you have such a feminine style I guess, haha]
So I quickly realized white just wasn't practical for me when it comes to a piece so often used. Then I found this little beauty at WEST ELM! Its a daybed, which will make it great for overnight guests. I am thinking I can buy it in white, and then the mattress cover can always be removed and washed easily. I can even buy covers in a few colours! Then jazz it up with some pretty pillows. Perfect. 
Modern Chic Home



Rai xo. 

Homemade Soups

Broccoli
Cauliflower 



Mushroom


Butternut Squash - my FAVOURITE.


Once or twice a year I spend a day making about 5 or 6 large batches of homemade soups. Its something I do with my mom! When finished I pour single servings of soup into ziploc bags, and then freeze them lying down(so they freeze flat, to save space). Its a great way to always have soups on hand which are delicious AND quick. 

Rai xo. 



Feathered Light Fixtures

Osterich feather chandelier, so decadent. 

                            



                            

I am thinking something like this would be great for my living room! There is a store on Queen West that has something similar in their window display. This seems like something I would be able to re-create myself, and I am trying to more diy projects. Its something I keep telling myself I am going to do, so its time to actually do it. I feel like making some things myself, or at least adding some personal touches, will also make the pieces in my home mean a little bit more and have more value to me, and thats important! 
I will keep you updated on my new diy project. Im excited to get started on it! 

Rai xo. 

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Beautiful Words


Rai xo. 

Toronto Decor

Just wanted to spotlight a Toronto spot that I love! 

Would adore having one of those prints on my walls. The piece to the left that you can't see is the same print done in pinks.
Rai xo. 

Apartment 915 - Inspiration




I am LOVING this beautiful wallpaper.


I had originally planned to not be using wallpaper. To be honest, I am a HUGE fan of white wash. When I envision my space, I see white walls, and all white pieces, accented with bright pops of colour through accessories and artwork. 
However the more I come across statement walls covered in beautiful patterns, the harder a time I am having making any decisions. 
I am having a hard time making decisions in general. On style, colour scheme, furniture pieces...EVERYTHING. I have heard it said before that a designer can often create beautiful spaces for others, but has a hard time creating their personal space. I am definitely having this issue, BIG TIME. I am finding it impossible to do for myself as I just cant seem to make a decisions. 
So, in the mean time I will continue to post spaces that I love and inspire me, and that I can picture my home emulating, and hope from that I will be able to draw that inspiration into my own life and create a space for myself that I have always dreamed of - and be content with my creation. Note: I am never content...its a terrible disease. I am working on it. 

                              
Where oh where can I find this couch reasonably priced, sigh.





I am sure you are beginning to see a pattern. Like I had mentioned before, this is my time to have a girly apartment. I want to take advantage of it! Lots of pink, some other bright pops of colour, a bit of glamour, something animal print, a lucite coffee table perhaps...oh the possibilities. I am sure you can understand why I cant seem to commit to a piece of furniture. I just want it to be perfect. I guess I need to remind myself that the grass isn't always greener. 
Has anyone else had such a hard time making decisions when it comes to their own homes?

Rai xo. 





Monday, August 30, 2010

Beautiful Words


Rai xo. 

Chloe comme Parris

Front row at their Fall 2009 Fashion Show.

Parris' feather earrings. Be sure to take a look at her jewellery!

The beautiful sisters 

I have the privilege of having some incredibly talented friends. My close friend Parris, and her sister Chloe have done it again with their Fall 2010 line. You know that friend who can slip into wrinkled trousers, awkward boots, a worn-in tee, and -why not- a droopy vest, an easy blazer, some random necklace and a few rings, then run a hand through her bed-head and wipe the mascara from her eyes and look absolutely, nearly painfully stunning? Welcome to the Chloe comme Parris Fall 2010 Collection. Take a look!
Rai xo. 


YUM


I am a huge sandwich lover! 
Today I made a gourmet grilled cheese.  Brie, pear, arugula, and walnuts! Amazing! I also used spicy dijon as opposed to butter to brown the outside of the bread and to keep it from sticking to the pan.
Or, you can make an Arugula Pesto Mayo!
Just combine some arugula, toasted pine nuts, freshly grated parmesan, olive oil, and mayo into a food processor and season it with some salt and black pepper!
 Delicious. 







Rai xo.


Sunday, August 29, 2010

My Apartment

*Note: None of the furniture in these photo's remains in the apartment.





Welcome to my new apartment! It is a 950 square foot, two story loft located in downtown Toronto. 
Keep in mind none of the furniture or artwork in these photo's is mine. I am starting almost completely from scratch. This is both daunting and exciting. 
I have some ideas in mind, and will share with you my thoughts and inspirations on how I will fill the space. My style can be described as modern vintage, or as I like to call it, Modage
I am young single girl, this is my time to have a chic girly apartment, I am taking advantage of it! 
My budget is relatively low. I have a few pieces I am prepared to splurge on. I also intend to get creative, and see what I can find and transform.
Thoughts, ideas, advice, opinions, and helpful websites or contacts are always ALWAYS appreciated. 

Rai xo. 

Just The Beginning


Hello! 
Starting a blog has been something long overdue on my never ending list of things that I want to achieve. Finally, I have taken the leap into this new and exciting world. I can't wait to start the journey and learn the in and outs of it all! 
I am a young woman, and aspiring Interior Designer, just dipping her foot into the sea of possibilities, in Design and in Life. I live in the downtown core of Toronto. I moved here about a year ago from a smaller city about an hour away, which has been an exciting experience and adventure. I moved to escape home, but ended up finding it. Or at least, home for now<3.  
I have just purchased my first apartment! A cozy 950 square foot, two bedroom, two bathroom, two story unit situated in a boutique loft building in the St. Lawrence Market district. An abundance of excitement fills me as I embark on the next chapter of my life. More importantly, excitement fills me as I envision my new apartment decorated to truly reflect my vision and personal design style
This blog will begin as the steps I take in decorating my new house to make it my stylish home.  With Interiors, my own and others, being my primary focus, I also write about .life.love.health.fashion. and all things I find beautiful and inspiriting
These are my ambitions. My thoughts on striving for a beautiful life. A life with intention and meaning, love and success
A Beautiful Ambition.

Rai xo.