Class #5

It's hard to believe that I am already starting my fifth class towards earning my certificate in interior decorating. I only started the program in April of 2010, and I'm moving full steam ahead with only three classes left to complete (including the one I am currently enrolled in). 


Last night was my first night of my business practices class, and I am so looking forward to it. Through the course we will work on putting together our own business, as well as coming to better understand basic business practices as a decorator, including a lot of the legal know-how. 


Our very first assignment is to put together a mission and vision statement for our business. I've started myself to brainstorm what I'd like my business to be about, my focus, what I'd like my focus to be and what I want to be about. But, I also need your help my dear readers and friends!


I need to know what you think about me! What image have I conveyed of myself, even just through this little ol' blog? If you've met me - even better! This could be a dangerous thing for me to throw out there, but I'd love your input, and I'm sure it will be interesting to hear the different ways you've come to view me through my blogging and possibly our personal interactions!


I can't wait to share the process of me putting together a business with you! Should be an interesting journey! 

Student Style and Function

Happy Monday friends! I hope you all enjoyed the weekend and that all of my readers who were affected by Irene are safe and sound. 


As I promised, I have a new project to share with you this morning. The other week I got an email from the Home Depot Team, asking if I would be interested in working on a creative project with them. Of course I would! What was even better was they were looking for me to work on a project that would add style and function to a student's space. Perfect, since I'll be back at my night classes on September 14th and we've been working on sprucing up my laundry room / office space in the basement recently.


I immediately started to brainstorm some ideas and thought that a chalkboard calendar over my desk would be a great way to keep track of my assignments and projects and manage my time better. After measuring the wall over my desk and determining that a 2' x 3' calendar would be the right size, I headed to Home Depot with my $50 gift card to buy the supplies - here's the breakdown...


Chalkboard Paint - $21.49 + tax
Frog Tape - $7.99 + tax
1/4" Underlayment - $9.99 + tax


For a total of $44 (and change... our receipt went for a walk) - under budget!

Once home, it was time to decide how to handle taping off my calendar. I'd go into all of the math, but I don't really know how I could share my measurements without it sounding confusing. But, the basic idea was that I allowed for space to write the days of the week, have five rows of seven days and then a space for the month and a space for notes. Since the tape was an inch wide, I needed to lay it out on my cutting mat and use a straight edge ruler and my xacto knife to cut it down into more narrow strips that would work with all of my math...

Rather than going the traditional route with the Month at the top, I ran the month along one side of the calendar, while leaving the opposite side open for writing important notes and reminders for myself. My final taped off board looked like this...

The next step, was to prime everything. So, out came the basic latex primer and on it went using a mini foam roller that we already had at home...

It sat like this in our kitchen for two days (some things came up around here) and on Sunday morning B was kind of enough to get the first coat of paint on with a brush.

We then had to wait the recommended 4 hours to get the second coat on the board. At the time I had some girlfriends over visiting with me and Halle, so B was kind enough to finish paining it for me... and peeling the tape off once it was all dry. I was thrilled to later see the finished project...

I know... it's not in my office and there is nothing written on it yet. The next step is to let the chalkboard paint cure for 3 days before we can write on it. That actually works quite well as it means I'll be able to start using it for the beginning of September!

I'm so happy with this project and the materials were definitely within a student's budget! Even if you didn't have $44 to spend on it, it would be easy to buy regular painter's tape for less (I decided to use Frog Tape in order to get cleaner lines). I'll be back on Thursday with the final board in my office all filled out and ready to run! 

Thanks again to the Home Depot for asking me to work with them - I had a lot of fun working on this project and I know it will be extremely useful to me when I'm back in my classes! 

Have you completed any back to school projects, or do you have any that you're finishing up now - either for you or your little one's? I'd love to hear how you stay organized when back to school season hits!

The Final Product

As I have mentioned more times than I am sure any of you cared to read about, I've spent the majority of my time over the last couple of weeks finishing up my final project. Monday night I headed to class with my two giant boards in hand, and a binder full of client questionnaires, a design concept statement, finishes and furniture schedules and all kinds of other fun stuff, and presented my final concept and space plan.

Since I already shared some of my inspiration photos with you the other week, I thought it would only be appropriate for me to share with you my final work.

Everyone in the class was given the same floor plan and we were given permission to remove and change interior walls as needed. Exterior walls were not to be changed. Here's what I came up with...

Please be kind... with the exception of the walls, I was drawing everything by hand. No fancy computer programs for me.

So what you're seeing is what B's dream home would look like if he were a bachelor. The double doors in the centre of the plan are the entrance. Everything to the right are the social spaces in the home, while the left portion of the home contains the private spaces. Let's start with the social spaces, shall we?

B wanted an open concept that was suitable for entertaining large numbers of guests... every weekend. He didn't require formal dining, but wanted special feeding stations for his two dogs. He also asked for somewhere to display his sports awards, memorabilia and professional recognitions, along with a large TV that would be visible to  the entire open plan entertaining space...

I removed all of the walls, and pushed the kitchen from it's original location in the middle, to where the formal dining area once existed. This gives him a ton of space to cook and still interact with his guests. At the bottom of the kitchen, there is a small bar area with a sink and under counter double "beverage" refrigerator.

The seating area located in the bay window also doubles as the dog's feeding station. Drawers underneath pull out and contain the dogs water and feeding dishes, and cupboards on either end act as storage for leashes, treats, dog food etc.

Since B didn't require formal dining, we decided to go with a Fushion Table just off the kitchen area which I am sure, would mostly be a pool table, but could also become a dining table when necessary (or a great place to just hang out with friends and play cards, etc). The far right is a seating area, where we placed the Fulham Leather L Sectional, a Leather Copenhagen Chair and a Brickmaker's Table, all from Restoration Hardware. The TV would be mounted over the fireplace, and all along the walls we installed built-in bookcases for B to display his collections. He loved that the TV over the fireplace would make for easy viewing right into the kitchen. Mission accomplished.

The other room considered part of his social space was the "Smoking Lounge" (again, B is not a smoker... I guess if he was a bachelor he would just enjoy cigars with his buddies).

I kept the layout pretty simple in here. Two humidors on either side the doorway, two Leather Copenhagen Chairs, a basic Fulham Leather Sofa and the Rotunda Coffee Table from Anthropologie.

All of the flooring through the social spaces was natural stone (12 x 24 tiles) with in floor heating. I wanted to use something durable that would stand up to the abuse of the guest's he would be entertaining, as well as two dogs. B was pleased.

Then there are the private spaces...

One of the additional bedrooms became B's home gym, while the second was transformed into a guest suite with it's own small seating area and TV, as well as access to the home's second full bathroom.

B's master retreat (at the top), is where I used two Industrial Tool Chest's as nightstand's on either side of the bed, and the Industrial Tool Chest Console was placed by the foot of the bed to hold his TV, and act as additional storage.

His master bath had double sinks, a separate water closet and a huge steam shower... Lucky boy.

My final concept board looked like this...

There you have it... my final project. I'll know on Monday how I did, but I felt pretty good about it - this being my first crack at interviewing a client and designing an entire home. Definitely a learning experience, and I for sure need to practice my rendering skills.

But that's it! I'm off until September, so I hope to have more time to share nursery progress and other home projects that I plan to take care of in the next few months! We're busy bees over here!

B's Dream Bachelor Pad

I know that I never write about school and the projects I am working on. Strange, I know, but I think it's largely because I use this blog as my little escape during the week. Whatever the reason, I have come to my senses and want to begin sharing with you my final project for my current course. The class focuses on the process of taking on projects with clients and working on space plans, design concepts, presentation skills, etc... and I am loving.every.second.of.it.

For our final project our teacher has given us a giant floor plan and it's our job to undergo the process of interviewing a "real client" and then taking all of the right steps to design a space for them. In my case, I decided to use B as my client and we'll be making this home into his ultimate bachelor pad. After having B fill out my questionnaire, and the two of us sat down and talked and reviewed the floor plan I'm beginning to work my way through how each room will work for him. In the meantime, I thought I'd share with you some of my inspirational images for his home. We're going for a slightly industrial feel for my handyman, and of course all masculine...

{Baker Kavanagh Architects via desire to inspire}

The clean lines and materials used in this kitchen are exactly what B had asked for. Only, I hope to use stone for the flooring throughout his home... with underfloor heating. He plans to entertain a lot, so he's going to want something to stand up to all of abuse.

{via anthropologie}

Brittany shared the above table on her blog last week, and as soon as I saw it, I knew it would be great in B's dream bachelor pad. Thanks Brittany!

I also knew that the Brickmaker's Table from Restoration Hardware would be right up B's alley. Of course, he loved it.

{via desire to inspire}

There were no doubts that with the materials used in the bathroom above, it would serve as great inspiration for the bathroom's in B's bachelor pad.

I was impressed when B picked out the Leather Copenhagen chair on his own, while we were on the Restoration Hardware website. He's asked that I put one in his "smoking lounge" (no, B is not a smoker... but I guess in his dream bachelor world he'd have friends over to enjoy pricey cigars in his lounge).

He also liked my pick of the Fulham Leather L-Sectional. We'd probably use this one in the main entertaining space, and possibly include a smaller version in his smoking lounge.

As soon as I saw the Industrial Tool Chest on Restoration Hardware, I knew they would make the perfect nightstands for the bedroom. B agreed, and if there is an apporpriate room, I'd also like to incorporate the Industrial Tool Chest Console. They are very cool... and very B.

I had the best time last night rummaging through the sample room at school and finding some fantastic stones, hardwoods, leather, fabrics and a cork rubber floor for his home gym. It's slowly coming together, but this week I'll be working extra hard to figure out the perfect floor plan.

What do you think of my inspiration for B's own "imaginary" man world? :)

Fabric Fun

The absolute best part about the course I am taking at the moment (Residential Materials), has to be all of the beautiful fabrics I have had a chance to find, collect and use. From the smallest swatches to some of the bigger pieces, I'm in love with every fabric I've laid my hands on. Since most are being used for school projects, I thought it was only fair to share these beautiful fabrics with all of my lovely readers, so let's see what I've been up to... shall we?

Sunshiny Yellow's

I figure I'll start off, with the least exciting of my fabric choices, that resulted in a little project I am thrilled over!

For my very first project, textile application, I came across some gorgeous yellows. After purchasing 10cm of each, and using them for my assignment, I was left with some extra and knew it would be a shame to hide them away.

So, after being inspired by all of the photos of beautiful pennant banners (including this adorable one Lindsay's whipped up for her darling Oscar's nursery), I knew what I wanted to do. This past Sunday, I pulled out my fabric, some sharp scissors, a ruler and this fun twine that B had in the garage, and got to work.

I measured my first pennant to be 5 inch's long and 4 inch's wide, cut it out and then used it as a template to trace the remainder of my little flags. I made five of each, and then made a few small cuts at the top of each pennant to allow me to string my pennants. It only took me about half an hour from start to finish, and I think our little pennants look summery and sunny in our front entry.

Even B commented on them looking good, which made me happy. Who knew B could form an opinion on pennants!?


Fun Florals


Last week while I was sourcing fabric for my final project, I stumbled across these three fabrics. 

I didn't know right away what I would be using them for, but I knew they were substantial sized samples that were FREE (yes, FREE!!) and I loved them... so they were coming home with me. Since then, I've found a use for the blue floral, and have started to come up with some potential places for the other two. I can't wait to use them in our house. Aren't they gorgeous?


Final Project Fabrics

Earlier this week, another trip commenced to find fabrics for my final project (which is now due is less than a week... oops!). These were the first four that I was drawn too...

I am certain that I will use the floral and geometric fabrics, but I'm still trying to come up with all my final choices. I'm so in love with the big floral print which is what originally grabbed my attention. This is one project that I will most definitely be sharing with you all once I wrap it up.

Only a few more classes left for this girl, and my first course of my part-time program will be done. I may do a course wrap-up, or just a final project post... or maybe if I feel ambitious, I'll do both. Either way, right now I'm focusing on surviving this final week before I have the chance to sit back and enjoy the rest of the summer (a.k.a get busy with finishing up this basement reno!)

Back in Class

I was pretty silent over the weekend, mainly because we spent a lot of time working on the basement bathroom (there is HUGE progress that I can't wait to share this week!) and cleaning up around the house. We had a lovely Mother's Day brunch at our place for my parents on Sunday, followed by our first softball game of the season (which we won, after I got a player out at home on the last play of the game!). But the weekend is now over, and that means one thing... my first day back at school!

I'm taking evening classes and this spring term runs a little over a month so I'll be attending class twice a week (Monday and Wednesday). Thought I'd give a little run down on how my first night went.

The course I am taking this spring is a Residental Materials class, and the instructor is the lady who spoke at the information night I attended. She is funny and personable, but very knowledgable - the type of person I know will keep me engaged in the course material. It's going to be busy for the 15 classes we have, with three small projects, a large project (decorating a living room), a mid term and a final test... all by June 28th! We also have a holiday Monday during the course, and a field trip to Elte here in Toronto (Sadly she wants to have it the same day as the Christie Antiques Show, so looks like I'll be waiting for that until September).

Oh yeah - and of course, I was on the bus on my way to campus when I realized I had no pen on me. Totally something that I would do. Thankfully I passed the campus bookstore on my way to class and was able to pop in and pick up a pen and a bottle of water.

Tonight was a short class, we reviewed the course outline (majority of the class), and spent some time discussing vocabulary and colour scheme. I believe our first project (on Textile Application) will be assigned on Wednesday, so I'll have more to talk about as things progress. I do look forward to sharing it with my readers though, and I hope that you enjoy following along.

Keep your eyes peeled for a great basement progress post tomorrow! I can hear B working away on some stuff down there right now. It's looking good (finally!)