Alanna Cavanagh's Eloise Print

I fell deeply in love with Alanna Cavanagh's Eloise illustration back in January 2014. The illustration was inspired by an Eloise Grey coat Alanna spotted in a fashion magazine. It's classic, elegant, clean, and simple, and it's so ME. I have always been a big fan of Alanna's artwork, so I emailed her and asked if she planned to turn the Eloise illustration into a silk screen print. She promptly replied and told me yes. A couple of months later she emailed me when the print was ready, sent me two print options to choose from (textured cream somerset paper and white BFK Rives paper), and within a day this gorgeous silk screen print arrived. I love love love it and it's totally worth the wait. 

Alanna Cavanagh's new Eloise silk screen print

Under a different lighting

I don't know if you've ever met Alanna or worked with her, but she is one of the most talented and friendly artists I've ever known. Her pleasant and down to earth personality makes me like her and her artworks so much more! 

The Eloise print is now at my favourite framing shop YM Art to be framed, so I will be posting more pictures when I have it back. If you like Eloise print as much as I do, go order them before they are sold out. 

If you remember two years ago I also had Alanna's limited edition tea towel framed for my kitchen. 

Two years later I still love it and it makes me so happy every time I walk by it. 

That's why we want need art in our life, right?

Laundry Mudroom Closet Organization

It's been a pretty relaxing weekend for us. It started with a "uplifting" golden-spoon facial for me at my regular spa hangout (have you tried it? It's amazing!). 

Then a few dips into the hot springs in Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain up in the Collingwood area.

We were all energized and refreshed when we came home last night, and today we tackled a small project. 

We have an entrance into the house through our laundry room from our garage, but unfortunately that means our laundry room is also our mudroom. And this tiny multipurpose room has a tiny closet - seriously I don't know what the builder was thinking - this is a 5,000 sq ft house we are talking about - and they couldn't have planned a bigger closet in this high traffic space?!

We have so many closets throughout the house including a massive wall-to-wall one in our basement, but I hate to spread off-season shoes and accessories throughout them. Because out of sight out of mind, I probably won't remember to bring them out and wear them again next year. 

Our tiny mudroom closet

The laundry/mudroom is sunken. The height of the closet is at least 13 feet so we have a lot of vertical space we are yet to put to use. 

So today we made good use of this piece of premium real estate by adding a second shelf in the closet. 

A simple shelf made a big difference - not only was I able to pack away all the winter boots and accessories in the same closet, I was also able to display some dressy heels which I don't wear every day. 

The second shelf also made room for in-season stuff. 

I just realized how many scarves I have for one season! Sunglasses and scarf are what I won't leave home without. 

And now all the clutter is behind one single door. I don't need to worry about forgetting what I have stowed away in other closets any more. 

The opposite wall is the main laundry area. Chaos averted, order restored. 

Earn Your Spots

Well, it took me long enough but I think I am finally jumping on the animal print wagon. I know I know, I am a follower. You are never going to find me the first one to jump on a trend. I wait, observe, test and eventually I may or may not make the move. I play it safe, my decor is mainstream, and I am okay with that.

Spring is officially here, I think, and what better way to update those tired couches you've been curling up in all winter than with elegant and sophisticated animal print pillows?! I've waited long enough and I've earned my spots. 

As high-impact as they are, it's surprisingly easy to pair them with other light or dark color fabrics, and work them into any decor styles. Like this.

K Sarah Designs

And this.

K Sarah Designs

And this. 

Bijou and Boheme, Christine Dovey

These are a few of my favorites on Etsy. 

1. Brown cheetah print pillow by kassapanola. 
2. Dalmatian Spot pillow by WhitlockandCo. 
3. Leopard print pillow by AriannaBelle. 
4. Grey and tan spots pillow by JoyWorkshoppe. 
5. Velvet leopard pillow by AriannaBelle. 
6. Kravet aqua tan spots pillow by PopOColor. 
7. Snow leopard pillow by WhitlockandCo. 
8. Brunschwig and Fils Les Touches pillow by AriannaBelle. 
9. Tan spots pillow by PopOColor. 

Which one is your favorite? Do you have animal print upholstery in your house? 

The Whole Enchilada

Welcome to April! Spring is finally in sight and I am really liking this milder and sunnier weather this week. RIP, winter!

Can you believe I've been so busy lately that I completely missed the OOAK show? Fortunately, I was able to get a sneak peak into all the highlights and lowlights of the event from a few of my favourite bloggers' posts.

Home front, the serial decorating saga continues. I have pretty much decided to use the Windsor Smith Pelagos fabric for these two Louis XV chairs. I have enough remnant from these drapes in our master bedroom, and still like the fabric so why not put them to use right? I also know exactly how the chairs are going to turn out because of this upcycled piece by Switch Studio.

Picture courtesy of Switch Studio

The only question remains is the color of the frame - white?

Or black? Or Charcoal, a darker shade than the first picture? Which color frame would you go for with this fabric?

Now onto the mirror. While I still like how it looks over the mantel in my living room, I find it stands out more than I wanted it to be. Not that it's a bad thing because a statement piece like this mirror deserves to be a showoff. I relocated it to the dining room, and I think it works so much better over the dark sideboard flanked by two polished nickel buffet lamps. The Louis Philippe gilt mirror, the crystal chandelier, the vintage painting and all the transitional style furniture contribute nicely into a Parisian-chic theme. So the mirror stays there, for now. And the Paris flea market chandelier dilemma, gone. Crisis averted!

This past weekend I picked up a pair of these Visual Comfort polished nickel table lamps at HomeSense. I couldn't believe the price tag! I paid and rushed out of the store into my car just like this Ikea "Start the Car" commercial. Just kidding.

I still couldn't find the name of this lamp on VC web site. I will send you a special thank you if you can track it down for me. :)