decor: oh canada!

Happy 144th birthday Canada! Je t'aime beaucoup.

Looking to add a touch of the true north into your own home? Check out this décor a la Canadiana.

This map of Canada is made up of typography. I like its simplicity. It's also available in slate.
via boldandnoble

Heart marks the spot!
via LilyGene

Cariboo-tiful!
via paige russell

A native tradition gets a modern makeover with these ceramic stackable mugs by Canadian designer Rob Southcott.
via drake general store

This art print of Montreal is based on the city grid but is drawn using only vertical lines. Want!
via studiokmo

My city: Edmonton! Isn't this skyline print bright and fun? There's heaps more to see at this etsy shop.
via birdAve

I love the way a crafty beaver has gnawed a delightful design into this stoneware vase.
via paige russell

Canadian softy!
via NicoleTarasick

Wishing all of my northern friends a fabulous Canada Day long weekend!

The husband and I are going camping - a quintessential (and oh so fun) Canuck activity.

Banana boats, here we come!

Dajana :)

shop talk: crate & barrel's coming to edmonton!

Boy, was I excited when I spied this sign at Southgate Centre last week.

C'est vrai! A Crate & Barrel is setting up shop in Edmonton this fall, which means 3 hour jaunts to Calgary will no longer be needed. Très bon!

I can't wait to peruse the kitchen gadgets, tableware, bath accessories, linens, rugs, lamps, amazing accents and of course, lovely furniture pieces for every room in the house! I wish I was getting married this year so I could set up a wedding registry with them. ;)

As for my first purchase? I think it might be this grey ikat pillow.

Now, if only West Elm could make a presence in our fair city. That would make me twice-happy.

Happy Monday friends!

Dajana  :)

decor: off the map

Aren't these paper cut maps of NYC, Paris and London just lovely?

They're the beautiful work of Julie Marabelle of Famille Summerbelle - a chic Parisian designer who resides in England with her husband Simon and their two children, Ophelia and Lucien (love those names!).  Julie began her own collection when she was pregnant with Ophelia and couldn't find what she was looking for in children's decor.

So glad she did.

Be sure to check out Julie's colourful, fun blog here.

Happy Wednesday friends!

Dajana  :)

at home: adirondack chairs

via Design Within Reach

via Pottery Barn

 via PC Home

Iconic chairs. I like 'em but most are much too rich for my blood. Yes, I'm talking about you Eames.
Enter the Adirondack (a.k.a Muskoka and Bear) chair. The quintessential chair for summer relaxation.

Classic. Stylish. Comfortable. And affordable.

And doesn't the Adirondack harken back to those lazy summer afternoons at the cottage?

Now, I don't have a cottage but since I'm never one to forgo a lazy summer afternoon, I bought five of the suckers pictured below from Costco in January. They were just $50 a pop and solid wood. The caveat? ALL assembly required. And it's me who'll be doing this assembling business. Yup, all by my lonesome. The boyfriend has left it up to me to tackle this monumental task. Yipes. He thinks I'm up for the job. I think he's gone completely loco.

I'm starting this project this weekend. Wish me luck or better yet pray for me! I'll post pics as soon as I'm done. Hopefully sometime this year.

Before I vamos, this is the image that inspired me to start building Adirondack chairs. Lovely, isn't it?

And yes, once I'm done, you're all invited over to roast marshmallows, drink Crabbies and tell stories.

Happy weekend!

Dajana 

decor: martha & ash pillows

I had been searching etsy for the perfect pillow (for what seems like eons) when I serendipitously stumbled upon Martha & Ash, a mother-daughter shop based in South Carolina, that offers up lovely pillows and gorg custom drapes.

Since my discovery, their sunny ikat pillow has been calling to me in my sleep. Its cheerful, saturated daffodil hue makes me happy and will be the perfect way to welcome spring into my humble abode.

Sunny's got some good lookin' friends too.

And for the furriest member of your family - ever-so-chic dog beds.  Yes, chevron exists for pups!

Now, if you're a bit more crafty (god love ya!) like my friend Christine, you could make your own pillow cover.  Check it.  The girl is quite da bomb diggity DIY'er.

Happy Tuesday friends!

Dajana  :)

p.s. Hope you had a lovely Easter weekend with those you love to bits. I spent time with family & friends and of course this lil' darling, my niece Raissa. She's holding Le Fraisier, a traditional French dessert that I purchased on a lark from my local love - Duchess Bake Shop.  Fresh strawberries wrapped around an almond lemon sponge cake, layered with spiced strawberry compote and strawberry mousse. yum. It tasted every bit as good as it looked.

decor: spring decorating tips

Canadian House and Home and I are bosom buddies on Facebook. A little while back they asked all of their online friends to send in tips on spring cleaning and seasonal decorating. My tip involved using books (of course!) as part of your spring decorating. You can peruse all of the tips here.

One thing I like to do every spring is change out my chocolate velvet curtains with linen ones in a lighter colour.  And I like to buy heaps of tulips. I honestly believe that yellow tulips have the power to bring pep to the step of even the most curmudgeonly of people.

What do you do to freshen up your home when the seasons change? I'd love to hear your suggestions.

Dajana  :)

p.s. Sorry for the sporadic posting as of late. I'm in Costa Rica with the boy taking a much needed break. Will be back soon!