Back to School

Its that time again! Time to re-organized the house and get that study area ready for the kids. You do not need a huge budget to make a great impact in a room. It is about knowing where to find the best deals as well as modifying already made items to best fit your space.  

We are in love with the cabinet options Ikea has to offer. By buying pre-fabricated pieces from Ikea and customizing them to suit your room saves time and money. Adding gorgeous Quarts countertop creates an expensive crisp, clean look. Looking for a more affordable option? Go with butcher block. It adds warmth to a room and better yet, can be sanded down after lots of use from the kiddos and their crafts and homework.

Designing a study space is easier than you think! Check out some of the great items we found that will keep your space organized and looking great throughout the school year. 

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 Here is my kid's office.  It is right off the kitchen so I can watch the kids on the computer.  Plus easy access for looking up recipes online.  I used Ikea drawer units and butcher block countertops.  The butcher block is now full of glue, glitter and felt pens.  The beauty is that I can flip over the countertops and have a new surface, or sand them down.  I don't feel like I need to be stressed about the kids wrecking the surface.  I just let their creative juices flow!  The window sill provides a place to display the endless supply of art projects that trickle home.

Ive had the itch lately to clean out some cupboards so I feel organized as we jump into a new school year.  So I did a little organization in my closet.  Baskets for storage... love the texture!  A couple of old jewelry boxes holding pieces I can't part with.  Some fancy shoe boxes for colour and storage.  A clock and a cute picture of my son.  Now this space makes me smile.  I love it.

A little bit of pretty art on a bare wall.  Print is by Designs by Maria

My pantry too was needing a little spruce up.  I started by organizing and cleaning it up!  Then I put all the ingredients that I don't normally have on hand in large quantities, into mason jars.  I mean really, my pantry will never be in a magazine... we live here!  But it just feels good to be a bit more organized in a pretty way.

I got the cute chalk board labels at Staples.

 Hopefully your transition from fun in the sun to routine goes smoothly.


Have a great week, 

The Grapevine Design Team 

cabin fever

Nautical decor is hot right now!  A little late since I decorated our cottage on the ocean 2 years ago!  Here is a little sample of what we did!

Before:

After:

Check out more of the reno here

Since our cottage has been around since the mid 60's there are all sort of treasures here!

Now we've gone all out with the nautical theme.  Its just a summer home and we are immersed in the cottage lifestyle while we are here.  But why not bring a bit of nautical to the city?  I think every room could have a reminder of the sea.  It could be just a subtle detail; like a rope detail? or a touch of nautical stripes?

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Nautical style has also shown up in the latest fashion trends.

Bracelet, Bikini, Anchor Top, iPhone case, striped top, striped short, heel

Adding a bit of nautical to your life just helps you feel like you are on vacation!  Wherever you spend your vacation time this summer, I hope you thoroughly have enjoyed it.  In Vancouver, BC we have had a record breaking summer for some of the most beautiful weather ever!  I am so grateful.

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