Shower with Love

This post is by guest blogger Katie Woo @katierwoo

One of my first thoughts after my best friend got engaged was, "I get to throw a bridal shower!"

The bride, Jennica, got engaged at sunrise at a special spot near her family's ocean cabin. Sunrise colours became the inspiration for Jennica's shower.

With a happy heart and exploding Pinterest board, I enlisted my awesome mom to help me bake and craft up a storm.

We wanted as many things as possible to be personal and special for Jennica. It was such a fun way to celebrate a special friend and show love and support.

One of my favourite items from the shower was wine bottle labels I made for the event. It was a fun customization that made for a fun keep sake for Jennica and Marko.

Vanity Overload

Building a home?  Renovating?  The house I am renovating right now has 6 bathrooms.  All with a unique purpose.

Where do you begin designing all the cabinetry for your home?  Or each person in your home?  Most people just have the cabinet company draw your standard cabinet for each bathroom that basically just matches the kitchen.  I like to do a high-low approach.  Customizing the cabinets that really matter to the homeowner and the purposes of each room.

In my laundry room I chose IKEA cabinets with custom floating shelves.

pic: Janis Nicolay for Canadian Living

IKEA has many good options for the look of the home I am currently working on.  Like this one for the bathroom off the garage.

With IKEA you can also do some customizing and end up with a gorgeous look like this one

from Erin Williamson Design. 

The look of the home I am working on is light, bright, modern with a European flair.  The Master bathroom will be custom and this is our inspiration:

By Lark and Linen.

This is the inspiration for another one of the bathrooms.

For this one I will get a quote from the cabinet company, but it may be advantageous to purchase a stocked piece like this one from Wayfair and have the cabinet sprayed blue.  Stocked cabients often come with the countertop and sink, making them more affordable.

In my daughter's bathroom I used this well priced cabinet from Costco.  I has been amazing.  I would definitely suggest it to future clients.

Of course some of my favorite vanities come from Restoration Hardware.  Once in awhile you can even snag the perfect one at the outlet store!

Don't limit yourself to one style of cabinetry throughout your home.  The options are limitless, so it helps to have a designer to narrow your options to the best ones to suit your needs.

Have a wonderful long weekend!!!

When I threw a shower for one of my nieces this spring, I decided to make something spring-ish.  Not sure you can describe a cake with that word.  But strawberry lemonade cake seems very spring-ish.  So I went to my favourite baking cookbook Butter Baked Goods by Rosie Daykin.  And her newest addition Butter Celebrates.  AND you get the added bonus of beautiful photography by my friend and photographer Janis Nicolay!

I created this delicious cake from 2 recipes.

 Triple Lemon Layer cake!  You may just need to purchase the book to read the recipe!  

*TIP:  Dont let the lemon syrup cool too much and put it on the cake while it is still warm.  YUMMM

The for the the good stuff  Strawberry Butter Cream.  Be still my beating heart!

And there she is... my beautiful niece, who made the most beautiful bride.

And the cake.  A little less beautiful, but oh so delicious!

These big layered cakes are not nearly as much work or as intimidating as I originally thought.  And the people you serve them to feel special.  Give it a try!

A Warm Heart

A short post today sharing my latest completed project.  It starts with one of the sweetest clients ever.  They were downsizing from a large home to the loveliest brand new townhome in Fort Langley.  We started with a couple of consultations and an e-design package.  Then we finished off with the window coverings and details.  We needed practical so all the grandkids felt right at home.  She also wanted bright and fresh.... which is what I do best. :) 

Kitchen's are often referred to as the heart of the home. This home's heart is bright and warm. 

Wishing everyone a lovely long weekend.  Ours is full of the best things... family... as we celebrate our nieces wedding!