Busy Boy

When deciding on a scheme for Eli's room 5 years ago, the sky was the limit.  This kid loves so much!  He loves rocks and gems.  He loves dinosaurs, lego, animals, the human body and science.  Anything but sports (which is a bit odd in our family).  I found these cute robot sheets from Land of Nod which was our jumping off point for his robot room.

Add in some personal favorites...  The cross stitch an Aunt made for each of my kids.  The human body poster, a Swedish dala horse and some robots!

In the end Eli had a place to be creative, read, play with lego and display his endless art projects and collections.

He is now onto bigger and better things.  I'll be sure to post the pictures of his updated space.  His bed and much of the accessories will be for sale at The Market at Wagner Hills at the woman's campus opening on May 27th.  Stay tuned for more details.

Moving the McGillivarys

One of the contractors on my jobsite recently referred to the show "Moving the McGillivrays".  So I decided to see if I could watch it online.  Once I started, I was hooked!

At first Scott's constant referring how they NEED more space or how their current house wasn't working for their family, was a bit nauseating.  I mean their previous home was likely 10x better than 90% of people on the planet.  But then he redeems himself by working with Habitat for Humanity to build a family a new home.  Scott worked personally with this family to make their dreams become a reality.

The style of their new home is nothing like my style.  I think the east coast of Canada has a bit different style than here on the west coast.  Everything in this house is over the top.  The colours, the style, furniture, accessories etc.  What the show lacked in satisfying my appetite for design that I love, made up for in showcasing the most adorable family.  Their love for each other and their commitment to their adorable girls is lovely to see.  And of course it allows the viewer to dream big as they watch all the latest gadgets and top of the line everything be put into this house.

Here are a few pictures of their home:

Sabrina's office/craft room

Mud room:
I don't know what these types of blinds are called.  I have never used them because I don't like them.  There are many pretty things to draw you eye in, why draw them to your blinds?


These lucky little girls have a kindergarten teacher for a mom.  Sabrina put lots of thought into this playroom which is right off the living room.  Its a great spot for a playroom.  Close enough, but in their own space.


What is strange is that the living room that sits between the kitchen and play room does not appear to be family friendly.   It is quite grande.  My kids would have pizza sauce, snot and dirty feet all over it in minutes!





The kitchen is a dream.  Again, not my style, but I could definitely live with it!!

Double island envy!


And then mirrored cabinets fronts to their fridge, freezer and pantry!  (Insert confused emojis here) . They do have children right?  Do they ever cook?


The butler's pantry... Im on sensory overload!  Why not add in a patterned teal rug for extra pattern!?

Scott's office is just ugly.  Just my opinion.  But again, in the show it just doesn't matter how ugly it is because he collects pennies with his daughters and creates this amazing penny floor - with all the birth years of each member of his extended family!   Gah!!  What a guy!



Their outdoor space may just be my favorite.  This picture actually doesn't do it justice.  You may just have to watch episode 7 here.

Their master bedroom is quite grand as well.  There are many more rooms in this monster house.   And when I say monster, I mean monster!  I have a large home, and this one makes mine look like an apartment.  He even put in a synthetic ice rink in his basement!  I couldn't find a picture online.  You'll have to watch on HGTV. 

I was a bit surprised how many costly mistakes were made in building this home.  I wonder how much of it was made for TV.    You can also check out Jane Lockhart's website here.  She was their interior designer.

Let me know what you think!  Do you like their style?

Pick me up

This family room needed a bit of a pick me up.  This sweet family was not ready for a complete reno, but the furniture was on its last legs.  So we needed to consider their reno goals and style for the future and what they had currently, like drapes and wall unit.  Then come up with a scheme that will fit now and in the future.

I was excited to show them a scheme that had a bit of a bohemian flair, and they were on board right away!

The wall unit will be updated eventually, but for now it fits beautifully in the new scheme!

These clients are a busy professional couple with 2 young teenagers.  They trusted us with this project, and we couldn't have been happier to accept.  We look forward to helping with the reno in the future!

New look for Grapevine

I am so excited to finally launch my new website.  I have been playing with it for quite some time with the help of Nicole from Ruby and Ink.  I think it tells the story of what Grapevine is all about:  Mostly interior design, but I also dabble with my passion for entertaining.  On the website you can also read about the charities I am working with.

Since September I have done more drawing than I have ever done before.  Ive really enjoyed designing a variety of custom vanities, fireplace and tv cabinets, custom beds, floorplans and exterior finishes.




We have been sourcing like crazy.  Here are some of my favorite finishes we have chosen for a variety of clients.




And now the finishing touches...  Lighting, furniture, art and accessories!  And last of all the photographing the completed project.  I plan on spending some significant time this Spring getting pictures of all the projects we've worked on.





I am so excited to share with you my passion for this amazing place called Wagner Hills.  It all started with a lunch almost a year ago with a woman I found so inspiring.  I didn't have an agenda for this lunch, but God did.  At the woman's campus we are working on upgrading the living quarters for the ladies.  Then we are working towards a market that will give the ladies skills, a purpose and bring women together for a common goal through crafting, fellowship and mentorship.  I serious cannot wait to share more about this exciting adventure.  I will be posting updates.  You can allow follow along... #themarketatwagnerhills



And of course the New Life Gala - 2017!  What a night it was.  It was such a pleasure to plan this event with one of my best friends and the help of amazing volunteers who also have a passion for this charity.  After 2 galas we have raised over $350 000 and sponsored many many kids.  My husband and I visited the schools in Uganda that Kuwasha supports and we were beyond thrilled with everything they are doing.   You can see my blog post about our trip here.  I am committed to continue to raise awareness and funds for Kuwasha.  We are not having a gala next year, but we are giddy with excitement for what we DO have planned!  Stay tuned!



XO
Lisa

Chai Tea Recipe

If you have been around me long enough, you likely have tasted my chai tea.  And with the cold temperatures we are experiencing in the greater Vancouver area, this might be just what you need to keep you warm on a chilly day like today!  

So its not exactly MY chai tea recipe.  My aunt brought it back with her from a visit to India many years ago.

AND, if you know me well enough, you know Im not much of a recipe follower.  Im not an exact measurement type of gal!  ... well not for everything!  But I know you all don't share my love for a little creative culinary arts.  So here is a recipe:

4 cups of water

1 cinnamon stick

1 inch if ginger, sliced

10 cardamom pods - crushed

1/2 tsp black peppercorns

1/2 tsp whole cloves

Boil for 20 minutes.

Add honey and milk or cream to taste - you can do it - just wing it!

ENJOY!

Please leave a comment and let me know how you like it!

Happy New Year

Hope yours was a Merry Christmas and will be a very Happy New Year!  

Christmas for me personally was celebrated with my in-laws before Christmas and then just my husband kids and I took off to our winter wonderland in Tulameen, BC for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  We cut down a tree on the side of the highway and spent our days by the fire or snowmobiling.  Now many family and friends have joined us and we are having a great time.

  2015 was the most difficult year for us as a family, and in some ways I feel like I am still recovering.  So 2016 was a year of re-evaluating.  Even in just the last few months I have clarity of what I want Grapevine Designs to be, and I want to share that with my clients and friends!

I have decided to move full steam ahead!  I love design and seeing beautiful spaces come to life.  And I adore the amazing people who I have met along the way!  I have hired 2 lovely ladies for permanent positions at Grapevine.  Cami Bjurling (R) as my assistant and Shannon McIlwain (L) as a designer.  Each of them bring their own set of skills that I am so excited to be utilizing. 

We have some very exciting projects happening right now and I can't wait to share them with you at different times during the new year.  A new build, a couple of major renos, and some decorating projects are on the schedule right now.

A realization I've come to over the past year is my commitment to Charity Work.  I have become very passionate about 2 particular organizations and I'm very excited to be involved in some really exciting work with both of them.  

One of the most exciting projects I am working on is The Market at Wagner Hills.

Wagner Hills is a recovery centre for men and women recovering from addiction.  At the women's campus in South Langley they are opening a market.  The ladies will be learning how to create higher end crafts and home decor goods, as well as refinishing quality donated furniture, and many items that are grown and produced right on the farm.  I will have a few furniture and home decor pieces there as well.  We are so so excited about the Market.  And we can't wait to announce the opening in the Spring!  There will be seasonal offerings like Christmas trees and pumpkins, and fun things to keep the kiddos entertained like the petting zoo outfitted with the cutest mini farmhouses that house the most adorable piglets, goats, bunnies and even a baby buffalo now and again!

This is just one of the few projects I am working on with these amazing organization.  You can find out more information on this amazing organization here.

The other organization I am working with is called Kuwasha, formerly known as Timothy Outreach International Society.   My husband and I, along with 4 of our closest friends, traveled to the Kibaale Community Centre (KCC) in Uganda this year to have a closer look at this organization.  I can tell you that what we discovered was a charity that is so successful that other organizations are now seeking advice from KCC so that they can see the same success in their charities.  You can see a summary of our trip here.

Last year I worked on a gala to raise funds for Kuwasha.  The event was so successful that we were able to raise over $200 000 to support KCC.  Many of the comments of the attendees were that it was the best gala that they have ever attended.  Our location, ambience, food and entertainment made for an unforgettable evening!  So we are doing it again!  On February 18th, 2017 we are hosting our second gala benefitting Kuwasha.  It will be an event you won't want to miss!  You can find out more information here.

Please let me know if you are interested in our services at Grapevine Designs or want more information on the charities we love.

Wishing you all the happiest of New Years.  Stay in touch!

xo

Lisa

Christmas Tablescape

I can't tell you I spent hours meticulously planning my Christmas table.  It started with some wrapping paper I bought at Homesense.  I love using wrapping paper for a table runner.  No investing in costly linens!

I started with an old pine garland down the centre of the table.  Then I added some fresh greens from my yard.  Granted, Im fortunate to have a holly tree in my yard!

Last year I purchased these black plates from IKEA.  Then I wrote on the dishes with sharpie!  you can find the tutorial here

Gold candle holders Ive collected from second hand stores.... Votive holders I painted gold for a recent party...  My new West Elm gold cutlery... 2 pomegranates I had the fridge.... and some roses I from the grocery store.  I could have ironed the napkins - maybe I'll get to that before my guests arrive!

Pictured below is one of my favorite tablescapes ever!  So pretty and fun.

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I found this picture recently and loved it!  The glamorous purple mixed with a rustic lodge look.  I love the fur on the chairs!  I may try something like this next year.

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This table place setting has been saved on my pin board for a few years now.  Using the same idea of writing on the plates.  A paper placemat layered over a linen runner.  Its perfect.

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We are a musical family and I love this place mat idea.  Mixed with rustic wood slices.  It is simple and pretty.

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Whatever you choose to do for your tablescape, I wish for you happy memory making with your friends and family.