To Use Cement Tile, Or Not Use Cement Tile

There are many reasons why I would use cement tiles. It's ability to make a statement being at the top of the list.  I am debating whether or not to use it in an upcoming project.  


There are endless patterns available from plain, to bold to something in the middle.  Its not usually a budget friendly option, but websites like Joss and Main are catching on, providing some more reasonably priced options. 

There are no shortage of pictures on instagram and pinterest.  My favourite suppliers are Cement Tile Shop and Villa Lagoon Tile.   Monika Hibbs laundry room is just dreamy..

There is no denying its popularity at the moment. Every picture I see, I am instantly in love!

Designers like Emily Henderson are using cement tiles in unexpected places, like her deck pictured above. I love the bold statement this makes!

Photo - Tessa Neustadt  
Design - Amber Interiors

So what is the dilemma, you may ask?  How long is this trend going to last?  If I spend the money to use the cement tile, will it go out of style?  Its not like a light fixture than can be replaced.  Or is piece of furniture.  Tile is a commitment.  But oh so pretty!

Source - Design Shop Interiors

Isn't this bathroom dreamy?
Source - Barry Calhoun - Style at Home

Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper added the gorgeous WOW factor with this stunning cement tile, which I love!  But I wonder how long I would love it for??

What are your thoughts on cement tile? Would you consider using it? I'd love to hear your opinion!

*** Im having some technical difficulties (big surprise).  In order to leave a comment, click on VIEW ORIGINAL POST.  Thank you!

The Market At Wagner Hills Farm

The Market at Wagner Hills farm is the dream of Dawn Bralovich who is the director of Wagner Hills Woman's Campus.  How did I get involved?  

I took Dawn for lunch in the Spring of 2016.  I had watched her take on a number of projects at our church and was continually amazed at her ability to "get er done" like Ive rarely seen before.  I knew this was someone I needed to work with!  We talked about a few things, but she had a twinkle in her eye as she said she knew of a project we may be able to work on.  

Not long after, Dawn became the director of Wagner Hills Woman's Campus.  I knew the CEO Of Wagner Hills, and many of our friends had gotten involved at the mens campus.   When I visited Dawn at the Woman's Campus I just knew I wanted to get involved there.  The property is just dreamy.  A farm in South Langley that is just so peaceful.  A place I could bring my kids and they could run around and play with the animals.  Soon after we started a renovation of the portable classroom on the property that became The Market.

Although the renovation is complete, we still don't have running water or washroom facilities at The Market.  This is something we really need and hoping to get the funds for in the near future.  

You can read more about Wagner Hills Farm Society here.  And the Woman's Campus specifically here.  Wagner Hills is a working farm.  There is a large garden, chickens and cattle, all cared for by the residents of the farm.  For The Market specifically the residents are learning skills in canning, baking, sewing & crafting.   Then these items are sold in The Market.  Some of the ladies have taken on responsibilities in styling the displays and inventory as well.

A couple of the ladies worked on making lemon scented counter spray.  Ashley's daughter was visiting and got in on the fun.

We've produced all sorts of great items for sale.  Here Julie is making Taco Seasoning.  We have also made BBQ rub, Coconut Sugar Body Scrub, Lavender Bath Salts, Vanilla sugar, Canned Raspberries in sweet syrup, and more!  These items are great for a gift basket!

The "Jam Cupboard" . where you will find lots of good stuff for sale!

We are teaching the residents how to refinish furniture, which Ive discovered is a heck of a lot harder than it looks!  This is my favourite piece that they have refinished.  I love the colour we picked!

There is a full wood shop on the property.  Some of the ladies work in the wood shop every week and produce things like these hexagon shelves.

Elvis is one of our resident pigs.  Their pen is with the mini goats and is right next to The Market.  They love getting visitors.

We've had baby bunnies at the farm, and they are quite the attraction.  Honestly they are just the cutest ever!  They are now ready to find new homes.  They are pure bred Holland Lop bunnies which we are selling for $100 each.

 
Our jewelry has been a favourite in the market.  We are making new and different pieces all the time!

We've made a number a really great lawn games for your summer backyard party.  

And our farm fresh eggs!  You can't forget about our yummy eggs.  $5/doz.

I could go on...  There are lots more things I could talk about.  But you really should see it.  We are still working through the logistics of having the residents produce items for The Market, which is a tonne of work.  If you are interested in getting involved, let me know!

The Market is located at 460 216th Street, Langley.  It is open 10am-3pm every Saturday.  Hope to see you there!

Jewel of Tsawwassen II

As promised I wanted to share more pictures of a project I just completed in Tsawwassen.  The client was all about dark tones are grey, charcoal and purple... lots of purple.  I threw in some blue and pink when she wasn't looking - ha!

I designed the bed and had it custom made.  It has become the perfect retreat for this busy couple.

And the ensuite is no exception.  A spa to unwind after a busy day.

Im a bit sad that it is done.  I had such a great time getting to know this couple.  I look forward to an exciting party happening at their home this summer!

Jewel of Tsawwassen

It was such a pleasure to work with this professional couple.  They had tackled an extensive renovation and hired me to decorate and furnish the spaces as they came together.

The homeowner love deep dark jewel tones, especially purple!

Our inspiration for this entry was this great piece of art that I found.

The homeowners have very strong connections with Tsawwassen and wanted to bring this older home new life.  As renovations go, they ended up with a tricky floor plan.  We were able to come up with some solutions that work really well for them.

What an amazing place to entertain.  With their entire back wall as a nanawall, it opens up to their lovely deck and swimming pool area.  Even the windows above the countertop fold back to create a bar area from their kitchen to outside.  They were planning ahead for grandchildren in the future too!

Stay tuned as I share more areas of this house in an upcoming blogpost.  

Enjoy your long weekend!

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!