I mean really? Have you ever?
Lac Rose, or Lake Retba, situated north of the Cap Vert in Senegal
yet another reason to step aboard a plane... Happy weekend! xo
Showing posts with label outdoors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label outdoors. Show all posts
end-of-summer spectacular
So as summer rounds the bend,
I'm savouring the last moments of lounging with the family.
If there was anywhere I'd choose to be staying this week, it would be this space,
found a la The Diversion Project.
found a la The Diversion Project.
Some homes are about the decoration, and some homes are about the architecture.
This one is architecture, and it's wonderful to see it left at that, with the unobtrusive decor.
This one is architecture, and it's wonderful to see it left at that, with the unobtrusive decor.
The open loft-feel, large expanses of glass and heavily horizontal planes
remind me of the stunning modular Dwell homes that I dream of building when we are retired :)
How cool is the kitchen window?
And that island, with it's concrete base and steel top.
And that island, with it's concrete base and steel top.
Dreamy dreamspace.
I love the way the reclaimed timbers were brought all the way to the ceiling, for a wrap effect.
And staying in the second bedroom would be sleeping in a treehouse, no?
This is the killer bit - the pool.
The sparkling azure tile beckons,
and I think we all deserve an afternoon in that hammock, don't we?!
And this slice of bliss is built into the structure, at most separated by a pane of glass.
How's that for an end-of-summer paradise?
I'll be back to more regular blogging next week, once the darlings are back to school,
so looking forward to catching up with all of you in the next few weeks :)
(and getting our projects around here back on track!)
xo
Yay or Nay: Natural Swimming Pools
After growing up in Ontario, where getting to the lake is THE summer ritual,
I'm always shocked at how many people don't like to swim in lake water.
(although I won't go into the ocean, at least not past my knees - blame Jaws :)
And that has me wondering how many of you would venture into one of these:
a natural swimming pool, or swimming pond.
The whole bonus here is that your water will not be chemically treated,
nor will your pool require cleaning (and if you've ever had a pool, you know that's a BIG bonus!)
but a carefully selected complement of plants will clean the water,
creating a self-sustaining swimming pool.
I have a preference for more formal, classic pools,
and so really like this one -
a chlorine to natural pool conversion.
Although natural pools are relatively new here,
they're quite popular in Europe already.
Have to admit, when I first heard about them,
images of overgrown, lilypad-filled ponds surrounded by copious amounts of boulders sprung to mind....
and some are!
But they can also be quite sleek and unobtrusive.
If you're wondering what the cost of these pools is...
Toronto locals Ponds in the City say a 20' x 25' swimming pond starts around $25,000,
which is comparable to a regular pool of the same size.
What do you think?
A yay or a nay in your books?
summer blog crawl: a lake classic
This post is part of the summer blog crawl linkup from Brittany of Gallery no 8.
Where I live summer is all about the cottage.
Each friday the highways are packed with overloaded cars
driving to the water to grab their slice of canadian heaven...
While modern cottages tend to skew more grand home than cottage,
I like the feel of the old, simplistic, wood-panelled cottages.
A place where sand and water are as welcome as guests.
A place to put your feet up.
One of the best classic modern getaways I've seen is Thom Felicia's lakehouse..
I'm sure you saw it when it was featured in Domino.
It's one of the few interiors where I actually like the antlers :)
Take another look - years later, and it still feel fresh and completely perfect.
That's good design.
The view from the lake... I'm never leaving.
the entry, with it's ubiquitous workbench console/bar.
This was pre-pottery barn knockoff - the inspiration, perhaps?
Thom whitewashed the walls - a transparent finish that still allows a rustic bit of grain to show,
but softens the palette and keeps all that wood from taking over.
At the time, the grey seemed slightly unusual, but today it's at the forefront of trends.
The main living space - every lake house would do with a stone fireplace like this one.
Love the black accents.
Again, by painting the trim and doors black Thom upped the chic factor
and kept that wood overload under control.
A chic wee kitchen tucked in under the industrial feeling stairs...
and a dream view for dining.
Look at the flagstone floors!
I like the fishing weights he's used as accents,
bringing in nautical bits without overloading on shells.
A small den - that daybed would be the perfect spot to curl up during a rain.
Heading upstairs....
more black metal, reclaimed wood.. and antlers :)
How about black + glass doors with burlap privacy panels?
Yes, please.
The boho bedspread is still masculine without being stark.
I like how Thom created a sleeping nook with two closets on either side of the bed - so clever.
The loft is all set up for guests - think he'll mind if we drop by?!!
And this is end of day perfection, a fire, friends and the serenity of the lake.
Ahhh....
can't you just feel your pulse slowing.
(and why did Ikea stop making those chairs? they're pretty sexy!)
I would love to see pictures of this space today - I'll bet not much has changed.
Happy Fourth of July, to all of you south of the border!
And a belated happy Canada Day to all my Canadians girls -
we were out on the boat, at the beach, bbqs and firework celebrations for the past three days.
It was wonderful... now if I can just get my head back into work mode :)
Have a great Monday, everyone - x
The Sofa: Decked Out
We've just sold our teak dining set and loungers
and replaced them with some cast aluminum and marble pieces.
(incredibly heavy!
I kept reminding D. they would never blow over
as he and three other guys huffed and puffed them home :)
I'd show you pics but they are still boxed and living in the garage
as we are planning a deck overhaul this year...
show you once it's done!
Teak used to be what you bought if your wanted decent quality outdoor furniture,
but I'm not a fan of the weathered grey look and oiling them twice a year was becoming tedious...
The new stuff was an incredible deal at Costco, zero maintenance and ultra comfortable.
But if money was no object I may have done a little more shopping around.
I'm blown away by what can live outdoors these days...
West Elm does such a great job of merchandising -
these pics leave me longing....
What I am seeing more and more is a trend towards full scale sofas outdoors....
this almost looks like something you would find in a living room..
This year's clever Catalina series from Carte and Barrel is slipcovered!
Fantastic idea, no?
Never one to be outdone, Restoration Hardware has created a slipcovered, outdoor version
of their current signature style seating to the outdoors, as well.
I know that between the gangs of popsicle toting scoundrels and muddy pups that roam our yard
I'd be cleaning these covers a little too often here,
but a girl can dream :)
What are you lounging on this summer?
A Moment for Mum...
Dinner at a friends tonight so one of these is in the oven...
heading out in the sunshine with D and Cam to assemble six ENORMOUS boxes of bits into this...
Wish us luck!
I know these plastic ones are so very practical, but really -
that's going to require some major landscaping to blend in out there, isn't it?
I feel some backyard posts coming on!
Tomorrow we're off to visit the Mum's.
We always bring them each three baskets of flowers, one from each little darling..
such a small gift for such wonderful women.
But how can you ever properly thank someone
for loving, encouraging and caring for you your entire life?
To all you Mum's out there...
hope you spend tomorrow surrounded by what's dearest to your heart -
your children - x
bare feet and fancy free
Imagine starting every single morning right here.
getting closer...
ready?
have a peek.. ahhhh...
Yup.
That will do.
More?
Straight into the dreaming-of-a-cottage folder.
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