As I alluded to on Friday, I have some exciting news to reveal! A little while ago, I was approached by a great magazine called 2 for Couples about my Hello! Neighbor posts. They were looking for some design content for their new ipad app and thought my house tours of Toronto homes would be a great fit.
Well, hello! Yes, I would be interested! I’ve always been absolutely fascinated (some might say obsessed) with the magazine industry and to finally be a part of it was in essence a dream come true. The thought of having my own monthly column (so to speak) is beyond exciting for me. You know that saying, “if you build it, they will come” well it’s true. I think so many of us have a hidden talent or dream and for whatever reason we drag our feet or make excuses and don’t do it but I think if you just do it and absolutely pour your heart and soul into it the results will follow. (Sorry, that’s a bit sappy but it’s true!)
If you happen to own an ipad (sadly, I don’t but that might have to change!) you can download the first issue of the app here for free! You’ll notice that we’ve added a few extra touches; a photo of the couple, an extended interview, and a “how to get the look” page. I’m really happy with the way it has turned out. Of course, none of this would have happened if Kristin hadn’t been aboard. Her photos are what make these Hello! Neighbor stories so great. She has a knack for bringing rooms to life. Thank you, Kristin!
Each month, 2 for Couples will run a new Hello! Neighbor story on the ipad with the same extended content. Thanks to everyone over at 2 for Couples but especially Diane and Kelly for getting this thing off the ground. And hey, if you’re getting married sometime soon (101 bridal gowns app – need I say more!) or you’re planning on doing some entertaining check out some of 2′s other ipad apps. So much great content!
So, that’s a little taste of it ….what do you think? I would love to hear your thoughts!
How does that Dickens’ line go… “it was the best of times, it was the worse of times” that pretty much summed up my week!
The best was two lovely shout-outs to The Marion House Book from publications I have been reading for a long time and greatly admire. The first was on Vitamin Daily and the second was on the blog over at House & Home Magazine. Thanks to both of you for the kind words. You made my week!
The worst was that I was still having problems with my site this week. I really hope those issues are behind me now. The timing couldn’t have been worse! Oh well, you have to take all of these things in stride and realize that in the big picture, things like this are small fries.
Today, I thought I would show you a few new photographs from a Hello! Neighbor post I originally showed you back in May, 2010. The home belongs to Kristin Sjaarda and Derek Shapton. Kristin, as many of you know, takes the beautiful photographs for all of my Hello! Neighbor posts. Recently, we had the opportunity to revisit her home and take some new photographs. (Check back in here on Monday to find out more – there are a few hints below!) Kristin and Derek have actually made quite a few changes since we were last there and I thought you would like to see how they have updated their space. You might remember that one of the things Kristin wanted to change was their dining room light fixture – well take a look at what they chose! This light by Canadian design studio Castor uses discarded fluorescent tubes that are lit from within with incandescent lights – absolutely brilliant. What do you think of their choice?
Photographs: Kristin Sjaarda
When I was doing some research for this post I came across an article about Pablo Neruda that talked about his prolific poetry writing in the earlier years of his career. He explained it by saying that, “love poems were breaking out all over his body”. What a lovely sentence!
Object number seven in my quest to examine my life in 52 objects is a poem by Pablo Neruda, my husband gave me on our wedding day.
My good friend Liz over at The Arthur emailed me the other day to tell me that she had found two kilim pillows on one of her vintage hunts. She suggested that they might make a nice addition to my living room and wondered whether I would like to buy them before she put them up for sale on her website. Liz knows a push-over when she sees one and I easily acquiesced to her suggestion!
There’s something about floor pillows that makes a living room more relaxed and intimate. You’re kind of inviting your friends to take their shoes off and get comfortable. They also provide great extra seating in a pinch which is definitely a plus in narrow or small living rooms like ours.
Some of my favorite rooms feature kilim floor pillows:
Artist David Bromley’s home
Marie Olsson Nylander’s home
But I have to admit that it was these images, from Commune designer Roman Alonso’s home, (first seen over on Simple Lovely) that convinced me that adding a couple extra kilim pillows would be a good addition to my home. I find this simple, relaxed bohemian style works well for a family (where nothing is too precious) while still having a bit of an edge.
The other thing I noticed in these photographs was the dark brown trim and woodwork. This is very common in Toronto homes and often a bone of contention for new homeowners. Many people feel in order to modernize their home they either have to paint the woodwork out or be happy decorating in a style that is suited to the period of the house. I think these photographs are proof that you can keep the dark woodwork and still have a eclectic, creative up to date home. Don’t you think? Do these rooms speak to you?
Oh and if any of you out there are looking for a specific vintage treasure for your home, say a kilim pillow or vintage artwork drop Liz a line. She’s happy to do the hunting for you! What would you send her hunting for?
Photo credits:
1) The Marion House Book
2) Mikkel Vang
3) Sara Svenningrud
4,5,6) Amy Neunsinger
