the marion house book

five faves on a friday

Thanks for all your sweet comments about my new gig. This one is for the kids. Enjoy!

1. I Heart You Pillow – Fluf – So cute on a kid’s bed.

2. Vintage Pull Toy – Oh Albatross – I have a few of these vintage toys in Henry’s room. Such beautiful keepsakes.

3. My Town by Delphine Doreau – Pop out paper storefronts, houses and animals and a full colour pull out map make this book a must have.

4. Chinese Lantern, Rabbit - Mini Bulles – I absolutely love this paper lantern. Perfect for a kids room.

5. Bluebell Reversible Bonnet – Patouche – This sweet little bonnet would be perfect for hunting down Easter eggs in.

Posted by Emma - The Marion House Book on March 22, 2013 – 9:00 AM

Filed under five faves

Ten years ago I moved back to Toronto with my now husband. I was 30 years old and about to go back to university for the third time to study interior design. While the majority of my friends were blazing paths with new careers and exciting work prospects I felt like I was slipping backwards. When people asked me what I did I was embarrassed to say I was student. In essence I felt like everyone was getting ahead while I was going nowhere.

And yet I knew I was on the right path. I knew if I put my head down and worked hard that eventually it would pay off. I pulled all nighters for four years to get through design school. I worked summer jobs in busy kitchens, started and ended a cupcake business, worked as a caterer for photographers, began writing a blog, moonlighted as an assistant food stylist, prop styled photo shoots, designed kitchens, bathrooms, living room, exhibits and pretty much said yes to everything that came my way.

Yesterday it all paid off. I started a new job as the Home Editor of Chatelaine Magazine (The number one magazine in Canada!). I would be lying if I said it wasn’t a dream come true. I have always wanted to work at a magazine. In fact, when I graduated from University (the first time around) that’s what I set out to do. It’s probably why I found myself writing this blog. It’s not that I started it with the intention to get myself into magazine but it is inherently what I love and I think (not to be boastful in any way) that my passion for writing, editing and curating shined through.

Joslyn Taylor of the blog Simple Lovely (and one of my earliest supporters) found herself in the very same position as me about a year ago. She was leaving her old job of 13 years to dive into the world of editing a magazine. I’ll always remember that she used the term “trusting her cape” as she took the big jump into her dream job.

Friends I’m taking a big jump and I’m trusting my cape!

Image credits:

Confetti System

Desk of Ayesha Patel – Martha Stewart

Posted by Emma - The Marion House Book on March 20, 2013 – 9:00 AM

Filed under design work, in the press

hello! neighbor – brad & jude

Almost two years ago to the day I profiled the country home of Paul and Rachel in the small Ontario town of Orono. It has proven to be one of my most popular posts of all time. Today we are returning to the same rural community for a tour of Brad and Jude’s house, friends of Rachel and Paul’s. The design sensibility is surprisingly similar – an eclectic, flea market aesthetic mixed with historical Victorian architecture. The result is a whimsical almost fairy tale like home that is bursting with colour and little discoveries at every turn.

Enjoy the tour!

Names: Bradley Mac Arthur & Jude Allison

Occupations:

Brad: Iron worker, wood worker, Singer songwriter, musician

Jude: Interior decorator

Kids, pets : Empty nesters – 7 grown children, 2 Grand babes

Year Home was Built- 1854

How long have you lived in the home- 11 years

What is your favorite rooms and why?

Brad: The Red Room. Its where I create, record and play music

Jude: Our Bedroom, I love to open my eyes and watch the way the morning light gently plays in the space.

How did you find your home?

Brad: Jude was living in Orono at the time and told me about the house, I’ve always believed the house found me.

Jude: It’s a super long story but a really good one. As Brad mentioned I moved to Orono first and strangely THIS house played a huge role in my decision to move here. When we chose to blend our families and sell my previous house I felt like I was moving home.

How did you end up living in Orono?

Brad: The minute I walked into the house I knew this was somewhere I could truly live.

Jude: I had no desire to “live in the country” and was actually quite terrified of rural sensibilities. I stumbled upon this wee village in pursuit of an affordable century home that I could restore. What I found was so much more including an incredible place to raise kids, a community of like minded people and a Mecca of all things creative.

What did your home look like when you first saw it?

The previous owners were purists in primitive colours and antiques. Fortunately they had completed most of the bull work and brought it back to the original floor plan. We have incorporated our own signature throughout by changing out paint colours, light fixtures kitchen and baths. We always try to inject a current aesthetic while maintaining respect for the architectural integrity.

What would your dream house look like?

We have been planning a lifestyle shift and have been looking for a country property for over two years. When we find that “sweet spot” its our intention to build an open concept, timbre framed barn and infuse it with vintage architectural salvage.

What was the last thing you purchased for your home?

Brad recently reworked the tin ceiling in the Grand room and incorporated some decorative timber framing. We are now shopping for gold toned sputnik light for that room.

Thanks Jude and Brad.

And before we go, the winner by random draw of the 8 x 10 gouache by Sarah Lazarovic is Jen from Rambling Renovators. Congratulations Jen! I’ll be in touch shortly.

All photos by Sian Richards for The Marion House Book.

Posted by Emma - The Marion House Book on March 18, 2013 – 8:35 AM

Filed under hello! neighbor

luck of the irish

As we head off into this St. Patrick’s Day weekend I thought I would leave you with a moodboard I just did for HGTV. Emerald green as you know is the Pantone colour of the year. A bold choice but one I personally love.

Head over to HGTV to read more about this moodboard and how you could integrate a little green into your home. I’ll be back here on Monday with a truly original Hello! Neighbor tour.

And if you haven’t already head over to this post to win an original 8 x 10 painting of your favourite piece of clothing by Sarah Lazarovic.

Posted by Emma - The Marion House Book on March 15, 2013 – 8:59 AM

Filed under moodboards