Armchair travel

Armchair travel at its best!

The loft is transformed at night by the Moroccan light. 

Alex and Penny had ordered one and we followed their lead. It took a few months to arrive as it was ordered directly from the manufacturer (Atlas Lighting) in Morocco. Great craftsmanship and handmade. 

It's been a little escape, to listen to music in the space at night while enjoying the exotic pattern of light and shadow. During morning yoga, the light becomes a bright golden sculpture to admire from below. 

The curved walls from the half story enhance the effect and I feel like I am in a sultan's tent. For best effect, we installed a clear halogen light. What a fabulous addition.

Ocean Coral

Splurged! 

I had purchased a smaller ceramic piece from the same artist a few weeks before and was loving the colours of blue and copper. The bowl is lovely, but a bit small and the mantle was calling for something larger. Then on my Instagram feed, my old friend John had a gallery spotlight on some new pieces. Before I talked myself out of it, I'd sent off a text inquiring.

When I picked it up I realized how fragile it was and worried I might drop it before I even got it home. "It's not a question of if it might break, but when," I thought somewhat philosophically.

It started off in the yoga room where I could see it every morning, but it seemed precariously close to my headstands. Why tempt fate? 

Then I tried it in the home office, the neck of the blue vessel looking like it was capturing sky. I can see it there every day too, but it blocks access to the paper files below.

So for now, it has found a home where I first imagined, reflecting itself in the glass for double the pleasure.

Home Office

Every 'before' photo was at one time an after photo. The latest after photo is on the right, above.

The old fridge here has become a combination standing desk and filing cabinet. I like the honey-toned wood and history of the old wooden box, even if it is a bit squat.

Crown moulding! A finishing touch I've wanted for more than a decade. Does it make a difference? Yes, I think so.

The room was painted probably 4 or 5 years ago, and I did love its rich deep colour. When we were updating this time around I almost chose a colour called 'Starry Night,' a deep plum that would play on Van Gogh's almond blossoms, in name at least.

I decided on sunlit yellow hues, warm and welcoming. Although I read somewhere that painting walls a bright yellow can make people irritable, these are more golden. So far I am very much enjoying the ambience.

Finally unboxed the books, and heavily edited. One hundred or so paperbacks are going to the Prison for Women. I wonder if they will accept My Sister the Serial Killer? It's there, alongside Thoreau and Virginia Wolf. I also have a box of hardbacks to distribute in neighbourhood little library boxes (the prisons won't accept hardcovers as they are too often turned into weapons).

Just two of my grandfather's paintings, rather than a wall. The intention is to rotate rather than overwhelm.

Loving the new home office. Easy commute and very comfortable. I have placed a foot massager under my desk and a neck massager on the book shelf. Creature comforts!

Homebodies

We've been spending a lot of time at home due to Covid, and appreciating all the more any enhancements we're making to our living space. Generally, the home improvement business is booming and it's hard to find and book contractors for smaller jobs like ours. 

Our projects started in the spring, but with various mix-ups and contractor availability, final deliveries and installations are being made this week. Phase Two of our reno will be almost complete, except for painting in the home office and main floor hallway. No changes to footprint, just some door and window upgrades, new hardwood floors, resurfacing lumpy walls in the home office, and upgrading storage for our music/art/yoga loft studio.

Lots of progress happened this week but it's not quite done, not quite yet.

Monday: The last of the carpets was cleaned and delivered after a lengthy delay... not sure if it was forgotten in some factory corner, but now the dining room rug looks like new. The close pile and pattern have held up well for 25+ years. Gleaming hardwood under the table was quite nice but so is having the rug back in its place. A repair caused about 7" to be removed from width, which actually fits in more nicely with the room. 

Tuesday-Friday: Home office mural and skim coat done! Originally this was to be tearing out the old plasterboard and installing insulation, which would also get rid of the visible folds and indentations in the wall. When I heard the old window frames would also need to be replaced, I modified the scope to a good skim coat with wallpaper overtop instead. Wallpaper led to murals, and the mural led to Van Gogh's Almond Blossoms. The vibrant colours are energizing, and a unique background for all those virtual meetings. More to do before the home office is complete, including final painting, getting the books back in their shelves, and finding a comfy reading chair and lamp. Very happy with the way the mural turned out.

Wednesday: Wall unit installed upstairs in 'loft' after picturing the transition back in May. The install will need a few touchups, including longer side doors next to the rad and replacing a cracked shelf. They'll be back in two weeks. I'm already finding the doors a bit of a pain when it comes to accessing my yoga gear, but this is a definite improvement as far as organizing space and increasing storage. 

Friday: The third wrong door was delivered today, so not installed, because when it finally arrived it had the wrong glass. I think the contractor was hoping we'd take it anyway, but we specifically ordered that pattern because it reminded us of Frank Lloyd Wright. Although not quite right, quite yet, this new front door is one of my favourite improvements because it lets in so much more light and totally opens up the space in our tiny foyer. After a few months wait, the first door that was delivered was the wrong panel design, and we had to wait 4 more weeks for the next door. When it finally arrived, it opened on the wrong side but we had it installed anyway. We've lived the righthand opening for awhile but the proper welcome will provide guests to a view of the living room instead of the radiator wall. Hopefully the right door (with the lefthand opening) will be delivered and done before the cold sets in, but we'll have to wait to see when the factory can deliver. 

Putting everything back in place is an opportunity to get better organized!

Work in progress

Things have been upside down the past few months (since July!) as we've boxed them up and moved them about to accommodate new floors being installed and painting being done on the main floor. Even the rads were disconnected so the floors could be properly installed. Things are not quite back to normal and work is still in progress, but the end is in sight... at least for the living/dining room.

The dark hardwood gleams and is so nicely polished, it is almost a shame to put rugs over top. The photo above makes the living room look a bit like a bowling alley but shows a view of the work in progress and paint selections underway.

After many trips to many paint stores and stockpiling paint brochures and colour chips, we finally decided on the colours: a mossy green called December Rain for the dining room and Japanese Paper for the living room and trim. Probably would have gone on dithering if the painter hadn't been scheduled to do the work! 

The mossy green back wall and dark wood floors create a beautiful flow into the ravine and extend the living space, while the colour of Japanese Paper is an elegant backdrop for existing furniture and complements the new floor.

The stairs also got a welcome facelift.

Lots of work still to be done in the home office. While the floors are done and one wall is painted, need to get the furniture in its proper place, and the bookshelves restocked. Also very excited about the mural I've picked out for the far wall, but before it's installed we want to get crown moulding up and a good skim coat to prep. 

The Loft

For many years after my son moved out, the space was still referred to as Alex' bedroom. When Caro stayed overnight and dubbed it 'the loft,' the moniker stuck.

The room did triple duty as guest room/tv room/yoga space when we were undergoing the basement reno. I've been doing yoga here for months now because I love the morning light, as does the ficus.

However, we are going to swap out the tv stand and return the teacher's desk that Rob rescued and refinished years ago for Alex' studies. The light is perfect for sketching, watercolours or small scale projects like working on models.

Once the desk is in place we''ll see whether it makes sense to add some built-in shelves without overcrowding.

Definitely want the kit kat clock to stay!

Before and After

These 'before' photos could also be called after photos... after the space was cleared so work could begin. It was quite a process, getting rid of old stuff to make room for the new; then living with the mess and hammering for months.

A year in the making.

Work finished in early January, followed by putting in the finishing touches. Mirrors, mattresses, paintings, rugs.

Done!

The more I use it, the more I enjoy it. February is a perfect time to be a homebody.

Down the stairs
Vinyl plank flooring used throughout the basement helps what still is a small space feel bigger. Fully waterproof and easy to clean.
The pantry is easy to access and provides essential storage. Originally the shelves were to be just 6", but expanded to 13", making a better depth for kitchen gear and wine bottles.
The bathroom is fully finished so occasional guests can stay in private quarters ... We joke about the heated washlet toilet and its built-in bidet functions but it is a real pleasure to use.

Warm and Cozy

The fireplace wall emphasizes the vertical, creating the look of more height.

Different types of lighting sources to play with the mood (ambient, accent, task).

There was quite a bit of back and forth about whether to go with a gas fireplace or electric, and whether to add more rads to the basement space.

The radiant heat is definitely cozy on a winter night, and maintains a constant temperature.

New windows also keep the chill away.... Hoping to see a difference in the monthly heating bills.

The elephant in the room is from an update a few years ago. Quite at home here, making a nice footrest in front of the fire.

I find myself in the swivel chairs often, content to spin.

Comfy couch

Somewhere to gather, whether to read or watch tv or enjoy some music and conversation.
Lately I've been using YouTube to provide relaxation and ambience - scenes of the Northern Lights, forest walks, backyard birds. Rob will call up the sounds of a crackling fire or waves on the beach. 

Lots of room to stretch out when it is just the two of us, but easily accommodating room for more.

 


Sleeping alcove
This was intended for overnite guests but is a welcome space for afternoon naps!
The chest is my hope chest from when I was a teenager, built for me by an old boyfriend.
The bedspread and pillow shams were crocheted by my mom years ago, I'm glad they have found a place here.

Mudroom / Laundry room

From jammed and unsightly to spacious.

A place to hang and air dry clothes, access to the sink for gardening season, with additional storage under the stairs. 

A whole new level

We've made the investment and now we have a lot more space to enjoy ourselves. A warm and comfy place to watch tv and listen to music. A couch to curl up on with a good book. A space for guests to overnight in comfort. Improved storage. Better laundry layout. More energy efficient. A fireplace! A nice bathroom! A HUGE improvement that will likely add to the resale value of the home. Not that we're going anywhere, especially now that it is so comfortable!

There was a bathroom and kitchen we never used, roughed in from the time we purchased the property 30 years ago. Previous owners advertised it as a potential rental unit, and although we never rented the space out we never got around to fixing it up either, other that adding a bit of wallpaper. It desperately needed refurbishing and had turned into a tv room with mismatched furniture, with lots of items stacked and stored and tucked away that should have been tossed long ago.

It was time.

Yes, we could have done it all more cheaply. DIY instead of professionals. A coat of paint instead of drywall. A murphy bed instead of a sleeping alcove. Candles instead of an electric fireplace. Truthfully I didn't have the appetite to spend my weekends and holidays on DIY projects that may or may not produce desired results.

After consulting with our financial planner to make sure we weren't ransoming our retirement years, we decided to go ahead and refurbish.

We worked with Chris throughout the process. At times the reno felt like an ordeal, with all the upheaval and mess and expense. Her company is aptly called Functional Art as she helped us maximize available space and make informed choices - she's a professional with thousands of hours' experience. It was more than great to have her expertise at hand.

...

A year in the making:

January home improvement 'to-do list' includes reupholstering 2 chairs.

February, I was getting quotes from upholsterers .

March I was looking at fabrics.

In April there was serious scope creep when I asked Chris for some help finding fabrics.  She stopped by and, Rob and I couldn't resist asking her opinion about the basement. A few days later she showed us a sketch for the layout for a potential basement re-do.

By May we were scouting fireplaces. Gas or electric? We also began to declutter and sold a few items on Kijiji. We bought a lift bed that Chris had spotted on sale.

In June, Chris arranged for quotes from her suppliers for doors & windows; flooring; and bathroom fixtures. There was a preliminary scope of work we used to interview contractors and get quotes. It was hard to find contractors entering the busy season, and harder to get them to quote. We would get verbal estimates but then they didn't want to put pen to paper to commit to prices. One of them scrawled a total figure in pencil on the bottom of an invoice. Another bullied me over the telephone and then provided a verbal range based on a loose description. These guys - and they were all guys - may just have been loathe to do paperwork but I wanted assurances on the overall cost and timing of the project. In the end we found someone that a friend had vouched reliable... Paul turned out to be great and I have already recommended him to others.

July we decided to go with rads for the basement rather than electric heat. We also took delivery for the bed ordered back in May.

August we shortened our sailing holiday to spend more time emptying out the basement space to prepare. What we couldn't yet part with we jammed into the den, which became a storage locker for the next four months.

September the work actually began. Paul and Eric started by gutting the basement - thankfully the walls were nice and dry. Our cat Griskit started to look forward to the sound of their truck arriving every weekday morning at 7:30. Chris sent us on field trips: we checked out flooring and slate at Alexanian's; visited Gingers for the bathroom fixtures; went furniture shopping at Vogel and Windsor House.

October the struts and drywalling; prepping for rads; updating plumbing; moving the washer/dryer

November windows and doors; floors; tiling; bathroom; electrical.

December the painting and finishing touches; furniture delivered to site.

Those two chairs that started this whole project? One has been delivered, but the embroidered peacock fabric is still on back-order for the other!

Also still to be done: mirrors in bathroom and over mantle, mattress & bedding, touch-ups to the quarter round and baseboard.

Photo finish to follow!

Such stuff as dreams are made of

Wow! Even though I knew it would be tough, I still underestimated the challenges of emptying out the basement to prepare for the reno.

So much stuff! But of such stuff dreams are made. Stuff is really not the dream or hope itself, as much as we mistake. But stuff takes time and effort to acquire, takes up physical space, has to be paid for, and eventually disposed.

It was tempting to just throw all the stuff in the trash, but we tried to avoid the landfill. Some stuff was sold on kijiji: two couches, a display case. Gently used stuff went to the Salvation Army, trunk load after trunk load. Stuff like financial papers and old documents was burned and shredded. Bags and bags of stuff still ended up curbside as garbage.

I still don’t want to throw away the films I made in college, even though access to a 16mm projector is something that would take some effort to arrange. After agonizing over whether to keep the stereo and vinyl records we eventually decided to find a reseller. It was too hard to get rid of all the videotapes I produced early in my career, and copies of CDs and magazines I’d written or produced, so I kept a smattering.

Boxes and boxes are packed in the room we’ve converted to temporary storage, awaiting the end of the basement reno: future photos for editing, pantry goods, kitchen appliances….

Other items we donated to the Furniture Bank (finally!). The pretty cherry wood antique sofa we reupholstered ourselves (three times over 25 years), such a nice little piece. An old chest of drawers. An old office chair. A kitchen table. Also my grandfather’s desk, just a humble pressboard, mass produced item I can clearly remember him sitting at, worrying over bills and writing checks. I used it myself for decades when writing university papers, working at home, and paying my own bills. I envision it being well-used, maybe by a refugee trying to perfect their English skills or by a working mother stealing time to write her poetry.

After all the work to clear the space I’m inspired to tackle decluttering in other rooms, and the last thing I want to do is window shop for more stuff or items I don’t really need.

Perhaps it is time, too, to dust off some of the dreams piled high over decades. Thank the aspirations of childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, and choose anew.

Feathering our nest

It all started with wanting to reupholster two chairs. I called around for quotes on the job and then when it came to picking out fabrics, I mentioned it to Chris in a text. Before we knew it, Rob and I were standing in the Design Centre surrounded by thousands of choices. I wasn't loving anything in particular until I saw a giant peacock embroidery, and then I was smitten.

Now we are looking at rugs and flooring, and going ahead with getting some preliminary drawings done for a basement reno.

With retirement in the not too distant future we will be spending a lot more time at home, why not in a nice and comfortable space?

Living Room Makeover - Complete

Well, almost complete.

We still need a lamp by the orange chair to make it easier to curl up in and read, and maybe another occasional chair. And I'm sure we will play around a bit more with where we hang the paintings, but it's mostly done.

The room hasn't changed dimensions, but it feels wider and brighter than it did last December. The furniture is definitely more comfortable! I've been enjoying just sitting and listening to music, reading, and hanging out.

Adding a few lighthearted elements brings another 'lift' to the room. Rob gave me the elephant ottoman for Christmas, knowing I'd had my eye on it since a visit to the Distillery District.

When we went to the Artist's Project a few weeks ago, I really connected with the art of JoEllen Brydon. A touch of humour, narrative, and luscious colour in every canvas made it extremely hard to choose. JoEllen herself brought a few different ones over to the house to help me make up my mind, but it didn't make it any easier to pick just one. She actually left a few paintings with me for the afternoon while she took her mom out for lunch. In the end I decided on 'Ladies Crossing', with the little old ladies crossing the road in the foreground.

And today, for the finishing touch... Rob and I went touring the One of a Kind Show and turned a corner to see an entire wall of wonderful creatures at the Mosaique Panache booth. We spoke with Marylene Menard, the artist, and she explained how the forms were made by her husband and she then adorns each with buttons and timepieces and porcelain. We took some measurements and went home to sleep on it before making a purchase, but in the morning the first thing I wanted to do was head back to pick one up. Which one, though? A whole enchanted herd to choose from. The 'Expected Antelope' mosaic now hangs on the wall, looking perfectly at home.

Framed

My framing challenge: having more paintings than wall space, and boards that are painted front and back. My grandfather is the artist, so the paintings have special meaning. While some have been on display, others have been stashed in the closet, waiting to see the light of day. It seems a waste to hide them away. My grandfather would be the first to admit they might not all be 'frame-worthy' - but I can't stand the thought of banishing a single painting.

I'm not sure why it took me so long, but I've finally gotten around to a solution.  Choosing the three most common sizes and having frames made to order so I can switch up the boards inside and keep updating the arrangement.

Although I appreciate an uncluttered  environment I definitely feel comfy in ordered chaos: rows of books, layered texture, multiple patterns. So... a wall of paintings in the den.

Choosing the frames was fun. In the end I decided on having a touch of gold in each, instead of having all the frames match exactly.

In two weeks, they should be ready and I can start fussing about the hanging and placement.