Collaborating Locally

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I don’t know about you guys, but blogging can get a bit lonely. Yes, the comments are great (and I love them), but the computer just doesn’t really talk back. Even the nicest office (which I don't have) can't make up for human interaction. And I’m the kind of person looking for a conversation over coffee.


So, when an opportunity to hang out and talk design came up with one of the Ottawa bloggers I was SO FOR IT. Ginger is the hilarious and scary intelligent writer behind the blog “At Home in Ottawa“. After a coffee date that saw us kicked out of the coffee shop and on the street continuing to talk about everything from kids and husbands, to sourcing things for the home, we knew that blogging together was a natural next step.


And so, to introduce Ginger we did a little Q&A:

WHY COLLABORATE?

NATALIYA: Like I said before, I get lonely talking to the laptop. I need human interaction to keep the spark of blogging burning bright. By collaborating with Ginger I selfishly look forward to having someone to bounce my ideas for the blog with (husband doesn’t count). Someone who is also in the midst of home renos. And, with Ginger, someone with incredible design sense and writing style that I'm dying to learn from.

GINGER: I love having a creative outlet and have been blogging in some form or another for years but lately it has lost a bit of its spark to me.  I’ve come to realize that maybe going at it solo makes for a lonely creative venture and started contemplating reaching out to other bloggers.   I love DIY, going local and recently became a mom (surprise!) so my first thought was Nataliya.  I think we have complimentary design styles and similar DIY attitudes ;)

WHAT IS YOUR STYLE?

SOURCE - one of my all time favourite bedrooms. EVER

NATALIYA: As you already know, my style is quite modern and minimalist with a bit of glamour thrown in for good measure. I like light coloured walls, black accents and a few hints of shimmer here and there. I talked about my style in a bit more detail HERE.

Muriel Brandolini House Tour

GINGER: Ha!  That’s a tough question - I’m into smart design and love seeing small spaces that are versatile.  My space is a bit over-the-top with tons of art, books, and great lighting (of course!).  I love an eclectic mix of classic vintage pieces with new modern in moody colours – and with that, I am always fighting a clutter habit.

WE'RE BOTH FROM OTTAWA, SO WHAT??

NATALIYA: I’m constantly torn between ordering things online + driving for the US border to pick them up (because they don't deliver to Canada) and finding things here in Ottawa (at a reasonable price). 

GINGER: I’ve lived all over Canada – in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec and Ontario.  I started blogging about home décor because my friends were always asking where I buy stuff.  Canadian design magazines often source places that are in Toronto (or Montreal/Vancouver/Calgary) – it can be a challenge to find good quality materials/furniture locally or online (that ship to Ottawa) that are reasonably priced.  By writing about it here, hopefully we can bring the community together to share information and promote local.

And now that you know a bit more Ginger and why we would like to work together, I know you will be eagerly anticipating her posts! Welcome to the blog!

Makeshift Kitchen

The uppers in our kitchen have began to come down. We're keeping them for storage in the basement. I think they should work fine until we figure out the new laundry room plan (scheduled for summer 2015-ish, stay tuned). Have I mentioned that we're moving our washer and dryer into the basement? Well, we are (or at least supposed to). But this post is not about that.

In preparation for having no kitchen at all, I've began paring down to the essentials. That means coffee and our Magic Bullet. This is actually a great way to get used to open shelving. And a lovely reminder of how little we actually need.

Yesterday Baby C came in from the backyard with this dainty little flower. We put it in a saucer (as all of our vases have been put away) and added a bit of sugar to the water so it would last longer. A few hours later the tiny bud had bloomed fully. So beautiful.

PS. our cat has been walking around the house for the last few days screaming at the top of his lungs. All this reno change is definitely not his cup of tea.

Our Progress Over the Weekend

 That's right. No more fireplace. BUT if down the road future (far far far away future) owners of this house want a fireplace here, the chimney is easily accessible and a wood burning fireplace is just an insert and some drywall away.

 And no more pantry. The two rooms together feel huge and meant to be. I'm sitting in the bertoia chair right now. Looking through the remaining evidence of the wall and grinning. I'm SO happy we went for this!

 Half the hardwood in the room has been removed. It is sad and makes us angry that whomever installed it did so without installing plywood first. Never do that!! The hardwood has nothing to hold on to and is coming off in sheets :( the only good thing = less work for us.

We'll call this room the dining room from now on.

PPS. Gray Owl at 50% is divine. You can quote me :)

Happy Monday

Via Etsy.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Renos have a way of helping you release angry/frustrated/depressed/confused/weepy energy and directing your mind elsewhere.

Thankful This Weekend

This weekend we spent taking apart the fireplace, getting our walls (and the front door) painted not by us and enjoying the beautiful weather. Just the three of us.

I have debated in my heart whether to share this with you, and in a way, saying things here is a sign of how present I am on the blog and how much I connect with the people I have met through the blog. We have experienced a molar pregnancy, discovered at 12 weeks. Traumatizing as it is, this weekend we are most thankful for our little girl. I've said it before and I'll say it again, she is our heart. And everything else we can weather through together.

Ikea Console Styled Gorgeously

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My eternal love for Ikea and talented styling.

Happy Friday

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Who wants dibs on spending the weekend resting up here? I do, I do!