Blog

A return and refresh with Article

It’s hard to believe that it has been THIS long since I have written a blog post, but at the same time it does feel like a lifetime ago. In a sea of social media, the blog post has become a bit lost, hasn’t it. And yet, this might just be the best time to make a return. I have been feeling very uninspired in my own creative adventures these days…or maybe more so in the sharing part of the creativity process. It has felt really daunting as of late. So my hope is that by returning to my blogging roots, some of that original joy will resurface.

What better way to return then by sharing a couple of spaces in our home that have gone through a slow evolution these past months…with a brand that has truly been with me since the beginning. The very first furniture review I ever did was for the Sven sofa from Article – a piece I had purchased myself when the company was brand spankin’ new. I wanted to share how I felt about it. It was not sponsored but it ultimately led to a long standing relationship with this staple.

Years later, I have been fortunate to own several Article pieces, and have sourced items for clients time and time again. I suspect that will continue. When the pandemic created every hurtle you could imagine in the furniture/accessories world, Article’s pricing and lead times remained consistent and because of that, we came to rely on them for many projects. I will always stand by their amazing customer service, transparency and offerings.

So, when our home’s main floor renovation was coming to a close, I knew it was another great opportunity to work together. First up, our more formal living space. This area was actually used as our primary bedroom for the first phase of our renovation and then became a glorified dining room (a huge one) when we had company over. We never had the right furniture on the living room side (and this photo was from the listing too FYI).

Enter the Sitka sofa and things started to feel much better.

I know what you’re thinking – a white sofa with kids and a dog?? Yes, it is a risk I suppose. But we don’t eat in this area (there’s no TV) and I’ve really tried to engrain in my kids that we need to be respectful of our things and take good care of them. I’ve had to treat a couple of rogue stains (hello Folex) which is more than expected, but otherwise, it has held up great!

It’s one of our favourite places to curl up with the fireplace on or have our morning coffee. It’s definitely comfortable while still being firm. And I should mention, I really nice depth too.

I still have work to do in this room – more layers to add – but I can tell you what a difference it has been having a cozy sofa to sink into!

When we first looked at Rosie and considered the move, one spot that had my heart was the dining nook. Ryan always doubted that it was big enough to run a banquette, but I knew it would work beautifully. It would just take the right scale of dining table. We created our floor plan, went through the banquette design, pendant placement etc. and then started searching for a table that would work.

The Ventu ended up being perfect but I easily could have gone with several other dining tables from Article because they have a great range of round options that are perfect for a banquette set up. I love the tone and quality of their solid white oak as well, so it was a no brainer to add on two of the Netro chairs. PS – these also come in a counter stool that I am in love with!

We sit here for most meals – Ryan and I on the chairs and the kids on the bench. It feels so intimate and welcoming to go through our days together here. I will oftentimes plunk down to work on my laptop, with the softest natural light coming in. Because we are south facing, most days I will cover the table with a cute round tablecloth to help with fading. But I know that this type of wood will only look better as we use it, telling the story of countless dinners, games, crafts, business decisions and more.

The Full Rooftop Deck Reveal

A fast turnaround, I know! But I just couldn’t wait any longer. Today, I am thrilled to share our finished rooftop deck. If you missed any of the previous plans, head here or take a peek at my saved highlights on IG. Let’s jump in, shall we? After the duradek went down, the eaves were

Continue Reading

Rosie’s Rooftop Deck Design

After touring Rosie for the first time, ahead of our offer and eventual move, we immediately noticed why no one was snatching up this property. She was a whole lot of house (that needed a lot of work) with barely any outdoor space. Granted, it is across from a lovely field and playground…it’s still vital

Continue Reading

Our Finished Ensuite: Rosie by the River Reveal #1

Though we’ve technically had a finished ensuite for a little while now, it’s not surprising that those final details can sometimes take the longest to bring together. And then to clean, style and shoot the space during a very hectic time…well, it takes some commitment! Regardless, I am here now, finally able to share all

Continue Reading

The Loft of My Dreams

When we first looked at pictures of Rosie, there was one space that both Ryan and I immediately took notice of…and quite frankly, was a big part of our decision to purchase this house…the LOFT! Who wouldn’t want a gloriously cozy loft space to hang out in?! We saw past the pink walls and over

Continue Reading

Designing A Beautiful Kids Bathroom

If you’re reading this, I’m going to assume you’re more than likely a mom…or one of my immediate family members or friends, since they consistently read my blog lol…Maybe you’re just curious to see what I have planned for the next room in our Rosie by the River project OR maybe you are actually planning

Continue Reading

Rosie’s Ensuite Design Plan

Now that you’ve (hopefully) seen the overall vision for Rosie by the River, it’s time to narrow in on the design plan for each space in the phase one renovation. Today, I’m starting with the ensuite!! A quick reminder of where we started of course… The challenges of the space: a very small shower area

Continue Reading