Happy New Year!

It's the day after Labour Day....I know...not a new year technically but this for me is always the time to get back to work, get inspired and get things done! (do I hear cheerful humming from all the moms on their way to school ?! " ...the most wonderful time of the year...." lol) I usually do better at my September resolutions than I do at my January endeavours so I am going to stick with that plan :)

I also made a promise to my family at the beginning of summer that I would detach from my computer ( unless work necessary)

  ... and guess what...it was fine! 

A few months sans social media, blog posts, pinterest and I am still in one piece. But now its time to get back at 'er.

Stacey and I were BUSY! Tons of new fun design clients and some some staging work. I think our busiest summer ever. 

I also did a little cabin deck refresh ( while NOT on my computer !)

Here's a peak at our newly painted and decked out little getaway at Horne Lake.

We started out like this...hasn't been touched in 13 years. ( its 540 sq ft...just a baby cabin)

...and with new deck rails , new TREX decking and new grey paint / white trim :)

     And a door that went from red to yellow and finally this blue.

A peak of the lake...we get full vista morning until night...pretty lucky.

Another salvaged fixture, spray painted and re wired :) 

This is apparently old...ceramic from Italy. I'm sure not meant for painting :/

After ...works great!

                                                

Here's a cool way to use an old lamp outdoors...cut the wire off and remove from base. Insert a solar light top  ( post removed ) into the bulb receptacle ( mine fit exactly!) and there you have a solar powered  outdoor lamp!

So we now have a way bigger deck and very all weather friendly and much needed outdoor space. 

And a little teaser...we are working on three new big design renos. In one fab new place we ordered this smashing Berhardt Beckett sofa.....YUMMMY!! Can't wait until its all in place to show ...wallpaper, new furniture, fab dining and living areas. Stay tuned:)

What did you you do this summer? Were you glued to your computer...hope not!

Any New Fall resolutions? Mine? Post more, work hard, be kind

...and take lots of photos !

Have fun and get busy :)

~Tracey

Patio Reimagined!

So I have lived in my home for just over a year now. We love it...all good except we were missing some storage space ( a workshop) for my hubby and the backyard was only half finished. The patio had a great start so we decided to jump in last fall and build a third garage and finish the off the backyard completely.

Small construction projects can take just as long as large ones...you need the same trades its just harder to get them to squeeze in your little bits! Our little endeavour was no exception. After almost 10 months we finally have a finished garage ( workshop) and a great storage area for Stacey and my staging inventory . YAY!  Local contractor Steve Copp Construction did all of the garage work. New Heights Contracting did all the exterior painting . Thanks guys!

Outside in the back was another whole giant project ....excavating, rock walls, shed building, BBQ cover building. Ask my husband how his back is after wheelbarrowing tons and tons of rock to fill the beds for a lower maintenance alternative to more plants!
  Nothing to it ! ....ya right.

Anyways  here's the end result and I am really happy with the way it turned out. We have lots of great storage and an awesome patio that is really usable to relax entertain and BBQ  even in our sometimes(!) rainy Victoria weather! Sadly I don't have any before pics ( dang!)

The cool BBQ area was designed and built by super creative finishing contractor Ben from Beneficial Exteriors Inc (beneficialx@gmail.com) All newly milled cedar posts and beams joined without fasteners using mortise and tenon only. COOL! 

You remember this sad little sidewalk cast off I found? Looks pretty in this new seating area! Price was right...a little spray paint and new chain and bulbs. I hope to change the the bulbs to some cool retro filament ones when I can find the right size! Hoping my honeysuckle and kiwi vines grow up and along the trellis fast!!

I also finally used the stumps I have had stored for a while..one is lacquered for a little side table and the other painted white and movable now with new castors.

Stacey and I also found two of these water pipe fittings at a salvage yard in Coombs. We were planning ( and maybe still will) a coffee table but discovered that moving them is not only really hard and heavy but we are a little afraid of floor damage. So for now its a planter :) - funky though and certainly worth 

some more thought.

Finally enjoying some patio time and nice late spring weather. Work is really keeping us busy (no complaints!) so I'll have to squeeze in any moment that I can....tall cool one in hand! Oh ya that and a small exterior cabin reno on the go...stay tuned!

Enjoy your outside spaces...whatever size or shape they come in!

~Tracey