Decorating. I love to decorate my home. If I wasn't doing photography I would have likely pursued interior design. I just wish I had more money to be able to afford my own taste! Ha! However, I find that having less money forces me to be more creative in using what I do have.
I will post a few things that we are doing in my own home in a few days but for now I thought I would share some favorite images and styles that I have right now. And yes... like most, my style changes often. Which in itself is expensive.
One of my favorite designers is Canadian. Sarah Richardson! Love love her style. It is so clean, modern and most of all calming. She seems to be able to do any style and wow... what class she has. Check out her website. She has her own line of furniture. And it is sold in Halifax which is fairly close to me. Well within driving distance... so that is dangerous.
She has her own show "Design Inc." which I try and catch whenever I can. Very inspirational rooms on the site. But this is my favorite kitchen and very similar to what we are working towards in my own home. 
I find the walls look blue here although on the website they say green. Very similar to my own walls. I am going to be doing the same thing with the raised counter in my kitchen and we are going to be getting new countertops, sink and faucet soon. I plan to paint my cupboards white like these and add new hardware to them. Instant update.
Like most, I can't yet afford an entirely new kitchen but one can sure get a similar look as this with relatively little money.
My favorite thing to use? PAINT! I find it instantly updates a home. I painted the brick on the front of my house. A very earthy brown. We moved here a year ago and I hated that my house looked like five others on the street. Redish brick, red shutters and a boring white front door. I painted it. I will take pictures soon and post those as well. We painted the brick with a combination of concrete paint and stain. Two parts stain, one part paint. Much to my neighbors horror. The end result? They loved it and are considering doing it as well. They said it made the brick look like stone. The stain allowed the natural brick colors show through and didn't make it appear "solid" which would have looked more like we painted the brick. Not what I was going for.
We also painted our front door a nice taupe, updated the hardware to a dark brushed copper and painted our shutters. This summer it will be onto our landscapping.
Our project right now is our den off of the kitchen. We took out the woodstove, and Jeff took out the large, evasive hearth that was sticking out into the tiny room taking up space. He cut the once circular wood floor that shaped the hearth into a square opening and inlayed brown tile into the floor. What a difference. Then he primed the brick and it is my job to finish painting it today. We have bought a black electric fireplace to go in the area for now. Propane wasn't in our budget. Yesterday I got a huge black mirror to go over the fireplace at Winners. Fifty dollars and it is huge and gorgeous. My favorite place to shop. Winners!
OK enough rambling. Am I doing good keeping up with this blog? A few more images I love. They are totally inspirational to me and the look I am slowly moving towards.
I have decided that this is the feel I want for my office. I already have that wall color. Now it is to go for the rest. Hubby will be building me some shelving I think!
Beautiful interiors, Nice photos!
Bety.
Posted by: iralamija | January 11, 2007 at 02:22 AM
I'm obsessed with Sarah Richardson!! She is my fav. designer!
Posted by: melissa godin | January 12, 2007 at 11:23 PM
I LOVE that living room! So nice! The colors are great.
I am also obsessed with home decor! I watch so many decorating shows. Unfortunately, this place doesn't really express any of my personal style - but you wait until I get my own place!! You'll have to help me come up with ideas once I nail down my dream apartment! :)
Talk soon!
Posted by: Kate | January 15, 2007 at 09:16 AM
I wannna see pic's of your house!! I love the style you have posted here and that designer is great, thanks for the link!
Posted by: Michelle Croson | January 26, 2007 at 10:57 AM