I love you Photoshop…

Don’t get me wrong, I do love the room as designed on the left. I just thought I’d have a little fun with it and see what I could come up with. Ah the magical makeover powers of Photoshop!

I threw in a new picture above the bed (it’s actually a photo I took of the roses I got for my birthday); a white ceramic owl on one side table and a mirrored picture frame on the other; a couple of my bespoke cushions, eh voila! My re-interpretation.

I’m not a fan of the tall vase with flowers that are taller than the base of the lamp, but I didn’t have the time to take it out of the image. I would rather have little silver julep cups with white flowers on both side tables. If only I knew how to magically create a throw draped across the end of the bed, or an Hermes purse and scarf on the bench!

chemainus, I love you…

We made an unexpected trip over to Vancouver Island this weekend to pick up my ailing neice in Ladysmith. Our poor little med student got sick during her practicum–oh the irony! (It’s okay. I can joke about it, ’cause she’s doing fine now and she’s home safe and sound.)

We had some time to kill before Peytra could leave the hospital, so we took the opportunity to check out a neighbouring town, called Chemainus, which is world-famous for its historic wall murals. Lucky for us it was the local summer festival, so the town was all dolled up! Everywhere we turned, there were quaint little scenes.

a rose is a rose…

Can you believe that I received these roses a week ago? They’re absolutely stunning and not showing any signs of withering…just like me…smirk!!!

magical makeover…

Today is laundry day…oh yeah…it’s Father’s Day too! I tend to be a rebel–at least that’s what my life coach tells me, but I think she’s wrong. So today, I say NO to laundry!!!! Instead, I thought I’d have some fun and do a lightening-quick makeover of a bedroom…you heard me…a makeover, baby!

I took a photo from Canadian House & Home Magazine‘s website, and gave it a little makeover. I added a little punch of yellow, threw on some of my Nicole Jane Home Bespoke cushions and changed the dreadful…er…challenged picture. Now, rather than saying “I want to be in a psych ward.”, I think it says “Hello world! Let’s jump on the bed!”

Hmmm…I had so much fun with this! I think I might just subject you to more of these makeovers!!!

Ocean Park festival…

Today was Ocean Park Day, which is the annual festival in our little neighbourhood shopping area. Not even the rain can stop me from sniffing out cotton candy and hot dogs!

One of my must-see shops is Romancing The Home, a gorgeous little home decor shop. Today they were hosting a Pop-Up shop of Festive Nest artisans products. I was delighted to meet Angela, from La La’s Land (below). Festive Nest hosts vintage artisan sales in a barn on a local farm, and I’m dying to go to the next one!

These are the lovely ladies of JJ & Whiskey–one of my all-time favourite clothing stores. I’m so lucky to live in a close-knit neighbourhood, where we all know each other!

Just thought I’d show you the flip flops I bought there last week. The black ones with the olive-yellow straps. So comfy!

After a hot dog, some butter chicken & rice, and a big hot latte, I had to come home for a nap!

life in Spain & Reisenthel baskets…

My good friend, Katharine, at A Girl In Madrid writes about her life as a photographer, epicurean and marketing genius in Spain.

Her latest post is a drool-worthy collection of photos from her recent jaunts to Zurich and Amsterdam–rough life!!!

photos by Katharine Herringer via A Girl In Madrid

photo by Katharine Herringer at A Girl In Madrid

Katharine is hosting a giveaway on her blog, and all you have to do is visit Nicole Jane Home, visit the Reisenthel Bags department, go to A Girl In Madrid and leave a comment telling her your favourite pattern. The winner will receive the bag of their choice. Pretty good, huh? Draw date: June 30, 2011 Open to residents of Canada (except Quebec) & U.S.

photo by Reinier DeSmit for Nicole Jane Home

win bespoke cushions…

Good news! I’m giving away a set of NJH Bespoke cushions to one lucky winner on July 10! They’re worth over $340!!! It’s super easy to enter the draw. All you need is have a Facebook account and hop over to the Nicole Jane Home Facebook page and….

Oh…and I’m giving the people who “like” the Nicole Jane Home Facebook page a 10% discount on all purchases until July 10. That’s on top of our regular FREE SHIPPING over $30. All the details are on the page.

design in a box…

Today’s going down as one of the best in the history of the Findlay household. I just about giggled like a school girl when I saw the postal lady walk up my sidewalk with a box and a roll of carpet samples in her hands.

DRUMROLL….

It’s the Design In A Box that I won from Canadian designer and design columnist for Dabble magazine, Nyla Free!!!!!!!!!!

It came in the prettiest grey box with yellow trim & ribbon!! I’m a wrapping kinda gal! It’s full of fabric samples for upholstery and drapes, design layout options, source guides and carpet samples!!!

It’s just like Christmas around here! I was so excited that I tore everything open in a frenzy (as you can see), called Nyla to blabber on about what a huge fan I am, and now I need to go back to bed ’cause my brain blew up!

I’m suddenly craving turkey and gravy…mmmmmmm!

bespoke cushions…

I’m so excited to launch Nicole Jane Home’s Bespoke Cushion collection. With the help of my besties Sharon and Yvonne at Layers & Layers, I was able to choose to-the-trade designer fabrics that mix and match beautifully with so many styles.

NJH Bespke Cushions

When I worked in a busy home decor shop, people would regularly ask about whether or not we sold cushion covers separately. It was never an option, because wholesalers generally sell cushions as a set, including the filler.

So I’m really excited about the fact that I’ll be offering my customers the option of buying the covers and fillers together OR separately! It’s definitely an affordable way to decorate with high-end designer cushions. I’m hoping to add collections with each season.

area rug area rules…

Ever wondered about the rules for placement of area rugs? Apparently, I’ve been breaking ALL the rules ALL these years. I finally got so fed up three years ago that I ditched the rug under my coffee table and haven’t replaced it since (bad girl).

I’m really impressed by the new line of area rugs by Style At Home magazine…yes…the magazine! I haven’t seen them “live”, so I have no idea about the quality, but for $190, you can get this rug (other styles/sizes) for 8’x11′. Not bad.

photo courtesy Style At Home Magazine

As for the rug placement rules…Style At Home’s got that covered too. Christine Hanlon recommends the following rules in the May 2011 issue.

“

* An area rug should always extend under all of the key furniture pieces. It’s best not to have a large section of empty rug extend beyond where the furniture ends; ideally, the rug should only extend one to two feet beyond the furniture–ensure that this is consistent on all sides.

* A dining room rug should be large enough that when chairs are pulled out from the table they are still on the rug–usually one-and-a-half to two feet of extra space beyond the table on all sides.

* If you’re placing two rugs in adjacent rooms, there should be a proportionate amount of space between them since each defines its own distinct area, with graphic patterns, the designs could be the same or well-selected companions (for example, reverse colourways of the same pattern).

“