Monday, December 17, 2012

The Right Chandelier!

I'm on the hunt. The hunt for the right chandelier for some very dear and cool friends. Actually, the husband has put in the request, and since I don't get a lot of 'hubby requests' I feel an added pressure to find the perfect fit. As some of our favourite peeps, I would describe their style as a little mid century, a little industrial, a little eclectic and also warm and inviting. Currently they have a chandelier that says "glamour" and as I'm working on a few "glamour" projects right now it's fun to switch gears to something a little more edgy. I thought this was a good way to show H&K what I found (and get a blog post). Enjoy!

PS: I have a little confession. I'm addicted to Instagram. Yes, it's true. I've tried to stay away from all the
'look how great my life is' stuff on Facebook but Instagram has me hooked. You can find me at karlaldreyer. I will try to keep it real!

The direction I got was industrial. Se here we have it. I likey. via CB2

For a long table this one is very cool. To amp it up even more you could have 2 of them (10 lights) via CB2

Little hard to see on the photo but this is unique and industrial. via Parliament

You can't go wrong with this one and comes in different finishes. Love the brass inside. via Restoration Hardware

This one is sort of space like but fun. via Restoration Hardware

I saw a great knock off of this one at Homesense! via Restoration Hardware



Definitely a statement piece. One of my faves. via Chinz and Co.

They also are looking for a new table. This one comes in a couple different sizes and I love. It's by The Novagratz (look them up - I'm obsessed). It's so family friendly and cool. Via CB2

But I think this table is so very them. I can see it in their place and love it! Via CB2





Thursday, December 6, 2012

What's your Style?

I'll warn you now, this post might be a bit on the tangent side. I've sat down about 3 times this week to write a post, started one and then just felt like I was writing something because I 'should' and feeling inauthentic about it. Got me thinking about why I started this blog. I was in the corporate working world and this was a way for me to get out the creative brewing inside me. Now as a mom and having not gone back to the dark side of corporate life I am looking again at why I do this blog? I want to share. I think I have some ideas that might be fun for others. A way to get the swirlings in my head out on paper (well, sort of).

This rambling leads me to a post that is sharing (check), that I think might be fun for others (check, I hope?) and yes, gets the swirlings (is that a word?) out of my head. My girlfriend (amazing photographer - check out her work here)  and I were talking about a session she had done years ago to help her define her style. She can probably explain this better, but basically the goal was to come up with two words that defined her taste. Actually, thinking out loud here, I should have asked her what that was as I'm helping her with few decor items right now!? Anyway, I think if we all knew our 'style' it would help with the choices we make in our home, in decor, in fashion - you know, all the really important decisions in life!

I think I'm in a transition right now for my style. I typically like things that look soft, feminine, white (still love that), a little sparkle. Probably 'contemporary romance.' I just made that up but sounds good. I'm now leaning toward 'contemporary whimsical' - yes, I just made that up too. As we're still hoping to make the move back into the city (Vancouver) this of course gets me thinking about how I see the new pad. I think it will be less fussy, a tad more eclectic, and a bit more whimsical. One thing I know for sure is that I'm feeling cluttered right now which leads to a cluttered mind so there will be some major clearing going on.

Here are a few pics of things inspiring me. They are a bit random - let's call them contemporary whimsy. Thanks for letting me vent. Enjoy...

Loved this room for a long time. Will have to incorporate some of this in my life.

Here is that whimsy part. I like the idea of working in this space.

Style that is still family friendly! Just wipe down those chairs and a table that looks good with a few marks.

Just love it, many reasons.

Styling with storage - actually that will be the 2 word 'style statement' of our new place for sure!

Have to do this for my girls.

Animal print and chalboard paint - what could be better?


Images via: Domino, Emily Henderson, Style at Home, House and Home, Pinterest, Caitlin Wilson Design