grapevinedesigns.ca » Custom Interior Design and Furniture for the Greater Vancouver area and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia

I am so very proud of this project.   Its a cottage on Keats Island.   Designing a cottage on a island presents some logistical difficulties and delays, but I am here to say, “It is done… almost!”  The room below is very close…  just missing 1 lamp behind the chair.  I was tied into using navys and a warm colour scheme because of the pieces that had to stay.  But I was so pleased to find the stores beginning to over flow with red and navy accessories – it was good timing.  I got much inspiration from Pottery Barn’s spring/summer catalogues.  I knew I was on the right track.  The new sofa, love and chair and a half were from Stylus.  We had an antique bookshelf and side table sprayed, a bench that will serve as a toy box re-stained and the ottoman reupholstered in a remnant fabric from the local fabric store.  The pillows are a collection of pre-existing, IKEA, Restoration Hardware and custom made.  The girls got what they wished for in the new kitchen (check back for that reveal), so the boys got their ridiculously large tv and sound system for their sports.  I guess it is their holiday too!  The TV stand was from Homesense.  I searched high and low for the perfect area rug and ended up with one from Costco!  It is the softest rug I have ever felt, and a great price too!  The old “odd” windows were replaced with more contemporary square ones along the top of the wall.  They offer light on that side of the room without compromising the privacy.  The carpet was replaced with very realistic wood looking vinyl plank flooring that will not be damaged by sun, salt or sand!  I hope you like it!

BEFORE

A few of my favorite elements:  fun pillows, a red lantern and a great collection of sea glass.

I used to be a big “do it yourselfer”, but as I’ve added kids to my family I’ve found I just don’t have the time.  However in recent weeks I’ve been trying to finish off the cottage at Keats, and if I didn’t step up and do some things myself, it just wasn’t going to get done.  (Stay tuned for more on the cottage at Keats!)  How hard could staining a bench be?  I can tell you its not as easy as you might think!  Stain is a tricky thing!  But I’ve always enjoyed “easy” re-upholstery.  Recovering the seats of a chair or a simple stool like the one pictured above is a snap.  I found a patchwork fabric on sale and simply stapled it onto the stool.  It took about a half hour!  Now the ideal seat for playing cards around the coffee table is perfect for the cottage by the sea.

I was so happy to be able to help my dear friends furnish their beautiful new home. Their soothing blue/green and brown scheme was the perfect compliment to their outdoor surroundings. Backing onto the trails of Bedford Landing in Fort Langley their new home is placed in this “ideal” community. We were working with mostly a blank slate except for the dining room suite where we had the chairs recovered. Everything else was new. We purchased much of the furniture from Stylus, AP Industries, Style in Form, Cheyanne Millwork & Urban Barn. All built to withstand teenagers as their kids grow older. I wish them every happiness in their new home.

My husband would say, “white is the new grey which was the new brown which was the new black”. Its true that white is the latest big trend in interior design. It is by no means new, but it has become mainstream – “everybody’s doing it”. White interiors are fresh and inviting. White can be paired with anything. Add bright citrus colours, pale pastels, nautical red and blue or anything in between. This scheme is not for the faint of heart! I’ve been told that white slip covers are great because they can be regularily washed and bleached, and they come out like new! (Although I can’t convince my family of this). Its the rest of the white that would worry me with my little ones.>
The rooms featured here are from Atlanta Homes Magazine. The scheme is very monochromatic, bringing colour in mostly in the wood tones of the floor, furniture and beams. Notice the custom octogonal panelled walls of the living room. They open up to a bar, television and even a hidden door. The kitchen looks like every (design savy) cooks dream! I love that the cabinets go right to the ceiling and the complimentary hardware and paint/wood finishes. Notice the French inspired islands: one for prep, and one for pastry. One of the reasons I loved these rooms were for the Oly Studio pieces that are featured: The mirrored side board with white fretwork in the living room, and the round resin coffee table in the screened porch. I just saw the coffee table featured in another article. The owners said that the coffee table is very practical, and confessed that they pressure washed smushed banana out of it right before the photo shoot!
Oly Studio will soon be available through Grapevine Designs, so stay tuned!

I couldn’t help but feature this delightful nursery. It belongs to Ashley Campbell of Ashley Ann Photography. Along with the colourful and playful pallette, what makes this room so great is the things that mean something to her and her family. Many of her family member have contributed something to make this room special, and Ashley has included numerous things passed down from her Grandmother and Great Grandmother. Fortunate for Ashley, her family seem to have a good sense of style! But it shows you that you don’t have to break the bank to create a wonderful room to look at and live in.
She create the bed out of 2 pallets, and added cool wheels. Her husband was nice enough to let her tear out good carpet to put in white painted floors. If only I could be so lucky.
I know you are all wondering where she got her arrangement of paper lanterns! She made it herself from laterns she bought from WallMart in their Martha Stewart Collection. It might be a USA thing…
Hopefully this room inspires you as it did me. Thanks Ashley for sharing!