Modern Home, Natural Christmas

Now this is my kinda home, and my kinda Christmas. Home to a family of four, it's been decked out for the holidays by interior designer, Sophie Burke. I have so much love for this home, and the pretty and low key festive decorations.

This 1920's house was was renovated by architect Elizabeth MacKenzie, and the interiors were finished by Sophie. I shot this story for the November issue of House and Home magazine. Here's a peek...

A perfectly calm and inviting bedroom. Artwork by Angela Grossmann.

I'll be keeping this bathroom in mind as inspiration for my reno. Love the pretty little wreath that Sophie created too. 

The family room is just off the kitchen. Loved everything about it. 

Speaking of the kitchen.....

....it was a pretty great one. 

Loved the mix of the comfy, classic sofa, with a Saarinen coffee table and an Eames rocker. Sprigs of fir tree, pinecones and candles are festive, without screaming Christmas. 

This really makes me want a separate dining room. Perfect backdrop for more woodsy, natural, Christmas decor. 

What do you think? Are you a nature lover when it comes to Christmas decor? Do you think you could live in a fairly minimal house? I'd love to know. 

Have a great day!

janis

Christmas "Spruce" Style

Happy Wednesday! Hope you're having a great week.

My last post was pretty festive, so I'm just going to carry on with that theme. 'Tis the season, yes?

I've had the pleasure of working with the women behind the fantastic shop, Spruce Collective, a number of times, but I think this shoot might be my favourite so far. They created a festive dining room, complete with DIY ornaments and decorations. They're featured in the current issue of Chatelaine magazine.

I love that they've created a festive setting without screaming 'it's Christmas'! If you're in Abbotsford B.C., definitely pop in and see what they've got happening for the holidays. I promise, you won't be disappointed. 

I'm off to Tahiti and Australia tomorrow, but I do have a couple of posts ready to go and will, no doubt, post something from my travels. If any of you have been to Tahiti, I'd love to know any secret spots that we shouldn't miss. Merci in advance!

Until then, take care!  

janis

x

T'is the Season

Happy Friday!

It may be a little early for Christmas, for some (is it?), but it's everywhere right now. Thought I'd share a festive story I shot for Style At Home along with editor-in-chief, Erin McLaughlin. Cheryl and Natasha, the mom and daughter team of Little White House, created a cozy, cabin-style Christmas with vintage papers, lace, and ribbons, along with linen and burlap.  This story is in the current issue of Style At Home. Here are some more pics from the shoot.....

When do you set up for Christmas? Are you a stickler for tradition, and keep your decor the same every year, or do you change it up? Do you make a lot of your own decorations, like in this story? I would love to know!   

For the entire story, the ladies of Little White House have put it up on their website. Click here to read more.

I Could Live Here

I hope you all had a lovely weekend!

I was able to get some pics of the new and improved The Cross, just before they re-opened, after a month of expansion and reno's. It's so beautiful. I could live in various parts of the shop. Since they're re-opening in time for the Christmas season, there's a little festive action going on here as well. Here's a peek...

If you're in the Vancouver area, this shop is a must-see. It's one of the many, independently owned, shops in town. Great to see, especially in the era of "big box" stores. If you can't get to The Cross, you can also shop online. 

Christmas Greetings

I hope you all have a lovely day with friends and family!

janis
x

TGIF

Happy Friday! This week has been over-the-top busy. I've shot everything from a banana bread queen, to a festive cocktail party story, to pretty bed linens and a lovely home - an interesting variety. One thing I've realized....I need a helper/assistant to help with coordinating things. Yikes. More on that in the new year!

We're heading back to Australia for Christmas with my husband's family. Can't wait. To wrap up the week is a sample of some the festive decor I look forward to seeing on cute shops all over Melbourne and Sydney....

janis
x

weekend observations

It was a busy weekend around here. A couple of shoots, and a best birthday present ever. My husband took me to see Paul McCartney for my day of all days. Sir Paul is still pretty amazing. Anyone else see him in Vancouver this weekend? 

Here's a little bit of the shoots I had...

Barefoot Contessa has a couple of locations in Vancouver. Have you been? Lots of great stuff for kids and men too! 

So many exciting things happening at Gallant & Jones! I've had the pleasure of shooting their beach chairs since the beginning, then onto trays and bags. These blankets are so soft and beautiful. Check them out here. 

What did you get up to this weekend? Did you venture into the "black Friday" shopping frenzy? If you did, was it all worth it? Let me know!

Have a good Monday!

janis

Getting Festive for a Cause

Happy friday everyone! Hope you've had a good week.

I've just finished shooting "Homes for the Holidays", a fantastic event to benefit Kids Help Phone, an incredible non-profit organization. This is the third year I've taken part. Pretty easy to give a day of my time to help out for such a worthy cause.

Many home owners, designers and shops took part as well, to decorate several homes for the tour. All funds raised go to Kids Help Phone. Here's a bit of what I saw today...

If you're in the Vancouver area, and are wondering what to do this weekend, think about checking out "Homes for the Holidays". Click here for more info.

Have a fun weekend! 

janis

Weekend Observations

Technically, it's still the weekend here (Remberance Day long weekend) but why wait for tomorrow? Hope you've all had a good weekend!

As mentioned in my last post, I was hoping for a calm and quiet weekend, and that's what I had. Here's a bit of it...

The Cross is located in Vancouver BC. Click here for more.

I also did a contributor post for Poppytalk today. I transformed a vintage bench by using a simple photo transfer technique. Click here for the how-to and the finished project! 

Enjoy the rest of your day!

janis

Fresh and Modern for Monday

How was your weekend? I carried on my "technology" break throughout last week. Sometimes I find it absolutely necessary! I feel better now ;)

I shot a very lovely home, as a Christmas story, for House and Home (November issue) and wanted to share some of my favourite bits. Sophie Burke designed the interior for her sister Lucy and her family. The house itself is almost 100 years old, but has a fresh and modern feel going on inside. I'm not focusing on the festive decor, though it's beautiful, as you can see that in the current issue of House and Home!

A calm and pretty ensuite. 

Grey and white for the baby's room. Love the little nook. 

Clean, simple and grey. Perfect spot to bake in. 

I wanted to pinch the wall mounted bedside lamps, linens and that "Granny" pendant, by Pudelskern, as well. 

Do you think you could live in this house? I definitely could. Let me know what you think!

FYI, I shot a "Girl Friday" story for Move Lifestyle, along with The Jealous Curator, featuring actress Brittany Ishibashi. We started out at her trailer, on the set of new show "Emily Owens M.D.", and ended up at English Bay. A perfect Vancouver day. Click here for the story. 

That's it for today! Have a nice Monday. Back soon.

janis

Baked

Well hello everyone! How was your Christmas? I've spent the last 6 days bed or couch bound due to a Yuletide cold/flu (what is the difference anyway?). I did pop out to my mom's for Christmas day, but that was it. Hope you managed to breeze through the holiday bug free!

I tried out a recipe for our New Year's Eve get together. Yum. Have you made yorkshire pudding before? I grew up eating it pretty much every Sunday, but only recently starting making them myself.  I thought I'd make mini ones, then top them with a mushroom compote along with a little gruyere cheese. Bite (maybe two!) size and perfect for a cocktail party.

Mini Yorkshire Pudding with Mushroom Compote - makes about 24

1 cup + 2 tablespoons milk
4 oz all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 eggs, beaten
about 1/3 cup vegetable oil for mini muffin tin

Mushroom Compote: You might want to double this recipe. I did.

4.5 oz mixed mushrooms, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
1.5 teaspoons fresh thyme, finely chopped
2 tablespoons red wine
3 tablespoons olive oil

To make yorkshire pudding: Preheat oven to 425f. In a medium bowl, sift together flour and salt. Make a   well in the flour mixture, and whisk in the 3 beaten eggs. Add the milk, a bit at a time, while whisking away. Your batter should be a little thicker than unwhipped whipping cream. Refrigerate batter for 30 minutes.

12 minutes before you take out your batter, place 1/4 teaspoon vegetable oil in each cup of the mini muffin tin. Place in oven and heat until it smokes, about 12 minutes. Take pan out of oven and place on a stove top element/flame set on low (I do this so the oil stays as hot as possible while I pour batter into tin cups). Put one tablespoon of batter in each cup, working quickly, then place back in oven. Your oil really needs to be super hot, so the puddings rise high and are light and airy.

Allow to cook for 15-20 minutes, until puffed high and golden brown. Really try not to open the oven door while cooking, as they may flatten. Place on a wire rack to cool.

To make compote: In a large pan, on medium low, heat up your oil, then add onion and garlic. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add mushrooms, red wine and thyme, and cook for another 10 minutes.

To assemble: Warm up yorkshire puddings in a 350f/180c oven for about 5 minutes. Top with a small piece of gruyere and a spoonful of the compote.

I'm definitely going to make these for the party. Pretty easy and, if you're not shooting the process, or getting over a yuletide bug, it takes no time at all. ;)

Back soon!

Janis