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

Warm Wintery Whites

While a good portion of Canada is in a deep freeze, here in Vancouver, it's winter as usual...sideways rain. To perk up a rainy Wednesday, I thought I'd share a little peek from a pretty story I shot with Joanna and Erin, of The Cross, for Chatelaine magazine, out now. 

Artwork by Zoe Pawlak

Pretty cozy place, considering it's a symphony of whites, isn't it? If you subscribe to Chatelaine, you can see heaps more on your tablet! 

If you haven't seen it already, I did a post with storage boxes and baskets from HomeSense the other day. Up for grabs is a HomeSense gift card worth $150 so click here, if you'd like to enter for a chance to win (open to Canadian residents only). I'll be making the random draw this Friday! 

janis

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. 

Shop Love

I love my neighbourhood. Within about 10 blocks, there are heaps of cafes, restaurants and shops. One of those shops is one of my favourites, Nineteen Ten. Owners, Amy and Jenn, have created a very homey store, with a great mix of furniture, home wares, lighting and accessories. They've also started a line of their own. Talented women.

I've shot their shop a couple of times now. Most recently for House and Home magazine. Here's a peek...

The stool is one of Amy's and Jenn's creations. I'm also a fan of the serving utensils, and brightly coloured pendant light cords. 

If you find yourself in the Vancouver Main Street area, pop in and say hi. If you plan to visit Vancouver, add Nineteen Ten to your list of shops to check out.

What's your neighbourhood like? Are you in the middle of a busy city, suburb or the country? Would love to hear from you!

janis

Weekend Observations & Links

How was your weekend? Hope it was a fun one!

Mine made me feel very ladylike which, generally, I'm not ;) Here's a bit of my weekend...

Had pretty much the best high tea ever at the new Butter Tearoom, here in Vancouver. Rosie, you've done it again. The mini buns with tuna and a layer of potato chips, were my favourite. 

I always love shooting "before and after" stories, of all kinds. Gotta love a good transformation. This one was shot for Canadian Living magazine, and designed by Colleen of Vintage Home. She took a run down old shed, some beaten up furniture and accessories, above, and transformed them for a tiny guest cottage. The whole story, with all the little details, is in the new issue of Canadian Living. 

A little link love too:

•Loved this d.i.y. round up at Poppytalk
•I know it's uber trendy, but I do love a little modern cross-stitch. Spotted this at Hege in France
•I've mentioned my Zaishu before, and now I feel it's time for a new one! Take a look at the new designs at Zaishu. 
•Hanging houseplants can be great...in moderation of course. Loved some of these at Decouvrir Design

That's it for today! Back soon.
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

A Little PS for Wednesday

I'm still here in beautiful Palm Springs, so I thought make a collage of bits of the shoot. I'm shooting such a pretty home. Can't wait to show more soon.

Happy Halloween, if that's your thing!

Have a lovely 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

Store Tour: West Elm Vancouver

Happy Friday! How was your week?

I think it's safe to say that pretty much everyone knows the shop West Elm, right? I have to be honest, I wasn't overly familiar with what West Elm was all about.  I've always been a champion of the indie anything, and independent shops, and always will be. I had the opportunity, along with a dozen others in the biz, to be given a tour of the new Vancouver store by Creative Director, Vanessa Holden. I've been a huge fan of Vanessa's, since she co-founded Donna Hay magazine then onto editor-in-chief of Martha Stewart Living.  After that tour, I have a new appreciation of what they're all about, and it's all good.

Here are some of the things that stood out to me....

They have an Etsy section featuring local talent. This collection included Dahlhaus Ceramics and Walter Helena Photography, to name two.

I was told that each store is decorated to suit the city it's in. They gave the Vancouver store a woodsy, crafty theme. Loved the string pieces hanging behind the front counter. 

They have several products labeled "Discovered". One of a kind pieces. A great selection of throws, cushions and rugs. I bought the Kantha Throw in the bottom right corner. It's made of vintage saris hand-stitched by craftswomen in North India. It's beautiful and reversible too! 

Vanessa Holden, top left. I think I need the side table, top right...x2.

Part of the proceeds, from the opening night party, benefited Arts Umbrella. A fantastic place for kids to learn a variety of art forms: dance, photography, paint, etc. Definitely a new appreciation of West Elm.

Are you a fan of West Elm? What do you like best about them? I'd love hear your thoughts!

Have a great weekend! Back next week.

janis

Weekend Observations

I'm a little late with this one but, technically, it's still the weekend (Canada Day weekend) ;) How was your weekend?

I received a copy of Canadian Living magazine (thanks Brett!) featuring a story I shot awhile back. "Trash to Treasure" features the talented Colleen Sawatsky, of Vintage Home, and her patio make-over.  Heather helped with the styling. Here's a peek....

I also added some prints to my etsy shop. A series of images of Salton Sea and a couple of pink houses....

Thanks for stopping by!

Back soon,

janis