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

Palm Springs Rancher

Hello weekend! Hope you all had a great week.

I'm about to head out on a BC road trip. Can't. Wait. Before I hit the highway, here's a look at one of my favourite home shoots ever. This perfect Palm Springs rancher is the vacation home of Sarah and Murray Bancroft and their 2 daughters, Emmanuelle and Charlotte.

Sarah, editor-in-chief of VitaminDaily.com, and Murray, a food stylist, renovated this rancher, designed by Palmer and Krisel in 1959, in just a few months. Read the entire story of their reno, and see many more photos, in the August issue of House and Home. You can also read about Sarah's favourite Palm Springs hotels here.

My favourite feature of the house was the wall of windows and sliding glass doors to the back yard. 

Do you think you could holiday at this house? I most definitely could! 

Have a great weekend! 

janis

Minimal for Friday

Hello weekend! Hope you all had a good week.

I shoot a lot of homes. The best part about it is, I have the opportunity to meet so many homeowners and see their different styles and tastes. It's so interesting, to me, to see what makes a perfect home for someone. Minimal, country, vintage, or maximal (new word?), etc.

This home was shot for Style At Home, propped by Stephanie Vogler (The Cross) and it's featured in the current issue. The homeowners are minimalists, and don't like to live with a lot of stuff. At all. Lots of white and concrete but, with some carefully selected vintage and antique wood pieces, along with their collection of McCoy pottery, it feels warm.

Homeowner, Patty, has a beautiful collection of McCoy pottery and had built in shelves created to  display it all. Still manages to keep it spare looking. 

I actually shot this couple's last home, a few years back, for a magazine called Canadian Home and Country. Take a look at the new issue of Style At Home for a few pics of their last home, mixed in with this one. It's quite a change. 

Do you think you could live minimally? Let me know!

Have a good weekend!

janis

Modern Warmth

Hello! How's your week going so far?

I wanted to share a home with you that I shot for Denise Ashmore,  a very talented interior designer. The home itself was designed by architect, Paul Phillips. It's also in the current issue of Western Living magazine.

Denise has created a beautiful mix of warm walnut, throughout the home, with mid-century furniture and pops of blues and greens.

Here's a peek...

Painting by Norah Borden.

Painting by Norah Borden.

Painting by Christine Breakell-Lee

For more images and the whole story, click here.

Are you a warm wood person, or do you prefer it a bit lighter? Would love to hear from you. 

Have a great day! 

janis

Couch Potato Weekend

Happy Friday! Hope you've all had a great week. I've been pretty much shooting every day since we got back from Australia. All fine and dandy but, let's just say, I'm looking forward to hanging out around the house this weekend. With that in mind, here are a few couches that I've lounged on and loved....

Peacock Pavilions in Marrakech.

A perfect ottoman with a comfy sofa makes lounging even better. Designed by the design team at The Cross. 

A peak into fantastic living room, in a 70's house, with the perfect sofa. 

A lovely little sitting area, designed by Rebecca Lapres of Riesco & Lapres. 

What are your plans for the long weekend? I can't believe it's the end of August...and almost fall! 

Have a lovely weekend! See you again in September.

janis

x

Vintage Modern Pretty

("Love" print by Jen Ramos, Made By Girl)

I do love a good mix of new, modern and vintage styles, and this house had just that with some pretty thrown in for good measure. Designed by Rebecca Lapres, of Riesco & Lapres, it's perfect space for the homeowner and her twin daughters. I had the pleasure of shooting them and their happy home for the current issue of Style At Home. 

The girls have their own little art studio in the basement. They were painting a still life of a bowl of pastel coloured meringues. Very sweet. 

What do you like about this space? Think you could live in it? Would love to know your thoughts.

For more on this house, check out the July issue of Style At Home! 

Janis

Elvis, Marilyn and Concrete

Well hello! How is it already Thursday? I thought I posted just the other day ;) Hope you're having a good week.

I shot this ultra modern home with Tanya Schoenroth, who was the interior designer on this project. Here's a sneak peek....

I love these prints of Marilyn and Elvis, in neon pink no less. I wouldn't mind a few of the Bocci lights either. 

I'm a concrete lover, especially when it comes to floors, and I know some of you have definite thoughts on this material, so I'd love to hear from you. My favourite part of this home was the kitchen....and neon Elvis and Marilyn. Looking forward to going back to this home and shooting the back yard and more views. 

I'm going back to Palm Springs this weekend to shoot a fun entertaining, shopping and interior story. Looking forward to a dose of serious mid-century design and some much needed warmth. 

Have a fun weekend everyone!