Haley MacDougall – Sutton West Coast Realty – transition made simple.

I’ve got veggies on my mind! Our disaster yard is finally getting some tender lovin’ care and I have been researching veggie plots because I’m going to go hard into this! Well, guess how much cedar veggie plots cost? I was so surprised how much  it cost to get a custom cool looking veggie plot constructed. So I’ve had my eye on this idea for a long time and it turns out to have a lot of positives to cedar boxes for me. A) It’s cheaper. Who would have thought?! B) Their look goes right along with my need for “contemporary cottage”:) C) Our darn Terrier can’t get high enough to get into all my veggies and eat all my snow peas…THOMAS!

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I’ve definitely got garden on my mind. We are about to jump on our backyard with our friends @ Aloe Designs (if you don’t know them, click here! And Caitlin’s great blog too here!). We really want a fun space to play with the widget and for the Terrier to patrol (not like he doesn’t anyway, it’s what he does best). I’ve been struggling with making an actual “play zone” but the thought of staring at kid crap even once they are in bed makes my head hurt. I always loved to make forts etc when I was little and was obsessed with finding little “secret gardens” outside in the yard and great beyond. I want to have that in our yard! Alas, it is tres tricky here in the city. So…I’ve decided I would make my little lady a teepee for the backyard to play in. But why stop there? Why not make it a living teepee! This is just genius, and easy too. Runner beans will work just fine as they grow so quickly! She can play in her fort, Thomas the Westie gets his bean snacks 1 foot and below and mom gets her beans above:)

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I generally find corrugated steel quite cold but I think this idea just might change my mind! Why not use it as a ceiling material. I love how the right lighting can make it glow and lends a really warm feeling to it. I don’t think it would work on anything other than a vaulted ceiling…but in say a vanny special…could be something amazing don’t you think?

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My new project. Yippee! I have quickly realized that the thought of doing work in the office upstairs with a toddler is…well…impossible. So this is my new solution! Why not construct a little built in desk in my kitchen (because obviously I’m there 90% of my day right?!). It’s as easy as buying one matching upper cabinet and a reminant slab of granite from my go-to guy. Not to huge but just enough space to work. Soon I will be able to store my paperwork out of sight, house the laptop permanently and have a place to work! VERY exciting stuff.

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The backsplash. The biggest way to make a statement in a kitchen but all that tile adds up quick in costs. This is all the rage right now and I want to move and renovate again just to do it! Instead of doing a tile backsplash why not replace it with something ever changing? The outdoors! Not only does this look ahhhh-mazing, it also gives you some light in that kitchen. And the cherry on top? The super functional extra cupboard space above it leaves for you where your old window used to be. Why didn’t we think of this sooner?!?

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So often in homes there is a gem of a space up in the old attic. If you just want to gain a small space for the kids to play or a casual office sometimes it’s as easy as some drywall and flooring. If you are wanting a more functional space like a master bedroom, etc you may need to look at adding some headroom with a dormer. If a dormer isn’t in the budget here is a quick fix to buy some headroom..like going up the stairwell or above a sink. Adding a skylight in opportune places buys you some space and some lovely light as well. So if you are thinking about finishing that attic make sure to think about the placement of those skylights!

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It’s that time again that decor gets stepped up a notch! I am often posed with the question “Should we forget about decorating for the holidays when we have our home listed for sale?”. Well, in my opinion there is nothing more charming than a holiday home, simply and tastefully done. Besides, you try to tell the kids they have to have most their toys in storage AND they don’t get a Christmas tree! I think the key to holiday decorating while selling your home is to pair it back and keep it simple. A candle here, a wreath there, and a tree on the small size if you have the room. Analyze your space…if you have limited square footage utilize wall space for decorating instead of trying to squeeze in a tree. Play up your entry way and exterior spaces the same way you would in the spring with a few winter planters, and perhaps some simple white lights. Just remember, simple can be festive at the same time!

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I have always wanted to use pallets in interesting ways and have been determined to make myself a pallet coffee table. One of these days… This is a great way to add industrial into that kitchen! I love the look of the painted pallets to add a bit of contemporary rustic to a kitchen. Looks fab with the white floors and industrial lighting non? I’m a fan

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Wow what a great idea for a small space! I love the look of this hanging herb garden and love the hanging fruit basket idea. Why not take it outdoors? If it rusts a little bit it adds to the charm! I’m definitely including this on the patio this summer to save the planters for the flowers…herb garden no more!

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What better way to throw the house a street view facelift than to splash a little color on the front door. It immediately dresses up the exterior and the best part is you can change it with each new year. Simple to do and definitely freshens up any exterior! Saying I love this mint green door is an understatement…

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