birch & lily

AYA “BlogPodium Bound” Contest: My Dream Kitchen Design

Chesapeake Shadow Oak Door, AyA Kitchens & Baths
Antique English Knob, AyA Kitchens & Baths
PARQ Wall-mount Bridge Faucet, Kohler
SR13 Cashmere, Para Paints (wall colour)
SR55 Convertible, Para Paints (pantry door colour)
George Industrial Single-pole Pendant, Rejuvenation
Gray Marble Wall Tile, Lowes (backsplash)
Sunflower Mosaic Tile, Saltillo Imports (tile boarder around island)
Banda in Navy, Tonic Living (counter stool upholstery)
Vintage French Square Counter Stool, Restoration Hardware
Custom Range, Viking
Boudoir Vanity Tray, Urban Outfitters
Artisan Stand Mixer in Cobalt, KitchenAid
Bella Porte in Twilight, Dwell Studio (Roman window shades)
Vintage Linen Sailboats Tea Towel, Belleocchio on Etsy (framed for wall art)
Vintage Linen Port Townsend Tea Towel, Time Valley on Etsy (framed for wall art)

There you go, folks! My dream kitchen! (Or one of them…) ;)

Like I mentioned yesterday, I was inspired by Mark Challen’s great dark wood kitchen from House & Home, and the beautiful pendant light from Rejuvenation.

I love the look of white or painted cabinetry, but I think wood cabinets are under appreciated these days. And in a space like this with high ceilings, plenty of windows, and open concept, why not? The touches of cobalt blue, the dark wood, and the brass accents all lend themselves to a sort of boat-builder aesthetic, so I added the nautical vintage tea towels from Etsy as artwork, and the wide blue stripe on the counter stools to tie the look together.

Here’s a closer look at my illustration:

What would your dream kitchen look like?

(This is my entry for the AYA Kitchens & Baths “BlogPodium Bound” Contest. You can also see it on my Pinterest board here.)

Book Review - Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of Country Life

You know those gifts that you never even knew you wanted but they are so thoughtful and perfect? I got one of those today. I’m not even sure the giver knows on how many levels I love this book:

Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of Country Life by Julia Rothman

How many ways do I love it? Let me count the ways.

First, it is illustrated by Julia Rothman, who is endlessly cool and talented. (That’s right, I live in a world where illustrators are trendy and cool.) Her illustrations are both charming and accurate, which are equally important to me. And regardless of subject matter this book just looks cool because of its aesthetic. Definitely a book to leave out on a shelf or coffee table for the pretty factor.

Second, it is a teaching book. And though I chose not to become a literal classroom teacher after university, I am still in career, and motherhood, and by my very nature a teacher. This book has a wealth of information laid out clearly, and interestingly. Little M was immediately drawn to the different kinds of farm machinery and looking all of the animals. (One of my initial remarks was, “this would be perfect for homeschooling!”) This book made me remember my dear friend Dorothy - a retired teacher with whom I did my teaching internship years ago. We taught a unit on farming connected to my city’s huge agricultural fair (called “Agribition”) She would die if she saw this book, because it’s such a good resource! I wanted to fly to BC immediately and show it to her! (Well, and to see her and her beautiful lakeside retirement house…)

And third, I love this book because it’s farming. Most of you regular blog readers will know that Sean farms, grew up on a farm, and that we are working towards living on the farm. But my love of farming actually started before my love of Sean. Back in my camp days I worked with a lot of farm kids. Back then I decided I wanted to marry a farmer (I figured I was a prime candidate for living out on a farm: I mostly like to be thrifty, I’m no social butterfly, and I love nature and the wide open sky!) My camp friends would teach me, and I was an eager pupil. I think they half thought it was cool, and half thought it was funny. They’d pick up old copies of the Western Producer and quiz me on farm implements and cattle breeds. I loved it. And this book recalls those times and goes further in depth. It feeds my farm nerdiness.

The only drawback I’ve noticed so far is that it doesn’t feature grain crops that are common on the Canadian prairies (canola, flax…) but that’s OK. Maybe Little M and I will have to illustrate an addendum. ;)

So if you love farming, or teaching, or great illustration like I do, then pick up this book too! And thanks to Aimee for this thoughtful gift!! You are too sweet.

(All pictures are from Amazon.com, all illustrations by Julia Rothman)

Cobblestones from Kecky

Like a page from a storybook. That’s a good way to win me over! This one is waiting in my Etsy shopping cart to be purchased and hung in my front entry!

Illustration Inspiration II

Now you’ve seen some art spaces for famous illustrators, but here are some more pictures from my inspiration files of spaces to draw and paint:

Windows!!!

There’s something about a bright white space…

I’m not one to use an easel, but I like this paint-splattered place.

You know that episode of The Office when Dwight plays the virtual game “Second Life”? If I had a “second life” I’d live in a warehouse loft apartment in Chicago and have a sweet art studio there. And it would look sort of like this. Or like Lotta Jansdotter’s Brooklyn abode (which I’ll show you in a future post.)

White!!!

Love this desk!

Illustration Inspiration

Continuing on my theme regarding a home art studio, I thought I’d share some great spaces from a few great illustrators. Being a children’s book illustrator would probably be my ideal artistic career, so it’s neat to see how others work in this field.

This is the studio of Theodor Geisel (AKA Dr. Seuss). I like the big open boxes of pencils, pastels, crayons, etc at the end of the table. Also, I love the open wall to pin up artwork. Would be great for organizing storyboards.

Eric Carle (of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”) in his studio. I appreciate the contrast of messiness and organization - I can relate. I also like that he wears a lab coat. :)

These shots are from Mo Willem’s studio (You know, the Pigeon guy). He says he likes the space so much he feels like he’s waiting for someone to kick him out of there ‘cuz it’s too nice.

And here’s a shot from his home; a room covered in chalkboard walls. (He’s a big supporter of doodling, and I guess this is one good way to encourage it!):

How much do I looooove Lane Smith’s (known for his work with John Scieszka) studio space in the country? *sigh* I especially adore that huge-mongous table. And the big windows. And the rafters. And the loftiness. And the antique-y lights. You get the point.

The creative space of Pauline Baynes. When I look out that window I almost expect a talking beaver or a fawn to come out from behind a bush…

Roald Dahl (That crazy guy behind books like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, or my favourite, Matilda) at work in his writing shed. Interesting that he likes to work on a board on his lap.

And another point for the messy artists, here’s Ezra Jack Keats in his studio. (Though I can’t imagine his books being created in a sleek, clean space.)

Do you have any photos of spaces where great minds create?