Friday, February 12, 2010

Reno Chic

I am sporting a new look. It's called Reno-Chic and it's all the rage on the runway over at my house. Well, it's not really a runway, but more of a footpath through boxes of building materials, tools, shop vacs and sometimes rubble. I strut through here with "Highway to Hell" or "Welcome to the Jungle" blasting in my head. The look itself may seem similar to the grunge look of the early 90s, but instead being a backlash to former extravagance (ie. the 80s), the look stems from necessity. It is necessary to dress this way while living amid a full-scale renovation.

Key pieces include formerly cute, but now nearing rag status sweat pants. They must be ratty and paint spattered, preferably stretched out from pregnancy and in no way can they be flattering. Next come the layering pieces: old tank tops, stained hoodies and the piece de la resistance, the paint shirt. This is a old men's work shirt, rumpled, stiff with paint splashes and of course, a few tears and stains. In order to keep the look authentic one must cultivate their own personal spin on this style over time. One day spent spent sanding baseboards does not a reno diva make.

Oh yes! The most important element and my personal favourite: the shoes! For me an outfit cannot be considered complete with out the proper footwear. Options include ratty house slippers, worn out Uggs or very old cross trainers.

Hair, make-up and accessories must be minimal for this trend. Last night's mascara and a slick of chapstick bode well with the natural blush of one's cheeks after a morning spent sweeping, scooping and suctioning up the former walls or ceiling. A modest diamond stud earring is the perfect amount of bling with hair swept up in a messy top knot.

I have a strong suspicion that when this trend comes to an end, like all trends do, there will be yet another backlash. Luxe new handbags, sexy jeans and tops proportionate with one's body are on the horizon. Beautiful new custom closets need new clothes in order for it to really shine, no?

PS: There will be no photo for this post. Pictures just don't do it justice.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Kitchen

I suppose now that my kitchen has been gutted it is time to really nail down what it is I want. It is somewhat daunting, yet very exciting at the same time. It is a luxury designing a space around one's own needs. I was fortunate enough to purchase home with a pretty functional, albeit outdated kitchen.

The kitchen of my dreams is white, white, white. This shouldn't come as much of a surprise to anyone who knows me. I am an unapologetic white addict. I have entire volumes devoted to the decoration of homes using white. It's so bright and fresh and crisp and clean, yet also ethereal, sexy and chic all at the same time. White is timeless. I am in the process of painting out my lovely circa '89 honey oak cabinets, you guessed it, Simply White by Benjamin Moore. Soon to follow are countertops in either quartz or carerra marble, subway tile backsplash with a marble accent, stainless appliances, cafe curtains, bistro chairs and dark wood floors.

I live in my kitchen so it has to be beautiful and comfortable. I love to cook and have my people hang with me as I do so, whether it's my two kids enjoying cookies and milk or girlfriends sipping wine, a big island with comfy stools to perch upon is a necessary requirement.

Then there are the things I am still questioning. A wine fridge. Seems the more wine we have in the house, the more wine we drink. Not that this a negative thing! Perhaps a nice built-in wine rack will suffice. And then there is the thorn in my side. Spices. To have them exposed or not. I think not. Some things in the kitchen are pretty to look at, but spices just aren't one of them. But I hate digging around for rogue spice containers, so my spice quandary continues. And what about cookbooks? I love the injection of bright colour my cookbooks bring to the kitchen space. Since the microwave shelf will not be going back to it's former location the nook by my sunny kitchen window may be just the place for some open shelving and my dream beverage centre. Think of a Parisian bistro with a shiny cappuccino maker and all the cups and saucer stacked up like little soldiers.