Not That Vintage

Light my Fire

2009-05-19T12:18:00.008-05:00

You can make this lamp!

It's cheap and I think even I can do it...which means you can too. Click here for step by step instructions from craftynest.com.

Here's another version of the same pendant light. I found this one on ReadyMade Projects.

Think I'm going to make this light for my bedroom, only use white yarn instead of the brown twine. Seems easy enough.

If you haven't already discovered ReadyMade projects magazine for yourself, it's a definite keeper. It's a glossy magazine full of simple ideas for the dyi'er. Check out the website for their handy archive section and instructions for everyday life.

Happy crafting!

Plant Pots

2009-05-14T11:25:00.003-05:00

No matter how much I wish summer were here, it's not. Even though I won't be planting my pots this long weekend, I can still plan and dream about what it will look like come July - all filled in and colourful.

This will be my 4th summer at my house. With my very minimal outdoor skills, every year I try to improve the space as best I can. The first year I filled in the brown grass and made it green! My second summer I planted my pots and brightened up the space. Last summer my mom helped me out (I won't even take credit for it) and stained my deck. This summer I have many plans. I'm not sure yet what I will follow through with, but plans are a start.

From my house to my parking pad (no garage), I have a gravel walkway through my backyard. With no mowing strip, this year it's 1st on my list. I need something that will frame the grass and create a defined line. I'd love to have a brick strip like this one or the like...

I also want to freshen up the gravel by adding more. It's left me over the years. Not sure where its's gone off to though...

I'm also looking for some new plant pots. Unfortunately due to my neglect, they've cracked over the winter. Every fall, outdoor pots should be emptied, cleaned and brought inside. I always leave mine outside and this year the snow melted to revel all 6 of my big outdoor pots have cracked. Yuck. So, I'm looking to replace them.

The hunt is on...

Happy plant prepping!

Window Project & Monkeys.

2009-05-14T11:08:00.007-05:00

Why use a plain old white board to post messages in your office or kitchen when you can put something lovely like this on your wall?

I found this today on Design*Sponge and just had to share it with you. Click here for full instructions to make a message board like this for yourself.

I've also wanted to share my new found love of my life - sock monkeys. My lovely boyfriend gave me one last Valentines day and I've had a love afair ever since. Mine looks exactly like this one, which I leave in my livingroom. Yes! My adult living room features a stuffed animal that will make you smile. Because...why not?

Bikes!

2009-04-18T23:17:00.004-05:00

Edmonton was lovely. Ikea was not in the plans however. Because I did not make to my favorite store, ordering online has never been more appealing. I plan on returning later in the summer for a longer stay, perhaps then I will be able to fit it into my schedule. Blast!

Aside from my Ikea withdrawal, spring is here. This means it will soon be time to pull out my bike. Last year I was lucky enough to visit the bike auction. Every spring all the stolen bikes that were recovered but not claimed, are auctioned off at fantastic prices. Check out this years details. Last spring I found this lovely little blue number that was perfectly me.

This year I'd like to pretty it up a bit and make it more practical. It's not exactly the type of bike you hit the trails with. It's definitely a city cruiser that's good for getting pints of milk from the store, and taking leisurely rides down to the park with. Nothing crazy. But, as I discovered last summer, it's one thing to ride to the store and another to figure out how to get the milk and bike home with only two hands.

Solution: I'm looking for a basket to attach to the handlebars. I haven't decided on wire or wicker. Once I find the perfect one I plan on buying a liner like this one from Etsy.

How pretty. Any suggestions on where I can get me a cute basket? I've been looking, but nothing spectacular yet. I might hit up Wookcock cycle today.

xo.

Forgiveness is Best

2009-04-09T13:49:00.005-05:00

Forgive me readers, it's been 4 weeks since my last post. Ugh, bad Ally bad. Apparently lots has happened in the last while. So much in fact that I haven't had much time to update my blog. Appologies. Update #1: Media doesn't pay that well (that not really news). And so, I got a second job at a restaurant. Update #2: I also have a semi regular gig on Breakfast Television. If you're an avid viewer in Winnipeg, every few weeks you may spot my lovely mug telling you what's new in fashion. Update #3: Because of a sudden influx of work and playtime, all diy projects have been put on hold as of late.

Today however, is a new day. I'm off to Edmonton for the long weekend where I'll be visiting family and doing plenty of mandatory shopping. Shopping must - Ikea. Good for just about everthing, if you know me at all you know my love for Ikea is everlasting. I plan on stocking up on summer outdoor and indoor planters -and ribba frames -

I still haven't gotten around to painting my office grey. When I do, it's going to look lovely. These Ribba frames with random pictures will help complete the room.

I also want to stop by Whyte Ave while I'm in Edmonton - an area of the city I have never been. Althought I have family in Edmonton and have visited many times, I haven't seen much of the city or downtown. I've heard through the grapevine that Whyte Ave is the Osborne Village of Edmonton. I'm hoping to maybe find an antique store or two with handfulls of wonderful. I'll keep you posted!

And because I haven't done anything extra special in my house in the last while, check out these feature photos from people who have - a few of my favorites from design sponge.

I love the map.

Check out the bird cage and colourful mantle. I swoon over the fire. If only...

Slipcovers - the easiest way to modernize your sofa. The plain white looks great against the bright cushions.

Even pinned posters can look organized and neat. All the posters hang from the same horizon and even though they're random, they don't look it.

A spattering of bird ---- paintings. Lovely.

Enjoy easter. xo.

Blog this!

2009-03-12T21:43:00.007-05:00

I've spent so much time on design blogs as of late it seems I eat, sleep, and dream them.

Recent loves include:

Design Sponge

Decor Addict

Decor8

Oddity number 2:

This week I've decided that I may want a career change. I've been so overwhelmed by interiors that I'm thinking it may be a good career. I like looking, judging, admiring. and it's more than just paint and furniture to me. It's function, it's personality. I've recently realize that a persons space can truly help or hinder your day to day.

Allison Forzley, Interior Designer. Kinda pops.

Allison Forzley, Creative Writer/Producer. See, that sounds good too. I think it sounds a little more fancy than it really is. One day I'll tell you what I really do.

I'm just tossing around ideas and starting to look into schools. I found what looks like a fantastic school in Vancouver - the Art Institute of Vancouver. It looks like an exceptional place to study and learn. Not liking the $40,000 price tag however. That's NOT a typo. It's truly ridiculous.

xo.

Vintage Inspired Art

2009-03-09T14:05:00.008-05:00

Turn vintage ads into pretty, framed pieces of art! I found this idea on HGTV but have pondered it for years. I've always been attracted to the lovely, bright artwork from vintage magazines and ads. There's great examples all over the web. There are free versions as well as mid range and options more on the expensive side. The examples above are from All Posters. They've even got a category dedicated to vintage art.

Check out MagazineArt.org for scanned copies of American covers and advertisements from way back when. These can be downloaded for free and printed from your computer. Free is good!

If you have some money to spend and nothing at All Posters is suitable, checkout 20th Century Art eBay store or The Vanity Fair store.

Pick up some inexpensive frames and you're good to go. Enjoy!

It's a Bulletin!

2009-03-03T09:28:00.012-06:00

About 6 months ago I found a cute frame at VV for $3.99. My plan was to paint it and turn it into a kitchen chalkboard. After bringing it home I realized it was a little big for my kitchen wall pace. So it sat untouched behind the door in my office, until just this weekend. After my daily Etsy search, I was feeling inspired. I decided my plan could be salvaged, and I would use the frame for other creative endeavors.

First I painted the frame a crisp white and antiqued it with some sandpaper.

I bought some foam batting and vintage inspired fabric, cut and secured it all in place and...voila, a new bulletin board for my office. It all cost me about $15 and filled up my Saturday night.

What's old is new again

2009-02-22T16:47:00.008-06:00

Couches, sofas, and big comfy chairs aren't cheap. The couch and chair I own, came from my parents. Paired with my slate coffee table, the three pieces are the only inherited furniture I still have and use. Originally purchased from Eaton's a good 15 years ago, my couch and chair are extra comfy but are a little outdated for my taste.

I've got a cute cottage chic thing going in my house...but my sofa and coffee table just don't fit. I'd love a new sofa with clean lines and a solid colour fabric, and the coffee table from my previous post... swoon.

I've been considering getting the sofa/chair duo reupholstered, but am worried about the cost. If I get it done, I'd like to get it done right. After a few recommendations, I came across Winnipeg's That Furniture Guy.

All I have to say is awesome. You pick the fabric, budget, and they'll give your tired couch a new look without having to buy brand new, or do it yourself. I've got lots of good ideas but sewing is definitely not my thing. TFG will also revamp and stain old wood furniture. My creative juices are flowing. I'm going to stop by the shop and get a quote. I'll keep you posted.

xo.

Shop Etsy

2009-02-16T16:23:00.003-06:00

I recently discovered an online haven for everything lovely. It's called etsy. You can both buy and sell anything handmade, as well as vintage fun and crafting supplies. You can search for items locally, as well as by category.

Jewelry, furniture, clothing, art. This pillow is adorable. It wouldn't match anything in my house but I want it anyway.

I fell in love with this above my budget coffee table.

Have fun searching! Fall in love with etsy.

xo.

Faux is Fabulous

2009-02-08T20:32:00.007-06:00

Artificial flowers are not just the gaudy plastic lovelies (see above!) that your grandma had adorning her living room when you were little. They've come a long way, and when used properly, and minimally, they can be a colourful addition to your home.

I have this lovely faux orchid in my bedroom. For $6 from HomeSense, it even fooled my bestest lady friend. Now that's success!

Check out some great examples I found online...all fake.

This one's my fave.

Add some artificial flowers to your life and enjoy colourful blooms everyday.

Before and After.

2009-01-25T20:36:00.008-06:00

I managed to take some snaps of my newly painted bedroom this weekend. After having a look at the photos I realized two important things: 1. I love the new colour 2. I don't like my new camera so much. It takes very poor pics in low light. I'll have to figure it out.
Have a look and see for yourself - on both points.

before:

after:

Joy for purple walls!

Purple Morning

2009-01-23T10:56:00.005-06:00

It seems that every year in the dead of winter, I start perusing magazines dreaming of sunny days and sandcastles. Time for a change! It's cold and dark outside, all the more reason to bring colour to your house...a little something you do have control of.

This past weekend I painted my bedroom. It was a bright sunny yellow, but just didn't do anything for the space. My bedroom occupies the entire second floor of my little house. It has alcove slanted ceilings, so depending on where you're standing, you may have to duck. It's a long and skinny room, and the yellow made it look even bigger. I opted for a darker colour, to make the space a bit cosier. It was inspired from this room I saw in the latest Ikea catalogue. I knew I had to have the colour on my walls too...

The colour I chose is called summer solace and it's a bit darker then the colour in this photo. My accent colours are white and brown. At first I was worried that the purple would overpower the room, but my alcove ceilings helped. The crisp white really breaks up the room and keeps it light and bright.

I also bought the shelves above the bed in this picture. Mine are half the size and will go on either side of my window above my bed. The painting took me all weekend, lots of extra helping hands, and 4 1/4 gallons of paint, but it was well worth it. My clothes are still in my living room, and I still need to finish a bit of the trim. Once I have my closet put back together, photos will follow.

I find this time of year is the best time to get those projects you've been putting off in the summer, finially finished. And given you have the right supplies on hand, painting is alway the most inexpensive way to freshen up any room.

Wallpaper makes me smile

2009-01-12T11:29:00.010-06:00

The last few years have seen a resurgence of wallpaper. No longer is it tacky or the mark of bad 70s design. I think the difference now is that wallpaper is being used more sparingly, and the paper designs themselves are truly pieces of art. Today, the designs are endless. You can find everything from solids, to textured, to funky patterns. You can buy the paper in traditional rolls, and also single sheets...

Prices range too. If you're looking for an inexpensive update to your wall, my old faithful is the Home Depot. Or, if you have some extra money to spend, designs from companies like Nama Rocco Wallpaper Studio will cost a bit more, about $120/sheet.

Check out the wallpaper I found at Graham & Brown. It's a basically bunch of frames, repeated. What you put inside the frames is up to you. This would be a great idea for a kids room - they could draw, or display their artwork on the wall, or any room really - paste photos, paint or post letter or words.

This month, I'll be repainting my bedroom. I'll also be adding a few new pieces to the wall, including wallpaper. Instead of using the paper to totally cover the walls, my plan is to pick up some inexpensive frames and dig out my scissors and glue stick. I want to frame small squares to display on the wall, like this, but on a much smaller scale...

Ehow has great instructions for this project. Click here.

Wallpaper can not only be used for your walls but there are loads of other options. Decorate greeting cards, lampshades, line drawers...and the list goes on.

I'll post the pics when I'm done with my little project. Until then...happy decorating!

At Season's End

2008-12-30T12:01:00.010-06:00

It's true Christmas is behind us, but as I admire my tree for the last few days of 2008, I must share with you my holiday favorites...perhaps inspiration for next year.

For the past few years I've picked through my inherited decorations, and chosen the prettiest ornaments to display in my house. This year I decided I would add new ornaments to mix - and make Christmas on Roseberry Street, my own.

My scheme was browns and whites mixed with traditional reds here and there. I bought shiney new glass ball ornaments, used cream satin ties, and added them to my ceramics and 80s vintage decorations.

I chose the best of my lot -
*baby's first christmas

* white icicles, and the brown paper mâché angel I've had for years but thought would never go. I was wrong. Turns out this year it was the perfect topper to my lovely tree.

I also added white and red berries, creme pearlescent ribbon and unique ornaments like my brown glass bird and knit heart.

Aside from my tree, I littered the house with both old and new -
* my dads vintage snoopy and elf dolls circa 1950

*my new rod iron tree with vintage inspired ornaments (sometimes just as good as the real thing). I added a red cranberry wreath over a wicker place mat, with a soft tealight underneath - an easy creative centerpeice.

I quite enjoyed my month having a feative house (yes a month, I put the tree up at the very end of November!) but now it's time to put the tree and decorations in the basement for another year. Until then...

xo.

WISH

2008-12-24T10:36:00.007-06:00

I'm a little upset because a magazine that is near and dear, and truly Canadian, has called it quits. Although I'm not a monthly reader, Wish Magazine was always a great source of home and love n'stuff. Before and afters (my favorite), budget solutions and a meal or two. I just picked up the latest issue...

...only to discover a forward from the editor that it was their last issue. What will I do now? At least I still have Budget Decorating, by far my 1st love. But, you can't subscribe to it, even though they're a monthly. Yuck. I'd love to have a suprise at my door every 4 weeks that wasn't an unexpected bill. Something with glossy pages and pretty pictures of cozy houses will do. Budget doesn't even have a website. Suggestions?

Oh...and Merry Christmas Eve from Edmonton,
Ally.

Brand New

2008-12-21T19:41:00.000-06:00

This is my new space. It's a space I'll use to write about pretty things that sparkle and personal ploys that do not. I'd like to use this space to post my pictures, write my thoughts and admire lots of other peoples decorating savvyness...because I love it all.

I bought an old house over 2 years ago and I've been having great fun making it mine, a lovely mix of new and old, ever since. I drown myself in my IKEA catalogue and Budget Decorating magazine's and love finding new ways to make my space unique.

Today I'll start with my most recent love, the Old House Revival Company. When the Village Antique Mall in the old Dutch Maid closed last year, I was heartbroken. I did notice however that one of my favorite vendors, Urban Nostalgia, was relocating and would be selling their vintage, refurbished gems at the old house. This place is fantastic. It's a 3 story converted factory building on Young Street in Winnipeg. It's filled to the brim with salvaged items from old houses - everything from claw foot tubs, to tin ceiling tiles. Visit them here. I have lots of great pieces from there, including vintage buffet handles and white washed wooden filing cabinets I use as media storage. Just lovely.

All decorating chat aside, I hope you will visit me and read all things Ally. This may include a bit of decorating speak. If it's not your cup, I assume some day to day Ally will also find it's way on here as well.

nitenite. ally.