you light up my life

when I lived at home I had a pretty good sized room. It was actually two rooms that my Dad joined together by cutting an arch in the wall, thus creating one large room (man that was awesome) So since I pretty much had a small apartment (or a big one by Vancouver standards) I decided to fill it with retro furniture that I had rescued from local thrift stores and garage sales. I say rescue, because for some reason in my mind (even though I might not have room for it) I can't resist buying some amazing piece when I see it therefore saving it from going to a horrible home where the purchaser might not enjoy it for what it is. (being it's super cool and retro, not just a cheap chair that they will let their cat use as a scratching post)

Remember the show Dharma and Greg from the 90's? I think I was one of the only people I know who watched it all the time, but I think one of the reasons was Dharmas apartment. She had some amazing pieces (you know because she was the crazy enlightened one, and the daughter of two hippies) One piece in particular that I became obsessed with was her Venetian shade lamp (pictured below)














Then I began a hunt, must find this lamp! I knew if was from the 50's or 60's, so I started looking at local thrift stores, flea markets, specialty antiquey type stores and then, I found it. It was at Attic Treasures in Vancouver on Commercial Drive (if you live in the area, you must go!) But alas, it was $200 and I was but a poor las. So my search continued, but with less hope that I would find something that was a little less money. Then, ebay arrived into my life. The wealth of retro lamps was a plenty, and yes there were Venetian lamps, tons of them. So after several times of being outbid, I finally managed to wrangle one and the day it arrived was a joyous one, it sits proudly on my side table.

But I wanted to share with you my love for all lamps old and kitchy. My house is full of them. Some aren't even plugged into outlets, I just like to have them in a room. (ok that's a lie, I have an older home and there just aren't enough outlets to go around) Below are some of my faves, enjoy them, they light up my life. (cheesy I know)















clockwise from left: Atomic Era from Columbia Lights
50's TV Lamp from Ebay,
Rockabilly Lamp from Columbia Lights,
Reproduction Lampshade from Meteor Lights
Eames Era Pendant Lamp from Ebay

Visit: Columbia Lights & Meteor Lights

hoot hoot and all that

I remember back in the 80's when I went to garage sales a plenty with my grandma (apparently kicking my little legs in anticipation I was so excited) Macrame was all the rage - to get rid of. I don't think that people could get rid of it fast enough. There were those things you hang from your ceiling to hold your spider plant, strange hook rugs that you hung on your wall, and owls. Many many owls. Large macrame hanging owls. If I remember correctly, my parents were given a lovely macrame wall hanging as a wedding gift in the 70's (the it gift I'm told) it's now been retired to our cabin up north where it hangs sadly on the wall. Legend has it this is where old decor items go to die. Anyhow, I digress... Owls. Yes, they were all the rage many decades ago and like many things in fashion and decor, they have again begun to appear. Though, not in woolly, itchy form. More like, cute and kitchy form. And people can't seem to get enough of them. I can't keep owl themed items in stock in my store. It doesn't matter in what shape or form the owl is presented, whether it's necklace, ring or pocket mirror, they are a hot commodity.

I found some on etsy.com that I just had to share. (btw, if you haven't visited etsy you must, it's chalk full of handcrafted lovlies)













clockwise from left: Pinky Owl from It's All About Print, Retro Owl Ring from The Charm Lady, Owl Earrings from Berry Closet

hoot hoot, i'm out.

loving colour, sometimes a little too much

ok so the other day I did what anyone would do when a friend posts a website in their facebook status, I clicked on it. Instantly I was brought into a world where you can not only play around with colour pallets, but post them and others can view and comment on them. Being slightly egocentric I decided that I would see what people thought about my creations. Enter, new addiction. I am finding myself on there everyday now playing with different colour combos as well as making patterns and waiting oh so impatiently for other users to comment or favorite my combos. So if you find yourself on there and decide to make an account (a very simple process) then you will have to look out for me. I'm the one generating 5 - 10 pallets a day, constantly online, and savouring all the love I can get from complete strangers who share a common love with me, a colour lover.

"Watermellon Meeting"

Visit: Colour Lovers.com