new

Hello and happy last day of 2012!  On this new years eve day I share an image that really caught my eye and sums up a few things for me.  

1. look back and cherish the good.  
2. sometimes it rains (metaphor here) but you can 
throw on a sparkly dress and make the best of it.  
3. at the end of the day it doesn't have to be perfect, just real.  


While new years eve is usually a time for festive party images, I loved the quiet sparkle of the rain in this one. The reflective moment... looking back.  For me this represents that one moment I have on New Years Eve no matter who I am with or where we are. That moment where I just have to stop and reflect. Feel quiet in the midst of revelry. Feel hopeful for what is to come. 

As we head into 2013 I thank you for reading.  
It has been a great first year on the blog 
and your comments and support have been lovely gifts. 


Happy wishes from me to you
xoox 
catherine


oh and ps:


have fun tonight!


images found: 1 // 2 

merry

As we head into full holiday mode here Chez K 
I leave you with some peaceful winter images to start your week.














I'll be taking a little break from the web waves this week to relax. 

And thank you again for visiting me here - I know there are a lot of fabulous blogs out there 
and I am humbled by your visit to this one.  

To you and yours I wish you all the best.

xoox 
catherine


images found here: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

the winter retreat canvas style

A friend of mine from childhood used to invite me up to her cottage in Muskoka in the summers. I have such fond memories (and sneaking-around-with-boys-and-beer-in-boats memories if we are to be totally honest here) of teenage summer days spent at her amazing cottage. What a treat it was to be a guest in this ultra special place. She now lives in chilly Calgary and once commented that al my beachy light white posts make her long for the sun and warmth.  So here is a wintery take on canvas interiors style just for her. This one's for you Leslie !  

Put on some cozies, make a cup of tea and enjoy the wintery wonder of 
white in a rustic setting. 

Rustic stone fireplace, comfy sofas and natural tones make this Muskoka room super cozy. 
Symmetry and clean lines keep it from feeling fussy. 



Lots of natural light a few darker accent anchors make these white sofas grounded and inviting



White and antiques (the marble desktop is from an old bakery) 
create winter ambiance



I know we've all seen Aerin Lauder's Aspen home but what post about a cozy white winter retreat would be complete without at least one image from this amazing home. 



A Muskoka bedroom feels inviting and warm with white fuzzy rugs and simple white bed



A tailored daybed mixed with antique finds and white slipcovered chairs 
makes this room sophisticated rather than cliche cabin



Cheeky accents look like art against a white backdrop



Candles and  mix-and-max chairs make this winter white table work.



Flea market finds and fresh white sheets 
keep a cottage bedroom from looking too cottage-y



Layers of white and cream in cotton and wool make for a cozy nest



And last but not least a Vail mountain home done with neutral colors and clean lines.  
Not to mention the canoe with Canadian flag hanging from the ceiling.  
What an appropriate way to close a post that started with Muskoka memories.

I hope this inspires you to add a little light and white to your winter decor. 





images found: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 



thinking of little ones

As I start and stop writing a post today, I realize I am having trouble finishing it because I am thinking of the little ones in Newtown. As families mourn and try to process what has happened, writing about sparkles and such feels a bit unimportant. My thoughts are with those children and families.

So today I take pause and do what feels right which is save my next post for a day or two from now. 



I do hope you are having a good week, and I will be back in a day or two.
The next post is a cozy one so I hope you check back in.


image found: here


a little sparkle and sass

I have been collecting a few images of sparkly bits... today its bits of silver.  A little last minute inspiration for the remaining holiday parties.   With Christmas Eve only a week away (what?!) I am guessing you may have one or two holiday parties this week and weekend.

So here is to a little sparkle and sass. Which one are you?












Whether a holiday party or perhaps New Years Eve,
 its that time of year to tap into our inner sass.  
And then out come the Uggs and all is back to normal. 

simple pleasures

have a beautiful weekend




xoox
catherine


image found: here
(and fyi it is available for purchase)

inspire // desire: cozy sweaters

Today is a little cloudy and gloomy here in FLA.  Which I love.  And after being in holiday heels isn't it nice to wake up to jeans and a cozy sweater? So here is a little mood board to

INSPIRE...



and a few shopping links if you so 
...DESIRE  







my favorite gift guide so far

The December issue of Lonny mag is out and as usual they continue to keep things fresh. There are a million gift guides out right now and while I love a good gift guide they all start to run together after a while. I had great intentions to be super creative and come up with a 'new and exciting' way to do a gift guide this year, but as you may have read last week...

this was me.


This week I thought I would share with you my favorite gift guide to date 



thoughtful categories 
gifts in a real-world setting
a charming tabletop photo
beautifully styled and shot
fresh, unique, fun


my personal fav



for the Mr.


The new issue is brimming with fresh creativity.  It is a welcome read as usual.


Hope your holiday shopping is going well.  
Mine is very dependent on my trusty mouse 
and fabulous gift guides like this one. 
It has actually been rather nice so far.
Now if only my trusty mouse could clean the house. 


image 1: found here
images 2 // 3 // 4:  Lonny








Saturday at canvas interiors

We here Chez K are on the mend including two little ones with big giant colds.  Mr. K is up and hobbling after knee surgery. So we hobbled to the store Saturday and I snapped a few pics of new things on the floor.  I almost squeaked with delight when I saw this metal cabinet.  I covet.




There is also a rectangular one in a space we call 'manvas'... 
our more cozy man-den done the canvas interiors way





The Briland chandelier... big beautiful and romantic. It would look great just about anywhere. 

a closer shot...






This mirror is huge and unique.  A must see in person if you are reading locally.



the new Loot Jewelry display looks perfect - we are so excited to carry it! 




a little holiday decorating canvas-style


As always, if you see something you like feel free to contact the store at 
and our lovely staff will be happy to help you. 

Like us on Facebook (and include us in your newsfeed to actually see the page) to get updates on what is on the floor.





simple pleasures

have a beautiful weekend


xoox
catherine

(ps: i know you may have seen this image last year but I just love it)

image found: here

spotlight: Sincerely Jules

Hello and hope you are having a good week.  Things are still touch and go here chez K.  Extra-small K is now sick.  So I thought I would pop in, say a quick hi and share a blog with you today that I love for fashion inspiration. I'm sure you have seen her pins ...





















She puts together a huge range of looks with a soft meets edgy vibe. 
Endless closet inspiration here...with shopping links of course.

I do hope you enjoy! 








a confession

I'm wiped out.  Yup.  Toast. 



Mr. K had knee surgery last week and is in bed til this Friday with various electronics and machines hooked up to his leg. I am the nurse.  And no it is not as naughty as it sounds as I have not slept much nor do I look all that cute. 

Small K is home with croupe and needing his mommy.  Extra-Small K is bouncing with the energy a 4 year old has and needs attention from mommy.  

Trying to keep it together and sound sane while posting is a stretch.  So... I'll pop in here and there over the next week or so but I'll be short on words. I need to focus on the house of K's. 

A pretty picture here and there, perhaps another blog to share to keep you occupied 
while I juggle the stuff going on here Chez K.  

Thanks for checking in - I do so appreciate it!  

image found here: and i think its by amy neunsinger

Canadian photographer: Michael Graydon

It is amazing what a journey one image can take you on.  I fell in love with this kitchen on Pinterest. I love everything about it most of all the white and light.  Not to mention the fireplace.


Tracing the photographer source I found Michael Graydon. First I looked at his images which are soulful, rich, thoughtful and quiet. I wanted to know more. Then I read his bio. Another Toronto trip down memory lane for me. (Those new to the blog, I am from Toronto and delight in tripping over the amazing and creative threads that lead me back to my hometown). Michael grew up in Unionville, where my dear Aunt B. and Uncle B. have lived forever. Many a memory for me in Unionville. In looking back through his images I recognize signs of Northern Ontario. A canoe on a quiet lake, a dusting of snow at a farm in Creemore much like the one we had growing up. Webers. Oh heavens Webers. The best most amazing burger place on earth. I dream about it. What a sweet surprise Michael Graydon was for me today. And a reminder of the power of photography to take you places in your imagination and your memory that are a comfort.  That's what happened to me today with Michael's work.  

If you look back to the post I wrote before the Thanksgiving weekend, it was about KINFOLK magazine.  Looks like Michael and Kinfolk are acquainted... which makes perfect sense. 





So all in all, to sum it up:

Michael is an amazing photographer and his work is worth spending time enjoying.

He is from Toronto as am I. Not only that but Unionville where I have strong family ties which was a sweet bonus after deciding I loved his work. 

He shoots things I recognize, like Creemore. Not many folks know Creemore outside of Toronto.

It made me very happy to spend time looking at his images for all of the above-mentioned reasons.  

I encourage you to do the same. Especially ad-land friends. 
It is a broad range of work from soulful and rich to light and crisp.  
Not many people do both of those things well.  





















You can see more of Michael's work here.  
It is a lovely portfolio and I encourage you to take a peek. 


all images: Michael Graydon 





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