instagrammed and a gallery wall before + after

I am in LOVE with Crate & Barrel's everyday wine glass. It's so the perfect everyday ( ha! ) glass. It's short stem and wide thin cup are perfection. I enjoy a glass when I cook supper every night-

Friday afternoon before we pick up the girls from school hubs and I always sneak in a coffee date. It's such a great way to end the week and start the weekend. I'm all about a caramel apple spice ( no whip of course )-

These two were party ready this weekend. Calleigh ( on the right ) turned 7-

There were a few baking fiasco's.. one that ended with me sobbing and yelling and scraping uncooked chocolate dairy + gluten free cake in the garbage. Just being honest, ha! I'm blaming it completely on hormones ;) . By the time I was done my fit, my sweet sweet husband had already left for the store for new ingredients. Love him :)

This little moment in the house made me happy today..

I'm super sensitive to scent, but I like to have some.. so I dilute the scent with coffee beans. Don't laugh, it actually works! I'll let this one sit like this for a day or two more. I have the diptyque rose scent in a vase surrounded with coffee beans- it's cute and helps! Allows this migraine sufferer some pretty :)

Here's a gallery wall $10 QUESTION before + after for you.. L wanted a fresh look for her gallery wall-

I just love how it turned out. We simplified with a new layout, changed the frames and picked out some great art pieces! L added a few $10 gallery wall water colors to her inspiration pinboard too..so you might spy a couple in there :) fun!

design philosophy | providing a foundation to grow and alter through the years, I keep the core basic and layer in the current, creating a room that is innately yours. I believe great interiors are not found in one shop. I know you should feel a sense of calm in your space as well as balance, and revel in that gut feeling that it’s the right fit. DESIGN SERVICES start at only 10.00. See Sarah Swanson Design at the top left of this blog!

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three things | oh so good

oh, so make it 4 things. It's been years since I've had anything with alfredo in the name, and alfredo used to be my favorite. When hubs came across this dairy free + gluten free alfredo it was worth a shot. Honestly, my expectations were low ( no offense to the original cook!! But c'mon, g free and dairy free alfredo?! ). Turns out it's OMG good. Seriously, if you eat g free or not, you need to try this :) Here's the recipe. Enjoy. ( I told you so :))

These little bits of beauty really just speak for themselves don't they?

Happy almost Friday lovely friends :) x

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design philosophy | providing a foundation to grow and alter through the years, I keep the core basic and layer in the current, creating a room that is innately yours. I believe great interiors are not found in one shop. I know you should feel a sense of calm in your space as well as balance, and revel in that gut feeling that it’s the right fit. DESIGN SERVICES start at only 10.00. See Sarah Swanson Design at the top left of this blog!

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brown + blonde

after 2 years of brown, this girlie's thinking about going back to a little blond.. like this- just a little bit for a little change-

..collecting some good looks on my hair do board :)

design philosophy | providing a foundation to grow and alter through the years, I keep the core basic and layer in the current, creating a room that is innately yours. I believe great interiors are not found in one shop. I know you should feel a sense of calm in your space as well as balance, and revel in that gut feeling that it’s the right fit. DESIGN SERVICES start at only 10.00. See Sarah Swanson Design at the top left of this blog!

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Manifesto

Did you all see what Meg Biram is up to today?! I LOVE it.. Manifesto

Fashion Line Launch of limited edition monthly tee's.. once they're gone, they're gone- ( got mine :) )

design philosophy | providing a foundation to grow and alter through the years, I keep the core basic and layer in the current, creating a room that is innately yours. I believe great interiors are not found in one shop. I know you should feel a sense of calm in your space as well as balance, and revel in that gut feeling that it’s the right fit. DESIGN SERVICES start at only 10.00. See Sarah Swanson Design at the top left of this blog!

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did you know?!

All of these boards below are answers to your design questions. YUP, $10 DESIGN QUESTIONS get this kind of response from me. I care about your spaces. It's a one time answer, but it will sure give you some options :) Keep in mind as you scroll through, individual boards can have multiple questions to them!

design philosophy | providing a foundation to grow and alter through the years, I keep the core basic and layer in the current, creating a room that is innately yours. I believe great interiors are not found in one shop. I know you should feel a sense of calm in your space as well as balance, and revel in that gut feeling that it’s the right fit. DESIGN SERVICES start at only 10.00. See Sarah Swanson Design at the top left of this blog!

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remembering when

I'm totally going to age myself here.. does anyone remember when Club Monaco had a home section? Before Caban? There used to be one in West Edmonton Mall when I lived in Red Deer..oh lord I loved that store. I'm pretty sure it defined my style for years. Seeing these few home pieces on Club Monaco's site just brought a flood of nostalgia. Funny how things can do that :)

design philosophy | providing a foundation to grow and alter through the years, I keep the core basic and layer in the current, creating a room that is innately yours. I believe great interiors are not found in one shop. I know you should feel a sense of calm in your space as well as balance, and revel in that gut feeling that it’s the right fit. DESIGN SERVICES start at only 10.00. See Sarah Swanson Design at the top left of this blog!

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details, details

I know, I know.. these pictures are right over <<<<  there on the sidebar.. it's been an insane week! Between edesign, $10 Q's and migraines this girl is tired! I got some super fabulous news this week that I'll share soon :) and some super fabulous news from our builder, that has our house going on the market not so so far away..yippee! Both of the fabulous news tidbits have me getting our house photo ready ( hint hint ;) ). That means new styling + some new details.. starting in the girls rooms. Just a few things in the works with lists of what needs to be done and what's been ordered..bring on the lists! It's been a long time since I had to get a house ready to sell :)  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!! x

design philosophy | providing a foundation to grow and alter through the years, I keep the core basic and layer in the current, creating a room that is innately yours. I believe great interiors are not found in one shop. I know you should feel a sense of calm in your space as well as balance, and revel in that gut feeling that it’s the right fit. DESIGN SERVICES start at only 10.00. See Sarah Swanson Design at the top left of this blog!

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in the bedroom | hint of pink

Loving these pops of pink in otherwise pretty traditional and classic rooms. It's really the perfect pairing-

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design philosophy | providing a foundation to grow and alter through the years, I keep the core basic and layer in the current, creating a room that is innately yours. I believe great interiors are not found in one shop. I know you should feel a sense of calm in your space as well as balance, and revel in that gut feeling that it’s the right fit. DESIGN SERVICES start at only 10.00. See Sarah Swanson Design at the top left of this blog!

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JCrew made my day-

I heart shorts. HEART them. Yes I realize it is January in Alberta and it will be approximately 6 months before I can wear them. My response is 'whatever'.. these babies will be sitting in my closet ( in the new house! We'll be in there by then ;) ) happily waiting to be worn. They were too good to pass up. Expensive? Yup! But look at them.. sigh yay shorts..

( they don't appear to be on the site right now so I can't link them, sorry! )

and you may remember how in the fall I completely missed the anorak shopping.. it's still on my mind, even with my green J Crew Factory quilted jacket ( which I love by the way! )..so when I saw this the same time as the shorts..well.. there was no saying no.. it looks to be perfect for me. I'll keep you posted. Dang I love jackets this season!

Boyfriend Fatigue Jacket 

design philosophy | providing a foundation to grow and alter through the years, I keep the core basic and layer in the current, creating a room that is innately yours. I believe great interiors are not found in one shop. I know you should feel a sense of calm in your space as well as balance, and revel in that gut feeling that it’s the right fit. DESIGN SERVICES start at only 10.00. See Sarah Swanson Design at the top left of this blog!

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girl crush | I love your style

Click click click, pinterest pin to page to blog.. you know how it goes and all of a sudden I'm reading the blog of Hannah Maple, and I'm telling you I'm digging this chick :) She has some seriously good style.. here's her blog if you want a good read! Happy Weekend! x

HANNAH MAPLE 

All images from various posts on Maple and Shade :)


design philosophy | providing a foundation to grow and alter through the years, I keep the core basic and layer in the current, creating a room that is innately yours. I believe great interiors are not found in one shop. I know you should feel a sense of calm in your space as well as balance, and revel in that gut feeling that it’s the right fit. DESIGN SERVICES start at only 10.00. See Sarah Swanson Design at the top left of this blog!

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new house files | random details make me happy

 There are some details in the new house that I can't stop thinking about. Oh who am I kidding there are dozens of details I can't wait to see in person. The hours and hours that I spent thinking about this house and how we are going to use it.. I'm just overwhelmed with gratefulness that it's going to be ours. Really.

The kitchen back splash is exactly like the tile layout in the fireplace below, an up and down herringbone. In creamy white tiles with grout just a smidgen darker than the tile.

Our office ( OUR OFFICE!?!! umm yay! ) ( we both work from home ) is going to have this fixture on opposite walls above each of our desks.

I'm even giddy over the kitchen faucet. I know..I need help :)

The pendants over the island are these.. I was so happy to find this image after I had decided.. totally sealed it for me!

The girls bathroom floor is penny tile with grout just like this..

I'm DYING to see this one in person. These shelves in the dining room. I'm going to spend a fortune filling them ;)

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design philosophy | providing a foundation to grow and alter through the years, I keep the core basic and layer in the current, creating a room that is innately yours. I believe great interiors are not found in one shop. I know you should feel a sense of calm in your space as well as balance, and revel in that gut feeling that it’s the right fit. DESIGN SERVICES start at only 10.00. See Sarah Swanson Design at the top left of this blog!

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I heart Swans Island Blankets

I heart Swans Island Blankets. Plain and simple. There is something so incredible about a product and a company that is connected to it's roots and land. Located off the coast of main lies a company producing less than 2000 blankets per year because they are all hand woven by local craftspeople. Incredible..

I had a chance to ask Bill Laurita, Swans Island Blankets President a few questions..

What is your favorite blanket?

B. I think the solid Indigo, in both the winter and summer weights, are my favorites. I just woke up from sleeping under both.

What is your favorite color yarn?

B. I do love the colors that are particularly saturated. I find the Teal and Beetroot captivating. I don't wear those colors, I'm just really taken by their beautiful variegation. They are both dipped in two different color vats. They look like they came right out of nature.

How many Swans Island blankets are in your home? ( I'm pretty sure I'd want a new one every week ;) )

B. A lot. Probably 10 blankets and throws.

I read that you've renovated 4 houses...

B. My wife, Jody, and I currently reside in a 1924 Arts and Crafts bungalow. We bought it 6 years ago from 3 siblings in their 70's. Their Dad built the house and they were all born upstairs in the master bedroom. The kitchen still had the original cook stove that had been changed over to kerosene in the 1950's. We gutted and opened up this room. Jody and I designed the cabinets and had them constructed out of Fir and finished with wax. We found the soapstone for the counter tops at a local salvage yard. They had been classroom chemistry table tops.  

These stones were collected from local fields and beaches. We refinished the maple floors and installed a wood stove. It is beautiful to watch the fire on a snowy night and the stove is a really practical and environmentally friendly way to stay warm on the coast of Maine! 

Do you and your wife share decorating styles or is it a collaboration between the two of you?

B. Having taken on so many design challenges over the years, we have developed a great working relationship. She is very sensitive to color and composition. I've really learned a lot from her. I've acquired many practical skills and love to make and build. Right now we have redesigned a set of rush bottomed ladder back chairs which we bought at a sale for $10 each. I've re-shaped the slats to calm down some of the curviness and taken off the old dull dark finish. The wood is, I believe, poplar and looks great with a tung oil (3 coats) and wax finish.

I'm curious if your connection to nature and natural organic elements extends from Swans Island Blankets into your home? 

B. Living on the coast of Maine is, by definition, to be engulfed in nature. We have a fantastic local trail system and Acadia National Park is only an hour and a half away. Between hiking, biking, sailing and skiing, there is always a way to be out and about. This constant immersion in nature of course comes out in my design work. My most recent design is an Ikat inspired blanket that looks like moving water.  

What's your favorite room in your home? And your wifes?

B. My wife loves to cook, so her favorite room is the kitchen. I love to eat, so I guess my favorite room must be the dining room. In the summer, my favorite room is our brick patio. It is a brick circle enclosed in a white fenced square. Three of the corners are flower gardens and the fourth contains our strawberry patch. I love nothing better then enjoying lunch out there, or relaxing on the loungers with a cold drink.

Favorite items in your home?

B. That's a hard one. I love this mother and child pastel and oil we got on a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. I was determined to find a second hand shop while we were visiting and to my surprise in a city of half a million people there was only one. They kept sporadic hours and we finally found them open on our last day. In we went to a shop chock-a-block filled with religious icons. As we looked through the baby Jesus statues and alters, there in the corner hiding was our lady. The bargaining was interesting between parties who did not speak a common language. We came to an understanding, grabbed our find, and proceeded to try to figure out how to say, "bubble wrap" in Spanish.

Do you collect anything?

B. I like to acquire a cork screw from every European country I visit. Each has something about it that embodies the culture where it was conceived and manufactured. When I open up a bottle of wine, it always reminds me of the trip where I found it.

Thanks so much Bill for taking the time to chat about your home and style with us.. It's a pleasure to be able to share with Flourish Design + Style readers a company that is so so wonderful. x



design philosophy | providing a foundation to grow and alter through the years, I keep the core basic and layer in the current, creating a room that is innately yours. I believe great interiors are not found in one shop. I know you should feel a sense of calm in your space as well as balance, and revel in that gut feeling that it’s the right fit. DESIGN SERVICES start at only 10.00. See Sarah Swanson Design at the top left of this blog!

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