Fired Up

A few times this week, we've woken up to frost on the lawn. Fall is very much here, and winter surely isn't far behind. My goal is to embrace the colder weather this year, so in that spirit I'm going to focus on a good side effect: it's the perfect opportunity to make a fire.

I love spending time in a room where a fire is roaring. So I was pleased to see a gallery of fireplaces on Canadian House & Home. Here are a few photos to spark (get it?) some cozy, cold-weather ideas:

Photos from here.

Pop It

Often, when I see homes and rooms in shelter magazines and on design websites, I'm drawn to serene white spaces. Gorgeous rooms that make you breathe deeply and settle in to a relaxed state.

But when I think about living in one of these homes, I get antsy and begin to mentally inject color.

So when I saw this slideshow on Canadian House & Home, I knew why I liked some of the rooms. They all have a glorious pop of color. An orange floor lamp, a purple dining table, bright yellow accents -- yes, yes, yes!

Photos from here.

Decked Out

Wait a minute, when did it become Thursday? This week has been flying by, and it's only going to get busier. It's a good kind of busy, but nevertheless I am craving some nice, low-key relaxation time. I might have a little window on Saturday to kick back with a book on the deck. 

I hope the experience is as relaxing as this incredible deck, featured on Canadian House and Home, looks. The light wood and bright white is such an understated, elegant, calming and refreshing combination. Ahhhh ... 

Photo from here.

Back to Basics

I love color. I fill my wardrobe with it, my art with it, my home with it. I've definitely had to tone it down in my decor choices at times so things don't get too chaotic or bright.

That said, there is a slightly calmer yet more graphic beauty to be found in a black and white palette. Rooms composed primarily of these hues seem more straightforward somehow ... more "black and white" I guess you could say.

Aren't these rooms from Canadian House & Home -- I can't get enough of this site! -- sophisticated? I like how the forms and patterns stand out more when the color scheme is limited.

Photos from here.

Not-So-Mellow Yellow

I used to not care for the color yellow too much. But over the past year or so I've noticed it creeping into my life, showing up in my wardrobe and home accents. I love it! Not to sound completely cliche, but it really is a cheerful hue. And who can't use a dose of that every now and then?

Recently on Canadian House & Home, I spotted several very cool rooms with one thing in common -- great use of yellow.

Enjoy this mini mood boost:

Photos from here.

Green Scenes

Isn't green a wonderfully refreshing color? It makes me feel simultaneously relaxed and energized.

It can be hard to decorate with, though, hard to get just right. But these rooms -- all found on the excellent Canadian House & Home website -- have done it.

Take a look:

Photos from here.