Funky Junque Interiors

A playroom reveal

2009-11-29T17:58:00.000-08:00

There's a 3rd bedroom upstairs that my son and his friends utilize. It's the perfect little room at the end of the hallway for all his treasures, fit for a young Hawaiian, princess or even Santa.

The deep cranberry coloured jutted out feature wall beckons you in, providing an interesting hallway feature.

And what a perfect backdrop for this 3d replica vintage sign happily greeting you at the door!

Covered and see through storage bins keep the toys clean and organized...

... in this floor to ceiling storage system. The unit was left in it's natural pine state for added lightness to the room. Galvanized storage holds nintendo, dressup clothes and superheros. The unit itself diffuses the deep red feature wall, creating the perfect hit of colour and interest for an otherwise neutral colour scheme. All the storage bins wear felt stick on sliders to protect the genuine hardwood flooring.

On the wall opposite the storage area, a random mix of unmatched pillows (including a couple authentic sandbag covers) flank a wall covered with an old authentic convenience store sign. The sign face really sets the whimsical tone in this room!

The wall beside the daybed holds a colourful mix of musical instruments, ready to toot or strum some happy tunes!

Every hook is different, adding to the eclectic fun.

What better way to display life's proudest moments by finding a couple feet of deep red wall just begging to get into the action!

A glazed empty frame adds just enough importance for this trophy.

Never underestimate the usefullness of a fancy curtain bracket for a mini shelf system.

A true playroom just wouldn't be complete without a special nook for whom you choose to morph into for the day!

Set out for the Christmas open house, even snacks were abundant for hungry musicians at play.

The twin sized daybed was a thrift store find in very rough condition. A little reno work adding some board and batten treatment on one end and a simple coat of white paint for the base cleaned it up well. The incredibly deep drawers (entire width of bed!) were coated with black for an interesting contrast.

While the signboard indeed sets the tone for the room, the collection of pillows and red wall actually came first!

Luckily, in the previous room where the sign lived, the faded orange letters were repainted in the same deep red wall tone, then glazed over with the taupe wall colour. A nice big denim pillow tones down the reds and anchors the room with just enough varying interest.

The end result is a casual and fun environment that makes most young visitors (and adults alike) drop to their knees in total delight!

_______________________

Paint colours - Cloverdale Paint, Canada

red - 43057

taupe - bamboo beach

Storage system and all bins - Ikea

Floors - Costco hardwood

Other decor items

- thrift store finds, sandbags from the hardware store, sign from local gas station boneyard, toys ranging from baby to current so all little visitors have something to play with. :)

A front entry gets a new look

2009-11-25T23:25:00.000-08:00

Do you have an overstuffed closet with coats falling off the hangers on occasion? We sure do! Our solution was to create a quick hook area by the front door to house the everyday kind of coat wear, leaving the closet coats tucked away nice and neat.

Step 1: Find something to brace the hooks on. Check!

Step 2: A long bench was desired for under the coats. Not a problem!

3. How about a dresser for gloves and hats? Perfect!

4. How about a custom designed and cut new tile floor? Ohhh why not.

5. Artwork! Custom fabricated lettered samples done in different textures, encased with old barn window frames.

6. Hmm... may as well paint everything in sight. You know how one thing leads to another.

Before...

After.

The result was a light and airy entry, with loads of easy coat and shoe storage! But we aren't quite done...

Okay. Now we're done. :)

A kitchen morph

2009-11-25T23:18:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my kitchen! A newly well designed, beautiful and functional place to linger.

This is how the kitchen looked when I first moved in. The cupboards were well past their prime. The function of the kitchen was zero with the counter jutting out. One small window and a door was the only natural source of light. So this girl got to work dreaming.

I bought some time by painting everything in sight right away, including countertops! The cupboards were a deep mocha with black drybrushed highlights. Countertops I painted every season for a fresh new look. Much improved, however did nothing to the disfunctional floorplan. I still had my dream at least.

Most older homes have one of these. Love how they boxed the kitchens in back in the day. I was so anxious for more visual room that I had a hole cut out of the wall. Once I found out this wasn't a load bearing wall, I knew I could have my dream plan one day.

Reno day was finally approaching 4 years later, so I allowed my son and his friend to draw all over the old lino floors right before they were ripped out. FUN!

When the wall came tumbling down, it was one of my best days ever. The new expanse of space and light had me loving the before already!

Three windows were installed and the door was removed, where a french door was put in the dining room area instead. The beginnings of the hardwood floors started here too. Note the angle of the flooring in the kitchen area to flow with the angled island position.

Cupboards and new appliances arrive. Another very good day. This stove had one element left working.

And this is what you see today. The entire upstairs is now open floor plan. It's roomy, bright and very functional!

A funky metal top becomes the island topper. I had it designed so we could sit at both sides of it. LOVE it! Metal toppers are workhorses for active families. And they look cool too. :)

A bank of three windows replace the one that use to be. You can see the entire backyard now.

LOVE the sink with the two different sized tubs. And the purchase of a quality tap set has paid for it self many times over.

All new Bosch appliances. I love them not only for their quality, but also because they're a play of both stainless and black, not just one or the other.

I chose alder cabinets for their timeless appearance as well as how they picked up the stain. Lots of rustic detail shines through.

The cupboard hardware is very rustic, that wears a worn metal appearance which ties in with the island top. The countertop is laminate, however has fooled many, thinking it was granite.

The dining room when I moved in...

... although not yet complete, went to this. We soon realized we never ate there, so it went to...

... finally this. No longer requiring the dining room table to eat from, the space was better used as a kitchen office. And because all the furniture remained the same, the space can still be a functional eating area when desired. An eclectic mix of chairs warms up the space.

A kitchen is one of the most valuable rooms to invest in. Never never stop dreaming.

Master bedroom makeover - shabby chic whites galore

2009-11-17T23:12:00.000-08:00

I sooo desired a pretty bedroom! Not being able to find the headboard of my dreams, I knew it was all up to me at that point. It was time to create something out of nothing.

Pretty bare bones to start with. My funds went to the awesome bed so for the longest while this is how it was. For a designer, it nearly mentally ruined me, but it is what it is.

This was my first draft. I wanted something fun and different and I believe I achieved that! But I indeed am a girl and with all the whites of today interiors flaunt, I desired something... white. Hence never finishing this room properly. So instead, I got over the quick fix of yesterday and back to the drawing board I went.

First up: creating a feature wall. I wanted this big bed to have a big statement rather than a smallish standard type headboard and utilizing an entire wall can help! This is a board and batten treatment with a twist. I didn't desire perfectly spaced boards all the same size so I came up with a random pattern that is actually easier on the eyes.

Primer and one coat of paint at this stage. Loving the white!

Do not be afraid. This WILL look great! This is how I figure out how I'll implement something new. Lay it all down together along with my linen inspiration. This was a total exercise in using what you already had. An old door, gate and metal clad siding. Are you ready for something a little different? Here we go!

A sea of white softness awaits you! I chose a monochromatic scheme for total serenity.

An old painter's ladder creates the perfect place for...

... magazines of course! It was a great solution for this smaller bedroom housing a king sized bed. (no room for a side table on that side)

I love how the colours from the previous paint jobs of times past peek out from under the white after a light sanding.

You won't find this bed perfectly made or symetrical. This bed is all about rumpled crumpled comfy bliss. Random pillows (along side a sandbag pillow) create a dreamy escape.

The simple becomes a thing of twinkling beauty. The candlit effect with the clear glass is stunning both by day and night. Candles on a windowsill are also a wonderfully safe option if you have small kids and roaming pets.

Is it funky? Oh yes! But in a soft feminine fun way. The metal clad siding was painted and glazed to achieve the soft hues. The door frame recieved the main wall colour in the room alongside a whitewashed treatment for added softness. This wreath was abit small in scale, however loving the rustic natural texture of it...

... it was changed out to this one. Both actually work, so one can take their pick.

An old weathered tabletop becomes the perfect bed tray. I love the patina of worn woods that wear no stain nor paint. The hues are so naturally soft!

The 'after' in this bedroom speaks of total tranquility in a rustic whimsical nature. And yes, it is girlie to the hilt! In my case it's perfect as I'm the only one that sleeps in this room.

Oh pardon me. So does the cat it seems. :)

Kitchen board and batten backsplash

2009-11-10T21:45:00.000-08:00

Board and batten is big talk in decor world these days. The treatment is actually small boards widely spaced apart attached direct to drywall, then painted all one colour to simulate a completely boarded up feature wall. It's price efficient and very effective!

Here is my own kitchen that had no fancy backsplash as yet. I knew I wanted something unique and held off until I came up with the perfect solution!

I had these rustic cedar strips that begged for a new home. So I sanded, primed and painted them up.

Now was the time to do any patchwork that wasn't perfect prior.

The wall recieved a few fresh coats of white paint...

... creating an upscale and price efficient backsplash treatment!

The white and bright board and batten treatment provides a wonderful contrast to the dark countertops, which is important so you don't create that dreaded 'black hole' effect.

As you can see, the white ties in beautifully with the conjoining countertop area.

Board and batten treatments can be used MANY different ways. I'll be showing more examples very soon!

2009-11-10T21:25:00.000-08:00

A quick and easy solution to store most anything is utilizing a bookshelf. They are simply for much much more than just books!

Bookshelves offer wonderful storage, due to the slim amount of real estate they require. Going up is always more space efficient than going out. This is an example of a bookshelf storing laundry room needs.

A perfect spot to place your favorite things out of little hands' way to boot!

Open concept basket storage works well in this case. The baskets provide enough hiding capabilities, yet still allow you to peek at the goods inside for easy grasp. And there's just something about woodsy baskets that really warm up a space!

Don't overlook a bookcase to sneak into an otherwise unusable space!

Storing / hiding your stereo

2009-11-10T21:09:00.000-08:00

We all have to store stuff. And some stuff we like to display for all to see. However, some we wish to hide. Here was a quick solution that worked in our home to hide the stereo.

Although not for everyone, I personally love typography on objects, so when I came across this coffee crate, I knew it was all mine!

The coffee crate hides the two small speakers by means of simply lifting and covering when desired. The tall black box is a trunk on it's side that houses the main stereo components.

What luck to have a chain intact to boot. :)

Add your favorite doodads...

... and you end up with a creative rustic solution that ties in with the rest of your home, to hide all your high tech components!

Layering vignettes

2009-11-10T20:53:00.000-08:00

Vignettes, or arrangements, really personalize and warm up a room! And a little trick I like to play is to layer them.

Layering your favorite things allow small objects to appear much more substancial, as well as offering the perfect opportunity to bring multiple elements together.

While the clay potted flower would have been pretty in the right placement, this arrangement demanded more substance in it's pressent location. There's now a total of 4 items creating the flower vignette. 5 if you include the mandatory bucket of remotes. :)

4 layers create this vignette. 6 if you add the background elements, for they too play a part in your display.

Layers can also move behind your objects.

This whimsical place to store extra writing materials is highlighted with the fresh whiteness of the dish, yet further featured by the dark heritage cookie sheet. Just a jar alone wouldn't have the same effect by a long shot.

Layers upon layers of wonderful texture.

Nothing is more pleasing to the eye than all your vignettes offering you the perfect atmosphere that is right for you and your home!

Horsegate coat hook for front entry

2009-11-10T20:27:00.000-08:00

Step 1: Find something to brace the hooks on. Check!

Step 2: A long bench was desired for under the coats. Not a problem!

Before...

After.

The horse gate adds such charm and whimsey to the room! One of a kind. All the hooks are ultra functional for a busy front entry.

The long bench allows for plenty of dumping room as well as oodles of out of the way shoe storage.

Hooks don't just have to be installed into drywall. Thinking outside of the box creates one of a kind room features that will make you smile!

Headboard turned towel rack

2009-11-10T19:44:00.000-08:00

s, towelAre you a towel bar or hook kind of person? In my household, hooks are much more efficient. No need to train your kiddos to hang the towel just so. As long as the towel grabs the hook, we're good to go!

So how creative can one get with a simple towel hanging solution?

This is the way the towels were hung in my home until lately. While the hooks were indeed plentiful and the numbers created abit of whimsey, I desired more of a feature for this wall.

Nothing an old headboard can't fix! The long legs were cut, then the piece was primed and painted with a brush. A more vintage feel was desired and a brush creates strokes no roller nor sprayer can achieve! A light glaze was applied after painting (not shown here) to enhance the brush strokes.

Next up... some house numbers in random styles and colours. No matchy matchy here!

Some larger brass house numbers were lightly sprayed with a flat black, allowing abit of rust on the edges to peek through for more warmth and character.

The result is a much more substantial and fun way to hang all the family towels in place!

From a whispery kind of cute...

... to a totally unique classic piece to enjoy!

Revamped tile topped coffee table

2009-11-10T19:23:00.000-08:00

Woodsy finishes on coffee tables can be lovely! But in this case, this little table had a troubled finish that needed alot of help. The table had some great features, but I had something else in mind for it.

First, the table recieved a light sanding, then was primed.

The table had a lovely ridge around the edge that offered some interesting opportunities! So the trials began. The varations are still thought out at priming stage to ensure the right finishing colour is used.

The chosen antique white paint goes on! Great care was taken to save all the time worn nooks and crannies to allow for the next step.

Here is one side with the new glaze! Isn't it amazing how the features just pop when a glaze is added? A mid tone was used so the antiquing would have a softer hue.

The tiles were placed without mortar nor grout. The fit was just that perfect! This option allows for an easy change or to simply morph back to a wooden surface. Nothing like a little 'change my mind' option thrown in!

Tile version.

White version. In seconds!

The table colours were chosen to compliment this room. The tile ties in with the darker fireplace, yet the antique white paint lightens the space, pulling in the sofa.

A slight ledge on a coffee table is a fabulous and hard to find option. The lip captures any spilled drinks...

... and makes the most awesome 'Lego capturing' table EVER. :)

When sheets become curtains

2009-11-10T18:53:00.000-08:00

When one speaks of window treatments, you usually vision some kind of curtain hung from some kind of rod.

But sometimes it's fun to add a little whimsey to an otherwise traditional window setting. I had two long vertical windows flanking a hutch area that needed something special.

In this case, a heritage hanger, simple wooden clothespins and a white sheet were put together for an interesting combination.

Shift the sheets to your desired length allowing for abit of puddle on the floor...

Add some soft hues of natural texture...

Glaze a favorite chair of yours to create more time-worn character...

Don't forget to do something unique on the other side!

And you end up with a treatment in a little cove that is completely unique and charming at the same time!

A dresser gets some bling!

2009-10-29T23:21:00.000-07:00

Typography on furniture and other decorative items are a hot commodity right now. So I've been on the lookout for any kind of vintage numbers for my creations.

I was pleased to find a stack of house numbers at a local thrift store and set about to put them to work!

This tired little dresser's last home resided in a barn. I could see she had great potential. Look at those lovely lines along the bottom! And grooved detail along the sides.

First came the white base coat. This improved things immensly!

The edges were slightly distressed by sanding, exposing the wood for what was to finally come.

A light coloured glaze was chosen to maintain the white patina. It was the perfect choice to slightly tone down the bright white and add abit of aging and character. The numbers were screwed on in random form for a touch of whimsey!

A few favorite rustic yet useful trinkets were added to the top for interest. Being a rustic piece, the elements on top marry the theme. A barnwood mirror and old barn window add interest. The platters are very useful for a key / loose change catch.

A dresser is a wonderful addition to any front entry area. The drawers offer amazing storage for gloves, hats, etc.

And the dresser was fine just white. However, the small added touches flipped the dresser into a 'feature item' that will indeed turn heads!

Welcome! Come on in as we build!

2009-10-23T16:41:00.000-07:00

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For more info, please contact me at
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Thank-you for your interest!

Donna