a whole new world

Finally, David’s bedroom update!

Way back in 2013, I wrote about wanting to do this (here) and I had full intentions to start right away but the project kept getting neglected… funny, considering he’s an only child and they tend not to get neglected but I am happy to say (show), after a lot of research, it’s done.

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I will be the first to admit, I got major inspiration for his room from a post I read here. I fell in love with the atlas wallpaper /red bunk bed combo and used them as my starting off point. We searched high and low (haha) for a bunk bed in the city that was affordable but not cheaply made.

We found a beautiful locally made bunk bed but it was + $1000 (unfinished) and was too big for the room. We thought about buying online (here or here or here) but again, very pricy and not quite what I wanted. We also thought about buying and painting the Ikea bunk bed but shipping and paint would cost more then the bed itself.

So, in the end, I convinced Mike to build it. Reason being, it’d be sturdier than Ikea’s, cheaper than the other 3, no shipping and we (Mike) could paint them red! The other great thing about D.I.Y. is it’s attached to the wall – meaning it saves a few inches of space in the room because there’s no gap between the wall (and baseboard) and the bed. We also added an extra foot to the length of the bed to allow room for custom boxes at each head to serve as built-in nightstands. Clever eh?

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Because I am an honest and a non-professional interior designer, I think it’s fair to share some of the problems we encountered.

First and foremost being the Wallpaper – apparently (from the amount of cursing I heard), it was not easy to hang. Matching up outlines of counties is hard, especially in an old house with wonky walls. Once it was hung it looked amazing for a few months until one particular time-out session when David decided to draw some run-away escape routes… on his wall. Hard to resist when you are stuck in your room with a marker and a ten-foot long map. So many possibilities. I was really mad until I realized he could be the next Columbus… or Cabot!

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The second lesson learnt was the paint. We used Annie Sloan’s Emperor’s Silk. It was our first time using the product and the colour is great but the purpose of the paint is more for refinishing old and/or ugly furniture. Not raw wood. It was expensive and soaked up a lot of paint. I think it would of been smarter to shop at a big box store instead. Opps. Still, read about the paint – I highly recommend it for what it’s intended for (and stay tuned for an upcoming post featuring the paint again).

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Live and learn. Here are some more pics:

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So that’s it. I hope you enjoyed. Sweet dreams.

Links to stuff: paint / wallpaper / bedding, dog stuffie, chair, shelf, step stool, caddy, carpet(s), dresser pull handles, star light / curtains / Blinth number poster / door hanger / dresser (yard sale)

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sparkling sunday

Sarah’s birthday was in October and in true form, we celebrated a month late by running away from the city and joining a sparkling wine tour: Sparklings En Route Tour from Uncork Nova Scotia! (Go North Tours). DSC_0559 DSC_0579

Guys, this was fun! Who knew you could learn and drink? The drive down was a bit of a history lesson of our local wine industry including the scoop on our signature grape and the promising future of Nova Scotia’s wine industry. Go us!

I hadn’t been down to the valley since summer and it was a bit of the shock to the system to discover snow! There is something sad about naked grape vines in snowy fields however, despite the bitter temperature, the valley is still beautiful.

We pulled into Blomidon Estate Winery and were greeted by an off-road bike rally race happening in the vineyard. Odd, but fun Nova Scotian shenanigans – I was kind of jealous. Anyway our group of 9 (all girls, all under 40) went to the back and sampled five wines with cheese and crackers. This stop was the most visual, as we got to see a bit of the process while we sampled a variety of sparklings, plus a red, white and rosé. The first was my favourite but sadly in won’t be on the market until next year. TeaseDSC_0562 DSC_0565 DSC_0567 DSC_0571 DSC_0575 DSC_0577 DSC_0578 DSC_0580

The second stop was L’Acadie Vineyards and as much as I hate picking favourites, I have to say it won best in show. Honestly, the Prestige Brut was probably the best sparkling wine I’ve ever had. And to be clear, I am not the only one who thinks this. Check out what his grandfather (2007) won:

  • SILVER MEDAL: 2011 Effervescents du Monde, Best Sparkling Wines in the World, Dijon, France
  • GOLD MEDAL: 2011 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
  • GOLD MEDAL & TOP SCORING SPARKLING: 2010 Canadian Wine Awards
  • TOP SCORING SPARKLING: NSLC International Port of Wines Festival
  • BEST WHITE: 2011 Savour Food and Wine Show, Halifax

We sampled three more sparkling wines including a rosé and I was pleasantly surprised that I liked loved it. Quite possibly it was the talk of Christmas dinner while we drank, but I was totally convinced it was a must have for the holidays. To be honest, the word ROSÉ made me queasy up until this point because I am not a fan of sweet drinks but this gal proved me wrong.

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Our third and final stop was Domaine de Grand Pré. Crazy beautiful and the driveway alone convinced me I have to come back in the summer (cobblestone crush). Not gonna lie, during our third stop things got a little fuzzy (the photos below will attest to that) but we hung on and sampled on! At Grand Pré we had six samples including an ice wine to wrap things up. Their sparkling was also lovely and by now we clearly knew I prefer the drys, Amanda prefers the sweeter variety and Sarah was in the middle. It just goes to show, drink what you like but take the time try it all!DSC_0599 DSC_0601 DSC_0602 DSC_0603 DSC_0606

I came home with a bottle of L’Acadie Vineyards 2009 Prestige Brut Estate and L’Acadie Vineyards 2010 Sparkling Rosé for the holidays. I must be completely honest at this point by admitting I did not go in with great expectations. By no means am I a wine snob but I usually breeze past the Canadian and American wines at the LC. I think a lot of people have a misconception about local wines and often think of specific brand or taste they’ve had in the past (I call it wedding wine) and don’t want to go there unless it is free… at your table… So, with the being said, I am now going to be more open to trying local wines and would love to hear your favourites. Just keep it dry kids!

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red

I dyed my hair red. Actually, Cindy dyed my hair red but here is the result.

I feel like I am in high school all over … with a few more wrinkles and a better fitting plaid shirt. Angela Chase? No, it is still me … see

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How about you? Do you like to change things up just for fun? A few years ago I got a perm to make up for not having one in grade five.

psst. If you like what you’re reading, please subscribe and share. xomeg