5 INSPIRING OUTDOOR SPACES
When we purchased our home, our backyard wasn't a huge selling feature. Sure it was pretty large and fenced (except for the hedges on one side). There are major trees blocking out the sun so James and I don't spend a lot of time out there.
BUT now that we have Luca we actually go outside quite a bit and I can just imagine that will increase when Luca's little sister arrives!
My hope is to do a major overhaul- new modern fence, fire pit w/ bench seating...or amazing tile patio, kid's play structure...but sadly we won't get around to any of it this summer. It's going to be quite the project because it rains a lot here over the winter, so we would need a space that could be partially taken down or would stay covered over winter!
So in the meantime, find me here dreaming about these places? And how amazing is that tile above!!!!?
LIVING ROOM RENO // UPDATE
So it's happening! If you've seen my insta stories, you would have seen that James has started our reno. Living in renos with a 10 month old has been interesting, but not as bad as I thought! We're probably a week away from it being complete and I'M SO EXCITED. This is what our living room looks like now...
So it's happening! If you've seen my insta stories, you would have seen that James has started our reno. Living in renos with a 10 month old has been interesting, but not as bad as I thought! We're probably a week away from it being complete and I'M SO EXCITED. This is what our living room looks like now...
It's been a good set up but I'm going kinda bonkers because I just want our nice living room back, ha. BUT I know it will be well worth it. It's been one heck of a week with keeping Luca out of the site, away from the usual open front door and napping during construction BUT we survived!!!
Here is our original sketch up of the plan:
So nice hey? A few things have changed from the original plan. Firstly, because of the wood burning fireplace insert we ordered, we needed to add tile around the fireplace. So we added tile and by "we", I always mean James (owner of LIIRA DEVELOPMENTS, he's amazing, hire him!) We chose a hexagon marble and then a solid marble for the hearth. IT'S STUNNING! Check out my insta stories to see it! Secondly, we're decided to go with led track lighting above the shelves because go big, or go home. It's going to be sweeeeeeet.
Here is the start of the fireplace/mantle...
James basically knocked out the entire old fireplace then started framing the new one. My brother in law (who is an amazing electrician, THANK YOU MIKE!) set us up for all the electrical. We were debating about not putting the tv above but it just makes the most sense for viewing from where we're placing the couch.
We're hopefully going to get a new couch and chairs but that may happen a bit further down the road when we've saved up some more $$$.
Can't wait to show you more soon!
XO,
laura
LIVING ROOM UPDATE (BEFORE)
The time has come to update our living room! Things change when you have a baby...especially when said baby starts to move around. You actually have to sweep your floors and pick up everything because if you have a random stray bit of cardboard in the far corner of your house, said baby will pick it up, and try to eat it and then proceed to gag and you'll have to pull it out of their mouth....true story, it happened to a friend of a friend of mine ;)
The time has come to update our living room! Things change when you have a baby...especially when said baby starts to move around. You actually have to sweep your floors and pick up everything because if you have a random stray bit of cardboard in the far corner of your house, said baby will pick it up, and try to eat it and then proceed to gag and you'll have to pull it out of their mouth....true story, it happened to a friend of a friend of mine ;)
Luca is officially on the move! With that, we've had to move a bunch of stuff around in our living room and rest of the house. First thing to go was our coffee table with sharp corners/taking up space...sorry friends coming over at night, you have to hold your hot tea in your lap!
The second thing to go was the fireplace grate. We enjoyed a number of fires over the winter, but as soon as Luca started crawling, he'd beeline for the grate and try to pull it over.
The next thing on our list to address are the bookcases. Now get me straight, I LOVE those bookcases. They're the Hemnes ones from Ikea and I just love their look. We could have screwed them to the wall but we decided to kill two birds with one stone and totally re-do the fireplace and build built ins!!!!
So here's my dream plan....it may take awhile (aka saving $$$$) for it all to fall into place but here is what we're hoping to do:
- Install new fireplace...we ordered a wood burning fire place insert but may return it and go with natural gas (which is my dream but when we called two years ago it was so much $$$$$ to get it to our home, so we're figuring that stuff out!)
- Build built ins...in doing so, we will probably get rid of the brick around the fireplace and move the fireplace to actually centre it on that wall.
- Figure out where to put tv....we were going to place it over the fireplace but we're thinking maybe put it on the side wall on an arm?
- Move couch across from fireplace...and hopefully purchase new couch that is more kid friendly.
- Purchase two chairs to sit across from each other
- Move rug to our bedroom and find new rug...this is not a priority for James so this may happen in a few years lols.
So there's the plan! I'll be back soon with more inspiration soon!
XO!
laura
WREATH MAKING CLASS
A couple weeks before Christmas, my mother in law and I attended wreath making class put on by Eidwen of Cartref Gardens. I absolutely adore Eidwen and her work (she did my wedding bouquet!)
We had so much fun creating our wreaths and centrepieces! The workshop took place in a cute barn-esque workspace and was well equipped with food and tea!
A couple weeks before Christmas, my mother in law and I attended wreath making class put on by Eidwen of Cartref Gardens. I absolutely adore Eidwen and her work (she did my wedding bouquet!)
We had so much fun creating our wreaths and centrepieces! The workshop took place in a cute barn-esque workspace and was well equipped with food and tea!
I'm not the best diy-er but I was pretty proud of my wreath! It smelled soooo amazing and is still hanging on our front door.
I'm know officially hooked on wreaths and can't wait to make one for spring!
xo,
laura
5 HOLIDAY WREATH IDEAS
Christmas has come early to the Liira household! I tried to convince James to buy a fake tree this year (I KNOW RIIIIGGGHHHHTTT!) mainly because I wanted to start Christmas as soon as possible. He kindly reminded me how we both grew up having real trees and nothing is better than walking through the door and smelling a real tree. (I guess that's true but doesn't this amazing candle do that for ya?) I just can't rob Luca of that experience so come December 1st, you know I'll be at that Christmas tree lot getting my real tree.
Christmas has come early to the Liira household! I tried to convince James to buy a fake tree this year (I KNOW RIIIIGGGHHHHTTT!) mainly because I wanted to start Christmas as soon as possible. He kindly reminded me how we both grew up having real trees and nothing is better than walking through the door and smelling a real tree. (I guess that's true but doesn't this amazing candle do that for ya?) I just can't rob Luca of that experience so come December 1st, you know I'll be at that Christmas tree lot getting my real tree.
That aside, I did manage to put up some other decorations. My banner is up, stockings are hung, and next up is the wreath! I want to do something cute yet modern this year so I turned to pinterest (as always) to inspire me.
1. Boxwood wreath w/ bow (above) I'm loving that simple yet modern wreath. It's fake, so it will last year after year and how crazy how a simple bow transforms it into wow!
2. Large Eucalyptus Wreath I fell in love with Eucalyptus after we made our own bouquets at my bff's wedding a couple years back. It looks so nice and it lasts a long time! I love it here with berries.
3. Eucalyptus with peonies This one is super not practical for Christmas (unless you live in Australia where peonies are currently in bloom!) but I had to include it because it was SO GORGEOUS! The pink with that dusty green is just #swoon.
4. DIY Holiday Wreath is pretty amazing too. I'm not the craftiest person so my version could turn out very horrible but if you're good at DIY you could do this one pretty easily! I love the red berries...not too many, but just enough to get your attention.
5. (Yet another) Eucalyptus Holiday Wreath Ha I know, another eucalyptus one! But this one has cotton and berries and little red roses!! These guys were so on point with combining Eucalyptus and Christmas.
Have you started on your Christmas decor yet? Or do you wait until December 1st? I feel like everyone started wayyyy earlier this year and I'm totally okay with that! (Praise 106.5 even started Christmas tunes early!!!)
XO,
laura