rouge no more...

Hey, just a little rouge readers. My apologies for not posting in ages, but there have been “big doings” behind the scenes over the last few months. After much consideration, I’ve decided to wrap up rouge and the just a little rouge blog.

Not to worry...it’s all good news! 

I have joined forces with a wonderful new partner and we’ve created an exciting new business called relove. It’s all things vintage, salvage and stylage. You’ll find out more about us and the products we are offering at www.relovehalifax.com.

I am so thankful for the wonderful supporters of rouge over the last 5 years since it began in 2009. You have been the best. I have loved blogging about all things design, DIY and the occasional random thoughts. I have loved having the opportunity to help redesign your spaces. I have loved building and flexing my interior design muscles on your projects. And I have loved having a wonderful group of dedicated readers. Thank you so much.

I do hope you’ll be interested in my next adventure...be sure to check us out (www.relovehalifax.com). And follow us to make sure you get to see each new project as we recycle, reinvent, reimagine, reclaim and rebuild. Our items are moving fast, so if you see something you love, let us know right away!

Much love,

XX rouge.

sofa excited

I'm soooo-fa excited about my sofa!

This baby was a freebie I picked up on kijiji....

And after the magical hands of Aimee at Artisan Upholstery, this is my new baby....

To read more and the see this amazing transformation, check out For the Love of Vintage Furniture blog here:

Part One: https://swikit.wordpress.com/2013/06/01/reupholstering-archie-bunkers-sofa/
Part Two: https://swikit.wordpress.com/2013/06/09/re-upholstering-a-retro-sofa-part-two/


Awesome-sauce.

puzzle me this

Puzzle lights.

I'm sure you've seen them. I have always loved the look of these and they seem to be popping up everywhere.

This one is now in my living room. The size (XL) is great and the lights it casts is beautiful, soft and warm. I put a low wattage bulb in it because that's the kind of light I was looking for but if you need brighter, it's easy to swap out the bulb without sacrificing on the overall look and feel.

You can also choose between a mat or a gloss finish. Mine is mat...in my opinion, it looks way less "plastic-y" and much more like frosted glass. In fact, I bet you wouldn't know the difference in less you touched it.

Here's the best part. I bought it locally for $19.99. Yup. That's 20 bucks.

And, I'm going to share the secret...you can get these in pretty much any shape, color, size, and design at the Mesh Barn.

Where on earth is the Mesh Barn, you may ask?

Well...it's a little shop that's hidden away in the Bedford Place Mall. Located right next to the old Zellers, I think it won't be a secret for much longer...as soon as Target opens in that location, people are going to eventually notice it.

It sells pretty much what you would expect...fabric mesh (think weddings, parties, dance costumes...etc).

What you don't expect is the giant selection of puzzle lights. The window display will draw you in. The bright bold colors will assault your senses (in a good way), and watching the owner put these puzzle lights together at the little workshop desk in the center of the store will amaze you. I think she's put together more than a few since they started stocking them...!

Don't hesitate. Buy one. Or two. Three bunched together would be awesome. Sophisticated and chic or colorful and playful...you decide.

I'm thinking one XXL would be the perfect size for the light in the stairwell...one would also look fantastic sitting on the floor of the living room with an uplight in it...ooooh...maybe one as a centre piece in the middle of my large old dining room table, with the cord hidden....

Check 'em out and scoop 'em up. You'll love them!

an egg-cellent vintage hunt

Took a nice little drive today...down St. Margaret's Bay Road, along the Lighthouse Route. 

The destination?

Some vintage shopping on a perfectly rainy day, of course!

We hit two great spots: Rural Roots and Country and Mother Hubbard's Cupboard.

If you are a Kijij addict, like me, you'll see lots of great listings from Rural Roots and Country shop. They have just started their spring hours and are open on 

Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 - 5 pm & Sundays from 1 - 5 pm.

They are a cash only shop, and not anywhere close to a bank machine, so if you think you may buy something, come prepared!

I spotted some really great finds...the vintage director's chair priced at $22, the 1950's style solid oak bar cart, the hardwood egg cups for $1 each, and the iron owl coasters (also only $1 each) were by far the hardest to pass up! The reality is, I'll probably go back...

Check out the pics below for a little look...

A little further along the route is Mother Hubbard's Cupboard. Also some great finds there too...lots of lovely and eclectic things to look at in here. Spend some time and really look around.

Everything from beautiful teak pieces originally from the long-gone Danish House Furniture that was located at the Head of St. Margaret's Bay, to "collectible" Dolly Parton plates. This shop is sure to delight you!

We finished our day with a lovely picnic at the Blandford Provincial Park and Beach...eating in the back of the hatchback to stay out of the rain! It was perfect!

As we headed back to Halifax, I enjoyed the view along the drive home and thought about what I should have bought.

Ah well...window shopping is hard. Maybe next time.

Montreal...part trois

Here is the last post from Montreal...all from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

There were so many beautiful things to see, it was hard to absorb it all. I loved seeing paintings from Matisse, Monet, Picasso, Degas and so much more.

I can't lie, though. My favorite part was definitely the  Decorative Arts and Design building that featured two entire floors of modern and contemporary design.

I could have stayed all day. It was like being in the BEST mid-century modern and contemporary design store ever. I had to literally stop myself from reaching out and touching things...or looking for a price tag!

Overall, Montreal was a short, but amazing trip. Design inspiration for the early spring that really kick started my brain again after a long winter...

Hope you enjoyed a little view into Montreal from my perspective!

it's not about design...

It's a book!

Yep. I wrote a book. A real book. 

Although I had no intention of writing one, I did...and it's now available on Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, as a Kindle book, and at createspace.com. 

"Miss Moxie Goes Courting" is about my experiences in on-line dating in Halifax for a whole year...it was a year of meeting some great guys & some not so great guys, some good dates & some bad dates, some funny coincidences, some crazy conversations...and a whole lot of learning about myself that I didn't ever expect.

This is the year-long adventures of one 35-ish single gal and her attempt at finding love in the world of online dating.

I now have advanced copies available directly from me for limited time only. Author signed (or course!) for $10 bucks (cash only). Get in touch with me for your copy now!

Stay tuned...I'll also be posting short excerpts from the book, contest give-aways, and more...!

(and fear not...I'm still working on some cool design projects and discovering new local finds...will post again soon!)

xx rouge.

montreal -- part deux

I promised more from my recent trip to Montreal...so here's a look at the wonderful little boutique hotel we stayed in....excellent design, fantastic location and good price!

Hotel Zero 1 has it all...and I'm sure many like me are tempted to stash some of their mid-century modern furnishings into their luggage to take home!

Alas...a design that captured my heart and was just perfect for our little trip.

Check in next  time to see the last blog from Montreal...featuring some of the goodies found at the Museum of Fine Arts.

Enjoy!

blasted with inspiration

So...hey just a little rouge readers!

My apologies for not posting as often as I have been in the past...in truth, I've been suffering from a lack of inspiration. Yes, there are things that "inspire" me almost every day, but I mean it's been a little while since I've been INSPIRED.

Well...I just went to Montreal for a few days and was literally BLASTED with inspiration.  

Beautiful old buildings that are incredibly lit at night, the modern boutique hotel we stayed in, the crazy window displays in Chinatown, the beautiful public art on practically every downtown corner and in the lobbies of corporate buildings, and of course, the interior design of restaurants, resto-bars, bistros, diners and practically every place that offers delicious food.

Just the whole feel of the city is bursting with creativity, art, enthusiasm and energy. Suffice it to say that my batteries are recharged.

Excited to show you some of what I saw...especially at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the interior design of the Hotel Zero 1.

First though, enjoy a few random Montreal pics...

Check in for the next post for more of my Montreal adventure.

xx rouge.