Quarantine Reflections | I’m Planning My Dream Home
Though we’re not really in quarantine (for now), I wanted to keep the name of this inherently inconsistent series of blog posts... well, consistent. The past few weeks as I’ve prepared for the final semester of my degree, I’ve filled my days with various activities that have nothing to do with preparing for the final semester of my degree. Instead, I re read The Prisoner of Azkaban for the 12th time, discovered Hamilton (don’t judge me), and committed hours to an obsession with my dream home. In my mind’s eye, this home is a two bedroom apartment on the outskirts of Vancouver, with lots of natural light and good bones to support a potential renovation. Does this home exist? Perhaps it’s out there somewhere but no, it does not exist in such explicit terms in my life right now. One day I hope that will change and on that day I will be prepared (cough cough, over prepared) with interior design themes and ideas down to the finest details. This home is all I’ve been ruminating on for the last few weeks. My personal style has taken a hit, naturally, but hopefully that will change as we’re approaching the time of year when I see hope that the blistering summer heat will soon wane and I can finally wash those embroidered denim shorts I’ve been wearing every single day. Lately the little creativity I feel I can muster in a pandemic fuelled world has been put towards Pinterest boards, folding down pages in House & Home Magazine (A Canadian classic, ask your mom), and deeply familiarizing myself with the IKEA website. For today’s blog post I could think of nothing better than to share this obsession with you in the form of home design thought bubble anecdotes that I’ve been writing down in preparation for that blessed day when this home becomes a reality.
I’m not a big fan of objects without purpose. If they don’t do anything, they shouldn’t be random, but rather attached to an important memory or past experience. I have a tin full of hand made porcelain pink and white poodles in my upstairs hall closet, waiting for the day they’ll be showcased on a bookshelf or cabinet of sorts. They have no technical use, but they remind me of my Nana who let me play with them as a wee child, despite they’re fragility.
The jumping off point for my living room aesthetic was an orange runner rug with an embroidered green crocodile (alligator?) at a birds eye view. I found said rug on the coming soon website, which is the most incredibly funky home decor shop I’ve ever encountered. I don’t believe I could tell you what it is I love so much about this rug, so I’m going to blame love at first sight and get out the easy way. You’ll likely find it in my future entrance hall. I don’t doubt that my love for the runner will influence me to buy an apartment that actually has an entrance hall so I can showcase mr. alligator . You say “crazy person”, I say, “dedicated to the things I love”.
I like clean but not too crisp or clinical. Everything doesn’t have to be stark white. (Shhh, don’t tell 15 year old Emily that)
For a kitchen I love the idea of mixing dark lower cabinetry with white or off white on the top. Black on the bottom with a butcher block counter top gives the effect I’m after, but then you have to consider the maintenance of genuine wood counter tops. You know you’re an adult when...
One day I’d love to invest in a unique slab of marble for my kitchen counter tops. In my flat in England, the counter was a black and ivy green marble with small streaks of dark terracotta colour running through it. It was undoubtedly beautiful, but one day I’ll top it.
One thing I know for certain is I will be attempting to have my house as zero waste as possible. I’ve begun this commitment now with a few buy once, keep forever kitchen goodies, like the ah-dorable Bamboozle kitchen composter. It’s linked here to Urban Outfitters - as you’d expect the trendiest composter to be - but I sourced mine from a local zero waste store, which I suggest you do too.
Retrieved from feast home
You begin to realize little things you adore and despise after hours and hours of pondering. A perfect example would be the outstanding degree to which I cannot stand the leg covering fabric flaps on the bottoms of couches and chairs. If there are legs I want to see them! My dream couch has always been the caramel leather sectional from the loft in New Girl. If I could find one in a vegan leather or genuine second hand it would be my lifelong sofa.
More than anything else I want there to be original art and stacks of books filling the place. This will bring life and lived-in-ness to the space that you don’t get from anything else. I’m convinced the space will be my own little haven for relaxing, smelling fresh tulips, practicing at home yoga, hosting Harry Potter marathons, and generally having a lovely time.
Retrieved from Modern Findings
Wish me luck in my ongoing search for this magical apartment, and join me in wasting time planning your own future home by checking out my Pinterest board.
Thanks for reading.
Em
