Andrea Johnson Design

Is grey the new white?

ajohnson — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 04:39:03 +0000

I’m all for an all white kitchen but I have to say that I’ve been diggin the look of grey cabinetry lately.

Holloways of Ludlow

Is it spring yet??

ajohnson — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 17:07:50 +0000

Happy Tuesday everyone! On this dreary morning I have my eye on some cute stripes for spring, I know spring isn’t exactly around the corner, especially here in Vancouver but I am counting the weeks until I am sitting pool side in Palm Springs. I’m a little obsessed with anything striped and I found some cute options.

Club Monaco

Victoria’s Secret

Billibong (minus the heels)

Gap

A little inspiration from the Tory Burch Resort Collection. Bohemian chic with some stripes thrown in.

These pants are definitely on the list.

Family room revamp

ajohnson — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 03:24:16 +0000

When you own a twenty year old home there is always something to improve, new projects to tackle or not so fun necessities like a new roof. My recent family room project came up suddenly due to a disastrous wine stain. This was the latest in many wine stains over the years and to make matters worse I wasn’t around to clean it which left the husband to cope. I’m sure he looked like a deer in headlights and his temporary solution was to place a coloured tea towel over top of the stain to let it sit overnight. When I saw it the next morning I’m sure I looked at it like someone was just shot and I was witnessing the aftermath. The once red wine stain was not only red but also a mouldy green colour from the tea towel soaking into the carpet. I have always regretted the wall to wall carpet decision and it seems as though I have been constantly reminded of that bad choice everyday since then! What was I thinking?? Oh right, two babies with soft delicate skin and how much they would enjoy playing and sitting on a soft carpet. My design instincts were blinded by my mommy brain so now I can finally say goodbye to the carpet and hello hardwood floors. Now that we are putting in new floors this of course has prompted a major overall. We have decided to move all the existing family room furniture up to the kids games room. The kids are older and they spend more time in the games room watching movies etc.. It’s now mostly my husband and I that hang out and watch tv in this room so it gives me an opportunity to rethink how I want to use the space and what will be the best set up for us. I am playing around with the idea of not using a sofa at all and instead to go with two larger scaled chairs and a couple other side chairs or benches for company. I want it to feel casual and comfortable, somewhere to curl up and read a book, have a cup of coffee or veg out and watch tv. I would love your opinion on this, have you ever thought of using a space in your home in a completely different way other than what it is intended? Or choosing furniture that doesn’t fit into what is considered the norm for a space in your home?

This is what started it all, take note of the green coloration, pretty right? It is somewhat comical that a wine stain has snowballed into a new family room. I know, I have a gift, shhhhh…..don’t tell the husband;)

Goodbye carpet

Hello new family room

Chairs- Restoration Hardware

Rug- Rugs USA

Console- unknown

Lamps- Circa Who

Side tables- Crate and Barrel

Ottomans- Urban Barn

Throw pillows- Arianna Belle

Accessories- High Street Market

Some things I’m thinking about

ajohnson — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 22:33:14 +0000

Bangs or no bangs? This has inspired me. Now if only I had those cheek bones.

On my must have list this season is a pair of leather leggings. I’ve got my eye on these.

Zara

How cute, right?

Fab Sugar

I know peplum is very trendy right now so when I saw this sweater I knew it would be a good addition to my fall/winter wardrobe.

Zara

Camo anyone?? Yes, it’s sad but true, I need me a pair of camo pants.

J’adore Fashion

Lucky

Nate Berkus collection for Target

ajohnson — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 03:55:35 +0000

I love Nate and not only for his dimples! His design aesthetic is so chic but also liveable and I have always been a huge fan. Many of his spaces are on my all time favourites list. So when l found out that he is launching a home collection exclusive to Target I was thrilled! Here is a peek of what he’s got in store for us when it launches on Oct 21st.

all images via Target

Go big or go home

ajohnson — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 20:28:32 +0000

So you know when you’ve thought about a space in your mind over and over again and have planned out all the ways you want to change it, then realize that you’re already bored with the idea and don’t bother doing anything at all? Well, that’s where I’m at with my bedroom. I’ve had so many ideas right down to the pillows but nothing has actually happened. It is the most boring and lifeless room in my house and yet I am wrapping up my bathroom reno and closet reno (more on that soon). My bedroom should reflect all the hard work I have put into the other spaces and now it’s even a bigger yawn than it was before. So I’m thinking that paint will get me started on the right track and give it the impact I’m looking for. I have already contemplated going darker but after going back and forth between dark grey and dark blue I have decided the heck with it let’s go black! Yes, it’s a statement but why not, it’s just paint, right? Black will add the right amount of drama on the wall where my bed sits and I’ll keep the other walls white. I have some antique brass end tables and other accessories that will look great against the black. Now the goal is to make these changes before I’m over them!

After seeing these inspiration pics I knew I wouldn’t regret it.

via Houzz

via Color Collective

via Courtney Giles Interiors

via Desire to Inspire

Let’s catch up

ajohnson — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 02:46:54 +0000

I’m back after a long hiatus of enjoying time with the kids, working on some great projects and soaking up as much sunshine as I could this summer! I was also busy undergoing my own bathroom reno that is close to being completed and I wanted to share the progress so far.

So let’s take a peek at where we started and just to warn you, it ain’t pretty.

Here are some after pictures of what it looks like now.

These are some details I’m adding to bring it all together.

Myth and Symbol trays

Clare Elsaesser (I am in love with her work)

Something vintage to hold towels etc..(source unknown)

Restoration Hardware, essentials for the vanity

I was able to save some money on the vanity and tub (the tub was on sale for a great price) and spent money on the labour to lay the floor tile. Let’s just say that my contractor would be happy never to see another herringbone pattern again! It was also important that I was able to use marble jambs that will surround the glass for the shower. It isn’t cheap but to me it really finishes it off and leaves it looking clean without messy grout edges. To make the vanity feel more custom I added some pretty antique brass pulls that looks great with the sconces and shapely mirrors. I also used ming green marble sparingly on the shower floor and walls while using an inexpensive tile for the larger areas. I’m still waiting for the shower glass and components as well as the pendant for above the tub. I ordered a chandelier but it arrived broken, I shipped it back and reordered a new one only to have the second chandelier arrive broken as well! I gave up and decided to look for a completely different pendant that will go nicely with the sconces. Stay tuned for the final result!

Losing sleep over tile options

ajohnson — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 20:13:33 +0000

I hate lying in bed at night tossing and turning over things like tile! Everything always seems so much worse when it’s 3 in the morning. My bathroom reno is starting in a week and I am still trying to decide on accent tile! I am having a slight obsession with anything ming green marble. It will work with all the other elements in the room and add a little colour at the same time. I’ve ordered samples of some possible contenders and would love your thoughts.

Possible shower floor option 1

Shower floor option 2

Accent band for shower wall option 3

Accent band along shower wall option 4

I’m kinda lovin this option for an accent wall in the shower

Sarah 101 den/living room

ajohnson — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 19:07:34 +0000

Now this is the Sarah I know and love!! Beautiful shades of blue, soft furnishings and attention to detail. This is a Sarah room through and through.

And check out the modern living room. I wasn’t a big fan of the floral on the ottoman but once it all came together I loved how it turned out.

all images via Michael Penney Style

The mixing metals debate

ajohnson — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 15:29:40 +0000

Now that I am in the midst of doing my own ensuite bath I am thinking about whether to mix the metals or keep them the same. It’s become very popular to mix metals in decor but committing to faucets, pulls for cabinetry and lighting etc… is on another level for me because it’s much more of a commitment. It’s one thing to change up your lamps, add some accessories or even a small piece of furniture in different metals but when it comes to a bathroom or kitchen these aren’t things that you change out with the trends. My go to metal is always chrome for a bathroom, it’s classic and I love the sparkly finish but maybe I should change up the lighting, mirrors or cabinetry pulls?? So what do you think, where do you stand on the mixing metals debate?

This is a great mix of metals don’t you think?

Photo via The Decorista

I love the gold in the chandelier mixed with the chrome faucet

Photo via Home MD

A mix of brass, stainless steel and chrome in this kitchen and it looks fantastic!

Photo via Zoldan Interiors

I love this kitchen. Notice the oil rubbed bronze pendant light, brushed brass cabinet pulls, stainless steel shelf brackets, hood and oven as well as a chrome faucet. That’s a lot of mixing and yet it looks so great!

Photo via House and Home