Houzz interview: Linda's Restyled Home

Linda's charming coastal Nova Scotia home caught our eyes when we found the beautiful photos of her daughter's playhouse that she uploaded to houzz.
Many of you had already discovered this amazing playhouse and saved its photos in your ideabooks. Since the rest of the house is as beautiful as the playhouse, we knew we must share it with you.
Linda is a talented home decorator and a writer, who has a very unique design style which she shares in her inspiring blog restyled home.
She likes shopping in flea markets, thrift shops, and antique shops for vintage pieces and has done a wonderful job displaying these treasures around her house.
We love the little details in every single room and are very happy to have Linda with us today to share her story and tips.

Please tell us about your "first meeting" with your house to be

The house I live in is the first house that has ever felt like home. We have moved a lot over the years, and while I have loved something about each one, this is the one that I feel that sigh of contentment with as I walk in the door. Mind you, it is not my dream home. In fact, we had never really planned to stay in this one, rather, we had planned to sell it and move on rather quickly. We settled in, however, and continue to add character and detail to our home and are entering our fifth year in it. A real commitment! It is a perfect example of not needing everything you ever wanted to be happy and content.

The first step of your remodeling process

Having built this house from scratch, our challenge was not remodelling but adding warmth and character to a new build on a modest budget. I am fortunate that my husband is very skilled in carpentry, so I think up the projects and he does the execution - though I have no problem with pitching in and getting my hands dirty! I have painted every set of kitchen cabinets in our homes, painted every stick of trim, and have taken care of the fine details that make our home real reflections of us.

The biggest renovation challenge you faced

Definitely our pool area. Because we had never installed one (ours is an above-ground model), it became the first time we have ever hired out something we could technically have done on our own. Still, we built the large two-level deck around it, built a pretty change area, and used creative alternatives to some of the higher end finishes some pool owners include. Our bar area is a piece made from old barn wood that I picked up at a yard sale, and I found the decorative items at flea markets, HomeGoods, and repurposed everything else. We also have plans to rig up some sort of outdoor shower.

Your favorite style and colors

I don’t know what the experts would say, but I like to label my style as pretty, which I know is not a very technical term. Still, it fits, I think. I can’t grab the shabby chic label, as I am not inclined to have as much “pouf” as shabby chic tends to encompass. I like a cleaner, more pure aesthetic, but with a focus on adding pretty details like soft colours - made more serious with touches of weathered wood and hits of black. I like the whimsy of adding in more modern lighting and, if I could afford it, would have a bit more streamlined furniture…but you’d still find details like ruffles, pompom fringe, and vintage florals on the pillows and bedding! As for colours, I am drawn to fresh, cool colour: watery blues, soft grays, beiges, and my favourite, robin’s egg blue. My go-to colour to make me feel calm is Restoration Hardware’s Silver Sage. I also love Flik & Company blue, which I discovered while on a trip to the Toronto shop of the same name.

A spot in your house that makes you very happy

I love my kitchen! I love that I took the leap and painted the cabinets a soft, fresh blue-grey (definitely not baby blue!). We incorporated as many nods to vintage style as we could afford: school house lighting, open shelving to display my favourite dishware, and our cabinet hardware, faucet, and backsplash are vintage-inspired. Still, it is not a kitchen you would find in an old home. I think we have struck a good balance of old and new.

Your precious accessory/furniture/art

I have several things that I hold dear to my heart, and most are furniture pieces my husband made for us. The first would have to be my kitchen island which he built for me for our tenth anniversary. I asked him to build it with an old-fashioned candy counter in mind and he obliged. It is black at the moment, but I will probably paint it if and when we move again. I also love that each of us sleep in beds he has made which, as a young family starting out, was a huge help. Some of my lighting choices also make me very happy. I am a real sucker for great lighting, so a trip to a lighting shop is always a thrill!

Your next house project

I am growing restless with my basement family room and want to brighten it up and make it look more my style. I am envisioning new colour, slipcovers, and a way to address long walls without making it look like a photo gallery. It is definitely on my list of things to do this winter!

5 things that houzz readers need to know about you and your blog

1. I blog about a little of everything, with an obvious emphasis on decorative style. Still, my blog can also be a journal of sorts, and helps compensate for my poor memory.
2. I blog often and enjoy the creative outlet.
3. The most frequently asked question from readers is “what blues do you use in your home?”
4. I believe in using my blog to feature others whose talent inspires me. The online community is a place where others share their idea so willingly, so I believe that when you come across a truly brilliant idea, you should give credit where credit is due. I also believe in blogrolls. Linking to others is a beautiful thing, because no one grows their blog without the support of others!
5. My blog has opened up doors and opportunities that would not have been possible without it! I have connected with talented people from across the globe who I have learned from, shared a part of myself with, and who have been supportive of me in a way that inspired me to keep moving forward. I am more fulfilled creatively, and my career has segued into a direction I never imagined possible.

Best tip for the remodeling beginner

Get the colour right! Apply colour to your walls that makes you happy. Take cues from your wardrobe. If you are drawn to bold colour or, alternatively, softer hues, take note. You will probably enjoy similar shades in your home. Just don’t get locked in to a colour scheme. If an object or fabric calls your name, you will probably be able to incorporate it if you truly love it. Work with a colour palette that makes you happy, and have fun creating a home that you love.

Last but not least: as a houzz friend, Linda has chosen a Pottery Barn giveaway gift card to one of the lucky readers that will share their thoughts about her house and interview..

Thank you for sharing your beautiful home Linda!.

For your chance to win a $50 Pottery Barn gift card, comment on this interview by Sunday, November 1st, at 5pm EST..