Recent Manic Thrift Store Finds

Apparently, folks with BD tend to head toward mania at the end of summer - supposedly due to the change in light. Well, part of mine is thrift shopping. I go on binges once a month three days before my period, (five days before that I'm an exercise freak). So, considering it's the end of summer and 28 days has just passed - I'm now having what I'm going to refer to as the End of Summer Manic Sale! 

stacy reynaud

Might as well sell now because I know in the winter when I'm sitting here all depressed in the rain the last thing I'm going to want to do is muster up enough gumption to sell stuff!

If I didn't go through these episodes I would have never had the immense success I've had in my life doing what I love. I'm very lucky to have a supportive husband who understands and can say, 'Hey, you're doing that shopping thing again'. However, when he told me the other day that if he could have any interiors style it would be Italian minimalist I felt a little bad.

stacy reynaud

My style - a mash up of Scandinavian, bohemian, 70s beach chic is pretty much the furthest away from Italian minimalism you can get! Having said that, I've introduced him to Swiffers so he can at least visualize a sleek Italian surface.

stacy reynaud

Don't get me wrong, I'm not desperate to sell stuff - everything I've bought I love and I buy with the intention to sell. I put a lot of effort into my sourcing. The pieces I've chosen are high end, quality pieces not a bunch of crap that I shoved in a basket because I was out of control. Everything is vintage and most is from the early to late 1970s.

 stacy reynaud

So, if you're interested, I'm uploading stuff to Etsy, Craigslist and eBay and of course you can also message me and let me know you read this post and we can work something out.

From top:

1. Nils Jonsson Trio credenza - not listed yet but soon
2. Denby Mayflower - Etsy
3. Gucci Horse-bit navy leather shoes - Etsy
4. Peacock chair, love seat and basket chair - Craigslist
5. Peacock chair - Craigslist
6. 1970s BC stoneware ceramics - not listed yet but soon

More stuff to come!

Thanks for hanging around.

My Invisible Cube Van

It's invisible because it doesn't exist. If it did, I'd be fetching this stuff for you this weekend!

2008 Flashback Post - Our Living Room Five Years Ago

Originally published September 14, 2008. Thanks for sticking around my blog for that long - know that I appreciate it. You give me something to write about.

after

When working with 620 square feet it can be challenging to find furniture that doesn't over power your space.

Windows, area rugs, drapes and a colour wheel (for direction) can help you define the space.

In this space I chose a 5 x 8 flokati rug to bring the room together. Your furniture should sit at just the edge of the rug and should be placed at a comfortable conversation distance from each other and close enough to the coffee table to rest your drink on. In this room the coffee table is a Nakashima inspired vintage old growth burl.

The color scheme was chosen to compliment the view of Stanley Park out the window. It was important to have some bright accents as this home faces northwest and nine months of the year are gray and raining. I chose shades of purple, red, green and gold to liven up the champagne velvet tufted couch and chairs.

Dark chocolate vintage crushed velvet drapes frame the view and pull out the wood grains in the original mid century oak flooring.

before

Looking at this before image - I'm quite proud to say I still have pretty much everything - minus the credenza and TV. The sofas, curtains and flokati rug were destroyed when our West End apartment building was infested by bed bugs a year after this photo. The ficus tree is actually celebrating its 20th birthday this year! It was given to me as a house warming present when I went off to university.

Vintage Peacock Chair - Emmanuelle Chair

I was probably around twelve when I first saw this image of Marilyn Monroe by Milton H. Greene.

Since then, I've wanted one of those wicker chairs - a peacock chair to be exact - they just look so cool every time I see one in a photo.

Back in the winter of this year, I bought one off Craigslist for $25. Damn right it looks cool, but that's about it. The only type of chair I can think of that is as uncomfortable as this type is those plastic white slatted folding outdoor chairs (like this).

 See blondie there in the white sweater? That just about sums up me sitting on the chair!

At least Flo finds it comfortable.

A Green Blue Turquoise Wall Thing

Confession -  I have an issue differentiating between blue and green. Hence, whatever you call this wall colour, I like it. Personally, I wouldn't use it on my walls because I'm too moody for blue (?) - however, my rock star turned designer guy friend Ryan used it in his bedroom and loves it.

I lied. I'd have this bathroom any day - remember my dream of having a window in my shower?

images: mine, bohemian homes, inspire bohemia, Florence Welch's living room in Vogue Living, Shelley Freedman, Velvet and Linen

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West End Building Sale | Come Say Hi

Well, not the actual building, but the tenants in Rachel's building are having their annual yard/sidewalk sale on Sunday (July 7th). This one I can make it to! Come hang out with the crazies - I mean this in camaraderie, of course. 9:30 - 12:30 (I can't believe I have to be somewhere before 9:30).

Come buy our stuff for super cheap! We're talking cents and small dollars here. I'm also open to trades like Vitamin Water Zero, unsweetened organic almond milk, dark roast coffee, and handmade soap. My tastes are simple.

Location: West End - Alexandra Park - behind the old bandstand.

See ya!

My Kitchen Table

The other day I was catching up on blogs before they disappear from my Google Reader and I came across one from God knows who because now I can't find it! Anyway, it was a post on tables or work spaces or her table or something like that and she asked, 'What does the top of your kitchen table look like?' Well, I took a photo of what my kitchen table looked like just then - and still looks like now but the tabouli has been replaced by oatmeal. Who are you dear blogger? I want to link to your post!

This image reminds me of one of the vocabulary activities I used to give to a beginner ESL class - I gave them a photo and had them identify as many things as they could. Oh, the good old days!

The Luxury Crafstwoman

Popular during the 1960s and 1970s, Italian designer Gabriella Crespi abandoned her career at its height in order to 'settle the inner conflict that had torn her existence forever'. Crespi moved to India in the mid 80s to work with her spiritual advisor Sri Muniraji. In 2008, after nearly two decades of life in India, she worked with Stella McCartney in a limited reissue of five of her jewelery designs from the 70s. The proceeds from the line, which debuted at McCartney's Paris flagship store, were donated to an eye care hospital in the Himalayas.

Gabriella Crespi

Ellisse - Cubo Tondo - Scultura tables

brass - design 1976

table top right $31,250

image Architectural Digest 1979

Take Me With You | 5 Ways

I won't leave you in the Google Reader graveyard. The reader is toast as of July 1st, 2013. So, to follow my Bijou Living blog with another reader select that orange icon in the right hand column. Flipboard is also a cool platform to use.  Where am I posting when I'm not blogging? May I suggest subscribing to my other social media channels to keep totally up to date with my ramblings? You can do so right here: 

1. Twitter feed
2. Tumblr feed
3. Facebook feed
4. Blog feed
5. Email 

Whatever you choose, please know that I really appreciate you sticking around!

8 Hot Living Rooms

images via arkpad

Annual Purge Yard Sale | Saturday June 8th

stacy reynaud

Coincidentally, I purged my closet last weekend, and our pal Rachel has decided to have a yard sale this weekend. It's a purge, so everything will be super cheap. I'm selling mainly clothes and some Danish stuff. We'll be set up by the West End Farmer's Market.


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One - Two - Sold

You know the old 'truth', in the 'power of three', (my marketing instructor self speaking). Consumers love threes. Don't give us too many choices! Once you see something three times, act on it. Case in point, black cane rocking chairs. I was going to buy one for $50 from a lady in Kelowna two weeks ago but forgot, (the one above). Now in the last 24 hrs I find two saved on my computer.  Mom and Dad, are you coming down soon?