Favourite Furniture Fridays: Hodge Podge by Markova Design

 Today's guest blogger is the talented (and Canadian) Barbara from
Hodge Podge by Markova Design!

It's exciting to be visiting Tiffany's blog today sharing one of my favourite pieces of furniture in my home. 

Last year after we switched the kids' bedrooms around, our middle child, J, who is now a 16 year old blonde eyed beauty, moved into a bright and sunny room. It is one of my favourite rooms in the house, as I have stepped out of my comfort zone and embraced colours I normally don't use in my house. We have been using her room as a design lab and are thrilled with the results.

The first pop of colour was on this amazing night table, that had seen better days, I found on Craigslist for only $25! 

It had a sad 70's laquer top that was quite scuffed. After a good sanding, some primer and a fresh coat of  Spectra Blue, 2049-50,  by Benjamin Moore, it looks amazing against the dark brown and cream stripes of J's walls.

I decided the leave the original hardware as-is, as I loved the patina and style.

So if you are ever feeling daring and adventurous with colour, try it on small pieces for great visual impact! Thanks again for having me visit Tiffany. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

XO Barbara
Thank you so much for sharing Barbara, such an amazing transformation! Your daughter is a lucky girl to have such a gorgeous bedroom (and talented mama). Be sure to check out her blog!
 

Pretty Little Liars Returns: My Fave Bedroom

I've been cramming in all of PLL's season 2 episodes to get caught up before season 3 kicks off tonight. Do any of you watch Pretty Little Liars?

To celebrate the new season, I thought I would reveal my favourite bedroom in the show. 

Spencer's Bedroom {and why I love it}

#1) The Wallpaper

 How gorgeous is this floral wallpaper? I love the subtle pallet! I can picture using it in a glam dressing room. Designed by Nina Campbell.
(I also am infatuated with the wallpaper in Hanna's bedroom, but I can't find a source anywhere!..I'm also not sure if it is feathers or butterflies, I just know it's amazing!)UPDATE: A big thank you to reader Clara who found this gorgeous wallpaper source HERE. It's feathers!) See below:


2) The Bedding

Spencer mixes black toile and raspberry toile for an eclectic yet unified look. I've always been a fan of toile in small doses! I used it on the seat of my desk chair!

3) The Desk Area

Okay, yes it's chaotic...but the designer in me is so connected with this space! Look at the decor magazines, the wallpaper samples and and fabric swatches! The over the top inspiration board! The wire chair! Drooling.

Which bedroom on the show is YOUR favourite. They are all pretty fabulous! The countdown is on people! Happy watching.
xo
Tiffany Leigh

ps. My other guilty pleasure shows include the Vampire Diaries and Gossip Girl. Hbu?

New Lease: Planning the Layout

If you all saw yesterday's post, you know that today, I'm continuing to discuss my new rental!

Here are a few more details:

I move in in September.

I'm sharing a house with five other girls (none of whom I know yet!). We have a common living room, kitchen, dining area, laundry facility and backyard. While I'm sure I'll get along with everyone, I also like my personal space (and I'm not sure they will share my love of watching HGTV 24/7). That's why I'm happy that my room is big enough to create a studio style space that will include my bed area, office area, and own personal living room area.

Last night, I whipped up this floor plan quickly to track my ideas so far:

What do you guys think of this layout? Stay tuned because tomorrow, I'm going to show you my fabric scheme options!
xox Tiffany Leigh

ps. If you need help mapping out a floor plan, send me an e-mail at thedesignerlifestyle@gmail.com. I'd be happy to help!

Big News: Signed a Lease

Besides my first year at university which I spent living in campus residence, I have lived in the same house since I was born. It has been a blessing which has allowed me to save money, avoid student debt, and not have to worry too much about daily tasks such as cooking and grocery shopping.

Pursuing my dream career in the big city, however, means big changes. I've been on the hunt for some affordable housing in Toronto close to my design school for the fall. Recognizing that my own apartment was not realistic financially, I settled on student housing. All I wanted was my own washroom. 

I may have gone slightly over my planned monthly budget (oopsy), but I've found the perfect room!

The room is 12' by 19'. Lots of room for all of my design ideas!

This picture doesn't do it justice, but this is my extra large WALK IN CLOSET, maybe big enough for my very own dressing room.

Here is the huge shower in my private washroom!

And my big soaker tub! I love bubble baths after a long day.

I can't paint the walls or change any of the fixed elements, but I think it's a good blank and neutral canvas to create a space that is completely me. Stay tuned each day this week where I discuss my design ideas for the different areas of the room!
xox
Tiffany Leigh
ps. I feel so grown up! Ah! Tell me about YOUR first rental.
All photos sent to me by my future landlord. Better quality pics to come when I move in and redecorate.

This Blogger's Bed

Confession... I'm nosey. I like to see where people live because I think that it can say a lot about a person. I want to be an interior designer to help people express themselves through their homes. 

So today, I'm giving you all a chance to be nosey with me! Here's a little peak of my bedroom, or more specifically, this blogger's bed. It's where I do all of my blogging and unwinding. Snoop away!

^ I got this bench for $4 at Goodwill. I'm planning a major DIY for it when the weather gets warm. But for now I just use it to display my heels.

^My bedside table vignette.
So there you have it! What do you think?
I'm curious to know, where do YOU blog? (Told you I'm nosey).
xox
Tiffany Leigh