washbasin veggie bowl

I found this enamelled washbasin in a pile of garbage outside a home that was being renovated in my Toronto neighbourhood. The bowl was filthy, but after I got it home and cleaned it up, I loved its beat-up patina - a perfect container for late summer tomatoes.

delftware

I found this lovely little plate at a church rummage sale several years ago. I don't often use it for everyday, but on this particular occasion I wanted something that would complement the golden colour of the roti skins I was using as a flatbread with a meal of curry.

black creek pioneer village

I visited Black Creek Pioneer Village (Toronto) in the summer of 2008. I love recreated colonial villages because they're full of the stuff I like to have in my own home: natural wood and fabrics, cast iron, worn surfaces...

I took a million photos that day, but have only included my favorites here. Above is a shot of a wall in the tinsmith's shop. I love the intricate patterns they could make with only a few tools.

Below are some brooms from the broom maker's shop. I bought a cobweb broom in the gift shop before I left, and it hangs in my front room today.


Below is a chandelier from a Mennonite meeting house. I love its simple lines.


The meeting house itself was really spare. I'm not sure if it's an authentic representation of what the space would have looked like when it was being used for worship services.


Below is a tool shed, with plants hanging to dry from the rafters.


A cart in the tool shed.


Another chandelier, this one from the town hall.

The interior of the town hall. I love the colours.


A quilt in one of the homes.


Irons sitting on the stovetop.


A rusty wash basin full of water.


The weaver's shop.


The dining room in the doctor's house.


A shamrock sitting in the window.


One of the many photographs of chairs that I took that day. I also love the colour of the painted floorboards.


A cutting board for bread.


The cobbler's shop.


Rocking horse.


I love the rush seats in the next couple of chairs.




A simple table. Look how wide the boards are.


Another table.


Whimsical "creature" on a windowsill.


Tools inside the mill.


I love how deep the window sills are.


One of the mill doors, studded with nails.


A discarded mill wheel.


I really liked the exterior of this little house. Very simple.


Berries drying in a window.


Dried flowers in a bowl.


I absolutely love the colours in this quilt.


Another bed in the same house.


And yet another bed...


Another chair...


A basket of toys on a porch.


Fleece waiting to be carded.


Sunshine on another basket of fleece.


Inside a barn.


Check out the massive beams.

bloor and bathurst graffiti

This was one of my favorite landmark bits of graffiti in Toronto, painted on the doors of a former church just south of Bloor on Bathurst. I saw it every time I drove downtown with Brainerd, my former employer, for a business meeting. Our former publicist also had an office right near this intersection.

Other sense memories associated with this graffiti: Roti. (Roti Palace - one of my favorite Toronto restaurants - was steps away from this spot.)

dandelion mud pie

This was one of my favorite neighbourhood stores when I lived in Toronto. Dandelion Mud Pie sold eco-friendly items for your home. I remember it always smelled amazing inside - like the lavender room spray they sold there. This is their window display in April 2008.

narcissi still life

Okay, so here are a few junky things assembled to make a temporary still life one February a couple of years ago. The narcissi are growing in a glass bowl filled with marbles and river stones. The wooden stretcher was rescued from a former client's garbage pile. I thought it made an interesting accent in the only window in my Toronto apartment.

orange crate side table

I have no idea if this is really an orange crate. It's definitely some kind of crate. When my brother and sister and I were little, my dad took this crate, turned it on its end and added a couple of shelves. Then my mom painted it mint green and drew electric stove elements on the "top" with black magic marker. Presto magicko, it became a toy stove for us to play with.

Years later as a teenager I painted it white, and it's been used as some sort of furniture ever since - whether on its end as a shelf, or on its side (above) as an occasional table. As I write this, it's now part of my wall o' shelves.