Its been a long while since i’ve posted here or on social media so it feels like its past time to check in.
Grief. I have been working through the sudden loss of my brother this spring - its left my head feeling messed up and my heart very heavy. But I’m working through it, not trying to avoid the sadness or look for constant distractions. Its definitely been the most difficult experience of my life, we were the greatest of friends and the void is felt every day.
Welcome 2021! It was quite a dramatic first week wasn’t it. Chaos south of the border, more rounds of Covid lockdowns and reports of new variants to start things off. But the good news is the vaccines are rolling out and along with this comes plenty of hope for a brighter new year with some return to normalness.
Our garden gate and barn, Christmas Day 2020. | Carol Reed Interior Design Inc.
This weekend we took down what remains of our holiday decor which was pretty minimal this year so it was quick work. We did a pair of table top trees with mini LED lights. Both left unadorned except on the tree in our front room I laid an old birds nest on a branch (you can kinda see the photo below) .
Living Room Christmas Morning | Carol Reed Interior Design Inc.
Once the fresh greens are down, I leave the pinecones and paperwhites around all winter. Our amaryllis bulbs, 6 weeks later still haven’t bloomed, we must have killed them by storing them in the barn for a couple weeks back in November, which might have been too damp for them. Otherwise, I have no idea what happened, not any sign of growth from them at all. The paper white bulbs were also duds , after more than six weeks in, half are only now just starting to bloom the other half have began to sprout but then stalled out. Usually i get blooms in 3-4 weeks, seems they went into hibernation this year, not that I blame them but I REALLY missed having fresh blooms over the holidays.
Like the rest of the year we spent the holidays at home by ourselves. For the first time in 20 years I worked over the holidays - not a bad year for that so no complaints! In the couple of days I did take off I baked christmas cookies for gifting. I usually bake up at least 6 different types (all in my stories ) so I can box up an assortment. I wasn’t well prepared with cookie boxes and made do with these ones from the dollar store - a plain brown box would have been my choice but with limited shopping these did in a pinch. (we made and added the dividers to them).
Our fisherman neighbour gifted us with a haul of fresh lobsters on Christmas eve day, one of our traditions since living here, and so we ate lobster for days. On Christmas eve I made a chowder and for Christmas supper we had them just cracked from the shell with warm butter, along with potatoes gratin, and a mesculin, mandarin and goat cheese salad. I have to admit I didn’t even bother to set a table, we just dined at the island where we had already lit some candles and popped some bubbles.
In between the eating we did get in lots of beach walks. We never miss getting out for one on Christmas day and this year it was stellar. It was a mild day on the East Coast and made the beach a popular destination - I’d never seen so many families out for a beach walk and chat with neighbours. We took advantage of the weather and walked for a couple of hours. Just being out in the fresh salt air, mask free, was a gift.
Staircase & Christmas Tree reflections | Carol Reed Interior Design Inc.
In the midst of moving some things around (for some paint touch ups) I caught this reflection in our living room, it was a potent reminder of how fast time flies. We have a telephone jack (functioning) sitting temporarily on the hallway floor, It dawned on me that its now been there ‘temporarily’ for over 7 years. I’ve become blind to it. The ‘Woman in The Dutch Door’ however, is clearly giving it the side eye. Like she’s calling me out on it. Is it embarrassing that its been like this for 7 years and annoying to look at - yes. Has it bothered me enough to do anything about it, apparantly not - there’s always a long list of seemingly more important things to do or fix. And where I really want to put the outlet does require a bigger project so i think its time to rethink if or when that’s gonna happen. More often than not, this is the fate (or trap) of temporary fixes, they just become long term dysfunctional situations. Clearly there’s a message the woman in the portrait is pointing out. Here’s to focusing on the little things in 2021 that you may be conveniently ignoring or putting band aids on for 7 years. ; ) Or, is it - don’t sweat the small stuff because life is short and time flies by much too fast. ?
I’m relieved to see the end of 2020 although I’m always mindful never to wish time away or wish for time to hurry up. Its the most precious thing we have regardless of the circumstances as is our choice of what to do with it. I’ll hold on to the good things that came out of the past year. To me 2020 seemed to be the year of learning. So here’s to holding on to the good things from 2020 and looking forward to lots of safe hugs, gatherings and reunions in 2021.
From my home to yours,
wishing you good health and peace in the New Year!
For more peeks of CRID at home, full-service and e-service design projects you can follow us on Instagram @carolreeddesign
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We’re gearing up to kick-off the interior updates to a centuries old craftsman style cottage on the Southwest Shore at the start of the New Year. By gearing up I mean designing non-stop, all of the new interior wall and ceiling treatments, new built-ins as well as fully redoing the kitchen and bathroom.
The cottage itself was built in a simple craftsman style and retains most all of its original details with plumbing and electrical updates added over recent decades. The interior layout is basic and simple consisting of one open space for the living/dining/kitchen and partitions around the bed and bathrooms.
The open living area features a huge wood burning fireplace that I’m pleased to say will remain wood burning. I'm always thrilled to meet fellow real wood fire enthusiasts!
Original doors and floor boards from the turn of the century will all remain. Some are painted, some are are not….
Our goal for the new work is to create a interior with simple by-gone charm that remains authentic to the original cottage. New and improved from a modern day perspective but not stripped of vintage character.
Vintage sink, aged brass taps, peeling paint and real patina.
A kitchen so charming its a shame to replace these original buil-tins with new cabinets and counters, but ultimately its worth the sacrifice - to have counters, some drawers, a larger sink and a dishwasher will make full-time living here more practical and enjoyable.
The homeowners have fantastic style and an extensive collection of the most interesting vintage and antique accessories. A few of them they inherited with the cottage but many are their personal treasures that they so artfully display and use.
This is just a small sampling of the incredible collections and charming character that currently inhabit the cottage. Before all of this is packed away, or taken down forever, I was sure to take the time to photograph it all - for reference in the new design but also because it is SO worth documenting. Places like this are becoming as rare as those special people who value their authentic character and relevance. It will truly be a joy to work with these owners in embracing all of this home’s 1920’s seaside personality.
Stay tuned for the circa 2021 version.
For more peeks of CRID at home, full-service and e-service design projects you can follow us on Instagram @carolreeddesign
You can also find us on PINTEREST and FACEBOOK!
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