WORTH THE DRIVE

What a way to start off the New Year! Canadian House & Home Magazine says that The Passionate Home is "WORTH THE DRIVE"! Tucked inside the January 2011 issue is the H&H Shopping Guide and this is what they said about The Passionate Home!


French country chic is hard to resist at the best of times - it's just all so charmant! - let alone when it beckons among a whimsical mix of upcycled, vintage and one-of-a-kind pieces, as it does at The Passionate Home. Located in historic McBurney Lane, this dangerously affordable shop trades on the thrill-of-the-find. It's a treasure trove for a romantic nursery (vintage iron and Provencal-inspired daybeds), nostalgic garden accessories (wrought iron galore) and repurposed "junk style" pieces. If you can't decide what to grab, go for a bottle of Pre de Provence French soap - at least you'll feel like you took part.

Let me tell you that after reading this, I was so thankful to H&H for putting into words, that which I sometimes find so difficult to explain. Their description of the store is exciting and great and it made me so proud! Sometimes, when you are in your own business everyday and you are constantly trying to do better, you wonder what other people see. Thank you H&H and thank you to everyone who has shown support for The Passionate Home. It means more to me than I will ever be able to put into words.

As a small business owner, I am also so very grateful to the local community who chose to shop local this holiday season. Downtown Langley ran the "WIN THE WINDOW"contest where local businesses donated a gift to the window and every time you made a purchase at one of the participating merchants, you could enter to win the more than $5000 worth of gifts. I am happy to say that Jackie made her first visit to The Passionate Home and entered to win. On December 22 her name was pulled from thousands of entries and although Jackie had to work, I was excited to meet her husband and help him load up his treasures. Congratulations Jackie and Kurt and thank you for shopping at TPH.

From my family to yours, we wish you happiness, health and success in this New Year. May you easily find the strength to take the first step towards whatever it is you dare to dream for 2011!

Carrie

WOULD YOU LIVE IN A BARN? ABSOLUTLEY!

I recently borrowed a book from the library titled, THE NEW LOOK OF COUNTRY. It was packed full of inspiration and beautiful photos, but one particular part caught my eye...DESIGN RECONSIDERED. Not only was the picture right up my alley with it's iron daybed, antique arched window, Italian chandelier and old plastered walls, but the story that accompanied the photo made me smile. Enjoy!

In the 1890 short story "The Revolt of Mother", Mary Wilkins Freeman tells a tale of a woman who gets so angry with her farmer-husband for spending all of their money on a new barn that she takes up residence there. At the time, the idea of living in a barn was unthinkable. But today, our sense of what makes a home has changed, and our desire to preserve any piece of the past we can seems to know no bounds. Rather than lose barns, garages, carriage houses or former factories to the wrecking ball, people are rescuing them and reincarnating them as dwellings.

This story has got me rethinking our little shed out back! Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

I don't even think I would mind my new neighbours!

Happy Holidays!

WE LOVE SARAH & TOMMY

I am always excited to see a magazine in my mailbox and this month I was treated to a new magazine compliments of Invis-Feisal & Associates Mortgage Consulting, http://www.yourmortgageexperts.ca/. The title was HOME & MORTGAGE, but what really caught my eye was what was under the title...Sarah Richardson at Work & Play! I ran home from the mailbox! Open page 10, Sarah Richardson ingenuity at work, I can not read quick enough. One of Canada's favorite designers shares her sources of inspiration, colour palette preferences and relaxed reno philosophy. The article is in an interview format and there is a wonderful picture of Sarah and Tommy smiling right at me! It was a wonderful interview, but what I really wanted to share with you was something that Sarah said. The interview question was, "On what particular project did you learn the most, were most proud of the results, or had the most fun?" The part of the answer that interested me most was when she said, "The country home was the most challenging, rewarding and fun. It was the most fun because it was a beautiful country setting and we used the type of furniture that I love: vintage finds from flea markets that were painted or refinished." I think Sarah needs to visit The Passionate Home!

Have a great day! C

THE LATEST CRAZE

I was very excited to find the January 2011 Style at Home Magazine in my mailbox last night! I love to read the articles and look at all the pictures of items that they could have purchased from TPH!!! Under "notes from the editor" Erin is talking about "the latest craze" and I was delighted to read what Executive editor Suzanne Moutis wrote about being a vintage romantic at heart. "There should always be room for one-of-a-kind pieces and things with individuality" she observed. I agree, don't you? I think Suzanne would love The Passionate Home!

Have a beautiful day!