Robyn Manning’s interior design company, Bricks + Birches, is having a moment. “Things are rocking,” says Manning, “starting to really snowball.” Where she started out doing residential projects—a lot of cottages on Nova Scotia’s rustic north shore or homes for young families in the city, hence the B+B name blending urban and rural—now, coming up […]
home decor
Posted inLifestyle
How to win at auctions, both online and irl
Nova Scotia may not attract attention from high-end auction houses like Christie’s and Sotheby’s, but local firm Crowther & Brayley runs good auctions in hockey arenas (the next is March 21). And the world of online auctions is accessible from your phone. But just because any amateur can make a bid, doesn’t mean there aren’t […]
Posted inLifestyle
Five steps to home happiness
As we enter the colder seasons, creating a home that will weather the winter blues is on our minds. Luckily for us, the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, Denmark recently released a study all about home happiness. They asked their respondents to weigh in on two main questions: What makes a happy home, and how […]
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We bought a church
Visiting Musquodoboit Harbour, Jennifer Wilcox and Josh Boyter drove by the decommissioned West Jeddore United Baptist Church. “Wouldn’t that be nice if it was converted?” they said to each other. “What we didn’t know was that it already was,” says Wilcox On a later visit, they noticed a for-sale sign. And that weekend, “we impulse-bought […]
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My favourite room: Kimi Willgress’ sunny kitchen
When Kimi Willgress retired from her career as a professional athlete, the Olympic snowboarder turned to art. Inspired by her uncle, she started creating and selling Prana Rocks—oil lamps made with Nova Scotia slate—as a side hustle until she just couldn’t keep up with demand on her own. “Showing people how to incorporate them into […]
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The French connection: a Parisian inspired model home
Robyn Manning is always thinking big picture. With a background in fine art, textiles and furniture, the principal designer behind Bricks & Birches—a design and consultation firm she founded in 2016—has her mind on sightlines, proportions and connections. It’s all about the collective concept, not just beautiful bits and pieces. Her latest feat of design […]
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Accessorizing with authority: A Q&A with Robyn Manning
As the owner of Bricks & Birches design and consultation firm, Robyn Manning likes to be on top of recent trends–and she’s always looking ahead. A couple of her current favourite looks contrast with one another: The monochromatic “organic modern” trend and the eclectic, more colourful aesthetic. Manning dished out some advice on how to […]
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My favourite room: Andrea Tsang-Jackson’s bright bedroom
What makes this room your favourite? The kids are rarely in the bedroom so it’s a sanctuary for me. The room holds my favourite furniture pieces: A four-post bed, mid-century modern nesting tables, a mid-century credenza dresser and a mirror I bought at a yard sale. All the pieces are black, white or natural woods […]
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Grow your own way: a guide to keeping plants alive
Katie Morrison of Granville Street’s The Flower Shop didn’t always have a knack for growing things. “It took me a long time to figure out how to take care of plants. I didn’t grow up in a house with plants. My mom just had this same fern in the corner for like, 20 years,” she […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Gottingen gets The Independent Mercantile Co.
Wendy Friedman comes from a family of many shop owners, running a successful business is basically in her blood. With 18 years (and counting) of Biscuit General Store (1661 Argyle Street) under her belt, she’s branching out with a new addition to the north end’s retail scene. The Independent Mercantile Company, inspired by her love […]
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Shay Interiors wants to beautify your home
“I always think there aren’t enough rooms,” laughs Shay Ingram discussing her love of decorating and design. A longtime employee at M Home, she branched out on her own after its downsize in early 2014, bringing her classic-meets-fun style to Shay Interiors. “What I’m sort of gearing towards is drop-in decorating, making it beautiful without […]
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Pillow talk with Girliture
Tanya Owen really cares about where you lay your head after a long day. She’s the artist behind Girliture, her furniture painting business that started focussing in on pillows this fall. “I’m not even sure what made me decide to try it, but I had been stenciling some furniture and thought I’d try one of […]