Blog: Maillardville Manor

Blogger: Ashli Malinek

Location: British Columbia

What is your blog all about? We strive to bring readers motivation and inspiration to live organized, simplified, green lives. I believe our homes can be simple and beautiful all while being eco-friendly and functional. What do you do for a living? I am a full time homemaker/ housewife/ domestic engineer! When we got married we made the decision to have one person working and one person at home, so for the last 5 years I've been a stay-at-home wife. I bake and clean and organize all day and I couldn't imagine anything better for me. But, if I had to pick a dream job I would love to style closets for magazine photo shoots {not rooms, just closets}. I love the look of a well organized closet. [caption id="attachment_6462" align="aligncenter" width="460" caption="Dining space in Ashli's former townhouse, the original Maillardville Manor"] [/caption] If money were no object, what one item would you buy for your home? I would buy the Paula Dean rectangle dining table with ladder-back side chairs and two big upholstered wing chairs at the head of the table -- swoon! Describe your home in 6 words or less. Simple, organized, easy peasy. Where do you shop for items for your home? HomeSense -- I could probably furnish an entire house from that store. I love Ikea, but I have a rule: no more then two items in a room can be from Ikea. It's too easy to do a one stop shop there and have a room that looks like an ad for the store. I also like second-hand stores and Target -- so happy they are coming to Canada! [caption id="attachment_6463" align="aligncenter" width="460" caption="The library nook in Ashli's new home"] [/caption]

What has been your favourite post? My tablecloth curtains or pebble boot tray, I can't pick one -- don't make me choose! What song, movie or soundtrack sums up your life? Would saying Titanic be too dramatic? Just kidding! I would have to say the song that sums up my life, right now at least, would be Alright by Darius Rucker.

What has been your fave find under $50? I found a church pew on Craigslist, painted it white and used it as a dining room bench for a few years. I loved it!

P.S. Interested in having your blog featured? E-mail us at blog@styleathome.com