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The Round-up:

• Food - 3 out of 5
• Decor - 3.5 out of 5
• Service - 3 out of 5
• Overall - 9.5 out of 15

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Several months ago a food-loving group was created on Facebook. Its name was the "Cathedral Village Needs a Cheap Breakfast Place", or something like that. It seems that the Village just hadn't been the same since the Quality Tea Room shut down several years back.

I quickly joined the group, as did several hundred other Regina folks (What did we ever do before Facebook groups became the new face of activism, by the way?).
The Facebook fan page continued to grow, many of its members calling for a cheap plate of hash browns and bacon . . . like now.

Well, some wishes do come true.

The Mercury Cafe and Grill opened its doors in April. The place seemed to spring up overnight on the corner of 13th and Robinson streets in a spot that has housed numerous other restaurants.

The Mercury is a diner, no doubt about that. From the bright red vinyl booths to the formica and chrome tables, stepping into The Mercury is like stepping back 50 or 60 years in time. The Mercury is also under the same ownership as Regina's well-loved Novia Cafe, another all-out diner. This is a good thing -- who better to start a new diner than the folks who run one of the city's oldest and best?

I've been to The Mercury twice now, once for breakfast and once for supper. It's hard to find the right word to describe both experiences. It wasn't fantastic, but it wasn't horrible either. Perhaps satisfactory is the right word.

Weekend breakfast bustles and hustles in The Mercury. If you're not there by 11 on a Sunday, you're going to wait in line for awhile. Granted, The Mercury could easily jam a few more tables into the dining room in order to shave some time off the waiting game.

Your choices for breakfast are classic standbys: bacon and eggs; hash browns; pancakes; an omelette. You get the picture. Now, is it cheap? That depends on your definition of cheap. Most items run around the $8-9 mark, plus the cost of coffee and/or juice. I've had cheaper, but I've also had more expensive.

Service can be a little disorganized, but hopefully the servers work that out amongst themselves as the restaurant irons out the operating wrinkles. We had to wait 30 minutes for any food to hit the table at breakfast, almost enough to push us to the breaking point, but not quite. Fortunately, our waitress took good care of us in the meantime.

Now let's talk about supper for a moment. Once again, there are few surprises on the evening menu. Nachos; chicken wings; chicken fingers; burgers; clubhouse sandwiches; and grilled cheese are a few of the choices.

We ordered up a plate of nachos to get things started. With a $10 price tag, we pictured a nice platter of cheesy chips and veggies. We couldn't have been more wrong. A dinner plate with a puny pile of nachos on it was what we got. Even worse: the scarce bits of cheese on the chips were overcooked and rubbery. Epic fail, my friends. Epic fail.

Next up: the burgers. Now this is where the action is at. Tender homemade beef patties are smooshed between fresh buns with all the fixins. I went for the Mushroom Swiss. Big Willie had The Mercury Burger (two patties with fried onions, mushrooms, shaved ham, Swiss and cheddar cheese). All burgers come with a side. We went for the french fries and they were done to perfection.

Big Poppa (my dad) went for the open-faced Hot Turkey Sandwich . . . which came with hot chicken, oddly enough. But he got past that.

All in all, The Mercury offers up decent food in a comfortable room. The motto seems to be: come as you are, eat what you will. Now if they'd only fine-tune the nachos and up the portion size for most of the breakfast menu, we might have a sure-fire winner on our hands.

(no website)

They seem to be popping up a lot lately so I thought I would post about them. I was at a new client's this morning on Sullivan's Island and the exterior of the house was amazing but the interior was finished very inexpensively. There were like three different types of wood floors thought the house and none of the transitions were smooth. In one area, they painted the floors white, my guess was to help mask the variations. But honestly I liked the painted floors so much that I wished they had done the whole house! I know it is almost sacrilegious to some people to paint wood floors but MY GOD when they look this good why wouldn't you???

via Chic Coles

via remodelingguy.net

via royaltdesigns

via takesunset.com

My friend Brett Elrod of C. Brett Elrod Construction is finishing up a new shop in the Old Village called Shrimp & Grits Kids and he painted the floors in a high gloss white. Here is a sneak peek...

Gorgeous!

And yet another example of white floors is the new shop Novel at 341 King Street, Suite B. My friend Way Way of Blue Chickadee, Lauren Lail of Library Fashion and Jane Pope of Jane Pope and Balboa Jewelry opened up their shop last week and the entire thing is painted white. Love!

Just be sure to invest in lots of these...

I am a huge, huge, huge movie buff. I love movies for the entertainment factor, obviously, but I also love them for the entire creative process that envelopes them. If you think about all that goes into the production of a movie from screenplay adaptation to casting to location scouting to set design to wardrobe creation to trailer development, I would love to do all of it! My dad has always teased me that The Oscars are like my version of The Superbowl.

As you can image, I have always dreamed about doing set design. While working at a retail shop in Charleston, I met a production assistant for the film The Notebook. I bombarded that poor woman with so many questions that I ran her out of the store! Before she left she was nice enough to invite me to watch them film a block away on Pitt Street. One of the coolest experiences of my life! [Should I not admit that?] It was fun to see how they transformed our quaint little Mt. Pleasant village into a 1940's storefront.

Anyway, there are certainly some iconic films when it comes to set design: Somethings Gotta Give, The Holiday and Father of the Bride are the films that my clients mention most often. All of which, were created by famed director Nancy Meyers who is a god when it comes to depicting stunning dream homes that are undeniably timeless. Learn more about this talented director in this article via Silver Screen Surroundings blog (great source!) or here on imdb.com.

Can you guess which photo is from which movie?
Answers: 1) Somethings Gotta Give 2-4) The Holiday 5) Father of the Bride 6) Somethings Gotta Give

I cannot talk about movies without mentioning a few of my obsessions. Hitchcock and Dorris Day films, both of which I discovered in high school and both of which require their own entire post so I will refrain from getting started. However, I also grew up watching James Bond movies with my dad and my brother and although I enjoyed the plot; over-the-top bad guys, high-tech gadgets, and kitschy one-liners, I especially loved watching the films. The Bond series spans over five decades (and counting) so each film captures the trends of the times in regards to fashion, furnishings, architecture and technology.

Dr. No (1962)

Moonraker (1979)

Casino Royale (2006)

Have a movie you love for the set design? Let me know!

~Images: Courtesy of Silver Screen Surroundings Blog, Urban Grace Blog and hotflick.net

I just spent the last 12 hours with a client. One of my oldest (guess I should say longest) clients whom I adore! I have designed her 1890's home in the Old Village, her second home on Pumpkin Island, her office at the marina in downtown Charleston and now her new home on front beach Isle of Palms. We are temporarily making her home fantastic for a party tomorrow night but ultimately we are making it beautiful for her family to enjoy for the duration. We cranked out an amazing design plan for the entire downstairs in a short amount of time and I cannot wait to see the end result! Although she did give me on of the biggest design challenges...ever...working both a piano and a sectional sofa into one room. Oh, and a room that has angled walls. Yeah, that's right. Hopefully I can work some magic...

Funny, when I googled both "piano" and "sectional sofa" in a room setting, these were the only images I could find. Should I tell my client that???

What a wonderful weekend! I was blessed to spend time at the beach with family. We had a special time dipping our toesies in the cold Pacific, searching for seashells, and just relaxing to the sounds of the surf.

I love visits to Neskowin, Oregon. It is a tiny village filled with nautical charm, petite cottages and brightly colored gardens. It is the perfect setting for peaceful strolls and lots of picture taking.

I love Hydrangeas...and, on the coast they bloom in so many colors.
They thrive in the sandy soil along the Oregon Coast.

What would summer be without a bit of Red, White and Blue?

It won't be long and the blackberries will be ready!
Blackberry Pies, Cobbler, Scones...
Delicious!!!

Walks along the waters edge...Paradise!

So many huge blooms...and, oh...the pinks!

I hope you'll join me for my next post... My sister and I were able to tour two of the cutest beach cottages.I was graciously allowed to take pictures to share with all of you.Stay tuned for my next post...
Blessings,Carolynn xoxo
"As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him..."Psalm 103:11

I hope you will stop by Amanda's lovely blog. She is hosting a beautiful giveaway. www.craftyinthemed.blogspot.com

Today is "Share Your Cup" on Jann's beautiful blog. "Have A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson" I hope you will stop by to visit her at www.jannolson.blogspot.com

I was fortunate to "tweak" my schedule
to get in one last visit to my beloved Oregon Coast
before the Winter begins to set in.
I live on the east side of the Cascade Mountain Range
and when the snow starts to fly traveling to the coast on mountain roads is risky at best.

Red, White and Blue...How I love these Nautical colors!
Having grown up by the sea I am most at home with sea breezes, salt air and the sound of a seagulls shrill cry.

Ride Like The Wind!

This darling bungalow is just a few blocks from the beach. I had the fun of touring it while I visited this past summer.

Just look at that cheeky little chicken...And, oh, those polka dot mugs!

Big Tall Fish tales are allowed at this cozy beach bungalow!

"By The Sea"
A Bodacious Beach Babe...
A Classic "Woody" Sporting a Shiny Surfboard...
and
A glass jar full of Sandy Sea Shells.

One of our family's favorite past times...
While on vacation we have sat up until wee hours of the morning playing table games.

Neskowin, Oregon is a tiny village by the sea.
The first homestead was created in 1876.

Just one more glimpse before I head home.

I always sleep so well at the coast. The clean, fresh air is invigorating and it readies me for a good night's rest. The sound of the surf in the late night hours is soothing...bringing sweet sleep.
I always feel refreshed after spending time at the beach.

Thank you for taking one last trip with me,my dear blogging friends. There will always be next summer... Blessings,Carolynn xoxo "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;and, through the rivers,they shall not overcome you..."Isaiah 43:2 Linking To Little Red Housewww.dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.comThe Shop Around The Cornerwww.alittleshoparoundthecorner.blogspot.comEtsy Cottage Stylewww.etsycottagestyle.blogspot.comCozy Little Housewww.cozylittlehouse.comLavender Garden Cottagewww.lavendergardencottage.blogspot.comRednesdaywww.suelovescherries.blogspot.comHave A Daily Cup of Mrs Olsonwww.haveadailycupofmrsolson.blogspot.comBrambleberry Cottagewww.brambleberrycottage.blogspot.comNo Minimalist Herewww.nominimalisthere.blogspot.comThe French Hutchwww.thefrenchhutch.comThe Charm of Homewww.thecharmofhome.blogspot.com French Country Cottagewww.frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.comCommon Groundwww.debras-vintagecommonground.blogspot.comRooted In Thymewww.rootedinthyme.blogspot.com

Assembled an art piece for the office of Jackson Built Custom Homes. I will have better photos when all is completed but my-oh-my they look good already! Custom colored blueprints of their custom built homes...don't mind if I do!

How cute is this? I sketched this out for a client a few years ago...she needed help accessorizing her built-ins at her house on Folly. I am now helping her with her house in the Old Village and she pulled it out to show me! Love that she kept it! She said she used it when trying to accessorize in her new home. ha! Adorable.

While I'm at it, this was the floorplan for their Folly house...really wish I had after pics! It was pretty much white, black and turquoise. Wood floors, garage doors that opened off the porch, turquoise glass tile in the kitchen, zebra rug in the living room (not shown), custom daybeds on the porch. Very cool!

I founds some goodies in my hunting and fishing this week that I think I'm going to have to hold onto! No pun intended here...

And something else orange...

Probably the only Hermes I will ever own. Four empty boxes.

I will be buying this immediately! Hits the streets this fall.

Have a great weekend y'all! Headed to the Homegrown concert...it will be fun but hotter (Hootier-geez) than the solar surface of the sun.

Two things of importance to report today. Actually, make that three.

1.) I am still on a carbohydrate high from all the perogies, rice, noodles, pasta, and dessert consumed during Mosaic this weekend. Hope that everyone indulged just as much as I did at this great annual event that showcases just how diverse our city is.

2.) A few weeks ago I posted a review of The Mercury Cafe. Since that time, a number of people have posted comments about the place. Last week, one reader alleged that the Mercury's burgers were not homemade, contrary to what it says on the Mercury's menu. Here's what she wrote:

Anonymous said...

I was expecting a homemade hamburger when the menu stated all burgers were homemade. To my surprise (and disappointment), I watched the cook take a box of burgers out of the freezer and place them on the grill... there was nothing homemade about them. I will admit they were good burgers for storebought box burgers but definitely not homemade. :(May 26, 2010 9:37 PM

I was a bit shocked by this. I really believed the burger I ate was homemade -- both the look and taste of the burger did not seem like they came from Safeway across the street. Then again, you never really know unless you're in the kitchen standing next to the chef.
Today, I posted two more comments on this topic, presumably from employees at the Mercury. They said:

Anonymous said...

Actually you couldn't be more wrong. The burgers are 100% home made and not store bought - NOR FROZEN. Not sure what you were smoking that day but you were hallucinating. If you are interested in our process of making the burgers talk to the owner next time you are in and he will be happy to show you.June 4, 2010 9:59 AM

Dave said...

Don't post lies. All the burgers are home made!!! Have a look next time you are in.June 5, 2010 6:39 PM

I have to say, I'm willing to give Anonymous and Dave the benefit of the doubt. With that, I think this matter is settled. The Mercury's burgers are homemade. And they're good, too. 3.) The former Cafe Orange on Robinson Street has reinvented itself as Orange Izakaya (izakaya is Japanese for pub). While the doors have reopened, the place is back to serving coffee for the next couple of weeks until the new menu and lounge atmosphere are fully ready. Early reports are good.This from my friend LRadd on Twitter: "Cafe Orange has been majorly sexified -can't wait for the bar to open. For now having a coffee on the patio. If ur in the 'hood stop by."And with that I'm off to enjoy this awesome sunny Sunday. Happy eating.

Cottages and Gardens

I saw this over on The Zhush. It is a secret passageway between two daughter's bedrooms! How stinkin' cute is that?!?! It reminded me of another secret passageway I saved from a few years back in Coastal Living.

What is cooler for a kid's space? I had a client who bought a home in the Old Village of Mt. Pleasant and in the teenage daughter's room there was a secret space behind her closet (I think it was originally for a dumbwaiter) and I helped her decorate this teeny spot just for her. I had to get in touch with the "teenage Sidney"...it wasn't hard. I am not sure who had more fun me, or my client's daughter!

With the official start of summer, comes the official start of soaking up the sun on restaurant patios.

Here are a few of my recommendations in Regina:

Cafe Orange: At the moment, Orange is doing coffee and sweets, but they tell me that a full menu is coming soon. Hopefully by Canada Day. In just two years, this place has gone from a coffee house/kitchenware store; to an all-out coffee house; and now a restaurant. The latest transformation looks to be the best. And the deck out front on Robinson Street (by the 13th Ave. Safeway) is so new you can still smell the sweet scent of new wood. (306) 779-0779 (no website)

Sweet Bakery and Coffee House: An ever-expanding list of baked goods, combined with comfortable surrounds in a heritage building (and a very nice, if small, patio outside) are turning this new Broad Street place near College Avenue into a favourite of many. Recommend an Americano with a Lemon Tart, if you're at a loss. (306) 352-9338 (no website)

La Bodega: the treetop patio at this Cathedral Village favourite is . . . tops, no pun intended. Sip a few drinks or have lunch high above the Albert Street traffic. You won't even notice the cars going by. www.labodegaregina.com / (306) 546-3660

Fireside Bistro: while opinions on Fireside often vary, their patio on the corner of Smith Street and 15th Avenue is second to none. Definitely worth a drink or two and an appetizer on a hot day. (306) 761-2305 (no website)

Beer Bros.: Watch the people go by on downtown's pedestrianized portion of Scarth Street. Beer Bros newly refinished patio is small but full of sunshine. Stop by and sample an exotic beer whose name you can't even pronounce (and that's before you start drinking). www.beerbros.ca / (306) 586-2337

Atlantis: This downtown coffee spot isn't licensed for liquor, but that doesn't keep the crowds away. Open from the early morning until late, and offers free wireless. Oh, and the artwork on the walls is all by local artists. www.atlantiscoffee.com / (306) 565-2213

More to come! Please follow the blog for updates to this list, and new reviews.
Follow me on Twitter: @The_FoodDude

How cozy is a flokati rug this time of year? I was curious how these rugs came to be so I did a little research...

The origin of the modern day Flokati was a serendipitous moment. In the village of Samarina, Greece, villagers raised goats and sheep as their primary source of trade and commodity. They started using the wool as blankets to protect themselves during the harsh winter temperatures. The Samarina shepherds had left one of their woven wool blankets in the waters of the Pindus Mountains, unattended for nearly two days. Once they remembered their wool blanket, the shepherds returned to the stream where they had left their wool blanket and noticed that the backing felted, and most importantly the wool had unraveled and flourished. This was the first, fully flourished Flokati rug. Little did the shepherds know that the wool they relied on to stay warm would become a luxury for millions upon millions of people around the world for centuries to come. As tourism increased and travel became easier in the mid 20th Century, the Flokati burst onto the American scene in the form of the Flokati rug. (Information provided by flokati.com)

They come in different colors also.

Check out this flokati poof!

~Images: 1) Designed by Pimlico 2 and 3) Elle Decor 4) Traditional Home 5) Unknown 6) Domino 7) Country Livng

How I have missed you, my dear blogging family and friends! I've been away at the coast. I hope you enjoy some of the lovely cottages that dot the landscape in the tiny village of Neskowin. It is snugly nestled on the beautiful Pacific Ocean along the coast of Oregon.

"HOME AGAIN...HOME AGAIN...HOME to THE SEA"

Scenes from where I grew up as a child...It's always so wonderful returning to the area where I spent most of my childhood. I love visiting special places that take me back to my early days in Oregon.

***Sweet Ocean Breezes...Ahhh!
***Seagulls flying overhead
***Strolling along the waters edge
***Salt Water Taffy
***Searching for Seashells
***Sea Lions basking in the sun
***Seaweed washed ashore

It's good to be home, again...Back to the other side of the mountains where the snow is still glistening on high and lofty peaks.

My darling friends...I have some visiting to do...and, oh, how I look forward to popping in to see what you have all been up to!

Blessings and hugs,
Carolynn xoxo

The thing people comment most on when they come into my shop is the barn door. They want to know what color it is painted, where I got the track, who made it, is it heavy, etc., etc. So here goes...

This is the cooler door from Belva's (my shop use to be Belva's Flower Shop). As the story goes, the husband (Mr. Belva) was out on the road for his sales job and called Belva to tell her he had bought the cooler door (which was quite expensive) but before he could tell her she expressed her doubts about opening up a flower shop. He said "Too late honey, I already bought the cooler door!" So when I was upfitting the shop I wanted to repurpose this awesome old door. I designed a barn door track in the center of the shop but turns out the old cooler door wouldn't work...it was too small and too heavy.

So Old Village Restoration built one for me. The barn door track is galvanized and came from Royall Ace Hardware. Shop local! (And by local I really do mean it...they are next door!)

Here is a photo from an event I had at the shop. The color of the door is Benjamin Moore's Peacock Blue.

I noticed that when the barn door is closed there was a large white space so I had my super talented friend, Sara Beauchene of Reclaimed Artistry, paint the definition of "eclectic" on the wall. I had to add the phonetics do it in part to the fact that I have to correct people on the pronounciation of Eclectic about ten times a day! Yes, I am a smart alleck like that.

Here is the finished product...

Welcome to "A Cottage Tour". Last weekend my sister and I had the fun of touring two charming beach cottages in the tiny village of Neskowin, Oregon.This little town is situated on the Oregon Coastbordering the beautiful blue Pacific Ocean.

The Kitchen is the Heart of the Home... so I thought it best to begin your tour in thiswarm and inviting room.

Our lovely cottage host, Janet, had baked up a batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies for her guests to nibble on. Everything about this charming kitchen says, "Pull up a chair and sit for a while!"

Do you see the bright red cherries on that wonderful plate?

Past and Perfect
Kitchen

Nothing says "Cottage" like the color RED!
(Which just happens to be my favorite color!)

I loved the vintage touches that greeted meas I strolled from room to room.

Every room was full of colorful surprises...whimsy and wonderful antiques.

It has been a pleasure sharing Janet's Cozy Kitchen with you.
Be sure and pop in again...
I have more cottage touches to share in the coming days...

Blessings, my sweet friends!
Carolynn xoxo

"When love and skill
work together,
expect a masterpiece."
John Ruskin

I just love Sue's REDNESDAYS at www.suelovescherries.blogspot.com
I hope you'll stop on over to say hello!

I posted on "Feathered Nest Friday" at www.frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com
I just know you will enjoy visiting this lovely blog!

I posted on "A Cottage Garden Party" at www.fishtailcottage.blogspot.com
Please pop over when you have a minute to explore this lovely blog!