Monthly Archives: August 2011

DVF Home

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While strolling around the Meatpacking district in New York City recently I came across this fabulous window display at the Diane von Furstenberg shop.  It made me stop and admire – the unexpected colours, the undulating pattern, the mesmerizing feel, the true beauty of it.  Like many of the sights in New York City I felt this window deserved to be photographed.

               

Diane von Furstenberg (DVF) is a Belgium-American fashion designer who is best known for introducing her iconic wrap dress in 1973 that influenced women’s fashion so greatly that it became part of  the collection of the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.  Inspired by her friend Andy Warhol, DVF is renowned for her signature prints of bright colours and floral patterns in her fashion collections.  And as so many fashion designers seem to do, DVF now has a home collection, Diane von Furstenberg Home.  DVF Home is inspired by contemporary art, nature and the fashion legends own iconic prints that energize the home with unexpected colours and patterns for a sense of vibrant individual style.  Toss one of the Bright and Bold pillows into any room for an instant hit of colour and energy.  The dramatic style that Diane von Furstenberg is so well-known for with her bold colours and pattern is now ready-to-wear and ready-to-ware.

           

          

                          Diane von Furstenberg Home via Bloomingdales

My Plastic-Molded Chairs

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For the past few weeks I have displayed on Modmissy’s Wish List a red Panton S Chair.   The futuristic-looking plastic molded chair was designed in the 1960’s and its sculptural design makes it as much a piece of art as a functional piece of furniture.  Very mod!  I have not yet acquired one of these chairs but not all wish list ‘wants’ are fulfilled.  But what I have recently acquired are 2 orange plastic molded chairs with chrome legs that resemble the Eames Eiffel Chair.  (see post June 2 – Eiffel Chair).   My chairs are vintage and in great condition.  They were made in Canada by Jayden as indicated on the bottom of the chair and came from the office of the Law Society of Upper Canada.   (If only chairs could talk!!)  I originally thought the chairs would be fabulous as extras at the dining table but once I got them home I realized I could place them anywhere in the house and they looked great.  In my guest bedroom for a pop of colour and to hold an overnight bag, in my home office to serve as a desk chair or in front of my white credenza as the colour contrast is really fab.  So contrary to their previous location, my ‘Law Society’ chairs are no longer bound by rules or regulations as to where I can place them as they are now free to move about my home!

                   

Fruit and Vegetable Inspiration

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I recently visited a farmers market.  It is that time of year when the selection of fruits and vegetables is so abundant and varied.  My senses came alive by the sights, smells and the feel of the freshness.  I ended up purchasing more than I could carry and quite possibly eat.  As I strolled along the stalls of fresh produce I also noted all the colours of the fruits and vegetables.  A cornucopia of reds and greens, yellows and oranges, purples and beige.  I took photos of the produce and noticed the similarity between the colours of the fruits and vegetables to the colours of home interiors.  So a trip to the farmers market may prove more valuable than just acquiring fabulous, fresh food because you never know where inspiration may hit.  ‘Feast’ your eyes on the photos below!

Radishes vs. Sarah Richardson – Benjamin Moore Burnt Peanut Red

Asparagus vs. Martha Stewart Green

Lemons vs. Martha Stewart Bright Yellow

Carrots vs. Martha Stewart Orange

Eggplants vs. Benjamin Moore Raisin Torte

Garlic Bulbs vs. Martha Stewart Shades of Sand

Summer Stars

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Whenever I vacation at the cottage I can only sit still for so long until I get the urge to ‘create’.  To make something.  I love to cook and bake so I do lots of that, (big smiles from family!) but ‘crafting’ is something that really appeals when I spend time in the great outdoors.  I recently attended an afternoon of ‘wine and women’ at a neighbours cottage where familiar faces and some new ones got together on a Tuesday afternoon to share laughter and play lawn games.  We all bring our favourite ‘appy and sips’ but this year I felt the urge to also bring along a hostess gift.   Our cottage is not located where I can just ‘pop’ out to the store to purchase some cocktail napkins or scented candle so this was my perfect opportunity to create a nature-inspired hostess gift.  After walking around the property and picking up a bunch of sticks I decided to create something with twigs and twine.  And what better shape than a star as there is no better place to watch the stars in the night sky than at the cottage.  My hostess loved the gift and remarked that she had the perfect spot in her kitchen where a nail was already hammered into the wall just waiting for the ‘star attraction’!

                   

                     

                     

 

 

 

Art in the Country?

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I love spending time in the country, at the lake.  I love the sights and sounds of nature, the freshness of the air, the relaxed feel of the country.  Since childhood I have enjoyed many vacations at a cottage or a resort in the great outdoors.  But I do love the city too.  I love the sights and sounds of the city, the action and vibe of the city.  I would never call myself a ‘country girl’ therefore I must be a ‘city girl’.   Is it harder to take the ‘country’ out of the girl or the ‘city’ out of the girl?!……. Here is my case in point.  On the lake at our cottage we have a public beach which allows cottagers or residents of the nearby town to enjoy time at a big sandy beach.  It is also where the annual summer regatta takes place.  One day while strolling along this beach I noticed 2 dark brown, angular-shaped pieces of art.   They were made of metal and sitting on concrete pads so they wouldn’t sink in the sand.  I liked the way they looked.  They reminded me of sculptures that are displayed in plazas out front of government or commercial buildings in the city.  Think of the Henry Moore sculpture outside of Toronto City Hall or the Picasso sculpture outside of the Richard J. Daley Center in Chicago.  I was so thrilled that our public beach now had 2 pieces of art too.  How very contemporary and forward thinking we now were at my lake! But then my bubble burst when someone explained to me that what I thought was art actually where ‘bear-proof garbage bins’!!  I really and truly believed these brown metal boxes were art installations.  So….it must be that it is harder to take the ‘city’ out of the girl!