Will you be mine……….
Eames Eiffel chairs are red,
The Pascal Tarabay clock says its ten to two.
A very cool bamboo magazine rack,
And a Jonathan Adler pillow just for you!
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!
Image designed by Modmissy
Have a great weekend!
Image via Modmissy
Congratulations to Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada) on the recent arrival of their first IKEA store!
For a city with a population of approximately ¾ million, the people of Winnipeg have been patiently waiting for the opening of their big ‘blue and yellow’ retailer.
Now being a bit of a veteran when it comes to shopping at IKEA I thought I would share my tips and suggestions on how to best tackle (shop) this big store.
(Or for anyone who may be a bit timid when it comes to shopping IKEA read on.)
Welcome newcomer, Your first trip to IKEA has finally arrived. As a seasoned shopper with valuable tips, I will explain how I have survived.
Navigating the big blue and yellow store, Initially may seem like no easy feat. But with a few of my simple tips, I promise there will be no sense of defeat.
Most important of all, Is to wear your most comfortable shoes. Because as I have already mentioned, IKEA is big and has lots and lots to view.
Don’t worry about ever getting lost, For IKEA has this unnerving dilemma sorted out. With big arrows on the floor, An easy way-finding system avoids any sense of doubt.
Before beginning your IKEA journey, With smaller ones in tow, You might like to use the Småland childcare service, Its free and yours if you choose so.
Head directly up to the 2nd floor, For this is where you will see. Room settings that will truly inspire, Designed with IKEA furniture and accessories.
Now you might need to understand, While you are on your shopping mission, That IKEA’s roots and origin, Hails from the country of Sweden.
So be prepared to be introduced, To POÄNG, KLIPPAN, LACK and LIATORP. HEMNES, OPPDAL, MALM, ASPELUND, RYKENE, PAX, and EKTORP!
Now that you are more fluent in Swedish, Head to the 1st floor and grab a shopping cart. For on this level you will begin to discover, All the kitchen ware, bedding, lighting, carpets and art.
Now keep following those arrows, And very soon you will see, The place that has made IKEA globally known, A warehouse full of flat-pack and self-assembly.
And don’t forget to take some time, To nosh on a variety of IKEA treats. For there is lots of fabulous food, Eat-in or take-away that just can’t be beat!
You have now successfully made it to the end, With the check-out clearly in view. You never got confused or lost, And had a wonderful shopping experience too!
The End!
All words composed by Modmissy
Sadly today we acknowledge the passing of Penny. (1858 – 2013)
I have fond memories of Penny – at the candy store, the summer fair, bingo.
In Canada, a Penny is a coin worth one cent, or 1⁄100 of a dollar and as of today the Royal Canadian Mint stops distributing pennies to banks and retailers.
Up until 1996 the Penny was composed of ~98% copper thus giving the coin its name ‘Copper’.
Although the Penny has become discontinued currency, copper will still be visible in home décor.
The Copper Shade by Tom Dixon is a bright and shiny way to light a room.
Nanocrystalline Copper Chair by Max Lamb.
Copper Freestanding Tub by Elizabethan Classics http://www.vintagetub.com
Copper door handles http://www.ashardware.co.uk
So….‘Penny for your thoughts” if you see a Penny on the street now will you stop to pick it up?
“I have bought a Condo.”
I remember hearing those words for the first time and thinking ‘Wow’.
A condominium was the trendy and cool place to live. I believed that anyone who lived in a condo had to be a real ‘jet-setter’ and lived a very sophisticated urban life.
My brother’s friend, a young hip professional guy, had just bought a condo and was throwing a party to which I was invited. I was thrilled to be on the invitee list and to see inside my very first condo!
In my mind I envisioned the condo as a large space with high ceilings, big windows and 2 levels. Definitely 2 levels. The kitchen would be state-of-the-art and the furniture would be modern. And the bathroom…..!!?? After all it was the early 1980’s and everything was excessive.
The night of the party I donned my best – big shoulder pads, big hair.
After introductions I began my own personal tour of this condo. The windows – not so big but there was a sliding glass door to a (small) balcony, the kitchen was a galley-style kitchen and the ceilings were only 9 ft. high. And try as I might I could not find the spiral staircase leading to the 2nd floor! After a while I realized that it wasn’t the fact that there were so many people in attendance but that the condo was not large.
Then reality sunk in – the ‘condo’ was an apartment with ownership.
Sometimes reality bites!
Image via Modmissy
I watch TV.
I often don’t have the sound on so I literally ‘watch’ TV.
My desk is in a corner of my family/media room so when I do glance at the TV it is more the set designs and visuals that I take notice of rather than dialogue and conversation (that I don’t hear).
And lately it is the talk show ‘chairs’ that have captured my interest. The style, colour and size of these chairs often reflect the personality of the talk show host.
On the Ellen Show, Ellen DeGeneres has large, red upholstered club chairs. The red lends itself to the energy of Ellen and the size allows for balancing on the arms which Ellen often does before she sits down. (Seen here with Vanessa Williams)
The newest talk show host appearing on the scene is the petite Katie Couric. At just over 5 feet tall Katie’s custom fitted chair is built to her personal body specifications and the white upholstery appeals to her feminine side. Sitting here with Jennifer Lopez on the 2 ends of a modular 5 piece sofa (used when more guests are present) makes for an interesting one-armed chair!?
On the Canadian front, talk show host Marilyn Denis in this particular segment is seated with Randy Fenoli of Say Yes to the Dress upon what appears to be high-gloss, plastic white chairs. With thick seat cushions and high backs the chairs appear comfortable but somewhat ‘outdoors’ looking.
Another Canadian talk show host is George Stroumboulopoulos. George’s iconic contemporary red, leather chairs with chrome legs are as much a part of his show as is his cool and hip demeanor as he interviews many famed celebrities and important figures from around the world.
British comedy chat show host Alan Carr of Alan Carr: Chatty Man interviews his guests in a purple-hued space reminiscent of a disco lounge. Alan’s curvaceous sofa and chair are upholstered in teal and plum velvet creating a real ‘funky’ vibe that says “Hey, let’s chat!” (Seen here with Lady Gaga)
Rove LA is an Australian talk show, set in Los Angeles and hosted by Rove McManus. Rove’s guests sit together upon a lounge-like curved off-white sofa with big brown puffy back cushions allowing them to really sink in and get relaxed which often ‘disarms’ guests into being too comfortable and hopefully sharing more than originally intended. (Plus alcoholic refreshments probably help too!) Rove perches upon a more upright chair allowing him to be in control. (See here with Jim Parsons, Chris Hardwick and Pink)
“Please do not touch!”
4 words that sum up the rules of an art gallery. Look and enjoy but never, never touch.
I understand – art from the Renaissance and Baroque eras do not do well with the human touch. If we want following generations to enjoy works of art dating from the 1st century to present day keep your hands off!
But sometimes the urge to touch is incredible……
On Friday I visited the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) to see the Frida and Diego Exhibition. Amazing, you could feel the passion in their work.
But as usual it is the Henry Moore collection of sculptures that always has the greatest draw for me. Housed in a large room painted a very deep shade of grey, with minimal illumination are the bronze casts of Henry Moore. The room is very sensual and the sculptures are very tangible. Some appear very smooth, others very rough. I have the greatest desire to touch them, to feel them. But I don’t!
Instead I just truly enjoy looking at them. Experiencing them.
Henry Moore Reclining Figure
Henry Moore Woman and Oval With Points
Henry Moore Draped Reclining Woman
Henry Moore Working Model for UNESCO Reclining Figure
Henry Moore Working Model for Three way Piece
All images via Modmissy
While scanning through some files today I came across a few photos that made me realize I need to do some travelling – some more sightseeing.
Kluczynski Federal Building
Seagram Building
Toronto-Dominion Tower
Having the opportunity to play tourist in Chicago, New York City and Toronto, I got to experience 3 very different cities, but all with 1 architecturally similar skyscraper in their skyline.
The Kluczynski Federal Building (45-story) in downtown Chicago, the Seagram Building (38 story) in Midtown Manhattan and the Toronto-Dominiom Tower (56-story) in downtown Toronto were all designed by Mies van der Rohe. All 3 of these buildings are of the International style in which the buildings’s structural elements are made visible on the exterior.
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (March 27, 1886 – August 19, 1969) was a German born American who left his mark on the world in a very visionary, forward thinking, contemporary way. And long before social media or technology! Mies van der Rohe was an architect who was widely regarded as one of the pioneering masters of modern architecture.
These iconic skyscrapers that Mies van der Rohe dubbed “skin and bones” architecture still stand today as a testament to the adage “less is more”.
All images via Modmissy
This past holiday my family (25 in total) did the gift exchange/swap thing – everyone brings a wrapped (hence the secret) gift with an approximate value of $10. Depending on the number you pull from a hat you then chose when it is your turn to unwrap one gift or steal from a gift that has already been unwrapped and revealed.
Fun and chaotic, sometimes even turning into a bit of a ‘sport’!
This year in true Modmissy style I decided I had to create a ‘one-of-a-kind’ gift that reflected me. Chocolates are de-lish and lottery tickets could be $$$$$$ but just not my style.
Here is what I decided to create.
I started with this. A Ralph Lauren oxford shirt that I decided my husband no longer needed!
And then with some black and white houndstooth check fabric I started to create. Any guesses?
A few cuts and stitches later this was the end product. A Ralph Lauren oxford pillow!
The front of the pillow was the Ralph Lauren shirt complete with the pocket and logo plus I changed the white buttons to black for more interest. The back of the pillow was the houndstooth with the Ralph Lauren label that I removed from the inside of the shirt at the neck and re-sewed on to the pillow.
A Modmissy creation now adorning a niece’s sofa!
Today is the first day back to school which in our house really kick-starts the new year.
The holidays were wonderful. I spent lots of quality time with family and had lots of fun with friends. For me Christmas is always about spending time with those you love.
This past holiday I learned 2 things about myself.
In life you win some, you lose some. I am hoping that 2013 is a year of balance!
Image via Modmissy
MODMISSY 