Category Archives: Design

Happy New Year!

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I want to say farewell to 2012 – it was a good year.

I remember as a child on the 1st day back to school following New Years the teacher would write in big numbers on the chalkboard the new year.  And I would think “Wow.  The future.”  The future held so many unknowns, so many mysteries.  But that was when I was 7, 8, 9, 10…. and at that age my learning curve was steep and my ‘unknown’ curve was even steeper.

As one gets older life is broken down into increments of time.  4 year university degree, 20 year mortgage, 2 year bank loan, net 60 days, 40 hour work week, 8 hour shift, 3 weeks holiday, 2 ½ hour movie, 4 hour drive, 6 week delivery date, etc.  Life is intervals of time mapped out in doable increments.

The future is not quite as much a mystery but life undoubtedly is.

So let’s welcome in the New Year and start 2013 as a new beginning with lots of wonderful opportunities that lay ahead in our future.

Health and happiness for the New Year.

Cheers!

Happy New Year.

PANTONE® Color of the Year 2013

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Yesterday PANTONE® announced their Color of the Year for 2013.

A drum roll please……..

2013 Pantone Color of the Year - Emerald

“Lively. Radiant. Lush… A color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony.”       

As I look around my home I realize I do not have emerald in my décor although I do have an emerald coat (fabulous pop of colour in my way too black wardrobe!) and an emerald ring (birthstone for May).

The word ‘emerald’ is derived from the Greek word ‘smaragdus’, meaning green and as everyone knows that ‘being green’ these days is a very positive thing.  So I think as we venture into a new year Emerald will be a very optimistic and encouraging colour for 2013.

Now to embrace it in to my décor!

Emerald montage

Images via:  www.bakerfurniture.com www.jeffgoodmanstudio.com www.instyle-decor.com www.swanklighting.com

Pantone Color of the Year

 

Jeff Goodman Studio – Open House and Sale

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I would like to share an invitation with you if you happen to be in the Toronto area this Friday and Saturday, December 7th and 8th.

The Jeff Goodman Studio www.jeffgoodmanstudio.com has its annual Open House and Sale where you can enjoy live demonstrations of spectacular glass blowing in their newly expanded 4,000 sq. ft. studio.  Meet the creative team and witness their stunning work of blown and cast glass.

I love this year’s invitation with the ‘juicy’ colours of blown glass vessels.

So drop by if you can, it promises to be a colourful event!

See you there.

Jeff Goodman Studio

I Believe

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December has arrived – a month that is full of rich traditions, celebrations and holidays observed by many people in all parts of the world.

Many of these celebrations are linked to winter solstice with light being a significant symbol.  Others are religiously linked holy days hence the word ‘holiday’.

Hanukkah or ‘Festival of Lights’ is one of the most important Jewish holidays and celebrated for 8 days; December 8 – 16, 2012

Christmas – December 25th marks the birth of Jesus Christ.

Bodhi Day ‘Day of Enlightenment’ celebrated on December 8th marks the day that the historical Buddha experienced enlightenment.

Kwanzaa celebrated December 26th to January 1st recognizes African heritage in North America

Saint Nicholas Day celebrated on December 6 in many parts of Europe.

Yalda, December 21st, is the Persian Winter Solstice Celebration.

Pancha Ganapati is a five-day Hindu festival celebrated from December 21st to December 25th.

And many more.

Whatever your beliefs I hope your December is full of happiness.

On that note I thought I would share mine…..

 

I Believe

 

Universal Children’s Day

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Today is National Children’s Day in Canada.

Celebrated on different days in many places around the world, Children’s Day calls society to a greater awareness of the plight of millions of children globally who are denied the basic necessities of a happy childhood and education.

Children’s Day is also the time to reflect on the conditions in society which affect the lives and futures of our own children.

In the 1950’s the United Nations recommended that all countries should establish a Universal Children’s Day centered on the rights of children.

Celebrations throughout the world include parades, ceremonies and gift-giving.  Some countries have even established Children’s Day as a national holiday.  In one country all drivers are expected to drive with their lights on all day long to demonstrate extra vigilance over children’s safety.

The children of today are our future of tomorrow.

Take time today to make a child smile.

 

Opposites Attract

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On this day, November 16th 1959, The Sound of Music opened on Broadway and on November 16th 2001, the first Harry Potter movie opened.  Both were blockbusters.

Set in 2 completely different eras, one in the mid-20th century and the other in the 21st century.  Maria is governess to 7 children of a widower and Harry is an orphan.  Maria flies around the countryside singing to the mountains, while Harry flies on a broomstick.  If The Sound of Music were to open in theatres today we might find it dated and if Harry Potter had been viewed in the 1950’s it might have been too modern.  Yet Maria finds magic through the sound of music and Harry finds magic through wizardry.

Opposites attract.

Mixing of eras, mixing of styles.  But a connection exists.

And thus in décor the same happens.  The juxtaposition of modern with antique, contemporary with vintage, in some way there is a wonderful partnership.  Pieces that blend and contrast at the same time give interest to a room.

A modern fabric will ‘pop’ new life onto an antique settee.

The warmth of the wood of this antique desk pairs well with a modern chair producing an office space that makes one reflect.

The mixture of chairs all within the same colour palette combined with modern abstract paintings and an antique sideboard creates a cohesive dining room.

I love the mix of ornate old character and clean modern pieces in a contemporary white space.

The boldly patterned wallpaper provides the perfect background for mixing of styles in this entryway.

Whatever your style, whatever your preference – mix it up and create your own ‘blockbuster’.

All decor images via houzz.com

Floating Artist Studio

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Continuing with yesterday’s post of living aboard a house boat I’ll now share with you a peek inside the owner’s floating artist studio.

In a house boat that was built over 25 years ago and now lovingly restored by its new owner a fabulous artist studio and retreat awaits a short walk away.

Under a very mod curved ceiling and vintage inspired wood built-in cabinetry the owner has set up her drafting table, cutting table and all the other necessities required for her passion – drawing, sketching and painting.

Who wouldn’t be inspired with the view out of the wrap-around sloped windows?

There is even a kitchen where snacks and refreshments are kept close to hand.

And I even had my sketch done!

Once again a big thank you to my host for sharing her home with me and all of you.

All images via Modmissy

 

Living Aboard a House Boat

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I wanted to share a glimpse into the life of a Live-aboard or ‘LAB’ person.  Last week I visited the home of a reader who lives on a house boat.  Amazing!  Quietly nestled on the shore of Lake Ontario located minutes from downtown Toronto this home has it all.  It is a 2-storey with a 3rd floor deck, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room, entertaining-size dining room, deck off the living room, deck off the master bedroom, ample closets and storage space, central vac and a show stopper kitchen!!

Let me share.

The entrance driveway boasts a stellar view.

 

The neighbours,

 

And as I walked into this home I was greeted with the most unique, one-of-a-kind design detail.

A boat in a boat!

 

 

 

 

An old classic cedar strip boat had been converted into the kitchen island.  This boat, affectionately known as ‘Bob’ had been used for several years at the owner’s cottage but it was decided that it should be placed into permanent ‘dry-dock’ service.  So cool!

 

The kitchen cupboards and fridge were also clad in wood with hardware that mimicked hardware from a boat.

 

My kind host served a delicious lunch of salmon cakes (fittingly!) and we were joined by 2 other LAB neighbours.

 

The owners are true audiophiles as evidenced by their large collection of CD’s and LP’s that were cleverly built-in to the house boats design.

 

In front of the large living room ‘port hole’ window was a convertible sofa that could be used in many different ways as items aboard always need to serve multi-use functions.  The owners hinted that there have been many fabulous ‘themed’ parties taken place here as the space is outfitted with a screen projector and movie nights take on a whole different scheme.  Think Martini Night with a classic James Bond movie and a boat.  Sounds fun!

 

The walk-out from the living room to a waterside deck – and did not have to be reached with a 2 hour drive to the cottage.  How relaxing.

 

The newel post at the foot of the stairs leading up to the 2nd floor,

 

The stairwell is outfitted in all things nautical.

 

The walkout from the Master bedroom.

 

I also have photos of the floating Artist Studio where the owner gets her creative juices really flowing.  Stay tuned.

I want to extend a big thank you to my host for a fabulous afternoon aboard a house boat.

So…..what do you see from your window?

All images via Modmissy

 

 

 

 

 

In Remembrance

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In the 1980’s I remember attending the opening celebration of Designers Walk www.designerswalk.com in Toronto.  The event promised to be an important affair in the design and architecture community as Designers Walk was to be Canada’s leading resource centre for interior design.

Of course an event as important as this required a new dress!  So off I went in pursuit of that perfect dress.

After much searching I found ‘the’ dress.  It was a light grey, soft and supple suede dress that was sewn in a chevron pattern.  Perfect for a design event – on trend colour, great texture, classic pattern.

The Designers Walk event was fabulous and the dress was a hit.  It was a thrill to be present for this landmark occasion.

But the lasting memory I have of this whole affair that to this day still resonates with me is the person I met who sold me the dress.

I was in a dress shop and having a difficult time making any decision and getting frustrated trying to zip and un-zip in the change room when a very kind saleslady approached me offering assistance.  She patiently zipped and un-zipped for me.  It was when I finally tried on the grey suede dress that the saleslady rolled up her sleeves, put her hands on her hips and announced that this was ‘the’ dress.   I suddenly froze.  There on the saleslady exposed forearm was a tattoo.  A number tattoo.  During World War II the system of identifying prisoners at the Auschwitz Concentration Camp was to tattoo numbers on to their skin.  People were not identified by their face or their name but rather a number indelibly stamped on their body.  OMG was all I could think as I stood there trying not to stare at the saleslady’s forearm.  She had been at Auschwitz and had survived.  She had been witness to horrific events.  I have never forgotten this kind, patient lady.

In remembrance to all those who have lost their lives or have been witness to terrible violence during war and fighting I acknowledge their great courage and sacrifice.

Lest we forget.