CN Tower

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The CN Tower is my beacon in Toronto.  It seems no matter where I go within the city I can always see the CN Tower.  Driving down my neighborhood street, from a plane window flying out of Toronto, perfectly framed between 2 of my favourite Mies van der Rohe buildings, riding my bike, out for an evening stroll.  It follows my like a symbol of strength.    Although the CN Tower inspires a sense of pride and inspiration for Canadians and a sense of awe for foreign tourists, its origins are rooted in practicality.   The rise of skyscrapers within Toronto beginning in the 1960’s caused serious communications problems for existing transmission towers, which were simply not high enough to broadcast over the new buildings. Signals bounced off the buildings creating poor television and radio reception for residents.  The CN Tower was the solution to the communications problems and remains the centre of telecommunications for Toronto.   The CN Tower was built by Canadian National (hence CN) Railway in 1976.  The massive project took 40 months to complete and when the final piece of the antenna was bolted into place on April 2, 1975 the CN Tower became the ‘World’s Tallest Free-Standing Structure’; a record the Tower held for an incredible 34+ years.   The CN Tower remains an internationally renowned architectural triumph, an engineering ‘Wonder of the Modern World’, world-class entertainment and dining destination and a must see for anyone visiting Toronto.   But for me it’s the pillar of strength that follows me where ever I go in T.O!

                             

                  

                              

                               

                    

                                 All Images via MODMISSY

 

Labour Day Whites

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Is white right after Labour Day?  Unofficially marking the end of summer, Labour Day is thought of as the last day of the year when it is OK to wear white.  Although considered somewhat of an old-fashioned idea and I am definitely not old-fashioned but you probably will not find me wearing white shoes or carrying a white purse post-Labour Day.  But white does exist after Labour Day in so many other ways.  I am speaking about white in home interiors.  I would proudly display a Barcelona® Chair in white leather in my home any time.

                  

Or a white Saarinen Table.

                     

Or one of the beautiful white Jonathon Adler www.jonathonadler.com  vases.

                  

Is there anything nicer than serving a wonderful meal on white dinnerware?

                  

Or having a stack of soft, plush white towels waiting for you after a warm soak?

                  

And any time of the year I love to have a bouquet of white flowers in my home.

                      

 I love white picture frames with white matting and white and black art.

              

So….white is right after Labour Day! 

Photos via: 1. Knoll 2. Knoll  3. Jonathon Adler  4. PotteryBarn  5. PotteryBarn                         6. Pottery Barn

My Rustic Wood Table

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Last weekend while lounging dockside at the cottage, I had the chance to catch up on some reading, specifically my design magazines.  Something that caught my eye was a DIY photo in Canadian House and Home July 2011 issue.  A weathered barn board table left uncovered was set for alfresco dining with crisp white linens and dinnerware.  It was the rustic feeling of the table that inspired me; the contrast of the weathered with the new.  I envisioned myself entertaining friends and family at a similar table in my own backyard so I decided to build one. (Actually I had hubby build one – see below)  My table is built from white pine boards that are over 100 years old.  Originally occupying a Pharmacist shop in Port Hope, Ontario, where the boards served as shelving in the stock room to hold bottles of potions, tinctures and salves.  When the shop was closed many decades later the boards somehow made their way to our cottage where they were then used as dock boards for over 30 years.  When a new dock was built the boards were no longer needed and thus relegated to the wood pile.  Fortunately for me the boards were never thrown into the bonfire and burnt!  So in the 100 year journey from Pharmacist shelving, to lakeside dock, to woodpile, to rustic alfresco dining my ‘new’ wood table certainly has weathered all. 

         

                My Inspiration – Canadian House and Home, July 2011

         

                  My ‘new’ weathered wood table.

IKEA Catalogue

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Well it’s that time of year again…….when the new IKEA catalogue comes out!  IKEA’s first catalogue was published in Swedish in 1951 and is now published in 55 editions, in 27 languages for 36 countries.  Full of anticipation, I open the catalogue and start leafing through the pages looking at all the new items and am reminded of similar feelings I had as a child when opening the new Sear’s Christmas Wish Book.  Remember?!!  Although now on my Wish List there would no longer be an Easy Bake Oven but probably a fabulous new IKEA kitchen!  This year’s catalogue focuses on IKEA’s love of creating smart spaces and their clever solutions to making life at home better for their customers.  Something I found interesting in this year’ catalogue is IKEA’s descriptive headings of ‘Timeless and Simple’, ‘Natural and Graphic’, ‘Earthy and Industrial’, ‘Bold and Minimal’.  The master of flat packing is now speaking to the customer as ‘designer’, who makes purchases based on knowledge of style and beauty and then of course low price.  The IKEA catalogue is always full of inspirational room settings and interpretation of their products multi uses.  IKEA  helps the customer think outside of their proverbial box and find their way home with a flat pack box!  Pick a catalogue up or visit IKEA at www.ikea.com. 

       

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!

         

Dyson Air Multiplier – Very Cool!

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So…..is it hot enough for you?!  I do love summer and never complain about the heat because winter is just so long and so cold and always seems to be just around the corner.  We do not use air-conditioning at our house but fortunately we are surrounded by large trees that provide shade, live near the water for breezes and have a cooler (renovated) basement that we can retreat to.  But I also like to have the windows open to hear the sounds of summer.  We have on occasion used a fan during the night but the noise of the fan blades chopping the air does not make for a restful sleep.  Enter the new Dyson Air Multiplier Fan® with its completely bladeless, non-buffeting design.  I had a chance to check out the Dyson fans today and was quite impressed by their contemporary, hip looking design.  The Dyson fan has great style and if standing in the corner of a room would appear as an interesting piece of art or architecture.  They are also much quieter than a standard fan and because there are no blades they are safer and easy to clean.  I even put my fingers on the fan while running which is a total no-no with standard fans.  The detail that was difficult to overcome though was the price tag.  The small fans start at a hefty price of $300.  Which makes me wonder, does great design have to cost more?  Hhmmm?  On that thought I am heading off to the cottage for a few weeks so keep cool and enjoy the rest of the summer.

                 

                      Image via Modmissy