Tag Archives: Interior Design

Woman lll – Willem De Kooning

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On the list of “The 10 Most Expensive Paintings Ever Sold”, is Willem de Kooning’s Woman lll. In a private sale in 2006 Woman lll sold for $137.5 million dollars!

Willem de Kooning (April 24, 1904 – March 19, 1997) was a Dutch American abstract expressionist artist that painted in a style that came to be referred to as Abstract expressionism or Action painting.

With aggressive brushwork, blatant imagery and strategically placed high-key colors, Woman lll created a sensation when it was first shown in the early 1950’s.

This piece of art still creates a sensation in both subject and wonderful colour.

Willem De Kooning Woman lll Colour Palette

Image via Modmissy

Pantone’s Color of the Year 2013??

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Pantone Color chairs

Every year at this time Pantone announces their ‘Color of the Year’.  Seen as the global authority on colour and provider of professional colour standards for the design industries, Pantone Inc. declares what they believe is the colour best suited to the upcoming year.  There is a philosophy in choosing this colour based upon world situations and influences of the period.

This year was Tangerine Tango, a lively orange and in 2011 it was Honeysuckle, an energetic pink.

Pantone Color of the Year

Interior designers, fashion designers, the automobile industry, the makeup industry and many other consumer product industries take notice of this ‘Color of the Year’ decision.

Pantone has influenced the shoe industry www.seavees.com

Pantone and Seavees shoes

Toothbrushes are even available in Pantone colours www.kikkerland.com

Pantone color toothbrushes

Makeup company Sephora www.sephora.com joined forces with Pantone to create colourful beauty products.

Sephora and Pantone

And these colourful stand mixers from KitchenAid www.kitchenaid.com are available every year in many new colours.  Influenced??

Kitchenaid Mixers

So if I had to wager a guess on what the 2013 Color of the Year might be I am thinking somewhere in the blue shade.

Stay tuned!

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving

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Today I want to wish every American a very…..

 

Image via Modmissy

 

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.

Grey is the New Black, Chanel No. 5

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So have you heard? Brad Pitt is the new spokesperson for Chanel No. 5!!??

Chanel’s newly released TV commercial showcases the ‘world’s sexiest man’ explaining in a sexy and sensual voice, (as only Brad can),

I am not one to swoon over Hollywood stars and as I watched this TV commercial it wasn’t Brad I was observing.

Instead what I found interesting was the colour. Chanel has always been known for black. In fact Chanel invented the LBD – little black dress. In the 1950’s Marilyn Monroe ignited the celebrity of Chanel No. 5 when asked in an interview what she wore to bed, she revealed “five drops of Chanel No. 5”.

 

Since Marilyn Monroe’s endorsement of the fragrance there have been many beautiful and famous women who have been enlisted to represent Chanel No. 5.

In the 1970’s it was Catherine Deneuve who was the face of Chanel No. 5,

In this commercial Ms. Deneuve explains in her soft, sultry French voice,

In 2003 it was Nicole Kidman in a 2 minute commercial.

So often black has figured prominently in Chanel No. 5 advertising but in 2012 with the introduction of the first male as the voice of the fragrance, the sexiest-man-in-the-world Brad Pitt is awash in the colour grey – not black.

Similar to Benjamin Moore’s Nightfall 1596; “this dark, somewhat mysterious shade takes its colour cue from the stars’ dark, impenetrable backdrop”. Defines both the colour and the man!?

 

Daylight Savings – Time in Design

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This coming Sunday is Daylight Savings Time when we turn back the clocks an hour.  One extra hour added to the weekend – amazing!  In honour of that bonus hour I thought I would share some clocks that show design in time.

This clock I found on www.houzz.com

The 5-Foot French Tower Clock from Restoration Hardware is a classic reproduction that actually doesn’t keep time but does make a ‘timeless’ statement!  www.restorationhardware.com

I photographed this artisan clock at Biltmore Domicile www.bdom.ca  located in the Distillery District.

Seven by Karim Rashid wall clock in brightly painted steel.  Leave it to Karim to alter the standard form – 7 is the new 6!

6 Libero designed by Riccardo Paolino and Matteo Fusi.  Made of wood and stainless steel, the 6 has escaped by bending the bars of the prison.  Don’t just turn back time, take it back!

RND Time designed by RND Lab.  Small cubes may be assembled randomly on the wall. These white cubes pop against this chartreuse wall colour.  Fun!

Souvenir 6 designed by Alberto Sala.  Keep time in 6 international cities – perfect for the jet setter.

Fatti + in là designed by Studio Kuadra.  Telling time while keeping all your birds in a row makes this cuckoo clock an adventure in time.

The designers’ inspiration for the Fatti + in là!!

Burano designed by Eloisa Libera is a cuckoo clock that is reminiscent of the houses of the famous Burano Island in Venice Lagoon.

Burano Island in Venice Lagoon – the designer’s inspiration

So tic toc pick a clock which one would you choose?

Whatever way you keep time in your life have a great weekend and if you are observing Daylight Savings enjoy your extra hour.

Images 4-11 via www.progettishop.it