Relish the Rural

I've been itching for the country... farms, barns, cottages, you name it. Wide open spaces. Rooms that are weathered, worn, rustic, surrounded with wool, flannel, and denim. And when I stumbled over these images, I was quickly transported out of the noise and hustle of town into my peaceful country paradise. I'm sure I'll be revisiting this post often...

All images are from the lovely Desire to Inspire

Island Bound

Empress hotel via Victoria Travel Guide

So I'm off for a little trip this weekend. Nothing too crazy, just a quick little ferry ride across the Straight of Georgia. I have some friends across the waters and I have been way over due for a visit! Despite passing through Victoria several times, I have never really taken a weekend to go be a tourist. There are three uber touristy things I want to do this weekend: Have tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel, browse Chinatown, and rent scooters! Does anyone have any other suggestions?

by Photographe du rue

I'm looking forward to it all, lets hope that this glorious weather holds up for the weekend!

Canadian Content

I'm back.... and what brought me out of my deep winter slumber? Canadian design! I was catching up on some much needed reading and I came across a post on Design*Sponge about the Interior Design Show in Toronto. The show was sponsored by my favorite magazine - Azure!

I love the light webbing through the slats of wood of this sauna. Work by StudioJunction, check out their website, they do amazing things with wood! Image via Design*Sponge

Via Azure

The entrance way of the Gladstone Hotel via Design*Sponge

Both pieces by ceo & waito, they do stunning things with ceramics. Top image via Design*Sponge and lower image from the ceo & waito website.

I especially loved the work by Vancouverite Jeremy Hatch, who installed a porcelain-cast of ropes, pulleys, skids and wrenches... while much of it broke while being shipped out from BC, he was not disappointed, rather he said it just makes the impractical ensemble all the more poetic. If only I could look at all the downs in my life as poetic...

Image via Design*Sponge

Image from Jeremy Hatch's website

Design Love...

Don't you just love clever design?  This coffee table from Alex Suvajac made me gasp in amazement by the form.  I found it through for coffee tables for my friend Katie all week! Unfortunately this table isn't Katie's style, but if it was, I would have to convince her to buy it!

 Via The Canadian Design Resource

Floating Retreat

Check out this post from Inhabitat on a floating house in Lake Huron! With Lake Huron's fluctuating water levels, this is the ideal waterfront cabin, never would you have to climb down those steps during low water levels, nor would you have to worry about the shores lapping your house away when the water levels rise.

I also imagine it would be so relaxing, falling asleep to the rocking motions of the waves... ...that is unless there is a storm! I hope it is in a sheltered area because Ontario gets some nasty winter storms!

The home was prefabricated and then brought to the lake, where it was placed and secured onto pontoons resting on the ice. Once the summer came, and the ice melted, the house was tugged 80 kms to this remote island location. It's so lovely (and probably environmentally friendly) that this remote area of the lake didn't need to be disturbed by months of construction and personnel coming to and fro.... it really does add to the pristine nature of the area! (Check out these other floating houses on Inhabitat)

Pictou Landing Health Center

Flying home from somewhere to somewhere else, on some plane, run by some company I read this article about a First Nation Health Center in Nova Soctia. While quite interesting at the time, I forgot about it, until recently. Low and behold, I found what I had read.... and am I glad I did! This is such an amazing structure and idea, that I just have to share!

Architecture Week

If you are interested in how they built this, then you should check out the article in Architecture Week. Here is a quick summary: The building was designed by Brian Lilley and Richard Kroeker and was based on the Native longhouse structure, a traditional winter lodge of the Mi'kmaq which bends and binds still green spruce poles.

E-architect

Every aspect of the building explored the ancient Native building techniques and tried to use them as much as possible, instead of simply trying to exploit shallow symbolism. Natural materials such as sphagnum moss, bark, rocks, and earth were all used to built this structure. They also used members of the First Nation community while building to not only receive their input and give then a sense of pride in the building, but also to cultivate skills in this community where the majority of people are unemployed.

E-architect

E-architect

Finger Indulgences

I posted some work from Alexandra Schleicher, a Toronto based Jeweller in my coral post last week. Here are more from this talented Canadian, only this time its strictly a hand game.

I wonder where Alexandra gets her inspiration? Each piece seems so different. One for every mood maybe? If that was the case, I would have to wear them all at the same time! Tacky?

One question about big rings though:

Should you wear them with bright nail polish or natural nail polish? Can you wear them with no nail polish and short nails?

Rich[ardson] Bedrooms

Sarah Richardson is a well known (almost famous?) Canadian designer and stylist who has had several shows (Room Service and Design Inc.) and has her own line of furniture. Her latest project is inviting HGTV viewers into her newly purchased house and watch her renovate the whole thing, while pregnant! The show is called Sarah's House.

I haven't watched many episodes, but I did catch a bit of one focusing on her master bedroom. The room was so simple and elegant, I had to share.

Before:

After:

While browsing for the Master bedroom before and after photos I found some images of her new guest room, even more inspirational ! (I especially love it because of the Black, White, and Green - the colour pallet I wanted for my bedroom...) Maybe Sarah will want to redecorate her guest room in the near future and donate all her 'old' items to me!

I can't believe how much light there is in this basement room! It's like it isn't even below ground!
And this is how it looked before!!

All images from HGTV

Back to the Real World

So I am back from my fabulous trip down to warm and sunny California, as well as back from my holiday break with the family. It is now back to reality and back to the daily grind. But for some reason this year, I am embracing being back and having things be routine. I love having time again to browse my regular haunts and scoping out the 2009 posts so far. Some are recapping 2008, some are making 2009 resolutions, some are talking about 2009 trends, and others are just writing like it is just another day.

I am torn as to what topics I want to navigate through during these first new year posts since all of the above mentioned posts are wonderful and valid. I am a planner and a future thinker, so making goals and predictions comes naturally to me. I am also analytical and like to review the past. But recently I have been trying to stay focused on the present. So really, I want to tie everything into one, because just like my decor style, my thoughts and emotions are eclectic and sometimes almost random.

So I hope you enjoy this eclectic smattering of New Yearesque posts.....

Three things I wanted to write about while on vacation:

1) There has been some crazy weather this season!! Before the holidays Las Vegas even got snow! Back at home in Vancouver, they have received tons of snow since Dec 13th... more than a couple feet in total! Many many planes were delayed and work was cancelled due to poor commuting conditions! And the snow was not confined to only Vancouver, Toronto had a some back to back storms as well... This all adds up to it being a white Canadian Christmas from Coast to Coast for the first time since 1971!!

Photograph by Cleo Sullivan

2) Does anyone know of any light refreshing drinks for 2009? I want to find some not too sweet, not too strong sipping cocktails for the new year. Finally I might be able to avoid being that one person at the table who goes... um, ahh, let me see... before finally going with a glass of their house wine!

Photography by Victoria Granof

3) I just want to dress up. Lately I have had this unrelenting desire to go over the top with everything. I want bright fun jewellery, elegant gowns, and big and romantic hair! Unfortunately my cravings are not so practical, especially now with the recession. I wonder however, can I bring some luxury into my life for little to nothing?

Photography by Richard Phibbs

Through the lens of Kevin Clark

Kevin Clark is a Vancouver based photographer with some amazing shots - that evokes such a range of sensations - from being spooked like with the first photograph, to feeling at home with the second, to making my mouth water with the food photographs! He also has a blog...

I just love seeing images where I can recognize where they are!

Lions Gate Bridge

Just near my apartment!

I love how he captures the light. This size of image really doesn't do it justice. Check out his website for a better view.

I just adore his food photos - everything looks so flavourful and rich!

Less we forget

Some natural images of the Poppy... Some beauty to remind us to care.

Mary Edwards

Georgetown Galleries

J. Grabenstein

Happy November

The last of the leaves are falling here. I had a wonderful bike ride today through the treed streets of Vancouver, the leaves lofting their way to the ground.... I hope you are all enjoying the last days of fall....

Via Spirit Mountain

Heavenly coffee break.

Keeping in the rustic theme I started on Friday, I just wanted to post about this adorable coffee shop in Coleman Alberta. Where is that? Well, for most of you it is middle-of-no-where Southwestern Alberta; but for those who ski, it is just after Frank Slide on the way to Fernie from Calgary. I usually associate Coleman with slow speed limits and fueling options, that is, until now! As I rolled into Coleman I noticed this large sign - Blackbird Coffee. Since I am obsessed with birds right now, I had to pull in, to check it out. And while I don't get why it is called Blackbird, it doesn't make a difference because it's great! On a whole, it is simple and eclectic and down to earth. The serving bar area is open, allowing you to still feel the space of the church with the high ceilings and stained glass. There are stellar antiques in the back, including some really well kept 1950s stainless steel items. The seating is a merry mismatch of chairs, couches and tables. I was almost sad that this was not next to a university since it would have been such a great hang out for students. The lady behind the bar was super friendly, and made up for the fact that they didn't have any skim milk. I just loved how quaint and cute this place was - I couldn't hear the road from inside, and all the details could have kept me there for hours! Unfortunately I had to move along...Next time, however I will make sure to have a few hours to spare for a snack and a browse. I hope they do well and stay there long enough for me to return!

Real Fall Colours

I am sorry that I have been soooo absent! I was hijacked by life! Here are a few photos of the fall colours I have experienced as of late!


An early October weekend in Alberta Canada!