Taking a page from the highline.

I love the modern design used to incorporate green into the walkway. Via Highline Fliker Stream

I am totally behind on posting this. I first read about it in May (in Azure I believe) but with my posting hiatus I never ever finished the post (a trend I am sure you have seen around here!). But now I have been reminded again about the Highline from my good ol' Club Monaco standby.

What beautiful fall colours! Via Highline Fliker Stream

The highline is this wonderful mile and a half, recently completed (June 2009) park in Manhattan, where an old abandoned elevated rail line has been re purposed and redesigned into a public green space. This project was funded through a joint venture between the city and private donations. On top of amazingly designed walkways and landscape, there are movable art installations and shows (both theatrical and musical) that rotate through. School programs visit, it hosts block parties, public discussions and there has been a large number of proposals on the highline since it has opened! And everything is updated on their blog. This blog would most definitely be on my favourite list if I lived in Manhattan!

I would take my lunch break here! Photograph by Nikole Bouchard via Highline Blog

In Vancouver we have this abandoned railway track running through the west side of Vancouver, much like the Highline in west Manhattan, only not elevated (which creates more logistical problems). Parts of the rail line in Vancouver are lined with gardens but much of it is just overgrown grass. It would be great to see Vancouver take a hint from New York and re-develop.

What much of the abandoned rail line looks like in Vancouver... Via Our Fernie blog

May Flowers

It has been too long since I last posted! This intermittent posting has become non existent! Unfortunately I think it is going to be this way for the next two months. I am just swamped, but loving it!

Here in Vancouver May so far has brought some showers over flowers.... but that is fine with me. As I am sure you know I don't love flowers... I am much more of a greenery person....

I have had this photograph by Adrian Briscoe stored away for a while, probably since the first month I started blogging! I just love how the green adds that punch (especially the plant in the foreground) but it still keeps the area cosy and earthy.... two ambiances I love!

I think May Flowers have been seeping into my bones though, lately I have been toying with the idea of buying some flowers for my room.... If I could I would buy these hydrangeas and put them in this stunning vase - or maybe a sterling silver one....

Photography by John Bessle

Do you have flowers in your bedroom? If so what flowers do you have?

(Speaking of bedrooms - Once these two months of craziness pass I hope to show you a few photos from my room... I am oh so slowly decorating it, and I would love to have some input! )

Out for Lunch

Today at lunch I did something completely out of character. I got up and just started walking. I wasn't going to get food, or meeting anyone, I just decided to go outside...it was like I was possessed. With my camera in hand I took photos of everything. I tried to keep my focus on taking photos close up, focusing on the texture, and form. I have never taken a photography course before so I had no clue what I was doing... I am sure I looked especially weird, walking around a suburbia office/light industrial area taking close up photos with my mini point and shoot camera! But I didn't care, I crouched down on the road, pointed my lens to the sky and crawled around in a playground until my memory card was full. Please be kind, this is my first random photo session....

(Note: Thinking back on this random act of mine - I realized that it was a culmination of many things - Finding my camera, returning to civilization, realizing that I didn't document my last work assignment very well, commuting to work, the time of year and the sunny skies. Not so random after all!)

Silence in Finland

What an amazing cabin - this Finnish curved cabin is called the Silent House. The curved lines of the house blend so well with the surroundings, that I think you would just want to be silent while there, blending into the nature a [literally] round you....

I adore that light gushing through the windows... the elongated shadows subtly remind us we're at a high lattitude, and the crackling fire place makes the Finnish winters that much more bearable!

Via Marie Claire Maison

Keep it outdoors...

I hope you all have a great weekend outside! I'm going to shake off some January blues and get some fresh air, and hopefully make some of these.....

Via my friend Robyn Crookshank

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

Outdoor bound

I am going to spend 1 hour a day outside. Rain, sleet, snow, drizzle, or shine. I asked myself earlier this year - what inspires you most? It took me a while to come up with an answer, there are so many options... but nature won out. The clincher was a couple days ago when I was driving and the sun was rising. These rich and vibrant pink, blood orange, and yellows caused me to almost drove off of the road, and I didn't even care that I drove off the road, all I was thinking is I need to find a place to pull over and just watch this. Nature was calling.

So for one hour a day, I am going to spend it appreciating nature. I don't have to be in a forest, or watching a sunrise, I just have to be outside. It can even be in the middle of downtown Vancouver, as long and I consciously go outside for 1 hour. You never know, I might even be able to capture some of it on film, like Ruth does here.....



Even the simplest things outside are so stunning...

Swiss retreat

My skis are on, my boots are tight, and my goggles aren't fogging up. Can I come over? Can I stay forever?

I am in awe of this cabin in Switzerland. The views are spectacularly breath taking. (I am at a loss for words) A well placed abode, I must say.

Via Black*Eiffel

Coral Inspiration

Check out these beautiful coral inspired jewellery pieces. As long as they don't come in coral the colour I love them! (I have heard rumours that the colour coral is coming back....noooooo!)

The beautiful bracelet and necklace are from Nervous System....

These are from Esty seller LemonGrove

Via I'll Seen, I'll Said

These pieces are by Canadian (Toronto based) jeweller Alexandrea Schleicher...

Find these on her website here

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

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

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!

Ideal Sunrise

This is what I hope to have my morning tea to tomorrow morning. (Yes there is snow here already!)

Via Ben Browder

Here's to a warm cozy fall Sunday. Hope you all have a good one!

I have been very absent lately - I appologize (that is if anyone notices!)

Here's a little late summer image to keep me going...

Posts will resume next week hopefully!

The Island House

My second post on Toronto island - Wards Island Houses

They are just amazing - each house is so unique, it takes hours to take them all in. The best part about the neighbourhood I think is that there are no roads, only walk ways between the houses, a neighbour across the 'street' is about as far away as your next door neighbour - I like that.

Character anyone?

Like the houses the people here are so unique. Some are busy working away at at some household task, some are helping, some are relaxing and enjoying a home made sandwich in the garden, while others have lively arguments with family. Each posess this sense of calm (yes even the one arguing!) and rustic flair to match their homes. They all own bikes fitted with the most extensive parcel carring systems. Whether it be a wagon they pull behind their bike, or just extra large paniers covering every possible spot, or the makshift baskets bungeed on here and there. They all serve the purpose of getting their everyday bought items from the mainland back home.

Note the slant and the peeling paint - Adds charm!

The homes themselves are in many different states. Boarders are fuzzy here - between rustic, and run down, ecclectic and junky, between holiday home and vacation cottage (I am in Ontario now, they call cabins cottages!) and full time residence. Some have well manicured lawns, others have natural flowing gardens, and yet others have overgrown landscapes. Somehow however, it all seems to fit.

Extremely well kept - and the sign in the window -Boycott Toronto Island Airport - makes me think these are year round residents!

A view of Toronto from the Ward Island Ferry Terminal

One of the best things I saw - and I am so sad I didn't get a photo of were plants in people's bikes - I don' t think they were just bringing them home - I think these plants had a permenant residence on the bike - and added a nice spruce to it!