IDS Warm Up - Miele Edition

Every year I hear about how IDS used to be better.  They're sick of the same ideas, its getting boring, the crowds are too large, there is a line up to get in.  Really? Really?  Then why are you there!  Its a blast!

IDS is fun.  Go in with a positive attitude, and come out with some new ideas.  Be friendly, speak with everyone.  Generally most people need a smile and they are all over telling you sources, giving you deals, at the Gala night it'll get you champagne! 

Warming up for IDS was easy, last Thursday night Miele held a little get together with John Tong of the recently established +tongtong.   He gave a great little talk about which, to me at least, boiled down to two things.  Passion for design, and passion within the design community.  Apt talk with IDS right around the corner.

Was it two years ago already that Miele had their two tier booth with the brilliant white appliances hidden away upstairs?  Finally launched and I've got to tell you, I'm dying to use them in a project.  At first I doubted I find a need, but I can honestly tell you I see a million different ways to incorporate them.

The Built In Coffee System is by far my favourite in the group.  Bling Bling Bling.

Look at the details on the handle, that cool little arc.  Height adjustable dispenser, grinder, polished milk container, everything polished!  And what machine is complete without a cup warmer?

So I'm warmed up. I'm ready and excited and looking forward to exploring. See you Thursday night? See you Friday?  See you at IDS.

Bill
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Favourite Pic of the Week

{Via Desire To Inspire}

Favourite Pic of the Week, who doesn't want a gorgeous white and navy kitchen like this!

Have a good weekend everyone.

Bill

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Design Destination - Klaus on King East

As I've mentioned a few times lately, I've been spending a lot of time down on King East. In and out of shops of all shapes and sizes.  This past weekend gave me a great excuse. Many of the design focused businesses were supporting Habitat for Humanity with giveaways, some free design consultations, and gift cards.  

Cruising through Klaus is something I would do without an excuse, so supporting habitat and having a small furniture exhibition out back was all the incentive I needed.   The importance of furniture aside for a second. What I found when I walked around the shop was that the furniture was just put there to stop me, so I could look up at all of the fantastic lighting.

Catherine Menard was wonderfully helpful inside. You see Keri has been building up the courage to get a Tom Dixon Copper Shade light (pictured above).  Catherine popped over, answered our questions and offered other suggestions that could work for Keri's space as well, like the Beat Light also by Tom Dixon (pictured below).

Here are two shots of the Raimond light by Raimond Puts.  As you can see, its available in different sizes and lets a lot of "space" blend through it.  Great light for the smaller space where you need a little of the background to bleed through to the foreground, or a view you don't want blocked by a fixture.

The Pendant Lamp by Alvar Aalto is perhaps the most elegant light currently on display (also available in black).  I love it grouped like this.  Has a fantastic contemporary vibe but the material and shape have a prettiness that I think could work in a variety of spaces.

So go down to King East, stop by and say "Hi" to Catherine and explore Klaus.  Classic, timeless, high design. You really can't beat the look, or for that matter, the value of a classic piece, when you're working on a space.

Bill

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Monday Morning Pics - King East Again!

Went down on Sunday to the King East Design District - They are calling it KEDD these days.  May even have found a sofa bed that I've been looking for at Calligaris and can you believe that Callacatta above is a porcelain tile?  This is a section of it, the whole thing measures 10' x 5'! 

Anyone else find anything exciting this weekend?

Bill
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Weekend To Do's - What a Weekend Edition!

What a weekend!  At least for events.... ... the weather might kinda suck... ...but really, what a summer we've had.  And you know what? The fall looks good too, a little rain? Pfff. That's nothing. Shake it off. There are a million things to do around the T DOT this weekend, don't let the wet weather keep you in. Enjoy this great town.

Let's start here.  The Canadian Sweets and Baking show.  How good does this sound?  Its a trade show that is dedicated to sweets and baked goods.  That means bread AND chocolate.

Saturday night is Nuit Blanche sponsored by Scotia Bank.  This is the best way to spend Saturday night in Toronto.  Contemporary art spread into 3 districts.  Check out the robotic chair, I've seen this! Pieces and installations like this are the reason to go!  There is even a planner to help you keep your night on track.

There might be complications on Sunday.  At least when deciding when to get up to, so here is my suggested itinerary.  Lets start at the Gluten Free Expo (opens at 10am). Whether you go Gluten Free for the health benefits, for allergy or dietary info, or simply to enjoy the food, you won't be disappointed.

Finish up there and go get some more eats.  The High Park Harvest Festival starts at noon on Sunday. You've got food, you've got music, and you've got some Canadiana.  Celebrate the bi-centennial of the War of 1812 with a smile and a full belly.

Lastly, and I mentioned it last week, the King East Design District is holding its open house. GO GO GO!  Meet some new people, source some new products,  and have a lot of fun.

Like I said, what a weekend! Have fun folks.

Bill

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House and Home - The Spirit of '85

Going through old boxes can be a daunting task.  We decided to have a yardsale at my in-law's a few weeks back and in doing so opened up a can of worms, by opening up boxes, that haven't been opened  for 20 years!

Out of one of these boxes came the beauty you see here below.  The November/December 1984 edition of Canadian House and Home, titled "The Spirit of Design '85"

Amazing right?  I love discovering and reading these old articles.

My favourite read from the issue?  The predictions at the end of the designer interview section.  "When it comes to walls, Bailey and Thibodeau favour the effect of a hand painted mural", and "Ann Swsain tires of the use of Russian blinds and prefers the simplicity of a soft drape".  Everything old is new. Amazing how these designs themes get recycled and updated with a twist for the next generation.

 The Kitchen and Bathroom articles are fantastic. It's funny how many of these exact kitchens and baths I'm replacing now.  Its like someone produced a magazine of all of my before pictures!

These are probably my the funniest articles from the issue.  They cover everything from faux finishes to wall paper borders, and yes, country stencils.  Some of the advice still rings true. Rich colours paired with a soft palette and warm woods with white, although not spoken of directly, feature heavily in the article.

When Keri was flipping through, she noticed the "Researcher" on this article, Susie Dimma.  I didn't know she used to go by Susie!

Bill

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Peterborough Project, Kitchen Addition!

  

As I mentioned a few days ago, I had the pleasure of working on a project with my sister.  Now if you've ever worked with family, you know that this can be a daunting task.  Family can be demanding, they can lay down unrealistic deadlines, and they have no issue calling outside reasonable business hours.  

Luckily, I was working with my sister.  She has a strong understanding and respect of that separation.  And really,  thank God for that!  As far as clients go, my sister was a breeze.  She was open to any and all ideas, and though she had strong opinions (as any client will), they were thought out, and usually spot on.

A little background on the project.  This is an addition. Really well sized for the space around the house and the the out buildings near it on the farm.  The original building is a classic Ontario red brick. The addition is taking the place of a really dilapidated kitchen and storage that was almost falling off!  

In a couple of the shots you can spot the new (still unfurnished minus the kid sized picnic table) dining room as well.

The colour is Benjamin Moore, Timid White OC-39. Its a soft white that works really well with the slight touch of yellow on the walls, and a richer gray/taupe on the trim.

We kept it very homey and country throughout.  Now please, don't look at country as a curse word.  Country doesn't have to mean matching cow salt and pepper shakers and rooster figurines.  What it can mean is a very casual, comfortable cooking and eating experience. What it can mean is classic lines and classic details without the formality of a traditional design.    

 We went with framed inset cabinetry and it suits this style of house so well. I really love the dark hinges.  They're more pewter than black, and we carried that over into the hardware as well. It leaves the look a little softer than black would have and it blends better with the exposed appliances.

The AEG Electrolux range adds a professional look without the heaviness of a Wolf or Viking.  5 burner with a wok ring, and quick boiler. Great 

range with a little bit of clean Euro flair and all of the cooking power you could need.

The furniture base on here is one of those little details that sets custom cabinetry apart from semi-custom and dealer options.  Its flush with the frame and doors, not a cabinet box.  This way you see the full profile on the base and it stands equal from the cabinet on all sides.

 

You can catch a glimpse of this pillow in the top picture.   It sits on a bench in a little lounge area, with a great view of the farm out the window. The fabric hasn't been selected  for it yet, but right now the tangerine looks great on it.

No better spot to enjoy a glass of wine  and relax in your brand new space!

Bill

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My New Favourite Pinner. Pinned, Pinning, Pin!

So, you're cruising around Pinterest, and you find this power user.  You know the type, the one who has fashion covered from top to bottom, or interesting interiors that you can't seem to find anywhere else?  That's what happened to me.  I was searching, "Camel", for an upcoming basement/living space project, and somehow ended up on Yulia Sisoeva's page.

 

 

 You will never see such beautiful, more well organized, idea filled, colour coded, image inspired, world spanning, Pinterest boards again.  

And this is only a smattering of what she has posted!

I think this is what Pinterest is for and how it should be used. These boards are a course on colour theory. I'm finding myself inspired, by the eye and organization of an individual, of other peoples work!   

Do you have a favourite Pinterest board or blogger that you follow to find inspiration?

Bill

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