Oh Baby!

Jul 28 2010

There’s a good reason behind my week long silence. I’ve had my hands full. Very full – and in the best possible way. We had a baby girl last week! Little Alice was born on July 21st fresh in the morning at 8:26 am.

She’s so tiny and delicious and I’m just going to enjoy chilling out with her over the next bit. I know all too well how it flies by.

That being said, home stuff still awaits and babies sleep a ton (sadly not enough at night), so expect some regular postings. Or at least reasonably regular postings. I’m certainly going to try.

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Dining Room: Set the tone

Jun 25 2010

The dining room is going to be the first spot that you see when you enter our house. And trust me, you’re going to see it. The windows were installed yesterday. They are quite beautiful, in my opinion, and way bigger than I’d thought. That’s a good problem to have, but we’re definitely going to need some blinds.

In any event, I’m particularly excited about picking out pieces for the dining room. There are so many possible looks. I love mixing and matching types of woods and styles. I’m not yet sure what size table we’ll be able to fit in this room, but here are some shots to get things going.

Below: It doesn’t hurt that the setting for this room is quite dramatic, but I think these chairs have it all. They’re comfortable, sleek, and I haven’t seen them in thousands of homes. Photo by Richard Powers.
RichardPowers_DiningRoom

Below: Another totally unique look. Not sure about the comfort factor, though. Photo care of RUM magazine.
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Below: Yes, Hans Wegner wishbone chairs are everywhere, but they are beautiful, aren’t they? I love the light wood paired with the dark oak table. Photo by Ray Main.
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Below: Another set of Wegner chairs care of Bulthaup. Bulthaup not only makes the most beautiful kitchens, but some pretty fab tables as well – light, durable, sleek. I love this look.
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Below: Beautiful Cherner chairs care of Specht Harpman Architects.
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Below: Jean Prouve all around, care of Taschen. From the table to the chairs to the lighting – it all works for me.
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Below: A practical option that fits perfectly in this space. Design by Burd Haward Architects.
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Below: Oh where can I find these chairs? I’m not sure where they’re from, but I love the look paired with a big parsons table. Photo via Emmas Blogg
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Below: Bryan Adams Paris apartment featured in Elle Decor. I did a recent posting on the living room in this home. Now for the dining room, which is as equally amazing – old school desks make up the table, Bulthaup cabinetry, and flee market chairs – a pretty creative mix that completely works.
BryanAdams_Elle_diningroom

Below: This is the dining room from the home of Louise Olsen, Dinosaur Designs founder, and her husband, artist, Stephen Ormandy. It was featured in Vogue Australia in their Jan / Feb 2010 issue. The space feels airy and modern, yet lived in. I wouldn’t mind snagging one of those paintings, either.
VogueLiving_DiningRoom

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Posted in Dining Room, Interiors, News, Seating, Tables | Comments

Living Room: Bringing it all together

Jun 4 2010

For our new home, we’ve opted to forgo a traditional front living room. Instead, we’re going to have the dining room near the entrance, the kitchen in the middle of the house and a good-sized living room at the back of the house.

This is the space where everything will come together – our choice of windows, furniture, the rug (of course). We need to decide what type of bookshelves we want, how the fireplace and TV will sit together. You get the picture.

I’ve been clipping lots of shots for inspiration.

I see Bryan Adams in a whole new light after catching a glimpse of his Paris apartment. It was featured in Elle Décor a few years back. The space is refined and minimalist. The entire apartment is beautifully put together in a way that doesn’t feel too “put together”. Definitely worth checking out.

ElleDecor_BryanAdams_Paris

Ditto for Dixie Chic Emily Robison. I’ve posted this image before, but I thought I’d include it again since I think the room has a great vibe.
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Here are a few clean, simple spaces that caught my eye
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Above: Light Locations; Living Etc.; Emmas Blog; Steven Harris Architects; Metropolitan Home

And, then there are some spaces that are just plain old spectacular without needing very much added at all. Check out these digs…
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Above: Joseph Dirand; Poteet Architects; Richard Powers Photography

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Next in Store

Mar 3 2010

I love reading about the rise of entrepreneurial empires – people who started small, took a gamble, and went for it. So I was particularly jazzed when I read the recent New York Magazine article on Kate and Andy Spade.

Spade

How amazing. It all started with a simple rectangular tote – a bag that you probably wouldn’t blink at today. They’ve since sold their company. Andy is producing wine, getting into film, partnering with galleries, consulting for J.Crew, etc…Kate sounds happy to not have anything to do with the company and to spend tons of time with their daughter. Sounds like a pretty good gig.

Here are some shots of their Manhattan apartment care of Habitually Chic.

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Tattered Cover

Feb 9 2010

I’m a bit late in getting around to this posting. But, I was just at the checkout at the grocery store and spotted a New Yorker cover mentioning the passing of J.D.Salinger. Just seeing the cover got me thinking. It got me thinking about books and literature and the ipad and the future of publishing. I could go on.

One of the first rugs that I designed was called “books.” Sure, I could have had a more clever title, but really I wanted to pay homage to something that has inspired me since childhood. Books. Lots of books. Bookshelves. I love the idea of carrying around digital literature, but I love printed copies. I love collecting books. I love seeing my shelves expand. My bookshelf would never be complete without a copy of The Catcher in the Rye. Most people would probably say the same. That’s incredible, isn’t it?

It’s amazing that a single piece of literature could affect so many people. I first read Catcher in high school. It didn’t feel like an assignment. I knew from the first line, I’d be into it. I read it again years later and I loved it even more. I don’t remember all of the details that I should at this point, but the cover alone brings back memories and inspires me. It inspires me to read. It inspires me to write. It inspires me to talk about great writing. It’s reminded me that it’s been too many years since I’ve picked up my ratty burgundy copy of one of my favourite books of all time.

I’ve included a few cover samples so that maybe I won’t be alone in digging out my old copy.

CatcherintheRye_4

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Interior Design Show, 2010

Jan 25 2010

I always like going to design shows. Despite the blandness of most convention halls, I normally come out feeling re-energized in some way. At this year’s IDS in Toronto, I admit I was more impressed with some of the opening night outfits than the exhibits. I know, I know, that’s harsh. I’m impressed with anyone that can pull off a decent booth – I give total credit for that. But I was hoping to find a bit more. I don’t know what exactly, but just a bit more.

There were definitely a few pieces that caught my eye. Bauhaus had a great set of sliding doors on display, as pictured below.

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Lema s.p.a. got me quite jazzed about doing the closets in our new house.

Atelier LC2 displayed a lovely walnut desk, called the Veto. The picture doesn’t do it justice, but the wood had heft and you could lift a slat to reveal a hidden drawer. I thought it was quite beautiful.
Atelierlc2_desk

I also thought Light Form had some really cool lamps. Check out the Fork Floor Lamp by Foscarini.

Forkfloorlamp

Studio EyeSpy had a fabulous Studioilse lamp tucked away in the corner (available at DWR).

Studioilse_lamp

Klaus by Neinkamper also displayed some amazing pendants.

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But really, the booth that got me to stop cold in my tracks was IKEA. Yes, IKEA. I could not believe the kitchen they had on display – I even loved their chairs.
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Come to think of it, I should take back my initial comments. Turns out there were quite a few inspirational pieces after all. Plus, I didn’t even make it to the Jaime Hayon discussion. I wish I’d made it to that one.

So, there you have it – a slow start with a strong finish. I do feel re-energized after all. Sorry about that.

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Good Tidings

Jan 11 2010

New Year’s was pretty quiet this year. We had just returned from our holiday trip. Babysitter-less and exhausted, we opted to stay home. We did enjoy some delicious lobster and had a lovely time. But if there’s a party I could have gone to, I think it would have been the one I just read about in Food&Wine.

Forget the amazing food for a moment – I’d love to check out the Chemosphere house in Los Angeles. I mean, really. Art-book publisher Benedikt Taschen and his wife, Lauren, had a killer setting to ring in the New Year. They also brought two of the best-rated new chefs in 2009 (Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo) to cater the meal. Now, I admit, I’d never heard of Jon or Vinny before reading the article. But I imagine they’re pretty damn good.
Plus, guests got to take a “hillavator” or tram to reach the party. It is 2010 after all.

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photos by John Kernick

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Hello. Hello. Thank you for coming.

Nov 25 2009

My first posting. How exciting (and nerve wracking).

Welcome to my site. This is my space to explore, find, and share. I want to divulge ideas, thoughts, products, or just plain old everyday stuff that inspires me. Hopefully a smidgen of that will rub off on you. You never know.

My business began with a few sketches. I’d been sketching for years, actually. I’d tried bags, shirts, product of any sort. Rugs just sort of happened. Well, sort of. My family has been in the rug business for generations. But, I never thought I’d get into the business myself.

It was only when I started thinking of rugs as another canvas of sorts, that I got really into it. I could to take my love for colour and design and translate it into beautiful product that is made by hand with incredible care.

Now, the more I learn about the craftsmanship involved, the more excited I get and the more I love this trade (most of the time). But its still largely about dreaming up an idea and seeing it come to life.

My company and product line has grown organically. It began with the floor. Went to the walls. We’ll see what’s next. What I do know, is there will be more.

I love to explore. I’m a believer that half the battle is just taking action.

So, with that in mind, here is the start of something new. I really want to be here, I hope that you want to be here as well. Come back to visit. I’ll add new postings when I can. It won’t be all the time. But it will be frequent enough.

Thank you for visiting my site. I look forward to being in touch soon.

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