Displaying posts from February, 2008

Caroline Casey and Robert Brown of Australian architectural studio Casey Brown build in response to the site and climate their structures inhabit. Tree houses rise from the steep topography and copper and glass pavilions strain to fly away from their sandstone anchors. A sense of place is paramount in their work. Beautiful unpretentious buildings, their structures exposed, blend with the environment and celebrate their stunning surroundings.

I am in love with the work of prop stylist Amy Chin. Just look at the vivacious use of colour in these arrangements. Vintage meets found and floral is flirty. These are so much fun I want to clap my hands in glee. Amy’s eye for colour and attention to detail make these vignettes so inspirational. Check more of her portfolio on her website and her rep’s site.

I have known Jocelyn (via the internet) for about a year now, having met on Flickr. She lives here in Ottawa, and also has an interior design blog, decorate it darling. She recently posted photos of her new loft apartment on Flickr and blogged about it, and I recognized her apartment as being in an incredible historic building called the Wallis House. It started as a hospital in the 1800’s, then a Catholic seminary, then was taken over by the military, then almost demolished until a developper bought it in 1994 for $320,000 with a promise to restore it. It became home to 47 lofts. When the Wallis House lofts went up for sale in October 1995, they were all sold in fewer than twenty-four hours. Jocelyn is fortunate to know someone who owns one of the lofts, and while the owner is in Haiti, she is renting it. She is one lucky girl let me tell you. The amazing thing is each loft is unique. They have different layouts, and each original owner chose the finishes. So here’s a peek into Jocelyn’s new loft in the coolest building in Ottawa.

Jocelyn was kind enough to invite me over to check out her amazing space, and to see her artwork that caught my eye when I saw her photos. They are her own creations, and she is VERY talented. I bought one from her, and I am ecstatic about it. It is GORGEOUS, and I was stunned to learn she doesn’t really sell her art unless someone happens to ask about them when visiting her. Jocelyn, I have one word for you – ETSY. You’ll recognize my new Jawcey original from her hallway photo. (I’m not sure where it will end up – in the photo below it’s propped up on my thermostat). Thanks so much Jocelyn, and it was so much fun to finally meet a fellow blogger!

WINKS – weekend links. Here we list what has come in during the week, things we’ve found and things we think you’ll want to see. If you’d like to see your blog or website featured email us and if we think it fits with our readers we’ll link you. I am not dying of laryngitis so I thought I’d pick up where Jo left off, instead of doing my usual Flickr finds post.

• Kim McCabe sent a really sweet email thanking Jo and I for our hard work on the blog so I thought I’d reciprocate the love and post about her super Etsy shop called Curiouser & Curiouser where she has some really cute prints and collages, such as the one above. Go check it out. (Thanks Kim!)
• Deborah emailed about her cool indoor/outdoor graphics:
  Stick these outdoors or in, graphic stickers adhere to any glass or plexi surface.
  Perfect for balcony guardrails, patios, windows or doors.
  A great alternative to curtains and a modern touch on your terrace.
  Available in white opaque or ‘frosted’ (lets the light pass but blocks the view).
  Sold as 11 x 17 inch sheets (A3) but custom sizes are possible.
  Using several sheets creates lovely leafy patterns, and yes, you can still wash windows normally.
  www.dgardencollection.com



• Peggy started a design blog called Design FormuLA at the beginning of the year and I think she’s off to a great start. Have a look here.



• Patrick has a brand new site that sells ultra modern furniture and other modern furnishings. It’s called Go Contempo. Fabulous stuff Patrick!



• Chris Brown of Urban Prairie emailed about Refueled, Alt Country Style + Design, his new online zine that debuts in the spring. Read more about it here.

• Sabine has launched an online shop that features some very creative wallpaper in gorgeous colour combinations. Lots to look at here.(Thanks Sabine!)

• Jessica, from Toronto has a great blog called The World According to Jessica Claire where her topics are mostly design-related. She posted the other day about a phenomenal artist, Andrea Marcus, and thought our readers would appreciate her talents as well. WOW!! (Thanks Jessica!)
  
  
• Fabio emailed with a link to YouTube videos he uploaded that shows the production of hollow furniture. The song playing in this video had me chuckling (it does that to me every time). Thanks Fabio!

Peggy emailed us from Ikea to give us a preview of new items coming out in April. I had to post some photos because there is some great stuff on the way and I thought you all might want a peak. Despite the fact that I’m trying to weed out alot of Ikea from my house (it’s only because I’ve recently gone on a vintage binge and can’t stop myself), Ikea still rocks for basics and I’ll never stop getting excited when their catalogs are released.