Displaying posts from July, 2009
Jessica Helgerson
Posted on Thu, 2 Jul 2009 by KiM
Jessica Helgerson emailed us the other day to give us a peak into some of her recent work. I was excited because it had been quite some time since I had blogged her work. Let me say that I love colour in my life, but I can’t get over how she can use virtually no colour but white/creams and chocolate brown/black and make it look SOOOOOOO good. Absolutely gorgeous spaces, that I imagine her clients will enjoy for a quite some time, as her design aesthetic is elegantly hip and timeless. So let’s get on with the first project – thanks to Jessica for sending along some descriptions (photos by Lincoln Barbour).
This project is a complete remodel of a turn-of-the-century Southeast Portland four-square. We gutted a small and disfunctional kitchen, back pantry and mud room to create a large and airy kitchen; added box beams to the dining room, separated the entry from the living room with a deep-cased opening which created two ledges for seating or plants, added a mantle, built-in shelves, and two windows at the fireplace; as well as adding a second window, a wood ceiling and wainscoting to the upstairs bathroom. Woodwork throughout much of the house was stained a dark ebony as were the floors on the first floor.
We wanted to create a space that was both glamorous for the Portland hipster couple who live in the house as well as appropriate for the house itself and its period. The new woodwork is designed to look original but the dark stain adds an element of elegance and surprise. With the furnishings we created an eclectic blend of modern and ethnic pieces that are unified by their color and scale. Many of the pieces were custom made locally: the sofa that fits into the bay window; the living room chairs which are cozily upholstered in sheepskin; the dining room benches and table top; and the blown glass sculptures, by Portland-based glass artist ANDY PAIKO.
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Anyone else having heart palpitations over that kitchen and ALL the incredible light fixtures? (!!!) Stay tuned tomorrow for another one of Jessica’s projects.
Pared back chic
Posted on Thu, 2 Jul 2009 by midcenturyjo
Sometimes a girl can overindulge. Sometimes she just can’t help herself as she dives into a design portfolio that is just image after image of beautiful spaces. If gorgeous rooms had calories I’d be a goner. Thank God interior designer Stephen Knollenberg creates rooms that are elegant in their simplicity and chic in their pared back balance between old and new. There is something calm and sophisticated, light and yet welcoming about these rooms. So beautifully curated. Sigh….
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I’d like to wish all my fellow Canadians a Happy Canada Day. On this day I hope you’re all hanging out at a cottage consuming exorbitant amounts of beer and having a fun day off. It’s supposed to thunderstorm here in the nation’s capital which will put a wee bit of a damper (ha) on festivities down at Parliament Hill. Anyhoo, in keeping with the theme of the day, I thought I’d post some photos of red and white spaces. Enjoy – and don’t drink and drive kids.
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| Lucas Allen | Lucas Allen |
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| Lynn Morgan | Dexter Hodges |
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| Oberto Gili | Nicolas Mathéus |
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| Apartment Therapy | Jason Loucas |
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| Paul Costello | Brian Andriola |
Kathryn Russell
Posted on Wed, 1 Jul 2009 by midcenturyjo
Photographer Kathryn Russell has a passion for her work. It shows doesn’t it. She creates images that draw you into her world of products and food and these gorgeous spaces. What colour! Yum! And the light. It’s so soft and warm. OK I’m off to devour Kathryn’s food portfolio. Enjoy.
