Displaying posts from August, 2010

Hello and welcome to a new week on Desire to Inspire. I’m so excited about today’s photographer James Braund. Melbourne based Braund captures Aussie homes that are just too cool. Whether high end or real life and really stylish. Midcentury madness anyone? There’s colour and light and life. If photography is inspirational and aspiration then James Braund has me wanting it all.

I was soooo excited to receive an email a few weeks ago from Deborah Peets, owner of a new furnishings shop here in Ottawa (who saw me in the Jan ’09 issue of Canadian House & Home). We are severely lacking in decent furniture shops here – we do not have all the very reasonable priced shops like C&B, West Elm, Urban Outfitters, etc. etc. We have an Ikea. And EQ3. And that’s about it. Every now and then a funky shop pops up in Westboro or downtown and I can hardly contain myself. Now, these shops are likely where you will find investment pieces that you’d want to keep for a looooong time, and Green Light District Design is one of those shops. Here is what Deborah had emailed me about her shop (www.greenlightshop.ca): “Our aesthetic is clean and contemporary; our pieces from places like Buenos Aires and Cape Town are made of natural materials – leather, wood, parchment, cord, reclaimed cotton. The best part is we get to know the designers and artisans personally, we touch and try every piece before we commit. All our furnishings and accessories come from small production, designer owned companies; all have significant hand made component and the highest level of craftsmanship.” My new hubby and I were in awe right when we walked in. It’s just one amazing piece after another. I managed to pick out a few small things that I HAD to have, and hopefully one day when Jeff and I are done with our house additions I’ll be able to walk in there and pick out a piece of furniture (or 5) when we actually have some space. If you’re strolling around downtown Ottawa, be sure to take a walk down Dalhousie St. and stop by Green Light District Design – Deborah and her husband David are super sweet, they can tell you the stories behind all their finds, you’ll likely walk away with some gorgeous treasures, and while you’re in there, look up. A jaw-dropping restored tin ceiling is part of the shop.

Here is what I came home with: a stunning hand-painted table runner and napkins created by Carole Nevin from South Africa, a large black and white tulip vase (9″ tall with an opening of 9″), 2 of the most gorgeous and perfectly sized pasta bowls (I think I need more) and 2 side plates from the same artisan (Di Marshall of Wonki Ware, also based in South Africa).

moirabot	forestbound
mayramcpherson	Studio625
Cafédirect	niceandeasyantiques
mayalu	mayalu
Its A Shabby Life	Marianne@Songbird
Solveig Flittiglisene	mayalu
Cafédirect	farrcol
redefine_home

Senator Kabob Dole

Tara Badcock

Kirk Kempker Jr
abeachcottage

Strikkelise

Cafédirect

mseratt99

abeachcottage