Displaying posts labeled "Support"
A’ Design Award & Competition – A new year (and some past winners)
Posted on Mon, 15 Aug 2016 by KiM
It is a new year for the A’ Design Award & Competition and we’re excited to see what new designs pop up for 2016-2017. To get things started I thought I would feature a selection of past winners for residential and commercial interiors, furniture and lighting designs.
Silver A’ Design Award Winner for Interior Space and Exhibition Design Category in 2015
Dom Pechati Public Space by Nikita Zhilyakov Workspace
Bronze A’ Design Award Winner for Interior Space and Exhibition Design Category in 2015
Cat and Mouse Beer bar by Vladislav Kostadinov for Cat and Mouse Beer bar
Silver A’ Design Award Winner for Architecture, Building and Structure Design Category in 2015
apel on the Hill Holiday cottage by Evolution Design
Golden A’ Design Award Winner for Architecture, Building and Structure Design Category in 2015
Chalet La Pedevilla Residence & Chalet by Pedevilla Architects
A’ Design Award Winner for Architecture, Building and Structure Design Category in 2015
Fisher Studio Contemporary Building by Shawn Ewbank for Shawn Ewbank Design Collaborative
Golden A’ Design Award Winner for Interior Space and Exhibition Design Category in 2015
5xSao Paulo Interior Design by JULIANA PIPPI for Juliana Pippi Arquitetura e Design
Golden A’ Design Award Winner for Interior Space and Exhibition Design Category in 2015
Hutong Courtyard Villages-Villa Luxury Residential model House by Kuang Ming Chou for Vermilion Zhou Design Group
Silver A’ Design Award Winner for Interior Space and Exhibition Design Category in 2015
Sharing Lounge Residential House by Shin-Yi Lin for Shin-yi Lin/Fullhouse Interior Design Ltd
Silver A’ Design Award Winner for Interior Space and Exhibition Design Category in 2015
The Eating Table Interior Space Design by Wen Zhi Liu for Wenzhi Space
Silver A’ Design Award Winner for Interior Space and Exhibition Design Category in 2015
Less is a bore Interior design, Residential by Huang Ching Hsuan for Mushi studio
Golden A’ Design Award Winner for Architecture, Building and Structure Design Category in 2015
Mountain House Residential by David Guerra for Paola Campos
Golden A’ Design Award Winner for Furniture, Decorative Items and Homeware Design Category in 2015
Peel Cabinet by Leah K. S. Amick
Silver A’ Design Award Winner for Furniture, Decorative Items and Homeware Design Category in 2015
Andamio Shelving System by Florian Gross & Kike Macías for Ex.t
Silver A’ Design Award Winner for Furniture, Decorative Items and Homeware Design Category in 2015
Honeycomb Bookshelf by Seyed Mohammad Mortazavi for Rhyton
Silver A’ Design Award Winner for Furniture, Decorative Items and Homeware Design Category in 2015
Marathon Boy Bookends by Sophia Enjoy Thinking for SOPHIA Enjoy Thinking
Bronze A’ Design Award Winner for Furniture, Decorative Items and Homeware Design Category in 2015
Lab Multifunctional Planter by Diego León Vivar
A’ Design Award Winner for Furniture, Decorative Items and Homeware Design Category in 2015
Combine Office Desk by Mehmet Lutfi Hidayetoglu for MLH Design
Silver A’ Design Award Winner for Lighting Products and Lighting Projects Design Category in 2015
Mitosis Ceiling lamp by Soroush Vahidian Kamyar for Vahidian Design
A’ Design Award Winner for Lighting Products and Lighting Projects Design Category in 2015
Vector equilibrium Light by Gobo
A’ Design Award Winner for Lighting Products and Lighting Projects Design Category in 2015
To be plugged Lamp by Degeorges Adrien for Iconocrafts
A’ Design Award and Competitions are organized and awarded annually and internationally in a wide range of categories. Every year, projects that focus on innovation, technology, design and creativity are awarded with the A’ Award. While realized projects find opportunities to get published, reach new markets and meet a wide range of buyers for their existing products, the organization also helps the creative minds and startups to meet with the business people to realize their product ideas. If you’d like to register for 2016-2017 you can do so here.
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This post is brought to you in collaboration with A’ Design Award and Competition
Rustico Tile
Posted on Mon, 27 Jun 2016 by KiM
I recently found out about a great source of tile called Rustico Tile & Stone. They are a small, family-run company based in Leander, Texas (just outside of Austin). Not only are they the largest manufacturer for authentic Saltillo tile in Mexico, but they are also a leading supplier for Cement Tile and Cantera Stone. And the best part is they ship worldwide! I wanted to share some of my favourite patterns they carry and some inspirational photos of spaces with their tiles and similar ones.
I have to start with the cement tile because it is one of my favourite tiles and comes in such amazing patterns. I almost went with this type in my kitchen/foyer but in the end went with something alot smaller. I love the result but I am still dying to try some of these…maybe in my next kitchen. Their cement tile is reminiscent of older style encaustic tiles. Cement tile is available in many designs, shapes and sizes. It is extremely durable, easy-to-maintain, and can be fully customized in colors specific to the space where it is installed.
(design in photo above by Egue Y Seta – one of my all-time favourite homes I have blogged)
I pulled out some inspirational photos we have featured previously. More reasons why these tiles are the best!
Saltillo Tile is a type of terra cotta floor tile that is handmade with rustic characteristics. It is available in 3 finishes – Traditional, Manganese and Antique Saltillo. All finishes comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and have natural color variations. This is the perfect tile for a rustic southern, Mexican vibe.
Cantera stone is architectural stone that is cut and hand-carved. Available in many colors, Cantera is commonly used as columns, tile, balusters, range hoods, fireplaces, and surrounds.
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This post is in partnership with Rustico Tile & Stone. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.
How to achieve the best outcome when working with an interior designer for your condo
Posted on Sat, 25 Jun 2016 by KiM
As someone who has bought several Montreal condos in the last 15 years, I have worked with several interior designers. My experiences with them have been mostly positive, although I’ve also had my share of problems in the past.
Whether you’re planning to remodel your condo or buy new property, hiring an interior designer is a big decision. Most people who hire a decorator don’t have a concrete idea of what to expect, and this often leads to anxiety and problems along the way. But you don’t have to make the same mistake (which can be costly at times). Read through the suggestions that I’ve outlined here so your experience will be generally positive and you can expect a much better outcome for your home improvement project.
1. Preparation is a must!
A very common mistake that homeowners make is that they expect their interior designer to simply know what they want. The first time I hired a decorator, I merely told her my budget and shared a few ideas. Three days later she presented me with a design and as it turned out, I didn’t like most of it. It was then I realized that if I had only showed her some pictures of the concepts I liked, then maybe she’d present me with a design that I would approve the first time.
So before you meet with a potential decorator, you should have at least some idea of the style you like. You can also show your decorator the color schemes you want. Doing these will save you time and money.
2. Set realistic goals.
We see HGTV shows and start dreaming of high-end window treatments, hand painted wall designs, and shiny ebony floors. But you have to be realistic. Don’t expect your living room to look like a million bucks if you’re only willing to spend $5,000 for this project.
On a related note, it’s also important to be practical with your timeline. If you’ve been watching too many home improvement shows on TV, then you probably think that everything can be done in 3 days (or less!). But that’s usually not the case. Many interior decorators spend a week planning and creating the design alone. The whole project can take a month or so depending on how much work needs to be done.
3. Finally, have confidence in your designer.
Of course, it also pays to actually do your homework and find a designer that has the experience, training and track record. Ask around for recommendations and be sure to check their portfolio before you even consider them.
Once you’ve found your interior designer and you’ve already agreed on the design/concept then it’s time to let them work their magic. Designers should be open to your ideas if you’ve been thorough and explicit about what you want. Remember that your interior designer can visualize the completed project for your condo’s interior and veering from their design plan might lead to an unsatisfactory outcome.
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This post is a contribution by a guest writer
Garage doors by Garaga
Posted on Fri, 24 Jun 2016 by KiM
I was approached recently by Garaga, a Canadian manufacturer of garage doors, who offered me a brand new garage door of my choice. I was elated, as garage doors have always been a bone of contention with me. Here in Ottawa builders always install cheap, run of the mill garage doors on houses and you are guaranteed to see this on every house in the suburbs in particular. Something that has rattled my cage for as long as I can remember is how much I hate that most homes have garages that are set forward from the rest of the house so it is ALL you see. Yet no one seems to put any thought into the design of their garage doors. My current home is located in an old neighbourhood (1940’s) and most garages are detached and located in the backyard at the end of a long driveway. Lucky for me because my garage is a bit of an eyesore. It really needs to be re-built one day as it is in rough shape and leaning to one side which is why I turned down the offer of a brand new garage door (soooo bummed). It would just look ridiculous. I will however absolutely take Garaga up on that offer when I have a new garage. 🙂
To show you why I am so bummed, here are samples of some of the fantastic garage doors they have designed, starting with some modern ones….
And some with a bit more of a traditional/country look
I wanted to also reference a couple of new designs Garaga recently launched:
This one is called the Prestige. An elegant and sophisticated option.
This is the Vog. Sleek and contemporary and a bit more minimal than most doors. Download this brochure for more info, and check out this link for their 4 new designs.
Their website is really great – it lets you select all of the different options to build your own door, has a large image gallery, offers a free quote and provides locations of all of the dealers in your area. Around these parts there is Ram Overhead Doors in Ottawa and Domac Garage Doors in Gatineau in case you want to go get yourself one! And on that note, if you do decide to get yourself a new garage door, send me before and after photos and I will share them on the blog!
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This post is in partnership with Garaga. All opinions are my own.
My top 5 online furniture stores
Posted on Sun, 19 Jun 2016 by KiM
I came up with a list of my top 5 favourite online furniture stores conveniently located in Ottawa and Toronto and wanted to share because you all need to know about these shops. Why? Because they are awesome and owned by awesome Canadians. And you can shop them online!
The first in the list of best online furniture stores is Furniture Maison. This is a new-to-me online store whose focus is on clean design with a simple aesthetic, including Scandinavian, mid-century modern and industrial influences. Furniture Maison develops direct partnerships with furniture designers that own their manufacturing facilities, eliminating the middleman and unnecessary mark-ups. Also, their online-only approach minimizes overhead which allows their relatively small operation to offer their products at affordable prices without compromising on quality. I know this for a fact because they sent me a sofa and it is FANTASTIC and incredibly well made. Here are some pieces they carry that I am a big fan of:
My sofa! Part of their collection of mid-century modern furniture. The Ruby reversible sectional sofa.
Not your granny’s rattan! The Aloha chair
The Louvre TV cabinet. For all your stylin’ media component needs.
I need a room to fit this in. Seriously in love with the simplicity of this loveseat. The Leo 2 seater sofa. A great course for Scandinavian furniture online – check out more of their Scandinavian furniture best sellers.
Another Scandinavian-vibing piece is the walnut media unit.
Next up is The Modern Shop, always a favourite for modern furniture online, and in-store! Located in downtown Ottawa and a quick 15 minute walk from my office, this has been a local favourite of mine since Michael Shaikin opened it in 2010. I have visited Michael’s shop on many occasions and I am pretty sure I have never once left empty-handed. If I’m not in there to pick up a to-die-for light fixture I have ordered (last one was the FLOS IC S1 pendant for my foyer – SO GOOD!) then I’m grabbing all sorts of little odds and ends like Hay Denmark plant pots, a brass Flax Wall air plant holder by Aliec Tacheny and Kin Tealight Holders by Claesson Koivisto Rune for Skultuna. The Modern Shop carries just about all of my favourite brands of furniture and lighting such as Ingo Maurer, Ferm Living, Gubi, Menu, Moooi, Normann Copenhagen and Tom Dixon. Here are some photo examples:
Greta Grossman Grasshopper floor lamp by Gubi. I bought the pendant version for my kitchen – it is so classy and timeless.
The Recycled Tube Light by Toronto-based Castor
Marcel Wanders for Moooi carpets. I ordered one of these the other day (still can’t believe it) and am impatiently awaiting its arrival. !!!!!!!!
Outdoor furniture designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for HAY
Brass Etch pendant by Tom Dixon
Another on my favourite online furniture store list is a newcomer to the land of online shops. Green Light District is owned by a really sweet couple, Deborah and David, and I got to know them when their shop started out here in Ottawa but they have since packed up the shop and opened it in the funky Toronto neighbourhood of Roncesvalles. Their shop is really special because all of their pieces are original designs, made to order for them by designer owned companies using natural materials only, with a significant hand-made component, craftsmanship and a commitment to eco and social consciousness. Deal breaker right there. It was only a few months ago that they decided to take their wares online so now you can shop virtually if you’re located in Canada or the United States. I have lots of incredible goodies from this store – including a ton of their Wonki Ware dishes from South Africa (my absolute favourite dishes of all time – I will never ever part with these), some vases, a wax lantern and of course, my Magnet lounge chair. So happy you can now buy furniture online from GLD!
A photo I took in my previous home of my Magnet lounge chair. I was able to chose the leather and cord colour so I went with all black. HOT! And as I always say, it’s like sitting on a could.
Saddle leather and solid iron chair
I really wanted this linen wall hanging but it ended up being too big (I was going to use it as a curtain in my bedroom). Wondering how I can make it work…
Next on the list is Alteriors, another shop here in Ottawa. Jacob and Monika own this gem filled with some of the top modern furniture brands out there. Every time I walk into their store I want to pass out or cry because I adore everything they have in their showroom and I wish I had an endless pocketbook. They carry Ligne Roset (oh YESSSS! and every time I go in I drool over the Togo sofa), Knoll (one day I must acquire a Bertoia chair), Bensen, Cattelan Italia, Herman Miller and more. Here are a few photos of some of my favourite items they stock that I would LURVE to own…
Ligne Roset Ploum Sofa by the incredibly talented Bouroullec brothers. This one is up there with the Togo.
Herman Miller Eames molded plywood lounge chair
Last but absolutely not least is Black Rooster Decor. I discovered this shop on Instagram and have been following them religiously ever since. Their shop is located in Toronto and I have not had the opportunity to visit it yet but instead I drool uncontrollably over their online shop all the time. They carry a wide range of styles, from mid-century modern to art deco to European antiques. And to note: they ship worldwide and have warehouses in the States to make it easy peasy to shop. WOOT! Everything they carry makes my heart skip a beat, from the furniture and lighting to the huge selection of accessories. It was hard to narrow down a few favourites but here goes…
The Gwyneth cabinet. AH MAH GAWD!
The super hot Laguna sofa
This is beyond cool – a polycarbonate Wingback chair
The Jonny chandelier. A drama queen for your staircase.
The Modela chair. This is what you buy for your husband when you already spent a fortune on other items and you need something to distract him with. Plus you will love it too and probably fight him for it.
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This post is in partnership with Furniture Maison. All opinions are my own.
