escapade

A natural instinct

2012-02-23T15:50:00.001-05:00

What Scandinavians always seem to achieve so effortlessly is a inherent sense of balance and calm. I think this is largely due to their focus on soothing natural palettes and materials. Several times I've laughed when discussing colour palettes with clients who have said their like 'natural palettes' but are shocked and confused if I suggest all white, I always reply, 'We live in Canada, of course all white is a 'natural palette'. All white with accents in black conjures up images of a snow covered landscape with bare trees that appear black against the crisp white. Clearly the Scandinavians have taken their natural surroundings to heart and feel quite at ease with all white. This provides a quiet background for another Scandinavian obsession - natural wood. This adds the much needed warmth for the cool all white environment.

The home of Danish designer Hanne Berzant whose nature inspired line By Nord, embodies these Scandinavian sensibilities beautifully. Images of Scandinavian wildlife adorn the pieces from her collection throughout the home and bring a little bit of the outdoors into this natural environment.

* Love this easy idea- paint simple black polka dots on a white paper lantern, for a little hit of pattern.

{Photos: Heidi Lerkenfeldt, Styling Pernille Vest and Bolette Kiaer/ Linnea Press for Living Etc February 2012}

{Family Day} Angelina + Maddox

2012-02-21T09:17:00.000-05:00

In celebration of all the weird and wonderful things that make a family...

"I know why families were created with all their imperfections. They humanize you. They are made to make you forget yourself occasionally, so that the beautiful balance of life is not destroyed."

Anais Nin

{Photos: Angelina Jolie and her son Maddox, photographed by Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair, May 2004}

Nestled in the French Alps: Chalet Béranger

2012-02-17T14:05:00.001-05:00

Nestled in the French Alps, waits a traditional wooden chalet with an unexpected modern twist. Chalet Béranger by French designer and interior architect Noé Duchaufour Lawrance keeps the classic rustic atmosphere of the ski chalet with wood clad interiors throughout, but instead of the traditional warm wood tones, he has opted for a soothing soft grey wood, its silvery tone matches the outside environment. The space itself has an internal contrast - while Noé has stayed true to the traditional geometrical design of an Alpen chalet, inside many of the walls are undulating with soft curves and very few hard lines. There's a distinctly quiet atmosphere throughout the space, to allow you to relax and fully take in the spectacular view that surrounds it.

{Photos: Vincent Le Roux for Noé Duchaufour Lawrance}

A fine balance

2012-02-15T09:57:00.001-05:00

Always love art that's a little unexpected - this quirky vintage photo on a plate fits that bill. Created by Jeff Koons for Sotheby's Art Production Fund's Works on Whatever limited edition series. Far too pretty to eat on in my opinion, I'd love to see it hanging as an interesting addition to a gallery wall of framed art or even just in a little corner all on its own.

{Photo: James Ewing, Courtesy of the Art Production Fund, via Vogue}

Kelly Behun: Soho Penthouse

2012-02-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

Call me a bit of a Scrooge, but I've never really been much of one for Valentine's Day. While I love the idea of a day intended to reflect on and celebrate the ones we love, the mass commercialization of the holiday has put me off a bit. That being said, I'm definitely a romantic at heart, and while I don't really like the notion of forced romance, we all could definitely use a little more in our daily lives and this day is perhaps a good reminder of this. So today, rather than force the issue, I thought I'd share an interior for those looking for more of a 'Valentines-Lite' approach.

The notion of 'romantic interiors' always conjures up images of a warm, luxurious atmosphere. While I may not be one to go all out, little hints of romance really brighten the everyday, show consideration and of course, often include flowers. I think this Soho Penthouse designed by Kelly Behun and Natasha Ziff has the perfect understated modern romantic feel. Cool, clean and contemporary with just a few little hints of luxurious textures (plush throws and velvet upholstery), pretty floral arrangements (always love the elegance and purity of white roses) and of course, an obligatory dash of red. Throw in a box of chocolates and that would be all I need for the perfect romantic atmosphere.

P.S. As you can probably tell, I'm a little besotted with designer Kelly Behun's beautiful work at the moment, so couldn't resist sharing another one of her stunning spaces.

See more of her work here, and at her website.

{Photos: Kelly Behun}

Inspiration for the new week {on love}

2012-02-13T09:19:00.000-05:00

Love is always bestowed as a gift — freely, willingly, and without expectation …

We don’t love to be loved; we love to love.

- Leo Buscaglia

{Photos: 1- J Crew catalog; 2- Mario Testino for Vogue}

Brightly coloured clutches

2012-02-10T09:33:00.000-05:00

Remember these chic little clutches from Ela? Well I haven't stopped lusting away after them but now, it seems my decision has only become more difficult as they've added a rainbow of new candy coloured hues to their M.I.L.C.K. clutch collection to choose from. The perfect pop of colour to pair with my mostly neutral wardrobe.

Decisions, decisions...

{Photos: ela}

Kelly Behun: Greenwich Village Townhouse

2012-02-09T09:44:00.001-05:00

Kelly Behun is undoubtedly my favourite designer discovery so far this year. Her work is crisp, contemporary, sophisticated and never boring, and of course her devotion to all-white made me an instant fan. I almost wasn't sure where to start in sharing her work, but I selected this space for its beautiful play between the crisp white and warm wood that felt just perfect for mid-winter. The space is dynamic, with lots of play between the different pieces, each a work of art in their own right. Yet despite this curated quality, it still feels comfortable and approachable - a great example of living with and enjoying beautiful objects.

{Photos: Kelly Behun}

Astrological vignettes

2012-02-08T09:03:00.001-05:00

I've never been one to dwell much on astrology and rarely remember to check my horoscope (although admittedly I have been quite fascinated by some rather interesting coincidences... not in daily forecasts but rather the general traits attributed to each sign), however, I really enjoyed the styling of these little astrological vignettes by Russh magazine to accompany Susan Miller's horoscopes. See if you can guess which sign each is attributed to, and while you're at it, you may want to check out what the year ahead holds in store for you, I have to say I was quite please with mine :).

{Photos: Russh magazine via SH}

Work space inspiration: Who What Wear offices

2012-02-07T11:28:00.001-05:00

Working at home today, and now itching to make a few changes in my home office space. My dream working space is one which is calm and organized but still has lots of little personal touches and the comforts of home. I love the offices of Hillary Kerr and Katherine Powers of Who What Wear featured at The Coveteur. An all white backdrop provides the perfect for lovely little vignettes and pops of bright colour that create the perfect blend between fashion and function for a creative working space.

Other covetable office spaces - The Lonny office
Sonia Kashuk's New York office

{Photos: Jake Rosenberg for The Coveteur}

Wanderlust: The Cliff House in Kerala, India

2012-02-03T08:16:00.000-05:00

From Toronto, to New York and now to Kerala, India to an architectural gem that I've been unable to shake from my mind. Ultra modern architecture can sometimes be a little stiff and unfeeling - but this one makes my imagination soar! Designed by Khosla Associates in Bangalore, its dramatic, sculptural form really compliments its location at the edge of a cliff along the Arabian Sea coast. I very much appreciate when architecture can enhance rather than distract from its natural settings. Seamlessly merging indoors and out, the design of this home really allows you to wholly appreciate the stunningly beautiful environment that surrounds it.

{Photos: Khosla Associates via The Contemporist}

New York from above

2012-02-02T22:41:00.004-05:00

An all-time favourite city, rediscovered from a whole new angle
and now re-enamoured all over again.

I ❤ NY !

{Photos: Navid Baraty Photography, via Honestly WTF}

IDS12 Highlight: The Piero Lissoni Lounge

2012-01-31T10:19:00.000-05:00

This year, Toronto's Interior Design Show was a veritable fanfare of bright colour (lots of Tangerine Tango!), overscaled, eye-catching displays and lots of heavy wood and industrial pieces each clambering for your attention - in contrast, the space that stood out most to me was an oasis of calm in this sea of colour. Italian designer and architect Piero Lissoni was the show's inaugural International Guest of Honour and his creation was a soothing neutral lounge bathed in light both from the skylights above and from within with it's crisp white walls and pale oak floors. All white spaces can sometimes feel a little austere or clinical, but this one had an inviting laid back feeling with it's plump low slung sofas and even lower marble slab coffee tables.

The entire space was encompassed by built in bookshelves filled to the brim with books all of which had their spines facing inward or covers removed. I loved the warm, wood-like texture this brought to the space (although I have to say, this may not be the most practical library ideas- locating your favourite books in a hurry would be an absolute nightmare!) Of course, one of my favourite elements of the space was the incorporation of several African pieces from Snob which added a layer of interest to the space and stopped it from looking too dull or sterile.

There's a great sense of balance between the busy texture of the bookshelves and the clean lines of the furniture. Nothing overpowers the other. The unexpected addition of rich plum in the corner throws the space a little off adds just the right element of surprise to the space to give it a bit of that Italian edge. This space proves that neutral does not have to be boring, and sometimes the quieter statements can be the strongest ones.

"The scope of work for our studio is to be children for our whole lives - it's a playground."

Piero Lissoni

{All photos taken by Jennifer Flores of Rambling Renovators - see the rest of her IDS coverage here}

Intoxicating, ethereal: Lysanne Pepin

2012-01-27T11:42:00.002-05:00

Every now and then you have one of those delicious moments when a piece of art stops you in your tracks and draws you in. That's exactly how I felt when I recently discovered Lysanne Pepin's beautiful work through an especially design savvy colleague with an incredible eye. Haunting, ethereal, intoxicating - there's a wonderfully dreamy quality about the pieces that I find completely captivating. Based on video images and photography of an underwater ballet, Montreal based artist Lysanne uses several mediums to create each piece, which are painted onto wood boards. I love how she has allowed the wood grain to show through giving a natural, watery effect. The sensual quality of the images would make them perfect for a bedroom, or any space that would allow you to drift off staring at them on end.

{Photos: Lysanne Pepin}

Cool contrast

2012-01-26T08:26:00.000-05:00

It's amazing how just a pop of deep red can add a bit of fire to a space, even amongst a dozen shades of grey. The striking contrast between the cool concrete and glossy vibrant red adds a bit of edge, and I think Kate would add major style points to any space.

Today marks the start of Toronto's Interior Design Show 2012 , looking forward to seeing some fresh new approaches, innovative ideas and a few cool contrasts within the mix. Follow me on Twitter for a few sneak peaks of the show.

{Photo: Thomas Loof for Australian Vogue Living}

A tranquil haven

2012-01-24T09:05:00.000-05:00

A soft, neutral palette seems like a perfect pick on an overcast day like today - definitely a more comfortable version of bringing the outdoors in, but still appealing to that subdued mood that darker days bring. The creamy white walls blend into the pickled white floors seamlessly, making the whole space feel lighter and giving each piece of furniture and art the feeling of being showcased.

The rough red brick and reclaimed wood give the kitchen a feeling of warmth and comfort, in this space that otherwise reads quite cool.

The soft colour of the wide planked floors by Danish wood flooring company, Dinesen really create an atmosphere of calm and tranquility.

{Photos: Dinesen via Style Files}

Working inspiration 23.1.12

2012-01-23T09:25:00.003-05:00

You can't use up creativity. The more you use

the more you have.

Maya Angelou

{Photo: Linus Helesinius for Swedish Elle}

Just add colour {above and below}

2012-01-20T08:24:00.000-05:00

Sometimes it can be tricky trying to figure out exactly where to start when adding a pop of colour in an all white space. While part of the 'pop' comes from the fact that the burst of colour is a little unexpected, you also want to avoid it seeming too random or disconnected from the rest of the space. I love this clever trick used by designer Kelly Behun (watch this space for more on her work later), by painting the ceiling in this sunny shade that complements the yellow accent cushions below, it creates a tight cohesive look - and a bit of an unexpected surprise when you look up.

{Photos: Kelly Behun, discovered via Desire to Inspire}

Iconic style: The Bouvier Sisters

2012-01-19T11:58:00.003-05:00

Long before the Middletons, there were two sisters who captivated the world with their glamorous lives and elegant style. The Bouvier sisters, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Lee Radziwill were famous for their trademark brunette locks, slim figures and classic, tailored style. Their style epitomized the East Coast's upper class, with their town and country sensibility - equally comfortable in glamorous ballgowns and riding boots with jodhpurs. Their glamorous social calendars and frequent jet-setting drew international attention and many admiring fans of their fashion sense which was copied by women worldwide and influenced mass manufacturers and the fashion scene of the era. It's quite remarkable how much this influence continues today and easily some of these looks would fit in even fifty years later. A excellent example of enduring, classic style.

Neutral territory iii

2012-01-17T06:59:00.000-05:00

Call me boring, but while I often 'vacation' in bright colour, I always love coming home to basic neutrals. While black and white will always be my go to staple, softening it up with earthy neutrals- taupe, grey and beige - give the space a calming tone - the perfect retreat from the chaos of colour, noise and pattern of life in the the busy city.

I love how the gold interior of the pendant lamps compliments the warm wood panels. Despite the very slick design, the space still has an inviting warmth which makes an interesting contrast with the crisp white and glass panelled cupboard doors.

{Photos: YLAB Architects via The Contemporist}

Working inspiration 19.1.12

2012-01-16T09:28:00.000-05:00

{Photo: Adrian Ray for Oneighty Creative via Plenty of Colour}

Our Paper Shop

2012-01-11T12:49:00.001-05:00

Beautiful paper and stationery has always been one of my favourite little luxuries in life. This simple art form carries so much meaning and is a wonderful way to elevate the most simple of everyday objects. My newest paper love is the brand new product line by Our Paper Shop by Bre Radermacher and Emma Robertson. Their crisp design, bold fonts and charming graphics made me an instant fan and have me thinking that this just might be my new paper shop too.

{Photos: Our Paper Shop discovered at Miss Moss}

Life in colour: Burnham Design

2012-01-10T08:09:00.000-05:00

Perhaps it's the drab exterior of winter, but I think I've been craving a burst of colour. As soon as I saw this Bronson Canyon home designed by Betsy Burnham of Burnham Design, it felt like a little boost of California sunshine. The feeling is fresh and fun, with lots of personality and little interesting details throughout. There's a daring juxtaposition of colours, patterns and styles that creates a certain playfulness and makes the space feel casual and approachable. The unstuffy style is just perfect for entertaining, relaxing and all the life that happens in between.

{Photos: Burnham Design}

Beautiful botanicals

2012-01-06T14:41:00.000-05:00

A breath of summer in the middle of winter - yes, admittedly I'm in a little winter denial - these fun and fresh scatter cushions by Clinton Friedman featuring native South African botanicals felt like a refreshing boost on a rather grey day. I love how natural details pop against the crisp white background.

{Photos: Clinton Friedman}

Breathing space

2012-01-04T10:42:00.002-05:00

The New Year is always the perfect time for a fresh new start, a clean slate and a new perspective. With this in mind, I find myself drawn more and more to simple, pared down spaces with a more minimal aesthetic and an organic, natural feeling. Juliette Hohnen's home featured in Domino fits that tone beautifully with a breezy laid back feeling. I imagine a gentle ocean breeze flowing in through those open doors (and with temperatures here in Toronto falling close to -20 C, this seems oh, so appealing!)

{Photos: Mikkel Vang, Styling by Tom Delavan and Lili Diallo for Domino magazine, via Brides.com}