Trends - Graffiti in Interiors

Verona by Anna James

I was never allowed to take art classes in school - not to worry I make a living as a creative now -so when my parents gave "the kids" our own room in our unfinished basement it was as if I had my first orgasm -  I called it The Punk Room.  The Punk Room was a box of unfinished concrete, it had a black plastic tarp doorway, a black light and enough neon highlighters for every neighbourhood kid and their cousin.  I covered the walls in graffiti and had a forgotten about pastel Oriental rug on the floor. It was 1984 and I was inspired by everything "out of the ordinary" particularly goth hair and men wearing eyeliner in British bands...

Inspired by the graffiti in Verona, Italy, Anna James has transformed 20th Century furniture into contemporary works of art. 

I think her pieces in Verona and Romeo and Juliet are fabulous and I'd love to see them in a boutique hotel.

Inspirational seating - The bench at Viretta Park, aka Kurt's Park in Seattle (the park next to Kurt Cobain's home).

Romeo & Juliet by Anna James

The Torrid Latin Shoe Affair

The Spanish Lover

Balenciaga Facet Strap Sandal

I've fallen in love for the second time. The first time was 1986 and it surmounted in a rather torrid summer love triangle between my Mexican love, Huarache and my Spanish love, Espadrille.

Upon a recent blitz to Scottsdale, Arizona (stay at Mondrian) we were reunited.

Within no time, another torrid Latin affair. Huarache comforts me during the day while my new Spanish love, Balenciaga, whets my appetite at night.

Huarache prefers walks on the beach while Balenciaga prefers running amuck.

The Mexican Lover

Huarache Sandal

How to camp in style

DeLuxe 16 pc Plastic Cutlery Set

available at Moss

I prefer my campfire marshmallows à la crème brûlée, my picnic table draped in gingham and my cutlery brought from home -  every year we reuse the same plastic stuff picked up at some McDonald's along the way.  

If only Mickey D's could bring on Donata Paruccini and Fabio Bortolani to design their cutlery my camping decor would be a lot more chic - after all they're carrying iced coffee now aren't they...

On that note, do you think I should commission Philippe Starck to design a wiener/veggie dog roaster or should I keep relying on my Dad's design staple; Sonny's Unpainted Wire Hanger Wiener Roaster 1975?

West Coast Modernism going going gone

McNab Residence

photo West Vancouver Museum

Vancouver is full of Modernist architectural gems - many of which are being demolished and replaced with pink marble and glass and constitute a whole other post.

The work of Duncan McNab, one of BC's 'lesser known modernists', may fall victim to the wrecking ball simply because of his lack of flamboyancy. Sometimes lost among the West Coast Modernist name droppings of Arthur Erickson and Ron Thom, McNab stands out with his clear, simple European and some may argue Japanese influences.

McNab photo West Vancouver Museum

Goldilocks' Search Continues

You may remember that I sold my vintage couch and seating on Craigslist awhile back - in a miraculous two hours at that - and that I've been searching for the perfect, or at least a reasonable facsimile of perfect, replacement.

Well, the search continues and I have another contender - "La michetta" by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia.  "La michetta" is a system of modular components that remain unique due to the different arrangements you place them in.  The system is composed of a wooden structure with polyurethane and "fiberfill" padding upholstered in 100% cotton velvet.

The Pseudo Cocktail

Baccarat Mosaique Tumbler

photo RoyalArtGlass

My husband and I are the 'regulars', the 'locals', the ones with our own seats at the bar and table in the corner. Everyone knows our drinks and we know everyone's name. 

On that note, you may have noticed I haven't been posting too many cocktail recipes as of late.

It seems that my 'Irritably Bored Syndrome' has decided it was time to try something new.

On the advice of Cheryl at the Comox I've been drinking Soda and Bitters instead of Vodka and Soda.  It's actually quite good!

Ingredients:

Club Soda

Angostura Aromatic Bitters

ice

Add ice to a rock glass, fill with Club Soda, add about 6-10 drops of bitters and stir.  

Enjoy - your stomach will thank you for it!

Design Lover - Maria Jauhiainen

Ginkgo necklace photo unicahome

Inspired by the skeletons of leaves she saw while taking out the rubbish, Finnish designer Maria Jauhiainen has created "Lehti" out of silver or brass. Jauhiainen's work has received widespread attention since her first major showing in December 2005 at Design Forum Finland. Now on permanent collection at MOMA and the V&A, Jauhiainen has a long career ahead of her.

Her beautiful pieces are worthy of layering - a look I love for the summer!

A Necessary Luxury?

This is so unreal I don't think it's real:  18 karat gold Hello Kitty cell phone strap ($500), coupled with calf skin Dior ($450) iPhone case. 

Inspired Candlelight

Magnolia Lumen by Adam Frank

We all look better by candlelight so why not find your next dinner party cast beneath the shadows of pine, cedar and magnolia trees.  Adam Frank has designed Lumen a series of acid etched oil lamp shadow projectors.

If you'd rather see things go off with a bang Piet Houtenbos has given us Grenade Oil Lamps. Made from actual US army surplus grenades and gilded in silver or gold.

Mixed Tapes vs Diamonds

My parents liked to throw parties.  In order to throw a good party you need a good sound system and with every good sound system comes good headphones.  

I was lucky enough to grow up listening to tunes on my Dad's vintage headphones - you know, the big, over the ear, amazing sounding, padded type. Needless to say, I could never get into the feeling of 'ear buds' or their sound quality.  

I've recently come into the possession of a pair of Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones . These are some very amazing headphones.  So amazing, in fact, that when you take them off it takes a moment to reground yourself!

If you love music as much as I do I highly suggest investing in a pair of these - they're great for the plane, the iPod, the computer and the peace and quiet!

While your reminiscing about the good old days take a look at the Mix Tape USB stick.  It holds up to one hour of music - the same as an old 60 cassette tape. 

Nothing shows the gift of love more than a good mixed tape!

Mix Tape USB Stick

Gothic Revival does Space Odyssey

Jasper Van Gootel available at POAA

Having an eclectic design sense is a nice way of saying you're eccentric.  

Being a lover of all things dark - the Haunted Mansion was always my favourite ride at Disneyland - I'm excited to see the revival of Gothic design with 21st Century flare. Inspiration - Edgar Allan Poe lands a job as interiors decorator to the Space Odyssey portfolio. 

Japser Van Grootel, like Maarten Baas, has revived Grandma's antiques with a dose of chic. Van Grootel's collection, for Studio JSPR, has ornate indoor outdoor furniture treated with a special rubber layer that's been designed to resist all weather conditions.  I'll take these over the white plastic garden chair any day!

Another design I'm thrilled about is Franje by Marcel Reulen for Dark- you have to check out their website!  Reulen has taken Grandma's fringed lamp one step further to sexy land...

I Heart NY

Doors of Lower Manhattan Challenge

One of the reasons I love NY is the spirit of community that is prevalent in the city. If you've never been to NYC put it on the list of things to do before you die.

The Alliance for Downtown New York has been working to enhance the quality of life in Lower Manhattan since 1995. They have an exceptional website put together by people who are genuinely passionate about their community and NYC.

One of my favourite projects they're working on is "The Doors of Lower Manhattan Challenge". Identify the doors of Lower Manhattan correctly and win!

Next time I go to New York I'm renting a bike for free!

Bike Around Downtown

Hermès Birkin - the making of a bag

Time is money and the difference between style and fashion is quality.

Remember that as you watch this.

Gold Kate Moss & White Ravens

Myth (Sphinx) on exhibit at Chatsworth in Derbyshire 2007

photo Getty

Marc Quinn has completed a solid gold statue of Kate Moss. The statue, Siren, is based on Sphinx, a piece within a series of sculptures entitled Myth he did of Moss in 2006. The statue will debut as the centerpiece of a contemporary sculpture exhibit, still in its planning stages, at the British Museum.

There are two shocking things in this story:

1. The statue cost $2.9 million to make.
2. The British Museum hasn't had a contemporary art exhibit in more than a decade.
   

On the other side of the world, the Raven family has released Corvus corax. Two alabaster colored pieces based on a design from nature.

The pieces are as priceless as they are rare.

One of the two white ravens of Qualicum Beach, BC

photo Mike Yip

Cocktails & Van Gogh

Baccarat Talleyrand Tumbler  no.7

photo Royal Art Glass

A friend of mine infuses her own vodka.  Her specialty is basil vodka - she's a chef.  I'd like to see home infused vodka take the place of home made wine - please.

Last week I had the pleasure of my name sake - Stacey (with an e) - fix me up a few of his specialties at the Wedgewood's Bacchus Lounge.

  

Stacey's Van Gogh 

2 oz Van Gogh Espresso Vodka

2 drops Crème de Cacao

Add a bit of ice to a rock glass.  Drizzle in a few drops of Crème de Cacao.  Top with Van Gogh Espresso Vodka and enjoy!