The Bouquet is the first product in Le Klint's 68 year history to use LED. I wonder if this means it will also be the first product in the Royal Danish Court to use the technology?
Apr 13, 2011
Design Lover - Le Klint 130 Pendant Lamp
The Bouquet is the first product in Le Klint's 68 year history to use LED. I wonder if this means it will also be the first product in the Royal Danish Court to use the technology?
Apr 12, 2011
Apr 6, 2011
Apr 5, 2011
From the Archives - The Decline of West Coast Modern Architecture
Originally published June 3, 2009
Since I initially wrote this post I've moved to West Vancouver and have been watching more and more homes continue to tumble.
West Vancouver has been stereotyped as predominantly white, affluent and over the age of 65. I'd argue this stems from the 80s with the Eat the Rich manifestos and the pretentious Pretty in Pink preppies rolling down from the 'Properties' at about the same time. Well, I'm white -that's about it.
I moved here because of:
1. the location
2. the architecture, art, culture
3. the community
Last weekend was the highly anticipated West Van Seniors' Flea Market - it was nice running into some of you there! One of the volunteers at the Flea Market, a beautiful artsy woman in her 80s, and I got to talking. We spoke about the rampant demolition of residential homes in West Van - most of which are mid century 1950s-1970s. Most of these homes are being bought up by off shore developers and left vacant to rot until they can be replaced with McMansions or resold. Where else can you hide your money, besides a Swiss bank account, where you can get a 20% return on investment?
West Van Seniors are riled up, passionate and vocal about their community. At a recent town hall meeting I attended, held at the Seniors' Centre, to discuss the redevelopment of a Safeway site, the crowd filled out of the auditorium into the hallways. The proposed plans were called down - meaning back to the drawing board for the developer. Unfortunately, I think I was the youngest one there. This is not because there aren't any mid 20s-mid 40s living here - come on folks get on the band wagon.
As I promised the beautiful woman at the flea market I'm planning on living here another 40 years and I'll do my darndest to get my crowd educated on the senseless destruction of an important part of BC culture.
more here: West Coast Modern Demolition
-------------
Many significant modernist homes are at risk due to rapidly increasing land values, lack of recognition, lack of maintenance and inappropriate alterations. Below are five before and after examples from West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The last selections show the deterioration of a significant modernist home due to lack of maintenance.
Since I initially wrote this post I've moved to West Vancouver and have been watching more and more homes continue to tumble.
West Vancouver has been stereotyped as predominantly white, affluent and over the age of 65. I'd argue this stems from the 80s with the Eat the Rich manifestos and the pretentious Pretty in Pink preppies rolling down from the 'Properties' at about the same time. Well, I'm white -that's about it.
I moved here because of:
1. the location
2. the architecture, art, culture
3. the community
Last weekend was the highly anticipated West Van Seniors' Flea Market - it was nice running into some of you there! One of the volunteers at the Flea Market, a beautiful artsy woman in her 80s, and I got to talking. We spoke about the rampant demolition of residential homes in West Van - most of which are mid century 1950s-1970s. Most of these homes are being bought up by off shore developers and left vacant to rot until they can be replaced with McMansions or resold. Where else can you hide your money, besides a Swiss bank account, where you can get a 20% return on investment?
West Van Seniors are riled up, passionate and vocal about their community. At a recent town hall meeting I attended, held at the Seniors' Centre, to discuss the redevelopment of a Safeway site, the crowd filled out of the auditorium into the hallways. The proposed plans were called down - meaning back to the drawing board for the developer. Unfortunately, I think I was the youngest one there. This is not because there aren't any mid 20s-mid 40s living here - come on folks get on the band wagon.
As I promised the beautiful woman at the flea market I'm planning on living here another 40 years and I'll do my darndest to get my crowd educated on the senseless destruction of an important part of BC culture.
more here: West Coast Modern Demolition
-------------
Many significant modernist homes are at risk due to rapidly increasing land values, lack of recognition, lack of maintenance and inappropriate alterations. Below are five before and after examples from West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The last selections show the deterioration of a significant modernist home due to lack of maintenance.
1. before
W.G. Marr, Designer, 1950
Horizontality is the dominant design element in this single family home. A flat roof with exposed twinned roof beams adds a decorative feature to an otherwise modest facade. A small deck is cantilevered off the second floor living room. Horizontal board siding is used as the primary cladding material, broken into modular sections marked by vertical beams.
(1994 West Vancouver Survey of Significant Architecture 1945 - 1975)
W.G. Marr, Designer, 1950
Horizontality is the dominant design element in this single family home. A flat roof with exposed twinned roof beams adds a decorative feature to an otherwise modest facade. A small deck is cantilevered off the second floor living room. Horizontal board siding is used as the primary cladding material, broken into modular sections marked by vertical beams.
(1994 West Vancouver Survey of Significant Architecture 1945 - 1975)
1. after
2. before
Duncan McNab and Associates, Architects, 1961
Two storey house incorporates vertical board cladding and a low pitch side gable roof. Ribbon windows are used on the first and second floors. A distinctive breezeway and entry court is created by extending the roof beams over the carport. The site is enhanced by a rock retaining wall, and mature cedars and rhododendrons.
(1994 West Vancouver Survey of Significant Architecture 1945 - 1975)
Duncan McNab and Associates, Architects, 1961
Two storey house incorporates vertical board cladding and a low pitch side gable roof. Ribbon windows are used on the first and second floors. A distinctive breezeway and entry court is created by extending the roof beams over the carport. The site is enhanced by a rock retaining wall, and mature cedars and rhododendrons.
(1994 West Vancouver Survey of Significant Architecture 1945 - 1975)
2. after
3. beforeF.M. Polson, Architect, 1950
Two storey horizontal board clad structure capped with a dramatic monocline roof, and fronted by a two storey cantilevered deck. The residence is situated at the base of a hill, and retains its original landscaping, including shrubs and bushes which has now matured to provide lush surroundings. This house was published in the RAIC (Royal Architectural Institute of Canada) Journal 1951. (1994 West Vancouver Survey of Significant Architecture 1945 - 1975)
3. after
4. before Arnulf H. Petzold, Architect, 1955
One storey vertical board clad structure, with a low pitch front gable roof, features a rectangular form with a central chimney, clerestory windows and an angled entry. The site is landscaped with a rockery feature at the entry, decorative fruit tree, spruce vine maple and many pines. (1994 West Vancouver Survey of Significant Architecture 1945 -1975)
4. after
5. before
Lewis Construction Company, Designer, 1955
Two storey vertical board clad structure displays a rectangular form, exposed roof beams, a projecting second storey deck and ribbon windows. The site is extensively landscaped with a rock retaining wall, rockery garden with sculpted shrubs, river rock staircase, two mature cedar trees and decorative fruit trees.
(1994 West Vancouver Survey of Significant Architecture 1945 -1975)
5. afterFurniture can be reproduced and so can photographs, but architecture is unique and once it is lost it is gone for good.
Giovanni Brino
(click to enlarge)Arthur Erickson & Geoffery Massey, Architects, 1966
(click to enlarge)
(click to enlarge)(1994 West Vancouver Survey of Significant Architecture 1945 -1975)
(click image to enlarge)Every work of art reveals its creator, an exact image and likeness of the person who made it. Carlo Mollino
Apr 3, 2011
Design Lover - Variable Position Double Globe Lamp
Less than $100 at a hardware store
Hennessey, James & Victor J. Papanek, Nomadic Furniture 2. 1st ed. New York: Pantheon Books, 1974.
Slow Glow, aka Fat Lamp, by NEXT
'The light source is immersed in fat. As the heat from the lighting element slowly melts the fat, an intriguing process gradually unfolds. The light glows brighter and brighter, and the lamp becomes warmer and warmer in a comforting way. This process takes about 2 hours. After turning it off the fat returns to its original solid state.'
$810 at Droog
'The light source is immersed in fat. As the heat from the lighting element slowly melts the fat, an intriguing process gradually unfolds. The light glows brighter and brighter, and the lamp becomes warmer and warmer in a comforting way. This process takes about 2 hours. After turning it off the fat returns to its original solid state.'
Apr 1, 2011
Mar 31, 2011
Quote of the Week - Benjamin Franklin
He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.
Mar 29, 2011
Mar 24, 2011
Inspiration - Robert Silverberg Cover Art
Robert Silverberg 1st Edition Covers
Contrast the 70s Space Age to the 50s Space Age. What a difference 20 years and LSD make.
Read about Cary Grant's 72nd acid trip here - and you thought he was just about cocktails.
Read about Cary Grant's 72nd acid trip here - and you thought he was just about cocktails.
Mar 23, 2011
Quote of the Week - Warren Buffet
No matter how serene today may be, tomorrow is always uncertain. Don't let that reality spook you.
Mar 22, 2011
From the Archives - 10 Unique Bedroom Ideas
Originally published in BL August 20, 2009
We spend the most time in our bedroom. Let's make it good.
We spend the most time in our bedroom. Let's make it good.
Style. Get that television out of your bedroom now and put in a dimmer switch. Good lighting, texture and personal style can turn that rental white box you call a bedroom into whatever your fantasies desire. After all, it is the bedroom.
Ambiance. Reel to reel, projector, candles, mini bar and I'm sure there's a smoke machine somewhere in there.
Consistency. Let's say you love brown but have reservations about painting the entire small room brown. Why not take shades of brown and extend them throughout the space by using texture, accessories and furniture. Striped wall paper hung horizontally stretches a small room even further by the use of a mirror. In this room the lamps, clock, wardrobe fixtures, sable crushed velvet bedspread and mirrored vase play off the reflections of the mirrors and the silver stripes in the wall paper.
You. Remember how you decorated your bedroom as a kid. Collages of rock posters, fashion spreads, baby animals, cars, supermodels, or whatever, it set you apart from your parents. I remember the feeling of pride I had in my bedroom when friends would come over to listen to records, gossip or put together outfits. When I moved out at 19 a box of incense and a bag of candles were the first things I bought.
Mar 21, 2011
Design Lover - WWF Rattan Chair
t-shirt.Thanks so much to @Rachel_H for forwarding me this coolness via designboom. What do you say we bring rattan back?
ps - We picked up a rattan couch for free at a yard sale last summer here it is on its way home.
ps - We picked up a rattan couch for free at a yard sale last summer here it is on its way home.
Tip of the Week - Choosing a Quality Dress Shirt
Please look for:
- 14 stitches per inch on the shirt placket indicates a quality garment. Fewer than 11 per inch signals less quality.
- buttons will be attached with firm cross stitches and no loose threads.
- tapering the sleeve into a cuff is a tailoring short cut. A better made shirt retains the blousiness of the sleeve by joining it to the cuff with careful pleats and gathers.
- collars should fit snuggly and accommodate neck ware.
- collars should be evenly stitched around the edges. A well made collar will have a line of stitching around the edge, as well as interfacing to give it shape.
- check for single needle stitching - it's a more costly and time consuming method of machine sewing. There is less likelihood that puckering will occur.
- a vertical seam down the yoke of the back of the shirt is a sure sign of quality.
Mar 18, 2011
How to Dress for a Job Interview
I spoke with the same number of men and women. When the competition is this tough use your outfit to make an impression.
Here are the stats on what the candidates I spoke to wore:
Women
blazers 100%
collared shirt 20%
dark trousers 80%
skirts/dresses 20%
long hair 60%
hair tied back 0
3" heels 100%
necklace or scarf 100%
earrings - didn't notice any
perfume 0
glasses 0
over coat 100%
over coat off before coming in 100%
took notes 20%
hardcover notebook 100%
Tip: Skirts and dresses can set us apart from the men.
Please don't cut your hair short to try and look professional, keep it tame and your color fresh.
Men
suit 80%
pin stripe suit 50%
light grey suit 50%
blue shirt 60%
light colored tie 100%
cheap ill fitting suit 0
facial hair 80%
short hair 100%
cologne 20%
glasses 0
over coat 50%
over coat off before coming in 80%
watch 100%
took notes 50%
leather covered notebook 100%
Tip: Your tie knot shouldn't be bigger than your chin.
As far as I'm concerned a bow tie - not a clip on - is perfectly suitable for a job interview. It shows you're confident, unique and creative.
blazers 100%
collared shirt 20%
dark trousers 80%
skirts/dresses 20%
long hair 60%
hair tied back 0
3" heels 100%
necklace or scarf 100%
earrings - didn't notice any
perfume 0
glasses 0
over coat 100%
over coat off before coming in 100%
took notes 20%
hardcover notebook 100%
Tip: Skirts and dresses can set us apart from the men.
Please don't cut your hair short to try and look professional, keep it tame and your color fresh.
Men
suit 80%
pin stripe suit 50%
light grey suit 50%
blue shirt 60%
light colored tie 100%
cheap ill fitting suit 0
facial hair 80%
short hair 100%
cologne 20%
glasses 0
over coat 50%
over coat off before coming in 80%
watch 100%
took notes 50%
leather covered notebook 100%
Tip: Your tie knot shouldn't be bigger than your chin.
As far as I'm concerned a bow tie - not a clip on - is perfectly suitable for a job interview. It shows you're confident, unique and creative.
Mar 17, 2011
Design Lover - Piet Hein Eek Burnt Wood Wallpaper
Now, how excited do you think I was when I opened my ELLE Decor South Africa feed this morning to find - wait for it - - - wood panel wallpaper! Remember, I actually love wood panelling. Not only is this stuff wood panelling, but it's scrap wood panelling. I can achieve squatter chic no matter what postal code I have!
Read my posts on how to wallpaper and recover with a newspaper here and here.
Read my posts on how to wallpaper and recover with a newspaper here and here.
Mar 16, 2011
Quote of the Week - Byron
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
from Byron's "She Walks in Beauty"
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
from Byron's "She Walks in Beauty"
Mar 14, 2011
Mar 11, 2011
Mar 10, 2011
Mar 9, 2011
That is so...
Robert Geller?
DSquared?
Etro?
Johnathan Adler?
Damien Hirst?
One of my favourite past times is finding designer inspiration in thrift stores.
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