Design Lover - The Other Hans

Danish modern furniture designer, Hans Olsen, should be recognized for more than his compact teak dining set.

he also did this suede leather sling chair via Etsy

this refrigerated credenza - bar - buffet 
via Zimmerdahl
    and this sexy leather settee -  via 1st Dibs       and of course he shouldn't be confused with this Hans    

The last week of my class | Hello miscellania

This week is the last week of my first class for this year - well, the first teaching marketing that is. Remember, I had decided to get back into the classroom? I had a great bunch of students - 15 women and 3 men and damn were they creative - and engaging. The class had the, 'group of colleagues sharing ideas' vibe, I love it when that happens. Needless to say, I've decided to take on another class in May (that's already half full) - I'll keep you posted.

So, because I've been so busy finishing up the class I haven't had a chance to download the shots of the West Van mid-century home I had the honour of shoting two weeks ago. However, I did manage to put a couple up on the Bijou Living Facebook page.

For entertainment purposes here are a few random images with a few little stories.

My parents are coming down for an Easter weekend visit and they're bringing me this credenza I bought online in the Okanagan; along with the one I restored last summer - and a Westnofa ottoman to match my two yard sale Westnofa Siesta chairs. I'll most likely be selling both credenzas so if you're interested let me know.

This is where I grew up. My parents built this house in Langley (74B Ave) in the 70s. There was a cattle farm across the street, a horse (Fuzzball), some chickens and two brothers on one side of us and some more chickens and two sisters on the other side. When we lived here the house was a gold colour - probably Harvest Gold. This photo is from two weeks ago. 

I almost bought this oil painting at the SPCA Thrift Store in East Van. It just said Vancouver all over it to me. There was once a time when wherever you turned you'd see a house like this. The odd one still stands - mainly near the Renfrew area - the 'character homes' that are for sale start at 800K.

I bought this wicker peacock chair two weeks ago. Flo approved right away. Knowing me I'll probably be selling it soon as well!

Speaking of selling things. I found this cool little number online. I was thinking of selling our teak dining set and picking up this baby. What do you think? It will totally clash with the kilim we have in the dining room - which means I may need to find a new rug as well, which isn't such a bad thing.

Some Fine Feathered Friends

When the time comes to send me off to the crazy lady home I'll be fine in a chair in a field with lots of birdies around. By that time, I may have forgotten everything and everyone, but I know for sure that I'll never forget the sounds of the birds. Here are a few of my chums that pop by for drinks and canapes.

Humphrey

Buddy

Buddy's parents

Ferdinand

Ferdinand plays the railing

Steve Junko

Zevaco Residence and Studio Morocco

A single-storey residence conceived for the architect's own use for both living and working facilities. The plan develops in a circular pattern. Bedrooms and services are organized around a central living area capped by a movable glass roof converting it into an open patio. The continuity and definition of spaces is obtained by the diverse treatment of levels, landscaping, and water pools forming a link between exterior and interior areas. Reinforced concrete columns and load-bearing masonry walls make up the main structure.

Built: 1979
Location: Casablanca, Morocco
Architect: Jean Francois Zevaco
Images © the architect
Via: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Library

How to Choose Wine with Food

I know there's an app for how to choose wine but this one you can hang on your wall, or laminate for your wallet, or give as a gift as a gentle reminder. Click to enlarge.
  via Wine Folly

Tip of the Week - Longevity

To prevent tulips from drooping too quickly pierce them with a pin right under the flower.

Design Lover - Wrecking Ball Lamp

Andrew Mitchell Wrecking Ball Light

Made from reclaimed railway sleepers.

Quote of the Week - Franz Kafka

Youth is happy because it has the capacity to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.

Rustic Camper Van Conversions

The other day it dawned on me why I prefer vernacular homes with cedar siding - Little House on the Prairie. Right!

Could it be that Bill and Beck Goddard do as well? The Goddard's family-run business, Rustic Campers, is a bespoke camper van conversion company that sources local materials to convert your van, motor home, or even Mercedes cargo into your own Little House on the Road.

Living in that 'van down by the river' is becoming more appealing, is it not?

The Little House on the prairie, (actually located in Simi, California and unfortunately burnt down during the wildfires a few years back).
© Little House Insider

top images © Rustic Camper

1967 Long Island NY Vernacular Vacation Home

Builder's Guide S/S 1967

In the haze of last week

Last week's adventures began with a mild case of food poisoning, (obtained at a book club dinner with Fareed Zakaria), continued with a rash of meetings, (under food poisoning haze), which also included a Lululemon luncheon at the Board of Trade (yikes), and ended with me slumped over the computer Friday night browsing Etsy and Craigslist, (which also led to my email being hacked).
Here are some pieces from my search:

  
















from top:   Men's vintage Stacy Adams boots Church pews for $250 in Vancouver Vintage bikes in Abbotsford Men's gray vintage Stacy Adams boots Teak dresser for $60 in Armstrong Where was this when I was a kid? Stacy necklace Banker's desk for $25 in Chilliwack Block print fabric Vintage wooden boat for $1800 in the Fraser Valley
Follow my meanderings on Twitter or Foursquare.

The Business of Bourbon

My parents were Scotch drinkers. Which meant that if I ever wanted to have a few shots of liquid courage before going out I either had to grow a fondness for scotch or figure out some way to get into their unopened vodka bottle without being noticed. To make a long story short, my Dad approached me a few years ago expressing his embarrassment when he poured his friend a vodka soda only to have his friend politely comment on the lack of actual vodka in the soda. Now who in their right mind would've thought my Dad still would have had that same bottle of vodka that was watered down weekend after weekend in 1989? We both laughed about it. That's all we really could do.

Remember New Coke?  I always question brands and their ulterior motives - even if in reality they don't have one. Last week when I heard that Maker's Mark had 'underestimated' the demand for their bourbon five years ago, (barreling less of it for the five year aging process), and had in turn decided to water down future batches, (to ensure supply met demand), the first thing I smelled was foul play. To make matters worse, to state that no one would even know the alcohol content had been lowered from 90 to 84 proof, (an overall decline of 7% in alcohol), the company, that thought it was being transparent, actually made it sound as if Maker's Mark drinkers were without palette and therefore it was without consequence if they watered the booze down. In no way am I accusing Maker's Mark of anything dirty, (no publicity is bad publicity), however the Maker's Mark brand equity is at stake and I find it hard to believe a company could be so blatantly dumb unaware of the damage such a move could have on that equity.

Always the entrepreneur, I'd planned to head right to the liquor store to stock up on 90 proof Maker's Mark for resale at a later date. But wait, could this move on my part actually be the desired end result of a marketing tactic?

Mid-Century Danish Designer Sven Ellekaer

available at The Elemental Garden

via Lauritz

via Lauritz

available at eLaB Vintage

available at Morentz

via Lauritz