Bijoux of a different sort at Birks

 
 It doesn’t take much to tempt me to go to Montreal, which may be my fave Canadian city. Love you too, though, Halifax and Vancouver! So news that the iconic Birks flagship store in that great town now houses a resto-boutique (I think that’s Quebecoise for cafe) called Café par Europea, is enough to make me dial the Porter number (although I LOVE going by train).

The new establishment is the creation of Jérôme Ferrer and TV host Francis Reddy, who are fast foodie friends. It’s inspired by the “art de vivre” or “art of living” theme; which is about slowing down sufficiently to enjoy both the visual and culinary pleasures of a space. Any dishware, glassware, and cutlery used at the Café can be purchased from Birks. You can also take home beautiful macaroons, chocolates or madeleines in the trademark Birks blue box. But I don’t think you can take home the 200 kilogram chocolate Birks Lion (shown above), hand-sculpted by chocolatier Christophe Morel

I’ve got to say that recently I’ve been looking longingly at the cut-crystal Gemstone Wine Glasses in cobalt blue from Birks. Maybe it’s my eastern European roots showing through, because whereas once I thought them fussy and slightly garish, now I’m really drawn to the rich colour and the way the light catches the cut surface. I also wouldn’t mind taking a tootle around the vintage jewellery section, even though it would be window shopping only!

Ah well, a few hours looking at pretty things, and a glorious cafe au lait and pastry. That’s the kind of extravagance I can afford. The Café par Europea is open seven days a week during store hours. There will be a lunch service, a European-style Salon de thé, a wine card and gourmet food .

Alors, a bientot, Montreal!

They grow up so quickly (sniff)

I have to admit, I got a bit of a lump in my throat when I got the press release for Rubbermaid’s Blue Ice Fun Shapes, cute little reusable icepacks that come in monkey, frog and baseball shapes. They’re designed, of course, to keep the little one’s lunch nice and cool. In a pinch, I guess, one could be used to cool a boo-boo. They costs about $3 at Loblaws, so you can probably afford to stock up and if little Jimmy or Janey does lose one, it’s not the end of the world.

So why did this funny little item make me go all misty? Aw shucks – with my middle daughter heading off to University and my "baby" halfway through high-school, I won’t need that kind of stuff anymore. Nor will I be stocking up on Expo washable dry erase markers, which the makers promise will not stain clothes, rugs or car upholstery. It’s true, BTW, I did test the markers on a small scrap of cotton. Most of the colour came out after rinsing with water and the fabric was as clean as a whistle after being laundered. If you have little ones (sniff, sniff), you might want to check either – or both – out.

Replace or reupholster?

  
This week’s Hot Home Products column is about re-upholstery and yummy fabrics, both from inVU Drapery  and Primavera. But is also stars my cottage kitchen, which got an overhaul this spring. As I mentioned before, the former owners had painted the walls very dark colours (take a peek at the pic below for a taste). We wanted to lighten it up, so we painted the entire main floor in String by Farrow and Ball, which I absolutely love. This is a colour that works anytime, in any light, and I think it looks terrific with the pine ceilings and floors. You can see the finished results above. Don’t you love the silly little candle holders festooned with strawberries? They are from my fave new cottage store, Vintage Finds, on Bobcaygeon Road, in Minden….

If you have are trying to decide whether to reupholster or replace a tired piece of furniture, you’d do well to do some preliminary research with a visit to a spot like  inVu, Primavera – or your fave local fabric and textile shop. In the Beaches, for example, try Jane Hall Design. You can pick up great tips. Lisa Nicholl, of InVU, shared with me, for example, the idea of using a large print on a smaller chair by framing the motif in the middle of the chair front (or back). And while at Primavera, I ooh-ed and aah-ed over the Chinese jar prints (shown above) from Pierre Frey, for whom the showroom is the exclusive trade agent. But I wondered aloud to owner Diego Marin if I could actually live with the print day in and day out. He pointed out that, used in a drapery, you would not see the full graphic all the time, just the gorgeous effect of the colour and shape.

Speaking of upholstery, I also really like the work of Andrea Ford, who did the amazing black and white couch shown above. 

 If you love great textiles, but are working on a tight budget, mark October 29 and 30th on your calendar. That’s when the Textile Museum of Canada holds its annual Decorator Fabric Sale. It’s where you’ll find designer fabrics, unique prints, beads, buttons and lots of rare finds, including sample lengths of fabrics by Pierre Frey, Osborne & Little, silk brocades from India and indigo prints from Japan and Africa - all at bargain prices.

Bathroom bling and trading up on tableware

While chatting about bathroom trends this week with style expert Arren Williams for my Hot Home Products column, he shared what he thinks are three tips for getting great style. “The biggest mistake is not buying a good faucet,” says Williams. “And you should. You’ll be handling it every day, and it’s a visual focal point. So make it a little jewel!" He also suggests running tile all the way to the ceiling for a cleaner look, and building in “storage niches” for bath products when doing a shower redo. While Williams like a sleekly spa-like feeling in bath design, he concedes that ornamental elements and colour are creeping in. The raised white bowl, set against blue tiles, from a new collection from Villeroy and Boch, shown above, is a good example.

Speaking of Villeroy & Boch, the renowned tableware company is sending Isabelle von Boch, who represents the eighth generation of family members involved in the business, to a Dinnerware Exchange event being held at their Cookstown location on May 22 and 23, at which attendees can "trade up" to Villeroy & Boch pieces. Folks whose tableware has seen better days can turn them it for upgrade, and get style tips from von Boch. Walk-ins are welcome, however appointments are highly recommended. For more information or to reserve a space, click here or call the Cookstown House of Villeroy & Boch at 705-458-0435.Customers who can’t get to the event can still take advantage of the promotion, which launches May 14. Personally, I was delighted to learn that the V & B has re-issued its Acapulco design, as I inherited a set of the sunny, seventies-style dinnerware from my mother, and need a few replacement pieces.

Hot chef cooks with cool new technology

Why is Cory Vitiello, chef of the Harbord Room, joyously tossing peppers in the air? My guess is that he’s so happy with the induction range he’s cooking on. Even a humble home chef like me can appreciate the benefits of induction – it’s super responsive, keeps the kitchen cool, is easy to clean and allows for very precise temperature control. Vitiello recently showed me around a Thermador induction range at the Summerhill LCBO kitchen. (True, freelance writing doesn’t have a huge number of benefits, but there are occasional treats, such as having a handsome young man make lunch for me, without expecting me to do the dishes afterwards.) We had a great chat, discovering that we share very lukewarm feelings toward Chardonnay and both love to cook with cheap cuts of meat! Vitiello will be teaching classes at the site on May 19 and 27, incorporating ingredients thought to be aphrodisiacs (it could get REALLY hot in there, induction notwithstanding,) and innovative spice pairings. You have to win a seat in a Thermador-sponsored contest to attend. Click here to go to the site to enter. If you don’t win, you can still make one of his fabulous recipes, which I’ve included below.

BTW, when Chef Cory and I were chatting (such a nice young man), he happened to mention his pal Anton Potvin, whom he described as having a “ridiculously good palate”. That was enough to send me to the site of the Niagara Street Cafe, where Potvin reigns. The menu looks terrific, and I was seriously tempted by the notion of wild mushrooms on toast, smoked cheddar, pickled honey mushrooms, and mustard horseradish cream. Mushrooms are one of may fave foods. As long as they don’t suggest a glass of Chardonnay to go with it.

Vitiello’s Spice Crusted Sashimi Grade Tuna with Mussels, Saffron, Kaffir lime leaf, Thai Basil, Bird's Eye Chili, Cilantro and Smoked Sea Salt

• 4.5 oz pieces of center cut sashimi grade tuna
• 2 tablespoons toasted and freshly ground fennel seed, cumin and coriander seed

Lightly toast the spices until they give off their scent. Grind in a coffee grinder or blender. Roll tuna in the mixture until it is lightly coated. In a hot pan sear the tuna on all sides for 2 minutes total, leaving the centre very rare.
• 1 lb fresh mussels
• 1 cup white wine
• 1 finely diced bird’s eye chili, seeds removed
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger
• 1 large shallot, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• Pinch of saffron
• Juice of 2 limes
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 small leek, julienned
• 2 pieces baby bok choy, finely sliced
• 2 tablespoons cold butter
• 2 kafir lime leaves, bruised
• 1 piece lemon grass, bruised and cut into two-inch pieces
• Small handful of torn fresh cilantro
• Small handful of torn basil leaves
• 2 teaspoons salt
Method: In a large shallow pan cook the garlic, shallot, ginger, chili, saffron, leek, carrot, lemongrass, lime leaf,and salt in a small amount of canola oil until just tender. Add mussels and bok choy, bring to a boil and cover for 2 minutes or until mussels fully open. Add lime juice, butter, cilantro and basil; stir constantly until butter is incorporated.

Assembly: In large shallow bowl spoon equal amounts of the mussel/sauce/vegetable mixture. Slice the tuna down the center and present it cut side up. Lightly season the cut side of the tuna.

I can't go - but you can!

I’ll be in Florida at the end of March visiting the Aged Mother, eating early-bird dinners and hitting the local Target store pretty hard. Of course I can't wait, but it does mean I’ll miss the One of a Kind Show, which runs from March 31 to April 4 at the Direct Energy Centre. Judging from the press material, you should definitely go, though. If I was in town, I’d want to check out the fabulous glass and wood vases by Benoit Foyer, the gorgeous felt chair by John Booth and Arounna Khounnor of Bookhou Design and the lovely screen by one of my favourite furniture makers, Rob Brown of Equinox Interiors. Check out the pics below and see if you don’t agree that they’re all beautiful. I'd also hit the Ontario Crafts Council's special 900-square foot section that will feature innovative works in clay, glass, metal, wood, fibre and paper by 19 makers from eastern Ontario.

Tickets are just $12 ($10 online), while seniors and youths aged 13 – 17 are $6.50. Kids 12 and under get in free. Get yourself down there – any buy something – because I can’t!

 
 

Almost too late - but not quite

It's not too late to register for the TrendWatch event on March 4th at Jackryn France, my fave French-themed boutique in beautiful downtown Aurora. Find out from owner Rita Thiel what's hot for Spring 2010 and get a sneak peak at new lines for the store, which is chock full of the most gorgeous bed and table linens you ever saw. You must register for the two-hour seminars, which run at 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and can do so by calling 905 726 3451. But you'd better hurry because spaces are almost gone. Even if I don't make it to the event, I'm sure I'll pop into the store soon - the siren call of the Garnier Thiebault linens is just too much! Oh, how much do I want one in hot pinks, reds and orange? Never mind - that was a rhetorical question. Registered participants for the event will be served refreshments, and get a gift. Better still, part of the proceeds support girls' sports.

Home-spun charm

Madly rushing to get ready for the National Home Show, but I just had to share this image my friend Sue, who runs a venture called Indigenous Crafts from Bolivia, just sent me. It’s of a wallhanging done by an artisan from Artesania Sorata (AS), a Bolivian fair trade group that specializes in alpaca that is spun by hand and dyed with natural dyes to make – in addition to the hangings - beautiful hats, mittens, mitten and scarves. The wall hangings are made with alpaca (for the stitched areas) and another blended textile called vayetta is used for the appliquedéd sections and the background. The pastoral themes reflect Bolivia's Aymaran culture, everyday life and their "earth-centered" spirituality. Interesting, no? And pretty. More on this later. In the meantime, check  out the website for shows and events at which these wares will be on sale. And I'll see ya at the home show, k?

Eeek! That's so cute!

Trust Janette Ewen to inject some fun into the dining room design she's creating for the Eurodale Dream Home feature at the National Home Show, which kicks off next week and is sponsored by the Toronto Star (yeah!) and CityLine (also yeah! - I'm  a  fan). That's what I thought when she emailed me a pic of the teeny tiny mice that will serve as uninvited residents in her dream space. Look in this Saturday's Toronto Star for more on Janette's design and visit the show site for information about all the terrific seminars by guest experts (including moi). 

 

Gold medal reporting

Samsung is holding a contest that will send 10 Canadians to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The electronics giant is searching for social media-savvy types who can attend, and report on,  the Games. The winners get round-trip, economy-class airfare to and from Vancouver, accommodation for 20 nights, meals and a Samsung Omnia II mobile phone. But hurry, you have to enter by December 6^th. Hey, wait a minute, now that I think of it, why can't I go? I’m social media savvy, aren’t I? Sort of, in a way. And I want to go to the Games. And I need a new phone....