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OK, I admit, it's a weak title. But, it's hard not to have your head in the clouds (I promise, that will be my last lame pun for this post!) when you're admiring a desk created by up-cycling an airplane wing.
This desk is created by Reestore, which takes "everyday waste objects and cheekily turn[s] them into charming yet functional pieces of furniture and accessories."
"Deborah" was created by adding stainless steel legs and toughened glass to an aluminum airplane wing.
It would certainly make a statement in any office!
According to Inhabitat, the piece was originally created as a custom piece for entrepreneur Theo Pahphitis, known for his role in the UK's Dragons' Den.
Reestore is now making them to order, so you can have your own Deborah for £2800, which converts to slightly more than $5,000.
"Aw," "cute," and "oooh" are my normal reactions while browsing the fabulous jars of cute blog, whose motto is "stylish cute things bottled daily."
But one of today's goodies was met with a sharp inhale and an "Ewww."
The "Ants on my ..." series, by New York-based Bailey doesn't bark, while appropriately quirky and perfectly crafted, just makes me feel crawly.
Founder Re Jin Lee individually hand painted these tiny ants then transferred them on to decal paper to create the pretty, but creepy crawly, spoons, creamers and the cup and saucer, shown.
Perhaps it's still lingering discomfort from an enormous spider jumping into my hair while I was brushing my teeth Monday night (I've been warily peering into corners ever since), but I don't think I'd be able to enjoy my afternoon cuppa in this mug.
I would, however, enjoy serving it to guests and watching their reaction.
It's hard to believe a week has passed since the Interior Design Show's opening gala.
It's even harder to believe that it's only another week and a day to the National Home and Garden Show (but more on that later).
I still have a few loose ends to tie up from IDS, so, in no particular order, here are some of the stragglers that I still very much want to share with you.
For starters, here's the amazing light fixture featured in Toronto-based 64th and Queen’s “Rec-room Redux” in the 5x5 exhibit.
So funky, so pretty, and totally perfect for the fun glossy black and white room, which also featured a full screen projection wall, a foosball table and a DJ.
When my husband finally succeeds in securing a room solely for video gaming and entertaining, this stylish light fixture will be at the top of my list for decor!
Next up is StyleGarage/Gus*, who proved that the faux deer head is indeed back, as shown by the graceful, hand-carved fellow featured here. He retails for $750.
Their booth also showcased the amazing "GT Rocker", a modernized version of the rocking chair with a black steel frame. It retails for $1,800.
I also loved their "timber table", an acrylic side or accent table with a wood grain pattern, which retails for $225.
Finally, I would be remiss not to mention the work of Michelle Prosek, who creates stunning, colourful and textured glass tiles for wall art and lighting as well as jewellery and custom work. Check out her Etsy store.
And, for those of you who like to plan really, really far ahead, IDS 10 will take place Jan. 21-24, 2010 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Hall.
And, just in case you haven't already gotten your IDS fix, you can catch up by checking out:
There was so much to see and do at the Interior Design Show that I'm still sifting through photos and remembering cute, sparkly and stylish details!
For starters, I loved the display of colourful chairs by Casalife.
While the photo doesn't really do it justice, the pops of pink and orange really stood out among the mostly clad in black visitors, including yours truly.
Casalife also showcased an amazing glossy black dining table, which extended using a cloverleaf mechanism rather than that awful process of pulling the table apart and trying to wedge the new bit in.
Another amazing piece is this stunning "dripping wax" chandelier, which I believe is available at Industrial Storm.
Available in black and white, it would add a great pop of drama to any room.
I imagine it in a very luxe dressing room, surrounded by clean lines, glossy monochromatic colours and a stunning shoe collection.
It would also be great hanging over a large dining room table.
And Ma Zone was added to my must-go shopping list with their stunning display of goods in black and purple.
Of course, thanks to this colour combo, their booth had my attention instantly, and the superb glass pieces held it.
I particularly loved the purple martini glasses, and may soon be stocking my cupboards with a set.
Almost makes me want glass front kitchen cabinets!
I've still got a few more tidbits to share from the show, including highlights from StyleGarage/Gus*, some amazing glass wall art by an artist whose name I must find and a few more snaps here and there. Stay tuned!
And, just in case you haven't already gotten your IDS fix, you can catch up by checking out:
So, IDS last night was full of gorgeous displays and wonderful products (get a much more eloquent description here), along with a healthy dose of Veuve Clicquot and Belvedere Vodka, but getting my photo taken with designer Karim Rashid was a real highlight!
Rashid is the industrial designer behind many familiar household products, including the iconic Umbra garbage can.
I'm on the left, and to the right is my style-savvy colleague Brandie Weikle, editor of parentcentral.ca and healthzone.ca.
There are lots of reasons for me to be excited about the Interior Design Show, which starts tomorrow night at Exhibition Place. (Check out the video for a quick look at the set-up from day one.)
I'll be attending the media sneak peak and aMuse, the opening gala, so I'll have lots to report come Friday.
In the meantime, I thought I'd make use of the hours spent poring over press releases and images and share some of the reasons I'm excited.
As a bit of a geek, I'm really keen to check out the new feature,
"Innovative Design + Technology", which promises to share products —
like coffee grinders, home entertainment systems and power tools! —
that showcase stylized technology and functional design.
Perhaps it's
time for a pretty new speaker system, like the award-winning Zeppelin iPod system (shown below)?
I'm also stoked to scope out the cool new products at the Prototype exhibit, which is a juried design competition for products not yet in production, such as the worm chair by bObles that I blogged about last month.
I love all things sparkly, so the Crystalclear exhibit, which showcases
installations created using Swarovski crystals by six Canadian firms (including the Brothers Dressler, who were recently featured in Vicky Sanderson's Conversation Piece column), will be a big, glittery draw.
I'll also hit up:
- LuxeHome, which shows off the latest and slickest
designs from the most luxurious design ateliers
- The 5x5 exhibit, which showcases living spaces designed by 64th and Queen, Castor, Dee Dee Taylor Hannah, Tomas Pearce Interior
Design Consulting, Inc. and Earth, Inc.
- Studio North, where 25 of the top Canadian designers will exhibit their latest products.
All in all, I think I'll come away from the event with design inspiration to last me through this long cold winter, and probably a few new projects to tackle in my own home! What would be your hits and misses for the show? (Read more about IDS here and here)
After much research and hemming and hawing, I've finally settled on — and purchased — the perfect knife block to house the sets that I received as wedding presents. (Yes, that was six months ago, but still, I feel like it's an accomplishment!)
While I seriously considered the Voodoo Knife Block by Raffaele Iannello — it's quirky and a wee bit twisted — I ended up picking up this bamboo beauty from Crate and Barrel (on sale! Wouldn't have got that price six months ago!) which also features a great detachable section for steak knives.
And, in an added boost of productivity, the knives were all carefully arranged in my new knife block within an hour of returning home with my purchase.
Design mags claim that anything — from a clipping from a book or TV show to matchbooks and childhood toys — can become a source of inspiration.
My latest "AHA" moment came with a new pair of shoes. And, of course, since it is me, it's a purple pair.
They're similar to those shown at right, but with a little more purple and black.
Looking at these paint-splattered style pumps (which I promptly tried on and purchased) had me dreaming of how I could incorporate a similar style at home.
A bedroom with a black wall, creamy white upholstered headboard and purple throw?
An office with a striking black leather chair and a fluffy white pillow set against a fab purple wall?
Or maybe a living room set up with a purple velvet sofa against a white wall, with high-gloss black side tables?
The possibilities are endless. Sadly, none of these projects are within my current budget, but a girl can dream, dream and dream some more. All while wearing fabulous shoes.
Where do you get your inspiration for your home decor?
For me, the question of shopping for clothing or home decor is an easy one.
I’ve been losing my clothes shopping mojo lately (though success in shoe shopping is still going strong!) after a series of run-ins with clothes that are too small, too big and just plain wrong for me left me feeling like I’m destined to wear pjs everywhere.
Home decor, on the other hand, always fits (well, unless you forget to measure and your sofa/bed/mattress/armoire doesn’t make it through your door. You should always measure).
While questions of scale still matter, odds are that gorgeous lamp — unlike that oh-so-sumptious cashmere sweater that fails to hang quite right — will find the perfect spot to shine somewhere in your home decor. Ditto for throw cushions, picture frames, vases, etc.
While zealous shopping in both cases can result in stuffed closets, lately I’m finding the search for the ideal picture frame far less soul-crushing than the quest for flattering jeans.
Hopefully the tides will turn, at least slightly, before I run out of wall space and am forced to start wearing pyjamas everywhere.
While Christmas in Toronto will most likely be white — thanks to yesterday's doozy of a storm and two more forecasted to hit before the big day — nearly half (47 per cent) of Yourhome.ca readers who voted in last week's poll say they're taking steps to have a more eco-friendly holiday. (Read the full story.)
Just over a third (31 per cent) said they weren't planning on greening their celebrations, six per cent said they were thinking about it, and 16 per cent said they didn't know.
If you are thinking about an Earth-friendly holiday, here are a few quick tips as we enter the home stretch:
Make your own ornaments by bringing in nature and repurposing existing decor items, such as martini glasses and vases.
Reuse gift bags and get creative when wrapping. A scarf makes a great wrapper for a CD or DVD, and it's a bonus present!
As you're rounding out those purchases, consider giving loved ones an experience in lieu of traditional gifts — it's a unique present, and odds are they won't have two of them to return come Boxing Day.
Reuse last year's stylish holiday cards in your decor. Cards can be framed for an extra little touch of festivity or repurposed as gift tags.
Our next poll looks forward to the festivities once the gifts are all purchased and the home is dressed to the nines — the parties. We want to know how many of you are welcoming — and entertaining — family and friends over the holidays.
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