Dinner Party Dreams

I want to host a dinner party. Actually, I'd love to host a series of them or maybe one giant one where all the different people in the different areas of my life come together and eat good food and drink lots. We don't currently have a large dining table (and definitely not the beautiful set up pictured above) but don't guests always end up sitting around the coffee table to chat anyways? Our friends do! (Although maybe that's because we don't have a proper dining table?) Regardless, it's nice to welcome people into your home and make them things. I roasted a whole chicken a few weeks ago that was, if I may get boastful, very delicious and gave me a good dose of culinary pride. I'm good with seasoning and I love using the oven since it's baby friendly because it's cooking by itself while you play with the baby. 

This weekend is the beginning of the fall holiday season - we'll be over at friend's tomorrow evening and we've got family plans on Sunday and the holiday Monday. It'll be nice to eat lots of turkey and treats. The holidays can sometimes feel burdened with planning and busyness but you do it because it's nice to get everyone together. A worthwhile ordeal. It's a good kind of chaos. 

This time last year we told our families that we were having a baby. It still felt so unbelievable at the point - and goodness! - how far away it seemed from the realness of an actual baby. Now that baby is four months, nearing eighteen pounds and showing me more of his personality every day. The adventure just keeps growing.




*Image from Tarafirma - the dinner party post is here.

Interior Lust: Eye Swoon at Tales of Endearment

When I am imaging the whole "how would I do my house if I had a house and budget to do a house" dream, I am torn between different styles. There's a part of me that loves colour - I really really want a navy velvet couch and have for years now - especially jewel tones because of their saturation and the elegance they lend a space. But then I see black and white done right and well, that's always such an awesome combination. I go between liking the whole vintage/rustic/reclaimed vibe and then really simple modern design. I'm not sure if I'd be able to zero in on one look that fits me the best. I'm the worst shopper in the world. I'm so indecisive and have buyer's remorse almost instantly on a lot of what I shop for even if it's something that really is not a big deal in the function of my everyday life. I got a new phone. Bought a teal case on impulse at the store. Had had had to return it by the next day because I couldn't stop thinking about all the reasons it was driving me crazy, couldn't let go of how much better I thought the white case would be and couldn't let it go until I exchanged it. It's really quite pathetic! 

But on to the lovely photos above. They are from interior designer Athena Calderone's home in Amagasett, NY and I think the whole house is just awesome. The vintage pieces are sobered by the modern lines and clean palette. The colour accents are eye-catching but not too much and the whole thing stinks with personality. It looks lived in and loved; curated yet cozy. I love how balanced and eccentric it is. This is the vibe I'd want for my space - cool but approachable. A discovery but first and foremost, a home.


Found a while ago over at Tales of Endearment

Colour Cool: Julie Thevenot

It always blows my mind when a designer has a collection that spans several different mediums. How awesome is it to be able to design art and jewellery and clothing and do each so well? Taking a look at Julie Thevenot's shop proves that he work is really about designing a lifestyle and she executes it from top to bottom.  My favourite pieces were the Spirit Giant wall display and the Small Exile necklace. Both would fit quite nicely in my imaginary lifestyle.

Discovered over at Pennyweight.

Visit Julie Thevenot for more information.

InteriorLust: Masanori Oji

I wish I could blame autumn for my recent fascination with brass but that's not the only reason I've been craving the warmth and energy of this wonderfully hued material. Something about brass feels so earthy yet modern, polished yet industrial and I kind of wish a owned a house so I could start replacing all its hardware with lots of brass. It's got a certain kind of cool factor, no?

The lovely pieces above are by Japanese designer Masanori Oji. I discovered his work through my Mjolk stalking last week and have been drooling over these designs ever since. I love the simplicity and the execution of each piece and how the choice of metal just brings everything alive with a soft shimmer and glow.

1. Paperweights

2. Bottle openers (yes, really! Have you ever seen a bottle opener look this classy?)

3. Pendant lights



All images are from Oji and Design. 

Interior Lust: Mjolk

There are certain sites I will always visit for inspiration. Some of them are "mommy blogs," where I read about family life, birth and breast feeding. Others are lifestyle blogs. Some are tumblr sites where I go when I want to imagine I live off in some cabin somewhere and bake pies on my reclaimed wood kitchen island (you know, fantasy land?). And other sites are just for feeding my need to see really, really, really good design. Mjolk's online shop is just that.

Mjolk is located here in the Junction area of Toronto, and is run by John Baker and Juli Daoust. The whole shop - both the actual store and online site - is dedicated to wonderfully designed (and carefully selected) furniture and home accessories. The focus here is Scandinavian design but there are plenty of Japanese artists to go around too. Having been visited Mjolk, I can honestly say that it feels more like a gallery space than a retail store. The beauty here (and really, John and Juli's strength) is how well-curated the whole collection is and how evident the simple utility of each piece is. Form and function are side by side.  

I picked a few of my favourite items from the online shop above. I loved the colour schemes and the simplicity of each of the pieces. Something about this collection feels like a very modern autumn to me.

1. Dala horse, made in Sweden
2. Linen tablecloth by Yumiko Sekine of Fog Linen 
3. Linum big bowls by Finnish ceramicist Nathalie Lahdenmäki 
4. Small glasses  by Japanese glass artist Tsuji Kazumi

Follow Juli and John on twitter @mjolkshop



*All of the above images are from Mjolk

Crafty Things: Peaches + Keen

Loving the fun objects from Melbourne duo Peaches + Keen. These happy pieces are original and hand-made by Lily Daley and Lucy Hearn and I think the colours and textures are just plain cool. My favourite piece is the hand-embroidered art work in the first photo- I love the contrast of the gradient image and neon threads plus there's a cat and that's pretty nifty.

Visit the website here.

See the whole line and shop here.

Spotted here.

Cambie Design and The Spot on Queen

The immensely talented Camille Byrne of Cambie Design is at The Spot on Queen designer market selected dates during June, July and August this summer.

She has richly textured Alpaca blankets, brought in special from Peru as well as hand-picked vintage furniture items found on the eastern coast of Canada.

If you are local in Toronto or visiting the city be sure to check it out!

Check out Cambie's own post on the venue and see the goods here.

Twitter: Cambie Design

Twitter: The Spot on Queen

Weekend Dates:

June

22-24

July

6-8,

20-22

August

10-12,

17-19

 

Michael Graydon Photography

I discovered Michael Graydon, a Toronto-based photographer, through this post and then spent some serious time looking through his website. It's full of great images; interiors, food and lifestyle shots but I was particularly drawn to his photos of details. They stuck out to me as special and I enjoyed they way Graydon has captured all the textures in these vignettes.

Coveting: Covet Garden + Nikole Herriott

The latest Covet Garden magazine turned up in my inbox the other day and the entire issue is focused around Nikole Herriott of Herriott Grace. They've captured her beautiful apartment and wonderful sense of style in a way that is both fresh and true to Nikole's design aesthetic.

It reminded me of how beautiful the Herriott Grace shop is (even though most items are usually understandably sold out!). I always feel like I fail at keeping things simple and elegant and Nikole always manages to do it with a slightly rustic touch that is truly individual.

1. Covet Garden cover shot by Michael Graydon



2-4. Product shots from Herriott Grace by Nikole Herriot

Sneak Peek: West Elm Spring 2012

On Wednesday night, I had the pleasure of an intimate tour over at West Elm, in honour of their spring collection. Neil Gazmen, the Toronto Store manager, guided us (little ol'me and some other lovely bloggers) throughout the store with some real warmth and enthusiasm. It was great to preview all of the fresh ideas bouncing around the place for the new season.

It was also seriously great to hear about how West Elm is looking to highlight their support of one-of-a-kind design and trying to bring craft and design to a whole other level of accessibility and visibility. In addition to their artist collaborations, the company also has several partnerships set up to support local economies around the world - whether it's hand-picked Kantha throws, hand-made by women in India or paper-mache wall art that supports communities in Haiti. West Elm proves that you can be a successful corporate company, be passionate about craft and design and still do some good - you just have to want to!

Some favourite moments of the night:
1. Fantastic installations - they really take their visual merchandising beyond retail and straight into whimsy.
2. & 3. Designer collaborations. Check them out here and here.
4. & 5. My favourite colour combination of the night - coral and stone. It feels modern and inviting, with just the right level of punch.
6. Detail shot of the Kantha quilts. Each is completely unique and hand-selected.
7. & 8. Paper-machier art from Haiti and hand-blocked pillows from India. Both items are produced in partnership with Aid to Artisans.

Baby Wish Lust: Poketo Mobile + Some News!

Lately, I've been away from this little corner of the internet because my computer is possibly fried but generally I have been so pathetic at posting these last few months because I've been busy working on something else. I'm pregnant!

I'm almost twenty weeks now and it has been really, incredibly wonderful to watch my body do what it will do. It really just does get to its plan and sort of takes over - regardless of your work or plans or social life. The first trimester had minor nausea (nothing too extreme, luckily) and I'm not sleeping great but other than general fatigue, I really can't complain. We had our first ultrasound on Friday and it was pretty magical to see our lovely little one hanging out inside me. It's finally starting to sink in on a more real level that pretty soon - sometime in early-mid June - there will be another member in our family. I love my husband and three useless cats so much already, it's so hard for me to even begin to fathom what a little baby will do to my heart. We're very excited over here about all the new changes that are just waiting to unfold and so thrilled that we're doing it together.


Above: The Themis Mobile from Poketo - one of the best mobiles I've ever seen. Period.

Interior Envy: Jane Cumberbatch

I sat down to work yesterday, when one of my cats - the most poorly-behave one - decided to spill the soup I was eating all across my keyboard. So since that computer is currently resting, I bring you some lovely jealousy-inspiring images of the office of Jane Cumberbatch.



Things of note?

The lovely light, the inspiration board and the LACK OF CATS.

Spotted here.

Decor: Castle

I've featured Rachel Castle's art prints here before but now all I want are the wonderful little things for the home. Love the prints of the linens and the colour palette - especially now since I've been sleeping terribly. A nicer bed might make it all better, right? ;)


Castle is here.
Rediscovered here.

Interior Envy - Simone Kelly

I'm loving all of the details of this little place.
Just enough white to be calm and peaceful.
Just enough wood to be warm.
Just enough design to be cool.
Just enough colour to be exciting.


And apparently the whole apartment went up for auction in May. 
Kudos to whoever nabbed it!

Dreams for the Weekend - Toast Home

This vignette from the Toast Home catalogue is exactly what I would like for my weekend.
A perfectly curated little corner to catch up on some reading and maybe write some letters or even just gossip on the phone...
Actually, I have my sister's bridal shower to go to tomorrow and that's going to be fun!
I can't believe how quickly her wedding date is approaching. She got engaged over a year ago and the time has flown by.


Can someone explain to me how in the world we're in the middle of June already?
Phew!






Image above from here.