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Ryan Portrait

Meet Ryan Louis, our Style Intern Search winner. This summer, Ryan will learn about magazine publishing, lifestyle branding, marketing and advertising and technology while assisting various departments at House & Home Media and Samsung Canada. During his internship, Ryan will be residing in a downtown Toronto suite furnished with incredible Samsung technology.

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June 29, 2009

There’s More in Week Four

In The Workplace

I’ve been here for almost a month and the work continues to become even more exciting. This week I continued conceptualizing for advertorials that will appear in fall issues of the magazine (I can’t believe something I have helped work on will be in print!). I also took on calling House & Home contest winners and breaking the good news.

The highlight of the week was a day out of the office at Vaughan Mills shopping centre to observe how video promotions come together. Also this week was a video shoot of my own, which will be posted within the next couple of weeks!

The great VP of communications, Mark Challen, starring in the Vaughn Mills promotion and recorded by our fantastic video team.

The great VP of communications, Mark Challen, starring in the Vaughan Mills promotion and recorded by our fantastic video team.

In The Loft

I’ve mentioned before how a loft’s layout requires quite a different approach when choosing fixtures and appliances. This week I have two solutions to share:

I have very little counter space and I dislike having a mish-mash of dishes or countertop appliances on display all the time because of my minimalistic design preferences. I’m a fan of this Samsung dishwasher since I can throw everything into it and skip the need for a countertop air drying rack.

I have very little counter space and I dislike having a mish-mash of dishes, pots, and pans because of my minimalistic design preferences. I’m a fan of this Samsung dishwasher since I can throw everything into it and skip the need for a countertop air drying rack.

I was in need of a solution for dining table lighting.

I was in need of a solution for dining table lighting.

Since installing ceiling or wall-mounted fixtures are out of the question, a freestanding piece like this could work. I’d probably not choose feathers (it would be a horrid reminder of the chicken on my plate). A hanging chandelier would be of better taste.

I'd love to install a hanging paper fixture. But since ceiling- or wall-mounted fixtures are out of the question, a freestanding piece like this could work. Though I’d probably not choose feathers: a horrid reminder of the chicken on my plate!

In The City

To me, art and design can sometimes cross paths. These are some pieces of inspiration on display at the Powerplant (it’s a free exhibit!):

If I could afford it, this would make a perfect addition to the loft. Night Sky Mars From Venus. 12 by Angela Bulloch is sleek, simple, subtle and dreamy

If I could afford it, this would make a perfect addition to the loft. Night Sky Mars From Venus. 12 by Angela Bulloch is sleek, simple, subtle and dreamy.

Lofts are all about the exposed cement ceilings. Installing something like Mircea Cantor’s The Need for Uncertainty would be an interesting play with the notion of space and could soften the cement feel overhead.

Lofts are all about the exposed concrete ceilings. Installing something like Mircea Cantor’s The Need for Uncertainty would be an interesting way to play with the notion of space and soften the space.

I’m all for projection art and Henrik Hakansson’s visually simple and ongoing film Monarch – The Eternal would provide a peaceful but lively backdrop in a vast space.

I’m all for projection art and Henrik Hakansson’s visually simple and continuous film Monarch – The Eternal would provide a peaceful but lively backdrop in a vast space.

In The Online World

The loft gets very dark when there’s a lack of sun and with the recent stormy weather. I found some interesting lighting solutions.

This colour combination is a bit tacky, but what I like about it is that it you can vary the colours based on your mood. Since my walls are white, the colour would fill the space.

This colour combination is a bit tacky, but what I like about it is that it you can vary the colours based on your mood. Since my walls are white, the colour would fill the space.

Matilde Alessandra creates fluorescent lighting installations that are sharp and contemporary.

Matilde Alessandra creates fluorescent lighting installations that are sharp and contemporary.

What I find myself enjoying most about this experience is blending my passion at work and home life. I’m very fortunate and cannot wait to learn more in next month and a half.

Photo Credits:
1. Feathered lamp by Haldane Martin
2. Night Sky Mars From Venus. 12 by Angela Bulloch
3. The Need for Uncertainty by Mircea Cantor
4. Monarch - The Eternal by Henrik Hakansson
5. Coloured mood light
6. Matilde Alessandra installation

June 22, 2009

Busy Bee In Week Three

In The Workplace
It was a fast-paced week at work due to the numerous House & Home magazine and online contests I helped to manage and fulfill. Plus, I’ve been brainstorming for creative campaigns, planning events for the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation Showhouse, updating photo galleries and organizing shelves in the merchandising room.

There were rows of sample products, prototypes, and inspiration ranging from soaps dishes to chairs in the merchandising room.

There were rows of sample products, prototypes, and inspiration ranging from soaps dishes to chairs in the merchandising room.

Tons of material and paperwork to sift through and compile this week to plan autumn events that will be run at the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation Showhouse. Mark your calendars because the events we're planning are going to be free and fantastic!

Tons of material and paperwork to sift through and compile this week to plan autumn events that will be run at the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation Showhouse. Mark your calendars because the events we're planning are going to be free and fantastic!

The highlight of the week was getting to join in a meeting with the editors to discuss the upcoming readers’ design contest coming in the fall, which is going to be absolutely spectacular. I’d suggest starting to save up some money now (as well as your most ingenious budget-savvy ideas) to do some redesigning of your spaces in the near future!

In The Loft
The longer you live in a space, the more little design problems start to surface.  Behold my bedroom with its lack of light. Loft set-ups make it so hard to install overhead lighting, but side table lights just aren’t cutting it. I also have a light switch on the wall that’s not connected to anything. The canvasses may have fallen a couple times when I’ve hit my head on them. Oops.

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My ideal solution is to remove the side table lights and connect a lit headboard to the switch. I’m a fan of this simplistic approach to the headboard, while it serves the function I’m looking for. This is by Vladimir Kagan.

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In The City
A walk along King Street in search of design stores led me to Toronto Antiques On King, which is more like a museum of little treasures. I was dying to know how antiques are priced, since I’ve come across the Antiques Roadshow frequently on TV and couldn’t understand how little old things were worth thousands of dollars. The woman working there put it simply that the value is, of course, based on age, but mostly based on what is in fashion, or what the dealers choose to highlight as pieces to go after or collect. What people collect (and why), determines the price. I guess the notion that antiques transcend trends is somewhat of a falsity!

I completed a day out with a walk along Harbourfront, where the loft is situated.

An interesting concept for a walkway. It looks neat but I think we all desire less effort when walking. Form over function.

An interesting concept for a walkway. It looks neat but I think we all desire less effort when walking. Form over function.

I just had to share this picture. I was shocked to see Astroturf that looked so lifelike. Also slightly shocked it was in such a popular public space.

I just had to share this picture. I was shocked to see Astroturf that looked so lifelike. Also slightly shocked it was in such a popular public space.

This shadow-lined walkway reminds me of a carpet that has been rolled onto the path. If I were a designer, I’d make ornate railings with rug patterns and when the shadow is cast, the walkway would look elaborate!

This shadow-lined walkway reminds me of a carpet that has been rolled onto the path. If I were a designer, I’d make ornate railings with rug patterns and when the shadow is cast, the walkway would look elaborate!

In The Online World
I think it’s become less of a trend and more of the norm to search for ways to bring the outdoors in. Here are some interesting finds:

This Mathieu Lehanneur air filtering system looks both futuristic and simplistic. It uses the most effective plants to filter air, while trapping toxins emitted from other products inside the capsule.

This Mathieu Lehanneur air filtering system looks both futuristic and simplistic. It uses the most effective plants to filter air, while trapping toxins emitted from other products inside the capsule.

Wood-based pieces seem to make bold statements, but for the purpose of bringing the outdoors in or being inspired by nature, it’s almost too overdone.

Wood-based pieces seem to make bold statements, but for the purpose of bringing the outdoors in or being inspired by nature, it’s almost too overdone.

This is an amazing example of inspiration coming from nature in a more understated way, while still sleek and cutting edge. Done by Orange22, this table changes colours and glows like Aurora Borealis.

This is an amazing example of inspiration coming from nature in a more understated way, while still sleek and cutting edge. Done by Orange22, this table changes colours and glows like Aurora Borealis.

Once I have the time to take more artistic photos of the outdoors, I’ll be uploading them onto a Samsung SPF-105P digital frame. It’s definitely the quickest and simplest way to bring the outdoors in. I’ve found an ultra-portable P400 projector that is equally as amazing as the projector I pointed out last week and this one is available in Canada!

As I become further emerged in the world of design, I’m starting to grasp how different styles and trends come to be. I’m looking forward to redesigning my space, as well as learning more through the creative departments here at House & Home.

Photo Credits:
1. Vladimir Kagan headboard
2. Mathieu Lehanneur air filtering system
3. Wood and glass table at Design Lush
4.  Aurora Table by Orange 22

June 12, 2009

Lots To Do In Week Two

In The Workplace
The busy world of advertorials is keeping the creative juices flowing. The search for images and catchy wording for mock-ups is a lot more difficult than I could have imagined! I also spent some time writing captions for images soon to be on the site, as well as updating Houseandhome.com’s Shopping and Source Guide for tracking down great home finds. Shortly I’ll be immersed in the world of merchandising and working in the dream closet of products.

work1
Advertorials require a lot of planning, test prints and resources. Ah! Unfiled papers!

In The Loft
An open concept living space is breathtaking for its airiness, but hard for storage. I’m going to have to come up with some interesting solutions, especially to hide things in the loft that I’m not fond of — like this:

This was poking out from under the couch. The worst part is that it lights up!

This was poking out from under the couch. The worst part is that it lights up!

Besides a couple small closets, these are the only shelving units. Side note: that column alone probably adds thousands of dollars of value to this space for an “authentic” loft feel.

Besides a couple small closets, these are the only shelving units. Side note: that column alone probably adds thousands of dollars of value to this space for an “authentic” loft feel.

Of course, my favourite “storage” piece in the loft is this epic Samsung fridge. Opening those french doors at once is a holy experience. It’s really quiet too, necessary for open space living.

Of course, my favourite “storage” piece in the loft is this epic Samsung fridge. Opening those french doors at once is a holy experience. It’s really quiet too, necessary for open space living.

In The City
With so many small shops in the Kensington area, just a few intersections away from my loft and past Chinatown, it’s hard not to find something really neat!

city1

Sold at S.E.E.D, this hydroponic mini greenhouse/seed starter was marketed to people who want to grow their own bean sprouts, but it’d be great for gardeners too.

Fun antiques like this one can be found at Blue Banana.

Fun antiques like this one can be found at Blue Banana.

As creative as “found object” décor may be, I’m starting to be peeved by claims that the materials are being saved from landfill when a lot of the time they could have been put in the recycle bin!

As creative as “found object” décor may be, I’m starting to be peeved by claims that the materials are being saved from landfill when a lot of the time they could have been put in the recycle bin!

In The Online World
Realizing that lower seating would make the living room feel even bigger, I searched for pieces that strayed from Moroccan-styled floor cushions. If it would fit within budget, these Smarin multipurpose pieces would be a nice addition. The simplicity fits the look I’d like to go for and the shapes would soften the angular space.
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This Tara Donovan installation inspires me to make a wall covering using the same process, but perhaps mounting it to a board first since I’m unable to mount to walls.
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I’d love to get one or two of these small Samsung Pico projectors, the easiest way to display art or photos in any space without damaging walls. When moved around, projected on objects, or displayed on skewed angles, the effect would be eye-catching. The best part of all is that I could turn the art off if watching a movie or wanting to admire the sun-cast wall patterns instead.
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After the first week of settling in, the second week allowed me to explore and try new things. I can’t wait for what’s to come in the next few weeks. There’s a lot I am wishing to pack into only a couple of months!

Photos:

1.  Rock cushions by Smarin

2. Tara Donovan installation

3. Samsung Pico Projector

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