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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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
