Evert Nijland

I am completely inspired by the work of Evert Nijland - I want to be completely surrounded by it - I want to dress like it, decorate rooms like it... it is so incredibly prefect.

via Another Shade of Grey.

This Colour

Art by Tom Burrows. Medium: cast pigmented polymer resin. Luminescent. I want to swim in it.

Rain Rain

Living on the west coast, you have to do everything possible to try to enjoy the rain, otherwise this season is totally unbearable. Wellies, raincoats, rihanna on the radio, ya gotta do what ya gotta do. So, this season I have embraced the gum boot. I searched high and wide and found a few lovable (ie. not too obnoxious) options. Hunters, Tretorn, and Chooka, are legendary around here. Then I ran into Moov Culture and was quite impressed ~ love their cut-and-paste graphics too.

But, just when I thought I had seen all rubber boots imaginable, I spotted a girl on the street with boots painted in that victorian/grunge look that is so fabulous. Assuming it was a brilliant diy project, I looked it up and found this and this. So, I'm now mighty tempted to pick up some basic boots,
krylon and stencils and see what happens....

Luved

So, after a long hiatus from blogging, I decided to jump back in with something completely different - clothing! No worries, I don't plan on switching to clothes coverage as I am no expert, but I found these sweaters by a Canadian label called Luved at a local Christmas craft fair, and totally fell in love with them. Perfectly snuggly cozy for this time of year.

Weekend Project: Salon Wall

I have spots of quasi salon walls in my apartment, but I've always wanted something to reach from floor to ceiling, far left to far right, full of energy and life. I keep running into fabulous photos of salon-like walls, so I'm taking it as a sign, and finally tackling it this weekend!

The above photos are from Dania and Co on Flickr (top) and
Decor8, who blogged about Liza Giles.

I also love this wall, styled by James Leland Day.

This also has to go on my wall. I's just so great.

Oh, Drama

I have always been more drawn to subtlety: sweet muted tones, quietness, fog. But every once in a while I crave drama... some kind of operatic, symphonic, dark, shiny, fabulousness.

This time I saw it at The Cool Hunter, in a little post about a Bookstore Made in Heaven. Totally stunned, I had to find out more. The architects, Merkx and Girod (Amsterdam), have inspired me to rethink drama. I was hit by a ton of ideas while browsing their site. I hope to introduce my aptmt to more darkness, more contrast, more sparkle. Very rich.

2008

Made me Laugh. 2008 Calendar designed by Noa Bembibre, titled: Cats Let Nothing Darken Their Roar. Available through Noa's website or Kiosk.

On Walls

Or, Wanting to be on my Walls.

Left to right, top to bottom:

• Lisa Congdon at The Shiny Squirrel.
• Michael Sowa (inspired by Amelie) at The Poster Shop. I often forget about posters, but really, all they need is a nice big frame and voila. I always love budget that doesn't look like it.
• Tapies Exhibit Poster at All Posters.
• Wilson Hsu at Thumbtack Press.
• Ashley G at Etsy.
• ISO 50.
• Cole Gerst/Option G at Little Paper Planes.
• The Black Apple at Etsy.

Ich et Kar

I know, I know, wall stickers have been everywhere for the past while. But I still think they make a nice solution for adding colour and energy to a room. The above stickers were designed by Ich et Kar (France), and can be found (along with a ton of other fun-loving designs) at Design 3000.

By the way, Apartment Therapy has begun their 8-Step Home Cure. I'm always ready for advice and inspiration to make my apartment cozier! Now sounds like a good time to jump!

Molo Design

I also love Molo Float Glasses (Vancouver). Beauty.

Fever Fever Rug

Definite object of desire. I cannot resist this adorable illustration. in rug format! mmm. From HZL at 2 Modern.

By the way, I do not have the funds for such fabulousness, so I'm gonna draw this on my chalkboard!

BYOB

Stylish. Sustainable. Organic. Customizable. Vancouver-based. So many good reasons to BYOB! I can't resist all these recent anti-plastic-waste campaigns. The statistics make my jaw drop.

How big is your ecological footprint? I scored 6.1, not bad.
Some things you can do to have a smaller footprint.
Also, be sure to join The Nature Challenge

Jorg & Olif

I wasn't completely sold on the Dutch city bikes until Scout was introduced as the new kid on the block. Available in Vancouver through Jorg and Olif, it's completely perfect... im having visions of long lazy travels to the market, a thick wicker basket housing blueberries, sweet potatoes and a couple of baguettes. ding ding.

Inspiring Spaces

I try not to borrow finds from other blogs, but here I could not resist. I found these images via the amazing Love Made Visible. It is the home of Domino’s Editor-in-Chief Deborah Needleman, as featured in New York Magazine.

More ideas I want to steal (mwah ha ha): green table and pink flowers behind the sofa, the large acrylic coffee table covered with coffee table books, a hit of yellow, odd patterned cushions, black and white stripes, a ginormous cheap paper lantern, gray walls in the dining space, symmetry, sections, and a baby grand.

The Digital M

Just a quick post to say: I love Leica.
Everything about Leica. Even when it's digital.

And, tomorrow: Pavlova! I've never made pavlova before, but the images are so irresistibly sweet. sexy. perfect. mmm. it better not rain. (update: it rained, sadly, so i will wait for a sunnier sunday).

Wakerly and Barns

Was attempting to find content for a lovely little Easter post (unsuccessfully, I might add). Rose and Radish has a nice Easter section but what really caught my eye was their pic of Erica Wakerly's House Wallpaper. See more of her fabulous patterns here. I'm already trying to imagine where it could go: a feature wall, a side table, a subtle spot like a closet, hanging in a frame as art, wrapped around storage boxes...

Note how some of the houses look like M's!

And... WOW. I want to convert a barn. Found this essential guide on the website of UK's Homes and Gardens Magazine. and some barns here.

Not Another Black Laptop Bag

A good laptop bag is not easy to find (this is a conclusion made via personal experience). But there are actually a ton of options, from classic to whimsical, girly to modern, subtle to bold. They do not have to be basic. They can be fashionable, luscious, colourful... anything to add character to an otherwise dull workday. These are some I've come across:

1. Gaya: Briefcase 2. Kolo Bags: Gina B Bella Laptop Bag 3. Angela Adams: Hannah Briefcase 4. Casauri: Laptop Brief 5. Tucano: Domina 6. Acme Made: Cargo in Plaid Tan 7. Matt & Nat: Shaft 8. Vlieger & Vandam: Not a Laptop 9. Mandarina Duck: File Briefcase 10. Melissa Beth: Pocket Full of Puter 11. Carga Bags: 02

Eleanor Pritchard

Ah so pretty. I love the complimentary colours, blue and orange in perfect shades. I found Eleanor Pritchard in a profile from Hidden Art Shop and can't stop thinking about how perfectly one of her blankets might drape over the arm of my couch. While brightening the rainy forecast.

By the way, speaking of rain, I'm planning a Springtime trip to London! Very excited. So I warn you: the upcoming weeks very well may be full of London links o' goodness. And laptop bags. because I'm in need. Oh how I love to plan.

Behance

I am always drawn to methods of organization, especially ones that take into consideration the creative process, beauty and sophistication. Behance does just that. They describe their site as: Insights & Tips on Making Ideas Happen in the Creative Community... This is a great site. Why?

• A nice series of products, like The Action Book. (as shown above). They offer great tools that really embrace the self-help/business community, without the typical over-enthusiastic, cartoony type of presentation.

• A blog that features designers, ideas, companies, how real people are living the creative life. There are a lot of well-thought-out articles, like this one.

• If that's not enough, they even offer a printable pdf download of the Action Pad. The link is here. It's the perfect start.

Paperhaus

The Canadian counterpart of Paperhaus has officially, sadly closed. That aside, this grand little shop physically introduced me to a wide array of beautiful office accessories (and my first portfolio case!).

Newer items at Paperhaus include the above Pina Zangaro Portfolio Covers in Snow. I love white in the office. So clean and beautiful and mac-like. Other new hues are coal and flame. Actually, I think I want them all, one of each. Topped off with Case Envy's Portfolio Book in Frosted Green. Drool.