2011 Trend Predictions (Part 2) - Lux. Raw. Warm. Organic. Texture.

Gallery walls of mixed art and  the acceptance of black walls as a neutral we are going to start seeing a more creative movement when it comes to wallpaper and color.  Bold colour in large scale prints and graphics be it on all the walls in a room, as a feature wall or for those who want the edge but not the huge commitment, accent pieces such as pillows. It can be punk, graffiti, chinoiserie or all out baroque; but it will be big, bold and quite possibly colourful!

Don't believe me? Wait till you get a look at the January 2011 issue of Canadian House and Home's Style Files...page 28.  ;)

1, 2. Via Adore Magazine

3. Brazilian artist Assume Vivid Astro Focus for Mark Fletcher's living room via W Magazine

4. Wallpaper design by Kravitz Design for Flavor Paper (imagine this in a bright sunny room!)

5. Alexander McQueen Spring 2011 via NYT

2011 Trend Predictions (Part 1) - Lux. Raw. Warm. Organic. Texture.

1,2. Bronze Tile, Bronze Pull both by Rocky Mountain Hardware.
3. Restoration Hardware.
4. Brass light fixture by Annabelle Selldorf for Neue Gallerie Design Store.
5,6. Brass bottle openers, patinated brass pendants both by Oji & Design.

Warm metals beckon to be touched. Clever designers have added the element of texture as clearly evident with the tiled backsplash and faceted pendant light fixtures. Don't you want to pick up the bottle openers? Desire to run your finger through the bronze pull? I know I'm dying to!

I've been recommending brass and bronze lighting and accessories for a couple of years now...but just recently it's become an obsession for me.

We will be seeing a lot more of the warm metals over the next few years; they soften the darker walls we are seeing, instill a sense of warmth to our rooms and lend timelessness to our homes, often in some nontraditional concepts!

Paolo Roversi's Ethereal Winter Wonderland

I am not easily impressed by fashion editorials. There are a handful of photographers I am head over heels giddy about. Paolo Roversi is one of my favorites. His images are often raw yet he reveals an innate fragility in each image.

Paolo did an editorial for W Magazine's December issue that has me speechless. The dresses, model selections, makeup, hair and styling are superb. I have to remind myself to breath. I'd love to have these blown up and on my walls.

I've picked 2 of my favorites to show here and you can follow the link below to see the rest of the editorial.

Galliano Hat

Dior Haute Couture's silk tulle dress

W Magazine's Family Circus editorial

*bisous*

Dane

You May Have Too Much Money When....

An unusual choice for a centerpiece. source

*bisous*
Dane

Sunday Morning's = Nostalgia

My favorite way to spend Sunday mornings include white wine, a selection of cheeses and charcuteries as well as artisanal breads. Regrettably, I've not been able to do this since...well not since I lived a short stroll from the Atwater Market in Montreal.

Saturday afternoons I'd make my way over to the Atwater Market.

My first and favorite stop was La Fromagerie. Owner Gilles Jourdenais has owned this boutique cheese and deli shop since 1983. You never buy without a taste. And they will work hard to find the cheeses you like. They have about 800 cheeses! Yes, this is boutique cheese shopping at it's best.

You always walk out with a smile on your face. Just look at Gilles...how can you not be happy after spending a bit of time with him. Everyone behind the glass display and cash are happy in this shop.

I bought my coffee, cheese and deli meats from Gilles every Saturday. One of my favorite coffee mugs, to this day, is one Gilles gave me. They appreciate coffee should be in a Large mug.

Then next up was the wine. Atwater Market is blessed with an SAQ Classique Terroirs d'ici (Liquor store).

I'd pick up a bottle of white to complement the cheese I'd purchased. I should tell you I'm a complete neophyte when it comes to cheese. If I'd had more than a year shopping at La Fromagerie I am certain I'd be a connoisseaur.

I'd grab some fresh fruit and vegetables and perhaps a steak for Saturday's dinner then make my final stop at Boulangerie Premiere Moisson...

for a hot cafe au lait en bol and a fresh warm loaf of an artisinal bread.

Thank you for traveling down memory lane with me this Sunday.

*bisous*

Dane



My 1st Give Away! & What I Got: One Of A Kind Show Toronto

2 Hounds Unleashed is holding a give-away!

Hang out long enough to follow my Blog, Like my Facebook Page and follow my Tweets then comment on this post for a chance to win a ticket to the One of a Kind Xmas Show and Sale in Toronto open now! You have till end of business day Monday to enter! I will have The Girl, at bedtime, randomly select the winner. I will then contact you for your address and Fed-Ex the ticket to you. Good luck!

This is The Girl:

My day at the One of a Kind Show was very fruitful. I walked out with my arms loaded down. Thankfully the organizers of the show have a FREE! package check for shoppers. Imagine that. Customer service is alive and well!

I wanted to buy so much but managed to exercise some control. Here's just a highlight of what I bought:

Julie Pederson's black suede & Tibetan lamb spats (mine have red paint slats):

Julie's booth is where you will find gorgeous Mukluks which are heavenly comfortable. The children's mukluks are outstanding btw! Ok, they are all outstanding. Julie is available to meet and talk with (beautiful woman) and her mother is there with her working the booth. Both very fun ladies. The booth is very busy so don't wait till the end of the show you may end up having to order and *horrors* have to wait for your boots. Booth F-48

Dahlia Drive is artist Wendy Van Riesen. Wendy takes old slips, shirts and kimonos giving them new life with her custom art. I bought a beautiful black slip with lace inserts under the bust and along the hem with the skeleton design on the front and back. Someday I'll post a photo of myself in the dress. I wore it yesterday on our out and abouts, over black skinny jeans with a black velour hoody. Looks amazing and I got many complements and questions about where to get one!

Wendy is overflowing with energy and fun as heck. She will also do custom designs using heat-press, silk-screening and hand painting if you send her a slip.

Wendy had a soft peach slip she'd wrapped around a rusted shovel and left in the ground...if it had fitted I'd have bought it. It is stunning!

These slips totally rock it when you layer them btw. Don't look like everyone else this summer get a Dahlia Drive slip dress! Booth V-56

Honeybea Design Hive is one of the busiest booths at the show. Bea, seen in the photo, makes bags, and other accessories but I got a Bumwarmer for my daughter.

If I'd had more space to try one on I'd have gotten one for myself but this booth was abuzz with activity! Seriously, you have to see these Bumwarmers! Booth N-04

Seriously if I'd had more $ I'd still be at the show. If you where thinking of skipping the show this year you really should reconsider. There are vendors who have not been for years only to return this year to the thrill of attendies. Do not miss out!

*bisous*
Dane

Motivational Inspiration - get yourself to the One of A Kind Show

I'm so stoked about Toronto's Christmas oneofakind Show and Sale which opens tomorrow (Thursday November 25th) and runs till December 5th.

I have been looking at some of the artists attending the OKS this a.m. and it's gotten me more motivated than ever.

Think about it:

• No shipping charges (cause most of us do not have a U.S. addie for free shipping).
• No duty on the gifts you buy (be they for friends & family or for yourself...yes you DO deserve it!). I have confirmed from vendors, Canada Customs has been cracking down on imported 'gifts' and applying duty. I *know*; that's dootie! ;)
• No waiting for your on-line order to be delivered!! Don't kid yourself. We are in Canada...Canada Post is notorious for being slow.
• Shop at the show, gift wrap and mail...guaranteed on time delivery for Xmas!

I'm looking forward to meeting:

Artist Kelly Grace



(her blog)



Kelly in her studio. She's adorable. The painting: WANT!

*bisous*
Dane