farfalle

gosh. it's wednesday and it feels like it's draggin on and on and .....yawn. maybe if i wear this today everything will be groovy. this will definitely make everything better, a butterfly chapeau. pretty.

photo: BENOIT TESSIER/REUTERS
alexander mcqueen paired with milliner philip treacy to create an extreme, yet elegant, collection of clothes and hats – an homage to the late isabella blow, the british eccentric who helped launch both their careers _ globe and mail _13/10/07.

stan the man

we were commissioned by our youngest client yet _ 8yrs old, to do a book for flat stanley. stanley flew to us for a consultation in our studio and we gladly took him on a tour of toronto. he is currently on his way back to the O.C. with presentation in tow. good luck stan, grade two is a tuff bunch.

[blogger is having a brain_fart...it won't post pics......stay tuned]

dream it_build it_drive it.

i love how the website shows the little gals playing with the cars, so cool. we have a few of these and we are huge fans of automoblox. such a smart toy, seriously. it's like the modern transformer but a car and loads of imagination. come on , teach your kids to build, live and create outside of the box _ buy automoblox. good solid fun. for little and big boys and girls.



these are the new 2008 limited editions ....just in time for pre xmas - you heard me, xmas. and no, sadly we can't get them at target or any big box stores but if you click here you might just find out where in a state near you, canada, the UK or japan! okay and the design - absolutely beyond a dash of style....and there is always vroom for more for the kid!

S9-R Sport Sedan

C9-R Sportscar

X9-X Sport Utility

available at the toy space 106 bathurst st in toronto. [approx. $39.95 - $42.00 CDN plus taxes]

sebastian brajkovic

sebastian brajkovic developed homegrown: crops that you grow in the same place where the daily ritual of eating takes place. growing and eating what you have grown yourself gives you tranquillity and the chance to enjoy life to the fullest. the lamps contains growlamp bulps. for growing you could use metal halide or lamps with more than 6400 kelvin light, for blooming you need light with a lower color. simple, elegant, perfect.[design academy eindhoven 2006].

he also showed in milan this year with the ever popular 'lathe chairs' [design academy eindhoven 2006]

super_cool.

pane e aqua

when in milan hit rossans orlandi's 'pane e acqua': a historic “tabaccheria” in the established magenta neighbour has become an innovative restaurant and bar which is open from 9 in the morning to 11 in the night. the restaurant designed by the architect paola navone [you know, the lovely lady who designs for everyone _ poliform, casa milano, illy caffe, cappellini, dreamland at heimtextil.....] for design curator rossana orlandi follow the spirits of the lo spazio, just two steps behind the corner on the same street. the interior mixed of contemporary and vintage design pieces and industrial lighting's and tables gives a unique charm of old and new. everything is for sale. the cooking is simple and natural, all the ingredients are homemade and the selection of wines is far from the obvious choices, basically made on private producers. the restaurant is open from monday to saturday. this woman has it all.

video casa

gang, the outcome of these video art installs is too gorgeous not to post. you can not disagree can you. and this is way beyond a plasma installation, read and see all about it here. video art, this is the ticket!

architect antoine predock _ the 'dallas house' he designed for 'deedie and rusty rose, a 'theater of trees'. impeccable. [the life-size computer animated tree whose branches undulate hypnotically, as if blown by a constant imaginary wind, seems practically made for its new location in a former water tank] photo: dwight eschliman

terence riley and john bennett’s miami house _ bennett an architect, designed their house on miesian principles also used digital technology to turn their walls into art. photo: dwight eschliman

house for jeanne and michael klein, the architect mark dubois had two main issues to play with: light and art. dubois turned the front courtyard into an outdoor viewing area, with a projection screen stretched behind a sheet of glass - a giant viewing window! apparently each part of the house comes alive through out the day - morning noon and night. who wouldn't love to come home to that! photo: dwight eschliman

most of the owners of these homes have an extensive large art collection to work and collaborate with. which is my favorite - i'm torn, they are all so inspiring and gorgeous. did anybody notice there's no snow in any of these digs? i bet the snow would make it even better.

stellar flooring creation

this rug is covering the entire world! well, europe anyway and soon it will hit toronto and my guess is that we will be able to get it in january at king and spadina. but i think it is inspiring and a magnificent piece of art, design and flooring - spectacular BUT who cares what i think, right? this little field has hit more shows and won more awards than we even know _ the prestigious, mythical parisian centre george pompidou has purchased a piece for the background of his museum!

little field of flowers rug [2006] designer_ tord boontje for nani marquina
winner of the 2007 red dot design award, monsieur tord boontje the industrial designer was commissioned by nani marquina [love them to death!] to create his little field of flowers rug [2006]. similar to marquina's roses rug, this design uses die-cutting to create the shapes of flowers and leaves. with six distinct shapes of flower combinations, in three different tonalities, this design creates an intriguing composition that's all about movement, texture and color. a witty whimsical approach to a floor covering, boontje brings the experience of walking through a meadow into an interior space. the rug is hand-loomed using a manually actuated loom, and features both looped and cut pile. together with the nonprofit care & fair, nani marquina is fighting against illegal child labor in the manufacturing of carpets. available at dwr little field of flowers rug - small $4,000 now $3,600 or large $6,000 now $5,400 [semiannual 10% sale] comes in plum or olive.

this flooring has participated in all types of state-of-the-art and trendsetting design expositions, here's just a few:

nanimarquina stand at maison & objet 2007

SIDI cologne showroom [they have a few showrooms]

nanimarquina stand at il salone de milano

scoot and rock

this beechwood scooter becomes a rocker when turned upside down. this fantastic piece was made in the 1950's by the team hans brockhage and erwin andrä; it will be $1,200 at the booth of sarah latham-kearns. it's for sale at a show over at the armory in nyc: through sunday_ where: 69th regiment armory on lexington ave at 26th st for more info: [212] 255.0020.

juicy lick and stick

i love flavor paper. the name says it all. produces unique vintage, contemporary and custom handscreened wallcoverings that will add a burst of flavor to any environment. we posted way back and now they have settled into their new digs and are bringing it on back.

who: flavor paper ~
'founded on the oregon coast by a guy named ted, the small handscreened wallpaper company flourished in the age of aquarius. many years later, some young designers seeking striking wallcoverings discovered ted’s greatness- just days before the designs and equipment were to be destroyed. knowing what had to be done, these young designers headed west to save ted’s legacy…relocated to the bywater district of new orleans, flavor paper continues to print using ted’s traditional printing methods, but with greatly increased accuracy and detail.

contact flavor to see samples of fine handscreened wallpaper designed in ted’s days or fresh from the next generation of flavor paper designers.'

steady 70 miami beach fl.
steve levine’s ssteady 70 is a photography team that specializes in fashion, architecture, and interior photography in nyc and miami. they recently did a fashion shoot inside glottman architecturedesignfurniture in miami beach using some flavor papered walls flavour did for art basel. flavor Paper steals the spotlight! totally!

and yes the one on the bottom is actually scratch and sniff - yes, you heard me!

and check out their digs - love it!

besides, who doesn't love anyone who does lenny kravitz?

rocker lenny kravitz’s sexy creole cottage

posen backless - ARMOUR!

today i believe i need to be wearing this backless number to battle the design desk dilemmas. no to mention the million other things i am juggling at the moment [i.e. peanut butter on my shirt that was meant for the kids sandwich].

i will accompany this illustrious backless number with my invisible cape and the following shoes - damn it!



Zac Posen taffeta dress, price upon request. At www.zacposen.com.
Photo: Philippe Cometti




Chloe.
Photo: Firstview

revamped starck...........

here's a designer dilemma, do you re-do a 'starck-ified' space [as in phillipe starck]?




Photo: Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times


the royalton hotel got a new do by architecture firm roman and williams. they made the lobby super cozy. the rooms got new digs by [bottom near left] charlotte macaux perelman, of studio cmp [she did a stint with starck in london - the sanders]. read all about it here, i think the new look is worth it. it's good to change it up once and while. don't cha think? and it's nice to spread the design love around. could you imagine working with these groups?


stunning shot of the lobby, really.

up 2 u!

dimitra+bill are at it again with their magical wears at up to you and this is whats got us cranked:

charger cradle
this hammock for you charger is one of those things that should have been invented years ago. instead of plugging your phone or ipod into the wall and balancing it on the nearest piece of furniture with wires trailing all over the place you can have it all sit nice and neatly in this cradle. you place the pins of your plug for the charger through the holes in the cradle and plug into the wall as you normally would. each cradle comes flat and can be easily folded into shape ready to be attached to the wall by your charger. even comes with a nice soft "velour" interior to ensure your device sits comfortably while charging. $15 available at up to you 1483 queen street east, canada tel: 416-778-6487

all that designer power rammed into all of our designer superstars and this is the best part:

tag business cards
the concept for this card design came to being during a holiday party. the designer ran out of his own business cards and turned to scratching out the details on cards he had accumulated, in turn filling in his own information. each set comes with 20 business cards, a vinyl holder and 1 pen. use the pre-scratched cards to permanently inscribe your name and contact information. impress clients/associates while adding your own distinct spark to the professional world. $14 available at up to you 1483 queen street east, canada tel: 416-778-6487

other than the designer having issues with someone else choosing thier suggested writing utensil, makes practical sense - no? and for the green obssessed: how many business card so you have laying around or are ready to send to the land fill?
and if you have some time on your hands, head over to their up stairs shop to catch this:

kinder surprise exhibition [crca 1988-1995] at up to you until december 31, 2007

kinder surprise, also known as a kinder egg, is a confection originally intended for children in the form of a chocolate egg containing a small toy, often requiring assembly. kinder surprise eggs have been around since 1972, when they were invented by a swiss-born industrial designer called heiri roth. it was he who masterminded the idea of creating a toy that could be fitted inside a chocolate egg and yet be put together to create a toy that could end up bigger than the capsule it came out of. a key to the success and huge popularity of kinder surprises is the wide variety of toys made. while 90% of the toys produced are plastic, there are a few which are metal and wooden. in europe, their popularity has spread beyond their intended market, and they have become a cult phenomenon among discerning adults. however, in the united states the cpsc issued a recall of the eggs in 1997. consequently, banning any future sale of the kinder surprise egg due to potential choking hazardsWhat makes the kinder surprise great design? the answer to that is as simple as the egg itself, common sense. and that crazy yum chocolate is made at ferrero. want to know more click kinder here.

exploitation or passion?

sick teeth
marla olmstead: six a StuArt gallery, 17946 ventura blvd., encino [this past august] via LA weekly

you can view this master piece child in a documentary here. is she a child prodigy? is your budding artist a child prodigy - no matter what they may be good at are they a child prodigy? or does mass marketing and media make them a prodigy? they are kids they have to have talent, right?

i'm stumped with the criticism and the question of 'what is art'. but at the same time i would do the same thing with the little man as long as he was happy. and if someone wanted to represent his work and the outcome was art followers i think he would be happy. the media attention could be overwhelming for anybody no matter what age, don't yo think?

so much controversy and criticism: 'was it really marla olmstead's work?', 'did her parents have a hand in her creations?' remember she's a bright little 4 year old, the same age as our little monkey, maybe even your little hot shot. explore marla's world in the kid-documentary by director amir bar-lev in 'my kid could paint that' [this little flick premiered at both the sundance and toronto film festivals, and now you can catch it in new york and los angeles]. get sneak peak at mykidcouldpaintthatmovie.com. what do you think? [yeah and she is adorable to boot]. for me the most important thing is: marla continues to paint because of balanced and protected family life and is unaffected by the attention her artwork has relieved. but most importantly she still a kid before she even paints a canvas, she runs, jumps, plays with friends, goes to school, gymnastics, loves to cook, gets happy and sad just like every kid we love and know. and i would be honoured if our kids met, i'm sure they would have a ball. if you are every in toronto marla let us know, we would be tickled pink to show you around.


'zane dancing', marla olmstead a StuArt gallery via LA weekly






gallery show, image from marla olmstead website

objectoronto

OBJECToronto: art exposition of contemporary craft + design is toronto's annual urban arts event for the promotion of unique artist-made objects. the three day event gives exposure to canadian designer-makers who create work that reflects a convergence between craft, art and design. the artists and galleries participating work in a range of media including metal, clay, textiles, jewellery, wood, paper, plastics, glass, and mixed media. at OBJECToronto the public has an opportunity to meet artists, discover galleries and view or purchase works that are a growing and vital component of the toronto arts community. now in its third year, OBJECToronto 07 once again takes place at the gladstone hotel. this year the event includes a number of satellite exhibition venues situated around queen street west's gallery district.

info: friday october 19 - sunday october 21, 2007 venue: gladstone hotel and satellite galleries in the queen west gallery district.

opening night: friday from 6 - 9 pm 1214 queen street west, toronto gladstone exhibition admission $5 [includes catalogue] hours: fri. 5 - 9 pm sat. 11 - 6 pm sun 11 - 5 pm

OBJECToronto acknowledges the generous support of the ontario arts council and the toronto arts council

this is just a few of who wil be there, it all looks incredible:

ken gangbar, 'balanced off center', porcelain sculpture.

marina dempster, 'receptive'

ying yueh chuang, 'plant creature group', ceramic sculpture.

pamela ritchie, 'rubber brain ring', silver, rubber, ribbon. [sorry, we haven't a website for here but we do know she ia a professor at nscad ]

brad copping, 'collecting sap', glass sculpture.

we will be there checking out all the design objects we can see! thanks a bunch ken!!!

new from chilewhich!

chiliewhich is rockin it hard, see whats new:



chilewhich hospitality: chilewich products fuse sophistication and style to create a modern alternative to tabletop dressing. the durability of the yarn, its tremendous design versatility and the fact that it is washable, helps hotels and restaurants reduce both energy and laundry costs while maintaining a sophisticated aesthetic. placemats and table runners are available in an array of textures and colors-we can also customize our spun vynyl, woven lattice and signature woven vinyl products to fit your requirements such as non-standard placemats, tray liners and table covers. click here for more information.



seating cubes and benches.


new table top items : napkin rings.

we want this: woodgrain



recreating the look of plain-sawn wood by weaving vinyl yarns on industrial looms, this unexpected and inventive approach produces a beautiful textured pattern that combines the beauty of natural wood grain with the durability and practicality of a man- made material. offered in four colors, pecan, driftwood, dogwood and tan. Woodgrain gives designers an additional choice of sophisticated fabrics. woodgrain is available as plynyl tile (18"x18"), W2W (6' rolled goods), custom mats and as fabric suitable for upholstery and paneling — the fabric can also be backed for use as a wall-covering. woodgrain available july 2007.

and not to mention..............



introducing! the chiliewhich exclusive line of roller shades and panel systems by chilewich. long regarded as one of the most innovative design companies in the world, the shade store is proud to offer chiliewhich's first-ever window treatment collection.

LV subculture at MOCA [LA]

wow! showing soon in los angeles......merci elsa!

a louis vuitton fleeting store in takashi murakami's exhibition at the moca. for the retrospective devoted to takashi murakami at the moca [los angeles], the french designer jean marc gady sets up the very first store settled in an exhibition. initiated by louis vuitton, this "cultural commercial" space will offer to sale and sight products generated from the collaboration between the brand and the japanese artist. the concept should provoke some teeth grinding while pushing to the limits the warhol's prophecy that theorized the crossover between art and commerce. a vision followed religiously by LVMH that increases collaborations with contemporary art stars to the point of inaugurating shopping at the museum. for this first historic, jean marc gady kept the classical codes of vuitton's stores but immaculated them in a tonality resolutely more "white cube". customary louis vuitton wooden walls left place to a white gloss-finish paint. glass is replaced by mirror polished stainless steel. the wooden floor mutes into 'chilewich', a highly resistant braided technical material that resumes the gigantic checkerboard associated to the house identity. ditto for the walls covered with white varnished panels for a gallery space result as high as this unique corner. designer born in paris in1971, graduated from the blue school in 1997, jean marc gady has been the subject of several permanent commissions from the VIA and has established a wide activity sphere that covers stagecraft, design or interior design with customers such as: louis vuitton, apple computers,bacaratt, moet & chandon, christofle, sephora, line roset, liv'it, guerlain. jean marc gady has been in charge of the artistic direction of store display windows and events for louis vuitton between 2002 and 2006 and recently created his own creation structure. '©murakami' at the moca from october 29, 2007 to february 11, 2008