mama could use a new set of these......

i swear by my perfect precision cutting, slicing, and dicing global knives, but i could use a good zoom in the right direction of knives if persuaded to use the 'chroma type 301 porsche knives'. i was once a sous-chef and i have some cooking activity under my belt. [yes, once upon time i dabbled in the catering culinary world before i made the swift decision to turn over to design]. but these puppies would make the kids diner look better than the cover of 'martha kids' magazine! grab a set of those and then toss them in the back of your 2008 Porsche Cayenne_available at fluid living in the distillery in toronto.

idbazaar

where interior designers shop the world_ sound exciting? a reader named cyril left a note about this great link [thanks for the db love cyril!].

idbazaar states that they are 'an international dealer network showcasing fine art, antiques, artifacts and much more, directly to the interior design profession & collectors. we provide quality services to help interior designers & collectors locate the finest pieces, and a simple, secure system for communicating with dealers. our network lets designers & visitors shop internationally with ease and allows dealers to showcase to potential buyers they might never reach otherwise.'

check them out, over 500 art + antique dealers from 20 countries, a buyer network, photos and inventory ....click away without leaving your desk my sophisticated global shoppers, what are you waiting for?

hottest bathrooms via retaildesigndiva

retail design diva is looking for the best retail bathrooms ever, inspired by simple form, modern materials and let's be frank shall we: spiffy clean. if you know of a bathroom near you that strives to combine great public design and is as clean as a laboratory give retaildesigndiva a jingle and let her know!

my pics:

whole foods markets_canada + usa

starbucks _canada + usa

st. germain hotel_toronto + montreal

the distillery district + restaurants_toronto

st. paul hotel_montreal

holt renfrew_toronto

barneys new york_usa

saks fifth ave and the off the 5th outlets_usa

have i missed any toronto? let me know!

any posh night club in toronto - lobby, kultura....

retail design diva!

retail madame 'strang' over at retaildesigndiva writes a mean blog that y'all better check out. it's a weekly thing and she has the scoop on all things retail. she's been a supporter for a long time and i am also one of hers. she left me a note and she's one to check out! thanks heather, i'll be in touch soon!

[ love the logo;) ]

iweardoyou?

their tag line .....iWEAR......check them out.
interesting stuff in north carolina_ iWEAR is a brand that represents your individuality. focusing on all that you are and all that you strive to be. unlease your ego, because in the end it's not about what you wear, it's about what iWEAR.
always the the encouraging boost for your ego 'i splurge ...do you?

iWEAR ...do you? is proud to introduce their new signature piece designed for and sold exclusively at the new splurges boutique of north carolina. to purchase the exclusive "i splurge ...do you?" pendant necklace please contact '

yeah, yeah i know, i've been super busy with some clients and the babe but my tiny hot stuff starts S.K. in 5 days so i have some 'designer bambino' creative back to school shoppin' to tackle, yo!

stay tuned for my personal 'designer bambino' creative back to school shoppin' hot list.....you know ya wanna know!

my question is.......did ya miss me? _smooches........stay tuned.

leave a note!

keep'em coming..we love comments - good or bad! freedom of expression.
generate conversation! thanks for participating!

julia - great point of view. sorry to disappoint you about the IDS07 concept space post but always stay tuned and think of the other side of things, trust me just because something makes sense to one person doesn't necessarily make sense to others. and we know, you should have seen the critisim we got when we participated. keep the comments coming and thank you for following! and don't worry we will add the link to croma design - go croma go! design away, don't let what some people think let you down. heck maybe we will post about them too!

IDS07 | pottery gangbar

the latest and greatest from mr gangbar himself. if you missed him at the annual interior design show in toronto..........get a load of this:

[i really dig this wall application - IDS booth 2007, ken gangbar]

p.s. zee ken gangbar website is being reworked at the moment, we'll keep you posted.

IDS07 toronto | nuit blanche

le nuit blanche. not sure that it was as glittery as they wanted the white gala to be [it's a convention center after all] but the turn out was big. after all that can be said about design.... it's really all about the dollars and cents at these things. lots of line ups for everything you name it - coats, parking, drinks, food and then the fancy yellow party isn't for everyone after you dish out the dineros for white gala ticket. yet, kudos to the toronto interior design show for using a fashion forward option of brown carpet for 2007. in the past it had been blue and i even think that they tried grey one year but overall the brown was a sure winner, it made you want to stay a little while longer. the show exuded style and the brown grounded all the booths, especially those that scream at you, are too timid or simply over done.

at this point as over exposed as us designers are - i mean do we really need an annual trade show for decor? - isn't it just another excuse to get dressed up and have a drink every year. this year i mingled and chatted, i wasn't able to hit any of the talks but i hear the speakers were top notch. i was a little disappointed in the teeny kids section especially since buying your kids bigger, better, over priced paraphernalia is THE hippest trend this year. and yeah, dwell from nyc was there.

as always a winner in my books is the studio north, where local talent has stole the show for at least two years now - go canada! a great visit chatting with the pottery diva herself, mademoiselle pascal giardin from montreal is always so refreshing. she is not only a talented artist but working with her in the past was always so pleasant - really makes you love a project more when there is enthusiasm within the whole team. although i think her piece exhibited in a concept booth wasn't showcased as beautifully as it could have been, clearly not a fault of her own. [yo! be sure to check out this ladies updated website - hot!]. missed mr. gangbar again, seems we will never meet but his installation was great! and john and arouanna of bookhou are another one of my faves. but also check out vancouver's 60 grit design, edmonton's thinkitem [prototype section] and ant-design ID [love the punch press chair], quebec's anton with some zippy clay lights.

then there's the concept spaces, i took a gander at those with a veteran super designer [we both have a couple of IDS booths under our belts, so lets say we are open to ideas yet equally critical at the same time].

concept space theme: come see what the kids are up to 'offspring'

booth 01: a conceptual, airy, great use of artist lilly young and budget conscious - yet it worked no matter how you looked at it.

booth 02: a box..... ****Magnum opus****. and the furniture to die for - most excellent - wouldn't expect anything less from an impeccable showroom - stupendous layout!

and so we move on to booth 03: wowza. now this is what we are talking about people, there is some serious talent happening in every nook and cranny of that showpiece. and the passion from architect donald chong cannot be matched - there was an incredibly enthusiastic story for every inch of wood, glass, art or window. eagerness and sheer passion, a sure love for building beautiful spaces. he made us veterans extremely proud to be standing there listening to an equally proud architect. it was almost if you were in his home. and the execution - perfection, makes it worth even mentioning his name. i need to go back again as i feel i missed something, each trip back will unveil another design detail.

booth 04: the fantasy creation that represented a livable space, i surely appreciate the reference to natures beehive and the modularity works. it's link to urbanization and theory of 'smart growth' is an idea that if studied further may actually work in the far future. you could have shot a movie in it. adaptable design for all....maybe. progressive you might even say.

[rumor on the show floor was that IDS was desperate for commitments and had exhausted the roster of designers in the city so the looked to the 'newbies in need of work'. i don't agree but that's what people were saying. and even if it were true some of the committed players far surpassed any of the visitors expectations]

a quick shout out to the aerialist's, i'm sure we all have seen them before [2 of the ladies are from my hood, up the street actually - dubbed 'girl in the sky']. and the violinist, i've been a fan for years. my little 4 year old is even mesmerised by him.

slid into the press party - watching people from the corner grope, drink, chat it up and boogie was fun. everyone from decorators, media, artists, designers, hairdressers [jie, i wonder who that was? - couldn't resist that one], architects and sales reps hit the bar drinking one after the other. i dug the yellow accent too.

until next year......

mix future interior

leave it to me.......to find a $59.60 magazine at chapters indigo in toronto.

you know me...go big or go home. it's thick, visual, matte and could the images speak for themselves anymore, please? ah, yeah, and did i mention paper wieght - goodness gracious, it's sooo nice. except that price tag, or serious spenders only.

magazine: mix future magazine brought to you via global color research limited tm - has a comprehensive news and features sections reporting on global ideas, people and products in all aspects of design, along with an essential guide to international exhibitions. [kinda like me, without the guides or areoplane fees...for free...wink, wink].

magazine type: 4 main themes ~ Observer, Stories, Diary and Forecast ~

[observer: stories on every important area of the interiors, architecture and design industry, from lighting to the newest developments in surface treatments.
stories: matters that affect the modern creative professional. Forecast: Colour palettes expanded into inspirational trends, twelve months in advance of the season.
diary: previews of the best international design exhibitions, fabric showcases, new designers, art exhibitions and design books.]

delivery: quarterly - published 4 times a year and distributed internationally

damn auzzies....why cost so mucha?

[so, uh....just so ya know 'global colour research limited tm is the latest portfolio aquisition is the UK agency for RAL colour systems on RAL products' ]

zebra madness

i have to give a shout out to my gal, the hottest chick in the flooring industry - ever! and she is backed by some fabulous co-workers who just 'rock' - wink, wink. anyways.... i had this dilemma..... my little monkey is the king of the jungle, sea, farm - you choose - and wants to be a zoo keeper when he grows up. so.... we were trying to figure out how to make his day and incorporate his love of Les animals - in a minimalist modern designer way. how? why? isn't it our house and not the little guys?

i'm not a lover of animal prints by any means but i broke down, we got this, via interface flooring. it beyond works like a gem with the black board walls, crisp white walls and ikea shelves. it is a little dizzifing [is that a word? dizzying], but he is the grand master of the zebra carpet and is in animal heaven, it's commercial grade and woven if i may add.

it was that or succumb to an all out zebra patterned area rug from pottery barn kids that woulda put us out $400.00 [CAD] bones plus 15% tax. no designer discounts from them either and if i got tired of the animal magnatism i couldn't really justify tossing it or passing it onto another jungle master. so, when we put two and two together and figured out how it would work - interface saved the day. besides, when it overwhelms me; it gives me a great excuse to move to another area of calmness and lay down....for a minute until the rhinoceros arrives, grunting.

interface born free carpet tile [modular tile], glass back, 1m x1m, black and white only. hot!

let's face it, even though they have a residential carpet tile line available in showrooms through out northamerica thier stuff can be used anywhere. if you have the eye, you can make it work.

[fyi: Interface is the worldwide leader in design, production and sales of modular carpet and a leading manufacturer and marketer of broadloom carpet, panel fabrics and upholstery fabrics. Headquartered in Atlanta, Interface has manufacturing locations on four continents and offices in more than 100 countries.
In business for more than 30 years, Interface is a leader in industrial ecology. With the vision of becoming the world's first environmentally restorative company by 2020, Interface is pioneering management and manufacturing processes that will achieve this goal. watch the a powerful moment in the Canadian documentary The Corporation,on dvd, interface is green as they come and the best! ]

diesel sample sale

yo! toronto...if you didn't get enough of the roots warehouse sale [where there was next to nothing come saturday morning, can you say - JUNK?] then maybe you can find some action-satisfaction in the style department over at surplus whom, by the way is hosting another jubilee of a SAMPLE SALE featuring none other than DIESEL better yet DIESEL KIDS.

Diesel for successful living sample sale
nov. 16, 17, 18 + 19th
thurs. + Fri. 10:00am - 9:00pm
sat. 10:00am -5pm
sun. 12pm - 5pm

this one rocks everytime. you go in, browse, try on and leave happy.
peace out.

and....we're back!

sooooo .... i guess i have some splainn' to do. ah, heck simply put, the little man and i enjoyed the summer together. after the familia left to go back to the O.C. at the end of april, he attended a drop in centre located 10 houses down the street until the end of june [who knew? we had no idea that it was there, we've been walking up and down the hood fer like 3yrs], signed up for gymnastics one night a week - my little tumble king. we explored the wonders of high park, chasing caterpillars, birds turtles and mucho exercising for mama. i also took on a design job for a charity and a couple other clients, kinda funny how things work out, as i told everyone 'no working this summer, just enjoy the kid as long as the savings will let us'. then with the loads of work i had, little man went off to nonnie's house and i had a few nights out traipsing about town, hitting a patio...or two, or three then i just lost count.

but in reality i think the entire summer i was gearing up mentally to face the little man STARTING JK! junior kindergarden people! junior kindergarden, 5 mornings a week, back to school shopping and what will my mini style guru wear his first day? well, needless to say there isn't much to buy for a kindergardener other than a backpack and a new pair of shoes [classic check vans, no doubt]. threw in a handmade dress shirt and underpants. and off to school we went. i had butterflies in my stomach walking him. took first day of school photos, met the awsome teacher and he ditched me for the toys. the second day he told me to go home. and i cried the whole way. sniff sniff.

never fear, design bungalow will always be here! i just had to have a moment [ok, 3 months], buhhht i have saved all the comments and emails and will be posting them and commenting on them all shortly.

love always and best friends forever,
designbungalow.

adios to toronto's 'style mecca'

i'm one of those people who when it hurts soooooo much, i just can't speak about it. and well, this is one of those times [the entire summer actually] ......caban is closing its doors for good canada. toronto. [if you didn't already know, like the rest of heart broken design gurus. WELL, now you do!]
hit the queen street location for fast deals, and i mean step on it!
they are closing in 3 days.

i've known for months, i still can't bear to even think about the cloud white shopping mecca locking its doors for good.

must .... go.... now..... weeping..... immensly......

boo. hoo. boo. hoo.

[yes! i know at times, scratch that - it was an over priced design mecca, but it was ours. DAMN YOU RALPH LAUREN. DAMN YOU. HAVE YOU NO FAITH IN CANADA? gosh,it was the place to browse on a sunday afternoon, a place to inhale design with my babe in the buggy, always inspiring even if it was just the scent of a candle. and now where to? big box ikea? not the same, you know what i'm talking about toronto ...don't you.]

bonne fete

hier était mon anniversaire.

joyeux anniversaire à moi!

vous remercier aussi tout ceux qui m'ont souhaité un joyeux anniversaire !
Je suis 24 ans vieux.... encore. :)

p.s. will catch up with you all shortly......

peddle chic, fantastique!

read all about the jorg&olif dutch bicycles here.
the duo from vancover: rob and jane - 'continue to develop the brand based on vision, fun, and good old-fashioned hard work'. peddle on over to their bicycle boutique in vancover or hit lileo at the distillery district in toronto this weekend and take one for a spin. vroom, vroom!

up to you

check out this uber cool toronto duo, a brother and sister venture: bill doufekas and dimitra doufekas. they have been in the biz for a couple of years now [2004].
she was a former teacher now a new age renaissance woman [actually it went more like this: 'a mild-mannered university student lived with her family in suburbia. after being disillusioned with her career as a teacher she quickly discovered she had "popular taste." originally created up to you to showcase independent designers, she has now vowed to use her shop to encourage individuality'].
and he is self described as a lover of all things beautiful or as they put it: 'his early years have been mysteriously shrouded in unconfirmed sightings and verbal reports. soon after the millennium he began to immerse himself in the study of underground designers. he has since become proficient in all that is considered wonderful.'
their fun and lively space is thought of as a form of retail therapy, in which everyone is invited to enjoy. a space where you can peruse everything you may need for small living, all perfectly aligned for your shopping pleasure - just like home. and if you can't catch them over at their place located in 1483 queen street east, they just recently hooked up an online shopping outlet. fab finds, awesome designs, just for you toronto.
*FREE AIR GUITAR WITH EVERY IN STORE AND ONLINE PURCHASE, YO!!!* for limited time only, of course.

yo, yo, YO!

let's see, where shall we sample shop first?
well, toronto this is the weekend of the preloved anniversary sale. then then there is the sale we heard about via ken gangbar's studio, his sister's company has a couple of sample sales a year for women's fashions. les details pour toi:
location: gangbar / winslade
19 Mercer St. #200
times: fri. 9-4
sat. 10-5
sun. 11-4
what?: teen flo
betsy johnson hand bags
free people
g-1
cynthia steffe
autumn casmere
charlotte trantola
cash only + support the cause: bring an item of non-perishable food to be donated to a food bank. come one come all!

then when you finish there, hit the distillery district for a huge and rare event a lileo with their 'pre summer sale'.

after you spend gobs of cash at lileo, spend more on a sofa at fluid living during their 'may 2006 sale'.... simply take a seat to rest your tootsies at least.

then later, go online or hit urban outfitters on yonge st [south, across from the eaton centre] in toronto for their 'choice stuff on the cheap sale'. while you are online you just may as well finish the whole weekend off with a shopping stint at anthropologie's 'semi annual tag sale'.
fun, wow!

piggy piggy

if you ever needed a piggy bank, here you go.
in silver + gold finish. [not real]
$150.00 bones US.

queen west fest

the west queen west has a new website, but most importantly there is a wqw fest on the weekend of june 16-18th, 2006. a weekend long shin-dig celebrating the businesses in the 'hood' featuring a sidewalk sale and yoga in trinity bellwoods park on the saturday. it's not to be missed. 'take a walk to the west side' between bathurst street and gladstone avenue where you will find the queen west arts + design district. [fyi 'the west queen west business improvement area [WQWBIA] is the voice of our business community. it is committed to designing and investing in programs that enliven local business. the WQWBIA will also act to enhance the attractiveness of the community and advocate it as one of toronto’s most alluring destinations to shop, visit and do business.' just so ya know.] hope to stretch with you in the park.

vintage deals

come one, come all.... to the preloved anniversary sale. shop owner julia grieve and designer peter friesen have reduced the prices of their summer stock 30-50%, its their 11th anniversary sale. hit the shop from may 25th-28th . its hard core, man. they have the hotteset redesigned vintage tee's in town. preloved 613 queen street west or montreal + vancover.