Address: 833 Queen St. West, Toronto
Email: eat@dlishcupcakes.com
Tel: 416 925 3535
Hours: Open Daily 11:30 AM-5:00 PM
Website: dlishcupcakes.com
Dufflet Pastries - Downtown
Dufflet has been making her signature creations since 1975. Dufflet is known for her cakes, brownies, pies, flans, tarts … you name it, she makes it. Her cakes are out of this world. We have tasted too many to mention. Make sure you check out her menu, there is something for everyone.
Address: 787 Queen St. West, Toronto
Email: retail@dufflet.com
Phone: 416 504 2870
Hours: Tues – Sat.: 10:00 Am – 5:00 PM, Sun: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Website: dufflet.com
Jimmy’s Coffee
Their coffee cups are always recognizable by its bright yellow lid. Jimmys Coffee has quickly become a neighbourhood favourite. Great coffee, pleasant atmosphere, personable staff and awesome cookies. What else could you ask for? Um…free wifi! You won’t be disappointed.
Address: 735 Queen St. West
Hours: Open Daily: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Website: jimmyscoffee.ca
Bloomers
In just six years Bloomers has made a name for themselves making hand crafted vegan donuts and goodies. They quite often have a line up, so you know they are good. Some of their popular flavours of donuts are Rose Pistachio, Birthday Cake, Vanilla Sprinkes and Cinnamon Sugar. They have daily rotating flavours, so check out their Instagram stories for their daily specials: @bloomersto.
Address: 715 Queen St West, Toronto
Email: info@bloomersto.com
Phone: 416 214 2832
Hours: Open Daily 9:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Website: bloomersto.com
Sud Forno
Just a few doors down from their restaurant Terroni, Sud Forno bakery is a great addition to the neighbourhood. Their menu includes: Cannoli, Tiramisu, Cannella, Gelato and of course, their incredible bread. We regularly pick up our Saturday morning croissants. So yummy. The smell in a bakery is so tantalizing, isn’t it?
Address: 716 Queen St. West, Toronto
Phone: 416 504 7667
Hours: Sun. – Thurs. 9:00 AM – 5:00 Pm, Sat. + Sun. 9:00 Am – 6:00 PM
Website: sudforno.com
We hope you enjoy this small sampling of some of our favourite sweets in our neighbourhood.
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Leather wrapped contours form a relaxing position that equally invites introspection and socialization. The contrasting lumbar pillow slides to be where you want it and blackened steel base provides all the support needed to start your journey of taking a damn load off. Available in 3 leather options. Shop here
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If someone had told you a few weeks ago that you would be working from home almost exclusively by spring - would you have made some changes to your home office? Perhaps you wouldn’t have needed too much - maybe you were move-in ready and just needed some finishing touches to get productive from your home workspace. Or maybe you’re reading this from your dining room table between meals, in the chair you’ve come to despise.
Either way, there’s never a time like the present to make change - and take control of your process. So if you’re looking for ways to improve the way you work from home, we’ve compiled some pieces that will let you get down to business, while giving you and your dining chairs some time to rethink your relationship.
Presenting Our Top Performers: Home Office
Productivity experts agree, separating your workspace from your living space is important. Sitting in a dedicated office area everyday signals to your brain that it is time to focus and get work done there - so you have a better chance of staying on task while working from home.
“The challenge of working from home has always been the distractions: the kids, the dog, the arrival of the mail - everything is calling out for our attention, and it’s almost impossible to get any real work done without planning a dedicated office space.”
With that in mind, we’ve rounded up our top performers in the home office category to inspire your workspace planning.
Work Desks
So what makes a good work desk? Consider size, style, and storage. In general, the smaller the space you’re working with, the more clever the solution needs to be. That’s why desks for smaller spaces often do more than one thing and are also great to look at when you’re not using them - because they’re probably going to be a part of your living space as well.
For example, we absolutely love the Swish Console Desk by Blu Dot
What’s great about this piece is its willingness to adapt. It has a sliding top that separates the table into two sections, and each side has a concealing drawer, and cord management slot. It works as a desk, or as a console which gives it a lot of versatility for smaller home office setups. Shop here
Stash desk - by Blu Dot
Sleek and discreet - the Stash is Blu Dot’s first all-wood desk. It is also their best-priced desk, with a small footprint that lets you have a separate working area without giving up a lot of floor space.
It is available in more than a few color combinations and finishes, and even has a pencil drawer to keep the clutter to a minimum: Shop here
Strut Table - by Blu Dot
If you have a little more room to work with, the Strut table is a great option. Available in five colours and three sizes, there’s really no wrong answer here: shop here
Hitch Bookcase and Desk - by Blu Dot
Long and lean, the Hitch Bookcase and Desk is expandable, which we love - and the number of finishes and colors give this workspace serious adaptability.
Perfect for a combined living and working environment, the Hitch lets you focus on business when you need to - and then enjoy its lines from across the room when it’s time to disconnect.
Shop here
Seating
“Whether you are sitting down for 5 minutes, or 5 hours - comfort is key.” - Myrlene Sundberg (graphical quote box)
Now that you’ve explored some desk options, it’s time to consider where you’ll be sitting when the magic happens. Our favorite chairs are a balance between style and comfort - pieces that will please the eye (and your tush), as you build out your own unique space to live and work.
Here are some of our favorites:
Noomi Lounge Chair - by SoftLine
Thick, plush - and elegantly dressed - the Noomi Lounge Chair is a go-to at the Urban Mode studio.
Perfect for curling up with a laptop or a cup of coffee, this chair is both comfort, and conversation-starter.
We also love that it comes with options - either the swivel base as shown in chrome or black, or a 4-legged base for those who like to think in place.
Shop here
Racer Dining Chair - by Blu Dot
We love the curves and sturdy frame on the Racer Dining Chair, and the fact that it comes in four different colours on a matching slimline steel base.
Good in the office, or the dining area, this is one piece you can rely on. And with 3 different height options you can make it your own in any number of combinations.
Shop here
Lounging
When it’s time to brainstorm, take a phone call, or simply collect your thoughts - you can count on these Urban Mode mainstays to bring your home office to the next level.
Sunday Sofa - by Blu Dot
The warm hug of the Sunday sofa is the perfect place to recharge between online meetings.
Let your mind wander, or work out a problem in total comfort. Perhaps a new snack idea will present itself - one never knows what the Sunday sofa will inspire.
Shop here
Note Side Table - by Blu Dot
This little tagalong is eager to please and will follow you anywhere. Its slim lines, and cantilevered design work anywhere you do - from the couch to the bed and beyond - ready to hold your device, your glasses, or a drink while you take care of business.
Shop here
“One thing that has become abundantly clear to me in the past few weeks, is that a lot of us thought we had a home office we could work from - but it was really just a token home office where we could answer some emails and communicate - not really a place to get serious work done.”
For better or worse, the home office is having its moment right now - let’s make it a place we love. Set yourself up for your best opportunities with a fresh look at your space. After all, according to one recent survey we spend almost 17,000 hours in an office chair during our lives. That’s a lot of time to spend wishing you were in a better chair.
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Vintage Grocers at Trancas Country Market (from their website)
Outdoor space at Trancas Country Market
Vintage car at Trancas Country Market
Vintage car at Trancas Country Market
Vintage car at Trancas Country Market
Back down to Beverly Hills to the Beverly Gardens Park for the Beverly Hills artShow to visit 4 blocks of art and crafts...another delightful surprise that we had happened upon. Apparently this show has been going on for over 45 years and had some very beautiful works from paintings and prints to glass and ceramics. The 95 degree, sunny afternoon was challenging but the park was lovely with massive eucalyptus trees for shade and a cool roundup of food trucks for sustenance. The Food Trucks included The Pudding Truck, A Rockin’ Ice, Amazebowls, The Deli Doctor, Hang 10 tacos, LA Donut, Berlin Truck (Gourmet Grilled Cheese), Belly Bombz, India Jones, Pie ‘n Burger and Cousin’s Maine Lobster (attention Shark Tank fans), just to name a few. For the complete list click here.
Art at Beverly Hills artShow
Art at Beverly Hills artShow
Art at Beverly Hills artShow
Art at Beverly Hills artShow
Vases at Beverly Hills artShow
The pond at Beverly Gardens Park
Amazing tree at the Beverly Gardens Park
Food trucks at the Beverly Hills artShow
After a very pleasant afternoon and a few purchases, that you will soon see in Urban Mode, we headed for the car and decided to google Hennessey + Ingalls book store to see where their new store is - DTLA. We decided the drive is worth it for the best book store in the world, right? So, back on the 10 for an hour and a half and when we arrive, we discover Base Camp for The Arts District aka One Santa Fe...another very interesting mix of retail, restaurants, galleries and living spaces.
It’s astonishing to see the amount of development that is taking place in DTLA. I remember this area as being very sketchy and derelict and now it’s being built up and connected with their new metro system. Perhaps that will free up the freeways a little.
We were delighted to discover a new design area that we didn’t know about. One Santa Fe is a new mixed-use development, comprised of retail, residential and commercial spaces. The living spaces offer studios and one or two bedroom apartments that include some amazing amenities. The retail and dining spaces are called The Yards. The Yards has a very modern vibe to it and is filled with a diverse selection of shops and eating options. After having a snack at Cafe Gratitude and perusing the newest architecture and design books at Hennessey + Ingalls for an hour we set out for The Grove for a little people watching. (Spoiler alert, we never made it to The Grove.)
The shops at One Santa Fe in the Arts District
The shops at One Santa Fe in the Arts District
We had just turned on to 3rd St when we saw the sign for Salt & Straw and screeched to a halt. How could we pass up ice cream from the Best Ice Cream Shop in the world? OMG, it puts ice cream into a totally new category! It was worth the 35 minute wait! While we weren’t brave enough to try the 5 creepy Halloween flavours: The Great Candycopia, Freckle & Hyde Potion, Dracula’s Blood Pudding, Essence of Ghost and Creepy Crawly Critters, we highly recommend the Almond Brittle with Salted Ganache and the Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons.
While enjoying our ice cream, we take a drive around this area - Arts District. Located next to Little Tokyo, you can still see that it was once very industrial – filled with factories and warehouses. It is now a haven for artists with great coffee and food, studios, galleries and so much more. There is a lot of developing going on here and we can’t wait to come back and see what’s new.
So, we are homeward bound fully sated on design, food and incredible experiences!
Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale
The Fall Preview includes a selection of the popular events from Modernism Week that is celebrated every February. These events include Architectural Tours, walking tours, the Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale (which has great furniture, accessories and art) and the Premier Double Decker Architectural Bus Tours. This was our first time at the Fall Preview and we had a great time.
Amazing artwork at the Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale
Mid Century Modern furniture at the Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale
Architecture at the Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale
We find out that the Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center is now open. This classic E. Stewart Williams’s building was previously a Savings and Loan building. Recently renovated by Los Angeles architects Marmol Radziner, who are known for their restoration of the well known Kaufmann House, the building is striking with its glass pavilion. The firm based its restoration on photographs of the building taken by famed photographer Julius Shulman along with Williams’ original drawings.
Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center
Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center
“We rehabilitated the 1960 Santa Fe Federal Savings and Loan building, to create a new satellite exhibition space for the Palm Springs Art Museum. Designated as a Class I Historic Site by the Palm Springs City Council in 2009, this classic Mid-Century International Style structure originally designed by E. Stewart Williams, is now devoted to architecture and design exhibitions.” – Marmol Radziner
The museum reopened in 2014. One of the delights is the museum gift shop which is partially located in the bank vault. The museum is currently showcasing a show featuring Albert Frey and Lina Bo Bardi: A Search for Living Architecture. This shows runs through January 7, 2018.
The vault in the Gift Shop in the Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center (pic from Marmol Radziner website)
Beautiful Artwork at the Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center Gift Shop
Change is happening. A trip down Palm Springs main street, North Palm Canyon Drive, demonstrates the large projects that are being built. New hotels and developments are underway that will forever change it, in a good way, I think.
After a quick lunch at Jakes, we visit a few modernist galleries and then end at our friends at Pelago. If anyone plans a trip to Palm Springs, please visit this beautiful modernist shop. They just moved into a much larger space on Main St. They showcase a carefully curated collection of all things modern from eye glasses and jewellery to lighting and furniture. It is a delight to shop in.
Pelago Palm Springs (pic by Pelago Palm Springs)
Pelago Palm Springs (pic by Pelago Palm Springs)
Beautiful sculpture in Palm Springs
The Kaufmann House - Palm Springs by Marmol Radziner
(Pic from Marmol Radziner website)
We say good bye, then back on the 10 to Santa Monica where I am trying to get at least an hour at the best architecture and design bookstore in the world, Hennessey + Ingalls. Two hours later after experiencing the glorious sunset on Ocean Boulevard, we turn onto Wilshire Boulevard where the book store has been for many years...only to find a big FOR LEASE sign in the window. How disappointing!
Beautiful sunset at the Santa Monica Pier
Beautiful sunset over the ocean in Santa Monica
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Platform - pic from L.A. Times website
Platform is a new development in Culver City, small in size, only 50,000 square feet of unique brands of retail and fabulous cafes and eateries. It has a semi industrial yet intimate feel due to the boxlike corrugated exterior of the buildings that resemble shipping containers and raw concrete. These materials are brought to life with a brightly coloured mural by local artist Jen Stark and beautiful plantings.
The Architecture of Platform
The largest shop is the Tom Dixon store showcasing his furniture, lighting and objects. Within Tom Dixon, there has opened a clothing store - Reservoir – a carefully edited selection of women’s clothing and shoes that fits in perfectly with the vibrant esthetic. Also added recently is Hayden, an all day neighborhood cafe and wine shop - a beautifully designed space with exquisite food. Hayden was opened by chef-partner Ari Kolender and Anthony Cailan (brother of Eggslut chef-owner Alvin Cailan). I personally, am not a foodie but...when my taste buds stand up and dance when I eat, I know it is amazing!
Plantings at Platform
Platform
Plantings at Platform
Beautiful Potted Plants at Platform
Sidewalk Details at Platform
Pure Cycles Container Store at Platform
Take a Wee Spin at Pure Cycles Container Store at Platform
The entire experience of Platform brings together all of your senses. From the incredible eateries to the well designed plantings and outdoor lounge areas to sit and enjoy, it is truly one of a kind.
A few streets away, we discovered this beautiful glass building with an exoskeleton metal structure. We have since found out this is a restaurant called Vespertine housed in the Waffle Building. Vespertine’s chef is Jordan Kahn. We hear it is absolutely an experience you don’t want to miss. It had a beautifully landscaped garden at the exterior, which has seats to relax in and enjoy the view. We walked a little to the right – outside of Stink Studios - and stumbled upon this amazing structure high up in the air – a metal structure with planters filled with cacti – about 150 feet in the air. It was incredible.
Beautiful metal sculpture in The Tract
Taking the time to drive around and discover what else the area called The Tract had to offer was well worth it.
It was then time to regretfully leave the Hub and make our way DTLA to visit our friends at A+R and their new store at ROW DTLA.
The ROW DTLA: A historic district, thoughtfully reimagined for creative space, retail & art. With approximately 1.3 million square feet of office space and 200,000 square feet of ground floor commercial space, The ROW DTLA has the potential to become a destination haven for people who appreciate good design, be it in clothing, jewellery, food, beer, furniture or accessories.
Coming soon to The ROW DTLA
Its current occupants include an eclectic mix of restaurants, bars, food trucks, retailers and one of our favourite design stores – A+R.
I am totally envious of their new store, the space and layout as well as the product lines. While they carry many of the same lines as we do, they have the space to showcase more products from each line and it looks good.
A+R at The ROW
After an hour of talking shop, design and Google/American Apparel gossip, it’s time to check out what else is happening in DTLA, which included some black ice cream at Little Damage.
There is also a very dark side to DTLA that I find difficult to look at and understand. It is a very sad situation and I am horrified with the tent city that is set up along the sidewalks. It astonishes me that there is so much development happening with new hotels, condominium developments, night clubs, restaurants and retail stores....and yet, hundreds of people are living in tents on the sidewalks! What is going to happen to them? There is seriously something wrong with a city that has so much wealth in it and yet others have to live like this.
...and I ask myself...what is the design of this?
As the exhibitors were putting the finishing touches on their stands, we participated in a series of panel discussions in a large tent outside the back of the hangar. Moderated by Lindsey Shook, California Home + Design’s Editorial Editor, there were 3 panels, consisting of leaders of the Los Angeles design community who explored a range of topics including: ‘The Art of Investing in your Real Estate’, ‘The Healthy Home’ and ‘Made Local: Los Angeles‘.
The Art of Investing in your Real Estate Panel
I was very pleased to hear the Real Estate panelists agree that in order to sell your property at the best possible price, the staging furnishings and accessories must be of a quality that matches the property and the price that you are asking. As well, it is essential to display the walls with “original artwork”. Product from staging rental warehouses and artwork from your local Big Box Stores does not convey the quality or the price that you may be looking to get for your property.
The Healthy Home” was about what it means to be “green” when you are building, renovating or furnishing your home. “Designing a healthy, eco-friendly home is becoming more and more important. With the new WELL building standards and an ever-evolving collection of eco-materials, it can be difficult to navigate the smartest choices.”
Made Local: Los Angeles’ was an interesting discussion consisting of 5 different designers/makers living and working in LA. Alex Segal and Riley Rea of Croft House, Jamie Davis of Portola Paints, Meyghan Hill of (wh)ore haus studios and Uri Davillier of Neptune Glassworks discussed the journey of creating, marketing their products and what they thought the attraction was for their clientele to purchase original as opposed to made in an off shore factory for less. “In the current world of design, locally made objects and furniture are playing a central role in the home and why it’s important to shop for handmade, local design.” A very interesting talk that was near and dear to my heart!
Made Local: Los Angeles Panel
The talks were followed by a reception on the show floor where everyone had an opportunity to meet and talk to the panelists as well as the exhibitors. It was also a relaxing opportunity to take a stroll through the show and see the different exhibits before all the attendees arrived. I thought that the exhibits were more artisan based and hand crafted ... from beautiful lighting to ceramics, flooring, carpets, accessories and jewellery as well as furniture.
WestEdge Lounge
Outdoor Lounge by Juniper House
Beautiful Art
The Milk Stand Popup shop by the fabulous team from Design Milk showcased up and coming design companies. Visitors and attendees could buy offered items ranging from home accessories and leather goods, to modern jewelry and artwork.
Milk Stand Pop Up presented by Design Milk
Modern Planters by AirPlantMan
What a delight to experience an exhibition of creativity, design and integrity!
You're ready to celebrate any occasion wearing this Party Watch (Gold) by Julia Rothman!
]]>We just loved the creativity of this space!
'Architect Christoph Kaiser turned a dismantled grain silo, purchased online from a Kansas farmer, into a cozy studio in Phoenix, Arizona. The 190-square-foot space is outfitted with a highly customized interior—only the Eames dining chairs were not made by Kaiser—that serves as a comfortable home for him and his wife.' Read more here. Via Dwell.
]]>I was very sad to hear about the passing of Michael Graves yesterday on Twitter. As a top trending topic, it shows the impact that he has had and will continue to have as his designs, both buildings and products are celebrated globally. First produced in 1985, his iconic 9093 kettle from Alessi celebrates its 30th year in production this year. We sold a lot of those kettles at Urban Mode. Last night, Myrlene and I were remembering our Michael Graves moments and would like to share them with you here.
When Michael spoke at the Ontario College of Art in the 1990’s here in Toronto, we arranged a reception for Michael at Urban Mode. We had an amazing turn out and people were really excited to meet Michael. Unfortunately the only people unable to attend were Myrlene and John. After finalizing all of the details, they realized that they had booked to be in Europe at a trade show and wouldn’t get to meet Michael. I, on the other hand was very fortunate, and did get to meet Michael. All I knew at that time was that he had designed the Alessi kettle that was sold at the store. Looking back now, I now realize that that evening was one of the best in Urban Mode history.
In 1999 Myrlene and I were at Jerry’s eating lunch in Soho, when she looked at me and whispered “Is that Michael Graves over there?” I took a quick peek and said “I think so but I’m not sure”. I then glanced down at his socks and sure enough they were his signature blue. I told Myrlene she should introduce herself but she didn’t want to interrupt his lunch, so for the second time, she didn’t actually meet Michael.
This takes us to June 2013. When we heard that Michael would be the keynote speaker at Dwell on Design, we were excited. We made sure to get there early and get good seats. It was standing room only. When Michael came onstage, there was so much applause. You could feel the admiration that everyone had for him. Michael spoke for over an hour, sharing with us his early experiences while abroad in Europe, including art that he had created. He spoke about how those times really influenced him in both architecture and in product design but most of all he had an amazing sense of humour and the stories he told are still talked about today. While we didn’t get a chance to meet him at that time, we appreciated that we got to be there and hear Michael speak. To watch Michael's Keynote Speech at Dwell on Design click here.
Architecture. Design. Humour. - We remember you Michael for all of this and more.
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Scandinavian furniture and lighting design is what drew us to this show. We have always
appreciated the clean lines and luxurious fabrics of Scandinavian design.
We were not disappointed.
Bright metallics and round shapes were prevalent for lighting this year.
Simple lines and gorgeous fabric.
We love this cute Guardian truck.
The set up for this booth was really well thought out. We loved the elegance of the black
against the white of the runway.
Loving the colour and stripes.
Wouldn't this bench look great outside Urban Mode?
Simple, clean displays really let the products stand out.
We found a lot of interesting ideas at this fair. We hope to bring some of our Scandinavian
finds to our showroom. Keep an eye out for them.
]]>As the Dot Spot store for Blu Dot in Toronto, we were excited to see their new designs - we were not disappointed! Their new Mona Sofa is definitely going to be a hot seller. They have a new bedroom line of furniture called Lap that is just gorgeous. Blu Dot's new addition to their lighting section called Trace pendants will be very popular as well. There are too many new designs to mention them all, to see all of Blu Dot's new designs click here.
We have also had great success with Pablo Lighting. Pablo has added some great new pendants to their line. They have added a chandelier to their Cielo series which will garner lots of excitement. Their new Swell lighting, which can be used for outdoors comes in great colours and will be coming soon to a balcony near you. These new lights will be on our website very soon!
As you can see from the pictures below, ICFF was a real success this year.
Anne by Ross Lovegrove
Colourful side tables by Cosi Come
Hot new Mona Sofa by Blu Dot
New Chip Stools by Blu Dot
We love the new Lap series by Blu Dot
New Cielo Chandelier by Pablo
New Swell Series by Pablo
New Swell Series by Pablo - 2
Nice details and colours by Newell Design Studio
Nurselog by Hinterland Design
Sweet storage by Thing Industries
New York City!
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Our first stop was the party at Bobby Berk. We had a blast chatting with other people in the design world that we knew and just catching up. Bobby introduced us to Jaime who's blog Design Milk is one of our favourite design blogs. We also met Genevieve Gorder who is one of HGTV's stars. Both of whom have a great sense of humour as you can see from the picture below.
Bobby Berk, Jaime Derringer and Genevieve Gorder. I just love this pic!
Picture was taken by Bobby (I think)
Paper Sculpture at Bobby Berk Soho
Does anyone know what Bobby is saying in this pic? lol
We had a great time at Bobby's party. If you are ever in New York, we recommend that you stop by his store on Crosby street. It has a great mix of East Coast and West Coast vibes.
Thanks Bobby, we had a great time!
On Sunday morning we were off to WantedDesign NYC held at the Tunnel. This is our 2nd year of going to Wanted and we were not disappointed. WantedDesign lets you meet the designers and manufacturers of the products and designs that are showcased there. It is also a great opportunity for design students to get a chance to show their pieces and get some feedback from designers, retailers and the public. Wanted is a hands on experience that you just don't get with other shows. As you can see by the pictures below, there was a wealth of talent at this years show.
Breathtaking light installation by Blackbody
Modern rocker by Garman Furniture
Cool ottomans by Studio Avni
Sleek metal bench
Simple but elegant table by Scott Jones
Scootin' around by Nimble Cargo Scooters
Great designs from Puerto Rico
Architectural planters by Vladimir Garcia
Great modern chair in the Bernhardt Textiles space
Love these ottomans by StudioBA
Stay tuned for Part 2!
]]>We launched Question Objects in April and have had great response to it. We think one of the best reasons is the attention to the details, from the curved edges of the drawers to the elegant papering inside to the beautiful hardware. Question Objects features 3 collections: Arctic Shoreline, Landscape and Leaf, all were inspired by the stark beauty of Canada's wilderness. Tim uses a highly environmentally sustainable oil/wax finish (which is imported from England) that is far more durable than lacquered finishes (which ‘sit on’ the surface of wood).
We hope you have an opportunity to come into our showroom and see Tim's work in person or visit our new website at urbanmode.com.
Tim Antoniuk with his Leaf Dresser
Question Objects Launch at Urban Mode
Leaf Console Table
Beautiful Curved Edges
Arctic Narrow 2 Drawer Side Table
Tim's Oil/Wax Finish on his products
Tim demonstrating his furniture
It's All In The Details
Landscape Media Cabinet
Arctic 3 Drawer Media Cabinet
Myrlene and John - the Owners of Urban Mode
Thanks to Marnie and Alex from Who Do You Love Photography for all
of the great photos --> whodoyoulovephotography.com
]]>Through Twitter and Facebook we had seen and heard about Casa Bubble for the last year and were excited to be a part of them coming here. We all put our heads together to come up with the furnishings that would best suit – life in a bubble. As a Blu Dot "Dot Spot" retailer, we knew that Blu Dot’s modern edge would be a good fit. We knew Bobby Berk’s fun and colourful collection of would play well and really stand out. Adding a few pieces from Question Objects, some lighting from Pablo and Strand Design and some planters from Steel Life and Hip Haven completes our look.
Casa Bubble Grand Lodge
The bedroom from the outside looking in
The Bedroom - featuring the Station Bed, Arctic Bedside Tables, Bullet Planter,The Living Room - featuring the Lacey Sofa, Taxi Coffee Table, Jefferson Media
Credenza and Side Table, Otto Ottoman, TableFire, Bel Occhio Lamp, Seven Lamp,
Lim Floor Lamp and Dash Rug.
Dining Room - featuring the Sprout Dining Table, Hot Mesh Dining Chairs, Dang Unit,
Stilt Floor Lamp, Echo Rug, Basin and Mezzo Mod Dishes
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But first, Maison&Objet. If you have never been, Maison&Objet is a big show that encompasses 8 buildings. There is a lot to look at and get inspired by. Colours and patterns were definitely very much in vogue at this show. We saw beautiful lighting, amazing modern furniture and some absolutely gorgeous textiles on that furniture. We came away from the show very inspired. We have to say that we were really a little bit obsessed with the 3 cute vehicles that we saw – the food truck in the Fatboy booth, one that is a Cafe and the Pink van where you can get your nails done – see pics below. For more of our trip see after the pics from the show below.
Maison&Objet
Just one of the buildings at Maison&Objet
Beautiful sculptures
Breathtaking light exhibit
Cool exercise bike
Beauty on the Go by Le Boudoir des Cocettes
Great mix of colours and patterns
Loved this food truck from Fatboy
Tom Dixon Lighting – of course!
Beautiful lighting
Buying Nail Polish from the Nailmatic vending machine – I chose Lexy (Purple)
Illuminating pass-through between buildings
Beautiful light installation
Gorgeous bowls and vases
Alto Cafe mini truck
We decided that we would take advantage of the day with the best weather to walk around Paris. We decided we would go to the Centre Pompidou and the nearby Marais district. The day was sunny and it ended up being the warmest day there. It was a great day to stroll and soak up the parisian atmosphere. We saw a lot of great stores and do we even to talk about the patisseries. There are a lot of patisseries in the Marais district. We walked by a store that we thought was a jewellery store but it was an amazing patisserie – Les Fees Patissieres. As you can see from the pic below, their displays are amazing! More of our trip after the pics below.
Beautiful sculpture outside the Pompidou
Les Fees Patissieres
Myrlene and I both love cheese – I mean you are in Paris after all, you have to try the cheese – and more than just once! We also took in some other sights as we strolled around – Notre Dame, the “Love Lock” Bridge and the Eiffel Tower (from afar). All beautiful and amazing to see in person. We went to Carre d’artistes Gallery rue St André des Arts. We loved the artwork and their great range of artists. One store that was recommended that we go see was Merci. They have a nice courtyard with a red car in it. They also have 3 cafes to choose from, we ate in the Used Book Cafe. Nice atmosphere and the food was good. Merci is a combination of fashion, designed goods and household products. We have not seen a store before that brings all of these elements together. We enjoyed our time in Paris and look forward to the next time. A bientot.
Cheese!
Me in Paris
Notre Dame at night
“Love Lock” Bridge
Carre d’artistes Gallery
Courtyard of Merci
Used Book Cafe in Merci
While we were in the Porter Lounge waiting for our flight to NYC, we had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with Laurence Fishburne. Really nice guy. We took that as a good omen for the rest of our trip.
We saw a lot of great design at NY Now and met some interesting people. We were impressed with the smaller independent companies that come up with some fabulous products, some of which you will see on the shelves at Urban Mode over the next few weeks and months.
Best Toffee Ever at NY Now
Cookware by Karim Rashid at NY Now
Terrariums by Roost at NY Now
Gorgeous Watches by Tokyo Bay at NY Now
More gorgeous watched by Tokyo Bay at NY Now
Sweet animal ottomans at NY Now
As the show had staggered opening times we found ourselves with Saturday afternoon free. So we headed to the West Village and took a browse through Flight 001. We noticed, sadly, that Mxyplyzyk, one of our favourites, that was across the street had closed. We found out later that it has moved to New Jersey. We decided to take a stroll along Bleecker Street. We found some great new stores that we hadn’t seen before. Chocolate and candy stores are always fun to go into. We found 2 that we liked: Chocolate Bar and Curious Candy by Cynthia Rowley. We liked both stores and bought ourselves some treats. Yummy. We went into a store called Bookmarc, which is a combination of books and interesting gifts. We walked by a crowd of people on the street eating grilled cheese sandwiches and enjoying them so much. Murray’s Cheese Shop does a booming business and was busy. They offer a variety of grilled cheese sandwiches. We will definitely go back to try one out next time we are in NYC.
Our biggest discovery was the Samsung Experience Store in Soho. This pop up experience was supposed to only be open until November but was such a huge hit that they have kept it open. Experience is definitely the word to describe it. There were bar tables with stools where you could sit and try out all of their products. It has a beautiful lounge that was made to look like a really cool living room. The oval bar in the center serves juice and pastries, all ordered through their tablets and phones. The design bar where you could design products online was just hopping with about 30 people crowded around it, all designing a new football. They even had a photo area were you could get your photo taken with footballs and helmets taken in front of a football field image. It was definitely themed out for the Superbowl. We hammed it up and had our picture taken. The coolest part about this store is that you can interact with all of their products in different ways. You can also place orders for the products and pick them up at the nearest store.
Samsung Experience Store in Soho
Lots of people at the Design Studio in the Samsung Experience Store
The lounge at the Samsung Experience Store
Myrlene and I hamming it up at the Photo area in the Samsung Experience Store
Only in Soho!
Our last day In New York it snowed. New York City is beautiful in the snow. What a tragedy … we almost got snowed in and didn’t get to leave!
Snow in NYC
As one of Blu Dot’s exclusive Dot Spot retailers, we had the privilege of attending the very 1st Dot Spot Summit. Held in Minneapolis where Blu Dot was founded by John Christakos and Maurice Blanks. Blu Dot’s goal is to bring good design to as many people as possible by creating beautiful modern furniture and accessories.
As one of Blu Dot’s exclusive Dot Spot retailers, we had the privilege of attending the very 1st Dot Spot Summit. Held in Minneapolis where Blu Dot was founded by John Christakos and Maurice Blanks. Blu Dot’s goal is to bring good design to as many people as possible by creating beautiful modern furniture and accessories. We had an awesome time.
The 1st item on our agenda was an Architecture and Design Tour of Minneapolis. Minneapolis – who knew? The tour was 2 and a half hours and was not long enough. Our tour guide – Medora Danz – was exceptional and too funny. We saw some of the most beautiful architecture – both commercial, residential and museums.
Guthrie Theater
Guthrie Theater
Mill City Museum
Our tour included driving around all of the lakes in the middle of Minneapolis. Our last stop on the tour was the Lakewood Cemetery. They have recently added the Garden Mausoleum – a series of very modern buildings that are all connected. A long rectangular reflecting pool and a set of exterior steps are just part of the lush landscape. The Lakewood Memorial Chapel is another amazing building at this cemetery.
Lakewood Cemetery Garden Mausoleum
Exterior Steps outside the Garden Mausoleum
Myrlene at Lakewood Cemetery
The Lakewood Memorial Chapel
After the tour, we had dinner at Marin Restaurant. The food was great and we all had a great time getting to know each. The next day we spent the day at Blu Dot’s headquarters.
Blu Dot’s Reception
The 2 sculptures in the photos above and below are from the Blu Dot Swap Meet. Blu Dot is known for their sense of fun and the Swap Meet certainly was an interesting and exciting project.
Blu Dot’s Headquarters is an old airplane parts factory. As you can see from the pictures, their space is inspiring.
Just inside the front door at Blu Dot
Blu Dot’s Space
Who wouldn’t want to work here?
We had a series of sessions and we were introduced to the designers and to see how their design process worked.
We also got a peek at some of the new designs they are working on. There are some very cool pieces coming in the future. All of Blu Dots design are created in house.
Warren is one of the designers at Blu Dot
Brad is another designer at Blu Dot
Our lunch was a surprise and a real treat. The Hola Arepa Food Truck is very popular in downtown Minneapolis where it is normally parked. They make tasty arepas. One of the best meals we have ever had. Yummy!
Lunch at the Hola Arepas Food Truck
Lunch Line Up!
We spent the rest of the day in sessions, learning and laughing.
We then had a private tour of the Walker Art Center. The exhibit called Painter Painter has some beautiful artwork.
If you are in Minneapolis, we recommend that you make time to see the Walker.
Art by Sarah Crowner at the Walker Art Center
Claus Oldenburg Sculpture outside the Walker Art Center
After a very full day, we were invited to dinner at John Cristakos’s house. John has a beautiful modernist house on a hill overlooking downtown Minneapolis. It is furnished with iconic vintage furniture and beautiful modern art. The food was amazing and all of us were truly blessed to be there.
Dinner at John’s house
The view from John’s house was breathtaking!
Dot Spotters
We want to congratulate and thank Blu Dot for creating and hosting all of us on their very 1st Dot Spot Summit. We also want to thank the 601 Graves Hotel for their hospitality. Their hotel is gorgeous and we would highly recommend this hotel if you are ever in Minneapolis.
Thank you Blu Dot for an amazing Experience!
Myrlene and Mary Frances
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Our first day at Modernism Week started out at Koffi. The weather was beautiful and we relaxed outside. Hidden behind Koffi and Just Fabulous is a nice area with trees and grass and lots of places to sit called The Corridor. We discovered this little mecca on our first trip to Palm Springs and we spend part of everyday there. We love it!
]]>Our first day at Modernism Week started out at Koffi. The weather was beautiful and we relaxed outside. Hidden behind Koffi and Just Fabulous is a nice area with trees and grass and lots of places to sit called The Corridor. We discovered this little mecca on our first trip to Palm Springs and we spend part of everyday there. We love it! We were shopping in Just Fabulous when we were told that there was a Palm Springs Modernism Show at the Convention Center. We had just enough time to race over there and had only 40 minutes to browse around before our Modern Garden Tour. The Modernism Show was a gathering of vintage furniture, art and jewellery. We wished we had more time to look around but it was the last day, so we took in as much as possible. We found some impressive modern furniture and the art was beautiful. As an added bonus, there was an array of gorgeous vintage automobiles outside the convention center. Sunny weather and vintage automobiles….great combination!
One of the other must-do’s was the Expo Tent and Prefab Showcase.
The Expo Tent showcased a modern mix of products and furnishings for your home, including Blu Dot and Urbio. Both lines we carry in our store and on our website. Also, our friend Chris from Just Modern was showcasing some of the great products he sells in his store. When you are in Palm Springs, please visit Just Modern. We dare you not to buy anything!
Sustain MiniHome by Altius Architects was a great addition. This energy efficient, modern prefab is really amazing. It has a small carbon footprint as well as being compact. Our prefab addition at our store was designed by Altius Architects and was one of the first built by them. We love it and had it built especially for showcasing Blu Dot Furniture. We hope you enjoyed this blog series on our trip to Modernism Week in Palm Springs.
A great example of the amazing art at the Modernism show at the Convention Center.
I really loved this piece by Eyvind Earle. It was $16,000. I bought 2 boxes of his cards instead.
This vintage dresser just wouldn’t fit in my suitcase.
We loved the art in Palm Springs. We saw wonderful pieces like this one even displayed on the outside of homes.
Vintage cars in Palm Springs! Love it!
Amazing cat sculptures outside the Expo Tent.
Sustain MiniHome by Altius Architects. More info at sustain.ca
Relaxing at The Corridor.
Two words – nice ride!
The Frey House II Tour is one of the most sought after house tours during Modernism Week. We were very excited to be able to get tickets to see this house.
The description of Frey House II Tour from https://www.modernismweek.com :
“A perennial favorite, the Frey House II seems to grow out naturally from the craggy rocks of the San Jacinto mountain overlooking Palm Springs. Architect Albert Frey spent years measuring the movement of the sun and the contours of the rocks before he selected the site for his modernism home. Widely praised as a landmark example of desert modernism, the Frey House tours nearly always sell out in October.”
The Frey House II is located on a private gated road up on the mountains overlooking Palm Springs. On the way up to the house you go through a beautifully designed gate that instead of swinging horizontally, swings vertically thus saving space as the driveway is very narrow. As we got close to the house, a male roadrunner ran/flew across the driveway in front of us. We were all delighted to see one of these beautiful birds in person.
The construction on the house began in 1963. The original house was 800 square feet and was designed using every inch of that 800 square feet. Frey used built-in seating, cabinets and dining/work surface. The highlight of the house is the massive rock that existed on the property and which Frey built the house around. Frey expanded the house by 400 square feet in 1972 to add a guest room. Colour is everywhere in this house from the yellow curtains to the turquoise blue of the kitchen cabinets to the blue of the pool and the sky. The pool seems almost to be suspended over the amazing views of Palm Springs. If you ever get a chance to get tickets to this house, we highly recommend it.
The beautiful exterior of the Frey House. photo from www.janeldesign.blogspot.com
The interior and breath taking view from Frey House II. photo from www.shelmosk.com
Pool at Frey House II
Isn’t the massive rock by the bed amazing? photo from www.limitemagazine.com
We love the built ins Frey used in this house.
Beautiful view of Palm Springs.
Another view from Frey House II.
Anyone for a dip?
This is the third blog in a series we are doing about our visit to Modernism Week. Stay tuned for more.
]]>Our second day of Modernism Week we had signed up for two tours. The first being Steel Modern After All These Years. This was a tour that we were really looking forward to. We love modern houses and we love prefab buildings especially. Being able to view houses that had both of these characteristics was exciting.
The description of the Steel Modern After All These Years Tour from https://www.modernismweek.com
“Steel Modern After All These Years is a fascinating and educational tour of three steel houses built in 1937, 1962 and 2012. Tour-goers will receive a scholarly 8-page tour booklet describing the architectural importance of these extraordinary houses. This unique tour will feature a rare and remarkably intact early steel house by General Houses, Inc. (Fisher, 1937), one of the iconic Steel Development Houses (Wexler & Harrison, 1962) and a new steel house constructed by Blue Sky Building Systems (O’Donnell, 2012). The 1962 steel house was recently placed on the National Register of Historic Places.”
This tour consisted of 3 steel houses:
The first house is a rare and early steel house. Manufactured by General Houses and designed by Howard T. Fisher – 1937. Every part of this residence was made by mass production in a factory. The steel frame bolted together. The inside walls are made of plyboard. Both inside and outside walls could be finished in any colour. The landscaping of this home is beautiful. The front and back gardens were very inviting. This home was last purchased in 1962 and the owner continues to reside there.
Steel Development House No. 2 was our second stop. Designed by Wexler & Harrison – 1962. Architects Wexler & Harrison designed an entire prefabricated subdivision of steel homes. Only seven were actually built. All of the rooms of this home feature sliding glass doors that open onto beautiful patios and a swimming pool. This house has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2012. We enjoyed seeing the furnishings of this home. Every room was well thought out.
The third house – Gilbert-Troost Residence - is a new steel house designed by architect Lance O’Donnell built 2012 and constructed by Blue Sky Building Systems. This 1,700 square foot home is prefab at its best. From the carport to the adjoining casita to the outdoor pool and entertaining area, this was just amazing. The owners have furnished this home with comfortable yet modern furniture. The artwork and the cool phones are the icing on the cake. We cannot say enough about this incredible home. This is an energy-efficient home. The cost was $280 per square foot, making it very affordable. One of its best features is that you can rent this home and enjoy it for yourself! The information for renting this property is here: http://www.beaumondevillas.com/view-all-villas/glass-and-steel-house-2012/
House # 1 – photo from www.kcet.org
Front exterior pic. of Steel Development House No. 2
One of the patios off the den. – Steel Development House No. 2
Another patio from – Steel Development House No. 2
Loving the Jetsons! – Steel Development House No. 2
Gilbert-Troost Residence at night – photo from www.palmspringslife.com
Beautiful night sky view from Gilbert-Troost Residence at night – photo from www.beaumondevillas.com
Amazing view of the outdoor area at Gilbert-Troost Residence – photo from www.beaumondevillas.com
One of the Bedrooms at Gilbert-Troost Residence
Beautiful interiors at Gilbert-Troost Residence
How cool is this phone? Gilbert-Troost Residence
Outdoor shower at Gilbert-Troost Residence
Streetview of Gilbert-Troost Residence - photo from www.beaumondevillas.com
This is the second blog in a series we are doing about our visit to Modernism Week. Stay tuned for more.
]]>Last week we flew down to Palm Springs for their annual Modernism Week. We have been looking forward to this for the past year. Every year we keep missing it and last year we were able to catch the last day. We had such a great time in that one day that we decided we were going to book it for sure this year. Modernism Week has plenty to offer from Garden Tours to House Tours to parties and they always sell out quickly. We mulled over our options and decided on the Modern Garden Tour, Steel Modern After All These Years House Tour and The Frey House II Tours. This is our first in a series of blogs we are doing about our visit to Modernism Week. Stay tuned for more.
The description of the Modern Garden Tour from https://www.modernismweek.com :
“Experience a selection of modern gardens in Palm Springs all using desert friendly plantings ranging from drought tolerant to lush landscapes. Led by landscape designers William Kopelk and Paul Ortega, they, along with docents, will be on hand to answer questions. A keepsake brochure and map will be provided. At the conclusion of your self-drive tour, join us for a garden courtyard reception at the Saguaro Hotel, from 4-5 p.m., with the garden designer, William Kopelk.”
The Modern Garden Tour consisted of 6 gardens. The landscaping was beautiful. The combination of trees, cactus, succulents and shrubs are cleverly mixed with circular concrete pads, combed gravel and colourful planters. Some of the gardens had gorgeous pools surrounded by inviting lounge areas that included Koi ponds and porch swings. We even saw some sweet little turtles being fed watermelon. Landscape and interior designers, Gino Dreese and Troy Williams were the designers on a couple of the gardens. They are known for their one-of-a-kind landscaping projects. We think you will agree that their work is spectacular.
The creative way they mix the cactus, rocks and gravel is truly inspiring.
Don’t you just love the galvanized corrugated steel fencing?
The circular concrete pads, gravel and beautiful plantings of this front garden was one of our favourites!
Hungry little turtles love watermelon too!
Who wouldn’t want to spend some time lounging around this pool?
]]>Bonnie and Clyde Sectional:
When Bonnie and Clyde come together, something is bound to happen. Don’t let the inconspicuous colors fool you: a sleek sectional paired with a well-tailored sofa is always a killer combination. Each is available separately, too, but together they can really work a room. Available in coal, cocoa, pebble, or stone.
Buttercup Rocker:
A svelte crescendo of form and function. For those about to rock, we salute you, with the Buttercup Rocker. This ensemble has style as well as swagger with its bent plywood seat and a brushed stainless steel base. Available in rift-sawn white oak, graphite-on-oak and walnut. Also available as a chair.
Dang Media Stand:
Perforated steel door front allows use of remotes without spoiling the view. Brass details and powder-coated steel base. Available in risk-averse grey and white.
Desk 51:
An uncluttered surface. A keyboard tray. What else do you need to finish the great American novel or even the Mother of All Spreadsheets? How about some dramatic legs and color schemes like ivory/grey, humble red, slate or white? So get to it, Hemingway.
Hot Mesh Chair:
Chipper chair seeks derrières for at home enjoyment or café canoodling. Available in four finishes: black, natural yellow, simple blue and white. Stackable and suitable for use indoors or out.
Hush Bed:
Quiet moves. A wafer thin upholstered headboard and padded side rails are supported by brushed stainless steel base. Available in four sizes (king, queen, full and twin) and four colors (ocean, persimmon, smoke and stone).
Knicker Chair:
Details make the difference. Like the subtle shift from fabric to wood and the just-so padded seat. Whether you’re serving souffle or corn dogs, no one will mind because of these chairs. Available in chalk or dark roast upholstery and white, black or chocolate leather alternative with walnut legs.
Lily Pad Coffee Table:
Three is not a crowd. Walnut and powder-coated steel give you the perfect coffee table for your pad.
Modu-licious #3:
Drawers and doors are your canvas with the award-winning Modu-licious series. Choose from white, grey blue, FLW red, ivory, red, slate and robin’s egg blue to create your own look. In graphite-on-oak, maple and walnut with powder-coated steel drawers and doors.
One Night Stand Sleeper Sofa:
It’s a modern sleeper sofa that doesn’t look like one. Sort of like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Just remove the back cushions and flip the seat forward. Voilà, instant queen-sized mattress. Brushed stainless steel leg. Available in pebble, persimmon, smoke or stone.
Paramount Sofa:
As comfortable as your favorite jeans. As versatile as a little black dress. This classic sofa can go anywhere in style but don’t be surprised if it steals the limelight in its own quiet way. Available in graphite, pebble, smoke or stone.
Rook Table Lamp:
You don’t need to be skinny to be beautiful. This little light of ours is, unapologetically, a bit chunky and we think it’s pretty hot. Solid Walnut with an off-white linen shade and gray 80″ cloth cord. 100-watt max.
Son of A Bench:
Is it a modern bench, a coffee table or a sculpture? Yes, it is. Interlocking loops of hot-rolled steel create an intriguing form of mass and negative space. A glossy black rubber-dipped skin positively drips with attitude. Black only.
Splash Coat Rack:
Powder-coated steel and solid walnut stand at the ready to relieve you of jackets, hats, scarves and bags in style. Dress it up or keep it naked. Either way it remains easy on the eyes. Who says utility can’t be attractive? Available in bright blue, complete yellow, putty grey, humble red, and white.
Stilt Floor Lamp:
Traditional woodworking joinery takes on a different light when slender walnut legs pirouette open to form one well-poised base. A crisp white linen shade and red cloth-covered cord complete the trifecta of goodness. Available in two sizes (floor and table), depending on how much leg you want to show.
Woodrow Bed:
Graceful lines meet gorgeous wood. Available in walnut and four sizes (king, queen, full and twin).
This was an amazing city wide exhibition of design of all types and styles.I was not intending to go to the show this year until one morning I opened my e-mail and discovered that I had an e-mail announcing the launch of Yo ! Home by Simon Woodroffe, the creator of Yotel – a hotel that I love to stay at in New York. I was hooked. I had to see what Simon had created. The teaser video stated it was a 2 bedroom home that would fit in a squash court. Given my passion for creating efficient living spaces in limited square footage, I knew that I had to go, so at the last minute, flights were booked and hotel rooms found and off we went for 4 days.
I was not disappointed. Simon demonstrated the luxurious protoype that was quite spacious. It actually is larger than a lot of the small condos that are being built here in Toronto. He has included many interesting space saving and double duty pieces. I had seen them all before but it was interesting to see the manner in which he had put it together.
Check out the video here to see the features of this creative unit. http://yo.co.uk/ My favorite part of it was the revolving storage and bookshelf. I also loved the pocket doors that pull out and hide the kitchen. I question the practcality of the rising bedroom above the sunken living room – what happens if the power fails? I also wonder about the dining room that folds out of the floor. I think human beings are basically lazy and I don’t think I would open the floor to create a dining area…or if I did, I would be too lazy to put it away again.
The entrance to the 100% Design was an incredible 46 meter tunnel with a constantly changing light show…very dramatic.This is the 10th year of this event and was revamped to be a design experience in itself , not just a trade show.
The Design Festival encompassed the entire city from larger exhibitons such as 100% Design at Earl’s Court to Tent London at the Old Truman Brewery in East London to Design Junction on New Oxford St to many smaller venues, pop-up shops and design showrooms thru-out the city.
Tent London featured 200 exhibitors, respected designers of furniture, lighting and interior objects from over 26 countries.
Aside from being seduced by all the great design in interior materials and objects we were thrilled by the new architecture and building that has happened around London. Buildings clad in corrugated steel in rich retro colours of mustard, avacodo , cobalt blue and Frank Lloyd Wright red. We ate in great new restaurants like Cantine who created a new menu of a modern interpretation of British fare just for Design Week.
We discovered a new hotel called Citizen M very close to the Tate Modern. It takes your breath away…completely furnished by Vitra and has only been open for 9 weeks. That is definitely on my list to stay there when I go back to London. Here is the link to Citizen M’s website: www.citizenm.com
Our other exciting surprise was to get off the tube at Shoreditch and discover a mini shopping mall created entirely from shipping containers – Box Park Mall. It was wonderful ! I have long been fascinated with shipping container buildings and it was great to investigate this endeavor, talk to the tenants and check out the installation.
All in all an exciting and invigorating trip, too short to take everything in but long enough to whet the appetite to return.
To see more pictures, check out the photo album 100% Design Show In London on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/urbanmodedesign
Try a vessel, one wall plate, 4, 6, or 9 – as many as you want. Urbio can also provide a vertical solution for all types of organizational needs within your home. We encourage you to be creative and push the limits of what your Urbio can do for you. Plant, organize, and space save all at once.
We immediately put up a large display in our store and it looks awesome.
ModFire blends clean lines and organic shapes to showcase the warmth of the fire. It is a place for gathering, sharing and enjoying life. Too often we let our sense of style and design stop at the backdoor. The ModFire Collection brings the same visual sizzle to your outdoor space – extending your personality to the place where you gather with friends and family. They come in a variety of striking colors and fuel burning options, including wood, propane, ethanol and natural gas.
ModFire Lifestyle
As one of the top Dot Spot Stores for Blu Dot furniture in North America, we are very excited to introduce you to the newest Blu Dot products. Blu Dot’s goal of bringing good design to as many people as possible is certainly apparent is this new collection. The new additions include the Hot Mesh Chair, the Scamp series of tables and the Flask Table Lamp. These new pieces are a great addition to their already award winning line up.
We recently had the pleasure of staying at The Saguaro Hotel in Palm Springs: “An Oasis of Desert Modern”. The Saguaro Palm Springs, a Joie de Vivre Hotel, has a vibrant colour palette. The 12 colours adorn each balcony and guestroom. The outside spaces are as vibrant as the inside spaces.
“The Sydell Group acquired the hotel in mid-2011 with a plan to fully renovate the property into a resort celebrating the natural desert surroundings of Palm Springs. Architects Peter Stamberg and Paul Aferiat were brought in to infuse local color into the property. The team, known for their bold use of color, advocated recreating The Saguaro around a palette of 12 vibrant tones found in native desert wildflowers. Sydell wanted the hotel to possess the friendly hospitality for which Joie de Vivre is famous and accordingly tapped the company to oversee the property’s operations.”
The Guestrooms are roomy and include sitting areas, a desk, as well as luxury bath products. We loved the beds and the linens are a great indulgence. The gardens and grounds were renovated in February of this year. The pool area has some appreciated amenities of its own. They include: outdoor, heated Olympic size pool, cabanas, fire pit, hot tubs and poolside bar and food service. They also offer daily yoga sessions by the pool. The Saguaro is also pet friendly. If that wasn’t enough, they also have two restaurants: Tinto and El Jefe. An on-site spa and fitness centre round out this hotels wonderful array of services.
We spend time in Palm Springs for the architecture, design and beauty and The Saguaro encompasses all of that. We hope the next time you are in Palm Springs you will have a chance to experience this great hotel.
The Saguaro
1800 East Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92264
T 877-808-2439
Website: http://www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/riverside/saguaro_palmsprings/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jdvhotels
As a Blu Dot retailer, we absolutely love Blu Dot and their designs. Yesterday Blu Dot retweeted this video from Dylan Mason. We love it! If you want to follow Dylan on Twitter, his handle is: @dylnmasn and Blu Dot’s Twitter handle is @bludotnews . Thanks Dylan!
Blu Dot Love from Dylan Mason on Vimeo.
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