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Eye Spy….ORDER

February 8, 2010 by flohaus

Happy Monday Everyone!

This is the second color forecast theme for 2011. As mentioned in last Monday’s post, the overall theme that dominates all color stories is Balance and Harmony.  We saw it in the orderliness of the rows of fields and the connection to all things healthy in the Farm theme. In this week’s theme we are trying to create order out of the chaos of the past few years and what is still occurring around us.  Whether it’s the unpredictability of the weather, to the many wars in different parts of the world; we are forced to prioritize and bring order to our lives.

We are seeing a “Classicism” reemerge in everything from fashion, lifestyles and architecture.  I saw it happening about 3 years ago in fashion personally, just before I closed down my fashion studio.  Structure and purity of form were just starting to show then and are very evident now.We are taking stock and the adage “Less is More” will strengthen as the year goes by.  We are seeing, geometrics, dots and circles in arrays, stacking and outlining.

Shelving; Patchwork; Structure; Form; Shelving; Stripes; Pixels; Polka-dots; Circles; Geometrics; Fractals; Cubes; Anti-throwawayism; Less is more; Definition.

How will this theme affect color?  We will see a throw back to simple color combinations; Primary colors; Black and White etc.  The colors and forms of the 80’s is a great example.

I’ll show the colors, patterns and textures on Friday.

Cheers!

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All things…FARM

February 5, 2010 by flohaus

Images are from the Color Pulse 2011 forecast book from Benjamin Moore.

Next week, I’ll reveal the next color theme, Karen on Paint Talk, more great finds at IDS and more!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Cheers!

Posted in Colour | Tagged | 1 Comment »

Cool Product – Tsunami Glassworks

February 4, 2010 by flohaus

Years ago, after trying a couple of times and being on a waiting list, I was lucky to get into the weekend glassblowing seminar at Harbourfront.  If you’ve ever visited Harbourfront on a weekend, The Craft Studio is usually bustling with activity.  When I finally got a chance to stand in front of the “Glory Hole”, I found it to be exhilarating, exciting and extremely difficult!  This is a craft that cannot be done alone folks.  I have an immense amount of appreciation for this craft.  So, whenever I come across anything glass-blown, I stop and say a silent prayer for the amazing item that was formed.

And at this year’s Interior Design Show, I was struck into silence when I saw the Tsunami booth.  Brilliantly named, Tsunami Glassworks, is owned by Eva and Kriston.  A husband and wife team, who create the most amazing glass sculptures, vases, tiles and more.  Operating for 5 years now, their studio, is located in Windsor , Ontario so they can be centrally located between, Toronto, Chicago and Detroit.   They sell their items in retail stores in Toronto and the US and they also have sent pieces to the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Puerto Rico.   Besides retail, they have many commissions with designers and architects.

The Studio and Retail Gallery

They’ve just completed a commission with the Ritz Carlton Presentation Centre, see below.

These are some of my faves:

I love this Cascade Chandelier from their blog and Mocoloco:

Tsunami Glassworks’ Cascade chandelier is made of reclaimed window glass that has been etched with information from financial spreadsheets. Shown as part of the Assets & Values show in Toronto, Cascade is a timely reminder of how precarious our financial situation can be if not handled with care. by sabine7

Check out their website and find a retailer near you.

And check out their BLOG, FACEBOOK and TWITTER for new and exciting works.

Cheers!


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Flower Power – How to make an inexpensive flower arrangement

February 3, 2010 by flohaus

One of the first things to keep in mind when making an arrangement is the size of your vase. More recently vases have come down in price so you can pick up a variety of small vases from around $7 to $12. Having said that, if you can invest in a couple of different sizes and maybe some river rocks which cost around $6 to $8 a bag you could put together a few different looks. You can also find things around your own house, a water jug, a shallow glass bowl, and even egg cups for those single broken blooms. The smaller the opening of the vase the less flowers you have to buy.

Throughout the year certain flowers are going to be cheaper than others, especially in the summer months when we have locally grown peonies, hydrangea and dahlias. These have larger blooms so you will need less to fill your vase. A mass of one particular color is always nice too, for example at this time of year tulips  are in season and can make a bold statement.

I have put together a few different ideas using various small vases.

1. One of them is a small glass square container, at the bottom I have put river rocks and a small amount of water just to cover the stem and a cut cymbidium orchid. The orchid costs between $5 to $7 at the florist, if you are having a dinner party you could line up two to three of these along your dining room table, which would be very cost effective.  They are long lasting and add a punch of color at the same time.

2.   Next is an arrangement with hydrangea, anenomies, a small amount of greenery and a large leaf to wrap around the inside of your vase. First, fill your vase with water, taking your large leaf; wrap it around the inside of your vase. Next, cut your greenery so it measures above the lip of your vase and place it inside. Hydrangea comes next- stand it up in front of your vase and measure so it comes above the lip and just higher than your greenery. After that, anenomies are cut; slide them inside along the hydrangea and move them around until you like the placement. This is a simple arrangement that can be done in no time at all and as I mentioned before, with any of the large flower heads. The cost of this would be around $16.00.

3.  Thirdly I have put together some tulips in a small round vase. Again, using greenery that you have picked up at your local florist, cut it to measure above the lip of your vase. This greenery will help to hold the tulips up and make it look like a larger arrangement than it really is. Measure each individual tulip by holding it up in front of the vase, after you have cut a couple you will see what lengths you need.  They don’t all have to be the same as it would be nice to have some height difference.

If buying from a florist you will be able to get just the amount that you need stem by stem rather than having to by a whole bunch of mixed colors at your grocery store. It will be easier to pick up small amounts of greenery too.

Here are a few tips that will be useful:

  • Make sure your vase is clean and free of bacteria.
  • Fill your vase ¾ of the way full.
  • Cut your stems on an angle with a knife.  Do not use scissors as it pinches the stems and makes it hard for the flower to drink.
  • Change water every 2 to 3 days.
  • Sometimes greenery out-lasts your flowers so you can give it a fresh cut and use again if still healthy.
  • Keep away from sources of heat.
  • To make your arrangement last a little longer, at night put it in a cool basement or a bay window.
  • Tulips tend to grow towards the light so give them a little turn each day so they grow evenly.

Try making your own arrangement and you’ll be really surprised how easy it is in a small container.

Nicola Bishop

Posted in Flora | Tagged | 1 Comment »

Design Fix – Window Treatments

February 2, 2010 by flohaus

Hi Diana,

Attached is a picture of our livingroom windows which are in need of a fresh window treatment.  I would prefer something that just covers the lower section of window, leaving the muntin bars exposed, as they are now.  A further restriction is that it should be somewhat resistant to claws as our cats like to look out these windows and often push the curtains out of the way.  I’ve considered Californian shutters in a colour to match the window paint (each individual window frame has a full 4″ recession so plenty of room to have them built in cleanly)  but wonder how they would look with the horizontal lines of the shutters right above the vertical lines of the mission-style bench and if they would suit a traditional setting.  Thanks very much for any suggestions you might have!

Carol

Hi Carol

I can see from the picture that you have a lovely Arts and Crafts home and that you have kept true to the look of the era with the colours and furniture.  Well done! In fact, the curtains of that era were exactly as you have them now – cafe-style in lace!  Also, very popular back then were roller blinds and heavy drapes in velvets and brocades (left over from the Victorian era).  I do agree with you that California style shutters would not work here, but I do have a few suggestions for you below:

1. Keeping the panels the same size to fit your hardware, but instead of gathering the lace as you have, make the panels flat with the bottom free. You could up-date to the Art Nouveau era look by picking a silk fabric that has a large floral imprint in tone-on tone or a burnout pattern in off-white or white like you have.  I’m suggesting Art Nouveau because it will create a nice graphic contrast to the hard lines of your Mission bench. Here are some examples of patterns.

2.  A more permanent window treatment would be to have 4 stained glass panels made, matching the colors to coordinate with the colors in your room .  This way the 2 ends can remain clear for the cats, but they will also be able to look through the stained glass.  Here are some great Art Nouveau examples.

3. If you are stuck on a lace, you could update it by getting fresh panels and gather them in the middle with a color co-ordinated band, that would remain on it permanently.  Therefore, you are partially covered and the cats don’t have to scratch the panels open.  See my sketch below.


Thank you Carol.  Let me know what you’ve decided.

Send in your dilemmas and I’ll fix them for you.

Cheers!

Diana


Posted in Decor | Tagged | 2 Comments »

Eye Spy…COLOUR FORECAST 2011

February 1, 2010 by flohaus

Good morning everyone.

This is the introduction to a 4 part series, highlighting what color forecasters are predicting for 2011.  Color forecasters play an incredibly important part in driving our style from year to year.  All industries, from the auto industry to fabric, fashion, paint, furniture and basically any product; rely on color forecasting to predict what consumers will be looking for in the products that they will buy.  And everyone pays attention when Benjamin Moore announces their Color Pulse predictions.  So, fresh off the presses and before most other designers are aware…. I present the color themes for 2011.

Next year, the overall theme that permeates all color stories is BALANCE and HARMONY.   Being a Libra, I couldn’t be more thrilled by this.   Balance is what I strive for in every aspect of my life and I try to instill this in my design work with clients. We will be reassessing our lifestyles and taking long-term viewpoints.  We will be reverting to basic values of family and home.  And we will be looking to embrace the joys and appreciating the simple things in life.

As the experts describe: “Sorting the real from the surreal defines priorities that drive the direction for 2011, as it gives us a chance to dream of the future.”  From the rural influences to urban application, BALANCE is supported by 4 themes.

The first of which is The Farm.

Being rooted.  Nurture and going back to nature.  Recycling. Thrifty cuisine. Healthy, no preservative food.  Home on the range.  Rooftop cocktail parties. Hay. Burlap. Milk. Bovine. Chicken. Eggs. Yarn and Rope. Patchwork.  Gingham. Unfinished weaves. Terra firma.  Beautiful produce.  Soil.  Oak.  Country. Organic.  And yes, macramé is back!

These are the words that describe the color direction of the Farm theme.   Have you noticed these trends already showing up in décor, coloring and lifestyles?

I have.  And I’ll reveal the color palette that goes with it on Friday!

Cheers!

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All things…GREY

January 29, 2010 by flohaus

Courtesy of Anne Sage

Courtesy of Elle Decor

Next Week – Colour forecast for 2011, Carol asks about her drapes on Design Fix, and Nicola shows you how on Flower Power and lots more!!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Cheers!

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Shop Watch – East of Eliza

January 28, 2010 by flohaus

I’ve been following Reed Russell for over 20 years in the Beach.  As a florist, there really is no other that I’ve come across, who is as passionate about what she does. To say that Reed takes floral design to another level is an understatement.  She not only has an incredible gift as a florist and is in my opinion, an artist, but she cares deeply about the happiness and satisfaction of the people that are her loyal customers.

I remember a beautiful arrangement that Reed made for a friend who had a new baby.  It was a gorgeous arrangement of blue, purple and white flowers which I don’t remember exactly what type, but what I do remember is that my friend called me to find out where I had it made because it lasted for 3 weeks!  That’s the quality you are guaranteed at East of Eliza.  Reed hand picks all of her flowers and plants.  None of that, bouquets wilting after 2 days, stuff.

As a perfectionist, Reed trains her staff to be as knowledgeable and demanding of themselves as she does of herself and this shows with the roster of clients she has gathered, i.e. The Governor General, the film industry – The Time Travelers Wife, various corporate and residential clients as well. Educating customers is key to the East of Eliza staff and it’s very common for customers to come into the shop for advice. In Reed’s own words,”nothing makes me happier than to turn a customer into a gardener”.

Walking into East of Eliza is like walking into a cornucopia of floral delights. Besides the beautiful selection of cut flowers, East of Eliza makes spectacular Four-Season Urns.  If you’ve seen any while out in the Beach area; they were probably made by Reed and her staff.  And the beautiful wreaths she had this year for Christmas were to die for. East of Eliza, also has a wonderful garden centre, called “The Secret Garden” where you will find the most unique annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, herbs and more.

East of Eliza is open all year round.  Not only will you find the best quality and most beautiful flowers and plants, but you will also find reasonable and competitive prices!

Now’s the time to plan your garden.  So what are you waiting for?  East of Eliza is working on a website, but in the meantime give Reed a call now or stop by for a chat!

THE BEST PART –   As a Flohaus Fan you get 10% off any purchase there!!!  You know how it works!

East of Eliza is located at 1960 Gerrard St. E. (at Woodbine Ave) •416-691-8038

Cheers!

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Paint Talk – How to Paint Your Walls Quickly

January 27, 2010 by flohaus

Hi Everyone,

I finally did it, after hours of searching I finally figured out what I needed to get the video onto my MAC.  And as promised, here is the second post of Paint Talk.  Karen this week, has made a video with great tips on how to paint your wall quickly. So get your paper and pencils ready.

Paint Talk - Walls

Paint Talk - Walls

This movie requires Adobe Flash for playback.

Cheers!

Karen Thursby

krthursby@hotmail.com

Posted in DIY | Tagged | 2 Comments »

Inspiration – Come Up To My Room 2010

January 26, 2010 by flohaus

My apologies.  Today was supposed to be  a Paint Talk post, but because of technical difficulties, i.e. I didn’t have the correct cable for my video download, the very informative video that Karen made will be shown at a later date. In the meantime, I want to share some of the fantastic things I saw this year at CUTMR.

Come Up To My Room has for the 7th year, entertained and delighted the design senses of anyone who attended.  It is ” a curated alternative design show focusing on the diverse practices that work outside the norms of traditional design, and  an edgy showcase for Canadian contemporary art and design practices.”  This year it has joined forces with new TIDF (Toronto International Design Festival).  Although there were over 40 designers featured, and so much to see, only some can be highlighted here.

ROOM 204 by Julia Hepburn

Once in the room the first thing I noticed was a blackbird sleeping in a bed and actually breathing.  Very whimsical. But then I became aware of the total scene – a giant birdsnest complete with twigs around the foot of the bed and lanterns overhead with bizarre almost creepy scenes depicted; just like in a dream. Julia’s goal “is to create an environment where viewers feel they have entered into a stolen moment, and they are encouraged to become voyeurs of the most intimate kind”. It reminded me of the feeling I’ve had in my own dreams and for that, this exhibit was amazing.  You could also buy one of the lanterns!  Check out more of Julia’s amazing work on her blog. JuliaHepburn.blogspot.com

ROOM 208 by Noelle Hamlyn

Before you entered into this room you heard the breathing. And then you saw white billowy, what I thought was fabric draped on the walls but was actually  fine Gampi tissue paper; some of it was sewn into the finest lace that I’ve ever seen.  Noelle explain’s “A room remembers. Inhaling light and sound and thought…Its inhabitants are forever…Absorbed….By soft silent lungs. The room holds…Breath…Keeps secrets. In silence.. In the shadow of a turned back…The room exhales… Murmuring its contents… As breathing…Points of time.”  Ethereal and magical. Check out Noelle’s website for more of her work and upcoming exhibits.

ROOM 211 by Lisa Keophila, Jon Margono, Fiona Lim Tung & Kristen Lim Tung

I was drawn to this room first.  Simply magical.  You walk into a wonderland of the finest sculpted paper flowers and ceramic raindrops that I’ve ever seen;  all white and suspended from the very tall ceiling. The feeling you get is as if you are standing in a cloud.  And you are encouraged to lay down on the futon and look up.  I wanted to live in this room forever!

See Keophila.com and Rowofletters.com for more their work.  Let’s hope they do another collaboration soon.

Room 209 by Orest Tataryn & Bruno Billio

Bruno Billio is a resident artist at the Gladstone and Orest Tataryn is a light sculptor. Tataryn’s coloured lines of neon are gracefully and intrusively  integrated into Billio’s elegantly designed living spaces (his actual living spaces). What struck me was the beautiful warm glow of the neon onto the objects within the space ; almost like the sun was shining down. Very nice indeed. Check out their websites for more! BrunoBillio.com and OrestTataryn.com

It really is a shame that I’m not able to highlight all of the artists here because there was so much fantastic work at the exhibit.  Do check out the site and go to the artist’s sites to see where they are showing next. And if you didn’t get a chance to see it this year, get there next year.  You will be inspired!  CUTMR 2010 and The Gladstone Hotel

Cheers!

Posted in Art | Tagged | 1 Comment »

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