Peacock Extravagance

I was enjoying a meandering stroll the other day through thee lovely Beacon Hill Park, when I came across a gorgeous peacock in full glory. He was a spectacular sight, and stunningly beautiful... needless to say, I was quite flattered! What magnificent birds-de-plume...

(top) Tailfeathers by Aaron Logan
(left) Peacock Feather, acrylic inks and technical drawing pen on illustration board for Natural History Illustrations Gallery
(right) Peacock close-up by David Cote

Handmade card from Vancouver based Flaunt cards
Atelier LZC, handmade silk screen print
Urban Outfitters, jewel tone peacock pillow with ribbon detail
Darrell Underschultz, Peacock acrylic on canvas
Mwah Creations based in Vancouver, print card of pen sketch by Tanis Alexis Laird
John Derian, round 16 inch platter
Publisher Textiles, Peacock printed canvas
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen Lavish Collection, Prince of Tales Mug
Jonathon Adler, Peacock pillow
Florence Broadhurst, Exotic Bird fine art
Sanna Annukka

Thee Love Seat

In the vernacular... the epitome of a common piece of furnishing.

The colourful, enchanting and poetic Love Seat made with "amour" tiles, created by Ruth Lodder

Parlez-moi d'amour as I take a seatie...

Breathing Space

Spring comes and one remembers one's innocence...

Tis a beautiful sunshine-filled day here in Victoria...
Spring is about rebirth, so go ahead and get in touch with your inner child and swing a little swing...

Culinary Delight

Refreshingly crisp and invigorating kitchen spaces à la talented Anne Coyle

Hipline Design

Totally unique, totally unmistakably extraordinary.

You either love it or loathe it...
eccentric designs by Rasa Baradinskiene for RASA DeSIGN
(left) The Hand Bag (high five!)
Flora (for Contraforma)
Mama (cuddle friendly)
Remade (Granny would be impressed)

I Wish Upon a Star...

I am madly in love with this Vincente Wolf Italian upholstered chair with metal legs, circa 1950s... oh so lush, plush and très magnifique!

Dare to be Digitally Different

A sampling of the effulgent, flamboyant, and spirited digitile designs by Dominic Crinson... (I showcased one of my favourites, the very serene Marmorous shell in a previous post)

The Landscape of Eating

Topoware is the brainchild of Canadian industrial designer Alexandra Deschamps-Sonsino and Karola Torkos of Germany. They create tableware that incorporates the philosophy and geography of landscape in the designs... the result is a dining experience that is graphically *and* topographically fulfilling!

China Set - bowls, salad plates, and dinner plates lined with questions to label your culinary experience: "Are you hungry, very hungry or done? Are you modest or greedy? Do you have a mom/dad or child portion?" Tablecloth- defining your personal space at the dinner table, this hand-sewn tablecloth draws a subtle pattern around a person Placemats - made of layered wood, defining what comes first and where cutlery and tableware should be placed.

Orange and White Delight

Beautiful spaces full of life, light and vigour... a la Living at Home

A Moment with Nature

"Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems"

~ Rainer Maria Rilke

Make way for ducklings...
Mama duck and her babies at picturesque Beacon Hill Park downtown Victoria
Image by Nancy Wilson

Tara Murray

Unique works of art and design by Canadian talent Tara Murray. She is a graduate from the University of Calgary and recently obtained her masters degree in Industrial Design. I love how her work exudes a sense of sustainability, nostalgia and humour...

Doily Chair- recycled walnut chair frame adorned with linen doily
The Canadian Plaid Tea Cozy - a rural icon of the Great White North, a black & red lumberjack tea cozy appropriate even for traditional hightea in Victoria
Take Note - handbag storage and display made of an oiled walnut plane and reused architectural plotter paper tubes

Surf, City, and Style

Image while on a backpacking trip on the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail through Sombrio Beach... a mecca for local surfing
Occasionally I come across a site that totally blows my mind. Right now I am absolutely lovin' this website logo from Sitka Surfboards here in Victoria...

I can stare at this pic and pick out so many elements unique to my homeland: The vine-coated Empress Hotel, our amazing wildlife like the Grizzly and Spirit Bear (BC's official mascot), our lush Sitka Spruce forests (reminds me of a remarkable book I blogged about a bit ago... The Golden Spruce), and our sensational westcoast surf. A wicked design....
The site even has surf forecast and cams for our Vancouver Island breaks, which is totally useful (yes, Canada has surfing... the best right here on my doorstep!). And Christian and Krysti keep the Sitka store on Yates chockfull of good stuff. I never cease to be impressed by homegrown talent...

From Java with Love

Lovely Indonesian pieces from Javanerra Imports (which means "From Java with Love"), located in my hometown of Victoria. I checked out these pieces in person, and they are *amazing*! The inner sections of the below piece slide out and can be used independently as tables, seating, or storage. A super functional idea! A rather swell place to visit...

Eat yer Cake and Wear it Too

Calling all creative sweet tooths!
The wonderfully crafty Canadian duo, Siobhan and Lindsay, at Magpie & Cake tuned me into the super duper cool contest going on until the end of the month over at Threadless.... The Threadless Loves Loves Threadless Crazy Cake Contest... (boy, that was a mouthful)!
It's the "let em eat cake" event... Bake a cake to match an inspirational blueprint for a t-shirt logo design. Send in a pic of the finished creation for cool prizes....
As the masterminds at Threadless say:
"Hell, even if you suck at baking, the absolute worst thing that happens is you eat cake. And that’s probably the best absolute worst thing *ever*...."
Cheers! I'll happily coat myself in flour just for that! Yum!

Let There be Shade

An impressive patio umbrella in Shady Lace Green designed by Dutch company DROOG, available at Lekker. The lace pattern allows for sunlight to cast a leaf shadow effect. I adore the kelly green and bird perched on top... a strikingly unique addition to any outdoor setting.

The Wondrous World of Globes

We all just finished officially celebrating this precious world on Earth Day... continue to treasure and honour this place called home with a space adorned with colourful, eclectic globes

Elle Decor Shootfactory Scott Sanders

Spring with Jacob

Dazzling works of art exuding an aura of springtime bliss from Toronto artist Jacob Whibley (one of five talented members belonging to Team Macho)

Rhythm & Blues

Well, its one for the money,
Two for the show,
Three to get ready,
Now go, cat, go
But dont you step on my blue *patent* shoes....
Talk about rhythm and blues, you can rock around the clock to Elvis in these spring gorgeous flats from Joe Fresh. So cute!

Silly or Sassy?

Intersection Magazine Rack and Intersection Table from Industrial Artifacts in Vancouver... made from recycled "Pedestrian Walk" signs, table has storage inside and feet carved from reclaimed yellow cedar
Eco-cool, or eco-gruel?

Frame a little Frame

Framed antique pictures form a stunning decorative statement in a creamy traditional kitchen, from At Home with Color

Design a la Southcott

Manifesto: To enrich the mind and feed the soul....

The wonderful world of art and design by Canadian talent Rob Southcott, available at MADE in Toronto

100% LoooLo

Gorgeous new pillows made from organic, sustainable fabric at LoooLo, designed by Joanna Notkin in Toronto. I talked about Looolo's beautiful textiles back in January... and I have to say I am continuously impressed with their eco-chic designs. Looolo lovely... (:

The Left Side of the Brain

I am lovin' these creative, quirky cool notebooks from My Sweet Loveable Goods based in Alberta: Lefty Sketchy and Get your Brain in Gear coil bound books

Ripples

I fell in love with the Ripples bench designed by Japanese architect Toyo Ito at Studio Tecnico Horm after winning the Compasso d'Oro award in 2004, and now I simply adore the addition of the table and stools. Made of five layers of wood, they are simply stunning pieces of art!

Of Luminosity and Colour

A splash of colour, a dose of crimson.... some stunning spaces a la Boligtorvet

Fire & Flicker

A couple of uniquely cool European products:
The vertical/horizontal wood storage unit, Kaminholzwagen, from Radius Design... and Absolut-Lighting Shining Image flicker wall lamps

Français Table

Oh, ah... I am lovin this perforated tabletop Monmartre Garden Table from The French House

A cuppa tea and this classic metal garden table and I would feel like I am seated at a quaint garden bistro somewhere charming in France... oh la la!

A Moment with Mother Earth

"The earth is what we all have in common"
~ Wendell Barry

The oceans, beaches, mountains, grasses, trees, and forest are always emanating a precious, sacred Light, day and night, and demonstrating to all of us the obvious truth... there is a story of Mother Earth and we are all a part of it. We must cherish what remains of the Earth and foster its renewal.

Earth Day is synonymous with the name of my blog: *Terramia*, loosely meaning My Earth
My home: how much I love, adore, honour, respect and cherish this world all around me... Gaia and this place I dwell.

The point of unity in the care of Earth is our love and celebration of this ultimate design, its life and its people. May you continue to love and nurture our communal home... and find peace, joy and beauty in all our surroundings, today and every day.

Namasté...

(Image from a friend, of Juan de Fuca strait from East Sooke Park just outside of Victoria)

For the Love of Horses

"And God took a handful of southerly wind, blew His breath over it

and created the horse"
~ Bedouin Legend

For the love of horses.... Part Deux
Me as a wee one (with droopy drawers!) and my beloved horse companion, Candy (oh how I loved her!)

In Saskatchewan’s capital city, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Equestrian Statue stands prominently in front of the Legislative Building. Unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II in 2005, the bronze statue depicts Queen Elizabeth II on Saskatchewan-born horse Burmese, the favourite horse she was presented with by the RCMP in 1969.
Oil on canvas painting of horse by Campbell River artist Denise Christensen
House Beautiful
Flickr talent, khalil_in_stall
Arrangement in Horse and Reverie, oil on canvas by Canadian artist Geoff Farnsworth
Wild and Free, oil painting by Canadian artist Douglas Manning
Juliet van Otteren
Home Cheap Home
Drawing of Fargo by Jeanner of Flickr
Home Cheap Home, horse wall art
Flickr talent by zabethanne Home Cheap Home Fierce Grace by Tony Stromberg Pottery Barn
Horse, adorable mirrorpix photo Denise Christensen, Horsepower I, oil on canvas
Domino

Doll's House

Does your home seem itty bitty small for space and storage?

Here's a delightful way to keep order in *your* dollhouse... use an old miniature toyhouse as a wall mounted storage cabinet.

Unique and chic...

From Country Living

The Mountie

My brother... the Mountie!
I am so proud of him for recently graduating from RCMP Depot in Regina, Saskatchewan...
Here he is dressed in full Red Serge in front of the Cenotaph memorial honouring all RCMP officers killed in the line of duty. Peace be with you on your journey, bro, as we welcome yet another Mountie to the family. Godspeed!

Purity for the Senses

"The first of all single colors is white ...

We shall set down white for the representative of light, without which no color can be seen; yellow for the earth; green for water; blue for air; red for fire; and black for total darkness"

~ Leonardo Da Vinci

White is not a mere absence of colour; it is a shining and affirmative representation. Beautiful, crisp, and pure... how I adore these tranquil, summery spaces from Kallholmen

No-Peep Birds for Your Nest

Oona the Owl, Owl Always Love You
Leona, Vintage Bald Eagle
Blue Jean Diane
Pink Debbie
Amanda Jean is a whirlwind of craft talent who lives in a cozy little nook here in Victoria. I adore these whimsical pillow creations, and I love how each of the pillows has a description laden with off-the-wall humour... "Debbie has a pet turtle and collects stamps..."
Sort of like receiving a Cabbage Patch Kid all over again!

Luminescence of Light

These are rather dapper... the Debbie Travis Glass Mosiac Light in red and orange iridescent shades, from Canadian Tire

Pretty & Pink

Oh, the colour pink... a symbol for love hopeful and expectant.
A space in shades of rose, cerise, et fuchsia by Taylor Howes....

Petals Abloom

An Italian table piece previewed at Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2007 in Milan

The Quadro by Bonaldo designed by Canadian born Karim Rashid

A table with flaps, when extended mimicks a blossoming flower...

Nature and Nurture

Beautiful, surreal pieces of papercut art by Peter Callesen
(top)
Heaven and Hell, 2006
Alive, but Dead, 2006
Acid Free paper, glue, colour in handmade frame

Renaissance Man

The Epido library designed by Morfo-V of Morfonauta
An anthropomorphous bookcase inspired by the anatomical proportions of the human body; a piece of art and furniture idealized by Leonardo da Vinci. A symbolic branch of knowledge and wisdom... a vivid impression on the sight and the mind!

Branches so Beautiful

Spring is all about rebirth and regrowth, so I take it as the perfect time to freshen up a room. A display of branches acts as an organic, natural focal point in any space. I love to bring in small elements of the outdoors... the sight of nature is soothing for the mind, nurturing for the soul, and pure happiness for the spirit.

Canadian House & Home
(top) Marie Claire
Matthew Smyth
S.R. Grambel
Jeffrey P Elliott
Jonathan Adler
Jeffrey P Elliott
Greg Van Boven
Donghia
Laurie Smith
Jeffrey P Elliott
Canadian House & Home

Black and White and Read all Over

I adore these News 08 side table/ottomans. Environmental chic... made of news-print, pressed and lacquered, designed by Paola Navone of Gervasoni.

A Profusion of Pillowy Pattern

Oh la la... spring has blossomed!

J'aime this very pretty Blomsterpude ("Bloom Pillow") from Créme de la créme a la Edgar in Copenhagen

Breathing Space

A rest-filled spring Sunday spent swaying on thee ole hammock.
May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you, and may sunshine brighten your heart and fill your day...

Leaf Morphology

That time of year again, and I find myself thinking about the Leaf Chair designed by Lievore Altherr Molina for Arper
The furniture series is a synthesis of organic and ergonomic form... leaf anatomy is beautifully captured in the chair showing the pattern formation and structure of a single leaf.

What's your Bedside Design?

A bedside table is a functional and stylish addition to any bedroom as it provides a place for all your nightime necessities: an alarm clock, a bedside lamp, a carafe of water, and an anthology of favourite books...

I simply couldn't do without a proper bedside companion (and I ain't talkin about my sweetheart...!) What's your style?

Alex Papachristidis
(top) At Home with Color

Apartment Living
Wish
Pottery Barn
Nate Berkus
Taylor Howes
Studio Luxe
Marie Claire Maison

Jeffers Design
Kenneth Brown
Ikea
Emery et Cie
Elte
David Netto
Thom Felicia
Nate Berkus

Birch Love

"It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanates from old trees,

that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit"

~ Robert Louis Stevenson

I simply adore these Birch Mugs by Jessica Rust Designs
They remind me of the striking birch trees of southern Vancouver Island... the black painted branches and snow-white trunk. There is something romantic and heavenly about the Birch... to find peace and love among a silver forest.

The Gulls and Crows own my Hood

The Postcard Notebook created by My Sweet Loveable Goods in Alberta... the book is full of recycled paper, and the cover is a beautiful postcard of a gull.
(top) A crow on my street... I just love the birds in my neighbourhood!

Spring Fresh

The dazzling designs de blanc from Alex Papachristidis...

A Montage of Marvellous

The stunning Glass Link Chandelier from Montage in Fort Langley...

(image par moi while window-shopping in the lovely village)

Tea-sy!

I am lovin' this PC Brew Control Tea Maker

You no longer have to fret about removing the filter to brew that perfect cuppa tea... simply turn the knob on the top and the filter insert swivels shut. That's cool!

To Have Lived Light

Airy, light, and refreshingly beautiful interiors from Elle Interior...

A Chunk of Flavour

The Chunk coffee table... I quite like this furniture piece handcrafted by Vancouver designer Mario Sabljak of Flavour Furniture. I fancy the handy dandy storage cubby, to hide all my thingamagigs...

Simple and striking.

The Lute

The amazing Lute Suites design hotel in Holland is created by renowned Dutch Designer Marcel Wanders...
A row of seven 18th century cottages overlook the Amstel River in the village of Ouderkerk, just on the outskirts of Amsterdam...
Each house evokes a different aesthetic wonder and luxurious personality. Mooi! Now this would emphatically be a memorable Dutch hinterland experience! Ticket please...

To Hold and To Savour

Spring turns into summer, and summer turns into... melontime!

Mmmm....

Melons -- it's a good fruit.

You eat, you drink, you wash your face.

Oh, the nectar of the Gods.

I am totally giddy over this Melon Dish designed by Willem Noyons...

It spells yummy time!

A Moment with Nature

On a meandering stroll downtown Victoria, I came across these vibrant spring flowers all lined in a row....

Romano Retreat

Some delightful Todd Alexander Romano designs....

Within 100 Miles (or about 160 Kilometres)

“Eating locally isn’t just a fad like the various diets advertised on late-night TV–it may be one of the most important ways we save ourselves and the planet”

~ Dr. David Suzuki, chair, The David Suzuki Foundation

A typical diet consists of food that had travelled more than 1,500 miles from the original source... now that is a crazy thought!
On the first day of spring in 2005, Canadian couple Alisa Smith and James MacKinnon chose to confront this disturbing statistic with a simple experiment. For one year, they would buy or gather their food and drink from within 100 miles of their apartment in Vancouver, British Columbia. Call their experimental eating The 100-Mile Diet: A Year of Local Eating... the book, this amazing eco-adventure, has *finally* hit "local" bookstores!
I first read about their venture in BC's The Tyee when the couple were first starting out on their culinary quest. Since then, James and Alisa have dealt with a wide-range of issues from the family-farm crisis to the environmental value of organic food shipped across the globe. In the end, they have learned to appreciate the local land around them, sunk their hands into community gardening, and feel wonderful about supporting and developing a rapport with their local farmers (in a sense, MY "neighbours"!)
The 100-Mile Diet is about eating locally and thinking globally.... and it certainly has made revisit my eating habits (I do believe my eat local challenge is on!) As a sidenote, be sure to check out Siel's 100-Mile Diet Adventure diary on Treehugger...

Serve in Style

Stunning plate collections from Makkum... bright, bold, and beautiful.

Leap from Lily Pad to Lily Pad

Lovely Lily Pad and lotus flower art from Raychell...
Lily Pad seat created by London-based designer Lucy Merchant

Dig the Digs?

A groovy beach bungalow du stellar style de Scott Sanders...
Looo-king gooood! Boogie woogie... are ya feelin' the funk?

The Owl of Night & Light

Brand spankin' email pics.... the gorgeous new Owl Lamps launched by Toronto duo Alissa and Carly of Coe & Waito this week at MADE as part of their Spring collection. They are slip cast porcelain with hand carved detailing. Bright and lovely...

Mix & Match

An innovative and interactive design concept from Livling. They create the furniture in-house and you choose the finishing image from photos, fabrics, drawings, wallpapers, etc. Totally unique, totally cool!

Oh Oh Obi

The Obi Belts at local hot spot Smoking Lily...

A gorgeous duppioni silk belt/sash/tie printed on one side, inspired by ancient Japan. It's elegant and versatile, and available in a plethora of delightful seasonal patterns and hues like electric spring green, soft red, and eggplant purple. Mmmm.... Obi so lovely.

Candy Stripe

The Roselli velvet stripe sofa from Romo... texturally luxe and aesthetically beckoning

Screen with Envy

Off the beaten track... a selection of screens au naturel

Robert Couturier
(top) Winoldi flexible acoustic screen

Elliptical folding screen by Caroline Casey
Vellay Folding Screen, Kerry Joyce collection for Dessin Fournir
Osaka Screen from Greystone Home Collection, handcrafted out of wood with antique mirrors
Strip from Stefan Lie

Assam Wooden Screen from Potluck Studios, available at Baccis in Vancouver
Plantation Shutter Screen from Pier One
Room divider made of sustainable wood designed by Rebecca Asquith for Unless in Taranaki, NZ

The Blossom Time of Souls

'Twas Easter-Sunday. The full-blossomed trees
Filled all the air with fragrance and with joy...

Blossoms of pure white in full-bloom radiance on my James Bay street...

This special Sunday spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life.
Easter shines a light for us all... a symbol of hope that is spiritual and timeless. It is the sweet time of rebirth... life and love and peace are all new born. Rejoice and let the resurrection joy lift us to strength and beauty and happiness...
Peace be with you today and always. Happy Easter!

Breathing Space

May the sun shine brightly on your space...
A Barclay Butera outdoor oasis

Displaying Memories

"The two offices of memory are collection and distribution"

~Samuel Johnson

To look backward for a while is to refresh the eye, to restore it, to re-member that special moment in time...
An artful tabletop vignette with beautiful bowls full of loose photos or postcards
From Canadian House & Home

Every Blade of Grass

"If a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you,

if the simple things in nature have a message you understand,

Rejoice, for your soul is alive"

~ Eleanor Duse

All things green and new... blades of grass reach for the sky in my soil rich garden
Grass Vase made in Denmark at Clio

The Goodness of Gudrun

I'm loving the fabulous colours and textures of the home textile collection at Gudrun Sjödén.
The checks & stripes, large florals, embroidered organdi cotton, and nature-inspired prints are so sublime... the lush and beautiful Hibiscus pattern has to be my favourite. Spring is here, summer is near!

Björn Beautiful

Some Palau goodness designed by Björn Mulder ... the functional and chic U table, and gorgeous botanical-inspired chairs

The Sink of Many Colours

I really dig the Artistic Editions Top Art collection from Kohler... this Ipanema multi-floral top and integrated lavatory is designed "to embellish life with a sense of playfulness and joyous enthusiasm...."

Whimsical and artistic, the pattern is vibrant and unique. Dare to be different...

A Moment with Nature

The rustic beauty of Magni Design

When you open *your* door, may nature's peace flow in...

Seasonal Podium

The Fruit Stand designed by Designfenzider, the tack table base and round glass tray holds all your favourite perishables...

Sunshiney Days

Sumptuous, sunshiney clothes from the 2007 spring/ summer line of Zara, located on Vancouver's trendy Robson Street... billowy, boho, and oh so beautiful. I especially love the b&w butterfly dress... so summer lovin'!

A Space of Inspiration

"My ideas usually come not just at my desk writing

but in the midst of living”
~ Anais Nin

What's your espace d'inspiration?
Traditional meaningful, sparkly clean and modern, organised chaos, cluttered chic? A window that faces east, a grouping of treasured photos, a pile of favourite books for divine guidance? Desks are a reflection of who we are....
Here are some workspace styles ~

Living Etc House Beautiful Laurie Smith At Home with Color
Elle Decor House Beautiful: Decorating with Books Home Cheap Home Taylor Howes House Beautiful

Home Cheap Home Steven Miller House Beautiful

As for my inspiring workspace...
I am happiest and functioning at my best when I can see *me* in my space. My "eclectic" secretaire faces a large window and a row of trees full of sparrows and chickadees chirping their lovely birdsong. The rose bush on my desk (from my beloved) blooms a glorious coral. I have my cuppa hot tea, some bonbons within reach (shush!), and the morning sun to warm my face. I can see me in my day, and that is when I feel most connected with all that surrounds me. Welcome to my desk...

Cluster and Cat

I dig this cluster lamp by Next for Wabnitz. But I like the leaping cat silhouette even better! (;

Sticky Moustache Flower

A wall without a moustache is like a cup of tea with sugar.
Well, not exactly, but I think this is pretty swell... Moustache, fleur wallpaper sheets from Inga Sempé. Handsome and stunning.

White and All That

The beauty of crisp white married with bright, bold colours in floral prints & patterns...
From At Home with Color

Feel the Felt

Made from felt... cool stuff designed by Mary-Anne Williams of Illu Stration:
The Maple tablemat & coaster (Oh Canada!), Bloom Sandwich pendant/ stand light (flower power), Origami accessory (free hanging structure for books etc), and the Hip Hop Light Chain (a pile of crimson snowflakes)

The Johns & Studio 16 1/2

I had the luxury this weekend to view the beautiful works of art by local artists Marc and Kristen Johns. Their "Overlooked Treasures and Miscellaneous Oddities" exhibit is currently showing at Studio 16 1/2 in historic Fan Tan Alley, Victoria... from March 8, 2007 to April 2, 2007
The very talented couple share a love for creating art... Marc Johns creates whimsical drawings filled with dry wit and humour, and Kristen Johns captures the beauty of everyday life with her acrylic paintings. What a dazzling sight! I thoroughly enjoyed... merci!

The Grace of the Season

In like a lion, out like a lamb. Tis April... so soft and sweet.
Gorgeous inspirations from the grace of Boligtorvet.

Spring in a Sideboard

The Layer sideboard with curved doorpanel from Juventa ... in delicious, bold and full-flavoured hues of spring

A Recipe for the Perfect Balcony Fiesta

These designs by Hendrik Drecker are premo ingredients to creating the perfect small balcony soiree...

The lamp Lumir illuminates dark outdoor areas, like your north-facing balcony. Lumir attaches with a vaccum cup to a balcony door or window, and light radiates from indoors to outdoors. Cool! Cast a little light on me...

Oh, the kick off of spring... it's April and you know what that that means? BBQ season is upon us! Fire up 'em grill and let's get cookin!
Bruce is a space-saving barbecue grill, perfect for those itty bitty apartment balconies. Bruce is designed to attach to the balcony railing, just like a flower box. That simple!
Now, with these balcony bash gizmos, your neighbours will be a knockin' on your door a la Three's Company in no time...!

Tableware & Birdsong

The beautiful decorative style of the Taika series created by Finnish designer Iittala. Exuberant and ornately decorated, the two colour schemes are striking: the rich deep blue and crisp pure white. A lovely representation of nature... especially our beloved feathered friends. Available in Victoria at Design House on Yates, and Gabriel-Ross on Bay Street.

Happy April!

High Tulips at The Empress.... a sea of scarlet in front of the historic turn-of-the-century hotel. Spring is here (and that's no April fool's joke!)
Image par moi while on a meandering sun-filled stroll downtown Vic this weekend...