Tearsheets from “Au Senegal: Une Maison Couleur Boubou”, Elle Décor French Ed., July / August 2011
Boubou? YUMYUM!
West African wax cloth is like a salad made with only the most intensely flavoured fruits. To eyes used to ‘Torontonian black’ it is like finding yourself orbiting in an alternate universe where Ikea and West Elm are nowhere to be found and monochromatic condo showrooms thankfully cease to exist.
“Imprimés, matières, couleurs, un cocktail explosif en cuisine!”
Juicy? Indeed!
For a twist on how you can bring elements of this into a Canadian context view Kenneth Montague’s home (Wedge Curatorial) ) in the Spring 2012 issue of Toronto’s Designlines Magazine.
Maryam Montague and I are design twins separated at birth. We are cut from the same Caftan cloth. When I saw the images of Peacock Pavilions, Maryam and her husband’s boutique hotel in Marrakesh, I felt at home without even stepping a foot over the threshold.
You can sense that with Maryam each décor piece presented in her rooms has a story, a tale of how she found, rescued, or bartered for it. When it arrives home it is welcomed in to her family of other curiousities lovingly arranged.
You can find out more about Peacock Pavilions on their website and the Peacock Pavilions Facebook Page.
You can also read about Maryam’s one thousand and one life tales on her blog My Marrakesh and follow her on twitter @MyMarrakesh.
Looking for more great examples of modern North African interior design? Check out my post on Djellabar, a great lounge / nightclub / restaurant in Marrakesh where you can “Marock n’ Roll” as they say! The juicy images included in the post are courtesy of Maryam.
It’s been a very long time since I have gone scoping out the best tunes to share for my Obscure Cover Seriesand really I am not adding to my list with this song. Rather, this is about sharing what I think is a fabulous remix of the Sade’s By Your Side. Covering a Sade song – well, I don’t know if it can be successfully done but leave it to Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo to remix a good song and make it even better.
Earthy glam attire by designer Catherine Cournoye.
For the urbanite who wants some natural flair, Catherine offers apparel that is constructed using “only recycled and organic materials such as leather, cotton and linen.” Her pieces are beautiful, versatile and carbon footprint friendly.
Catherine’s collection is augmented with her partner’s Jinny Levesque lovely hand-crafted glass jewellery. If you missed the oneofakind show then take a wander through Noujica’s etsy shop but do more than just window shop!
You can also find more great stuff on Noujica’s website or on Noujica’s on facebook page.
Find out more about Toronto’s bi-annual oneofakind show!
The rebirth of cool and another (mod)el of upcycling ingenuity.
Lia Fagan has landed upon a simple fix for those scads of lamps that turned up in every rec room in the seventies. If you are of my generation then maybe as a kid you were as mesmerized as me at the groovy spins and eddies the ceramic glazes merged into on the bases. And now in a time where wood bases are formed from composite sawdust and metal that resembles plastic these solid staples stand the test of time. They have earned the right to be reborn and renewed for a second chance at life.
Pottery at artisan shows tends to wash up a sea of soft blues, greens and grays – an ocean of calming colours that I admit I love and have lots of because naturally I am soothed by the watery tones. But then there is Martine’s pottery. Colour explodes on her work like skittles, rainbows, and crayons. Her pottery is not soothing -it’s revitalizing.
Food must taste great when lifting it off a plate infused with Martine’s choice of hues. Against the crisp white and sharp black her choice of swirls and stringy stripes looks all the more graphic and sophisticated; slightly more masculine in feel then most pottery with some wit thrown in for good measure.
My favourite is her French Butter Dish because really, why wouldn’t you want a cloche de beurre?
Martine is located an hour outside of Montreal. If you are interested in her work you can contact her at mpoterie@hotmail.com
Find out more about Toronto’s bi-annual oneofakind show!
Tat Chao is a man of many talents revolving around his brilliance at design – interior design, graphic design and as evidenced in his work at the spring oneofakindshow in Toronto, industrial design.
His glass lighting, candlestick holders, side tables and spinning tops made from second hand stemwear are really fantastic! Precious, but not in price, his products are accessible allowing for no excuse not to find a reason to work them into your next reno project. Looking for a wedding gift that demonstrates you are a person of style and unique taste? Tat’s candlestick holders are a crystal clear choice!
Apparently I was not alone in my decision to place Tat Chao Designs as one of my top pics and it doesn’t surprise me:
Find out more about Toronto’s bi-annual oneofakind show!
From top to bottom Tat twisting his glass spinning tops. Candlestick holders, durable in design, attached with ultraviolet glue. Suspended LED lights titled “Bipolaire”!
BIKO Jewellery is textural, tribal-punk sophistication.
Designer Corrine Anestopoulos deconstructs the delicate preciousness of jewellery and makes necklaces, bracelets, and earrings that are brave, dramatic and stunning. The warrior princess in me likes!
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