Heidi Conrod

Last night, I looked at my calendar and thought -- yikes, it's mid-January and we don't have any major holidays coming up soon. How about I proclaim this Ottawa Artist Week, just for the fun of it? And so I have, for anyone reading, at least! Over the next few days, I'm going to highlight three local artists whose works have recently caught my attention. First off is Heidi Conrod and her marvelous portraits. Heidi's work is found in numerous corporate and private collections and is currently displayed in Ottawa at the Dale Smith Gallery http://www.dalesmithgallery.com/ Please visit this website to see more beautiful examples of Heidi's work.

Smiles

Happy weekend, everyone! Hope you get some time to do some creative outdoor designing! (Update on this creation: Unfortunately, our beach snowman, his Tropicana lotion, sombrero, and party glass are now just a pile of mush in the front yard -- kind of like poor Frosty. But, my three year old and I have lots more ideas for the next time around! And, we're accepting requests, too!)

Molo Design

Wow! Molo Design in Vancouver is creating some fabulously unique furnishings these days. Check out these images of paper softseating and soft walls --both made completely out of kraft paper! There's a variety of stools available and a beautiful lounger. Plus, the stools are magnetized on one side, so you can design your own low tables, benches, stacked blocks, and other creative displays. Fabulous for loft living and wide-open spaces, and perfectly ok to sit on! For more information on Molo Design visit www.molodesign.com, email info@molodesign.com, or call 604.696.2501. Let me know what you think!

Wall Juice

I am a big fan of wallpaper and decals, and a huge fan of Ottawa-based Wall Juice and their fabulous Wall Tattoos and Phrases, perfect for contemporary and creative living. Here are a few images to wet your appetite and get the creative juices flowing. BTW, Wall Juice is relaunching their online store January 21st, and from January 21-28th, they are offering My Designing Life readers a 15% discount on all their fabulous products. Just quote interiors0108 and you'll be all set. Enjoy, and if you want to see more, go to http://www.walljuice.com/

Floor stencilling

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had lovely holidays, and are only slowly getting back into the regular swing of things. I'm excited to be back blogging and reading everyone's inspirational ideas, and am so looking forward to a year of great design and new projects.

I'm starting off 2008 with something I've never tried before, but just love how it adds texture to a room and acts as a wonderful design accent -- floor stencilling. Floor stencilling was very popular between 1740-1840, and can still be seen today in affluent American homes built during this period. Then, as now, stencilling was used to simulate woven carpet, floorcloths, tiling, and parquet floors, at considerably lesser expense than the real thing. And, most were painted using one colour -- often black on pumpkin pine. Again, to cut down on costs.

Today, there is a growing interest in creatively accenting wood floors with paints, stains and tints, inside stencilled designs. Companies like MB Historic Decor, based in Vermont, http://www.mbhistoricdecor.com/ and Gracewood Design, in Portland, Oregon, http://www.gracewooddesign.com/ specialize in creating original and authentic stencils used in both interior and exterior designs. Though now, patterns usually incorporate one, two, or three colours.

All you have to do (it sounds so easy doesn't it?) is prepare your floor by first washing, scraping and sanding away all the old paint and varnish, then, priming it with wood primer so the paint or stain will adhere. Then, you trace your stencil onto the floor, and colour it in with cold water fabric dye that adheres well, remembering to use an almost dry brush. Once this is all done, you protect your design with floor finish.

Here are a few examples of floor stencilling I've pulled from Flickr and other sites. As you'll see, it's beautiful in smaller rooms as a stark accent, down otherwise uninteresting hallways, on stairways, as faux carpetting, and even around the pool on acid washed concrete. If anyone has taken on a project like this, and would like to share, please do, and I'll post it up so everyone can see. Or, if you're bitten by the creative bug reading this, let me know, too, and also how your project goes!


As seen on MB Historic Decor's website: Diane Nazar's finished stairs in a 21-year old, Colonial Revival farmhouse, suburban Chicago


As seen on Gracewood Design's website: photo of their studio floor when they were located in San Francisco


As seen on Gracewood Design's website: pool deck


As seen on la apartment therapy, www.apartmenttherapy.com/la


As seen on Flickr, by Kirrily Robert, stencilled floor at the B & B

The Music of Christmas

Every beautiful interior needs gorgeous music during the holiday season -- music that is so piercingly beautiful it can bring tears to your eyes. Keeping this in mind, here are my two favourite CDs this year. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do: they are passionate, moving, and oh so gorgeously holiday.


Jewel, Joy: A Holiday Collection


Il Divo, The Christmas Collection

I'm going to be taking some time off between now and New Years to spend time with my little ones, husband and family. My kids are two and five, so as Celine Dion says: "These are special times." I have'nt been blogging long -- just since October -- and it's been wonderful e-meeting so many of you and reading your inspirational entries. I'm looking forward to 2008 and all the great design ideas we'll be sharing! So, hugs and Merry Christmas to you all, and see you in 2008!

Tivoli Florist

It's Monday, so as promised, here are some photos of the most beautifully decorated shop I have ever seen -- Tivoli Florist on Richmond Road in Ottawa. It took a full week to decorate the shop completely, and wow, does it ever show! I hope you enjoy this enchanted space as much as I do, and feel like you've stepped into a little piece of heaven.

Cloudscapes by Keith Burnett

Tonight, I'm going to veer away from holiday postings, and share the work of Ottawa artist, Keith Burnett. Keith paints the most fabulous cloudscapes I have ever seen! They draw me in and, all of a sudden, I'm remembering the look of skies I've seen in the past. Here are a few of my favourites. And, if you happen to be in Ottawa this weekend, Keith is hosting an open house at his studio. For the address, time, and more beautiful examples of his work, vist http://www.gallery4thavenue.com/ Have a great weekend, everyone! And, do pop by on Monday. I'm going to be posting photos of the most exquisitely decorated shop I've ever seen! ...

A different kind of gingerbread

I was browsing through Etsy the other day, and I came across Jennywren, who just happens to be from Ottawa. And, you all know how much I like to profile Ottawa artists and crafters! Here are a few photos of some absolutely beautiful ornaments that Jenny's made for the holiday season. All are knit from 100% merino wool, felted, and then fashioned into these great ornaments with a wool string for hanging. If you're interested in ordering, you can get them though Jenny's etsy shop http://www.myjennywren.etsy.com/ -- just in time to put on your tree or on presents as gift tags.

Moo-Cow Adventure (3)

Well, this is it. The final installment of the great moo-cow adventure. My apoligies over how long it's been since my last installment on November 1st. And, for those just joining in, this is the story of transforming a little girl's bedroom from her baby room to her big girl room.

Just to make it easier, because I know we're all in pre-holiday countdown mode!, here's a recap from beginning to fabulous conclusion.

You'll remember this is how the room started out looking ...





And, then, I found this terrific fabric with cows on it, and decided to base the whole room around it ...



Which led to the room being painted in these fabulous P&L colours. And, finding a terrific accent cushion, rug, and fabric to be used in a roman shade.



Which led to the grande finale, with chest of drawers and night table painted orange, and wall candy art on the walls to punch things up a bit and introduce a few new colours. I'm absolutely thrilled with the transformation -- the room feels bigger, vibrant and more alive. And, the little girl -- well, she's ecstatic -- especially with the "bubbles" on her walls!

The Spirit of Christmas

Each year, the May Court Club of Ottawa -- an organization dedicated to community service and fundraising for those in need --holds a raffle of Christmas trees and other treasures created by members or donated by sponsors. All proceeds go towards local organizations. Here are a few photos of this year's trees and treasures (unfortunately, there was just way too much light and I'm no photo expert!, but you do get the idea). My favourite is definitely the first tree by Christine Beelen, "All Wound up for Christmas", which is absolutely perfect for a more contemporary interior. Each of the ornaments is hand-made and Christine told me she started making them in the summer -- probably spending close to 150 hours making her creation! I also really love "Seaside Christmas" created by the Crossland Family and Sleepy Hollow. It just has a really lovely feel to it, and makes me feel like I'm by the ocean. Check out the way the branches are wound in material to make them look like palm trees! If you live in Ottawa, there's still a chance to head on down to the Rideau Centre to check them out and buy a ticket or two -- they're on display until Saturday. Otherwise, here they are for inspiration as we decorate our homes. Have a great weekend everyone!

For the love of furniture

I love furniture. In fact, the first design course I took was on the history of furniture! People told me I was crazy, but I didn't listen to them. I just loved it, couldn't get enough of it, and today I'm the same way. So, tonight I thought I'd break free from all my Christmas preparations (ahhh ... I feel re-energized already!), and profile Glen Foster, a furniture-maker who lives in Wakefield, Quebec, just outside of Ottawa. Glen started his career in fish physiology of all things, and spent a number of years working as a research associate in a university. But, furniture making was his passion, and today he designs and crafts it full-time. Here are a few photos of his work which has been sold at stores including Alteriors here in Ottawa. I especially like the second and third images which are of flitch-top tables, where a naturally edged piece of wood seems to float above the base. And, the Shaker table in blue, would look fabulous in my family room. If you like Glen's work, check out his Web site at http://www.fosterfinefurniture.com/ Do hope you enjoy the show!