A romance with @deLeCuona: #BlogTourLDN
As strange as it may seem that a man of my stature would be so enamoured by a woman of beautiful fabrics, the simple fact remains that it happened. When I (meaning #BlogTourLDN) met with Bernie de La Cuona on that misty afternoon just off the stunning row houses of Brompton Road in Knightsbridge, I would say that our design eyes had just been excited by another shop but our hearts did not know that they were going to fall in love that day.
It did not take much for me to have sparks of fantasy, whimsy, lust, and desire because her fabric collection is stunning but it is all about the drape for her, as you can see from the cover photo. The absolute refinement of every single fabric is beyond what I would have ever have expected.
Artisan techniques underpin each new fabric introduced into the collection – Bernie has led the way with stone-washed linens, embossed linens and the use of tonal wool yarns to add a special dimension to unique embroideries on superb quality linen base cloths and, of course, her signature wool and cotton paisleys which are recognized worldwide. Her cushion collection enjoys the same reputation.
Bernie, if I may be so "North American" and call her by her first name, explained so many concepts, processes, and results to us all that I think we wished we had a video to go back to. Her South African gentle-ness was inspiring that she wanted us to create our own ideas by throw all the fabric around on her farm table on what inspired her. She didn't stay still for one second. We went through some regional differences, mixed some colours together, and I think everyone walked out of there in awe of what a true master can do.
I swear to the Spinning Jenny that the next client to knock on my door and wants de La Cuona will have a hard time tearing me away from their new space.
One word: "Cashmere."
Sharing Our Insights
What does a Design Team do when we're not working or playing? We go to DESIGN SHOWS all over the place. KBIS, IBS, IWCE, ITSE and IDS!
It was a busy weekend, last. IDSWest knocked another big and beautiful show out of the preverbal PNW ballpark again. It's such a great show now, and so. much. happened. For the first time in IDSWest history, my break-out session with Judith A. Neary, CMKBD was sold out; and if that wasn't a banner day to report, I don't know what is.
From September 24 - 27, 2015, IDSWest will take control of Vancouver's design community and make our head's spin. There is so much happening, it's hard to keep up, but I'm announcing my speaking schedule to keep you up to date and make sure you're on time. See you there!
A few months back, Gray Magazine & Tracey Anton shot our Kitsilano Point project before it became a triple-crown winner. Check out the ISSUU or buy it on the newsstand.
Get your design dilemma solved! This is your chance to receive a free design consultation from one of Canada’s top interior designers at @IDSwest, along with a free entry ticket! This is on a first come, first serve basis – 12 spots only. So act quickly!
Presenting a partnership with DXV by American Standard. A new luxury plumbing fixture and fitting brand.
There was so much pressure and so much intensity of this project. It was a complete whirlwind. And it was so much fun and an experience of a lifetime. I figured I would show off a few behind the scenes moments of the project and a look into my process.
Every now and then something comes along that you just can not pass by. An opportunity to do something so uniquely special and different that it just draws you toward it like a magnet. Welcome the DXV Design Panel.
Having returned from KBIS and IBS this past week, I've been going through my photos and I have to say that I'm just not feeling it. Gone are the high-gloss cabinetry, the slick white surfaces, and the northern european-look plumbing fixtures. This is all good and all, but everything is old world, a return to patterns, or looking at the future.
You are required to forgive me for the tartiness of my post - but today's is epic and GORGEOUS. May this find you in a form of sensuality and openness, tear drops and arches, swoops and sexiness. Bathroom porn. That's the theme today.
What's hot from The London Design Festival. It's all "Perfectly Imperfect" over in Europe and what's really amazing is to see the maker-culture come so vibrantly alive.
I have to admit. It's been 5 days back from London Design Festival and my brain is full of so much information that I don't even know where to begin. That, and the jet-leg knocked me off my feet, kind of makes me want to just curl up in a really big bathtub for days on end. So, here's a bit of Saturday bathroom porn.
I've left for London to cavort with #BlogTourLDN care of Modenus, and although I'm pretty sure there is more than just ERII as the only Queen in London Town, I do hope that I catch a passing glimpse of HRH in a car, sedan, or lorry-truck.... I'll take anything.
I'm off to the brand-spanking-new World of Whirlpool in Chicago for the Jenn-Air Designer Forums with Ellen Cheever, CMKBD, ASID, CAPS and I plan on absorbing every single second of it. And eat pizza.
Please don't hate me because I'm either well connected or a "great-designer-apparent" with all this gallivanting across the globe. I really don't know how these things fall in my lap but they do and I'm not going to turn them away! That's right, more trips, more photos, more inspiration, more Instagram, and more great and cool content to bring to you. Kind of a great bunch of birthday presents!
Art is important, and for an interior designer it is extremely important. Going to an art gallery, or even stopping for a moment at looking at art, helps the designer study the influences of today on society.
A look back at last week's excursion into the thunderous experience that can only be described as an amazing fashion faucet brand.
What a week at the Brizo #Blogger19 Reunion! We laughed, we cried, we were angry, we became excited, and we connected with each other. Two bus-loads of us designer types took two days to tour St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Brizo factory floor in hot 'n sweaty Memphis. Seriously, I could not have chosen a more perfect antiperspirant and light-weight clothing.
Now that I'm over my paper-gram incident (sorry, I just got a little excited there) and I have my blue suede shoes packed, I am off to Memphis for the Brizo Blogger 19 reunion.
I am pleased to announce that I have earned the Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) certification from the National Kitchen & Bath Association (nkba.org)
Kohler asked me why I was so excited about their "city" at KBIS 2013 in New Orleans and I responded.
Corey is the Principal Designer + Founder at Articulated. They are an NCIDQ Certified Interior Designer and a Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer, design educator, and as an advocate for life-long learning they often lends themselves professionally to the industry at large.
UPDATED: I wish I has grab bars installed in my bathroom and I'm only 41.