Sneak Peek! April Inside Out Magazine

We have a sneak peek inside the April issue of Inside Out Magazine featuring the super colourful Sydney home of Courtney, an unreformed art lover. Courtney mentions, “I needed maximum wall space for all the artwork, so there are skylights and high windows. Every time [architect] David [Boyle] came to me with a new window in the design, I'd scowl at him and ask for more wall space.” We love the yellow bathroom which Courtney says, “It’s like a folly and I love it. I decided to not only go the bright yellow, but to go all yellow.”

Styling for this photo shoot by Vanessa Colyer Tay and photos by Brigid Arnott. The April 2013 issue of Inside Out (will be available March 13 – tomorrow in Australia)!  Click here to become a subscriber or visit Zinio.com for a digital copy. Cant wait to check it out! 
 

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Interview with Christian Woo

We fell in love with Vancouver-based furniture designer Christian Woo's cabinetry work and furniture at IDSwest a few years back and even more than ever his work inspires us. Woo's minimalist modern designs are a huge favourite and I'm surprised I haven't asked him sooner for an interview here.  Christian's work is renowned for its carefully worked-through detailing and elegant simplicity; his surprise pops of color, use of beautiful FSC certified hardwoods and consideration of the surroundings his bespoke pieces will be placed, set him apart. We sent out a few questions last week, here's what he said. But first his bio:

Since starting his company in 2006, Woo's practice is driven by his profound respect for craftmanship and the nature of his chosen material.  Woo's bespoke furniture is informed by the natural setting of the Pacific Northwest and subtly influenced by the refined and warm aesthetic of Scandinavian and Japanese design.  As Christain explains, "I design my furniture to be minimal and harmonious complementing the undulating, rugged and extreme landscape I grew up with".

Tell us a little bit about you. Where did you train or study and what led you to the path you currently are on?
I was born in Madrid and raised in Vancouver. I'm a furniture designer and wood worker at heart. I don’t have a traditional design education per se, but have formal training as a cabinet maker. I opened my own studio in 2006. These days I’m concentrating on increasing the profile of the studio, producing high calibre furniture and interiors and expanding into international markets.

What's your main focus currently and/or how would you describe your current design aesthetic?
My focus is two-fold: producing the new work I've designed and engaging with a wider audience. With more production pieces in the works and given the opportunities through social media and other networks, an international reach is more than possible. The new work will exhibit the same aesthetic as usual for me. Strong forms and solid wood construction with some hand turned elements. I'm pretty excited about what's coming up.

We loved your latest designs at IDSwest - and especially the cluster colour table this past fall - can you explain that design process?
The Cluster table was never intended to have the glass top. The base was really just a problem-solving exercise for me and sat in my shop for two years. I’d just completed an interior project for clients who were having a party and needed a table and fast. I experimented with the black glass top and it just worked. At IDS I showed the Cluster with colour and they have been well received. It's a favourite piece of mine and they're a pleasure to make.

What Canadian designers/makers/architects, etc do you look up to, are influenced by or inspire you?
There are so many of them. I'm a fan of Shawn Place for sure. I love the work of Peter Cardew and Chris Hunter. We have a lot of talent in Vancouver so I guess I’m inspired by the collective impact of many accomplished creatives here. I love the heritage of modernism in Vancouver. I've been fortunate to have created work for homes designed by Richard Henriquez and Ron Thom. That work has had enormous influence on me.

Where else do you pull inspiration from?
From wherever I can :). I ‘m most inspired by working in my shop, hands on, it's my favourite thing to do. I also find inspiration while out in nature –usually on trail runs with Indy, my loyal shepherd. I love my job, and that’s inspiration in itself.

Any sneak peeks or plans you can share of new or future things on the go?
I’ve had some great bursts of creativity lately which feels so good as a maker. My work includes a lot of solid wood ( of course ) with turned elements and again, some hits of colour. Next up is a family of tables, new platform beds and more case goods. I would describe the aesthetic as typical for me. Strong, basic forms, refined. I'll be immersing myself in a new interior project this spring as well. It's an exciting project and I'll have some room to experiment a little. It's an entire woodwork package for a great modern home designed by Vancouver Architect Scott Posno. I'm thinking white washed ash throughout!  (Photo credits | Trevor Brady).

Can't wait to see! Thank you Christian!  

Christians Woo's furniture can be found at Provide here in Vancouver and you can find Christian online:

Site: christianwoo.com
Twitter: @ChristianWoo_
Facebook: facebook.com/ChristianWooStudios

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Interview with Jonathan Sabine

We fell in love with his less than 3 side table and pendant lights at IDS13 in January, so we just had to ask Toronto-based designer Jonathan Sabine a few questions about his background, current work and what he's inspired by.  Here's what he had to say.  But first his bio:

Jonathan Sabine is a Toronto based product and furniture designer. He established his studio after working as lead designer at Castor Design. He is the co-founder of Chromoly, a creative studio run with Adam Pickard and collaborates closely with MSDS studio. His design the Bourgeois Brass Knuckle is in SFMOMA's permanent collection. Every object produced by the studio represents an exploration of material and manufacturing process undertaken with the help of relationships with local fabricators and craftspeople.

Tell us a little bit about you. Where did you train or study and what led you to the path you currently are on?

I studied furniture design and construction at Sheridan College. After school I did some furniture and cabinet making but found that I had no interest in producing the kind of laboriously made and relatively conservative work that the market here demands. At that point I started transitioning my practice into the hybrid thing that it is now by piecing together a skillset: computer stuff, designing for new processes, finding suppliers, interior design, etc.


You used to work as a leading designer at Castor Design, can you tell us a little bit about that experience leading you here.

Working at Castor was rad. I got to see how a successful design project had structured its approach. The biggest takeaway from my experience there is the importance of a clearly communicated vision - obviously one of their proficiencies. Vision is one of those things that can't be put on though, and its development is iterative, so the sooner you start, the better. That's basically why I went out on my own.

Photo by Janis Nicolay

You mention in your bio that every object produced by the studio represents an exploration of material, could you expand on that concept?

Well, I guess it's that I'm looking for a transformative element in the things I design. That point at which stuff becomes a convincing thing. It doesn't always have to be a super technological approach, but in order to get to that transformative point I think you have to have a grasp on how materials behave and the techniques that we use to work on them.


What's your main focus currently and/or how would you describe your current design aesthetic?

I'm focusing on working with what I have on hand. When you start creating things you're kind of overwhelmed by the nearly unbounded possibility (I call it the anxiety of the arbitrary.) You have to choose the things that will constrain you (the luxury of being a creative type isn't that you're without constraints, it's that you have the privilege of choosing them.) So, I'm trying to stay away from working within an aesthetic but instead to try to make convincing objects using what's available to me. For instance, I designed the 60 pendant because I had a sheet metal guy who I knew would be up for a challenge. I then tried to make something beautiful using his capabilities.

Loving the <3 Side Table - especially the copper plating - can you explain that design process (and is that a marble top option)?

Thanks! That table was the result of meditating on the “tripod” table, a furniture type that I really love. I wanted to remove one of its already few elements, and I realized that a single bent leg could do the work of two. Metal is a pretty obvious choice for this function, so I highlighted its role with copper plating. The copper looks pretty fantastic with the ash, too. I did a marble top prototype, but there are still some issues to work out. I like it though, and the way it really separates the function of each component by material.

What Canadian designers/makers/architects, etc do you look up to, are influenced by or inspire you?

I'm a fan of Castor's designs. Omer Arbel and Samare always do exceptional work. Gord Peteran's thinking had a big influence on me, and when I was a student I learned a lot about how to make good decisions from Peter Fleming.


Where else do you pull inspiration from?

I read quite a bit of history, fiction, periodicals – middlebrow stuff. Mostly subjects completely unrelated to design. I take in a fair amount of news and politics, too. Also enjoy stand-up comedy, UFC. We bike a fair amount. Pretty disparate things that I'm sure impact my thinking in ways that are impossible to measure.


If you could design anything - what would it be?

A half-decent suit for Don Cherry and/or Karim Rashid.


Check out Jonathan Sabine online:
jonathansabine.com
msds-studio.ca
chromoly.ca
@jonathansabine

All photo's by Jessica Nakanishi  except for the marble top table by Shanghoon and pendant lighting by Janis Nicolay

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Professionally Designed Waiting Room Areas to Inspire Your Space

The waiting room or visitor area is the first place seen by most anyone visiting your place of business. First impressions are formed from this areas decor, style, and level of professionalism. Creating a stylish waiting room starts with an idea or inspiration. To provide that spark, this article will highlight several beautifully designed spaces sure to get your creative juices flowing!

Space 1: The Serpentine

Braden lounge furniture by Global Total Office highlights this space. The modular lounge seating set offers a serpentine shape that's sure to impress. Sets like the one highlighted here are perfect when space is at a premium. Braden's modular design and simplicity make it an easy to spec solution for almost any visitor area. The seemingly limitless array of Global upholstery solutions make interior designers dreams come true. This space is also accented with with a matching square coffee table and gorgeous tile floors. The marbled walls and blue fabric compliment each other nicely, while the whole area boasts a welcoming feel.

Space 2: Elegance On A Budget

The Mayline Santa Cruz collection of leather lounge furniture is hard to beat. This affordable line includes a variety of leather sofas, matching ottomans, and stylish seating sure to impress event he harshest of critics. In fact, all of the seating and items used in this room can be purchased as a set to ease the shopping process! Available in a choice of Almond or Black leather, Santa Cruz lounge furniture sets key on one of the hottest industry trends, light upholstery. Using white, cream, and almond colored materials show class and elegance without taking away from grandeur or the area it accompanies. Along with the seating, this unique visitors area includes full panel windows and contemporary wood wall paneling for an enhance modern appeal. The tile floors and retro side lamp pull this space together for an all around professional look.

Space 3: The Highrise

When it comes to waiting room furniture, OFM,Inc. offers one of the largest selections of quality products found industry wide. This fantastic modern office furniture manufacturer has built an excellent reputation based on customer service and awesome products that ship quickly. This space is a true testament to that fact. The highrise features a curved reception desk from the industry leading Marque reception station collection along with an abundance of sled based visitors chairs. As you can see, this area is all about the welcoming desk. The floors, natural lighting, tables, and seating are all geared towards bringing out the wow factor or the reception desk. The curved designed and plexi glass transaction panels truly make for an impressive space.

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Making and Loving Moss recipe {plus a sneak of wedding plans}

The love affair with woodlands has no known beginning for me. I have always been drawn to Ferns, forests, Moss and creek beds. Something of recent has brought me to step into a direction of incorporating them into our home. I have tried to raise ferns which seem to not favor our interior environment of old homes. In winter, they always die off. I will try again soon but my topic today is MOSS! Soft luxurious green moss with their irresistible earthy appeal.

The love of moss is everywhere! Once I began looking for it, I noticed it is almost everywhere I go. Why, just check out this link for Wow adoration on Green Graffiti. Moss is amazing and rather GREEN for so many uses.

So what has brought this on of late? I am planning a wedding! Not mine but a dearest friends. We are so similar in our likes and ways plus she has asked I be a bridesmaid as well as help plan this wedding. So of course I jumped feet first and loving every minute of it. The feel is so very hard to describe being most hear "hippie" and it's just not the same as her vision. Semi casual, earthy, outdoor and intimate are just a few words I would use. With a twist of Bohemian romance & woodland feel.

Now the moss comes into play where decor is needed. I have it in my head to whip up some troughs of various wood and cement structures to grow and fill out for setting around the outdoor reception. centerpieces as well. Like this one:

 and this one:

 Moss is easy to whip up with a decent backyard source like mine and plenty of time {a year and a half} to tend to their growth. I have found 2 ways to grow it. {Share Courtesy of About.com in gardening by Marie Iannotti}

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1. The easiest way to get a patch of moss started is to take a piece from somewhere else and move it. Rake and scratch the surface of the soil you’re going to be putting it on, so that the filaments make good contacts. Wet the are and lay the moss on top of it. Press is well into the soil. It even helps if you pin it in place or put some light rocks on it to anchor it. Newly transplanted moss will need to be kept moist for the first few weeks. You can tell you moss as taken when it doesn’t lift with a light tug.

It’s probably wise to take your transplant moss from a similar surface to minimize transplant problems. 

How to Get Moss to Grow on Rocks, Bricks or Pots

It’s a little harder to start moss on a rock by simply lifting it and moving it. To grow moss on rocks, bricks or pots, many people have luck cultivating moss by mixing it with buttermilk and painting it on the new surface.

Moss Making Recipe:

• 2 cups buttermilk or plain yogurt
• 1 - 1 1/2 cups of chopped-up moss (Fresh or Dried)

Mix until creamy and spreadable. If the mixture is too thick, add a small amount of water. If it’s too thin, add more moss.

Paint the mixture onto the new surface. You can allow the mixture to sit for a day or two, to start the process. You may get mold first, but by about week 6 you should see signs of moss.

**To keep your moss growing well, you need to maintain ideal moss conditions: shade, moisture and a low soil pH. You’ll also need to keep the weeds out. Moss can’t compete for moisture with the roots of weeds.

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The love for Ferns and woodlands come into play with this easy idea of slicing a log for the cake stand! Perfect even after a wedding. Fern fronds laid about to pull it together. Wonder what cake she will decide on...

 

 What is a Natural setting event without some Homemade favors! Wild Blackberries are abundant {and free} around me & her Mum. Perfect to go with the dark purple flowers she has her heart set on. I must keep my eye out for sales on decorative canning jars. Really do not want to use the everyday kind for such a special piece. I do believe she will adore the label with this idea as well.

 The other piece of decor I have set my eyes on long ago when we first discussed her getting married...Chandeliers! Grapevines with moss tidbits and wild grasses. Votives in glass holders secured between the hanging apparatus {not sure if we would use heavy duty rustic rope or rusted chains} for hanging in the canopy dining tents.

So be prepared for much more woodland love coming from this chick. Oh, and I have yet to mention I am planting that back garden I gave up on/downsized from, outside the picket fence, in cutting flowers. Beyond Frogs little strip of flowers I had mentioned previously. Nope. We are going to Market this next summer! Looks like long stem Sweet peas will be one of my main growers. White Willow, the Bride, may be using the DARK purple Sweet peas in her wedding too. This year is the trial garden and I have been devouring so much beauty on this endeavor.... Reneesgarden.com has been seeing A LOT of traffic from this house.

I am succumbing to a sore throat and must hop off to the herb store for lozenge ingredients. This time I am adding lemon extract...and hiding them from the kids. They are THAT good.

Sweet Dreams,

~Tammie

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