The Love Umbrella Project

The Love Umbrella Project: Janis Nicolay

With Valentine's happening tomorrow it's always nice to find projects that not only have to do with love, but have a purpose.  Our friend and contributor, Janis Nicolay has been busy on one certain project that she's loved being a part of and which all comes together tomorrow,  The Love Umbrella Project.

Interior designer, Kelly Deck has created this media-based campaign where her group partnered each of 13 dynamic community leaders with a talented photographer, giving them one request: Show how love illuminates your community. In each photograph is at least one umbrella. As a common thread representing hope, joy, and love; they hope it gives coherence and strength to disparate individual images. Then on Valentines Day they are holding an exhibition and silent auction of the work at 848 West Hastings, downtown Vancouver. For sale are 13 original images and the love umbrellas. In the end, all proceeds from the purchase of a Love Umbrella go directly to local youth organization, Leave Out Violence (LOVE).

I love Janis' photograph where they photographed children from the Leave Out Violence program in a school gymnasium for their photoshoot.  Janis told me the program includes the children in theater/play-based programs, so the stage made sense.

All of the 13 original images can also be viewed at their website, theloveumbrellaproject.com and to attend the event and bid on them, please email loveumbrellaproject{at}gmail{dot}com to have your name added to the guest list.

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IDS13

IDS Toronto 2013
Contributor: Janis of Pinecone Camp

I just got back from Toronto where I checked out the Interior Design Show for the first time. We had such a great time!  It was a massive show, with some pretty inspiring ideas. Here's just a snippet....

OneXOne is a fantastic non-profit organization that believes "one single individual has the power to make a profound and sustainable change in the lives of others". They partnered with Blu Dot to create the "Real Good Chair" auction. The chairs are made of powder-coated steel, and ships flat. Each chair features a design created by a variety of talented artists.

Loved the "pop-up" office designed by Dubbeldam Architecture + Design. It was created using separate modular units made from reclaimed wood palettes. It can be tailored to suit your needs, and it's movable. Ingenious.

Caesarstone had a beautiful "stone garden" designed by design superstar, Oki Sato of Japanese design studio, Nendo.

This "booth" was shared by Three Pears and Tiptoe Rugs. The rugs are designed by Alyssa McMurter. Made of industrial strength Merino wool felt and industrial strength commercial wool, they are stain resistant and easy to clean. The furniture is the creation of designer, Andrea Pearson, her father, Ken Pearson, and sister Erin. A love a family affair! The furniture and  toys are made from Forest Stewardship Certified (FSC) wood with Greenguard finishes. Let's just say, I see a new rug and table in my niece's future. 

Jonathan Sabine and Bettie Cott were designers taking part in the "prototype" section of the show. Jonathan's lighting was beautiful. I love this cluster of grey. 

Bettie has created jewelry (not shown) and these mini shelves or bedside tables. Her inspiration, for these house and barn shaped structures, came from her days of growing up on a farm. 

The talented team of Earth Inc designed this outdoor setting. I'm a long time of fan of breeze blocks, so that may be what sold it for me. Love how they painted them blue. The combination of wood, metal and concrete has created a cosy setting perfect for a small urban back yard (like mine ;) 

Last, but not least, a Scandinavian industrial styled kitchen and bathroom by Ikea. The kitchen features their newest cabinetry, SOFIELUND, in light grey walnut and the new HEKTAR pendant lamps. Love the clustered look. The bathroom features new cabintery, GODMORGON, in white oak. The found an old copper bathtub to pull the whole thing together. Lovely.

All photos by Janis Nicolay except IKEA bathroom vanity photo by Michael Graydon.

That's my walkabout of IDS 2013! Anything catching your eye?

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Dispatches from Australia - Kyneton

Posted by Janis Nicolay of Pinecone Camp.

Hello from lovely Kyneton Australia! I'm happy to be spending Christmas in Kyneton and Melbourne this year. The perfect country town and big city combo and some much needed vitamin D.

Kyneton is just an hour train journey from Melbourne and well worth the trip. An easy walk into town over a  bluestone bridge (built in 1861), crossing the Campaspe River, and you're there. This town is filled with great shops, cafes, restaurants and gardens.

Prunella is owned by two talented floral designers, Caris and Vanessa. Their shop is filled with vintage finds, flowers and all things beautiful. I loved the butterfly still life under the glass dome. So pretty. Bought some of our table decorations for Christmas lunch. More on that another day!

Mr. Carsisi is a fantastic place to go for breakfast or lunch. Their Turkish lunch menu is pretty much perfect. I love the old pieces of coloured wood planks mixed with the copper ceramic tiles at the bar too.

A couple of years back, I did a post about Stockroom (pictured above) here at Poppytalk. I loved it then and I think I love it even more now. They've created an art gallery in the back area of the shop featuring Australian and international artists. They really do "love people who make stuff". Stop by and say hi to the owners Magali and Jason (who, by the way, makes a perfect coffee).

If you stop by Rundell & Rundell, you'll probably be greeted by Millie the jack russell. The owners of this shop are Lisa and Glen Rundell. Glen is a highly skilled wood worker, making incredibly beautiful chairs and boxes. They offer workshops where you'll walk out with your own chair or a trio of the beautiful boxes pictured above. Lisa creates leather carry bags using old school tools and methods. Everything they sell, at the shop, is a labour of love.

I think Dhaba at the Mill just might be my new favourite restaurant. Delicious Indian food and a fantastic atmosphere, with bollywood films being shown on the painted bluestone wall. We sat on the front veranda for a drink and papadams and chutney, then headed inside for dinner. Can't wait to go back.

Other places to visit while you're here...

Little Swallow Cafe - great for brunch

Mollison's - homewares, vintage and gifts

Monsieur Pierre - deli, and gourmet food products

No. 2 Sweetheart - eco friendly clothing, gifts and accessories

That's it for my little tour of Kyneton. Hope to see you here!

Janis
Pinecone Camp.

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