It's been a busy couple of months. Work on the Eames inspired living room addition continues. and continues. sigh.
So does the scheming and planning for a wee venture involving a few of my favourite things and favourite peeps. Stay tuned.
Showing posts with label favourite things. Show all posts
Showing posts with label favourite things. Show all posts
September 14, 2011
coming soon!
It's been a busy couple of months. Work on the Eames inspired living room addition continues. and continues. sigh.
So does the scheming and planning for a wee venture involving a few of my favourite things and favourite peeps. Stay tuned.
August 14, 2009
hot tub
Today's favourite things posting would be a most welcome addition to our household - the fabulous Dutchtub. (Not to be confused with a dutch oven which is never greeted with a welcome.)
Normally, I'm just not a fan of hot tubs. I tend to run far far away from any vacation rental or hotel that boasts of one. (Shiver me timbers, just the thought of it makes me gag.)
The Dutchtub on the other hand is pretty darn irresistible. For more photos of this wood-fired marvel in action, check out the Flickr stream.
Normally, I'm just not a fan of hot tubs. I tend to run far far away from any vacation rental or hotel that boasts of one. (Shiver me timbers, just the thought of it makes me gag.)
The Dutchtub on the other hand is pretty darn irresistible. For more photos of this wood-fired marvel in action, check out the Flickr stream.
April 6, 2009
from russia with love
Today's favourite things posting goes to this incredible pictogram letter Charles Eames sent his daughter Lucia and her family describing his visit to Russia. From the Eames archives.
Get it, charred l's? Took me a while!
Get it, charred l's? Took me a while!
April 5, 2009
a few really good things
I've said it before - I really like things. Beautifully crafted, cleverly executed things. In general though, I think most of us have way too many things. Cheap, poorly designed, throw-away things. Things for-the-sake-of-having-things things.
The last few years, I've tried to apply the "generation test" to potential new acquisitions. How long will this last and will my kids or (if they're not blessed with their parents' impeccable aesthetic) will someone else's kids value and use this years from now? Doesn't matter whether it's a toy or a book or a planter or a sofa, the same test applies. I also try to go for vintage or pre-loved items wherever possible - generally, if something is still around and looking beautiful after all these years, it means it was made really well and will likely be around for some years yet.
Granted, this philosophy does usually mean spending more money than you would on the here today,toss it tomorrow version.
When I find myself faced with the dilemma of spending what seems to be a lot more for the quality item, I think back on a piece of advice I was given years ago. When we lived in Toronto, I used to love visiting Yank Azman's stall at the Harbourfront Antique Market. Yank's shop was filled to the brim with beautiful, exotic and weird things from centuries past. Crocodile valises, first editions of literary classics, pith helmets, elephant foot humidors, you name it. I used to drool over a fine first edition of Out of Africa but being a broke recent graduate, couldn't bring myself to make the purchase. Yank told me that sometimes you just have to buy the thing when you can't afford it, because by the time you can, it won't be around or accessible. He told me the story of how back in the 80s he had a chance to buy a lifeboat from the Titanic - he passed thinking he couldn't afford it. Fast forward a few years and the release of a certain cheezy blockbuster, and well, that seemingly pricey investment was looking like a bargain. Granted Yank was speaking from more of a collecting and investing perspective versus pure longevity, beauty and value which is where I'm coming from.
A few years ago we were (again) broke students living in Vancouver. We spotted this iconic Hans Olsen for Frem Rojle dining set in a second hand store on Main Street. Though we absolutely couldn't afford it, we got it anyway. Designed in 1953, this is still a much coveted set. You'll find write ups about it all over the internet, at listing costs of more than double what we paid.
A thing of beauty really is a joy forever. The fewer and finer things you have, the more likely you'll actually use and appreciate them.
The last few years, I've tried to apply the "generation test" to potential new acquisitions. How long will this last and will my kids or (if they're not blessed with their parents' impeccable aesthetic) will someone else's kids value and use this years from now? Doesn't matter whether it's a toy or a book or a planter or a sofa, the same test applies. I also try to go for vintage or pre-loved items wherever possible - generally, if something is still around and looking beautiful after all these years, it means it was made really well and will likely be around for some years yet.
Granted, this philosophy does usually mean spending more money than you would on the here today,toss it tomorrow version.
When I find myself faced with the dilemma of spending what seems to be a lot more for the quality item, I think back on a piece of advice I was given years ago. When we lived in Toronto, I used to love visiting Yank Azman's stall at the Harbourfront Antique Market. Yank's shop was filled to the brim with beautiful, exotic and weird things from centuries past. Crocodile valises, first editions of literary classics, pith helmets, elephant foot humidors, you name it. I used to drool over a fine first edition of Out of Africa but being a broke recent graduate, couldn't bring myself to make the purchase. Yank told me that sometimes you just have to buy the thing when you can't afford it, because by the time you can, it won't be around or accessible. He told me the story of how back in the 80s he had a chance to buy a lifeboat from the Titanic - he passed thinking he couldn't afford it. Fast forward a few years and the release of a certain cheezy blockbuster, and well, that seemingly pricey investment was looking like a bargain. Granted Yank was speaking from more of a collecting and investing perspective versus pure longevity, beauty and value which is where I'm coming from.
A few years ago we were (again) broke students living in Vancouver. We spotted this iconic Hans Olsen for Frem Rojle dining set in a second hand store on Main Street. Though we absolutely couldn't afford it, we got it anyway. Designed in 1953, this is still a much coveted set. You'll find write ups about it all over the internet, at listing costs of more than double what we paid.
A thing of beauty really is a joy forever. The fewer and finer things you have, the more likely you'll actually use and appreciate them.
February 2, 2009
October 27, 2008
holy sh*t
As the Great Bathroom Renovation Project enters its second year, I can at last check toilet paper holder off my list. praise the lord (and designer Mischa Vos).
October 4, 2008
design matters: in search of the perfect tumbler
For some time now, I've been in search of the perfect all-purpose tumbler to replace our odds and sods assortment of glassware. I particularly dislike wine glasses, their clumsy stems & clunky bases - don't get me started on the ridiculously huge ones (yes opimium society, I'm aware they serve a purpose but to me they're bloated and unseemly). I've been not so secretly coveting my friend Jocylyn's single, perfect vintage tumbler (a sally anne find) but was unable to find my own.The search came to an end last month when I stumbled upon a supplier of vintage deadstock restaurant ware on a trip outside. Dozens upon dozens of never used dusty, but perfect
Duralex glasses just sitting there in their original packaging. Designed in France in the 1930's duralex glass used a revolutionary "toughening" process that makes their tumblers some 5 times stronger than regular glasses and able to withstand hot temperatures to boot. The picardie - aka the classic french bistro glass - is the most beloved duralex design among people who care about such things. (It's listed as #375 in the Phaidon 999 classic design objects series.) I picked up a few dozen basic tumblers and stackables (not picardies, but similar to picture) for $8 total. Who says good design needs to cost a fortune?
They're happily ensconced in the cupboard now, next to these quirky but less practical Revol "crumpled" porcelain cups we picked up a few years ago at the MOMA design store.
On to the next search.
September 22, 2008
faking it old school-style
Even from my remote neck of the woods, it's hard not to notice the faux-bois renaissance that's been sweeping the blogs to the big box stores. While I love a woodgrain doormat / shower curtain / small paul backpack as much as the next lumber jill, why not look to the old-school stuff instead of the cheap mega-store made-in-china throwaways? Ahem .... it's (k)not wood folks, i'm talking to you...
A few vintage items from my collection:
A few vintage items from my collection:
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