Bathroom Quartz Countertops

October 9th, 2015

Silestone - Bathroom Applications

For bathroom applications, I am drawn to creme and off-white for a traditional look. However for a more adventurous and modern look, I love to go with a dark stone. Although I have showcased only a few colours here, Silestone has available over 60 colours, the combinations of these colours are endless. This means the artistic and functional possibilities are endless. 

This vanity with dark countertop goes beautifully with the warm tones of this master ensuite.  

This space achieves a traditional feel with this lovely off-white stone. 

Want a more unique look? Try this fabulous steel-grey option. 

For more colours, check the silestone website! http://ca.silestone.com/en/colors/

Design Exchange 3D Exhibition

June 12th, 2015

Last week Principal, Theresa Casey and I attended the exciting new show by the Design Exchange highlighting the advances in 3D printing.  We were very excited to see the sculptures and objects created from 3D printing technology. 

Above are some of the sculptures created from 3D printers on display at the 3D-XL Printing Exhibition.  

The 3DXL –  (3D Printing Exhibition) is a testament to what is trending not only in design schools but the architecture industry at large. From small scale 3D printed figurines to larger-than-life detailed sculptures, the exhibition opens your eyes to what technology can achieve today.  Congratulations to curator Sara Nickelson for bringing this inspired show to life. 

 The first display features a robot-like 3D printing machine by Gilles Retsin, Manuel Jimenez-Garcia, Vicente Soler and their students from the Bartlett school of architecture. The machine simulates how each layer is printed. With the many circular shapes of this design, you can see the high accuracy printed by the robot. For many artists, it is easy to be left wandering if this 3D technology will lose the touch of the hand that good design requires. 

The display of the maker-bot printers was next on display. It showcases 3D printed objects but at a smaller scale. Check out this quick video of the maker-bot printing a small-scale skull object.   

Unlike the objects from the maker-bots and the large robot printer, these 3D sandstone panels by the students at University of Toronto appear to have more of a hand-made touch.  Under the guidance of Benjamin Dillenburger, professor at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, the students create panels inspired by Frank Loyd Wright’s textile blocks. These panels are made to appear and feel like sandstone, unlike the printing produced by the robot above. The organic shapes and soft edges, is for us, reminiscent of Antoni Gaudi's Sagrada Familia.

Sagrada Familia Walls, by Antoni Gaudi                                         3D Sandstone Print

 3D Sandstone Print                                                                        Sagrada Familia central apse

Among the most impressive 3D printed sculptures of the exhibition was the “Salty Gloo,” by Emerging Objects.  An igloo-like structure made from 3D-printed salt tiles. The tiles are lightweight and translucent and against the natural sunlight from the window creates beautiful dapple shade on the exhibition ground. The colour of the natural mineral; salt and the unique shape of the tiles is the perfect combination to emit light and shade that feels organic and natural, as if sitting under a tree. This could perhaps not be achieved with conventional building materials. Have a look at the video of the Salty Gloo from the blog of the creators, “Emerging Object.”  http://www.emergingobjects.com/projects/saltygloo/

Salty Gloo - Internal View                                                                 Salty Gloo - Detail of an individual panel

Stepping around the corner of the last room in the exhibition, we were greeted by a larger sculpture, the “Arbesque wall,” by Benjamin Killenburger and Michaels Hansmeyer. When we saw the Arbesque wall, we decided that the technology today CAN still retain the feel of the hand-made touch needed in good design. In contrast to the smaller 3D printed objects and the designs produced by the robot printer, this sculpture is organic with undulating forms and details that are soft. The Arbesque wall is printed with the same sandstone feel and texture as the detail panels inspired by the Frank Loyd Wright textile blocks. The sandstone effect with the organic shapes of the sculpture is what sets it apart from the static 3D-printed plastic objects of the maker-bots and it also gives it the organic appearance. We were truly taken a back by its Gaudi-esk features . 

An article in www.designboom.com describes the arabesque wall as, “a highly differentiated and spatially complex piece of architecture, whereby ornament and formal expression cease to be a luxury, focusing on a more unique, one-of-a-kind architecture. Pushing the boundaries of human perception, ‘arabesque wall’ offers up the tallest, entirely 3D-printed building component in stone realized to date.” The opportunities to mass produce cost effectively and quickly will soon allow 3D printing not to be the trend, but the norm. Imagine a time when both housing and monuments alike can articulate Gaudi-esk features. Perhaps this is an idea whose time has come and it won't be too far into the future before the everyday home can have the luxury of sandstone detailed walls.  We cannot wait to see where this leads to and are eager to bring it into our design practice. 

New York is the City of Windows

June 3, 2015

During my recent trip to New York I was fortunate enough to meet Linda Fargo and David Hoey, both superstars in the high-end fashion world and creative directors of Bergdorf Goodman. Time magazine describes Linda Fargo as, “The stylish gatekeeper of America’s most luxurious store.” It was a big thrill for me as I have been following her work for many years and I was star-struck when I coincidently met her at the store during my trip to meet with the Cosentino Design Development team. It happened one afternoon when I was with one of my colleagues, architect and furniture designer, Daniel Germani of Daniel Germani Designs. The Cosentino team had asked each trendspotter where we want to be interviewed for the launch of the Cosentino Trendspotting program. I suggested in front of the Bergdorf Goodman windows.  When we arrived to my delight I spotted Linda Fargo's eye-catching short gray bob and she was with Donald Robertson, artist and Instagram sensation.  She was speaking with him about the windows that he created as he is the guest artist for the current windows on display. Daniel encouraged me to strike up a conversation with Linda and before I knew it, we were discussing my part in the Silestone Trendspotters program and the idea of the Cultural Mosaic in Toronto. Here are some of the pictures. 

With Linda Fargo and Donald Robertson.

Standing in front of Donald Roberton's work of art.

We were later joined by David Hoey. Here he is with Donald Robertson and myself in front of the Bergdorf Goodman shop window displaying Donald's work of art. 

Left: David Hoey, Donald Robertson and I.                                   Right: Donald Robertson and David Hoey at work. 

Check out the video showing the installation of Donald's windows in action.

I love the Bergdorf Goodman windows because they appeal to my love of fantasy, abundance, and whimsy and there is always a hand made quality to the display that harkens back to another time. They evoke magic and fantasy because they appear so out-of-this-world. Here is a collection of the holiday windows displayed in 2014.  Each window is based on a major art form including: Architecture, Theatre, Art and Music. 

 Architecture                                                                                         Theatre

Art                                                                                                 Music

(images courtesy of www.blog.bergdorgoodman.com)

Link to blog: http://blog.bergdorfgoodman.com/windows/holiday-windows-2014-inspired#ad-image-1 

You can see the making of the architecture-themed window in this short video clip, “Making Bergdorf Goodman Holiday Windows in 2014.” It looks behind the scenes of the creation of a Bergdorf Goodman window and how much detail, artistry and ‘magic’ is involved in the process. One of the artists working on the architecture theme window describes the beauty of the Bergdorf Windows as like, “a fantasy that exists within the same time space we are in, and you can walk by on 5th Avenue and be utterly transported to a complete other place. It’s magic. ” 

Also, one of my favourite books is “Window from Bergdorf Goodman: Dreams Through the Glass,” which features Linda Fargo’s portfolio of magical and enchanting windows. In this book Linda likens New York as the “City of Windows,” just as Paris is the “City of Lights.”  

Linda’s final words written in the introduction of the book sums up the vision and idea of the City of Windows; “After all, these sidewalk shadow boxes provide the opportunity to play on the stage of world-class theatre in a world-class city. It’s a chance to cause a sensation, to honour imagination and create something that might be remembered in the mind’s eye, like a particularly vivid dream recalled from a good night’s sleep.” 

I am thrilled to have met three compelling and inspiring art figures in New York City and I feel their influence will only propel me to continue to develop the artistry and beauty in my own work. 

New York, New York – the thrill has not gone!

May 26, 2015

I am just back from an amazing trip to New York and I must say:  “the thrill has not gone!”  Even though I am probably in New York at least several times a year the city continues to excite me.  For this trip, I was invited by Spain’s Marble and Quartz Company Cosentino to be to be part of their 2015 Trendspotters Team.  Five other interior designer/architects and I, will be working with the Cosentino Design Development team to spot trends and look at developing new products and provide insights into the industry.  See below the fabulous group at Cosentino’s Kips Bay Kitchen:

Christopher Kennedy (Palm Springs, CA); Drew McGukin (New York); Theresa Casey (Toronto); Steffany Hollingsowrth, ASID, NCIDQ (Santa Fe, NM); Denise McGaha (Dallas TX); Cheryl Kees Clendenon (Pensacola, FL). Photo courtesy of Jack Lane. 

Some of the highlights of the trip was meeting with the group to hear each person’s take on their local trends and style.  Then off to Hearst Publication’s Group to meet with Editor-in-Chief Newall Turner regarding the current and future world of design publications in print and on-line.  This leader of Elle Décor, House Beautiful and Veranda charmed us with his Southern down-home point of view and also intrigued me by telling us that they hope re-launch of Metropolitan Home as a collectors item magazine.  I can’t wait!  Our other big event was the Kips Bay Decorator Showcase House - started in 1973, the house benefits the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club and Cosentino was the lead sponsor and provided the countertops for Christoper Peacock’s stunning custom kitchen.  I have admired Peacock’s work, especially his attention to detail and his custom hardware for years, so it was great to meet this unassuming man and talk about our shared passions. Touring the house was great fun, not least of which to see how beautifully all the guests were dressed and to meet the Canadian designer Philip Mitchael who wowed by installing 250 pieces of his personal art collection up the five flights of stairs salon style.

An amazing start to what promises to be a fruitful and exciting year ahead.  Here are some of my pics from wandering around the city:

Left: Love this amazing metal work I saw on my first walk north of the Meatpacking District!

Right: The new Whitney Museum Stairwell designed by Renzo Piano.

On the left, Isamo Nuguchi “Paris Abstractions" 1927, opaque watercolours - pen and ink and graphite pencil on paper at the Whitney Museum. 

Left: Bergdorf Goodman:  furniture from the 30's decorating the men's department.

Right: Bergdorf's again - in the ladies handbags I noticed this gorgeous lamp that reminds me of Barovier Toso from Italy and well could be!

Left: Kips Bay Detail.  Saw these wallpaper covered books on a shelf.  My inner craftsperson wants to do this!  

Right:  At the end of every day exploring, you need a sweet treat.  My latest favourite is a french cafe at Lincoln Centre.  Yum Yum.  

Spain: Framed by Architectural Masterpieces

March 06, 2015

At the Granada airport I'm waiting to taxi off to London with some quiet time to reflect.  I am just wrapping up an inspired and exciting trip to Spain, care of marble and quartz company Cosentino.  This trip was a much needed breath of fresh air and an opportunity to take in new surroundings, connect with peers and get an in depth understanding of our host's products and philosophy.  It also allowed me to develop a personal relationship with Cosentino, and to discuss some exciting work opportunities which I will be unveiling soon.  Here are the highlights:

We started in Barcelona, home to two of my favourite buildings in the world:  Antoni Gaudi's 1910 Sagrada Familia and Mies van der Rohe's 1929 Barcelona Pavilion. They could not be further apart in temperament:  the Catalan, Gaudi's work is emotional and nature inspired, while the German Van der Rohe is precise, controlled, disciplined and intellectual.  Although these  buildings were designed with different points of view at different times, they both created a feeling of calm and a clarity that returns to me when I think of them.  I find it fascinating that the same creative process produces such a similar emotion in me while the visual result is seemingly so different.  Both architects are brilliant in their attention to detail, and both buildings are listed as world heritage sites.  Since I only had one day, these were my two choices in a city of so many appealing selections.

Mies van der Rohe's 1929 Barcelona Pavilion and Antoni Gaudi's 1910 Sagrada Familia 

After seeing Gaudi and Van der Rohe Masterpieces we had lunch at this restaurant in the Catalan History Museum.

Next we were off to the Andalusian mountain range to view the Cosentino marble quarry.  This family-owned company has been in that region of Spain since the 1940's and is today one of the world's largest manufacturers of marble, granite and quartz.  I felt like the child who never thought about where vegetables come from and is shown a vegetable patch when we were shown the enormous valleys where the large machinery hacks off huge chunks of marble block.  The blocks are taken to the warehouse to be cut down and finished, and made ready for fireplaces, kitchens, bathrooms and furniture.  A new product exclusive to Cosentino called Dekton will be ground-breaking in the industry, as it is the first quartz material that can be installed outside - either in the hottest climates or the coldest, like Canada.

Cosentino offices and manufacturing plant.

Cosentino marble quarry.

Cosentino Quartz Sinks

We ended our trip in Granada the home of the Moorish masterpiece the Alhambra.  Built between 1238 and 1358, it is considered the finest example of Moorish architecture in the western world. We spent a very pleasant afternoon wandering the vast gardens, with curated views from every direction featuring water fountains and water tributaries connecting the multi-tiered parterre gardens, all overlooking the city.  

Alhambra delicate column

Alhambra Garden

Bye to Spain and Heading to London