Christmas: White Christmas Decor

December 5, 2016 | 1 Commentary

It may come as a surprise to many of you, but when it comes to Christmas, I am quite traditional. I am always eager to get a real tree in my home (usually around December 1st), and I decorate with ornaments I’ve collected from my travels, and a few that I pick up locally each year. Other decorations around my home are from my childhood, belong to my growing collection of reindeer, or are part of my growing Christmas Spode collection (Am I too young to have a Christmas Spode collection? Nah!). You can see some of my decorations on this guest post I wrote for Rox-Anne at Celebrating This Life last year.

All this said, I’ve noticed a lot more white trees and Christmas decor floating around blogs, Instagram pages, Pinterest, and magazine spreads. They’re absolutely beautiful, and I commend those who embrace an all-white Christmas!

via Cat Therrien

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via Kaatje Karin

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via Blount Designs

via Rach Parcell

via MK Interiors

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via Sara Ashley Hanson

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The Friday Five: White Architecture

December 2, 2016 | 1 Commentary

It’s been a while since I have focused on the design of buildings and homes, so today I’m bringing you five photos of cool architecture.

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Museo Internacional del Barroco by Toyo Ito, near Puebla, Mexico, via Dezeen

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country villa in France designed by Artelabo, via DesignBoom

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seashore chapel in China by Vector Architects, via DesignBoom

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Le Nook in Quebec by MU Architecture, via DesignBoom

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factory in Germany by Sanaa, via UnCubeMagazine

Have a great weekend, everyone!

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Marketplace: White Cabana x Stephen Hawes

December 1, 2016 | 4 Commentaries

EEEK!!!! I’m so excited to finally share a full view of my new pottery collection!

Over the last few months, I have had the opportunity to work with a local potter, Stephen Hawes, to create a collection of pottery. Our collection is going to be sold at Wilfrid Laurier University’s new shop at the Robert Langen Art Gallery. Pretty amazing, right?

When I was approached with the idea, I was totally on board. But then I thought – ah – could I actually design a collection that people would want, that reflects my design aesthetic, and that highlights the potter’s skills? I was nervous at first, but the process went very smoothly.

I brainstormed and sketched out a bunch of designs. I had sizes and colour options detailed, too. Then Stephen and I met to discuss the feasibility and usefulness of each of the objects I designed. We also talked about colour variation (not too much, since this was going to be a white and black collection!).

Stephen got to work in his workshop, and we met again in the summer to review the prototypes. At that meeting, it was great to see the prototypes so that I could confirm or adjust each item’s design, colour, and size.

Another couple of months went by and then the collection was done. Poof! Stephen had fired everything up and was ready for the final reveal. I know I’m biased, but it’s beautiful. I like to think that this pottery collection is modern, easy, accessible, and versatile.

So…are you ready to have a look at some of the collection? Here we go…

White Cabana X Stephen Hawes

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use it for: hair ties, cotton balls, salt, mini cactus white_cabana_stephen_hawes_2

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use it for: drinking cup, pencils, straws, cheese sticks, Qtips white_cabana_stephen_hawes_5

use it for: fruit, salad, remote controls

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use it for: (L) pasta, salad, bread, rock garden; (R) candy bowl, popcorn white_cabana_stephen_hawes_9

use it for: utensils, toothbrushes, straws white_cabana_stephen_hawes_10

use it for: popcorn, plant, mail white_cabana_stephen_hawes_11

use it for: milk, syrup, salad dressing white_cabana_stephen_hawes_12

use it for: (L) green tea, iced tea, water, wooden spoons; (R) spoons, sugar, soy sauce white_cabana_stephen_hawes_13

use it for: Lego, chips, scarves

There are a variety of shapes and sizes in this collection, and the black lines of each object also vary. Each piece is unique and made with care.

The complete collection will be for sale at the Robert Langen Art Gallery in the library at Wilfrid Laurier University beginning on Monday, December 5th at 11am. More details here.

Thanks to Stephen Hawes for working on this project with me.
Thanks to Nick, Suzanne, and the Laurier Library for encouraging this initiative.

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Marketplace: Shop for Gen 1 at HomeSense and Winners

November 30, 2016 | Leave a Reply

What do you get when you bring together some sparkle, shine, and a good cause? The Shop for Gen1 collection at Winners and HomeSense, of course! Proceeds from this celebration tableware collection go to the Canada’s Women Foundation – “Canada’s only national public foundation committed to improving the lives of women and girls through economic and social change.”

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