Design: Seven Continents

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adjustable wall display unit at Seven Continents

A few weeks ago I had the incredible opportunity to have a guided tour of Seven Continents. This Canadian company, established in 1977 and based in Toronto, manufactures mannequins, bustforms, furniture and display fixtures for the likes of Victoria’s Secret and Nordstrom. When Brooklyn from Seven Continents invited me to tour the showroom and factory, I really had no idea what I was getting myself into. Mannequins might be cool, I thought, and I’m usually up for a new learning experience, but mannequins, really?

mannequin forms on display at the Seven Continents showroom

Anyway, I’m thrilled to say that visiting Seven Continents was a very fascinating experience for me!

Mannequins are everywhere in the Seven Continents building – in all sorts of forms and colours and at every stage of production.

Here are the getSMART and PM Sasha mannequins all finished and styled:

getSMART dressed by Cydelic by Choryin

The PM SASHA with Colette Harmon Jewelry

And here are some mannequins at various stages of production:

Here is Athena – in her most original form:

It appeared to me that the mannequins had personalities of their own and it seemed as though Brooklyn talked about them as if they were real people (I’m not going to lie – it did take me a bit of time to get used to seeing Athena and others all dressed and just hanging out around the building.) The dressed-up mannequins, many positioned as if holding intense conversations, didn’t seem to phase anyone in the office but me.

In addition to the various mannequin forms, Seven Continents designs and manufactures an ever-evolving collection of store fixtures and furniture.

The SPUNBOOTY fixtures, made out of bamboo, is a great collection to feature fashion accessories. The Bodality model is used for purses and the Ovality and Wavality duo is designed to display belts (and are not used as lamps, as I mistakenly thought!).

The SPUNBOOTY Collection

The showroom at Seven Continents includes a handful of pop shops where clients can see how the mannequins and store fixtures might be put to use in store. One of my favourite of these pop shops was the one below. The wall of movable wire arms really makes an impressive visual impact.

Pop Shop at Seven Continents

The factory floor at Seven Continents includes a group of dedicated technicians, engineers, painters, and upholsters who work together in an open, bright, and well-organized space. I was drawn to the rows of fabrics!

And there you have it – a very quick behind-the-scenes tour of the Seven Continents showroom and factory.

a collection of fixtures at Seven Continents

Many thanks to Brooklyn B. and the Seven Continents team for arranging my visit and for taking the time to show me around.

Photos by Jordana.

Celebration: La Pasquetta

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Ah…Monday morning. I’m feeling a bit jealous of those people who have an extra day off today!

This weekend I learned that when my mom was growing up in Italy, Easter Monday – la Pasquetta – was a day for packing up the Easter Sunday leftovers and taking them to a space al fresco (outdoors) to have a picnic with family and friends.

I think Lorea Sinclaire’s Tiffin lunch kit would be perfect for a beautiful Easter Monday picnic, don’t you? Mind you – the way Italians tend to feast, we would need quite a few of these!

The Tiffin Lunch Kit by Canadian artist Lorea Sinclaire, photo taken at IDS2012 by Jordana

I would love to continue this tradition but work calls instead. How about you? Do you have the day off today? What are your plans?

p.s. I can’t believe I didn’t know about this Italian tradition before yesterday.

20 Below: Easter at Artistry Cards

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One of our favourite eco-friendly Canadian stationery companies, Artistry Cards, has recently released a couple of sweet cards for Easter.

Origami Rabbits Easter Card, $4, Artistry Cards

Easter Egg Card, $4, Artistry Cards

Easter cards, $4 each, Artistry Cards

Good news! Artistry Cards is offering White Cabana readers a 10% discount on purchases made before Easter (April 8th, 2012). Enter ARTIST (all caps) at checkout. Click here to start shopping.

Office: GlucksteinHome

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As a blogger I sometimes get the opportunity to do some pretty cool things. Most recently, I was invited to visit the Toronto offices of GlucksteinHome. (Hooray!)

I feel so grateful that the GlucksteinHome team stopped their work for a while (don’t tell Mr. Gluckstein) to show me around their all-white space. And of course I am thrilled to be able to share my photos with all of you.

White artwork at the GlucksteinDesign offices

GlucksteinHome product planning

Now, if you know the work of Brian Gluckstein, you know that he’s pretty much a traditionalist. Gorgeous neutral fabrics, rich woods, and perfectly placed accessories come together to create the most inviting spaces. What you may be surprised to learn is that the office space of the GlucksteinHome division is a super sleek, well-designed, modern, all-white work space that is filled, almost floor-to-ceiling, with IKEA products.

GlucksteinHome work station

Corner cabinet at the GlucksteinHome office

Amazing storage solutions at the GlucksteinHome office

A perfect meeting space

Organized Pantone colours for upcoming collections

Gorgeous fabric swatch

A lot of white paper at GlucksteinHome

Even the pushpins at the GlucksteinHome office are white and clear

Product designer Lauren hard at work

Lauren, me and Cheryl, the GlucksteinHome PR pro

Me at the GlucksteinHome office – with a little bit of Pantone colour

Yes – even the ceiling and wires are white. This makes me smile.

I feel so lucky that Cheryl, Lauren and the whole GlucksteinHome team welcomed me so warmly into their work environment. I have to admit that I’m pretty envious of their lovely white space. But of course, with Brian Gluckstein at the helm why should I expect anything less than perfection?

Many thanks to Cheryl and the whole team at GlucksteinHome for welcoming me in, showing me around, and treating me to an all around fabulous afternoon. 

Photos by Jordana.

Music: Au Palais

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Hello Monday! I’m getting energized this morning with a little music from Canadian-born, London-based, electro pop band Au Palais. The band, made of up of duo Elise and David, has recently released their video for Tender Mercy and it is just full of white – yay!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC-Hfm0oyOc&w=640&h=360]

Au Palais will be at SXSW later on this week so if you’re in Austin, Texas be sure to check out the performance. You can also follow the band on Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter.

Thanks to Mark C. for introducing me to Au Palais.

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