Woke Up Singing

Even with another hurricane looming around the corner, I woke up singing "Shiny Happy People". I can't get it out of my head today, so I thought some of you might need a shiny, happy moment for yourselves:)

DIY Tables by Goncalo Campos

 
 Images Courtesy of Gonçalo Campos

I love the genius of product design.  The series of tables designed by Goncalo Campos, are made only using two basic materials, fabric and wood, the most commonly used materials in most households. They are designed to be assembled with no glues or external fixtures, other than fabric, using a simple construction technique - they look primitive but at the same time very elegant.  I can see the possibilities using beautiful woods, such as ebony, walnut, or perhaps fumed wood, and coordinating the fabric to match the colors and mood of your room.  They would make wonderful conversation pieces for a wedding, or summer lawn party.

Goncalo Campos is a Portuguese designer, born in 1986. Graduated in product design in 2008, after which joined Fabrica team, for a year and created a series of  of tables which were featured in the exhibition Mais que Partes (More Than Parts), shown in the Fabrica features shop in Lisbon.

Fumed wood veneers – White Ebony

Patricia Gray Inc is an award winning Interior Design firm  in Vancouver, Canada who blogs about WHAT'S HOT  in the world of Interior Design.
2010 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™

Furniture IS Lifestyle - DEDON LAUNCHES “COMING HOME”, A LIMITED-EDITION BOOK BY BRUCE WEBER

 
DEDON LAUNCHES “COMING HOME”, A LIMITED-EDITION BOOK BY BRUCE WEBER

I love the new lifestyle advertising campaign that the Dutch company Dedon, a manufacturer of outdoor furnishings, has launched.  You may have seen the ads for this Dedon campaign in some of the recent Design magazines - Dedon is selling their furniture as lifestyle.  DEDON takes its collaboration with legendary American fashion photographer Bruce Weber to a next level with the publication of a new book Coming Home, a sumptuously produced, limited edition book. Building on themes that Weber developed for the current DEDON advertising campaign, Coming Home is an exploration into the meaning of home and the feelings we hold for it. Personal, poetic and eclectic, the book weaves together exclusive imagery by Bruce Weber with artwork and illustrations specially commissioned by the photographer. Watch the Dedon movie in large format here, or on YouTube here.  The music and imagery are spectacular.  The movie starts with a quote from the movie Out of Africa - the words of Denys Finch Hatton, played by Robert Redford: “I don’t want to live someone else’s idea of how to live.”

DEDON “COMING HOME”, A LIMITED-EDITION BOOK BY BRUCE WEBER

DEDON “COMING HOME”, A LIMITED-EDITION BOOK BY BRUCE WEBER

DEDON “COMING HOME”, A LIMITED-EDITION BOOK BY BRUCE WEBER

 
DEDON “COMING HOME”, A LIMITED-EDITION BOOK BY BRUCE WEBER
A multilevel treehouse, a cast and crew of 60 people with legendary fashion photographer Bruce Weber keeping it all together.

DEDON “COMING HOME”, A LIMITED-EDITION BOOK BY BRUCE WEBER

When I first saw the Dedon ad campaign, by Bruce Webber I was mesmerized by it.  Some people I have talked to just don’t get it. 
After all Bruce Webber was the photographer for the controversial ad campaign for Calvin Klein in the 90’s, and
Webber also photographed a shirtless Chris Isaak in bed for a fashion spread in Rolling Stone. 
Dedon says about Coming Home “…….it is an exploration into the meaning of home and the feelings we hold for it.”
I say that ‘Furniture IS Lifestyle’ and has as much of a message to say about how we live as Fashion does!

What do you think about ‘Lifestyle Advertising?’  Leave your comment here.

  
DEDON “COMING HOME”, A LIMITED-EDITION BOOK BY BRUCE WEBER Architectural Digest Spain - May 2010
Postscript:  These are scans from a Spanish magazine that my friend and fellow blogger Ivan Meade sent to me after I published this article.

Patricia Gray Inc is an award winning Interior Designer firm  in Vancouver, Canada who blogs about WHAT'S HOT  in the world of Interior Design.
2010 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™

Judge A Book By Its Cover

I love receiving my weekly Houzz updates, because they are a little treat waiting for me in my email. This weekend I especially loved the photos of a little house with a modern soul. If I were walking down the street and came across this place, I would wish that I could run inside. Funny enough, I have seen the inside because it is the home of Morgan of The Brick House. (Some time ago I mentioned this blog here).

The Brick House is all about modern design on a budget, which is an idea that is close to my heart. It frustrates me that we tend to associate modern with large expense! Don't get me wrong I love reading Dwell or Architectural Digest as much as the next person, but that isn't really practical for most of us, right? Fortunately, Morgan doesn't let a small budget hold her back and I LOVE this amazing detail on the front of the house. I have to confess that I'm including this photo in hopes that it might inspire all you modern lovers who think your house could never express your ideas. Just think a little out of the box...ha, ha!

Wow! Check out the before pic.

The backyard is fantastic!

Finally, I couldn't resist this photo because the simplicity of it is so wonderful. I envy Morgan's ability to live with very few items. I try to do this myself but often fail:( Having so many blank spaces allow your mind to wander and reflect. (Said the hard-core introvert!).

A Year's Worth Of Time

A year later and I still don't feel much better about this. Although, today is the first time I've been able to listen to Man in the Mirror all the way through with out tears so, maybe there is some improvement.

Whats Hot? Fuego Outdoor Living Grill

I am in the process of designing an outdoor patio for clients.  It is a challenging project as well as being very exacting, with a lot of technical details to take into consideration (gas lines, water lines, electrical panel load limits, permit approvals, etc), before I can even start on the ‘pretty stuff.’  This outdoor patio is on the roof of a penthouse, with a spectacular view of the ocean, mountains, and city of Vancouver.  It is a breathtaking 130 feet in length, and is probably larger than most people’s back yards. 

Every once in awhile I come across a new and innovatively designed product that causes me to stop and take notice, and with a sigh of relief, that I have found an esthetically pleasing alternative to a category of product design that generally leaves my visual sensibilities assaulted.  Finally an outdoor grill (notice that it is not referred to as a BBQ - ‘Grill’ is the operative new terminology), that shakes up tradition, and is beautiful to look at. “A campfire for modernists,” “a social magnet with a great sense of style.” Attaching a label to this Fuego outdoor living grill is trickier than throwing a salmon – wild, rubbed with herbs and spices – on an open flame. As well as Fuego being a top rated grill, it has a modernist design aesthetic with sleek-lined minimalism.  One that I wouldn’t mind gracing my clients’ patio.

 
Fuego Catalogue

 
Fuego Grill 01

What do you think?  Would you like to have this Fuego grill gracing your patio?
I’ll take the pool!

Patricia Gray Inc is an award winning Interior Designer firm  in Vancouver, Canada who blogs about WHAT'S HOT  in the world of Interior Design.
2010 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™

Green Day 2!

Funny, I wasn't even feeling green until I saw this photo! I may also be feeling a little green with envy.

I'm Making Big Changes!

So we have finally made the decision to move। In fact, school districts have forced us into the decision, but I don't care because I've been ready for a change!! So, currently I am in the process of preparing the house to put on the market and to somehow de-personalize my very, VERY personal space. Wish me luck!

Blog Crush

You've heard of girls having a "girl crush" and guys having a "guy crush", well bloggers often have blog crushes. My new infatuation is with Maize written by Virginie Sannier. It consists of an amazing collection of textures, colors and the capturing of small moments. Ohhh, my heart flutters!

I love these delicate cut paper creations. They remind me of little butterflies fluttering through the air. Some of Virginie's creations can be found here, but I hope you speak French.

I knew love was meant to be when I saw this photo because I have this bedding too!

I Love Nateday!

Happy Nateday! If you don't know what I'm talking about go to Twitter and find all the bloggers writing about the amazing Nate Berkus. I found out about late in the game but I want to play along anyway. Here is one of my favorite posts from 2008..Yikes!! I think you'll understand how I feel about that Nate:)

Of course, I mean Nate Berkus. Elle Decor features the redesign of Berkus' personal home this month. It looks so wonderful I just had to take the opportunity to declare my true love for Nate. He has won my heart for a couple of reasons. First, the use of very eclectic accessories and furniture. Second, because of the amazing striped rugs. I don't know what it is with me and the stripes.

Any other Berkus fan club members, out there?

Feeling Tipsy

Hello, all! I had to share this video of an unbelievable house that is now on the market. It is space-age fabulous!!! Designed by Richard T. Foster in 1968, the Rotating House is ingenious. Once inside, you can rotate the house to face any view of the beautiful property it sits on. Love it! 

P.S.  Monday's post didn't appear here because of problems with Blogger. I did post a link on my Twitter and Facebook sites. Be sure and check out another amazing home there. As for the explanation of where I've been...still to come, I promise.

I Know, I Know...I Should Have an Explanation.

Like where have you been for a couple of months? Ahhh, I'm almost scared to go into it, but I will explain in a couple of days. First, I had to post these photos I found today. Check out these incredible fixtures from Redesign Technologies!

Yeah, they're paperclips!!!

Oh these are so delicious, I could eat them up!!

(Back in a couple of days. Thanks to those of you who have been patient w/ me)