Greening up accessories

In a world where green design is king, Vancouver's Ouno Design is making waves. Ouno (pronounced OO-no) makes one-of-a-kind decor accessories using mostly vintage materials like antique and modern Japanese cottons and linens, mod-1960s and 1970s European graphic prints, midcentury-modern woven textiles, and sheepskin and fur reclaimed from vintage coats. Here are some images of Ouno's fabulous designs, including marvellous pillows made from vintage fabrics and bedspreads made from vintage scarves. Do you see the beaver in the first image? Well, he's a vintage scarf from the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal! I'd love to have that bedspread, and wouldn't it look absolutely terrific in an open-concept, warehouse loft?

Wall tattoos, anyone?

As many of you know, I love wall tattoos. They are a terrific way to add visual interest to a room, and easy to remove when it's time for a change! Here are some images I particularly like from Surface Collective, a very talented design company based in Vancouver. And, for more wall tattoos, check out my earlier posts on Wall Juice, a company based in Ottawa.

Unique hotels: Part 3

Cranes are huge machines that lift things, right? They're big and industrial, best suited to constuction sites and loading docks. But, imagine a crane where you actually spend the night, high above the water, looking over a harbour, and a fabulous lighthouse! Well, that's exactly what's possible at the Harlingen Harbour Crane in Harlingen, the Netherlands.



In it's previous life, the Harlingen Harbour Crane was used to unload timber freight from Russia and Scandinavia. Today, there's room for you and one other, to spend the night in the crane's beautifully appointed main room and cabin - complete with lovely bed, Eames Chairs, mini bar, a large roof patio, and huge panoramic views through wall and ceiling windows. And, guess what! You can even operate the crane! Here are some photos of the Harlingen Harbour Crane and you can click here for more information on the Crane and other very unique Harlingen accommodation. Here's to a fabulous weekend, and I'll see you on Monday with some ideas for your walls!

Sharon Kelly - Ottawa art

I start to crave colour around this time of year. Big, bold, beautiful colour -- the kind of colour you find in summer; exotic locales; or gorgeous, textured paintings like those of Ottawa artist, Sharon Kelly. Here are some examples of Sharon's work -- all kaleidiscopes of bright, vibrant colour. Each totally meet my summer cravings, and I hope you enjoy them, too. BTW, Sharon's work is available through the Dale Smith Gallery in Ottawa, and more examples of her work are displayed on the Gallery website.

Unique Hotels: Part 2

Last week I brought you the Kirkenes Snowhotel -- a marvellous hotel built of snow and ice in Norwegian Lapland. This week, we're heading off to Brazil, to dream over the Ariau Amazon Towers, a uniquely fabulous resort located 35 miles from Manuas, Brazil . The Ariau is a hotel where you can truly have a room with a view, and then some! Built among the Amazon treetops, each of the Ariau's towers are joined together by four miles of wooden catwalks. Monkeys, parrots, macaws, and butterflies are everywhere, and I imagine the noise is tremendous! There is a large, circular dining room of polished tropical woods, serving amazing tropical fruits, warm Brazilian pastries, breads, cheeses, and strong Brazilian coffee for breakfast, and equally delicious fare for lunch and dinner. And, the rooms, where you wake up every morning, high among the trees, with beautiful panoramic views, and lovely tropical sounds -- well, they are to die for! Here are some pictures of the Ariau to put you in a sunny, happy mood. I hope you all have fabulous weekends, and I'll see you next Friday with another installment of Unique Hotels! Until Monday!













For more information on Ariau Amazon Towers, you can also visit
http://www.southamericanescapes.com/blog/?p=6

WOW!

I just got home and found out Terri Sapienza at THE WASHINGTON POST has picked My Designing Life for this week's Blogwatch
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/27/AR2008022701041.html

Wow! I can't believe it -- I feel totally honoured and soooooo excited. This is just too amazing! Thanks Terri and congratulations to Pink Wallpaper and Desire to Inspire for sharing in the honour! What a fabulous way to finish off the week. I won't be able to sleep!!

BTW, the great photo above is by Glen Bowman, courtesy of flickr. I think it captures this moment perfectly!

Andrew King: Part 2

There is good news for Ottawa art fans this cold, February night! Ottawa artist, Andrew King has just launched his first solo art exhibit at the Terence Robert Gallery, 531 Sussex Drive, in Ottawa. Here are some examples of his new works -- as quirky, delightful, and animated as ever! Enjoy, and do pop by if you can. The exhibition runs until March 5th.