Notice how breezy and cool Sofia Coppola looks in this photo snapped for House & Garden? Yeah, me neither. I'm too busy ogling her sky blue sofa.
One of the most repeated pieces of design advice I hear is to invest in a well-made sofa in a solid neutral colour. It's a great tip — even I've said it myself. And when I bought my sofa, I followed this advice and purchased a sleek modern shape in a sensible dark grey fabric. It's a great sofa, but when I see beautiful rooms showcasing a sofa in a gorgeous eye-catching colour, I admit I get a little wistful.
I have a particularly soft spot for sofas in any shade of blue. Now, some will argue that blue is a neutral. Certain shades, anyway. When I asked H&H senior design editor Margot Austin if she thought pale blue could be considered a neutral, she was quiet for a few seconds, then answered: "Sure. It's the colour of the sky, it goes with everything."
Still, blue is no beige. A beige sofa would disappear in this room and let the walls and the window coverings steal the spotlight. This robin's egg blue camelback style has no such plans; it's the first thing you notice, and the ultra-pretty shade gives the traditional room a cheeky lighthearted twist.
Indeed, in a neutral setting, blue can become the lively hit of colour.
Or the perfect background for a simple print.
In a modern setting, primary blue fits the mood. A rich shade can draw the right kind of attention to a sofa in a unique shape or make a standard silhouette feel special. And if your sofa is doing all that, then the rest of the room can get away with being sparse.
Not that it has to. In any hue, blue is a cheerful, livable colour, so why not go for it? I wish I had.
For more blue inspiration, see our Blue Rooms photo gallery.
Photo credits:
1. House & Garden via Apartment Therapy
2. Photography by Melanie Acevedo
3. Pebble Beach, Katie Ridder
4. Real Simple via The Little House in the City blog, photography by Ditte Isager
5. Photography by Melanie Acevedo
6. Photography by Roland Bello
Two centuries after the war of 1812, Canada is successfully advancing into America once again, only this time we're moving the style front forward and Americans are welcoming us with open arms. (I knew my history degree would come in handy one day.)
Joe Fresh recently opened on 5th avenue in New York and last weekend, I got a sneak peek inside the first DwellStudio store, which will open in SoHo in early summer.
As you may know, DwellStudio was founded by ex-pat Christiane Lemieux. I promise to reveal more later, but the stunning façade is a good indication of the level of style that awaits. Stay tuned!
Of course, our fashion-forward neighbours to the south are giving us some friendly competition. While in New York, I stumbled on Save Haven, a precisely curated shop on Lafayette St. that carries the relaxed, workwear-inspired look of their Save Khaki menswear into the home.
Trays and textiles from Fog Linen, beautiful locally woven navy blue and white blankets from their own line, rugged aprons, enamel tableware, and simple ceramics had me dreaming of a small but comfy cabin on the tip of Montauk.
That's Joe behind the cash desk, who patiently and knowingly told me all about their products (Hi Joe!). Here, he's handcutting and stamping the store's business cards. A lovely touch.
For Michael Penney's favourite New York shopping spots, read his blog post.
Photo credits:
1-5. Kimberley Brown
Anyone looking for great inexpensive art, charming screen-printed textiles, pretty pottery and cosy hand-loomed blankets looks forward to the One of a Kind Show that happens twice a year in Toronto. H&H editors are no exception, so it was with some excitement that senior editor Meg Crossley, senior style editor Morgan Michener and I grabbed breakfast at the show's press preview on Thursday morning before walking the aisles of vendors to look for stylish surprises. Here's what caught our eye.
The show runs tonight until 11pm, Friday and Saturday from 10-9pm, and Sunday from 10-6pm, so be sure to check it out at the Direct Energy Centre if you're in the area.
1. Woodcuts by Graham Blair
Meg: I always like a woodblock print.
Me: The bunny and the fox are cute.
Morgan: The fox is the cutest.
2. Jar candle holders from The Pietersma Tinworks
Meg: These would be great for the backyard. It's the backyard, so it should be cheap. They're three for $10!
3. Mason jar watercolour art by Cori Lee Marvin
Morgan: I spot a theme.
Me: Agreed. Mason jars are everywhere right now.
4. Marbling Art by Robert Wu
Morgan: I love the crazy colours in this one (right).
Me: It's very Missoni.
5. Rope doorstoppers and mats by Karens Rope Work
Me: These are perfect for a cottage. Very nautical.
Morgan: I like the rug's slip knot design. That's hard to find.
Meg: Rope is expensive. I spotted some vintage rope at an antique market, but didn't buy it right away; when I went back, it was gone. I didn't realize until later what a great price it was.
6. Colourful pillows and tea towels by Avril Loreti
Me: I've been following Avril for a couple of years now and this new batch of work is great. Her style is evolving.
Morgan: The colours are very pretty.
7. Ceramics by Bookhou
Me: Arounna has started putting her textile prints onto ceramics. They're so delicate and sweet.
8. Handpainted cards by Leslie Zahara
Me: These would be cute for Easter or a toddler's birthday.
Meg: Are we seeing so many bunnies because it's almost Easter or is it a trend?
Me: I think it's because of Easter.
9. Woven blankets from Tissage Magely Weaving
Morgan: I admire these blankets every year.
Meg: I like the mossy green one with the cream stripe. That's a classic.
Hot tip: Tissage also takes requests for custom colourways.
10. Wood stools by Studio Liscious
Me: Oooh, these are nice.
Meg: I like the screw-top detail on the seat.
Morgan: Patrick LaJoie makes these. He does amazing work.
11. Silkscreen art by Whiteout Workshop
Meg: I'm buying one of these.
Morgan: I like the scriggly tree.
Natasha (the artist): That started out as a cherry tree, but then I got frustrated.
Morgan: Now I like it even more.
Me: Me too. (We all bought one.)
12. Ceramic vessels by Heyday Design
Me: More mason jars!
Morgan: I like the beaver.
Meg: The beaver is rare. I also like the cups that look like they have tape labels on them.
We found out that the beaver design was made using a jar that belonged to the artist's great grandmother!
For more great artisans, check out Reiko Caron's blog post on The Artist Project.
Photo credits:
Kimberley Brown
When my clock radio sprang to life Monday morning and announced that this week would be sunny and warm, I jumped out of bed and swung open the balcony door. One deep breath confirmed it was true: spring was here. The air was fresh, the branches were littered with buds and yes, those were daffodils pushing up through the soil. But when I stepped back in the house, I was confronted by the fusty feel of winter: dim, dusty and stale. Time for a little spring cleaning.
As far as blog topics go, spring cleaning isn't exactly sexy. But it is satisfying. Pulling off wool blankets to dress the bed with crisp linens, unpacking summer fashions from their storage boxes and bringing out the plates for patio season induces a welcome sense of renewal. And if you have a beautiful space dedicated to washing up, like above, make it extra inviting with potted flowers, then stock up on eco-friendly cleansers. Some great new ones have crossed my desk recently that smell amazing and get the job done without damaging the environment.
First up, the Saga line of dish soap, hand soap and lotion. I like the simple minimalist packaging, and the gentle lemongrass scent laced with tropical coconut is delicious enough to make washing up the dinner dishes feel a little less like a chore. The line is made in Canada for Tuliptree & Saga, a favourite shop of mine in Markham, Ontario that's run by the lovely Rita Ahola-Khan and her husband, Saleem. It's a plant-based formula, free of petrochemicals and features natural and organic extracts. Naturally, the bottles are recyclable.
Check out the rest of their shop for more spring cleaning finds, such as compostable dishcloths from Scandinavia and beech wood and horsehair scrub brushes from France.
A few days ago, I received a "bottle" of Seventh Generation's new 4X laundry detergent, which promises to last for 66 loads thanks to its concentrated formula. I use quotes because describing the packaging as a bottle is a bit misleading. The container is actually more like a box. It's made from 70% recycled cardboard and 30% recycled newspapers, making it compostable, and contains a recyclable plastic liner and spout. In total, it boasts 66% less plastic than conventional packaging and uses 25% less energy to make. But I was most taken with the scent, a pretty geranium blossom and vanilla combo derived from whole essential oils that's perfect for spring.
On the topic of laundry, I was able to save my favourite white shirts from icky deodorant stains with Deo-Go. I was skeptical, but it worked. I just sprayed it on, scrubbed the spot with a toothbrush, let it sit and voila! Fresh summer whites. It wasn't as effective on silk, but made a huge difference on cotton and linen.
Things are already looking brighter.
To get you even more excited about spring, browse our Spring Rooms photo gallery.
Photo credits:
1. House & Home April 2007 issue, photography by Angus Fergusson
2-3. Tuliptree & Saga
4. Kimberley Brown
5. Deo-Go
How do you steal a bathtub? At last fall's Cersaie event — a trade show for ceramics and bathroom furniture held each year in Bologna, Italy — thieves managed to cart off the prototype for Rapsel's new Grandtour bathtub right from the exhibit stand. Designed by Carlo dal Bianco, the porcelain tub has an ornate silhouette inspired by cornice moulding. It does not, however, include an invisibility cloak or moving straps. That anyone managed to walk away with it unnoticed is so impressive, I'm inclined to yell, "Bravo!"
While I don't condone the action, I understand the desire. The romance of climbing into a bath filled with bubbles to wash away the day gets a reality check when you're crammed into a tiny tub, knees shivering in the air and water sloshing on the floor whenever you move — which is often, because you're so uncomfortable. In those moments, what could be more luxurious — more worth it — than a big beautiful soaker tub?
Here are three designs I wouldn't steal, but would definitely beg and borrow for:
Industrial Chic
The Vieques tub was designed by Patricia Urquiola for Agape in 2008. It holds up to 370 litres of water and can be outfitted with a teak backrest (yes, please!) and shelf, where you can perch things like soap or a flute filled with champagne. I wish it also came with the Italian villa it's photographed in here, but beggers can't be choosers.
Scandinavian Glamour
It took all my willpower not to climb into the Organico tub when I spotted it in the Bisazza showroom in SoHo last May during New York Design Week. Created by Spanish sensation Jaime Hayon, it perfectly balances a boxy Scandinavian shape with slim legs inspired by vintage clawfoot tubs. Streamlined and glamorous, it turns the bathroom into the showpiece of a home.
Modern Organic
Thumbelina was my favourite fairytale when I was a child, so it follows that the Be tub is on my current wish list. Inspired by a walnut shell, its curvy organic shape is gently peaked at both ends and gives the sensation of being safely cocooned in the palm of Mother Nature. Made in North America for Montreal-based company WetStyle, it was designed by Canada's own Patrick Messier.
For more tub inspiration, see our Bathroom Design & Decorating Guide.
Valentine's day is just around the corner, but here at H&H we're busy planning the May issue — hooray for spring! — which is one of my favourites of the year. Its indoor-outdoor living theme is the mandate of my dream home, which I imagine having fold-away glass walls, vases full of flowering branches and scads of natural light. It would also be filled with beautiful furniture, which brings me to legendary Danish architect Finn Juhl.
A little history: Last Monday, January 30th, would have been Juhl's 100th birthday, and in preparation for his centennial, his home in Denmark was recently restored and opened to the public in September as part of the Ordrupgaard Museum. (The museum also hired architect Zaha Hadid in 2005 to give it a futuristic extension. Yep, I want to go to there.)
The house, which Juhl designed as a young architect in 1942, looks almost exactly as it did when he died a celebrated pioneer of the Danish modern movement in 1989. Shaped like an L, the home's two ends are joined by an entrance hall that opens onto the garden — just like in my dream home! In fact, no matter where you are in the house, there's always a view to the garden, and the ceilings are painted a pale yellow that gives the rooms a warm sunny glow.
The furniture — mostly designed by Juhl himself — is organic in shape, with soft inviting curves. One chair (pictured above right) is called the Pelican, but I think it looks like a brilliant spring bloom.
A few years ago, the only way you could get your hands on Juhl's furniture was to luck into it at an auction or stumble across it on eBay. It had been out of production for decades and was increasingly scarce. Then Juhl's widow asked Denmark's OneCollection to reproduce a piece for her. One thing led to another, and now Juhl's designs are once again being made (available through Design Within Reach in Canada).
And the lovin' is growing: to celebrate Juhl's 100th, a 1:1 copy of his house was built in Gifu, Japan by the Finn Juhl Art Museum Club (Juhl is big in Japan.) This year will also see the restoration of the Trusteeship Council Chamber in the United Nations Headquarters in New York, which Juhl designed in the 1950s. Click here to see archive photos and a video of the on-going restoration. If my Valentine is smart, he's already plotting a pilgrimage for next year, when the space is completed. In the meantime, I'll keep planning my dream home, with its lush garden views and a Poet sofa in a cosy corner.
For more mid-century furniture pieces, browse our Iconic Furniture gallery.
Photo credits:
1, 3a, 4a. Ordrupgaard Museum
2. Poet Sofa, Design Within Reach
3b. Finn Juhl Art Museum Club
4b. Pelican Chair, Design Within Reach
5. Baker Sofa in Fabric A, Design Within Reach
6a. Chieftains Chair, Design Within Reach
6b. Eye Table, Design Within Reach