Local Love: Karen Carmichael of Jai Style
Local Love-Karen Carmichael of Jai StyleWe had the pleasure of interviewing Karen Carmichael about her Jai Style company here in Vancouver. We love what she had to say about her company! Read on to find our more about Karen.Please share with us how it is you came to start your company.When I moved to Vancouver from SE Asia four years ago, I had brought several of the ceramic pieces with me in my personal collection. When friends would come to...
Create An Oasis With Water Features
Create An Oasis With Water FeaturesWater features are a great way to make your backyard into an oasis. In our city environments, traffic and urban noises can be masked by the sound of running water. There are so many variations-from a very simple container fountain to something much more complex.Check out these images to give you some inspiration!Vancouver Zen Garden by Joost Bakker Architect.Contemporary Patio by Berkeley Architects & Building Designers WA Design ArchitectsContemporary Landscape by Newport Beach Landscape...
Why Do These Rooms Work?
Why Do These Rooms Work?Rather than point out why a room is not working, this time around we thought we would do a little photo analysis to determine what actually makes a room work? If you can look at an image closely and imagine yourself in the space then you can find out what will work for you. Pictures can be used for more than just eye candy-we can use them to help us understand how a space works in...
It’s Canada Day!
It's Canada Day! So it's that time of year again where we like to host our guests in our backyards or on our decks, enjoying the longer summer evenings and warmer temperatures. Whether you are hosting a large event or just having a few friends over for a last minute get together there are a few things to consider to make sure it goes off without a hitch.Contemporary Patio by Hermosa Beach Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers JDS OUTDOOR DESIGNSHaving...
Design Tips: Adding Curtains – Part One
Design Tips: Adding CurtainsWindow treatments are a big topic. There are so many options out there from blinds that practically disappear to wooden plantation shutters. There are pros and cons for every installation. Where do you start? Setting aside personal style for the moment, function comes first. Today I’d like to focus on curtains. It may seem like a simple task to add curtains to your windows but there is actually quite a bit you need to consider.First of all,...
May Inspires Me
May Inspires MeIt’s already well into May. The blossoms are out and some are even fading already as the bulbs make their way to the surface to see the light of Spring. As I go for my morning runs now, the air is still cool but the sun is often trying to warm the earth and soothes me as I run. The air has a sweet smell that is just delicious and the birds are singing more as they...
Friday Finds: Flea Market Fun
For today's Friday Finds, we are going to have some Flea Market Fun!I recently did a reconnaissance visit to Los Angeles for our upcoming Design Crawl, happening the last weekend in May. While driving around the hot spots we have planned for our visit, my daughter and I came across the Melrose Trading Post at Fairfax High School. Seeing the activity and tents we decided to stop and see what it was about. What a treat! Most of the open...
Recipe: Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
My cousin, Ramina, posted this recipe for Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls on her Facebook wall, catching my attention. My mother made the most amazing cabbage rolls when I was young. I remember loving them so much, and I requested them regularly, but I knew they were a lot of work to prepare. So, when this recipe called 'Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls' came up on my Facebook feed I knew I had to try them out. I was not disappointed, nor was my...
DIY: Planting Bulbs
DIY: Planting Bulbs It’s the end of April and the sun is shining more regularly now. There is a definite warmth to the air and shadows are getting shorter and the days are longer. The garden has been hibernating for the winter but is now starting to burst forth with new leaves and Spring colour. So how can you prepare for the gardening season ahead?Now is the time to plant summer bulbs-Ranunculus, Lilies and Gladiolas will offer beautiful summer display.Bulbs...
Design Tips – How to Showcase Collections
Today's design tips: How to Showcase Collections. Showcasing collections can be a challenge. Tina is a real collector and her home demonstrates that. She has many collections around her home and all of them are interesting because she knows how to display them.Since 1952, these KLM houses have been given out by the airlines to their international business travelers. Tina's collection started when her Dutch friend Yvonne gave her 6 houses. Here are a few tips about collections: Using The Whole Collection...