Home Improvement and Family

Grandfather Clock by Rob Price

Conversations in Bronze at Carpenters Workshop Gallery

Showcasing new limited-edition artwork by contemporary artists Ingrid Donat and Vincent Dubourg. Donat’s new bronze commodes and tables with highly scarified surface texture float on the edge of classicism, while evoking the influence of an art deco, tribal tattooing and the work of Gustav Klimt. They are at once timeless and ultra contemporary.
Conversations in Bronze at
Carpenters Workshop Gallery

concept by German design firm Sternform

Mega Man Helmet Knitted Hat

Le Projet Triangle by Herzog & de Meuron

On the scale of the Porte de Versailles site, the project will also play a significant role in the reorganisation of flows and perception of urban space. The Parc des Expositions site currently forms a break between the Haussmanian fabric of the15th district of Paris and the communities of Issy-les-Moulineaux and Vanves, emphasised by the visual impact of the peripheral boulevard.

The construction of an ambitious building on the Porte de Versailles site will mark its opening and restore the historical axis formed by the rue de Vaugirard and avenue Ernest Renan.

The square of the Porte de Versailles is a complex space in its current configuration. Its initial semi-circular organisation is difficult to interpret given the many visual impediments and lack of clearly identified public spaces between the Parc des Expositions and the buildings opposite.

Building on the square itself would intensify this problem of perception: our project therefore proposes to free this space by positioning itself along the avenue Ernest Renan.

This move offers three major advantages :

* it permits the creation of a public square between the boulevard Victor and Hall 1 of the Parc des Expositions, by reorganising logistic flows.
* It creates a strong link between what are known as the “petit” and “grand” parcs, the two parts of the Parc des Expositions.
* It marks the Paris / Issy-les-Moulineaux axis, allowing the urban space to cross the peripheral boulevard by activating the entire facade of the avenue Ernest Renan.

Le Projet Triangle by Herzog & de Meuron

Skyros

Designer: Siddharth Kambe & Dipti Hanako Kambe
Skyros

It's Almost Time...

A sneak peek of what's coming to our space at Faded Elegance next week...

Our theme is 'A Bewitching Autumn Retreat in New Orleans'

We know you'll love this 'elegantly decrepit' collection!

(In the meantime, get in there and take advantage of some recent markdowns - we need to sell the existing theme so we can bring this new stuff in!!!)

The Renovating Bug.

(Before)
So I've been in the same house for over three years now, I'm starting to feel the need for a change. I have a constant need for renovating. This house really inspires me.

(After)

Hey, we almost have all of our projects finished, it has to be time to move again; right?

Up against a brick wall...

above photo: source unknown

Exposed brick walls. How do I love these...? Let me count the ways:

A good brick wall conjures up a sense of history in a home. The more aged the brick looks, the better.
A brick wall needs no adornment. It stands alone, naked, and still looks great.
A brick wall is the perfect feature wall. How can your eyes not be drawn to its strength and character?
Warm colour is added to the room naturally. Brick warms up the space, so even an all white palette seems cozy.

photo source: Country Living
A brick feature wall makes a statement. Everything looks better against it, and it is the perfect backdrop for a great chandelier/lighting fixture, a stand-out piece of furniture, a great flooring material. Basically, it is the starting point to an amazing room.
A brick wall naturally looks better uncluttered. It is the pattern, texture, colour - and it invites more, but in a restrained way. It can hold court with other great elements, but not too many. In essence, a textured wall - like brick- coaxes the eye to steer clear of visual clutter. It is our job to take the less is more cue.

photos (above and below): Wish magazine

***Note to self: Add a brick wall to my dream home list. What's on your list?

A Few Updates...

Just wanted everyone to know that, although I mentioned I would be hosting another great give-away with Matthew Mead this week, we have had to postpone it until next week (technical difficulties). However, the contest will begin next week, and I will give you advance warning: trust me, you don't want to miss out on this one, as there a few extra goodies being thrown into the prize barrel. I also thought I'd let you know that today is the official release of his new book, Entertaining Simple. It's in bookstores everywhere, so check it out!!

Also, if you are wondering where all my blog links are, don't fret. I had so many that they were starting to take over! So, I have created a whole new page where I can fit as many as I like. Just look to my right sidebar for the blog button link, and it will take you there. Because I have more space, if you would like to be added just send me an email. Also, I try to visit as many blogs as I can, but have you seen that list? I think I am going to have to do a rotating schedule...I limit my blogging time to late evening, for the most part, so it gets tricky...

How do you manage to be a friendly blogger to all your favourites?

Faux-cardboard Duvet Cover

The T-shirt Issue by Mashallah Design & Linda Kostowski

The T-shirt Issue by Mashallah Design
& Linda Kostowski

Fanta Redesign

Basque Health HQ by Coll-Barreu Architects

Fanny Bank

"Fanny” bank makes saving money a real GAS!

Just drop a coin in the strategically-placed slot of this tushy-shaped bank and listen as it lets out the loudest rip you've ever heard.

Add more loot, hear more toot!

Up to six flatulent sound effects, guaranteed to make you laugh your “assets” off!

Coins remove easily when bank is full.

Requires 3 AA batteries (not included).
Fanny Bank

Steps Outside Exterior

What A Way To Start The Day!

I sat down to do a little morning blogging, and found this great sneak peek from Design Sponge. I would love to start every day in this fresh and fun bathroom. The vanity is so creative and practical too.

A little ditty...

Well, I just received word via email that my blog has been nominated for a little something over at Divine Caroline, which is a great site devoted to sharing inspiration and stories for people like you and me. So, if you are so kind as to take the time to pop on over there and vote for me, I will blush pinker than I have in a long time. You can easily register, then vote away!

Thanks everyone!!

Lego: Periodic table

Agency: FCB Johannesburg, South Africa
Creative Director: Gerhard Myburgh, Cathrine thompson, Brett Morris
Art director: Lance Vining
Copywriter: Mimim Cooper, James Dodd
Illustrator, Photographer or other additional credits: David Prior

Lego: Periodic table

KarstadtQuelle Insurance: Bowling Lane

Advertising Agency: Jung von Matt, Hamburg, Germany
Creative Directors: Deneke von Weltzien, Thimoteus Wagner, Fabian Frese
Account Directors: Anke Borchers, Jan Knauss
Copywriters: Thies Schuster, Max Biedermann

KarstadtQuelle Insurance: Bowling Lane

HP Trade In: Bookshelf

Agency: Publicis Mojo, Australia
Creative Director: Darren Spiller
Art Director: Tim Forte
Copywriter: Tim Forte
Photographer: Garth Oriander
HP Trade In: Bookshelf

Sunday Dinner...

Ever since I was a young girl, Sunday dinner has been a tradition held close to my heart. With five siblings, mealtime was often served dine and dash, with little emphasis placed on the intricacies of setting a table or the Norman Rockwell image of a family gathering to slowly dine and reconnect over a meal. Indeed, protecting one's food from nipping brothers was more of a priority than sitting straight in one's chair and keeping elbows off tables.

Sundays, however, were the exception. I have many olfactory memories of roast beef cooking in its savoury juices, Yorkshire puddings bubbling away in muffin cups, and the distinctive scent of turnip and broccoli wafting through the kitchen. Whether tucked away in my room reading or outside, playing, the delicious scents would inevitably find me, and the rumblings within my belly would begin. One by one, my siblings and I would wander out to the kitchen, voicing the question, "Is supper almost ready, Mum?" Often we'd be sent back to where we came from so as not to be in the way or, conversely, given a job such as stirring the gravy, setting the table (one fork, one knife, paper napkin...), or of you were a strong boy, given the job of mashing the potatoes to creamy perfection.

photo source: wikipedia.org

As our mother served up our plates (which she always heated in the oven for us), we'd bellow to each other to come to the table. Manners were always minded a little more, conversation would extend beyond requests of "Are you going to eat that?", and although elbows still resided casually on the table, it felt special to me. I imagined that people driving by would glance in the window, smile and dub us very Norman Rockwell indeed. Sunday dinner and all its traditions were very important to us, and made us feel very civilized, almost refined, and definitely warmed us through and through. Sunday was even special enough to warrant dessert, a real treat in our home. Usually it was one of my mother's apple pies or crumbles, or sometimes it was simply sticky pudding cake straight from a box. Either way, the special nuances of the meal have remained with me, and Sunday dinner is a tradition that I carry on with my own family. Times may have changed and my own husband often assists with the meal and its preparation, but the meaning has remained the same: Sunday is a special day, deserving of a fine meal, and is a day where we come together as a family to eat, laugh, and sadly, are subjected to my husband's favourite radio show: classic country. Oh well, it can't all be perfect!

After all, our last name isn't Rockwell, is it?

********************************

This post is dedicated to my "long-suffering mother" who has cooked more meals than she could ever count; and to my husband, who made the entire Sunday dinner today in all its glory. Dinner hasn't tasted that good in a long time...and I didn't once ask, "Is it ready yet?"

Poul Nielsen personal trainer: Business card

Milenio Diario: Schwarzenegger

Agency: Olabuenaga Chemistri, Mexico
Executive Creative Director: Ana Olabuenaga, Jorge Cuchí
Creative Director: Pablo Ferrari
Art director: Héctor Colin, Iliana Solís, Gert Kiebooms
Copywriter: Miguel Rocha, Pablo Ferrari
Illustrator, Photographer or other additional credits: Stock, Héctor Colín

Milenio Diario: Schwarzenegger

Ebay: Moved to Ebay stickers

Agency: Mortierbrigade, Brussels, Belgium
Creative Director: Jens Mortier/Joost Berends/Philippe Deceuster
Copywriter: Joost Berends
Art Director: Philippe Deceuster
Ebay: Moved to Ebay stickers

Moog Music: Bubble gum

moog synths & effects
Any sound is possible

Agency: Carmichael Lynch, USA
Executive Creative Director: Andrew Clarke
Writer: Ryan Inda
Art Director: Jay Morrison
Art Producer: Sandy Boss Febbo
Production: Charlie Wolfe
Photography: Keith Hall / Firstbase

Moog Music: Bubble gum

WWF: Eye chart one

Agency: CC&E, Guangzhou, China
Creative Director: Daming Zheng, Leo Zou
Art director: Liu Yiping
Copywriter: Daming Zheng, Miu Miu
WWF: Eye chart one

Renault megane GT: Speedway

Megane GT 165HP

Agency: Publicis Conseil, France
Creative Director: Olivier Altmann, Hervé Plumet
Art director: Benoit Blumberger
Copywriter: Thibaut Froment
Photographer: Michael Lewis

Renault megane GT: Speedway

Budapest Sun ad: Matrix pills

Agency: Ogilvy & Mather, Budapest, Hungary
Creative Director: Dalbir Singh
Art director/Copy Writer: Hilka Bekefi, Dalbir Singh
Budapest Sun ad: Matrix pills

Schuhkult Shoe Shop: Try it on

Agency: LangGysiKnoll, Berne, Switzerland
Creative Director: Daniela Jakab
Art director: Stephan Wittwer
Copywriter: Lukas Schmid
Photographer: Guy Jost
Schuhkult Shoe Shop: Try it on

Lego: Builders of tomorrow

Based on the original photograph titled 'Lunch Atop a Skyscraper' by Charles Ebbets, 1932

Advertising Agency: Jung von Matt, Hamburg, Germany
Creative Director: Arno Lindemann, Bernhard Lukas
Copywriter: Daniel Schaefer
Art Director: Szymon Rose
Photographer: Achim Lippoth
Account Supervisor: Katharina Schablitzki
Advertiser's Supervisor: Katharina Sutch
Art Buyer: Martina Traut

Lego: Builders of tomorrow

Milenio Diario: Bush

The Breathers Pub: Beer

Creatives: Jaywant Dabholkar, Porus Jose, Tushar Mahajan

The Breathers Pub: Beer

Playstation: Lava

Agency: TBWA Chiat day, Los Angeles, USA
Creative Director: Jerry Gentile
Associate Creative Director: Doug Mukai, Brett Craig
Art Director: Paul Nguyen, Tom Gibson
Copywriter: Jason Rappaport
Photography: Markus Wendler
Art Buyer: Lisa Lee
Playstation: Lava

Playstation: Rock, paper, scissors

Agency: TBWA Chiat day, Los Angeles, USA
I bumped this ad to the front again, because I was sent the full campaign with all four executions. I think the idea comes through stronger when I see all 4 together.
Creative Director: Jerry Gentile
Associate Creative Director: Doug Mukai, Brett Craig
Art Director: Paul Nguyen
Copywriter: Jason Rappaport
Photography: Markus Wendler
Art Buyer: Lisa Lee
Playstation: Rock, paper, scissors

Fahrenheit 451 Short Film Festival: Coke & Popcorn

Agency: Bates, Italy
Art director: Paola Bussa
Copywriter: Rubens Coppi
Creative director: Roberto Vella
Fahrenheit 451 Short Film Festival: Coke & Popcorn

Eukanuba dog food: Parrot

Agency: Leo Burnett, Romania

Eukanuba dog food: Parrot

World no smoking day: Eyesight

Agency: Team Young & Rubicam, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Art Director: Krishnagopal Kodoth
Copywriter: Mohit Raviranjan, Kaushik Bhattacharya
Graphic artist: Srinivas Sarma
Executive Creative Director: Trevor Purvis
Photographer: Abdul Nasser
Digital artist: Sumeda Rathnapala
World no smoking day: Eyesight

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