Eye Candy of the Week

Product: Armoir
Designer: Patrick Naggar
Maker: Ralph Pucci
Yummy Factor: Sweet!

Patrick Elie Naggar is a French artist, architect and designer who received his degree in Architecture (UPLCI) from the Ecole des Beaux Arts and a Masters degree in Urban Studies from the University of Paris. Naggar considers architecture as a central knowledge, encompassing interior design, furniture design a catalyst of the ideas, forms, plastic and artistic trends in order to create objects and spaces for our environment in the spirit of our times.

From one Victoria to Another

One of the things I really enjoy about our world today is how global we are. One day I found a set of lost cousins that design cool furniture in Spain, the other day I ordered a piece of furniture from Finland or in this case I bought a print made in Victoria, Australia and I got it delivered to my home town Victoria, British Columbia. It really amazed me how close and how far we are.

The other day Sarah asked me - Have you ever been to Etsy? What's Etsy I asked? Sarah said - Oh! my you definitely have too look in there. It is a website where you can find anything you want. It's like an Ebay but even better, the prices are fixed and you can find really hidden gems. Well after getting this advice from my favorite pregnant mama Sarita I could not miss the opportunity to check out this new site. Well I got really really addicted to the site and I found real gems indeed!. I was looking for inexpensive but cool art for a project and I found even a piece for myself.

Yesterday my print arrived in beautiful packaging and a personal note. Please see my great find below as well as some information about the artist Bridget Farmer.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5715686
http://www.bridgetfarmer.com

Bridget Farmer relocated to Melbourne from northern Ireland in 2007 to undertake a Masters of Fine Art (Printmaking) at RMIT. With a background in drawing, jewelery design and silver smithing. Farmer turned to etching as her preferred area of practice following the completion of an APW course in printmaking. Farmer was struck by the variety and number of birds in Australia, which has led to her current series of miniature hard ground etchings depicting native Australian birds.

Here are some of my favorite Etsy shops:

Briget Farmer

Benno Art Studio
Kim Westad
Michael Sequeira
Michele Maule
Pinn Studio
Tobiah Horton
Wondercabinet

Future Forecast

Insects are the new guests in these warm days of summer. Dragonflies, bees, butterflies, beetles, ants, arachnids, lady bugs and more. Anthropoids have come out of their winter seclusion to bring a new sense of style. Why don't you grab a net and capture some insects this season?

Butterflies by Justine Smith



Dynastidae by Insect Lab



"Farfalle" by Piero Fornasetti

June Meadow Glasses by Kate Spade






Ant Chair by Arne Jacobsen




Odonata by Insect Lab



Ant'ique Wallpaper by Gam plus Fratesi

June Lane Silver China by Kate Spade




Chandelier by Bodo Sperlein [Lladró]




Butterfly Damask Plate by Rosie Simmons

Eye Candy of the Week

Product: The Fantasy Collection
Designer: Jaime Hayon
Designers Website: http://www.hayonstudio.com/
Material: Porcelain
Maker: Lladró
Yummy Factor: Addictive !

The creations in The Fantasy collection which Jaime Hayon has designed for Lladró, mirror the perfect fusion between the artistic quality of the Spanish porcelain brand and the playful, fantasy quality the designer brings to his works. The balance between expression and function, the studied combination of Lladró’s usual themes and the magic of the unexpected that Hayon is known for, make these pieces truly original objects that, over and above their decorative potential, awaken a sense of fantasy in the beholder. - Hayon Studio -

Only Human has moved ! Check it out

Only Human has NEW digs in the city. If you are a design fan of Moooi, Johnathan Adler, Marcel Wanders, custom wood work or reveling in new upcoming local talent you definitely need to visit Only Human's new home in Market Square.

Pig Table by Moooi

Local cabinet maker Chris Rothery and enthusiastic design diva Christina Stack have created a really unique space in the heart of The Design District. People often complain that Victoria doesn't have anything NEW, well Only Human is bringing something really unique to you.

Doves by Jonathan Adler


Desk by Marcel Wanders

So Green - So Cool !

OnlyHuman Furniture is a visionary company specializing in custom designed and manufactured furniture from the finest woods including engineered bamboo, one of the world's most environmentally-friendly building materials. Even when working with traditional woods, OnlyHuman focuses on reducing the environmental impact.

Giraffe Lamp by Jonathan Adler

Lamp by Moooi

Imaginative by Design

I make objects that people love to look at, that capture their imagination — and bring something that poses a question or evokes a mood, or suggests a notion.” - Chris Rothery

White vase by Moooi

Your mission for this weekend...

If you don't have anything else to do this weekend why you don't go and visit Only Human?

Custom coffee table design by Only Human

www.onlyhuman.ca

533 Pandora Avenue.
Market Square

250.383.only (6659)

Icons of Design - Hervé Van der Straeten

Hervé Van der Straeten

Sketches by Hervé Van der Straeten
photograph by Francoise Spikermeier

Hervé Van der Straeten is a live icon of design today, a jewelry designer, furniture designer, industrial designer, and overall a gallery owner of his own Object d'Art pieces.

www.ralphpucci.net

Each piece that he designs carries a sense of uniqueness and its uniqueness brings a sense of alchemy that always enhances a room in any of his forms of design .

His pieces are memorable and one of a kind. Van der Straeten signature stool - a podlike seat that can be left gleamingly metallic or encased in lacquers that give it the look of a giant candy brings something unexpected to any room.

www.ralphpucci.net

He used to create jewelry for Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Lacroix after he dropped out of the engineering program at the the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. The work of Hervé Van der Straeten is characterised by its intensity, eclecticism & bold shapes.

www.ralphpucci.net

Van der Straeten is dedicated to preserving the tradition of fine european craftsmanship, each of his pieces requires a group of 4 or more different craftsmen to achieve his vision. His own designs can be seen today in the Elysée palace.

www.ralphpucci.net

www.ralphpucci.net

Galerie Van der Straeten
11, rue Ferdinand-Duval
75004 Paris.
Tél. : 01 42 78 99 99.

http://www.vanderstraeten.fr

Happy B-day Bespoke !!!

Bespoke - tailored home comforts is celebrating their 1st Birthday in Victoria, B.C. and to make this anniversary more memorable we have decided to do a small homage.




Bespoke is an interior design boutique offering beautiful bedding, furniture, window treatments, and lighting. As well as special pieces from local artists and exclusive resources from around the globe.




Heather Draper and Jonalyn Simmons are truly passionate about design, and you can see their efforts in their beautiful store in Market Square.

Unique pieces and a great understanding of design goes a big way when you visit this stunning interior design boutique.

Well what else can I say - I am big fan !

Bespoke
517 Pandora Ave.
Victoria, BC V8W 3C6
T: 250 298 1105

www.bespokedesign.ca