The Official Victoria Gift Guide 2008

After the success of last years official gift guide we decided to hit the pavement and see what Victoria B.C. has to offer this year...

1. -The perfect present for the favorite person on your list

Meade Design Group Gift Certificates

1316-B Government Street - 250.881.1990
Available in any denomination

Meade Design Group can be used for interior and graphic design services, custom upholstery, custom window treatments, custom bedding and toss pillows, object d'art pieces and anything else you see in the upcoming Meade Design Group online store.

The most versatile gift you can give !

2.- The perfect present for the cool and hip dad or grandfather

Moooi “Smoke Armchair”
Only Human - Market Square

Moooi's Smoke Armchair is the perfect blend of traditional styling with a modern twist. Perfect for reading 'twas The Night Before Christmas to the kids on Christmas Eve.

3. The perfect present for the hard to buy for young adult on your list

Walnut Eames Stools
Gabriel Ross - Bay Sreet

These timeless classics will never go out of style and will grow with the recipient and all of their changing design tastes. This is also a perfect gift for anyone at Meade Design Group hint ! hint !

4.- The perfect present for your mother in law

Voluspa – Frost Pinecone limited edition fragrance #62
Chintz & Co - Store Street

This festive and sophisticated room fragance comes beautifully packaged with a reusable decanter. She is sure to love you after receiving this gift.

5.- The perfect present for the favorite coworker

Oliver Hemming – “Nio” Tea Set
Capital Iron - Store Street

This stylih tea set is beautifully designed at a very reasonable price. A good example where good design doesn't need to cost a fortune.

6.- The perfect present for your wife

Fortvny Lamps
Bespoke - Market Square

These italian fixtures are elegantly designed to bring a new sense of style to your dining room or entry. Something particularly special for the most important woman in your life.

7. The perfect hostess gift

Water Flower Bouquet
Ramsey & Ramsey - 2000 Oak Bay Ave

A very versatile flower arrangment that any host or hostess will appreciate. No vase required!

8.- The perfect present for the cool and sophisticated mother or grandmother

Somma Merino Wool Throw
Bespoke - Market Square

These merino wool blankets are unbelievably soft and luxurious. Available in various muted tones and designs that will suit any home.

9.- The perfect present for the coffee aficionado

Nespresso - Coffee Maker
Home Outfitters - Langford

We have this coffee machine at the studio and it is always a big hit with our clients and colleagues. Not only does it make wonderful coffee but its striking looks don't hurt either.

10.- The perfect present for the gourmet

Tika Cutlery Set
Muffet & Louisa - Market Square

I was lucky enough to receive this set for my b-day this October and I have to say that they give the table a really great cool and relaxed atmosphere.

11.- The perfect present for your kid, your niece or nephew

DeLux animal toque
Oscar and Libby’s - 770 Fort St and 560 Johnson St (Market Square)

To keep the cheeky monkeys in your life warm and toasty this snowy season.

12.- The perfect back-up present

Votivo Candles
Only Human - Market Square
Favourite scent: Red current, no. 96

These candles are the perfect "everybody" gift. Pop into Only Human and visit our favorite design diva Christina for a few of these candles. Keep a few wrapped and ready to give in your closet for the those emergency gifting moments.

13.- The perfect present for your stockings

Hammond’s set of 3 pillow hard candies
Nicholas Randall - 2041 Oak Bay Ave

Sarah our Architectural Designer brought us a little jar as a Xmas gift and we have to say that these candies are amazing. We are totally addicted to the little tiny pillows.

14.- The perfect present for your dog

Pupcakes
Bark & Fitz - 2972 Jacklin Road #102

The dog in your life will love these pupcakes from Bark & Fitz. This doggie boutique has a bakery counter filled with organic & natural homemade treats for your dog. Come in with your dog - and a note to you single gentleman out there this place is filled with sexy chiquitas shopping for their dogs too !

15.- The perfect present for the new home owner

Small Art Works

Place + PS Gallery - 3690 Shelbourne Street

A beautiful piece of art will always bring life to any room.

Works by Timothy Wilson Hoey, Glenn Romasanta, Wendy Skog , Elizabeth Allen,Lisa Riehl, Rob Harrison, Cheryl Taves, Wren Katzalay, Maggie Cole, Irma Soltonovich, Lance Olsen, Jamie Drouin, Susy Raxlen, Ken Steacy, Tyler Hodgins, Lorraine Betts, John Wolfe, Trish Puckett, Laura Skagfeld.

16.- The perfect present for any baby or cute toddler

Mountain Buggy - Urban Style
Finn and Izzy - 2259 Oak Bay Avenue

Perfectly designed for city living, the Mountain Buggy - Urban is versatile, easy to use and looks great. Strolling in the park, navigating supermarket aisles or squeezing into a busy café - the Urban gives you the freedom to live life everyday.

NOTE - For Prices and availability of the products please contact the stores directly - Thanks !

MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

Eye Candy of the Week

Product: Vicente Wolf Blog
Designer: Vicente Wolf
Material: 1110100010101000101010 ... html
Content: Design topics, culture and every day life
Yummy Factor: Wolf-a-licious !

This week's eye candy is a little less tangible, you can't put it in your home or buy it online but this free eye candy can definitely inspire you to do something new and different in your home. I would like to think of this eye candy of being more like a box of chocolates where its filled with all kinds of different treats instead of our usual singular lollipop or chocolate bar. In this case the treats are posts on various topics of design, culture and every day life, and the box is Vicente Wolf's new and enlightening blog.

I invite you to visit and spread the word about this exciting blog found at:

VICENTE WOLF'S BLOG

On May 28, 2008 I had the opportunity to do an interview with Vicente Wolf for Meade Design Group - The Blog. I found the experience to be very interesting and I got a real sense of his personality. Vicente seems very genuine and intelligent but he still has a great sense of humor.

If you would like to read the interview please follow the link below.

IN CONVERSATION WITH VICENTE WOLF

MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

In Conversation with Croma Design

Ryan Martin & Amy Kent - Croma Design

In February of 2007 Echo and I had the opportunity to meet Ryan and Amy, principals of Croma Design at the IDS show in Toronto. That year they had an installation called "Red Riding Hood Residence". It was a very sexy pad for a modern, chic, and sophisticated young woman.

Ryan and Amy are living proof of what a young and really talented design duo can do. Their design sensibility and their ability to create cool spaces is really inspiring for other young designers like us.

Please see our conversation with Ryan and Amy below.

Iván - What is story behind Croma, How the two of you meet?

Ryan - We met when were both at Cecconi Simone. I was new to the firm when one day the “cool kids” asked me to join them for lunch… of course Amy was one of them. We realized early on that this would work.

Red Riding Hood Residence
Photograph courtesy of Croma Design

Iván - In my own experience I have found that having a male and female working together creates the most balanced design. How do you feel this influences your works and makes you stand out from other designers?

Ryan - Amy bakes the cupcakes, I fix the truck. It’s a partnership that works well.

Jaaadu Restaurant
Photograph courtesy of Croma Design

Iván - What are your individual strengths and weaknesses?

Ryan - My strengths? I’m devilishly handsome and smart as a whip. My weaknesses? N/A

Red Riding Hood Residence
Photograph courtesy of Croma Design

Iván - What would you consider to be your partner in design’s strengths and weakness? (meow! – lol)

Amy - Obviously, Ryan is conceited.

Photograph courtesy of Croma Design

Iván - Unfortunately I was unable to attend the IDS (Interior Design Show) this year in Toronto (they are bringing IDS WEST to Vancouver for the first time this year) I read that you were invited to design the GE Monogram Lounge this year. Last year I was truly impressed with the concept space you did, and the branding that came along with it; the modern fairy tale concept was brilliant. What was your inspiration for this years project?

Ryan - We were inspired by a theme of “ice”: a crisp white space turned an icy blue by way of theatrical lighting. Overhead, we designed Swarovski chandeliers, which further reinforced the theme of ice as diamonds.

GE Monogram Lounge
Photographs courtesy of Croma Design

Iván - You have been given the opportunity to create unique and creative projects for the IDS for the past 3 years. However, there is always a client to answer to. What would be your dream project given carte blanche with no client to please?

Amy - We actually find that working within difficult parameters tends to make us more creative. However, our dream project would definitely be to design a luxury hotel.

Photographs courtesy of Croma Design

Iván - How would you describe your own living spaces? Being a designer, I know this is the project that is always being bumped down to the end of the list.

Amy - “Light”

Ryan - “Dark”

Iván - Do you have any collections, if so what?

Ryan - I have a variety of cameras which have been collected through several generations of family. My favourite is an Edwardian era collapsible Ensign that belonged to my great grandmother. I have photos of her as a young woman holding this camera.

Photographs courtesy of Croma Design

Iván - Who or what has influenced your personal design style?

Amy - For both of us, I think it was growing up in a rural environment. There is no more perfect design than that found in nature. I think you develop a sense for recognizing beauty in the built world if you have an appreciation for design in the natural world.

Iván - What was the first experience that you had with design?

Amy - Strangely enough we had very similar first experiences with design. We both discovered builders home plan magazines as kids and of course, re-planned the layouts of all the houses.

Photograph courtesy of Croma Design

Iván - Looking over your work in the media and in recent publications one can see that you really have a great eye for creating spaces that have beautiful symmetry and scale, are calming and livable, yet you always involve elements that are completely unexpected but blend in perfectly. They just work without looking like you tried too hard. What is your recipe for impeccable taste? In other words, what are the design elements or principles you ensure are included in every room you design?

Ryan - Our biggest priority when it comes to designing a space is the layout – if a room is laid out poorly it just won’t work no matter how good it looks. Additionally, we have an appreciation for simplicity, and a respect for materials - we’d rather let a finish be true to itself than to disguise it as something else. With everything we do, we try to avoid trends and always work on letting the Client’s personality shine through.

Iván - For the home owners that are reading the blog where would you recommend they invest their money to create the biggest impact on their space?

Amy - If you invest in one key quality piece whether it be a stunning Kitchen, Art, beautiful window coverings, or an Italian sofa; this can elevate the impression of the entire space.

Antonio Lupi - Bisazza Mosaico and Lolli & Memmoli
Photograph courtesy of Croma Design

Iván - What has been the most unusual request from a client?

Ryan - We have a great client who has a strong affection for his dog, and wanted a balcony built exclusively for him. It actually turned out to be a great outdoor space!

Croma Design Studio
Photograph courtesy of Croma Design

Iván - Lastly, if you could share one piece of advice or a lesson from your experiences to our readers, what would it be?

Amy - Listen to your instincts. Choose things that you love, or that reflect your personality.

To see more of Croma Designs stunning work please visit:

Website

Blog

Facebook Page

MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

Christian Barnard

Last Wednesday I was pleased to discover that my friend and landscape designer extraordinaire Christian Barnard launched his new and informative blog. I am always eager to learn more about anything design and landscape design is not my forte, I consider him and now his blog a great resource for all things green.

CBLS landscape + culture blog

For more information about Christian Barnard please check out the interview I did with him at the link below:

In Conversation with Christian Barnard

MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

In Conversation with Antonieta D'introno

Antonieta D'introno

As seen in SNAP - December 2008 - " Design Feature "

Antonieta D’Introno is a very talented young and charismatic local designer. I had the pleasure of meeting her a couple of years ago at a design event here in Victoria. Since then we have shared a friendship and a common interest in sleek, contemporary design.

Known to most as Tonia, she has just opened a new concept studio in The Design District. Part interior design studio, part gallery, and part specialty bookstore – targeted towards architects, designers and design enthusiasts this new space melds all of Tonia’s design interests into one studio. I encourage you to visit Tonia at her new studio, D'Introno Interior Design at 532 1/2 Fisgard - Unit 8 [ office + fax 250 381 4950 ] and discover this great new concept and talented designer for yourself.

Iván – "What is your favorite local find? Where did you get this item – how long have you had it?"

Tonia – "My favorite (not so local) find is a sheet metal stool. It is part of Xavier Pauchard's Marais Collection designed in 1934. I bought this at DWR in Toronto only a few months ago."

Metal Stool by Xavier Pauchard

Iván Meade – "Why is it important/inspirational to you?"

Tonia D'introno – "It's all in the history! This stool is a design icon, the collection is the epitome of functionality and a totally understated item. It is virtually indestructible, timeless, elegant, versatile, minimal and comfortable! It evokes the French cafe and brasserie scene from that era, it was used in battleship weather forecasting rooms, it has a retro kickback and no two are exactly alike. What more could you ask for?"




Iván - How does this item reflect upon your personal design philosophy?

Tonia – The modernity, simplicity, functionality and nostalgia of this stool wrap up many of my design beliefs. It IS possible to have a beautiful, inexpensive design item. Keeping a clean and simple design aesthetic allows you to create without overwhelming the senses. There is a lot to be learned from past designers and an appreciation for something that was done well the first time. I found these stools to be a great addition to my studio. I stack books on them, stack them together and climb on them, have them out for clients to sit on, leave them outside - you name it! And they are as clean and perfect as the day I bought them."

D'introno Studio

Iván – "Can you tell me more about your new studio/gallery/bookstore ?"

Tonia – "I have an interior design studio in Dragon Alley. The concept behind my studio/gallery/bookstore is to have an inspiring and exciting environment for clients and to help others create beauty based on contemporary design principles. The space lends itself well to displaying art. There is nothing more pleasing than being surrounded by inspirational art. One of the other forms of inspiration I draw on are books, many of which I have for sale!




My hope is to keep refreshing the selection of books and art in my space, to continue my personal and professional growth and become closer to others who share my design philosophy."

Iván – I can tell you love design books - What books do you have on your coffee table?

Tonia – I love design books. They are a glimpse into the imagination of so many talented architects and designers around the world. They allow us to peek into other people's homes and dreams, their design success and failure. We can learn as much about great design by way of poor design as we can from good design. It's important to also know what NOT to do. Currently I have several photography books on my coffee table. I can't seem to get enough photography in my life!



Iván - What was your first experience with design?

Tonia – I've been surrounded by design and art my whole life. My mother is an artist and my older brother is an architect. I've always wanted to draw and paint like my mother, she has the most amazing way of capturing the essence of her subject. And my brother is so incredibly talented. I envy his ease of design and imagination. My families influence is apparent in most of my design.




Iván - What are you excited about right now in the world of design?

Tonia – Everything is exciting to me! I see things around me all the time that are so ingenious and creative. I really appreciate new approaches to old ideas. I am thrilled by what young designers are doing with new materials and manufacturing processes. I like to study all areas of design because there is so much to learn from the old as there is from the new. Scandinavian design makes me weak in the knees!




Iván – Your interiors definitely celebrate restraint and order. To what/whom do you owe this influence?

Tonia - Order allows creativity to blossom. Consistency allows you to grow.




Iván - What is your design philosophy?

Tonia –" Keep it simple!" Less really IS more.




Iván – Your interiors are always clean and contemporary, are you a fan of minimalism ?

Tonia – I respect minimalism but I am personally no where NEAR being a minimalist! I consider myself more of a modernist. I work to achieve color and warmth and comfort in design, as well as affordability and durability. I was raised in Italy where artisans and designers strive for enduring materials, quality workmanship and rational design while incorporating all that is enduring in furnishings and design.




Iván – Sometimes people think that minimalism can be cold and sterile, but your interiors are warm and very liveable. How do you achieve that?

Tonia - Minimalism is about focusing on the fundamentals and eliminating clutter but it also sometimes "minimizes" a statement of character. I think that design needs to be respectful of basic, functional essence but I believe in multi-disciplinary design. I combine contemporary, tried and true materials and concepts into a sustainable and rational whole. I try to extract the best from all design in order to achieve a cohesive whole which is compatible with what the client wants and can live happily in. Warmth can easily be achieved with materials, textures, colors and art.

Iván – Do you find minimalism is popular in Victoria ?

Tonia – I do actually! I have studied in Italy and Spain and I came to Canada thinking I would never find the simplicity in design you tend to find in Europe but there are so many examples of simple and functional design in Victoria which have emerged from the North West Coast and Vancouver Island. Many people don't consider themselves minimalists but it's all syntax. Most people want a warm, clean, orderly, inviting, comfortable and inspiring place to live in. That's minimalism with a heavy dose of realism.




Iván - Which designer and/or architect from the past, do you most appreciate?

Tonia – Too Many! Frank Lloyd Wright has always impressed me and always will. Richard Neutra, Oscar Niemeyer, Aalto, Saarinen, Le Corbusier - there is so much to admire in all of these architects.

Iván - and those still working?

Tonia – Eric Owen Moss is truly brilliant. Patkau architects inspired me before I ever came to the West Coast. MGB architects in Vancouver are very cool! Gislaine Vinas is a diva of design!




Iván – Lastly, you have already created a stunning body of work with many mediums and styles, what would you like your legacy to be?

Tonia - I would like to work on many diverse projects and be able to experiment more and create with imagination and passion. I'd like my legacy to be that I have excited and inspired people the way I have been excited and inspired. I'd like to educate people about design and help them to realize that design can be wild and fulfilling and limitless. Conventional methods of design and architecture are a thing of the past, it's time to move on and dream new ideas! I'd love to be remembered for something I have yet to accomplish!

To see more of Tonia's work please visit:

D'introno Studio I Gallery I Books

MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011