Dancing with the Chairs

Meade Design Group needed a break after a long week of working on great projects for great clients. Also, it's tradition that Meade Design Group's practices the art of "Willy Nilly" the last Friday of October to commemorate my birthday - October 31st.

 

Combining the gracious style of Meade Design Group team, the influence of reality TV, a touch of Beyoncé, and setting it all at Meade Design Group's studio gives you this memorable moment: Dancing with the Chairs.

 

 

 

Last years official “Willy Nilly” moment - A MEADE DESIGN GROUP MODERN FABLE

 

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MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

The Olympic Torch in Victoria BC

 

Today the Olympic Torch started the rally around Canada in preparation for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games.  Victoria, British Columbia was the starting point and all the community has come together to prepare for this very special day. 

 

We were very fortunate that the Olympic Torch passed by our studio earlier today.  

 

The city placed these cool banners all around and we are lucky to see them every day from our window.

 

 

After a long wait and some delay, finally the torch passed by the studio.

 

 

 

 

 

Torch Design

Inspired by Canada; Made for Canadians

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A little bit of history…

 

The 2010 Olympic Torch, designed and manufactured by Bombardier in collaboration with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), is a symbol of the 2010 Winter Games, and will carry the Olympic Flame across Canada on its 45,000-kilometre journey. Twelve-thousand torchbearers will hold an Olympic Torch as they move through 1,037 communities across Canada.  Over 90 per cent of the Canadian population will have an opportunity to see the beauty of the Olympic Torch and experience the warmth of the Olympic Flame.

 

Designer/Manufacturer: Bombardier/VANOC

Inspiration: Canada’s open land, vast potential and smooth, fluid lines left in the snow and ice from winter sports

Height: 37.125 inches / 94.5 centimetres

Weight: 3.5 pounds / 1.6 kilograms

Materials used: Stainless steel, aluminum and sheet moulding compound

Burn time: At least 12 to 15 minutes

Fuel used: Blend of Propane, Isobutane and Hydrocarbons

 

“Vancouver 2010 – Official Olympic Site”

 

 

“When they hold it in their hands, I want them to be proud.”  - Leo Obstbaum, director, Design

For Leo Obstbaum and the design team that developed the 2010 Olympic Torch concept, the project was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

 

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MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

Eye Candy of the Week – Atlas Dining Table

 

Altas Dining Table by Ashley Hicks

 

Detail - Altas Dining Table by Ashley Hicks

 

PRODUCT

Atlas Dining Table

 

DESIGNER

Ashley Hicks

 

DIMENSIONS

29.5” H X 40” D X 82” L

 

MATERIALS

Oak & Cast Metal Legs

 

DESCRIPTION

The Atlas dining table has a top of smooth stained oak, on cast metal legs whose pierced, attenuated form was inspired by Oceanic sculpture - but also makes the idea table base, gracefully avoiding diners’ legs.

Custom finishes and sizes are available. Shown here in black stained oak. – Ashley Hicks Website.

 

This piece by Ashley Hicks has a “Je ne sais quoi” quality to it.  The table has very interesting visual weight as a complete piece and definitely exudes a very sleek contemporary vibe. 

 

The fact that the main material is solid oak makes it warm, real.   The legs, I have to say, are my favourite part, they are organic and futuristic.  The blend of all these elements makes this piece memorable and unique.

 

YUMMY FACTOR

Delicious !!!

 

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MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

Social Meade-ia Success Story

 

Yesterday, Chris Burdge, founder and owner of bWEST, published a very interesting interview about us and our involvement in Social Media.  

 

To read the complete article please click the picture

 

I have to admit this interview was a very different exercise for us – We do interviews all the time, but this is the first occasion we are the  interviewee.  If you want to learn more about us in the Social Media side of things this is a good opportunity.

 

Living in Victoria BC, Vancouver Island and being part of the design industry has its limitations, but being part of the social media movement has given us a voice to express our ideas and promote our business to the rest of the world.

 

If you are in need of some social media advice I invite you to contact bWEST. 

 

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MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

In Conversation with Brooke Giannetti

 

Brooke Giannetti

 

Brooke Giannetti not only does beautiful architectural design with her husband (Steve), stunning interior and furniture designs; she also maintains a very cool blog (Velvet & Linen) and runs a shop with her namesake – Giannetti Home.

 

Brooke’s interiors are very chic and warm with a feeling of someone really living there, not too stuffy or untouchable. Sophisticated and eclectic with carefully chosen juxtapositions, but always inviting. Her designs certainly evoke positive emotions and nostalgia.

 

Giannetti Home is very similar, an ever evolving showroom full of rustic pieces from around the world that have age and character.  Brooke also has her own line of furniture which is very clean, slim and sophisticated, it would work with an array of styles.

 

The Velvet & Linen blog follows Giannetti Home’s current projects and inspirations, as well as little tidbits showing the personal side of Brooke, including a very sweet open letter to her 16 year old son.

 

Giannetti Home has been featured in several newspapers (including The Washington Post), magazines and blogs. She also appeared on The Skirted Roundtable, a popular blog that posts podcasts of roundtable-style discussions about interior design and blogging from a weekly radio show.

 

Please read on to learn more about this talented designer and blogger…

 

Iván Meade – What was your first experience with design?

 

Brooke Giannetti - I would have to say that my mother introduced me to the world of design. Although she was not formally trained, she was always doing something to own home. She even allowed me to design my own bedroom when I was thirteen. Lavender on the walls and carpet with white accents. I owe her a great deal for that!

 Interior by Brooke Giannetti

 

Iván Meade – Who or what has influenced your style?

 

Brooke Giannetti - Steve has been a huge influence because he has been so supportive and has allowed me to explore my own style without judgement.

 

European design has also been a big influence. For the past year, blogs like Cote de Texas, Things That Inspire, Marley and Lockyer, Belgian Pearls (a new favorite), and all of the beautiful Swedish blogs have exposed me to a whole new world.

 

Interior by Brooke Giannetti

 

Iván Meade – How would you describe your style?

 

Brooke Giannetti - Right now my style is a combination of Belgian, French and Swedish with a little industrial thrown in. I love the cleaned up version of Belgian design as seen in the Beta Plus books, but with a little French and Swedish softness thrown in the mix.

 

Interior by Brooke Giannetti

 

Iván Meade – What designers of past and present do you admire most?

 

Brooke Giannetti – Windsor Smith for her daring and the lightness she instills into all of her projects. They always put a smile on my face. Joe Nye and Madeline Stuart for their incredible attention to detail. Barbara Wiseley. I could live in her own home. Our friend and Steve's client, Kelly Harmon. She creates the most serene idyllic homes.

 

John Saladino, the master of scale. His books have a permanent place on my desk. I love his ability to combine rustic with modern.

 

Interior by Brooke Giannetti

 

Iván Meade – What inspired you to begin a blog?

 

Brooke Giannetti – My friend Mary suggested that I start a blog. I had no idea what they were. I really started Velvet and Linen as an on-line journal to document all of my projects as well as the things that I love.

 

Interior by Brooke Giannetti

 

Iván Meade – How has the blog influenced your designs and your career?

 

Brooke Giannetti - The blog has been an unexpected gift. I think Velvet and Linen has enabled me to become clearer about my design style. There is nothing like having to put things in writing to get some clarity. The blog has also given our work a huge amount of exposure. With many of the shelter magazines shutting their doors, blogs have become a wonderful venue for our work.

 

Interior by Brooke Giannetti

 

Iván Meade – What do you consider to be your greatest strength and your greatest weakness?

 

Brooke Giannetti - Steve would say that my greatest strength is my lack of formal training. I design from my gut. My biggest weakness is when I allow insecurity to sneak into my head. 

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  Interior by Brooke Giannetti

 

Iván Meade – What is it like balancing a store, blog, design business and family all at once? How do you manage?!

 

Brooke Giannetti - It's crazy. The only way I manage is because I have a wonderful support system.

 

Interior by Brooke Giannetti

 

Iván Meade – What are 5 things you can’t live without?

 

Brooke Giannetti - Steve, Charlie, Nick, Leila, my Veranda magazine subscription!

 

Interior by Brooke Giannetti

 

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

 

Brooke Giannetti – I think that the internet has opened up the world of design to everyone. You can live anywhere and see what people around the world are focusing on in design. To me that is very exciting.

 

Interior by Brooke Giannetti

 

Iván Meade – The products in your store seem to be constantly changing due to all of the one-of-a-kinds you sell. What is your favourite piece in the store right now?

 

Brooke Giannetti - Although I love the Swedish antique pieces in our store the things that really excite me right now are our furniture line and Steve's paintings.

 

Interior by Brooke Giannetti

 

Iván Meade – What is it that you love so much about antique Swedish pieces?

 

Brooke Giannetti - The clean lines combined with simple details. They work so well with the industrial pieces that we love.

 

Interior by Brooke Giannetti

 

Iván Meade – What would be your dream project?

 

Brooke Giannetti - A beach house for a client who says: "I love what you and Steve do. Do what you want. I'll be back in a year."

 

Interior by Brooke Giannetti

 

Iván Meade – What project has given you the most satisfaction?

 

Brooke Giannetti - Right now our own home in Oxnard. Steve and I use it as our science design lab. We try out all of the things that nobody else will let us do, yet...

 

Interior by Brooke Giannetti

 

Iván Meade – What is your next design venture?

 

Brooke Giannetti - We are designing more furniture pieces as well as an accessories line. It's so much fun to concentrate on small pieces. It's like jewelry for the home.

 

Interior by Brooke Giannetti

 

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

 

Brooke Giannetti - Three happy kids.

 

I invite you to visit Brooke Giannetti  stunning body of work

 

GIANNETTI HOME

VELVET & LINEN

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MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011