Meade Design Group - The Blog - Interior Design Victoria BC: March 2008

Sunday, 30 March 2008

Spring Bay " A Success Story"

During my career as a designer in Victoria, BC I have seen several projects where the transformation is really dramatic. This is perhaps my first opportunity to show a "before and after'' interior design project where the property had tons of potential but It had not been realized.

Meade Design Group worked with the owner to fully update and renovate this beautiful seaside home. Taking into consideration the footprint of the property and the need to maximize the ocean views, we created a space that would feel current and yet still have a mid-century vibe to accommodate the clients art and furniture collection.

The use of innovative materials and the client's taste were our main priorities in the planning of the project. Enhancing the architectural details and bringing new ones to the house was also necessary to bring in as much natural light as possible.

For the entrance we opened the space, eliminating the 45 degree angled wall replacing it with a right angle wall and the installing an over-sized door with a frosted glass to bring in more natural light. A new closet for coats was added on the left side and we ran the wide plank walnut flooring through to make the space feel larger.

BEFORE

AFTER

One of the first things we did was to open the space visually between the kitchen, the dining room, the hallways and the living room. For this we removed some walls and created a window-grid wall that enhanced the lack of architectural details in the space and also provided an open visual flow of the space while reinforcing the structure of the house.

BEFORE

AFTER

I have always believed that you have to listen to the space and let the space dictate what it wants to be. For the main focal point in the living room we just followed the existing layout but we brought in warmth with the built-ins and the new material in the fireplace. We removed the valance and added a new french door in the center of the room and 2 over-sized windows flanking each side to maximize the ocean views. Simple but clean moldings were added to keep the consistency with the style we were intending to project in the house.

BEFORE

AFTER

The Kitchen was completely redesigned to become a new show piece. The simplicity of the mill work reads extremely well with the contemporary appliances. The client chose a glass mosaic for the backslash to imprint his personal style.

BEFORE

AFTER

For the main bathroom, we removed the outdated glass blocks and created a soft palette with the warm materials. Something to notice is how we keep using the same materials throughout the space but we use these materials in different ways to keep the project fresh and consistent.

BEFORE

AFTER

Lastly, for the basement stairs we mix 2 materials - walnut wood for the face of the stairs and carpet for treads.

BEFORE

AFTER

For more pictures of this project please visit http://themeadegroup.com

Eye Candy of the Week

Product: Ripple Fine Bone China
Collection: Kelly Hoppen at Wedgwood
Designer: Kelly Hoppen
Material: Fine Bone China
Website: http://www.wedgwoodusa.com/collection/kelly_hoppen.asp
Yummy Factor: Bloody Brilliant !

I definitely have a weakness for tabletop and dinnerware, so it is a good thing that I've discovered the new venture of internationally acclaimed British interior designer Kelly Hoppen. Ms. Hoppen has designed a couple of dinnerware sets for Wedgwood. The collection of contemporary designs on bone china blends a classic look with a modern edge.

It is a new classic to serve !

http://www.kellyhoppen.com

Wednesday, 26 March 2008

moooi and the city

Yesterday was the local introduction of the renowned international brand moooi in Victoria, BC. Only Human (Chris and Christina Rothery) have brought something completely new to the Victoria market. It is so refreshing to see these extraordinary pieces in Victoria, pieces that you usually only see in magazines or on the web. Chris & Christina chose the Martin Bachelor Gallery (712 Comorant Street) to elegantly display some selected pieces of the new moooi collection.

pig table
http://www.moooi.com

You may wonder - what is moooi? Well, moooi means pretty in Dutch and is a company originally from Holland that was created 6 years ago by Marcel Wanders & Caspar Vissers. moooi is in all aspects innovative; their products; their materials; their corporate identity and their business approach. moooi is a creative laboratory where alchemy is their main ingredient.

Two tops secretary by Marcel Wanders

http://www.marcelwanders.com/
http://www.he-marcelwanders.com/

Their pieces are as unique as the designers behind the creative process. The designers at moooi look for a memorable moment and the pieces are what makes that moment; sometimes a sense of humor, other times a sense of sophistication, or just a simple sense of surprise.

Light shade by Jurgen Bey
http://www.moooi.com

moooi brings the past to the present, and the present to the future intending to create a connection with the moment you are living in. Chris and Christina Rothery from Only Human are the links between these unique pieces and the new moments they will create in your own space.

Are you ready for moooi? Well I am - I already have my eyes on the horse lamp. I know it will suit my studio just perfectly.

Horse Lamp
http://www.moooi.com

"Who wouldn't want a horse to lighten up your home and a pig to serve your guests? Furniture to fall in love with a first sight or hate it forever" moooi

For more information on moooi pieces please contact:

Only Human

Chris & Christina Rothery

# 8 Dragon Alley
532 1/2 Fisgard St.
Victoria, BC

250.592.9712
http://www.onlyhuman.ca

Monday, 24 March 2008

Eye Candy of the Week

Last week I had the opportunity to visit the IDS West 2008 (Interior Design Show - West) in Vancouver. For this entry I decided to mention some of the best finds of the show.

Product: Beijing Cabinet
Booth: Peking Lounge
Material: Stainless Steel
Dimensions: H 91.5 " X W 45" X D 16"
Website: http://www.pekinglounge.com/
Yummy Factor: Hot !

Product: Curve Bench
Booth: Once a tree furnniture
Material: Wood and Fabric
Website: http://www.onceatreefurniture.com
Yummy Factor: Sweet !

Product: Grace Lounge Chair
Booth: Parmount
Material: Wood and Fabric
Designer: Barbara Barry
Website: http://www.paramountfurniture.net
Website: http://www.barbarabarryco.com
Yummy Factor: Splendid !

Sunday, 23 March 2008

An Evening with Barbara Barry

The last entry that you probably read in the blog was about Coco Chanel, a true design icon. What Coco Chanel was in the fashion world last century, Barbara Barry is today in the interior design world. Her trade mark can be found in her refined residential interiors and upscale restaurants around the world or in her tasteful line of products. Furniture for Baker, McGuire, Bloomingdales and Henderon, Fabrics for Kravet and HBF, area rugs for Blueridge and Tufenkian Carpets, china for Wedgewood, tiles for Ann Sack, bath products for Kalista, and her latest venture: home fragrances and candles.

http://www.barbarabarry.com/
http://www.barbarabarryco.com/
http://www.shop.barbarabarry.com/

Last Thursday I was invited to a private dinner with Barbara Barry at the Five Sails restaurant in the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver. Barbara Barry was invited to participate in the IDSWest show as speaker and she kindly hosted a reception to say thank you to a small group of designers for supporting her products. This was of course, a memorable invitation for me. I have always been a FAN of Barbara Barry. I still remember when I used one of her chairs from her Baker line 5 years ago in one of my first projects at Shoal Point. I was really excited when my client gave me the go ahead and I was able to include one of her iconic chairs; the oval X back Chair.

Shoal Point Suite with Barbara Barry's oval X chair
http://www.themeadegroup.com

That was definitely my starting point in the world of Barbara Barry. Anyhow you probably want to know the whole experience, after reading the title of this entry as “An evening with Barbara Barry.” The first impression is always the one that lasts. When I arrived to the dinner location I realized that I had forgotten my invitation. Oh! Well life is organic sometimes. But there she was – I walked towards her, and before I had the opportunity to introduce myself she said – "You must be Ivan Meade, pleasure to meet you". For an event like this I could not arrive empty handed so I prepared a special package with a very special piece from my own object d’art collection “The Fossil Fibonacci”. A customized white lunch box with the logo of the line was the perfect presentation and my friend and stylist Monika Kurc sewed the perfect bag using Barbara’s own Shimmering fabric by Kravet.

A thank you note complimented the package where I gave her the title “Doña” a Spanish honorific title, usually used as a mark of high esteem for a distinguished person and as a respectful title for influential people. She was excited; she read the card and she looked me into the eyes and she said in Spanish – Gracias oh - wow - Doña Barbara – nobody has ever called me that. She opened the package and there it was: a small token of my appreciation to one of today’s design icons.

Fossil Fibonacci - Ivan Meade Object d'Art Line
http://www.ivanmeade.com/

She took the time to chat with me and I had the opportunity to tell her about Victoria, a place that she visited 20 years ago, about México, about our backgrounds, her love for Spanish culture, about family and other topics. After having the opportunity to speak with her for several minutes we went to have dinner.

She herself reviewed all the details of the dinner and gave us a small private presentation about how nature and the media of watercolours have inspired her palette throughout her creations. For the rest of the night I had the opportunity to mingle with some of the most influential designers from Vancouver Island and Vancouver. At the end of the gala she came to say good bye and said thank you once again for her present.

Just one final note about the evening. This is for some of my fellow colleagues that asked me to note Barbara Barry`s attire – a toned down navy blue skirt and turtle neck sweater with 3 rows of pearls. She wore a fragrance that resonated with fresh jasmine. That for me summed up Barbara Barry - simple yet understated elegance.

Eye Candy of the Week

Product: Gigogne (Coffee Set)
Collection: Christofle [ Exceptional Items ]
Designer: Christian Fjerdingstad
Material: Sterling silver and exotic woods
Dimensions: H 9" - D 2.7" - I 5.9"
Website: http://www.christofle.com/
Yummy Factor: It's addictive just like coffee

The Gigogne Coffee Service from Christofle is functional in its approach, but yet it contains extremely beautiful clean lines. Who doesn't want to wake up in the mornings and enjoy a cup of coffee with this stylish set. You’ve got your coffee pot, creamer and sugar bowl in one stunning design.

Sleek, polished sterling silver with round exotic wood handles and a lid knob add to its stunning stature. The original art deco design was created in 1926 by danish designer Christian Fjerdingstad. It's hard to believe that a piece that was created over 80 years ago is so current in it's design.

Wednesday, 19 March 2008

Icons of Design - Coco Chanel

One of our themes for The Blog is discussing the creative forces that shape and control the design world. These influences can be found around the world and throughout time. One of the biggest names this past century was Coco Chanel. Coco Chanel, was renowned for her sense of style, elegance and class without being too serious.

http://www.chanel.com/

Although Coco Chanel is first and foremost an icon of fashion, her bold and forward thinking designs have, and continue to, inspire and influence the world of interior design. We wanted to demonstrate this by putting together a virtual collection of pieces available today that we feel echo her impeccable taste and may in fact have been inspired by her.

A good reference point for her design style are photos of her apartment at 31 Rue Cambon.

To visit Coco Chanel's apartment visit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpinr4Uts-8

Here is our collection of items that we think would fit right in at Coco' apartment.

An eclectic collection of modern, rococo, and whimsy blended together in her very classic yet feminine style.

The tufted upholstery used on the back of this Chintz & Co SOFA reads perfectly with her famous quilted bags but still maintains a tailored, classic form as opposed to the leather quilted CUBE by Brocade Home which brings a modern flair to the same reference.

http://www.chintz.com

http://www.brocadehome.com

Interestingly enough, Coco decorated her sitting room with a suede beige sofa in a time when both suede and beige upholstery were unheard of. This sofa is also upholstered in an off-white ultra-suede.

She was reportedly selective about who could actually sit on it. Coco loved, elaborate Venetian mirrors and statues mixed with pieces from around the world with a glamorous crystal chandelier in every room to top it all off.

http://www.grahamandgreen.co.uk/

This elaborate mirror featuring inlaid mother of pearl birds from Graham and Green is a perfect blend of whimsy and class.

http://www.thecrossdesign.com/

http://www.wandrlust.com/

Some eastern influences like this SIDE TABLE from Chintz and Company and this SCREEN show her well traveled career while this CHANDELIER from Brocade Home is the epitome of refinement.

http://www.chintz.com

http://www.wandrlust.com/

http://www.brocadehome.com

A few well chosen accessories like this PRINT of her signature camellia flower from The Cross in Vancouver and this horse STATUE from Liberty show Coco’s personality while a stunning accent wall in this metallic flocked WALLPAPER from Brocade Home finishes the room with panache.

http://www.thecrossdesign.com/

http://www.libertyinside.com/

http://www.brocadehome.com

And let’s not forget, Coco’s name is synonymous with the tweed suit so there has to be at least a few tweed hand towels Crate and Barrel to spice up the washroom.

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/

And that's it for our virtual collection inspired by the one and only Coco Chanel.

Friday, 14 March 2008

Eye Candy of the Week

Product: Maid Chair (chaise domestique)
Collection: La femme et la maison
Designer: Nika Zupanc
Material: Polycarbonate
Dimensions: 88.8 X 43 X 46.6 cm
Prototype: Producers Welcome!
Website: http://www.nika-zupanc.net/
Yummy Factor: C'est délicieux !

"This chair is not about parts and materials. It is about flesh and desires. Its shapes are following sensual curves of ideal feminine body; it’s proportions are pushing fantasies to the surface."

"It is...It is so passe, you claim. It is just a clićhe, you pray. It is all plastics, you say.
But you just can’ t help it. 36 - 24 - 36 all ready put a spell on you."

http://www.nika-zupanc.net

Based on the Tulip Chair by Eero Saarinen in 1956 for Knoll, designer Nika Zupanc from Slovenia has reinvented the look and feel of this classic piece just as Philippe Starck did with his ghost chair interpretation of a classic Louis XVI piece.

Tuesday, 11 March 2008

Brazil ! Brazil !

Drawing inspiration from Brazilian street life and carnival culture, this spring season design is exotic, colorful, luxurious, vibrant, energetic and definitively Brazilian in its approach. Lemon yellow, parrot green, warm wood tones, white lacquer finishes, sun, samba, jungle and tropical warmth will be everywhere.

Below you will find a collection of pieces and materials that I would recommend if you are tired of the Victoria weather and are trying to bring a little piece of Brazil to your home.

Tim-tim! Saúde! ( Portuguese for "Cheers")