Iván Meade is the principal designer of Meade Design Group Inc., a multi-disciplinary interior and graphic design studio in Victoria, BC, Canada that creates interiors and graphics to elegantly reflect the needs and style of their clients.
According to Wikipedia - Geometry (Greek γεωμετρία; geo = earth, metria = measure) is a part of mathematics concerned with questions of size, shape, and relative position of figures and with properties of space. The earliest recorded beginnings of geometry can be traced to ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley from around 3000 BCE.
Woman teaching geometry
The theme of symmetry in geometry is nearly as old as the science of geometry itself. But the question that arises here is why geometric patterns read as contemporary or modern patterns. This movement was, in a sense, an amalgam of many different styles and movements of the early 20th century, including Neoclassical, Constructivism, Cubism, Modernism, Bahaus, Art Nouveau, and Futurism.
The structure of Art Deco is based on mathematical geometric shapes. It was widely considered to be an eclectic form of elegant and stylish modernism, being influenced by a variety of sources. Among them were the so-called "primitive" arts of Africa, Ancient Egypt, and Aztec Mexico, as well as machine-age or streamline technology such as modern aviation, electric lighting, the radio, the ocean liner, and the skyscraper.
From Le Corbusier Five Points of Architecture to the innovative use of colorful geometric and classic patterns by David Hicks. Today we can appreciate the use of geometric fabrics to add a splash of modern sense to any space. Here is a recollection of some of my favorite geometric patterns in fabrics. I have to say that the pictures don't do justice to the quality of the textiles.
We are really excited to introduce our new section called " Design-Feature " in SNAP - Victoria. Every month we will interview local designer celebrities and we will share with you their favorite pieces.
Here is our first article... Last November I discovered a great little shop in Fan Tan Alley filled with funky and unique design pieces called Onlyhuman. The discovery quickly turned into a valuable resource for projects and I developed great friendships with the owners.
Partners in business and pleasure, Chris Rothery and Christina Stack created Onlyhuman 4 years ago, feeling that Victoria deserved an infusion of some fresh design.
Newly located at 533 Pandora Avenue in Market Square, Onlyhuman offers a varied range of furniture, lighting and ceramics from the groundbreaking Dutch companies Moooi and Droog, local lighting giants Bocci, and the playful menagerie of Jonathan as well as custom furniture designs and services.
Only Human Store
Iván -You recently became the first retailer to bring the Moooi brand to Victoria; could you please give us a little background on the company and their products?
Chris & Christina - Moooi is a Dutch design collection of furniture & lighting founded by design superstar Marcel Wanders. Moooi combines classical extravagance with modern minimalism to create unusual and stunning furniture and lighting.
Iván - You have a great light fixture featured in your store right now, the “Random Light” by Moooi. After looking at the light online I read that it is made in a very interesting way, making each one unique, could you explain the process that goes into creating one of these lights?
Chris & Christina - Hugely dramatic, light as a feather and distinctly Dutch, the Random Light (2002) by Bertjan Pot began as a modernist craft project of sorts. After attempts at knitting fibreglass as a means of creating structure, Pot turned to coiling epoxy-dipped fibreglass around a large balloon in varying patterns. Once the balloon was popped, the dramatic globe shape remained, becoming a buoyant pendant lamp for an entryway, dining room or lounge area. The light bulb is visible at the center of the globe, and when lit, creates an all over glow with minimal glare.
racy...
Iván - Your store is a great resource for custom furniture and distinctive accessories. What makes a product worthy of being sold at Onlyhuman?
Chris & Christina - Because we design as well as produce furniture, Onlyhuman strives to sell products that have a connection not only to the designer, but also the maker. Christina has written an ethnography on textile workers in Vietnam with UVic, it was this experience combined with Chris' everyday furniture making that spurred the concept of Onlyhuman. We also feel strongly about new and postmodern design, and are proud to bring these items to Victoria.
Iván - What is your store’s best selling item?, Do you have a favourite?
Chris & Christina - The "Sun Jar" (Tobias Wong, 2002) -is a solar powered mason jar lamp that has been covered in a frosted finish, contains a solar cell, rechargeable battery and LED lights. The result is a lamp that collects and stores sunshine for night-time! Cute, green, and gift priced at $45. Our favourite? Chris and I are both in love with the Smoke series - burnt chairs covered in an epoxy, iconic black furniture that rises out of the ashes of modernism.
I had the opportunity to meet Christian Barnard almost a year ago when he approached Meade Design Group to design his new graphic identity. From that moment we established a professional relationship that later became a friendship. It was truly a pleasure to work for him and his portfolio was an amazing source of inspiration.
Landscape Designer, and overall naturalist Christian Barnard is one of the island's most talented young people. Because I appreciate his talent I wanted to showcase him via a blog interview. I sent him some questions I always wanted him to answer and I wanted to share them with my readers.
Christian Barnard -Landscape Designer
Iván Meade - What was your first experience with design?
Christian Barnard - I clearly remember windsock design and construction with my mother at a young age. I was amazed how the environment and its elements brought my creations to life.
Sherwood Plan
Iván -Who or what has influenced your style aside from nature itself?
Christian - I look to varying artistic mediums like sculpture, fashion and architecture. Many different things influence me, and inspiration comes in a multitude of forms and may strike at any time. I always have a sketchbook with me, and I am continuously filling it with drawings, thoughts and work that stimulate me.
Sculpture Garden
Iván - What attracted you to a career in landscape design?
Christian - One of the attractions is that it combines such a diverse range of disciplines, including art, science, horticulture and engineering. I have always enjoyed creating, and this in combination with my education and extensive experience working in gardens and construction, have led me to where I am now. Over the years I have formed a close relationship to, and found inspiration in, the earth and its cycles. I feel our outdoor environment is essential to our society and our quality of life.Ultimately I want to design outdoor spaces that engage and inspire people, as it does me, every day.
Hartford Legacy Screen
Iván - Your designs are stunningly well balanced, modern yet timeless, spacious but not stark. How do you keep current in the garden design industry?
Christian - I spend a lot of time reading art, landscape and architecture books and magazines. Time away from the studio and travel is also important to stay fresh. The key is being mindful not to cling to the trends, to trust your instincts and create your own unique approach and style.
Sherwood Concept Sketch
Iván - Do you feel that Victoria is ready for a change? Where do you see landscape design going in the next 10 years?
Christian - Absolutely Victoria is ready for a change. We are so lucky where we live and I feel the interest and appreciation for the west coast in a local and global sense is growing.In the years to come there will be a deeper understanding and commitment to the space we are given, and a greater need to utilize our outdoor environment. I feel the home in its context, the occupants and their immediate outdoor setting will need to be more environmentally active and balance harmoniously, both functionally and aesthetically.
Iván - You received your education from London's Inchbald School of Design and began your career in England; what has the European culture brought to your designs here in Canada?
Christian - Green space is highly valued in European cities, where space is limited, work hours are long and holidays short. These spaces are used to relax and are key to the communities well being. I was left with this awareness and knowledge of how important the time in this valuable space is to our culture and health.
Sherwood Residence
Iván - Victoria is also your hometown, what do you think your Canadian background brought to your projects in Europe?
Christian - Growing up on the Canadian west coast filled me with a deep respect for the land and its rhythm and allowed me a more sensitive approach to each project. Instinctively my designs reveal and agree with the deeper context and are more functional, economical and sustainable over time than designs that disregard it.
David Residence Plan View
Iván - What kind of things do you have to keep in mind while creating a landscape design that the client might not realize is important for you to know?
Christian - It is critical for me to know how much time the client has to maintain my vision. I do not create complicated gardens; it’s just that a landscape or garden is not finished when construction has been completed. A garden takes time to shape, it needs to evolve and establish.
Hartford Legacy Screen Concept
Hartford Legacy Screen Completion
Iván - What is the most unusual request that you have ever received from a client?
Christian - No request has ever been too unusual, the more unusual the better.
Iván - What do you consider to be your greatest strength and weakness?
Christian - My strength is that I completely immerse myself in every project. I love what I do and pride myself on attention to detail in all aspects of the design and management process.My weakness would have to be my passion for fine footwear.
Davis Residence
Iván - What project are you most proud of?
Christian - It is a garden I grew up shaping and working in from a young age. The client showed me the important aspect of the sense and history of a place, while creating your own unique style within its context. It is a garden where I learned through experiment, a space for work, play and relaxation. It has been an ongoing project now for roughly 16 years.
Iván - What would be your dream project if you were given carte blanche?
Christian - It would have to be an avant-garde urban landscape where the public could experience my work.A green space that reveals local natural processes and resources, improves environmental quality and stimulates other initiatives. A place to build knowledge and relish in biodiversity.
Davis Residence
Iván - What is your favourite plant to work with?
Christian - Every site and project is unique with different requirements and I rarely, if ever, look at plant material for a singular quality. My plantings are created in a painterly fashion, using them en masse, or as “living sculpture.”I select plant materials for their structural character, mutual compatibility, and how they contrast together.
Hartford Legacy
Iván - What is your most valued possession?
Christian - My tan briefcase and its contents.
[ I wonder what the contents are ... ]
Iván - What's next for Christian Barnard Landscape Studio?
Christian - I am currently consulting and working on some very unique projects. What's next?Well, it's really about being open to each distinct challenge and opportunity and embracing the unknown.
To see more of Christian Barnard stunning work please visit:
Thomas and Page has finally opened their new store in downtown Victoria and has brought with them 80 years of tradition in fine furnishings. Located at the newly restored Leiser Building at 524 Yates Street, it is conveniently just around the corner of the Meade Design Group studio.
Thomas and Page has recreated a store where space and high end furnishings complement each other. The stylish and knowledgeable Eliza Kenny-Orr greeted me at the door and gave me a really interesting tour around the new showroom.
The pieces by Barbara Barryfor Baker really caught my eye, as well a beautiful white lacquer credenza at the entrance. I have to say that the lighting was also spectacular, in particular I thought the chrome shade Maurice chandelier by Jonathan Adler was stunning. I just couldn't resist all this temptation and purchased a beautiful cream cashmere blanket that I have been looking for forever.
Jeff Knauer & Lauren Clegg
Siblings and current co-owners, Jeff Knauer and Lauren Clegg, took over the business from their parents in 1997 and have since introduced many new lines and a custom order service. They moved the business to Kerrisdale in 1999 where they continue to serve the Vancouver and B.C. market with only the best furniture and furnishings and home accessories.
Conveniently located this new furniture store houses brands such as:
+ PEARSON (a great furniture line only available in Victoria)
+ BAKER I have personally labeled this brand as the NEW antiques of today; with pieces designed by Barbara Barry, Bill Sofield, Thomas Phasant, Laura Kirar, Jaques Garcia, Archetype and more...
Baker Furniture speaks the language of style. Not satisfied to be of the moment, the company works to be of the movement, in the role of taste maker and innovator rather than a follower of the whim of fashion. The accent is on product - through Design, Materials, Craftsmanship, and Finish.
X Oval Back Chair by Barbara Barry
+ HURTADO (European aesthetic and high quality craftsmanship)
+ VANGUARD (as they said it all started with a velvet chair)
American Leather is known for being a leader in creating leather furnishings that offer fashion, performance and innovation. From the sleek motion of American Leather's Swing Chair to the more traditional stylishness of their Boutique Collection, American Leather offers something for everyone. To learn more, visit American Leather
Woman teaching geometry
Woman teaching geometry
Clerestory
Inlay
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Hexagon House Chenille - Stone 
Mirella 
Contemporary Geometric 
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