The 10 Best Contemporary Salt & Pepper Shakers

I have this personal theory that the Salt & Pepper Shakers you have in your home reveals your personal style. Every time I am invited to a house for dinner I look at the Salt & Pepper Shakers and they often match the host's personality better than any other object in their homes.

Today, Salt and Pepper Shakers can be found in nearly every conceivable shape and size. They are made in a variety of materials including wood, metal, ceramics, glass, and plastics and the best designers have left their imprint in some of them.

Here are my 10 favourite Salt and Pepper Shakers – Which one is your favourite?

Twist Salt & Pepper Mills by Philip Bro Ludvigsen

Georg Jensen

Otto Family Pepper Mills by Karim Rashid

Gia & Gino

Tumblers by Henriette Melchiorsen

Questo Design

Cilinda Salt & Pepper by Arne Jacobsen

Ravine Salt & Pepper by Lou Henry

Nambé

Relief Salt and Pepper by Karim Rashid

Nambé

Pebbles Salt & Pepper

Cb2

Soap Bubble Salt & Pepper by Daan Brouwer

Menu Salt & Pepper Shakers

Home & Couture

Cube Salt & Pepper by Ercuis

Birks

MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

In Conversation with Stephen Knollenberg

Stephen Knollenberg introduced his firm to the world in 2002 (the same year as Meade Design Group!). Stephen’s specialty is spaces that are comfortable yet elegant, classic yet contemporary, urban yet casual, and always timeless with a balance of the old and the new.

Stephen Knollenberg

You have most likely seen Mr. Knollenberg’s work in publications such as Architectural Digest, Metropolitan Home or The New York Times. I particularly enjoy his architectural detailing and his ability to adapt his style to work in concert with a multitude of homes, varying from classic, metropolitan and even rustic-chic.

Please read on to learn more about this talented designer…

Iván Meade – What was your first experience with design?

Stephen Knollenberg – Like a lot of interior designers, I 'practiced' in my parents home growing up. This was initially an irritation for my mother, but when her house received accolades from her friends she started getting out of my way. We lived in an interesting, somewhat mid-century house and she collected primitive and early American antiques. I think the disparity between the two challenged me in many ways.

Photograph courtesy of Stephen Knollenberg

Iván Meade – Who or what has influenced your style?

Stephen Knollenberg – I traveled quite a bit growing up. Occasionally it was glamorous and most of the time it was not, but it seemed there was always a family trip somewhere happening. For a kid with his antennae up for design, this was a wonderful thing. I then went to college in Boston and spent a year living in London as well. I couldn't see enough fast enough, and I know that these exposures influenced me a great deal. Later in my twenties, I got my first job in the field with interior designer Brian Killian. He thought big and had great style. I think I grew my wings working for him. In addition to his mentoring, he also taught me about the field of interior design as a business. I learned that it takes more than just the ability to design to keep the lights on!

Photograph courtesy of Stephen Knollenberg

Iván Meade – How would you describe your style?

Stephen Knollenberg -- Generally, collected and edited. I think the best rooms, contemporary or traditional, incorporate a variety of furnishings not all of which can simply be found in a catalog. Since I enjoy 'the hunt', I always try to find unique and interesting pieces to make my clients' spaces feel individual.......acquired. For me, paring things down is the next step. I think there's a sweet spot in every room where a certain balance is struck. In my work, this balance probably reads fairly minimal.

Photograph courtesy of Stephen Knollenberg

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

Stephen Knollenberg – Present day, I admire the work of Lee Mindel, John Saladino, Axel Vervoordt and Hugh Newell Jacobsen. Looking back, the work of Eliel Saarinen, David Adler, The Shakers and Robert Adam.

Photograph courtesy of Stephen Knollenberg

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

Stephen Knollenberg – Strength: I have a strong inclination to try and always to do things differently.....to be innovative. Weakness: Not everything needs to be re-thought! I catch myself going in circles with this at times. They say your greatest strength is often also your weakness.......

Photograph courtesy of Stephen Knollenberg

Iván Meade – What books are currently on your bedside or coffee table?

Stephen Knollenberg – Bedside: DV, Diana Vreeland's amazing autobiographical book ( I just re-read it...), and a John Steinbeck novel. Coffee table: books by Swedish architect Gunnar Asplund and Hugh Newell Jacobsen.

Photograph courtesy of Stephen Knollenberg

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

Stephen Knollenberg – That everyone today seems to be genuinely interested in design. I went to an Ikea store for the first time a few months ago and was struck. Prior to, I had always thought that the catalog was sufficient. The giant store was like a theme park with hundreds of people walking through it. There was something there for everyone at every level. I walked out with a great set of glass bar tumblers next to a college student who was buying things for her dorm room. I thought that was really fantastic.

Photograph courtesy of Stephen Knollenberg

Iván Meade – What would be your dream project?

Stephen Knollenberg – Something in the ballpark of adding a steel and glass box onto an 18th century castle. I love the excitement and tension that is created in juxtaposing opposites. Often for me that means placing something new next to something old.

Photograph courtesy of Stephen Knollenberg

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

Stephen Knollenberg – I recently completed a project in Key West, Florida. The original 1950's beach house was saved, but almost everything throughout it was altered in some way. There was no formal architect involved and I became the go-to guy for every square inch of the place. My fingerprints are on everything from the structure itself, the landscaping, the furniture......right down to the little silver box on the coffee table. It was a very rewarding experience. I was also fortunate to be working with the greatest clients imaginable.

Photograph courtesy of Stephen Knollenberg

Iván Meade – What has been your favourite design find?

Stephen Knollenberg – I'm a bit of a collector, so that's a tough one. I have a weekend house in the woods a couple of blocks from Lake Michigan. Very little changes inside of it as many of the 'finds' are special to me, but occasionally something will be added. One acquisition is a large 19th century, French gold scale that I found in a tiny shop in Amsterdam. It's black iron, has ivory plaques for measuring the weight increments and stands about five feet tall. If I ever wanted to part with it, it's so heavy I think I'd need a crane.

Photograph courtesy of Stephen Knollenberg

Iván Meade – What is your next design venture?

Stephen Knollenberg – I enjoy designing homes for people very much and I really have yet to be seduced into what comes next. I think designing a product for the mass market would be interesting. I would be most excited about tackling something that hasn't been done before. We have many good designer lines of furniture, fabrics, tabletop and towels already. I'd like to identify and contribute to what could be next on the horizon.

Photograph courtesy of Stephen Knollenberg

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?

Stephen Knollenberg – I just turned 42 so I haven't given a lot of thought to the legacy yet! I think it would be great however to be remembered for 'stepping out of the box' in some way(s). Someone once said, "There are no original ideas....". I don't believe this at all.

I invite you to visit Stephen Knollenberg’s website to learn more about him and his work.

STHEPEN KNOLLENBERG

MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

Affordable Design – Wire Spheres

If you are looking for sculptural elements or room accents to add interest to those corners that always feel lonely, these spheres made of iron will look instantly sophisticated. 

 

 

They have movement and they have personality and the price is really affordable. 

I love the visual weight of these pieces and the fact that you can use them indoor or outdoor.

What do you think?  Do you like them?

 

PRODUCT
Wire Spheres

WHERE TO GET IT?
West Elm

MATERIAL
Iron

SIZE

extra small: 5"diam
small: 7"diam
oversized: 18"diam

PRICE
$ 9.00 – $ 54.00 US Dollars

MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

In Conversation with Trish Puckett

Trish Puckett

 

As seen in SNAP VICTORIA - May 2009 - "Design Feature"

 

Trish Puckett is the principal designer for Puckett Design and Construction and the owner of Place function+design, one of the best modern furniture and accessory stores in town.  Her sleek design sensibility and her store’s unique solutions such as clean shelving units, modern and functional closet organizers, sliding door systems, and  amazing furnishings makes Place the place to source all of your home needs.  Place also has a very deep appreciation for the arts, the store houses their own art gallery, P.S. Gallery which currently features talented local artist and designer Iván Meade – another great excuse to stop into Place and P.S. Gallery at 3690 Shelbourne Street.

 

Iván Meade - What is your favourite design find?

 

Trish Puckett - I love the old cameras of my dad's.  Especially the Minox sub-mini camera.  Not really a design find I suppose, but very cool.

 

Minox sub-mini camera

 

Iván Meade - Why is it important/inspirational to you?

Trish Puckett - I like the unique design of the camera.  it's very small and very simple.  It's meant to be concealed in the palm of your hand for taking spy photos.  it has a slick modern look, but was made mid-century and like so many of the great designs from that period, it has a timeless appeal.  And of course, it was my dad's.

It inspires me to take more photographs - a favourite hobby besides designing houses. I hope to do a series of images taken with this camera - not necessarily spy photos though - don't worry!

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

Trish Puckett - Well, it's simple and well made, and still useful today.  I like how objects like this connect us to ourselves and our past.  We feel best when we have some connection and personal investment in our surroundings.   I think it's important to express personal choices, and consider the methods of living in the design of the spaces we create.  It makes them so much more interesting and fulfilling.  And isn't that what design is about?  making spaces that are great to be in, that are beautiful, well made, and affect us personally.

 

Blomus available at Place

 

Iván Meade - Can you tell me what is your next design venture?

 

Trish Puckett - We are working on a variety of projects from interiors to complete structural design. These projects give us the opportunity to combine the personal with the functional.  it's always an interesting discovery.

Iván Meade - What was your first experience with design?

Trish Puckett - I was about 12 and my parents were designing a house. It was to be on a rolling and rocky property outside of Edmonton. I remember how exciting it was to study the blueprints and imagine the finished spaces and how the house would sit on the land.  I was always sketching imaginary house plans.
When I finished design school, Rick and I designed an built a duplex to live in. it was beautiful, with complicated roof lines and many jigs and jogs. I worked with Rick framing that house. Luckily he’s a patient builder.

That was a great learning opportunity and we won a CARE award for it.

Place function+ design

 

Iván Meade - Who or what has influenced your style?

Trish Puckett- My parents were pretty stylish, in a very relaxed and comfortable way. I didn't realize until I was older that they had such great taste! They knew what they liked and they appreciated quality, comfort and simple designs. The first thing you noticed in their house was that you felt truly welcome. Then you noticed how nice everything was, not individually, but as a whole. I think that is what made it so welcoming. Nothing was there to impress, just to enjoy.

A family of 6 girls kept the house pretty active so there were no areas of the house reserved for special company. It was all used.
I think how we live in our houses should really affect the design of it, and not the other way around.

 

Place function + design

 
Iván Meade - What is the story behind Place, how did the company begin?

Trish Puckett - I have been a designer for about 16 years, and my husband Rick has been a builder for about the same length of time. We have been thinking about opening a store for a while. We wanted an opportunity to move our offices out of our home and at the same time to have a place to offer some of the wonderful designs we have found over the years. So many things are available in larger areas, but can be harder to find in Victoria. Both of us come from large families, and we have 2 kids of our own, so we really appreciate the value of having furniture that is well made, functional, comfortable and yet still feeds our creative sides. We wanted to offer these same things to others here.

 

Bourgie Lamp – Kartell

Available at Place function+design

Iván Meade - Are you bringing any new lines to Place?

Trish Puckett - We are always looking. We want to continually grow and change. Some of our greatest finds have been as a result of searching for something for a customer, or following up on a request. We hope to add some wonderful linens, rugs and more lighting this coming year. Laura Skagfeld and I are also working on our own furniture ideas that combine art and design. We are very excited about that. We just need the time to focus on it!

 

 
Iván Meade - What kind of things might customers find at Place that they won’t find anywhere else on the island?

Trish Puckett - We have some really unique storage systems from the US and beautiful german-engineered sliding doors, as well as Molo from Vancouver and Iannone furniture and ceramic bird feeders from New York. I think it is the combination of products we have that is unique. We really try to make it an inviting place to shop.

Molo – Soft Walls and stools available at Place function+design

 

Iván Meade - One of the main features of your stores is the fact that you also are sharing space with The Gallery – a modern art gallery, How has the partnership enhance your business?

 
Trish Puckett - p.s. gallery at place has been a wonderful surprise. It started as a small venue to display some of our own work and has turned into the most amazing space. We are now booking well into next year and all the up coming shows are very exciting. It has been a great opportunity to present original artwork in an interesting setting. The design, furnishings and art are all related, and the mix works well. It offers an opportunity for people to see both things together, and in a relaxed way. Although the gallery space is somewhat separate, the connections are there. Through the gallery we have met so many wonderful people and been able to show beautiful, original artwork. It really has been a privilege.

It has also given us opportunities as designers, builders and artists to look beyond the usual form for art, and explore some interesting crossovers between art, design, and business.

 

PS Gallery at Place

Watch for a really interesting participatory community show next year. We have something very cool in the works...

 

X-Exhibition at PS Gallery at Place

Iván Meade - What kind of artists do you promote at The Gallery?

Trish Puckett - Local emerging and established contemporary art. That’s a pretty broad range from photography, landscape, abstract, and sculpture to traditional illustration. We have been fortunate to have fabulous artists and great, thought-provoking shows.

 

Place function+design

 

Iván Meade - Furthermore, do you feel that Victoria is ready for a change?

Trish Puckett  - We have been very well received - by those who can find us!

 

Iván Meade - Where do you see design going in the next 10 years?

Trish Puckett - I think people will want to have a lot more say in it. I see more participation and an insistence on quality construction and materials for the sake of comfort, creative fulfilment and for the environment. Quality and timelessness are good environmental strategies.

 

Molo – Letter Light available at Place function+ design

Iván Meade - What do you think all furniture will have in the future?

Trish Puckett - Personality! and the ability to do more than one thing. For some things. Sometimes simple is good too.

 

Raumplus Sliding Door Systems available at Place

Iván Meade - What is the most unusual request that you have ever received from a client?

Trish Puckett - Hmmm... A designer never tells.

 

I invite you to discover Trish Pucket, Place function+design & P.S. Gallery at http://www.placemodernliving.com/

 

And don’t forget to check out my X – Exhibition at PS Gallery :)

 

Ivan Meade is a local designer and principal of Meade Design Group, a multidisciplinary interior and graphic design studio in the heart of downtown Victoria – www.themeadegroup.com

MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

Echito’s Bridal Shower – a very pink celebration!

Echito is getting married – and Meade Design Group wanted to send her into married life with a fabulous bridal shower party! After all, she does deserve it, she always leaves comments on my blog (lol)

The theme (of course,) was pinks and corals presented in an elegant manner with napkins, floral arrangements and yummy yummy desserts.

We enjoyed good company, tasty cocktails, some silly and naughty games (such as pin the junk on the hunk, a toilet paper wedding dress contest and Toilet Paper and Stick – don’t ask) and of course a traditional Mexican meal lovingly prepared by moi .

The menu was:

• Avocado cream soup with Tequila and Watermelon.
• Mandarin and Blackberry on Spring Greens with Mango and Cilantro Dressing and Caramelized Pecans.
• Agnolotti in Chiplote and Gouda Sauce.
• Saltspring Island Goat Cheese & Port Salut Cheese Platter.
• OOh La La Cupcakes and Chocolate Dipped Strawberries.
• A delicious Naughty Cake specially made for the occasion.

Please enjoy the pictures below of the safe-for-blog festivities that went into the wee hours!

Coral floral arrangements with a mix of gerberas and roses by local talent Tara McHugh perfectly adorned our table set for 12.

Delicious cupcakes from OOh La La in “Just Vanilla” with pink sprinkles and “Pink Ballerina” with pink icing to fit our theme.

The glamorous finished table ready for guests and a yummy meal.

Another one of Tara’s beautiful arrangements complimented our Asian cabinet and Fornasetti plates.

The re-vamped entrance with a plum blossom branch right from Tara’s own front yard.

Each guest was welcomed with a freesia corsage on their place setting to wear for the event.

I bugged innocent Echito for weeks that I will get her a real bubble butt stripper for the event. Even after going to the most dark places in Victoria and was almost successful, I was unable to obtain one. So, we presented her with this stripper themed cake from Passion for Cakes - Yum! and of course we had to brand the cake (lol) Echito was relieved and enjoyed the cake more than she thought she would have enjoyed the stripper!

Echito serving up the naughty cake – raspberry with vanilla frosting, yum! (Of course she had to eat the bubble-bum piece all to herself!) You can also see another special decoration in the shot - the horse mural in the background was given a pink unicorn horn for the occasion to promote fertility and good will in the couples futures.

Here I am as the bartender extraordinaire – mixing yummy pink drinks for the event such as the “Silk Stocking” and Raspberry Champagne Cocktails which the ladies (including Jeff and myself ) enjoyed. Love is in the details I even wore a pink shirt for Echito.

New sexy mama Sarita had to leave early to feed Sadie, but it was great she was able to come and celebrate with us.

The self-proclaimed “Team Experience” (Bobbie, Tanis, and Echo’s mom Sharon) working on their dress design for the toilet paper bride contest. Their final design? “The Reverse Mullet”; a mini-dress “party in the front” and elegant train for “business in the back”.

The final designs modelled by (from left to right) LindsO, Courtney and Tanis.

The final event of the evening was the passing of the “Bride-to-Be” tiara from Echito to Christina, who will be getting married in September.

Overall, a fabulous evening was had by all – best of luck to Echo and Nic on their wedding on May 16th!

Tara McHugh Flora - tara@taramchughflora.com

250-880-1006

Passion for Cakes

MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011