FRESH and BACK ... (above is an image of our front entry.  Living in a loft, we're lucky to have exposed poured concrete walls as a back drop for a floral arrangement I change with each season - it's amazing how fresh flowers can bring a sense of calm each time I come home ... floating white orchids once submerged. These lovely buds last longer than most flowers, if you change the water once a week.  Note: to fill the vase using a wide spray faucet while filling the vase to make the water bubble, the more air bubbles you add the better - you get an amazing effect to a floral submerged in water.  The bubbles collect amongst the petals and with the buds slightly submerged the scale of the floral is magnified.  A collection of oversized glass vessels translate into more creative & artistic installations, where we combine submerged florals with floating or votive candles.  Adding a layering of single stem flowers combines into a simple yet sophisticated arrangement.  Repetition, scale, keeping it simple makes for bigger impact.) To most this arrangement is too simple but that's why I love it - less is more ... if I had more space I would have a collection of 12 vases ...

It's been a while since I've posted and I just wanted to drop a quick hello, yes I am still alive post. Thank you to all my readers who have been writing me with their support and kind comments.  I wanted to let you all know, I plan to start blogging again.  With recent meetings and working with amazing people, I am inspired to share with all of you what I have been up to and to why I decided to make Vancouver home base.  Stay tuned ... I plan to write on all the modern inspiration I have found in Vancouver in addition to sharing the happenings along the way from my last visit to ICFF this past May.   Till my next post, please stay tuned ... 

Apologies for the slow posts

Hello all,

Apologies for the recent slow in articles. I've had a few revelations in my day job and have had to work a little on this after hours. New articles are on their way though...


Nick

Furniture designed by one of my favorite designers Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia available through INFORM INTERIORS.  For the Modern Morroccan outdoor space, mix these sculptural woven pieces with textured fabrics in tones of warm charcoals or fresh aquas - these are perfect pieces to creating a casual yet luxurious living space.

Vancouver is one of those cities where everyone can't wait till summer.  It's that time of year again for many home owners who plan to design their outdoor spaces in time for summer. Working with several clients on their outdoor spaces here are a few of my top picks for the summer, stay tuned for more modern outdoor spaces.

Photography - excited to learn new means of observation

The house itself is a simple design (with some interest because it is an L shape) and was accomplished without any buttresses. Once finished it is nearly indistinguishable from their customary cement block homes, except that the walls are thicker...and it will be more comfortable to live in I am sure.

This home was built at Pwoje Espwa in Southern Haiti, where Father Marc has dedicated his life to serving and helping suffering children. This project not only houses over 700 children, but has an agricultural project, three schools, carpentry and masonry facilities, and an arts and crafts program. They have many ideas to help the Haitian economy and people living there. Because they are a non-profit, and are continuously struggling with funding, I encourage you to visit their website (www.freethekids.org) and consider making a donation to their cause.

I've always dreamed of living in a concrete box highlighted by white walls and the simplicity of modern white furniture, an investment in creating a perfect environment to start creating, thinking, brainstorming and sharing what I love most about modern interiors

My 12" powerbook, black moleskin with notes for the day, a hot cup of lady gray tea in my favorite double walled glass and 3 books of inspiration on architecture details, an architectural firm I admire and an amazing topography book



BOOK #1 - TOPOGRAPHY23, The Annual of the Type Directors Club
This is when I know I am a total design geek when I judge a book by it's cover. I love the white glossy slightly transparent cover with minimal type. In reading more about the art of topography and finding inspiration for various projects this year, I highly recommend this book for those who have an appreciation for image, branding, packaging, and a fetish for fonts and layouts. My favorite quote "It has been said that typography is the architecture of the printed word because it makes thoughts visible and understandable. As there are manifold ways of laying out a building, there are - nowadays more than ever - varied ways of formulating the typo/graphics of a book, a brochure, a poster, or any media in which print is used" - Klaus Schmidt.

BOOK #2 - MAK ARCHITECTS
While I love white, I also love black! I love the matte black cover with black edged pages revealing full sized images bleeding off the page to examples of perspective sketches, concepts, and bubble diagrams.
We often refer to the design icons of our past when searching for inspiration. How great is it to see our present day design professionals have their work published and setting the tone for high caliber architecture and interiors. Multi-disciplinary firm Mak Architects shares with readers their process as a dynamic team who's synergy of a young talents give each client a unique solution vs. the traditional mind set of working with an architect for their "inhouse" style.
-"Working in architecture is characterised by participating in may processes: from planning to construction, from dream to reality from work to play. Throughout the process many things can influence and shape the intended goal. MAK Architects understand 'process' as fluid and open, their body of work cannot be defined as a monograph or a mere representation of process. Compiled in this book, the MAK approach comes across as both conventional and playful intone and is marked by a strong desire to engage with how environments can become meaningful for the user. MAK's body of work is reflective of how architecture is produced within the service economy of global city. Their unique position within the design world is evinced by the complex contemporary urban projects presented here. This book is a recording of the evolution of an architectural practice through the progression of many authors and users, and is essential to anyone interested in current architectural developments." - Phaidon Press
BOOK #3 - DETAILS IN CONTEMPORARY RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE by Virginia Mcleod, Laurence King Publications
An excellent book showcasing modern residential architecture with beautiful photography, floor plans, and the construction details that reflect the precision of quality in seamless transitions between materials.

With no book shelf yet, aligned against an exposed brick wall, I read though a collection of books we have from design, architecture, martial arts, photography, floral design, interior styling to programming ... the list goes on, as much as we use the internet daily, there is nothing like flipping though the pages of a good book. "turning a new page" ...

It's 2008 and there is so much to be excited for. While the last 8 years of working in the design industry have been an interesting collection of career paths and amazing opportunities of working with many great talents, I am grateful to look forward to sharing more of what I've learned is a passion of mine - sharing resources. Modern design and meeting the talents behind these great projects has become a great source of inspiration. It's hard to believe at times how designers have this bad wrap for being so hush hush when it comes to their resources, that for some reason this information is something owned. Reality is that the world of technology and speed at which information sharing is advancing far more quickly than what some might think. In a day where the internet has become the #1 source of information for not just saving time, increasing efficiency as well a source for learning. We are just at the beginning of what lies ahead. I learn that the more information I share with other liked minds, the more I learn through this process of corresponding and discussing modern concepts.


Closing thoughts:
This is the little guy who helped me through a few of the hardest years in my life, I am grateful to have shared these moments with him. 2008 marks a new beginning and I say good bye to Tyson knowing, that our time together was one I will always remember for the good things that have brought me here and have made me grow into the person I always want to be. Unconditional love and appreciation for all that is in my life today - I thank this little guy for always reminding me that learning to love yourself is the most important lesson we can all learn. That finding your passion for what makes you wake each morning thankful and excited ... I hope 2008 is a year we all make the changes to living our dreams.

at: the flemish parliament, brussels, belgium

from: november 16 to 18, 2008

It feels like just yesterday that I first met Khai Foo and Brad Carpenter at their studio on 3rd off Main street in Vancouver, BC. A modest exterior entrance led to palette of sophisticated and refined concrete finishes. Four years ago, large format tiles had just started to be introduced to the residential market and Solus was already in production with a line of 12" x 24" floor tiles, showcased in their showroom in a perfect shade of charcoal. Examples of elegant fireplace mantels featured a new updated look to traditional crown profiles using simplified and well thought out use of scale and proportions. Also in their showroom - custom door surrounds for a dramatic entryway to a wine cellar. It's inspiring to see that within the last few years, Solus Decor has built a business model based on quality product and a belief in bringing excellent service to a growing market of sophisticated Vancouver buyers, as well international markets. A recent visit to Solus Decor's new location offered a sneak peek at behind the scenes efforts that go into each product from design process to careful production and packaging, Solus Decor is one of my favorite success stories and the best part is they are a great team to work with. To read more and view an inside story on Solus, see our collaborated effort at MODERN 604.COM where we feature all of Vancouver's talent and modern resources.

Concrete tile collection featured at current showroom location at 1445 Powell Street

New "Quadra" profile, a seamless single cast concrete surround that can be floor or wall mounted. I'm excited to see the collaboration between Solus Decor and Inform Interiors showcase this new concrete profile at the new Inform Interiors showroom located in Gastown.