found style

Eclectisaurus- Toronto Store Watch

2012-01-13T12:31:00.000-08:00

This is a post on my favorite vintage furnishings shop in Toronto: Eclectisaurus.
The owner, Leslie, has an amazing eye and doesn't compromise. If she doesn't personally like and believe in a piece it will not end up on her shelves.

She acquires her stock from varied sources and as she becomes more and more known in the design community some excellent pieces are brought directly to her. She is passionate about her work and the never ending quest for finding the best of the best for her shop.

In the bleak grey light of winter, walking into this vintage store is positively uplifting; color, texture, shape and form, whimsy and elegance are all on show as your eyes rest on one lovely vignette after another.

She is a master of display and of course has great material to work with. This space is not static; you can go in on a weekly basis and always have something new to behold. Her prices being exceedingly fair, stock moves quickly.

If you live in, or are visiting Toronto be sure to check out this very special Cabbagetown Shop...

Bathroom Renovation Post #3

2012-01-02T16:03:00.000-08:00

I thought I would do a quick post on the look of the new bathroom.
This wall mount vanity plus the mirrored cabinet above it are what we have ordered.
It is made by Duravit and is coming from Germany. (we also are getting the small wall shelf shown in the background).
I fell in love with the simple lines of these pieces. The mirrored cabinet has side lights built in which is also great for our small space;
the fact that we don't have to install separate wall sconces will minimize visual clutter.

If all goes according to plan these pieces will be arriving by late Feb.- early March.
The tilers will make a template so they can go ahead with installing the wall tile
before they arrive.

I must say it's nerve wracking making all these design decisions and
I am hoping it all works out!

Bathroom Renovation Post #2

2012-01-01T11:53:00.001-08:00

Here we are at the not so sexy part of the reno.

it is however, where most of the labor happens and thank goodness my husband is
super handy and able to to all the plumbing! yay to the male brain! (ok, of course women can do this too and he even says it's not that hard but I guess I really don't WANT to know how to do this stuff)...

anyway; plumbing is pretty well done and now the drywall is starting to happen. it should go quickly (quicker?) at this stage...
the tilers are due to come in 9 days time. that still makes me rather nervous- does this look like it will be ready for tiling by then to you?

Bathroom Renovation Post #1

2011-11-29T07:02:00.000-08:00

This photo signals the start of our upstairs bathroom renovation. Things reached a tipping point for me a few months ago. Lifting floor tiles, damaged surface on the porcelain sink and gross lighting that doesn't help looking in the mirror as we age finally got me to this point.

We moved into this house 26 (!) years ago. We raised 2 daughters who now are launched and living in their own apartments. During all those years we did small upgrades on our home every few years; adding crown molding, new hardwood floors, finishing the basement, new carpeting + paint a couple of times...

All through the years however, we never tackled The Bathroom. We moved into this century old house in the 80's- not a great decade for interior design, looking back on it. The main upstairs bathroom was never well done to begin with; cheapish materials and a bad layout too. (the tub goes along the length of the narrow space instead of across the width).

We have decided to 'go for it' in the fact that we are actually moving the LOCATION of the bathroom as well. By eliminating an unnecessary portion of hallway where the old bathroom was, this space can be opened up into a huge studio/office space for me. (yay). The new bathroom, which will be the same size as the old one, will be carved out of the middle bedroom- leaving enough space for a small office for my husband and for resale purposes, enough space for a nursery or guest bedroom for future homeowners.

Contemporary; clean + modern is the mandate for this new bathroom. Duravit fixtures are perfection in their simplicity. White, warm gray and watery aqua is the colour palette.

I will post updates as it all progresses including some before pictures which I can't bear to reveal just yet! Stay tuned...

Kripalu Retreat

2011-11-10T18:31:00.000-08:00

I just returned from a 2 week retreat at the Kripalu Center in Massachusetts.

It was a glorious time of daily yoga,
3 meals a day of healthy organic eating,
seminars on all sorts of mind, body & spirit healing,
2 hour hikes through the woods and along the lake
meeting and chatting with people from (mostly) all over the U.S. & Canada.

my room in the newly built Annex building.

a weekend snowstorm layered the grounds in a lovely white blanket. this was the view from my window at sunrise.

snowshoeing through the woods.

Household Vignettes

2011-10-10T11:06:00.001-07:00

this is a bit of what our house
is looking like these days.

moved the art around, brought in a new display shelf
de-cluttered + lightened up.
feels good.

Cabbagetown Festival 2011 Day 2

2011-09-11T15:11:00.001-07:00

my purchases from day #2 of the Cabbagetown Arts & Crafts show.
sweet.

Cabbagetown Festival 2011

2011-09-10T20:06:00.000-07:00

my 2 purchases from day #1 of the
Cabbagetown Craft Show of 2011.

*************

stay tuned for day #2 discoveries...

Acadia Art & Rare Books, Est. 1931

2011-08-07T05:58:00.001-07:00

Another in my series of glimpses into stores I feel are 'done right'.
This is Acadia Books in Toronto, at 232 Queen Street East.
You can't fake this; the atmosphere created as a result of the space infused with
layer upon layer of history by way of books and art.

Every spot is utilized to give you pause to stop and perhaps flip through an old crate of postcards or maps... or perhaps just gaze at the wall of fabulous cover designs on all the coffee table books...

You could get lost in here for hours.
It is a great anecdote for high tech stress in case you are of need...
When I think of simple, obvious comparisons between... let's say digital and film photography and electronic and paper bound books... you get the idea. This is the ultimate in breathe in the old school way of information transfer. Good for the soul in my opinion!

Windemere House

2011-07-23T17:23:00.001-07:00

The family and I just returned from a 3 night stay at the fabulous Windemere Resort in Muskoka, Ontario. We stayed in the main house in 2 rooms (so that we and our daughters could have some privacy) overlooking the gorgeous gardens. Hollyhocks in all shades of pink were in glorious bloom. I decided they were one of my favorite flowers- so majestic yet so humble somehow.
There is a lovely wraparound porch that was a perfect spot for reading in the afternoon. (I read most of Keith Richards' autobiography 'Life' while there). We also enjoyed a lunch of grazing on sushi which was divine!
There is quite a history to this resort. It began around 1890 in a family home that was expanded to serve 200 guests. It stayed in this family until 1981 when it was bought by a group of investors.
In 1996 they allowed a film crew to shoot the feature film, 'A Long Kiss Goodnight" on the premises. I believe it was a spark that started the unstoppable fire that destroyed the entire resort. An unbelievable tragedy for this historic landmark although luckily, I believe there were no fatalities. By 1997 it was completely rebuilt. (thank goodness for insurance)!

We would totally recommend this place if you were looking for a pretty luxurious, stress free break from the city. The food is excellent. Oliver and Bonacini run the food service in all the restaurants there and it was first class. The only slight disappointment were the breakfasts which were served buffet style which meant somewhat rubbery scrambled eggs and soggy french toast. On a more positive note, the beds were super comfortable with high quality pillow and linens. As they say- it's all in the details!

Marimekko Sheets

2011-07-19T16:02:00.000-07:00

Recently I spotted these Marimekko sheets for 1/2 price
at Crate + Barrel.
I finally got around to washing them and
putting them on the bed today.

I love how a minor purchase can give a room
such a significant boost!

Nils Olsson Rooster

2011-07-07T06:18:00.001-07:00

I love the robust style of this hand painted rooster
made by Nils Olsson- maker of the famous Swedish Dala Horses.

This is the first rooster I have come across although I have sold
several Dala Horses through my Etsy Shop.

So tempted to keep this as it looks so great with my
Dala Horse collection...

For now though, it's available in my Etsy Shop!

Almond Milk Latte

2011-06-11T15:03:00.000-07:00

Mylk Uncookies on Gerrard Street East In Toronto
makes the best
Almond Milk Lattes.
Yum.
Perfect indulgence on a Saturday afternoon.

Crabapple Tree 2011

2011-05-22T16:58:00.000-07:00

a snapshot of the crabapple tree in our garden.
it is glorious in bloom
however it comes and goes quickly-
it has already faded and will be gone with the next rain...

Paper Style

2011-04-14T07:48:00.001-07:00

These beautiful images are from the lovely Toronto location of the Japanese Paper Place store. Purchases can be made online which opens up a wonderful opportunity to access these products if your hometown doesn't have such a store.

I love the potential all these beautiful papers offer. I find it very inspiring walking around this shop and just enjoying the colors in their organized displays. Seeing blocks of colour is very soothing and settling. Once I get to the patterned paper displays another feeling sets in. These are pre- determined beauty. I don't always know what to do with that... Some ideas do come to mind... lining a coffee table and laying glass on top perhaps.

These organized displays are a feast for the eyes...

I hope to do a series on stores I find beautiful in and of themselves. Well designed a displayed merchandise is a real art and when done well makes shopping a really pleasurable experience. The Japanese Paper Place definitely does it right!

Vintage Lamp

2011-03-09T18:06:00.000-08:00

Found.
a glorious, bright yellow ball shade lamp.
soon to be listed in my etsy shop!

Wonderful Whimsy

2011-01-08T18:48:00.000-08:00

FOUND.
a collection of handmade, hand painted wooden miniature characters.
these are just my kind of thing-
love their slight quirkiness and inherent tenderness...
I also love that they came from an estate sale of an eccentric collector of sorts...

House Proud 2011

2011-01-03T14:14:00.001-08:00

A little indulgence on my part today...

Nothing radical had been done to our house in 2010 but little changes; re-arranging some furniture, de-cluttering and adding in some new, fresh pieces has been good for this old house.

A few notables: a striped wool blanket on the back of the couch from Mjolk, gorgeous large Atterby, Sweden lamp in corner, (found at a thrift store), small crochet pillow on couch from Emma Lamb, 2 vintage cat prints from Eclectisaurus, Art Deco wall shelf from Eclectic Pelican and last but not least, our ever faithful cat, Rupert!

Weathered Venetian Doors

2010-12-28T15:18:00.000-08:00

looking back on my photos of Venice
these 3 door photos made me pause.

with all the stunning, ornate, intentional beauty in Venice
one can be distracted from observing these more quiet, utilitarian examples
of rustic beauty....

wishing everyone a peaceful, satisfying New Year that enriches with every passing day...

Conceptual Design

2010-11-29T19:14:00.000-08:00

clever IKEA hack from G.V.M. of The Netherlands
sourced from here.

The Biblioteca Bookshelf
innovative design created from vintage coffee tables, by Matt Carr for Umbra.

Chest of drawers by Tejo Remy
for Droog

Weekend Sale

2010-11-26T15:14:00.001-08:00

visit here for fabulous vintage finds.
coupon code:
found5avings

Putting it Out There: Completion!

2010-11-25T10:04:00.000-08:00

This post is in reference to a previous post

made, ironically, on the Canadian Thanksgiving.
(it is a 'coincidence' that this one is falling on the
American Thanksgiving)!

Here is the finished piece; my embellishment of a
Found Sampler that caught my eye & my imagination...

It measures 19" x 26" so it has the size impact I was after.
My color palette went quite bold as I wanted to counter the antiquated aspect of the piece and bring it into my own aesthetic. The bold red & white striped fabric throughout helped to keep me on course with that.
(interesting side note: that fabric came from a Dior linen jacket I spotted at Value Village).
It was O.K. to use as a cutter since it had a bleach stain on the front!

Lamp Love

2010-11-19T19:09:00.000-08:00

I have a love for vintage lamps.
The more colorful or stylized the better.
To me they are sculpture.
Sculpture that lights up... cool.
Sculpture that is functional as well... fabulous.

All these pieces I have found at thrift stores and sold on Etsy.
It makes me happy to see this (small) selection all together.

Kind of like I just created my own design poster.

Found: Maurer-Becker Utensilo

2010-11-17T16:15:00.000-08:00

FOUND.

Utensilo or Wall All designed by Dorothee Maurer-Becker,
Germany, 1969.

These iconic pieces were manufactured both in Germany & the U.S.A.

This one was made by Format Sales in NY, USA.
It is the smaller version.

I love that it is in black and goes with my vintage Steelcase desk.
I love that I found it at a thrift store for $2.99.
(these smaller ones sell from between $200.-300.)

Venice- Teatro la Fenice

2010-11-16T18:47:00.001-08:00

I was determined to experience a night at the opera in Venice.
We decided to 'go big' and got some great box seats;
an intimate enclosure for 4 although we were only 3.
What fun it was to have our own perch to people watch down below!

The space is spectacular. It had to be completely re-built after it burned down in 1996.
Amazing how they were able to replicate the fine artistry of the original.

Venice- Modern Art

2010-11-15T12:22:00.000-08:00

The Peggy Guggenheim Museum was a lovely way to spend an afternoon. The largely 20th.C collection is housed in her actual palazzo, which is right on the Grand Canal. The works hang in the same spots they did when she lived there and there are photographs in each room of her sitting in that room surrounded by the same art we are at that moment appreciating... (no photos are allowed to be taken inside and, tempted as I was, I obeyed)!
Almost as thrilling as the exhibit was the terrace with this spectacular bronze sculpture, "The Angel in the City" by Marino Marini, 1948.

One of things I love about Venice is, that although it has an amazing history of art & culture, it is not locked into it's past. It loves to celebrate art as it continues to be created; a vibrant, relevant and evolving dynamic.

We saw a wonderful exhibition of Stanley Kubrick's black and white photographs before he got into film making. Aside from the work itself, the site was intensely beautiful; the juxtaposition between the red silk walls, venetian glass chandelier and stark b & w photos was striking...

Venice- The Food

2010-11-14T10:52:00.000-08:00

The local restaurant, Tosi, was steps away from where we stayed. This is where the locals go (and perhaps a handful of more adventurous tourists) to hang out...

The Parmesan & Arugula Pizza was my favorite!

I hadn't realized how huge sweet shops were in Venice. They seem to turn up every 10 paces and each is more spectacular than the last. The goodies not only look amazing but taste scrumptious as well. Part of the reason they taste so good is they are not overly sweet. You can actually taste flavors, not just 'sweet' the way so many North American desserts seem to be...

Add an expresso for the perfect combo. (Standing at the counter of course is about half the price compared to sitting down).
The coffee is out-of-this-world. The best. anywhere.

After a gallery visit we had 'toast' which is how they refer to all the sandwiches on display which get grilled after you order. Perfect comfort food. Yum.

Venice

2010-11-13T18:34:00.000-08:00

I just returned from a one week stay in Venice- a city like no other; a city referred to as "the most beautiful in the world".

You quickly adjust your way of looking... you are in another reality in a sense...

Venice simply embodies grace and beauty everywhere in everything. From the street lights to the shop signs to the painted doorways and the ornate brass buzzers on all the apartment entrances to the filigreed grillwork on the most humble of windows...

We are incredibly lucky to have a close friend who had the courage to buy a flat here. It has become her 'go to' place several times a year. (she rents it out during the rest of the year). We stayed with her and were able to get a real feel for the place through her eyes. Shopping for fresh produce on the barge that parks on the canal by her flat, buying cheese at the local deli and eating pizza at the small restaurant right in front of her place was, well. heaven...

I will continue to post on Venice throughout the week... opera, galleries, special exhibits and amazing food... oh my, the food- thank goodness we walked for miles every day!

My New (Old) Studio

2010-10-30T13:03:00.001-07:00

It all started with my amazing find of this vintage Steelcase Desk. Found at the
Salvation Army Thrift
for the glorious price of $19.99.

A week of de-cluttering later, here is my new and improved studio!
(yes, these ARE the after shots... you should have seen it before)...

I have 3 zones; my computer/desk set up,
my 'sewing central' by the window, and,
in between my paper zone where I can create cards or any other
graphic design type project.

my style is lots of color tempered by natural wood finishes
and grounded by the block of black & chrome
via the desk. it's happy, creative space that doesn't take itself
too seriously!

1960's Pop Art Cat Illustrations

2010-10-25T13:53:00.000-07:00

Found.
2 1960's era framed cat illustrations.
(reproduction prints, not originals).
To Keep?
To Sell?
For now, to keep... loving them too much!

Ron Sexsmith Galbraith Street

2010-10-10T09:10:00.000-07:00

I have become a huge fan of this Canadian singer/songwriter; Ron Sexsmith. His lyrical musicality and poetic phrasing leave me mesmerized...

Here he is in a pub in NYC, acoustic guitar in hand, just him and his words piercing the quiet, dark room. This has to be my all time favorite song of his.

I thought it a fitting choice for this weekend, the Canadian Thanksgiving.
A song about going home again- even if just in memory.

I've Been Seeing Red

2010-09-25T20:12:00.000-07:00

Some weeks you seem to find items
with a common thread; be it style, type or... color.

Lately I have been finding great vintage design in
RED.

Seasonal serendipity?

Bring it on...

A Visit to Charlottetown PEI

2010-09-21T17:48:00.000-07:00

This past weekend my husband and I enjoyed a quick visit to Charlottetown, PEI to visit some old friends.

We took a Thursday afternoon flight and returned home late Sunday night. Even though it was not a long stay, it provided us with a welcome change of scene. It is a very bucolic place; pastoral scenery in every direction you wander...

We had some delicious seafood to savour the east coast cuisine experience. Eaten in a popular local hangout made it even tastier and the waitresses were so naturally friendly in a very non big city way.

I had chosen our lodgings online. Looking for a comfortable bed & breakfast inn I had many to choose from. I took my time and studied the decor closely... I knew I didn't want anything too cutesy; too many places seemed to have been stuck in a 1980's over-wallpapered, over-laced, over-dried flower arrangement type of decor time warp... you get the idea! Luckily I came across The Hillhurst Inn. It is a very lovely place with authentic art, woven carpets and spectacular woodwork throughout. Our room had a restrained elegance that was comfortable and luxurious at the same time.

Our breakfasts were held at a long communal table in the formal dining room each morning. It was interesting to meet the other guests and hear about their travel experiences. The food was fresh, thoughtfully prepared and different each morning- a real treat! (breakfast being my favorite meal of the day).

Saturday my 2 girlfriends and I drove all over the east end of the island for the Annual 70 Mile Yard Sale. Along country roads, farms and small clusters of houses joined together to put out tables of typical yard sale fare. As with any thrifting venture you go through a lot of useless & weird stuff to find the odd 'treasure'. I did not bad, finding 5 or 6 items that were worth the effort. Finding those things of course was half the fun, especially with friends to share a laugh with along the way!

Sunday Brunch

2010-09-13T10:39:00.001-07:00

This weekend marked another Cabbagetown Festival, an annual fall event where we live.
On Sunday we hosted a little brunch party for family and a few friends. I snapped these photos before people arrived; the 'calm before the storm' so to speak...

I always get satisfaction when the house is readied for guests. Fresh flowers, that extra level of tidiness and attention to detail... all add up to the 'homestead' looking as good as it can on a given day!
The get together was a relaxed success- easy for me and the company to get comfortable, chat, drink some decent coffee and eat too much...

Putting it Out There

2010-09-11T15:03:00.000-07:00

This charming sampler caught my eye at the antique market recently. Charming, yes, but for me it went a little further. The words really inspired me; the feeling they evoked inspired me... It felt like a glimpse of memory in a dreamlike state that flickers and passes...
The only thing left to hold onto is the feeling of home; where it all started as far back as memory can take you...

I feel a strong connection to old textiles, stitchery and the time taken to make these pieces that were obviously meant to be saved, cherished and held onto within the family generations. As with so many such objects, I wonder about the path taken for it to eventually rest one day on a market table, up for offer...

My rather immediate thought was that I loved it and wanted to somehow 'make it mine', put my mark onto it in a way that will bring it back to life.

It is currently in a sorry excuse for a frame. My plan is to throw that away and look at it unframed. I want to create my own border, beyond the current one so as not to take away anything that was done originally. Blending my own style of textile stitchery with the original is a sweet challenge.

The title of this post is "Putting it Out There'. I have been neglectful lately of my creative side due to a heavy work schedule. That is easing up now so I decided to do this post as a promise to myself to get on with this project. I really want to do this and all I need to do is START. I know once it is underway I will be compelled to keep at it until I get it right. That is how I am. I will one day do a post of the completed work. I promise.

Poster Serendipity

2010-09-06T17:54:00.001-07:00

I was browsing around at my parent's house a few months ago...

My grandmother was a painter and had many art books which are now at my family home. As I flipped through some books I came across a Picasso poster, neatly folded into fours, that was between the pages. I opened it up to find the poster below; a 1970 art exhibition poster with the name Mourlot printed at the bottom.

Strangely, my mother had never recalled ever seeing this poster. My grandmother must have purchased in 1970 and put it inside the book and forgotten about it. It was rather exciting to me, uncovering something of hers 'lost' for so long. We were very close and this felt like a brief renewal of our bond...

After some online research I discovered that the name Mourlot referred to Atelier Mourlot, founded in 1852. It was a lithographic print shop located in Paris, France. They started as a printer of fine wallpaper and went on to produce illustrated books and high quality posters.

By 1937 they had become the largest printer of artistic posters for the French National Museums as well as many foreign institutions. Many major 20th. century artists visited the studio and worked there to create original graphic works of art.

I discovered that the Picasso poster was worth in the area of $600. Of course the connection I had to it was priceless and I chose to frame it and display it in our home.

A few weeks ago, I was doing my thrift shop rounds, hoping to find cool items for my Found Vintage Style Etsy shop. As I glanced at the picture section of the suburban Goodwill store I was in the above Matisse poster caught my eye. It had the same look as my Picasso poster and upon closer inspection I saw the familiar name Mourlot at the bottom. This poster is from a 1961 exhibit. Wow... what were the chances to find such a treasure in a completely different way?
I paid my $7.99 for it and happily have hung it as a companion to my other one.

Serendipity... fate, chance... all good words to describe how my 2 posters ended up side by side.

More Vintage Source Shopping

2010-07-03T13:40:00.000-07:00

more inspiring images
from my day shopping
for the set~

Highlights of My Day

2010-06-30T18:52:00.001-07:00

My days working as a set decoration buyer for a T.V. show are never the same. In each episode there are new requirements that dictate which types of stores I will be sourcing in. I love this aspect of the job. One week I will be looking at a modern, streamlined aesthetic and the next I could be creating a visual with eclectic, colorful and antiqued decor pieces.
I was very into this weeks' search for a layered look that took me to shops with so much to see it was hard to focus my eyes at times!
Even if I come across items not on my current list, if they catch my eye I will photo them and put them in my "Of Interest" file. I have to say, there are so many amazing objects out there! I never get tired of searching for the perfect piece to fill the needs of the set. It is a challenge I happily embrace. I love my job! (most days)...

Sunday Market Find

2010-06-20T13:41:00.001-07:00

I found these two wonderful posters today at the Sunday Antique Market. They were hand printed in England on linen, as is stated in the corner. On one the words, 'A Dodo Design', appear in the other corner. The size is 19 x 33 inches. They are each mounted to masonite board.

By the colors used I assume these are from the 1960's. The hot pink/orange combination and pop art stylization are very typical of the swinging sixties in London. I have researched online and found there was a Dodo design poster shop in London in the 60's. They still seem to be active so I have emailed the pictures to see if, in fact, they are from that source.

I naturally bought them as an addition to my Etsy shop. Since I have had to wait to determine their value however... I am growing more and more attached to them. I find myself contemplating how I would frame them; where to hang them in the house...

Eclectic Pelican

2010-06-12T14:43:00.001-07:00

This amazing vintage shop is a favorite of mine.

I am very lucky to live in it's home city where I can see these soulful treasures in person~

There is often one piece that will catch my eye in particular and need to come home with me...

This glorious piece of stitchery below was the last such item but, alas, I was too late. Someone else had already claimed it.

I am not one to like or respond to all things because they are 'old'.

This shop's collection, however, always has items with the most tender + poetic character infused within.

Be sure to check out this lovely & evocative Etsy shop, the Eclectic Pelican

My Current Screensaver

2010-05-24T18:32:00.000-07:00

a child's dress found at an antique market.

sold on Found Vintage Style.

still appreciating it's simple beauty

each time I open my computer.

The Gilead Cafe

2010-04-06T18:34:00.000-07:00

I had to have some minor adjustments made to my vehicle this morning. this meant waiting at this beautiful cafe, just down the street from the garage...

it is called the Gilead Cafe and is run by chef Jaimie Kennedy.
all these gorgeous jars are filled with preserved produce that is used in
the restaurant's fresh and delicious food...

I love how simple yet stunning this looks.

it was a lovely way to start the day...

The Weird and The Wonderful

2010-03-12T16:46:00.000-08:00

I have a pretty cool job. Working, as I am these days, buying for set decoration in the film business takes you to some interesting places. This is one of my favorites; a plumbing fixture shop like no other~ Adidison's in Toronto.

It is really an emporium and I don't believe there are many true emporiums left in the world these days...

Everywhere you look there are layers of ephemera. There are no carefully rendered vignettes here. By virtue of the sheer volume and quality of goods the effect is pure magic~ all the more enchanting to roam through and experience...

This is just a tiny glimpse into what this out of the way place has to offer~ unfortunately I had to leave and carry on with my day's agenda. Can't wait to return...

Thrill of the Find

2010-02-25T15:24:00.001-08:00

found.
trio of mid century modern ceramic pendant lights.
cream with gold undertones.
irregular circular cutouts.
imagine the magical shadows...

available here:

The L I F E C L O C K

2010-02-15T12:42:00.000-08:00

nothing seems out of the ordinary when you first look at this clock. upon closer inspection, you may notice the numbers seem a little high.

this is because one rotation of this clock is equal to the average human lifespan.

the clock is an artwork by bertrand planes which uses an ordinary clock slowed down 61320 times to make each minute equal to a year.

I find this a fascinating yet frightening concept...

sourced from designboom.

Valentine Enigma

2010-02-14T16:51:00.000-08:00

a portrait
framed in a brass pin
of a Victorian woman.

once held close,
worn near the heart?

found.
on a vintage seller's table
at an antique market.
in the year 2010.

Lisa Larson

2010-02-08T20:31:00.000-08:00

New in shop today are a pair of Lisa Larson's whimsical figurines.

Lisa, a famous Swedish artist, embarks on various series in her work. These pieces are from a series called, "Sekelskifte" which means Turn-of-the-Century in Swedish.

The figures stand 4" + 4 1/2" tall. They are stoneware with a lovely matte, chalky finish.

They are in mint condition and signed on the bottom.

currently on sale at my etsy shop.

Holly Farrell

2010-01-26T15:47:00.000-08:00

Mugs (Fire King), 2009, acrylic & oil on masonite, 15 @ 8 x 7 inches each, $13,000 ( for the set of fifteen paintings) Available through Winsor Gallery, Vancouver, BC

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Wouldn't this set of paintings look spectacular on the wall of a white kitchen?

for more on this artist see this profile:

Featured Artist #2/ Holly Farrell

Marimekko Throw Pillows

2010-01-24T05:41:00.000-08:00

These Marimekko pillows make me smile.

Pearls of Luck/Linen

Magic Mill/Linen

IKEA Bag Dress

2010-01-12T13:20:00.001-08:00

I love the re-interpretation of the ubiquitous IKEA bag as cute little dress.
or as an apron for studio or kitchen...
This brilliant idea is from Adriana

who will be teaching a course at Parsons School of Design
called IKEA-ology: IKEA as global urban home.
(via ikea hacker)

Margarita Island

2009-12-30T14:43:00.000-08:00

Back to reality. After spending 7 glorious days on Margarita Island, Venezuela, I am home in the cold winter embrace of Canada.

The four of us went to spend Christmas with my husband's extended family. Our 2 daughters had a wonderful time meeting their distant cousins who were close in age to them. I feel very lucky to be a part of such a dynamic, interesting and loving family!

The many beaches on Margarita are spectacular. I loved how you could get away from it all or be amongst the happening crowd; depending on your mood...

We had grilled fish at beachside restaurants, read books lying under thatched shelters, sipped pina coladas, body surfed on the waves and just enjoyed being away from all the hustle of our daily lives.

Christmas Eve was enchanting. Our relatives brought us to this amazing private restaurant. The food was fantastic and the atmosphere was something very special as you can see from these pictures...

We exchanged presents in a very fun way. We all brought one wrapped gift with us and set them in a pile. After drawing numbers we picked from the pile one at a time. Each person that followed the last had the option to switch their gift with any that had previously been opened.

I loved how this brought on lots of laughter; it was a perfect way to share gift giving without any stress or expectations!

This was a lovely way to wind down 2009 and prepare for 2010.

I hope you all have a great New Year's Eve...
We will likely have a low key dinner with a few friends.

See you in 2010!

2009 Holiday Marketplace

2009-12-14T14:45:00.000-08:00

Yesterday concluded the four day craft show that I, greavesdesign, participated in.

It was held at a very interesting arts building/former warehouse that now houses 4 floors of artist studios and other creative businesses.

There is an inherent warmth to this building that seems to be generated by the talent of so many creative people as well as the natural materials all around such as the vintage wood floors and brick walls.

The participants in this annual show are always a delight to be around for this 4 day event. This year I was not disappointed in this regard and made some new friends as well as catching up with old ones.

Here is a photo of my overall display. I like to change things up a bit each season and was quite happy with this year's version. I added my photographic cards to the mix as well and they complemented the textile work as well as provided an under $10. purchase.

The photo to the left includes a couple of my most recent cuffs made from some fabulous red and white broad striped linen. A jacket had caught my eye at a thrift store with this bold stripe and low and behold the label inside read 'Christian Dior'! There was a bleach stain on the collar so I did not feel too bad in cutting it up... So far I have produced 3 cuffs. One was purchased at the show by Sheila, a super talented hat maker.

Sheila is modeling her cuff as you will see and I think it looks stunning on her. She will soon be opening an Etsy shop and I will introduce her on my blog as soon as her store is stocked up.

My next introduction is Sigrid, who makes her own line of wildcrafted skin cream products. They are incredible. My whole family has been using them and we all love them. Sigrid is also getting ready to open on Etsy and I will let you know when she is in business!

She also happens to be very beautiful and posed in some of my pieces for me. I couldn't be happier with the results... she really wears them well.

Even though sales were down for me this year at the show I have no regrets. I think of it as a rather relaxing long weekend spent with friends and a real change of pace from my normal hectic days. I have been very focused on my FoundVintageStyle shop this year. I get a lot of satisfaction from finding and selling vintage decor. Now I have to figure out how to bring balance back and continue to evolve my art as well...

My Lotte Lamp

2009-12-03T17:52:00.000-08:00

This lamp came from my parent's home.

Purchased in Montreal in 1960's, it has been a part of their decor for as long as I can remember.

On my last visit I decided to have a closer look at it. All of a sudden I realised it was nowhere to be found. I was a little panicked at first, hoping they had not recently given it away.

Finally I spotted the base behind a chair without it's shade. Then I discovered the shade on a standing lamp in the guest room.

I swiftly put them back together and made my request...

My fantastic mother said of course you can take the lamp...

A Lotte lamp with sentimental value on top of exquisite aesthetic value... priceless!

Love this Lamp

2009-12-02T17:16:00.000-08:00

I came across this table lamp recently at a local thrift shop. I immediately recognized the fibreglass shade as being of importance. It was a trend in the 1960's.

In Canada a company was producing them and they were called Lotte Lamps. It was a family business run by the Bostlund family, originally from Copenhagen, Denmark.

What is so special is the quality of light that results from being filtered through these textured shades. Very soft and subtle, it adds a warmth & glow to a room...

I love the simplicity of the shapes and the contrast between the curvy base and the straight lines of the shade.

I can't be a 100% sure it is a Lotte. Not all were signed. Regardless, for $8.00 I am very happy with my new lamp!

Sexy Vintage

2009-10-26T13:39:00.001-07:00

I adore color.

Magic can happen when 2 objects' colors & forms 'pop' side by side...

To my eye, this is a perfect example.

That they are 2 stylish and usable objects pleases me no end...

Lately, one of the criteria for my shop items is they
must be unique/beautiful + useful.

Not to say that that excludes a piece of fine art.
(one of the most necessary items we should have in our lives).

These 2 beauties have parted ways however.
The fabulous Tensor light sold quickly, leaving behind it's swish partner.

Never mind. One thing I've learned is that there is always a new treasure around the corner.

I can't wait for the encounter...

Timepiece

2009-10-10T14:32:00.000-07:00

Found. A vintage, circa 1962, electronic wall clock;
the ATO-MAT S, made by Junghans, a German company known to be one of the most innovative watch companies in the world.

I love the look. Uber sophisticated with it's deep metal frame inset with the matte brushed finished face. Topping it off is a substantial leather strap with hefty brass 'hook'.

I like to give all items I sell a good test run. It is currently ticking consistently in my hallway. When I am confident about it's mechanics I will be listing it in my shop...

Cabbagetown; Neighbourhood of Grace

2009-09-14T19:31:00.000-07:00

This is my neighbourhood. I have lived here, in the largest Victorian enclave in North America for 25 years. We have a working farm in the community which is amazing considering we are a 20 minute walk from the downtown core.

Throughout my children's childhood this was the anchor of their everyday lives. From joining the farm's programs, strolling through to check out the animals with Mom or Dad to visiting on their own with friends as they got older to having their first summer job leading day campers... the farm was an unquestioned presence.

Each year, the weekend after Labor Day, we have a 3 day festival. A huge arts & crafts show in the park, bands playing, the main street closed to traffic... it is a hub of activity and community bonding.

My first thought was to record all these events for a blog post. Sunday morning however, I got up early and took a walk. The streets were quiet, the crowds were still sleeping and I felt my own personal connection to this beautiful place I call home.

I went back to get my camera. In the early morning light I captured these images of this 'Neighbourhood of Grace'. (my own term which came to me as I was reflecting on how lucky I was to live in such a place).

Pianissimo/Fortissimo

2009-08-25T20:38:00.000-07:00

Ever since starting my vintage business, almost one year ago, I have been amazed at how the most fascinating items seem to cross my path. Perhaps they were always there and I just had to be receptive to their existence. I hope I don't sound sound too flaky, I'm actually quite the realist...

Again, I have responded to the 'beauty in the mundane'. I mean, how much more mundane can you get than flash cards? Take the concept however, back to 1937 and up the scale from a hand held pack of cards to full poster size of 20" x 27" and we are getting somewhere...

A house being gutted, a garage full of a lifetime of stuff that must be disposed of... Found... a cardboard sleeve housing 22 of these elegant, Art Deco musical flash cards.

pp ff

Pianissimo/Fortissimo.

Life distilled to it's essence.

More of the New Bedroom

2009-08-19T04:50:00.001-07:00

I have been waiting to post some shots of our updated, de-cluttered bedroom... I fear this is not exactly 'decor worthy' to anyone but myself! However, here it is, in it's less than perfect state...

Now that the apologies are done with, I am in fact very, very pleased with these results. As far as a room to walk into, at any time of day, my eyes feel soothed and my mind at rest. No constant clutter to jar my mood. What I was after was some form of simplicity with a few hits of beauty to catch my eye.

With a very limited budget it was more about what was removed than acquired. This, if anything, is a tip I would pass on to anyone wanting a fresh start with limited funds. Take everything away, out of the room. Get back to the shell that is your space. Re-paint the walls. For myself, a soft white was the way to go. The other big element is your floor. We tore up the wall to wall carpet, (which I got for free from a film set far too long ago) and put down dark wood flooring.

With a new 'shell' to work with, adding elements back in will become a very considered process. I found I did not not want anything to mar the clean envelope. Functionally, I knew a vanity would be a great addition. I searched around and found this one with it's matching bench, already painted white and on sale! Perfect. It is a place to focus in the morning, getting ready for the day. With ample storage my stuff can be tucked away in drawers. (well, mostly).

No money to rid the room of the IKEA bed & dresser but with crisp white sheets and gorgeous new handmade pillowcases in Liberty fabric from elizagran their presence has been elevated.

Not ground breaking or magazine worthy but it sure works for me in my 'real' life!

Underwood #3 Standard Typewriter

2009-08-16T13:39:00.000-07:00

A few weeks a go I made an unusual find at my local thrift store. I generally do not expect to see anything this obviously spectacular. I am good at spotting the diamonds in the rough or the under the radar treasures. This however, seemed rather a hard to miss gem!

It was sitting on the shelf covered in all matter of dust, grime and maybe a few cobwebs. (where had this been for so many years/decades)? As always, I travel with a supply of wet wipes. A few test swipes later I was convinced it was all there under the dirt.

Not a bad price on the sticker but still more than I am used to paying at the thrift... A little discussion with the manager brought it down to a very comfortable price and off it went to my car.

I have been slowly cleaning, polishing and buffing. All the mechanics seem to work, even the ever so gentle bell at the end of the line... "pardon me, I believe it is time to start a new line"...

It has tab, line depth, black or red type, cap lock and many more functions... The top of the line machine it seems. It is an Underwood N0.3 14 Inch model I believe dating somewhere around 1920-

I am in awe of the beauty of it from a purely aesthetic perspective. The amazingly tooled parts, the chrome fittings, glass keys with lovely typography, stunning graphics ALL OVER the machine... wow.

It is super heavy of course. I think I will have to find a local buyer as shipping fees would be crazy.

For now I am happy to admire it on a daily basis. It really charms me.

Lovely Frocks

2009-08-02T12:43:00.000-07:00

...a sneak peek at some of the 6 glorious 1930's-1940's little girl's dresses I picked up at the Sunday Antique Market today. My heart skipped a beat as I saw these lying on a table. The gentleman who sells vintage cameras had gotten a box of these with his auction lot and wanted to dispose of them. Yes please! Many had already sold he said. If these were the lesser of the group I must have missed out on some amazing pieces. I never dwell on that thought though. In my world of the Sunday Market every item goes to the rightful person including myself... it's all good as they say!
I wasted no time in giving them a nice wash in the sink and hanging them in the sun to dry. Next step is a little mending where needed and then a good ironing.
Look for them in my vintage etsy shop very soon...

Love this Look

2009-07-27T15:12:00.000-07:00

I am very much into casual, unstructured and neutral colored clothing. This outfit defines it for me although I couldn't wear this successfully myself...

Subtle shades of whites and grays are quite beautiful. As I get older I don't like feeling overpowered by too much detail & color. This seems to be my aesthetic in home decor as well... interesting how they go hand in hand...

Clothing by Morrison.

New Purchase/Textile Graphic

2009-07-16T20:02:00.001-07:00

On the weekend I was on a walk and happened to pass by a favorite vintage decor shop, eclectisaurus, on Gerrard St. in Toronto. They were closed but as I peered in the window I spotted this textile on the wall.

That was it. I knew pretty well, as long as it was in my price range, I would purchase it. I knew exactly where it would hang. At approximately 4 ft. x 2.5 ft. it was the perfect scale to hang over the bed. In our newly painted and re-configured bedroom.

About one month ago I let go of my procrastination and picked a Farrow & Ball white and got painting over some hideous minty green that I had on the walls for far too long. With 2 children in the house a serene bedroom was never a priority. Life was too hectic and messes were too constant to even think about the aesthetic side of things.

Kids are launched. I am seeing rooms again as blank slates, ready to reflect my current take on style.

Bedroom walls... now a linen shade of white. Bedroom floor... dark wood. Bedding... white. Walls... bare except for this one glorious piece hanging over the bed. I love it.

Susan Fothergill/Artist Profile

2009-07-05T16:02:00.000-07:00

...each piece of art, a fragment of a never ending poem,
an heirloom of love.
-susan fothergill

This is the work of Canadian artist, Susan Fothergill.

From the first time I saw one of her silkscreens, several years ago, I knew this was someone whose language I understood. I sensed a tension between joy and sorrow, love held and love lost... ideas and imagery that can be felt on a level that needs no words.

The image above is a triptych called 'Dreamers'; life size self portraits of the artist dreaming awake and dreaming asleep. I find this an incredibly compelling series. The symbolism is powerful; the flaming lotus flower, roots, serpent and crown all in reference to an unending source of creative energy and imagination...

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The first boot print is called, "Baby's Boot II". The following two are from the "Baby's Boot I" series. These are hand colored silkscreen prints. On a purely visual level, I adore the joyful exuberance of these images. The colors pop on the pure white ground and the graphic crispness of the designs are very appealing to me. (In fact I purchased one of these a few years ago and I just love it).

Susan uses the boot silhouette as an icon; a form onto which femininity's power & softness can be voiced. There is an undeniable energy that radiates from these pieces...

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These last works are a small sampling of her work that uses dresses as imagery. In her different streams she uses both children's and women's garments as subjects. Susan has a love of textiles with a history; lace, veiling, stockings... diaphanous materials that suggest fragments, memories...

This ghostly quality allows for the subtle layering that Susan's work embodies. Old snippets of ribbon & other adornments add a three dimensional element to much of her work. Text is also included on fragments of paper as thoughts are expressed...

There is a haunting aspect to her work but never in a disturbing way. Tragedy, romance, ritual & exploration, strength & vulnerability... all are expressed so beautifully and poetically through Susan's art.

If you are interested in seeing more of or purchasing Susan's work you can email her at:
susanfothergill@sympatico.ca

The Berlin Wall/20 Years Already?

2009-06-23T18:42:00.000-07:00

I thought I would share with you today a piece of photographic art that is compelling visually and emotionally...

I was given this 'rare' work to present and sell in my Etsy shop, foundvintagestyle. It is the work of a photographer by the name of Elizabeth Frey. She was born in Germany and trained as a photographer in Berlin. She re-located to Canada in the '50's and had a career in photo-journalism.

Coming up on November 9th./2009 will be the 20th. anniversary of the demolition of the Berlin Wall. It was erected in 1961 in an effort to stop people from leaving East Germany for West Germany.

Elizabeth was there in 1989 for this historic event which held particular meaning for her. Being a photographer she naturally documented what she saw. This photograph of graffiti on the wall is full of the energy and emotion of the time. Additionally she carried back with her this chunk of the wall; about a 3" x 4" piece.

This duo makes a dynamic textural and visual work of art in the truest sense. It provokes thought and, to me, a sense of appreciation for what we at times take for granted...

Found Art

2009-05-31T06:18:00.000-07:00

This old sample card of buttons is a great example, in my opinion, of 'found art'. I was browsing the Sunday Antique Market last week and saw it cast away in an old box of odds & ends. It obviously was tossed there as something of no consequence... an incomplete (at that) card of buttons... and what use could they provide being only one of each?

Well, I saw this item quite differently. The colors, the rhythm created by the positioning of the buttons, the typography and numbering elements all looked like a work of art to me. I loved the three dimensional aspect of it and saw the potential in the subtle shadows that would appear once this was hung on the wall...

I happily made my purchase as the seller shrugged at my interest. I love this piece but I also love presenting it in my shop.

This is what makes selling vintage fun.

Tim Irving, Photographer/ Artist Profile

2009-05-25T15:57:00.000-07:00

Tim Irving is a British commercial photographer, specializing in interior and travel photography. He currently resides in Spain.

These photographs are a result of his growing interest in fine art photography. They have such a painterly quality to them that I love. His technique involves using film in a collection of vintage and homemade cameras & lenses. Being an avid traveler, many of his photographs document his experiences traveling around the world since the 1970's.

The above photograph is called 'The Flamenco Dress in Bedroom'. The way it seems to be suspended in mid air is magical. The light falling on the fabric and ruffles animates it so beautifully. One of my favorites, definitely!

The top photograph is called 'Ballroom 1977'. It was captured in the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool, England. It is a fine art Polaroid Photo. The effect is certainly dreamlike, more a memory than a literal document of a moment in time.

The last is 'The Button Tin'. This still life was photographed through an old camera's viewing screen. I find old buttons and tins with old buttons incredibly evocative. Tim has such a sensitivity to noticing these details in everyday life.

Tim's work has been featured in many publications including Time Magazine. He has also been part of several exhibitions in Great Britain. His work is currently available to purchase through his Etsy shop where he offers free shipping to anywhere in the world! He also has a beautiful blog called Stylemed. I recommend having a look at all his other gorgeous images...
Etsy Shop + Blog.

Gorgeous Cushions

2009-05-09T13:09:00.000-07:00

I have cushion envy. Big time. These are my friend's Clare's cushions. I helped her re-vamp this little sofa about a year ago. It came from her Mom's estate all the way from Great Britain after she passed away. It held great sentimental value for Clare. This sofa was also built like a tank; in a good way! The fabric, however was a dull, tan color that had long since seen better days.

I had an upholstery expert I know from the film biz re-do the piece in this great brushed steely blue velvet. As per Clare's wishes it was all filled with down feathers. In her memory when she sat on this couch you sank into it, were enveloped by it and this aspect had to remain through the cosmetic makeover...

Back to the cushions... Clare knows a good thing. I had lusted after these whenever I browsed through Constantine, an exquisite home decor shop on Yonge St. in Toronto. Every item in this shop is hand picked with an eye for the best. The best does not come cheap let's say.

One day I went to visit Clare and I was stunned to see 5 of these silk velvet works of art cushions in her living room. She had been working out at a gym across the street and spied them in the window. The rest is history...

The colors of this collection are out of this world. I doubt my picture does them much justice here but you can get an idea. Luminous and sensual these down filled squares of delight are a feast for the eyes and skin. They shimmer as the light through the front window filters into the room.

They do her Mom's sofa proud.

Happy Mother's Day to all!

Spring in My Neighbourhood

2009-05-03T14:41:00.000-07:00

As I was walking in my lovely neighbourhood today, on my way to pick up strawberries at the supermarket, I stopped to take a couple of pictures. I live in a lovely Victorian enclave in the city of Toronto, called Cabbagetown. People are very house proud around here and that includes their gardens.

May is a glorious month with spring flowers in abundance, crisp air; not yet the oppressive heat of summer... I love this short season; it seems everyone appreciates the fine weather after months of cold winter!

Well, I am off to turn those strawberries into a fruit salad... I hope everyone has a beautiful week. Enjoy the flowers!

COPCO Pan/Michael Lax Design

2009-04-27T12:50:00.000-07:00

This gorgeous bright yellow enamel skillet is a recent foundvintagestyle find.

A substantial 12" in diameter and in excellent condition, this piece of cookware is as useful as it is stylish.... and I adore the intense, pure bright yellow color!

Numbered 107 on the bottom with the Copco/Made in Denmark markings; it weighs a hefty 5.5 lbs.! Well designed with the solid teak handle and opposing 'balancing handle' it is easy to comfortably manoeuvre.

Created by industrial designer, Michael Lax for Copco, this is now considered an iconic mid century modern piece of product design.

Look for it soon in my shop...

Cool Vintage Fan

2009-04-16T14:33:00.000-07:00

I found this glorious fan today at one of my special little haunts that I frequent. It's a place that is so unpredictable in what you might find (often nothing) that sometimes I think, why bother? Then a gem like this appears out of the blue and I confirm to myself the delightful lack of logic or predictability that thrifting embodies...

What I adore about this fan is the delicate cage framework and overall scale of the piece. Most of the time these old fans are rather heavy 'clunkers' that seem a bit out of place in our modern homes. This one has such a light touch however, with the watery blue blades and chrome accents.

The logo is the crowning glory; a great iconic look with the superb use of typography in the 'E'. I so wanted to keep this but it's a slippery slope that I don't want to venture on... keeping things for myself! I get as much pleasure from putting it out there, waiting to be Found by just the right person.

If that person might be you, check out the details at foundvintagestyle.

Some of My Special Buttons

2009-04-06T10:35:00.001-07:00

circa mid 1800's etched monogrammed mother-of-pearl

I have been collecting vintage buttons seriously for about 2 years now. This interest came hand-in-hand with my developing art of making wrist cuffs and chokers from vintage fabrics and findings. The more of these exquisite items I came across, the more inspired I became in my art. I couldn't believe how finely crafted these little jewels were...

Most of my buttons were sourced online or through a few dealers I know at local markets. I would also go to any vintage textiles events happening in my city and beyond.

About one month ago however I was put in touch with a woman who had an estate of a fine seamstress who sewed during the 1940's. I was 'warned' that this was quite a superior collection of buttons, laces, threads and many other objects of her trade.

Upon entering the room this was all displayed in for my perusal I was awed by the beauty of it all. Of perhaps close to 1,000 buttons on display 1/3 of them were very exceptional. Another 1/3 were very lovely and the remaining 1/3 ordinary.

Oh course by the time I left, heart beating a little faster, I was the proud new owner of a spectacular collection. I have had a great time sorting, categorizing and researching this bounty.

Here are a few of the special ones. I will continue with some more photos in another post soon. (I have already posted about the 3 black Art Deco shawl/collars that were from this estate).
Victorian silver lustre glass snowflake, carved metal with m-o-p inlay & cut steels, etched & carved glass with metal, metal openwork
Victorian celluloid with faceted steel insets & cupped rims.
these are 5 part buttons. (they have 5 different components)

1930's carved wood & hand-painted 'goofies' or 'realistics'

Inspiring Spaces

2009-04-01T18:28:00.001-07:00

These stunning locations are for rent for photo shoots and filming in the U.K. They are all from a great website that you can check out here: thebeachstudios.

I love peeking into these amazing spaces for inspiration. They are all a bit larger than life but get me thinking outside the box...

I love LOVE the idea of stacking books into a non-functioning fireplace. What a great use of space that I never would have thought of...

I hope you enjoy browsing this site as much as I do!

Delightful Vintage Dolls

2009-03-25T06:44:00.000-07:00

I found these seven delightful vintage miniature dolls at the Sunday Market a few weeks ago. Wrapped up in a clear plastic bag, they caught my eye with their sweet charm. Sold!

There is a sticker on one saying East Germany. They stand just under 3 inches high.

I love all the attention to detail on the clothing and the simplicity of their nature; just a lovely grouping of dolls to catch the imagination of a young child...

The Raven/ Edgar Allan Poe

2009-03-07T16:18:00.000-08:00

This spectacular book is in my current possession but does not, unfortunately, belong to me!

It came from an estate I am helping to sell off. Luckily, when I came across this rare book, I was able to point out to the owner what she in fact had here. It was published in 1910.

Drawings are by John Rea Neill. (1877-1943). He was best known for illustrating more than 40 stories set in The Land of Oz.

I don't think I have ever held a book that touched me more on an emotional level. The Art Nouveau styling and dark quality of the drawings are mystical/magical.

I think this current economic climate is not the time to try to sell this rare edition. That actually suits me just fine.
I like it sitting on my shelf for a while...

Three Stunning Art Deco Overpieces

2009-02-24T12:17:00.000-08:00

I feel very fortunate (and a little poorer) to currently have these three pieces of handwork in my possession. I purchased a complete lot from the estate of a couture seamstress. Buttons, laces, notions trims and these three exquisite garments were among the contents.

To a vintage fabric addict like myself this was the ultimate high! I didn't even realize when I made the purchase just quite how exceptional these were. What strikes me is how relevant to contemporary fashion they are.

If you go to my Etsy shop (just click on my FoundVintageStyle Etsy mini... up and to the right>) you can see them being modeled by my elegant friend Gail. She is wearing a Nanette Lepore strapless black dress so all the detail shows beautifully against her skin. These pieces are simply timeless. They are so well designed; the shapes, the proportion, the fit on the shoulders... Top quality never is dated I suppose.

They may be priced on the high side but let's be real here. Who thinks too hard (before these economic times that is) about spending $150. - 200.00 on 'designer' jeans these days? The work in these garments is unbelievable. They are in excellent condition but had a few spots I wanted to mend. I had an even greater appreciation of the workmanship after I strained my eyes sewing black glass beads with black thread on black lace....

I hope all you textile lovers enjoy having a look!

Does This Bag Make You Want to Party?

2009-02-20T07:25:00.000-08:00

This gorgeous Vintage Parisian Rhinestone Evening Bag has been nominated in The Storque's (Etsy's Blog)
current 'Wanna Party' Items Poll!

It is a dazzling bag with rhinestones galore... it sparkles like old time glamour should!
You can read more about it in my shop, foundvintagestyle.

If it 'Makes You Want To Party' (you know it will) please cast your vote here: (you will have to click on another link from there in the first paragraph)!
http://www.etsy.com/storque/etc/vote-how-do-you-party-3424/

Thanks Everyone!

Glorious Vintage Tins

2009-02-17T19:53:00.000-08:00

This beautiful collection of tins are pieces I picked up at one of my favorite dealers a couple of weeks ago. Gradually I am listing SOME of them. I, as usual, am not able to let them all go. They suit my lace & button collection too perfectly! He promises to have more on my next visit; where on earth is he getting them all from?

Their timeworn beauty is so comforting somehow. All of them from Scotland or England, it certainly speaks of an era where the pace was slower... The ritual of Tea & Biscuits one can imagine was done properly, with nice tea cups and maybe a roaring fire to sit by.

On one hand I really like modern design, clean lines, keeping it simple...
There is this other side however, my soulful side... wanting to be surrounded by objects with a history; like little ghosts keeping me company...

Love These Miniatures

2009-02-01T08:12:00.000-08:00

I am so taken by these sweet pieces... they are 'keepers', I just can't part with them.

I have a group of them from an estate I am handling. I will be ruthless with myself and list the others but the 5 in the above photo have a permanent home on my studio shelf!

They were collected over the years by an artist. I love the fine craftsmanship in some and the simple folk art style of others. Together they create magic in their honest beauty. They just make me smile.

Nod to Valentines Day

2009-01-25T19:29:00.000-08:00

I'm not big on sentiments on demand. I'm not sure I'm into creating art to market for holidays either. Somehow though, I felt compelled to do something with hearts. I guess I'm seeing it everywhere and caved.

Inspiring me however, is a fabulous stash of deep blood red antique silk velvet I have. It was just born to be used in such a way. Pairing it with equally lush and complex lace fragments took these hearts down an interesting path.

I realized each one emerged with a distinct personality. The first, more simple one is called, "my treasured heart". It is earnest and pure. The second, more complex one is called, "my fanciful heart". It likes to show itself off a bit...

So now I'm getting into it, having a bit of fun with them. Do I keep going... no one has shown much interest yet... I'm not sure a man would think to buy one for his love. It's not jewelry.

Would a woman buy one for herself?

...these are ornaments to hang, wherever your heart desires...

Morrison

2009-01-22T20:23:00.000-08:00

I just love this clothing line from Australia. I could happily live in a wardrobe of just their clothes. Love the neutral color palette, the edgy but wearable styling, the easy silhouettes...

They have a really beautiful website as well, minimalism done to perfection... check it out.
Morrison.

Amazing Textile Collage

2009-01-19T14:32:00.000-08:00

This is my latest addition to my FoundVintageStyle.etsy.com shop. How anyone could have cast aside this work of art is hard to fathom but somehow it ended up in my hands...

Let me describe this for you as it likely isn't evident from my so-so photos... although if you click on the photo to enlarge it you get a much better sense of it...

This work is created by piecing together cut out fabric shapes and gluing them, seamlessly to a board. The joins are just incredible.

As in a superior quality quilt, this artist knows how to achieve depth; shadow and light from just the right tone and color of fabric. The patterns and colors of the fabrics used are subtle, sophisticated... they all appear to be woven wool textiles.

As a fabric artist myself, I fully appreciate the talent of V. Rivadeneira, the name signed in the lower right hand corner. Whatever path this picture took to land in my hands I can only imagine. Like with so many possessions of families, as generations come and go these gems will have their own journey... UPDATE: This work of art's journey just took another path. It has been sold, which is lovely but I shall truly miss it...

Dazzling Inspiration

2009-01-12T07:36:00.000-08:00

A peek into the haven for my special vintage buttons... the 'heroes' that I place on the spot where I want the emphasis of the piece to be...

I found this old jewelry box at a thrift store and love it's green/blue color. The velvet lining of the eight compartments is a soft nest for these beauties to lie in wait... the satiny sheen of the inside of the lid catches the light in that old romantic way...

Over the years I have developed a system of 'organization' for my embellishments that tends to get reduced to a tangle when creativity is in high gear. This box however has become a sanctuary for the pieces I do not, under any circumstances, want to lose track of. Seems to be working!

Celebrating 2009 in Mod Vintage Style!

2009-01-01T18:12:00.000-08:00

This amazing handbag is by the British designer Jane Shilton, hot in the 1960's-1970's. The matching shoes are an Italian maker, Lamica, based near Florence. The lustrous quality of the silver is divine perfection... not at all shiny and harsh but matte and subtle... classy high style.

The leather is soft and supple, feels wonderful in hand and on foot. Nothing beats a quality shoe and handbag, I say...

The shoes being a size 7 1/2, alas, do not fit this Cinderella...

If you or a dear friend feel as I do about this glorious Find check for more details here at foundvintagestyle

Happy Holidays

2008-12-21T06:43:00.000-08:00

Wishing everyone a lovely holiday season. Stay warm, stay safe and hang out with family... that's what I'll be doing!

BTW, love this idea for a different take on holiday decorating, spotted on Black Eiffel.

Blue Jean Cuff

2008-12-08T16:30:00.001-08:00

I have been going in some new directions with my fabric jewelry... I have to keep exploring & experimenting with different techniques to stay fresh and engaged!

I had a great linen jean jacket that I hadn't worn in years but hung onto because it was so unusual and high quality; made in Italy. I tossed it in the washing machine, probably shrinking it a bit but didn't care; it was the easiest way to clean it!

By using all the neat bits and bobs like the button-holes etc. it carries me in it's own direction... I like that. When given a new texture or color palette to work with I come out with a new look naturally...

This is the one I am most happy with so far. It is around my fifth attempt and my thinking is maybe I will try another color field for the next one.... do a monochromatic series... yes, I will try that.

Verner Panton

2008-12-06T15:02:00.001-08:00

While I was browsing a thrift store the other day I came across this mid-century modern looking textile, 13 inches x 14 inches, stretched on a frame, ready to hang as wall art. It caught my eye as it was so well executed, I just really liked it and thought it would be a good piece for my vintage shop FoundVintageStyle.etsy.com.

A lovely vintage fabric seller, also on etsy, sent an email alerting me to the fact that this was likely a Verner Panton textile and worth some money. I took it off my site for now while I research it's value...

Verner Panton (1926-1998) was born in Denmark. He started his career as an architect and went on to design furniture, textiles and whole room 'environments'. He was influential throughout the 1960's and 1970's during the heyday of the pop art/ op art aesthetic.

He produced a series of these graphic color gradation designs in various forms. They were called the Spectrum Series and produced by the company, Mira-X.

I have sent some photographs to a couple of people who specialize in his work. We shall see what comes of it... All in all I'm pretty sure my $2.99 investment will pay off!

...a little update... this textile was cut from a wider piece, probably with 2 other squares side by side. That is why there is no selvedge edge and therefore no maker's mark. This of course will reduce the value for a true collector. It's still a great piece though!

Picasso Smoke and My First Couch

2008-11-12T04:34:00.001-08:00

This post is about memory. I like to name my creations. Sometimes it is a bit of a struggle; all my ideas seem contrived which does the work an injustice. With this choker, however, as soon as it was finished it, the title came into my mind immediately.

When I was in my early twenties, I moved out of my shared apartment into my very first home of my own. It was a bachelor apartment in an old building in downtown Ottawa. I set out one day to buy my first couch. Upon seeing a gray/blue velvet Bauhaus couch and loveseat at a furniture store I was hooked. No other furniture would do. It blew the budget but I had those pieces for many years.

What sealed the deal in my mind I am sure, was the name of the color, Picasso Smoke. Such a gorgeous juxtaposition of words... and exactly the color of the velvet ribbon in this choker. The overall dusky hues also evoked the name. Of all things to remember, so many (!) years later says a lot about memory. I know I have forgotten many details of my life so far; I have forgotten them so I cannot relate how many or why those thoughts have vanished. All I can speculate on is why I do remember what I do.

Picking out that couch was a strong signifier of who I was at the time. I shopped for it alone. Paid for it with my hard earned money from my paste-up artist job. It looked great in my apartment, my choice was the right one. Now that purchase is giving me one more pleasure, the name of my favorite new choker, Picasso Smoke.

Featured Artist #2/ Holly Farrell

2008-11-02T11:44:00.000-08:00

Holly Farrell, a Toronto based painter, is my Featured Artist #2 in a series. She has been painting professionally since 1995, which was around the first time I noticed her work, at an outdoor art fair.

There was a purity; an essence of intent, that immediately caught my attention. On one level her paintings are studies of form, time and place. Her 'subjects' are objects yet they are also a representation of a person and how they have interacted with this particular object.

In her late twenties Holly was painting more as a pastime. As this interest grew she decided to become more serious about developing her craft. Going to art school was not an option financially or timewise, so she went about practicing drawing on her own. By using common household items as subjects she gradually taught herself to draw what was in front of her. This progressed to learning to paint in the same manner. This solitary approach to learning technique has imbued a unique quality to her work.

Referring to her work as Portraiture, she feels a connection to the objects she paints and describes these studies as "looking at one thing, one thought, one memory". She however does not see herself as a realist painter and feels the term 'folk realist' better captures her self-taught style. The folk art aesthetic is something Holly feels rooted in; it's simplicity of form and colour is always in the back of her mind as she paints.

I admire Holly's work immensely. She has taken and elevated the still life genre. I feel like I am looking at a soul, a story, a memory and also the aesthetic beauty of an object, that, when all is quiet, we can appreciate for it's own existence.

Holly is currently working on solo shows coming up in Vancouver and Tokyo. She is in private collections in the U.K., Europe, Canada and the U.S.A.

Check out her website here holly farrell.

Wallpaper Fragment

2008-10-27T13:39:00.000-07:00

We own a building with an apartment and a business in it. I guess we are landlords but I have nothing to do with it, it is my husband's 'thing'.

Next door lived a single man for many, many years. My husband, kind hearted as he is, would stop and chat with him, affording him some human contact that he sadly had so little of.

When he began to notice not seeing him around for several weeks he became concerned and called the police to investigate. They found him, passed away in bed since several weeks.

Fast forward three months. The building sold and new people came in and began gutting the building. They were sensitive to anything they could maintain to the history of the building; these are all Victorian era houses but, ultimately, most of it had to go.

We stopped by to see their progress the other day. It was stripped to the rafters. Above the fireplace, however, was the last in a series of wallpapers. I immediately felt a connection to this paper (sounds a bit out there but, you know) and asked if I could take some. Sure they said, bemused, it was all coming down to be drywalled anyway.

It was really really brittle. I managed to get this one fragment intact enough to hold in my hands. As we walked home, my husband wondered what plans I had for it. I didn't know, exactly, but it was so evocative, so lovely to me I knew something could come of it.

Besides using it in this post, my plan is to make some color copies of it and incorporate the motif into a card, collage or some other paper project... maybe with that old typeset I got at the flea market... I always trust things to make sense if I follow my instincts...

In The Thick Of It

2008-10-24T05:21:00.000-07:00

Here is the state of my 'Command Central' as I tend to think of it. Ever since I got my own dedicated studio space in the house (August) I have been becoming more and more immersed in the process of establishing my creative environment. As in, no need to put anything away at the end of a session... let the moment pause but no need to disturb it's bearings... I love that! There is such a tactile connection to the artist's materials and their readiness to be at hand, ready to respond to the hand/mind/eye coordination that in a flash manifests itself in a move propelling the work forward...

Timing Can Be Everything

2008-10-18T15:57:00.000-07:00

Driving along, on a glorious fall Saturday afternoon, I decided to take a different route to go and visit my daughter at her cafe job. I was taking some unknown side streets through a leafy neighborhood when I spotted an enticing church rummage sale sign.

I quickly found a parking spot and entered the church basement, encouraged by the signs saying linens, glassware, art...

However what I was met with was people furiously packing up all their tables in clear bags ready to be shipped to a charity thrift store. I soon realized I was coming right at the end of this promising sale, the worst feeling as you can imagine! As I caught glimpses of exquisite lace and crochet work in the plastic bags I kindly asked if I could PLEASE have a quick look and still buy something. As long as I had exact change the answer was sure, go ahead...

So this is what I assembled in a couple of minutes. Perfect pieces of lovely lacey textiles to incorporate into my textile jewelry. As it was the end of their day a total of $5.00 was requested. I happily obliged. Since I have gotten home I have been experimenting with some natural dyes. Pomegranates produce the most delicate pale pink.... If anyone has some other natural dye favorites post them here and we can share some ideas... Happy good timing to everyone!

The Thrill of the Find!

2008-10-14T20:43:00.000-07:00

I have to admit, I'm having a little too much fun with my new
Etsy enterprise, foundvintagestyle. The thrill of the find; that sums it up!

Here are three of my latest treasures, culled from the sea of junky cast-offs that represent 90% of what I come across in my travels...

However, when my eye lands on that color, texture, shape... I know that it is time to stop in my tracks, follow my instinct and investigate...

I really do marvel and the design aesthetic in so many vintage objects. The colors seem so sophisticated, like in this celluloid jewelry box. It was probably quite a humble object but the softness of the yellow and the smooth texture of the celluloid give it an easy elegance. The transparency of the plastic dishes is understated, the colors are subtle, it just works...

The tooled leather wallet is, well, awesome. (not a word I use very often)! Each side has a different highly detailed tooled illustration. I don't know anything about this art form but it looks like really good work to me. On the inside is a coin slot feature for all the different sized coins. Such a cool detail!

The Art Deco tray I spotted on a table full of lesser things shall we say... However this shape was so classic and those bakelite handles; divine! The glass insert is lovely and practical but the fact that it can be removed and it can simply be used as a tray makes it multi functional. I love the symmetry that Deco embraces. All is in order, the eye can rest because the shape and the proportion are perfection. Simple.

I hope others are as enthusiastic as I am about these lovelies. Leave a comment and let me know what you think...

Great Bags on Etsy

2008-10-01T08:03:00.000-07:00

Here are but a sampling of some great bags I have discovered on Etsy. Some have already sold but that does not surprise me. Though certainly not inexpensive they are obviously well made and designed pieces worth every penny and more. Considering the prices of commercial 'designer bags' these days the value is amazing and you likely won't see another one on the arm of anyone else!
So to lead you to these tempting beauties here are the links...
1. renneslechateau
2. morelle
3. pipertree
4. zoebags

FoundVintageStyle/My New Etsy Store

2008-09-26T19:16:00.000-07:00

A bevy of shoe clips from another era. Why did these stop being made?
I came across them at an estate sale and there was no question I had to have them for my new vintage shop.

They were just the vibe I was after. Fun, stylish and relevant to today's fashion mood. The kind of accessory you can interpret with your own flair.

How very Mad Men. That's what came to mind as I modeled these beauties on my shoes.

I don't feel like a 'grown up' most of the time. Sophistication? Well, in my own way, yes, but not in the getting all dressed up for an evening of socializing kind of way...

These little satin & rhinestone clips on my little black shoes however... strike just the right note. Not taking myself too seriously; classy but with a sense of playfulness...

This must be but a fleeting temptation to keep these enchanting clips for my own dress up fun...

See them for sale here foundvintagestyle.

Decorative Painting/2004

2008-09-21T15:41:00.000-07:00

Although this is a job that I completed in 2004, this weekend was the first time I got to see the finished, installed result. I painted all these doors for this lovely country home in a downtown studio space in 2004. My talented husband built me a 'working frame' so I could more or less work on these as a whole in their ultimate installed configuration. (click on photos for more detail).
I had done some work for these clients before and knew they loved folk art. The idea was to make this bank of multiple storage cupboards a focal point within the open concept living space of their newly built country home. I incorporated aspects of their life such as family names, dog's name and illustration of him, date home was built and location etc. This lovely house will likely stay in the family over generations and having this bit of history painted into the decor was a meaningful and fun project for me to work on.
They had a large all day party to mark the end of summer on Saturday which my husband and I attended. A lively French-Canadian fiddle group played music into the evening on the deck and was lots of fun. It was also very satisfying to finally see the doors in their intended space.
Decorative painting was the type of work I had been doing for the past ten years or so. Somehow however, I gradually became more and more enchanted with textiles and less inspired by the paint medium. Possibly I needed to creatively shake things up in order to keep growing... My paints & brushes are now in storage and my sewing machine is out of storage... Funny how things evolve...

my favorite SHOES

2008-09-17T14:46:00.001-07:00

Shoes. Not a very deep topic. As my friends and I get older however, shoes are becoming a mild fixation...

They can mirror our mood and if the mood is to be bold we have the confidence to pull it off. Shoe design today verges on art with the amazing shapes and fabrications available. They are a form of personal adornment & expression that contains an element of fun...

A new criteria... they must be make a statement stylish AND be comfortable... Now it is possible to have both, for a price. (I only shop at major sale time).

These turquoise suede wedge slingbacks are made by
thierry rabotin, a French designer who has developed a technique of shoe construction that allows you to wear them all day and still feel great!

Check out his website to learn more about his company. They work for me, I have about five pairs now and I just love the styling! Shoes and Purses... hmmm.... I'll save purses for another post...

My Craft Show Experience, Sept.2008

2008-09-08T07:45:00.000-07:00

Here I am at the show. It was a great success in many ways for me even though the weather was less than perfect. On Saturday it was decent with lots of clouds but no real rain. Sunday it pretty well rained all day except for the last two hours. That 'put a damper' on sales for the Sunday. Saturday however was great and I made enough sales to be happy. It was so lovely to see so many people try things on and have them look good in them. So satisfying to know that the designs work! I now have some excellent new contacts with stores in areas I am not represented yet. Positive reactions overall for the uniqueness and artistry of my work...

To the left is a detail of my display that was constructed out of two CD shelves. I kid you not, I found four of these shelves on the curb a couple of months ago and had a feeling I could make something useful from them. They are simply from IKEA but the finish is very clean and neutral so they were a good backdrop. I staggered them one on top of the other and screwed them together. This allowed for a good height on both levels.

This was a lucky find. I was browsing through a housewares shop and saw this pillar candle holder on sale for $10. It is completely hinged and can stretch out to a straight formation (see in background of above photo) or can be pushed together to fit any space. The top area fits my cuffs perfectly and provides that ever important height needed for display. I bought two but perhaps I should pick up some more. My overall plan for my booth came out as I had visualized. The banner I had made at Kinko's was perfect; a subtly prominent branding of my logo. There was an airiness with the flowing gauzy curtains that billowed in the wind. I had made a vintage fabric flag garland that I was unsure how I would use. In the end it made sense to hang it from the outside on the edge of my tent so that people could find me easily amongst the sea of white tents!
The idea of placing a photo montage on the edge of my tent to draw people in worked as planned. They would almost walk by but then their eye would linger on the framed photos and they would often backtrack and come in. Ahhh... the fine art of merchandising!

My Crazy Fantastic Find!

2008-08-31T11:40:00.000-07:00

Today at The St. Lawrence Sunday Antique Market, I found a typographers dream treasure box! Being a former graphic designer & general type enthusiast, this was too good to pass up. Not only letters in all their 1940's glory, also flourishes, ampersand, dollar & cents... I have not examined it all yet. It also came with 2 type pads & 2 bottles of ink, unopened, in mint condition. I will contain myself from further gloating and not reveal the price. It was a bargain is all I need to say.
So what will I do with this? Ideas are swirling through my mind. I'm sure I can incorporate this in my card making, an obvious application. Maybe even custom cards with monograms? I could apply this to fabric perhaps... The numbers I could make great price tags with for my upcoming crafts show. Please leave any ideas you want to share on the comments page!

Craft Show Preparations...

2008-08-31T05:41:00.000-07:00

This looks much better in person. It was tricky to photograph this sign I made but you will get the idea... My thought was, in the instant you have to get someone's attention, let them know what you are selling. My work is on the small side so at a distance it is hard to read what it is. By making this approximately 3' x 2' sign and placing it just outside my tent I hope to attract people to come into the tent and have a look. In the center I added a short bit of text describing the essence of the jewelry and what products I am currently selling. When I set up at the show I will take more photos of it in place and of course report if my idea worked!