{idea notebook} Upholstered Screen

What do you do when you can't find the perfect piece of art to fill a big space or create an interesting focal point? I am certain this question has crossed all of our minds more than once. For a do-it-yourself solution try upholstering a screen. It's natural triptych shape is ideal for composition; all you have to do is find a fabric that you love and choose a screen whose proportions and scale work with your wall area. A few pointers to remember: 1. Cut fabric with approximately 3-4 inches of overlap (play)- this will allow you to pull the fabric taught and staple securely to the back of the screen. 2. Iron or steam the fabric prior to affixing it to the frame to remove all wrinkles. 3. If your pattern features any horizontal or vertical images align them carefully using a level or T-Square. I love this idea!

*photography via decorating, room by Huff-Dewberry, LLC

Profile: Geoffrey Bradfield

Functional opulence, purposeful whimsy, modern art and high tech accessories are all key to Geoffrey Bradfield’s sui generis style.

The South African born designer was a well-established in Johannesburg before moving to New York City in the late 1970s. Initially he worked with the legendary McMillen, Inc. and later as long-time partner of the late Jay Spectre.

Geoffrey has an undeniable talent for capturing the imagination and creating urbane interiors that are lavish, daring, contemporary and sumptuous. Where he truly excels is the orchestration of surprise. The unusual and quirky elements of his rooms never seem overplayed or trite. A perfect example is his Millennium Modern line of furniture, reinventions of traditional forms in Lucite.

His work has appeared in the pages of every leading design magazine including Architectural Digest, Interior Design, Elle Decor, Veranda, Classic Home, House Beautiful, Metropolitan Home and The New York Times. Of course, I was most impressed by his appearance on CNN's Style with Elsa Klensch!

His roster of projects and clients is equally impressive. Geoffrey’s firm played a role in the design overhaul of the Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney estate in Old Westbury, Long Island and the restoration of the late King Hussein's mansion in Maryland. Recently he completed a project for director Oliver Stone's New York residence.

Geoffrey’s answers to my questions are fun and most fitting. They made me smile (and laugh) on more than one occasion.

How would you describe your personal style?
I am a modernist and the use of contemporary art is a significant ingredient in my signature style.

What inspires your creativity and designs?
To some extent, the Art Moderne period of the 1940s. But, it does go far beyond that. I am very intrigued with the advent of technology.

Past or present who has most influenced your direction in life?
Aesthetically, Le Courbusier from the past. Lifestyle, Mr. Henry Mcilhenny of Philadelphia and Ireland. Spiritually, the Reverend Canon David Painter

What books are currently on your bedside table?
Dominick Dunne's Too Much Money and Lady Colin Campbell's Empress Bianca

What is your most prized possession?
Mr. Willoughby, my Yorkshire Terrier

Who are your style icons?
Le Courbusier, Jean-Michel Frank & Gilbert Poillerat

Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?
Renzo Piano

What is the one thing in life you cannot live without?
My Bentley Continental Flying Spur and my driver Carlos

Past or present who has most influenced your direction in life?
Aesthetically, Le Courbusier from the past. Lifestyle, Mr. Henry Mcilhenny of Philadelphia and Ireland. Spiritually, the Reverend Canon David Painter


What is your favorite luxury in life?
A kilogram of beluga caviar and an extra-dry vodka martini from La Grenouille

What is your idea of earthly happiness?
Do you want the truth? In which case, a good roll in the hay. Or, the sanitized version, Saturdays with no prior commitments.

Profile by Ronda Carman

Our Oceans, Our Planet

The Ocean is a big part of my life, I love spending my time near it, walking next to it, just sitting and talking to it. I named my first child after it. I hope my grand kids and their kids and kids and kids...get to enjoy it as much as I have in my time on this earth. 

Unfortunately there isn't a day that goes by that I am not painfully thinking about our oceans, and what is happening at this very moment.

I feel that it has been thrown to the side so to speak in the media. Its no longer a top story..why? This should be on everyone's mind...constantly. After all we live here, and want to breath clean air, drink fresh water, and be surrounded by beauty?

I saw Earthlings some time ago, and when they referred to other creatures that we share this planet with as other nations. It was a profound moment in my life.

I am so sad, all these beautiful creatures are choking to death on oil, or burned alive. This whole situation is F**ked! I feel so helpless.

Why do humans feel so entitled?


EARTHLINGS

BP Oil Slick covers dolphins and whales

Oceana

GREENPEACE

{inspiration+designer} Lucas Studio, Inc.

Lucas Studio, Inc. is a boutique interior design firm founded by LA-based interior designers Joe Lucas and Parrish Chilcoat. Their style is a dynamic combination of classic meets cool; refinement with an air of West Coast ease. Traditional Home magazine took note and named them as one of the "Top 20 Young Design Firms to Watch" in April 2009. What I enjoy most about this duo is how they use traditional design elements to create very pleasing rooms yet juxtapose this restraint with pops of modern, often funky, details (i.e.: the settee fabric as seen above). In addition to their design firm, the pair also owns Harbinger, a West Hollywood retail shop that showcases trend-resistant decor (think slippered chairs & pedestal tables), eclectic antiques, lighting, art and a chic selection of wallpaper and fabrics.

*photography via One Kings Lane

Eat your greens...chip styles

Chips...mmmm, so good and so bad. I have this friend, whom will remain nameless, that use to say how bad chips are for you. I don't think she was talking about these kind :P

I have seen kale chip recipes all over the web, in stores, books..etc. I had yet to try to make them. I always thought I would need a dehydrator to make them ( I really want one).

I bought a HUGE bunch of it this week with the thought that I was going to try and make them in the oven...I have heard through the grape vine that you can do this. This is my first attempt, and I am pleased with the results.

I have tried deep fried spinach before, I use to have to make it for a garnish back in my restaurant days. It has a similar crispiness to it. Baked kale has an almost seaweed flavor. I was really surprised, and like the idea that you are not steaming the nutrients out.

Basically I washed the kale, drizzled it in olive oil sprinkled with sea salt and nutritional yeast and baked in an oven on a cookie sheet at 350 for 10 minutes. Super simple and super tasty.

I was inspired by selfish vegan. Check out the site. I really like it.

Visit the Private Garden of Michael Devine

Visit the Private Garden of Designer Michael Devine
10 Broad Street Kinderhook, New York

Refreshments, Live Music & Gardening Tips
July 3rd, July 31st & September 4th
10:00am - 1:00pm (rain or shine)
Admission $10

Your contribution will help to purchase a bike rack
for Kinderhook's Village square.

For more information visit www.michaeldevinehome.com

Roses are red and houses are blue

I had a great morning at the farmers market. Every time I attend  I always end up meeting someone new. It really has a community feel... I know I have mentioned that before, but that is why I enjoy it so much.

Another beautiful bouquet. I managed to sneak away from my table and snag one. Can't you  imagine these at a wedding with the white dress, and some pretty red and yellow accents? I also got a yummy loaf of bread.

So remember the great news that I mentioned a few posts ago...well we bought our first home!! I am so excited to finally own a home. It has been a dream of mine for so long. Its blue and cute, and only a two minute walk to the beach. It needs a little TLC but I have lots to give, and I am so excited to finally get to do things the way we like them.

Its so much fun planning out what colours to paint, and what I want my kitchen to look like ( it needs a reno:P), but everything in time. We get the keys on the Wednesday!! I will be keeping a scrap book of our new home and the updates we do.  I hope to share my ideas with you and hopefully you can give me yours.

When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other.  ~Chinese Proverb

Great minimalist home design ideas

interior of minimalist home



minimalist home design



luxury minimalist home design



cool minimalist home design



minimalist contemporary home design

Summer strawberry cream pie

I love summer...especially love the fruit it brings. There is always a special place in my stomach for strawberries :P This year I am going to take the girls to the berry farm, and pick some. Last year we went blueberry picking, we enjoyed ourselves...17 pounds later.

Its been a pretty nice June for us here in Nova Scotia, sunshine one day and fog the next :P I am at the Hubbard's Barn Farmers Market again tomorrow, selling my vegan goodies.What better to celebrate summer then fresh local strawberries!

I picked up a couple of baskets and at first I was thinking strawberry muffins, keeping in mind that the market is a morning thing,and then I thought why not make mini-pies or tarts?

I made the pie crust with vegetable shortening. The filling is similar to my coconut banana cream pie, but this time I used half almond milk, half coconut milk.  Sliced the fresh strawberries, and arranged them nicely. TA-DA! Done :)

I still have a basket of strawberries left....muffins?

West Elm 2010 Fall Relaunch

I am excited to announce that West Elm is relaunching its brand this Fall with a distinct new look and decorating strategy. To loyalists, do not dismay, the brand will continue to build upon their familiar looks (the Modernist and the Naturalist) while adding a third and fourth decorating style to the mix. The new identities will be focused on a modern interpretation of vintage-industrial and an eclectic, bohemian, style they term the Globalist. Overall you can expect a warmer West Elm, less stark with more feminine touches. I can't wait!

*photography via West Elm

All the beauty in the world...

All the beauty in the world is disappearing...

our Oceans.

OCEANA

                                                                         

 

 

Away on Business

I will be away this week on business. I have several great profiles to post when I return, including the lovely Lisa Fine, fashion designer Peter Som and interior designer Geoffrey Bradfield.

luxury Interior lighting

Interior lighting Design

Modern Interior lighting

Modern Interior lighting

Hawaiian style Father's Day stir fry: Hau`oli La Makuakane

I made this for for father's day! My dad is on the other side of the country, but I like to think that I would have made this for him, had he been here. He loves tropical places...white sand beaches and turquoise water (perfect for scuba diving :).

I used some of the seitan in this recipe that I made on my last post. It worked well and the flavor of the sweet and sour sauce compliment it, and the fresh pineapple helped.

The thing about stir frying is that it is essential to have everything cut and chopped into separate bowls, so all you have to do is heat the pan, add oil, and start pouring in vegetables. Starting with the onions, garlic and ginger. I usually put the longest to cook vegetables in first, and finish with the ones that don't take long or I want to keep crisp.

For this stir fry I cut up 1 onion, minced a garlic clove, grated some fresh ginger. Cooked that together in a large wok, then added 1 green pepper chopped, 1/2 pineapple peeled cored and chopped, 2 cups worth of sliced seitan, and a handful of cherry tomatoes. Served with brown rice and garnished with green onions. 

Sweet & Sour Sauce

1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tbsp tamari
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp sea salt
2 tbsp cornstarch

Mix everything in a bowl, set aside until veggies are almost cooked. Pour and let thicken in the wok with veggies.

{inspiration} Mixed But Not Matched

I believe that great decorating is about good style not necessarily about following specific rules. In design I love mixing old with new, modern and traditional, vintage and contemporary; this blended approach runs throughout my blog- it is what I view as my signature style. Take for example this great space above, it gracefully mixes Cottage Style with Queen Anne Chairs, an Angle Iron trimmed dining table, a French-Country sideboard and wonderfully rustic, rough-hewn ceiling beams. Together these elements create a modern room that is crisp yet inviting with incredible texture & warmth. Perfect.

*photography via Cottage Living, Tim Street-Porter

Top Interior lighting

Top Interior lighting

The bad ass of the vegan world : SEITAN

Seitan...the bad ass of the vegan world. If you have a wheat allergy stay away. For all those who don't. GIVER!

This is the best "meat" alternative to overly priced store bought stuff. Super easy to make, if you buy the gluten flour. There is a method to making your own gluten flour...but that isn't what I used for this.

I have only a little experience in seitan making, from a previous restaurant that I worked at.  I used the method that I learned. Pretty much you add seasoning to the gluten flour, stir until combined, and pour in cold water or stock. Stir that up until it resembles dough like consistency. Shape into a log. Wrap in cheese cloth or a clean kitchen towel ( I didn't have any cheese cloth lying around :P) Tie up with string or twine, submerse in a pot of boiling stock. Let cook for 1 1/2 hours. Topping up the water as it evaporates.

It is best to cook it again,as if you were using raw tofu. We made the most delicious Vietnamese style sandwiches...After the seitan is cooked, slice about a cup worth of the log, and saute in garlic, onions, soy sauce, chilies, red wine vinegar, maple syrup, sea salt. On a bun add vegan mayo, shredded carrot, shredded cabbage, fresh cilantro and the sauteed seitan. I wish I had a picture, but we took the sandwiches down to the beach, and gobbled them up :P

I found this recipe on the web...and changed it a little bit.

2 cups gluten flour
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 tbsp dried oregano
2 tbsp paprika
2 tbsp fennel seeds- toasted and crushed
1 tbsp sea salt
1 tsp freshly ground pepper

1 cup veggie broth
1/2 cup veggie oil
2 tbsp molasses
1 tbsp white vinegar

1 large pot of boiling water/stock

Combine dry ingredients
Combine wet ingredients
Add wet to dry, stir until mixed up good
Form dough into a log shape and roll up in a kitchen towel/ or cheese cloth.
Tie ends and wrap around the log with string.
Submerse in a pot of boiling water or stock, for 1 1/2 hours.
Remove cloth, and store in an airtight container in the fridge.