Covet Garden in the House!

Today the gals from Covet Garden along with photographer Jodi Pudge + assistant Ian were chez moi to shoot my space for Covet Garden's upcoming book. I was thrilled to have Jodi shoot my space as I've admired her work for years. Below some pics from a very fun day.

 Setting up

 

Editor Jessica Reid + Jodi assess the situation!

Jessica, Jodi + delicious scones from the Drake - which Jodi declared the best in the city!

Its true ... very flakey.

Jodi,  Jessica + Editor Lynda Felton in background posing in a classic "Serious Editor" pose.

Hi-larious.

Here she is doing it again!

Lynda is one of the funniest people I've ever met - she kept me cracking up the entire day.

 

Jodi shooting me while I shoot her.

Yes... very Meta.

With Jodi's shooting and Jessica + Lynda's styling + input the photos turned out absolutely gorgeous! Alas I can't show them to you until December when the book comes out. Can't wait!

ps. Speaking of... Have you ordered your copy yet?

My beloved brother Shawn

Shawn Cavanagh

Sept 28th 1965 - August 26th 2012.

Today is the Anniversary of the loss of my beloved brother Shawn Cavanagh.
This photo - taken at the front of his grade 1 class - conveys the very special + gentle soul he was.
He is dearly missed everyday.
Thanks to everyone who keeps him in their thoughts.
 

What a fun night: Junction Design Crawl

What a fun night!!

There was such a great vibe in the Junction last night with crowds along the sidewalk the entire night.

 

Inside Gerhard.

Above Jim and Valerie from Desire Vintage Posters.

 

 Debra Norton and Lorraine Tuscon.

Centre: Sharlene Rankin of Telephone Booth gallery who had done a great job of arranging the art.

Owner of Gerhard Langton Wilms with Lizz Aston's artwork in background.

 And me - shy and quiet as usual - taken by Valerie.

Such a fun night. Already looking forward to next year!

A few pics from Junction Design Crawl Install

 Artist Lizz Aston and her beautiful work

represented by Telephone Booth Gallery

Me shooting Liz

Gerhard owner Langton Wilms applying the Vinyl

 

See you tonight!

Postcards for Junction Design Crawl

Hot off the press!
ps. That's a glimpse of my new bicycle. :-) French vanilla colour. Ooo ahh.

News! Come see my work this Friday at the Junction Design Crawl

 

This Friday I partnering up with Telephone Booth Gallery to display my work at the new men's clothing store GERHARD at 2949 Dundas Street West.

Come on out to the Crawl! It promises to be a great night full of great design + drink!

Participating stores are below.

For more info: www.junctiondesigncrawl.com

This space is saved...

For all the great photos from Cape Cod that I don't have time to post right now.
Coming soon!
a.

Je suis en Vacance

 I am off to Cape Cod for 10 days. 

This fantastic illustration by Bernardo Carvalho perfectly encompasses how I feel - 

Can't wait to jump in the ocean!

Essentials packed

 

Sketchbook
J Crew Pineapple tank
John Irving A Widow for One Year
Shelia Bridges The Bald Mermaid
Stack of Elle Decor
Cape Cod Here I come!

Sketch: Tolix chair

Below: a sketch from last week. 

 

Here is the chair the sketch was based on.

I love drawing chairs and learning about the history of furniture.

The Tolix chair was created by Xavier Pauchard in 1934.

It was originally meant as an outdoor cafe chair but is now often found inside 

- in a rainbow of colours - in very styley kitchens!

Tolix also makes great industrial looking stools.

the chair is part of collections in the MoMA in New York, the Pompidou Centre in Paris and the Vitra design collection in Weil am Rhein in Germany. - See more at: http://themustardceilingblog.com/2012/04/tell-me-tuesday-bam-or-slam-14.html#sthash.mv9dRUq0.dpuf

I have joined Instagram -- Very Reluctantly!

Instagram photo
Friday night 6pm
King Edward Hotel, Toronto
French Martini + my ever present notebook

Ok News flash I have joined Instagram.
I have done so ever so reluctantly as I am already on Pinterest (which I adore for it's organizing + categorizing abilities) + Blogger + Twitter so felt very strongly that I didn't want to spend 1 more second on another social media thingy!! (I believe strongly in living life - not just documenting it!)

However I now realize the big appeal of instagram is the fact that it really is instant - one can shoot post + tweet in about 20 seconds and then quickly get back to living one's life..... so with much reluctance you can now find me here.

Very special night

Last night was a very special night.
My friends Jeff + Tori got married and then proceeded to host the best wedding reception ever.

 

Tori cutting the wedding cake with newly minted husband Jeff behind her.

What a space!! 

(Note blissful wedding couple canoodling in bkgd)

The reception took place in an incredible space  - a former sheet metal shop on Dundas West that's been converted into a fabulous home with stunning art, built ins, lighting and the world's longest kitchen island! I think it's true - you can never have enough counter space. :-)

If you're planning to visit Toronto sometime soon you're in luck... as the home is available to rent through air b+ b!! It can be viewed + booked here. It was also recently featured in Dwell magazine.

 Jeff's fabulous brogues. (He's a styley guy)

Me + Rachel Giese.

Love this pic.

Another view of the space.

Great lighting.

(The upstairs was stunning too!)

  

Who would guess such a special place lies behind this unassuming storefront?!  

Above: Leaving after a very special evening of wonderful conversations, too much champagne, and a

room bursting with love and best wishes for Jeff + Tori. Corny but true!

New work: More illustrations for the LCBO

Here are a few more illustrations I did for the LCBO.

This was for a video on fortified wine.
The woman's face with the roman nose reminds me Leandra Medine of Man Repeller (who I adore)
I gave her a classic red Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress. 
The LCBO requested something very current for the fella's wardrobe so I consulted the spring J Crew catalogue! His outfit is based on their very sharp Ludlow suit.  

 These folks were also drawn for the fortified wine video. Ever since getting my hair cut I find I love drawing woman with short hair. yay! The guy's outfit is again based on j crew items and the couch is inspired by the Spencer sofa at Style Garage which i have long lusted over....

In both videos the figures were cropped. These are the full versions with heads.

 

Here is your friendly LCBO employee ready to help you choose your bottle of red!

He appears in all 7 videos.

 

 Little vintagey globe which appears in videos and in print.

Thanks so much to the LCBO and Blammo for the great gig.

Here comes the Kitchen Reno

 BEFORE

Ok! Floors are in so is now time for the kitchen reno. Above my humble little kitchen.

Here is my TO DO list:

1. Switch out cabinet doors for new white ones.
2. Change handles
3. Replace fan above stove with stainless steel microwave with built in fan.
4. Create storage above with drywall and sliding doors
5. Add 5 pots lights
6. Add backsplash - white subway tile
7. Change counter.
8. Replace Fridge w Stainless steel
9. Replace Stove w Stainless steel

So that the final result might look something like this below:

INSPIRATION FOR THE AFTER!

This is the kitchen of my design saavy + very handy neighbours Vanja + Calder. 
They started with the identical kitchen to mine!
Isn't their transformation incredible?!
Very exciting for me to see what a change of materials and some smart planning can do.
 
*I am currently looking for a contractor to do the drywall and storage unit.*
Any recos most welcome. Thanks!
Also if you have any kitchen reno tips you feel inspired to share - Don't hold back! 
I would love to hear.

New work: Rosé illustrations for LCBO

Here are some rosé illos I recently created for the LCBO. They appear in the online video + in the instore flyers. As a big fan of rosé these were very fun to do!

 

This illo was based on a bottle of Tavel. 

One of my fave rosés. mmmm

 Happy host with an outfit based on a comrags dress.

 

More rosé ... this time in the light blush version.

Cheers!

Sketch: Tufted couch

 I came across this sketch I originally did for the Style at Home booth at the IDS show in 2011.
See here. 

 It didnt make the cut for the mural but have always liked it so decided to revisit today and complete with some colour. ps. I do all my drawing by hand using pen + paper, then scan in and colour in photoshop.