Building a Portfolio

With a potential design job on the horizon, my friend Jackie and I realized that we would need to develop a portfolio based on the work we've done in our own homes. Since professional photographs convey the beauty of a space far better than an amateur snapshot, we called upon friend and photographer Tiro Swaby. I had no idea how much time & effort it takes to get the images just right, but after 2 marathon sessions, it's still a work in progress.

Here's what I've learned so far:
If the first 3 rules of real estate are Location, Location, Location, then the first 3 rules of photography are Lighting, Lighting, Lighting.

Behind the Scenes Mess

Interesting Listing

The house renovated by Sarah Richardson and her team during Sarah's House Season 2 is back on the market - check out the listing on the MLS before it's gone: Sarah's House Listing.

Edit: September 27, 2009: The listing is already gone!!

The house is located at 61 Lacewood Crescent, in the DVP & York Mills area. Listed at a cool $895,000, in the current hot housing market, it might not last long. And by the way, if you're interested, most of the furnishings can also be negotiated in the deal.

Style as Verb

As a young girl, I loved to rearrange my room. I would put posters up. I would take posters down. I would arrange them artfully around the mirror. Various trinkets on the counter top never stayed in one place for long - there was always a new configuration.

This proficiency to move items around until they look their best is officially known as styling. Yes, the word "Style" has made the leap from noun to verb. You may recall that back in March I restyled my bookcase. Well, here I go again, the 6 month itch to rearrange has attacked!!

Step 1: Preparation
Gather up all decor accessories into one area.

Step 2: Strip Down & Clean
Take the opportunity to dust while all surfaces are clear.

Step 3: STYLE
Follow the guidelines: Balance, Reflection,
Variation and Contrast.

Contrast
Porcelain balls in a glass ice bucket
combined with a marble lotus flower,
all on a wood surface.

Height Variation
Using a stack of books under one candle holder
stimulates visual interest.

Reflection

The marbles in the milk glass vessel
echo the colours of the painting.

Rely on your eyes and senses to tell you when things are just right.
Now go rearrange something!!

Happy Birthday to Me

I migrated home to Peterborough this past weekend to (belatedly) celebrate my 39th birthday with family. It's always great to go home, especially for a birthday, since being the guest of honour means not having to do the dishes after dinner.

I must add that I am very fortunate to have an extremely wonderful and generous family. And this year everyone outdid themselves - it was a very good birthday, indeed!!

My sister Valerie & brother in law Cahir went all out - I absolutely adore the Return to Tiffany bead necklace!!


Thanks to my Mom & Dad for the Janome Sewist S525!!! A very generous gift that will keep on giving, since this may result in some custom made presents under the tree this Christmas.


My sister Debbie (also representing "The Boys" in Milwaukee), must have the most fun shopping - she always finds THE coolest stuff.

Orla Kiely
Scibble Spot Flower Notebook

Torre & Tagus
Pendant Hanging 3 Tube Vase

Modern Twist
Doileez
(These are seriously neat. Seriously.)

Lilly Pulitzer
Paper Dolls

(Just because they are so darn Cute!!)

Momiji
Sister Doll
(Awww...)

Elle Decor
So Chic: Glamorous Lives, Stylish Spaces

Also thanks to the bosses at work, who listened to the many, many, many hints and splurged on the Coach Madison Sabrina!! Love it - thanks guys!!

Behind the Front Door

I don't often go out for walks after dark, but last night, being in desperate need of milk, I ventured out into the dark night. And wow - what a great experience!! When darkness falls, the brilliantly lit condominium lobbies reveal the inner beauty that lies behind the front door. Modern, spacious lobbies with sleek furniture and gleaming surfaces...

The Hudson
438 King Street West
Builder: Great Gulf Group
Design: Gluckstein Design

The Morgan
438 Richmond Street West
Builder: Great Gulf Group

Element
20 Blue Jays Way
Builder: Tridel

These are just a few of the entrance lobbies that I glimpsed during my short neighbourhood walk. There were many more, but online images are difficult to find. Next week I will remember to take my camera along for the walk and press the lens to every window.

These lobbies portray a lifestyle image and make a first impression on visitors. Every build and design team strives to display innovative ideas and use unique materials. These are a few concepts we can look forward to seeing in the near future:

Parade (Concept Design)
Fort York Boulevard
Builder: PCL
Design: Kohn Pederson Fox

Three Hundred (Concept Design)
300 Front Street West
Builder: Tridel
Design: Cecconi Simone

Community Park Sneak Preview

I played hooky from work for a few hours to attend the official ribbon cutting ceremony for the Community Park at Concord CityPlace. The park will be open to the general public in the near future, and today's event was an opportunity to celebrate those who have dedicated their time, vision and funds to this project.

Mayor David Miller
The Mayor thanked the Concord Adex Developers for their generosity.

Councillor Adam Vaughan

Councillor Vaughan announced an upcoming contest to give the park a unique name.
Details will be coming soon to Spacing.ca.

Terry Hui
Concord Pacific President

Darrell Fox
Brother of Terry Fox, Canadian Hero

The Terry Fox Miracle Mile
The running track forms the perimeter of the park.

Douglas Coupland
Park Visionary & Designer

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
10 pairs of scissors!!

MP Olivia Chow
(with Terry Hui and Mayor Miller)
Olivia has been a long time supporter of this project (since '85!!!)

George Pimentel
Canada's renowned celebrity photographer was there to cover the event.

The Big Red Canoe
Why?...you may ask...Why not?

Iceberg Benches
These resin benches are wired to light up at night.

Fishing Bobbers
These will also be illuminated after dark.

Beaver Dam
Created based on actual beaver-chewed sticks.

The perfect September afternoon for a park opening.
The water feature was a welcome surprise!!

All photos by CherishToronto

Follow this link to Check out Christopher Hume's report on the new park:
Toronto Star Video

Balcony Relaxing 101

Tips on how to relax on the balcony on a holiday Monday:

1) Observe traffic on the "Expressway" and consider how fortunate you are not to be in the middle of that mess!!


2) Enjoy the peaceful rhythm of the outdoor fountain while reading the most recent issue of Canadian House & Home:


3) Take in the Canadian International Air Show:

Hope you all enjoy the Labour Day Holiday Monday!!

Once again, for those of you who receive this post by email, login to Cherish Toronto directly to see the short Air Show video.

Community Park at Concord Cityplace

Community Park at Concord CityPlace will be unofficially revealed on Wednesday, September 9th at 12:30 pm. I'm inviting all those able to join the celebration!!! The park is situated west of Spadina Avenue & north of Lakeshore Boulevard.

Since the park features a jogging track to be known as the Terry Fox Miracle Mile, all donations received will be sent to the Terry Fox Foundation. A minimum donation of $1 will get you a hot dog and a beverage. Cheers!!

Labour Day Weekend

Labour Day Weekend. The curtains draw to a close on Summer 2009. Though the Autumnal Equinox says otherwise, in my mind, after this weekend, summer is OVER. I find myself thinking back to when I was a child, feeling both nervous and excited to go back to school.

This one goes out to My Dad - it reminds me of lazy childhood summers:



And yes, I am aware that this post is completely off topic.

Bumped into Karim Rashid

So it's true - everyone shops at Winners. Yesterday, while perusing the shoe racks at the Bloor & Avenue Road location, I spied award winning designer Karim Rashid wandering the aisles. Just the other day I received an email regarding his appearance at Indigo Books:


Prolific Designer is the perfect way to describe Canadian raised Karim Rashid. He has designed everything from dishsoap packaging to hotels and restaurants. I would describe his design sense as fun & futuristic. I have chosen some of my favourites from his website:

Graphic Treatment for Audi A4, Korea

Lobby of Prizeotel, Bremen, Germany, 2009

Bosco Pi, Moscow, Russia, 2008

Kit 24 House, Toronto IDS, 2006

Semiramis Hotel, Athens, 2004

Pots, Grobal, 2007

Flow Candlesticks, Nambe

Life Kettle, Copco

Slice Y Peeler, 2009

Matceramica, Ceramicon Collection, 2007

Kleer Ribbon Chair

Dirt Devil Designer Series, 2008

Method Hand Soap Packaging