Survival Of The Fittest

As designers we are faced daily with the proposition of selecting furniture, from a seemingly endless offering.  Accessible technologies have facilitated the rapid 'concept to market' proliferation of new product,  feeding our design hungry culture.  Only time will tell if these 'current' designs have visual and functional endurance.  A chair that has maintained it's position via natural selection, is Eero Saarinen's executive chair.  Getting full marks in both comfort and beauty, as much today as when it was introduced in 1957.  We paired these enduring sculptural chairs with a bronze based artisan table, in this light filled breakfast room. 

Saarinen executive chair 1957

Dog's Life

Man's best friend plays a central role in so my of our lives, it's only natural that the well considered home also account for their comfort and well being.  When designing to include pets in the occupant mix, we select forgiving finishes to minimize stress; for these treasured family members and their guardians.  My own pampered pooch (Pierre) regards our sofa, as his domain, (hence the drool proof velvet).  In some cases specific features can be included to facilitate their care.   A favourite example is the dog shower we designed tucked around the corner, in this modern laundry / mud room.

The cabinets provide ample storage, food, leashes, toys, and extra towels, are all hidden away.  A quartz counter and utility sink make for easy clean up and the standing shower is perfect (warm) after a run on the beach.  Then it's cookies and a lazy nap in front of the fire. It's a very good life.

Plus Three

KINGHORNE

We've added three new private residence portfolios to our web site. Each project is as unique as the clients they were designed for. Photography is by Josh Dunford.

MARINASIDE

DEEP COVE

Reflection

With the start of a new year, it seems apropos to reflect on the past before we address what's next.  There have been several absorbing projects this past year.  Some coming to rewarding actualization and some great new seeds. Two notable works our office is about to undertake (on the immediate horizon) are, an extensive renovation to an alpine home in Whistler BC and a new restaurant for Opus Hotel Vancouver.  Both will allow us to expand our design vocabulary. Looking differently and re-thinking, what has come before. 

In the walnut lined study (2005) pictured here, an Anish Kapoor sculpture reflects + alters it's surroundings, including the large standing painting by Chris Ofili, and classic Eames lounge.  Welcome the new + twenty eleven.

Ground Up

One of the most comprehensive projects we've under taken this year, is a lake front summer residence in Naramata B C.  In collaboration with architectural designer Jamie Dobson, we've been able to design this home from the ground up.  Our clients had a previous cabin on the site and were very clear on their requirements for the new structure. The project program drove the design, from the inside  out.  How the interior spaces relate to each other, and to the exterior  determined the overall form.   It's been a great pleasure working on this project and I believe the results will be much more than satisfying when it's complete late 2011.  I think it's going to be a great new year! 

'A good house is a created thing made of many parts economically and meaningfully assembled.  It speaks not just of the materials from which it is made, but of the intangible rhythms, spirits, + dreams of peoples lives...... In it's parts it accommodates important human activities, yet in sum it expresses an attitude toward life.' The Place of Houses; Moore, Allen, Lyndon.

Happy Holidays

In gratitude to our tremendous clients,  who enable us to do the work we love, a donation has been made to A Loving Spoonful.  We wish you all the very best of this season, and that joy will have a place in your heart all your days.

Please note, our office will close for the holidays on December 24 . 10 returning January 5.  11.

Sommelier

One of the great pleasures in life is the enjoyment of wine.  Almost every project we design incorporates some accommodation for the storage and protection of it.  Cellars can be large or small, but in all cases require temperature control and fittings to display this consumable collectible.  Even for the well versed the stocking of a cellar can be a daunting task.  Many of our clients have turned to House Wine to assist in the procurement of wine that best suits their tastes and needs.  House Wine dispenses expert consultation services to improve everyones appreciation and enjoyment, of this history rich product.  Subscribe to their newsletter to stay well informed. 

The cellars pictured here are from various Robert Bailey Interiors projects.  "Come quickly, I am tasting stars"..... Dom Perignon.  Tis the season!

Casual Luxe

All aspects of this custom west coast home, were designed to suit a young active family.  Our clients direction was that the end product had to be child and pet friendly, without sacrificing grown up luxury + comfort. Natural materials dominate throughout, giving the home a casual, easy to live in / with character.  Interior design elements, materials and furnishing, were elected for their inherent visual forgiving-ness, robust construction, and easy maintenance. 

In the interconnecting stair, custom concrete treads from Solus,  are suspended off a powder coated steel structure.  Walnut and blue stone contrast with smooth plaster and large format porcelain flooring, in the principal living room.  Wear tested upholstery and waterproof leather complete the bespoke soft seating.    A chic modern home for the whole family.  You can touch.

Sense Of Place

In re-designing the rooms + suites for Opus Hotel Vancouver we fashioned a sequel to our original story, reinforcing a strong sense of place.  Where  colour and pattern are the vehicle, rather than the meaning.  Our intention was to create a dialog that does not end with the design, but begins there.  Hospitality spaces that evoke the guest's imagination, so they can write their own unique chapter.  

In a rejuvenated executive SOHO (Mike) suite, the stage is set. Every guest is remarkable, and we believe that where they stay should not only acknowledge that fact, but try to equal it.  You are here.

PS:  Design Milk blogged about their Opus Hotel stay, in 2011.  

Blurred Boundaries

In designing this pied-a'-terre for a nomadic couple who extol Mies's adage, "Less is More", we demolished the conventional two bedroom apartment back to it's concrete structure.  Re-thinking how the footprint could best be configured to suit their needs.   Blurring traditional boundaries and minimizing walls, the 'real' living space for all functions was amplified, in this very open plan.   Abundant integrated storage allows for a pristine environment where sculptural furniture can be showcased in a pop art borrowed colour scheme.

Icon

James Welling, Glass House

The prominent architect Philip Johnson was a catalyst for change throughout his long professional career.   His passion for design helped shape the face of contemporary american architecture.  Likely best know for the design of his iconic glass house (1949), set on several acres in New Canaan Connecticut.    
As an admirer of Johnson's masterpiece residence,  I was delighted to have our client purchase a work by the artist James Welling, celebrating this inspirational structure.  Drawing with light and colour, Welling produces works of abstract meditation on this transparent icon.  The selected work, floats above a smoky grey Minotti sofa and superb area rug by Jan Kath.

James Welling,  Glass House 2009, inkjet print

James Welling, Lake Pavilion, 2009

Tailor Made

Delivering a project of exceptional quality, for our firm most often denotes, a substantial amount all of the furniture will be custom built. There are few furniture manufacturers that can provide the attention to detail and quality control that a bespoke furniture artisan can.  A good parallel would be the difference between, 'off the rack' and 'tailor made'.  

Custom rugs throughout are by Zoe Luyendijk

This assertion was affirmed with our installation of a wonderful new project for long time clients. Furnishings for this penthouse residence were designed in a 'required scale', to balance the commodious spaces. Proportion, premium materials and precise details make these one off pieces truly 'fit' and become 'instant heirlooms'.   It's very gratifying to know they will have a long and appreciated life. Photographs (here) were taken during our installation, the full project will be explored on our web site soon.

Beautiful Machine

In his seminal work 'Towards a new Architecture (1923)',  Le Corbusier coined the phrase "a house is a machine for living". It was the dawn of design responding to the machine age.  His purist rules for a new design morality were based on function, and simplified form without ornamentation.  Almost a century later, Le Corbusier's words seem very appropriate in describing this kitchen, in a recent project of ours. Clean lines and simple details  speak of function and machine,  but luxurious and sophisticated materials say beauty and style. New modernism that's accessible, ergonomic and easy on the eyes........ plus it's a convertible.

Modern Traditions

The question of style often comes up when speaking about our work. I usually say we work in a contemporary manner.  This is really only partly true.  Although we design for contemporary lifestyles, almost everything we create has an archetype in the history of interiors.  For me the study of design chronicles is a constant  resource for every facet of our work in, advancing the anatomy of living environments. History imparts knowledge and gives permission to move the profession of design forward to a more relevant expression of our time and place.

Parzinger console tables 1940

Most of the design inspiration for this room can be attributed to period styles, yet the conclusion is a modern representation.  Two exceptional Tommi Parzinger console tables (for Charak) flank the fireplace, designed in the 1940s, their elegant simplified form is in perfect alliance with the balance of these historically influenced furnishings. In making this transitional room we considered the past to better visualize the present.  Art work Rimi Yang.

Up On The Roof

Given arguably the most spectacular position for a roof deck in Vancouver, we choose to do less and let the situation be the star. This week our office began installation of a penthouse project and started at the very top.  The deck has two distinct areas, one is designated for lounge, the second houses a setting for dining.  We started by paving the roof in a flamed sand coloured granite to create a light reflecting surface.  The lounge area is composed of two identical seating groupings.  Large scale umbrellas provide intimacy (fashioning a ceiling) under an infinite sky.  Whilst commodious furniture is set for 'al fresco' repose for one (in contemplation) or many ( for receptions). The summer weather today was as much a reward, as seeing this space come together so beautifully. Night time will be magical.