It's moving day...finally. I have been working on the renovation of my new townhouse in downtown Vancouver for the past 12 months. The most difficult job I have ever done in my career is my own place. It is finally ready to move into. I want to thank all the wonderful and talented people that have h…
Brunschwig & Fils

I just got my Brunschwig & Fils Fall Advertising package in the mail today and it is, as always, gorgeously illustrated. I was quite interested to see 3 themes running through the images:1. Birds2. Fashion3. DogsTake you pick and tell me what your favourite is. Scroll to the end to see my favourite.…
Elica Hood Fans

One of my pet peeves is ugly hood fans. They are such a large element in a kitchen and if not handled properly can distract from the design of the kitchen, especially more so in contemporary kitchen design, as I am tending to not use overhead cabinets. The cooktop and back wall then becomes the foca…
Gracie Studio Wallpaper - Style Statement Profile

Gracie Studio Interview with Mike Gracie, PresidentI understand that Gracie was established in New York in 1898 by Charles R. Gracie, and is still a family run business. Could you tell us a little about the legacy of your family business and how you came to be the current President? Charles R. Grac…
Vision
This is a picture that I took on the drive back from Whistler to Vancouver on the Labour Day Weekend. My dear friends, Mary and Dennis were visiting from Tennessee and the drive to Whistler is definitely on the tourist must see list. The way the sun was streaming through the big dramatic clouds was …
Albert Hadley

This is the sketch Albert Hadley did for Mrs. Astor THE LESSON FROM THIS ROOMBe Direct with your Client—Sometime in the mid-seventies, Albert Hadley was summoned to tea with his longtime friend Brooke Astor, who broke the news that she was planning to hire designer Geoffrey Bennison to revamp the l…
Albert Hadley & Sister Parish

I deeply believe that a beautiful decor can have a beneficial influence on our lives. Albert Hadley Parish- Hadley Associates Inc.I live by this quotation of Albert Hadley's. Ever since I was a child I instinctively felt better in beautiful surroundings. Like great art and music we need our souls to…
Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell Tap Dancing

Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell dancing to Cole Porter's 'Begin the Beguine' was the highlight of 'Broadway Melody' 1940. Notice the shiny black floor. I am just painting a floor shiny black for a client and have finally come up with the perfect paint. Hopefully it will shine like this floor from th…
More Beige is Magic - Albert Hadley
Albert Hadley

Decorating is not about making stage sets, it's not about making pretty pictures for the magazines; it's really about creating a quality of life, a beauty that nourishes the soul.Albert Hadley I love the bright colors that Albert Hadley uses. They act like punctuation marks. In the top left photo th…
Beige is Magic - Albert Hadley

Beige is atmosphere. It's bisque, it's ivory, it's cream, it's stone, it's toast, it's cappuccino. It's, well, it's magic. Albert Hadley It's Iconic - David Hicks It's Trendy - Allegra Hicks It's Magic - Hotel Luxe Marrakesh It's Atmosphere - Michael TaylorIt's Inspirational - Michael S. SmithIt's …
10 Most Influential Design Bloggers

The Home Rejuvination Blog is having a contest for the 10 Most Influential Design Bloggers. Who provokes you to think about design? Who do you long to read each day? Who inspires you? Cast your vote for your favourite Design Blogs. Vote by email today!…
Architectural Digest Kitchen

I have been getting a lot of inquiries about this kitchen that I designed that was featured in Architectural Digest December 2006. It has also been featured in Western Living Magazine August & September 2007.Millwork & Cabinet Design Patricia Gray Inc.Countertops Patra Stone WorksAppliances MieleKit…
Gracie Studio Wallpaper - News Flash

I had a call from Mike Gracie from New York yesterday. Mike is the president of Gracie Studio Wallpaper. He was kind enough to let me know the following about the wallpaper in this photo:"The antique paper was purchased by Michael Smith in England, and Gracie restored and added to it. It had a lot …
Michael S. Smith

This picture is from the book Michael S. Smith Elements of Style. I have often admired this picture but had never read the photo credits for it and last week to my surprise I discovered that the trio of temples carved in soapstone were purchased from the estate of Michael Taylor.Michael Taylor was …
Baz Luhrmann - Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)

I orginally watched this on The House of Beauty and Culture's Blog and I haven't been able to get it out of my mind. There is a lot of sage advice here. I hope you enjoy it.…
Blog of the Day Award
Architectural Digest

I have recently been published in Architectural Digest magazine and have been getting quite a few inquiries about the chairs I used in this article. They are from Poltrona Frau designed by Paolo Rizzatto. They are an extremely modern design of the bergere chair: comfortable and welcoming, but with g…