The Lost Queen

This is the project that never was. It exists only in my imaginary life where all my creations live and breathe and prosper.

This piece would have been the Queen of Multi-tasking, a divider of rooms, headboard and walk in closet.

First, my inspiration piece. This side pictured is the closet, drawers and shelving system, on the back-side of this rests a bed, fastened to the sides. I loved the concept but wanted to really make it mine.

If I could have it my way my piece would look a little less Urban Barn, a little more Commute Home.

Side A: The Sleepy Side of life. Wood panelling for a headboard with hidden drawers on his and her side, tucked within the panelling.

Side B: The Dressy Side of life. A three tiered storage system for clothes and accessories.

1) One solid panel made of either black steel as in Commute Home, or walnut, on a sliding mechanism. Behind this panel, shelving just like 2)

2) Open shelving only. When 1) slides to the right, it goes over top 2)

3) Six drawers disguised as wood panelling (matches headboard on Side A.)

The wood panelling would look a little like this:

The effect would be that upon entering the bedroom you walk into a dressing area, with my full length closets to the left, and this storage system to the right (Side B.) It would sit where the red bench is pictured now.

The height of the storage is such that you can still look over it towards the windows, but still high enough that it really feels like a partitioned dressing area.

Turn the corner, and you have the bed up against Side A, facing the windows.

The only potential downside to this fabulous Multi-tasking Queen of a piece is that although she's pretty, she's heavy. I'm afraid this Queen would fall under the weight of the clothes and the bed pushing up against her. It would only work if the bed could be fastened to provide stability, and take off some of the weight from the storage.

So, just for fun I took the designs of this Queen of mine to Commute Home to get it priced. The cost? A measly $14,000.

Too bad my budget isn't fit for a Queen.

Good Food Moment #89: Dinah and the Amandine

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Val David, one hour north of Montreal is a scrumptious artisan bakery called La Vagabonde. Family run and 100% certified organic, a single bite and I fell deeply in love with their chocolate amandine. I sat happily basking in the sun, savoring my treat while watching the family kitten whom I named Dinah.

Good Find #38: Unexpected Light

I'd like to believe that Emmanuel Cognee and I are kindred spirits. That or we've met in a past life, I can't be certain. But I will point to my post entitled "Lamp Made of Sticks" as proof (see Random Creations.) Coming across one of Emmanuel's pieces is like creeping up on a creature that's part electronic and lights up when touched. I picture these lamps coming alive at night, crawling the walls in search of batteries to eat. I want a family of them. I'll name them Zoe, Beatrice and Zachery. Click here to take home a creature of your very own to love.

Good Clean Fun- by Liana

One of my older paintings I made in the Philippines. Again, inspired by Robert Rauschenbeg. Tasty display of the grim, colorful times of wreck-less night outs.

Mixed media on canvas (3 ft x 4 ft): acrylic, cork, lace, cardboard, aluminum, plastic.

Good Find #44: Bird in my hair

(Pictured above: my happy self in a pair of Coral Flicker, Owlita designs)

I was on the way to the craft store one cold wet day in hopes to find feathers in natural and neon colors. I wanted to make a large earring of long soft feathers that flow into my hair. Just before leaving, I googled to see if there were any inspiration pieces out there already.. low and behold I stumbled across feather creations made by Ashley- an Oregon raised artist who brands her pieces Owlita. Such pieces were first inspired by Ashley's encounter with an owl that resided in her backyard. I currently have pigeon residing on the top of my chimney whose cooing echos into my living room as I type this - perhaps this is what inspired me in the first place. But for now, I continue to be in awe of Owlita's whimsical and charming designs.

Good Feet Moment #112: Toe Shoes

For years I danced ballet, and for years have secretly mourned the decision to stop. My silver sandals pictured here on a surprise visit to the National Ballet of Canada where I relished in the world premier of Aszure Bartons's "Watch Her." I could hardly breathe while watching it was just too painfully beautiful. The dancers were impeccable, not a finger out of place, the costumes reminded me of Prada in New York City, and every move was drenched in fantastic emotion. This choreographer is definitely one to follow, admire, obsess over.

Good Find #25: A + J + Glass + Ceramic = pretty

The perfect combination from a duo of artists: one part glass, one part ceramic = A+J Creations. I chanced upon this artist at the Interior Design Show Montreal and immediately wanted the entire collection. The mortar and pestle pieces are the perfect example of their winning combination. Pictured here, this piece started as a simple white ceramic vase, add a drop of glass on top to cover the opening and it goes from practical vase to showcase.