No milk, just cool gear
Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 07:44AM I've had a soft spot for the Drake Hotel in Toronto ever since we held my 40th birthday there a couple of years back. (it was a raucous, well-attended affair with a hot playlist from DJ D Parie, all jammed in the Underground bar). Now, apart from all the regular goings on at the Drake too numerous to mention, they've taken it upon themselves to open the Drake Hotel General Store in a vacant storefront next door.
The space is so fresh they haven't even had an opening party yet - that happens tonight - but fear not, they're already packed to the gills and the paint has dried. It's kind of a corner store / art installation / quirky design gallery all mashed into one with vintage shop fixtures that look they were grabbed from Goodwill and given a quick wipedown before being pressed into service.
Theirs is quite the kooky selection of goods from ultra saucy x-rated colouring books to lollipops, clothing and books. My quick faves are below - The rhino, grizzly bear and moose shot glasses in goth black glass, the gnome dishware (yes, there's more than the pitcher) and mini wind-up music boxes that play 'Singing in the Rain' and 'Stairway to Heaven'. In other words, while you won't be popping in for a carton of milk, the shelves are stocked with the kind of cool finds that you didn't know you needed, but really, really do. [Images 2 and 3 by Justin Adam]
First, the good news
Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 07:55AM Not content with launching shockingly affordable collections from the likes of Karl Lagerfeld and Comme des Garcons (which always sell out in munutes) H&M is set to debut it's own home collection in Feb '09. But, before you get too excited, the bad news is there are currently no plans to bring it to North America; H&M Home will only be available online in select European countries. So, check your family tree and shoot off an e-mail to that long lost cousin of yours in the Netherlands if you're hell bent of scoring some of this ultra fresh gear.
Of course the looks are totally on trend- #1 is edgy and urban in black and white. #2 shows the slide towards a natural eco feel. #3 is all about youthful colour and pattern (love that Lisolette Watkins designed pillow!). #4 is a classic combo of navy and white realized in a fresh un-stodgy way.
Via Husmusen
design, acceessory, style, modern, shopping, fashion, inspiration Oh (aluminum) Tannenbaum!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 07:32AM For some people Christmas is a time to let go and bring out the shrunken apple head dolls, reams of multicoloured lights, odd tchotchkes and battered nativity scenes. For others it's still an oppurtunity to make a style statement.
The tree below, snagged from Hammacher Schlemmer, is a redux of a classic 1950's aluminum tree in all it's sparkly artificial glory. And, while the homeowner didn't go to town and plunk for the Color Wheel projector from HS (now it's green, oh, now it's blue!) he did head to The Bay to grab those swank turquoise glass ornaments. Chic and simple!
design, acceessory, style, modern Call me?
Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 07:45AM Almost everyone I know has a close relationship with their cell phone, or moby as the Brits call it. Perhaps a bit of a love/hate one to be sure, but if you are going to carry around something all day every day (some people even sleep with theirs), then it might as well be beautifully designed and a pleasure to hold.
Below is the latest from LG, the second phone in their collaboration with trend-forward Italian fashion house Prada. It looks super swish to be sure (love the slide-out keyboard) but here's the kicker - There's a Bluetooth watch, the Prada Link, that pulls text messages and incoming call info from the phone and runs it right on the watch screen. And, rather than rifling through your jacket or bag trying to find your ringing phone, pressing a button on the watch allows you to swiftly cancel an unwanted call. Swanky, chic and hi-tech indeed. No word yet on when (and if) it might hop the pond and end up on the Canadian market.
Via Gizmodo
design, technology, acceessory, style, fashion A crafty institution
Monday, December 1, 2008 at 10:43AM Toronto's bi-annual One of a Kind Show is quite the handmade, craft and artwork institution, so much so that the folks behind the show have now brought One of a Kind's to Vancouver, New York and Chicago. I can't remember the last show I missed and walking it, other than the excercise (lol), is always so inspirational since there's just such a feast for the eyes.
As always, I've ended up picking out a few best-in-show that I thought would be worth sharing -
Wendy Walgate's world is dreamy, odd and Alice in Wonderland-ish. My friend Morgan turned me onto her work, and I must say I became an instant fan - I love how her artwork plays with memories, collections and colour.
Flakes stationary has a collaged feel that I totally get (love those Holiday cards). Ashley Stapleton's work is witty and pretty and her new calendars, debuting at the show, are smashing.
Kyla Francis caught me with her hand-printed enamel sneaker design as well as that hilarious mug inspired by haircuts spotted at the One of a Kind. She has such an irreverent, modern and young take on decorative work.
The show runs until Dec 7th, so make sure you get down there and hit the aisles!
