design
There are 20 entries for the tag
design
As I read the outline of this amazing culinary event integrating art and design every steps of the way, I felt some envy for the NOTCOT team that went to Monkeytown for the Dine on Design event.
I wrote down this address for my next visit on the Big Apple. Monkeytown is in Brooklyn, New York.
The most intriguing is the Back Screening/Dining Room where Monkeytown hosted performances with a meal. The back dining room has 4 large screens connected to a surround sound for multimedia performances. Communal seating for 50 persons adds warmth to the place.
Ultimate Integration Of Design And Performance In A Meal
Dine on Design paired dining and design in short-lived gastronomic events where designers, artists, chefs and performers are able to present new and event specific work in a dynamic setting.
Categories:
FOOD + drinks
DINING out
TABLEWARE
posted @ Monday, June 16, 2008 11:23 PM | Feedback (1)
It feels almost like summer. You could bring the Daydream swim ring and Day dream beach ball to complete my first birthday party theme. If you want bright colors, get inspired by the Moroccan pattern.
Revive your inner child spirit and throw some beach balls at a grown up pool party. These designs are brand new. Designroom Group launched them on April 15th, 2008. They have other patterns including a camouflage and a punk pattern.
>>> Sourcing:
Buy online: Beach Ball Daydream by Designroom Group – price: $12 USD
Buy online: Swim Ring Daydream by Designroom Group – price: $12 USD
Buy online: Poolside collection by Designroom Group
Via: {outdoorables!} [Daisy Chain]
Categories:
EVERYDAY
OUTDOOR
PARTY supplies
KIDS party
FAMILY style
posted @ Wednesday, May 14, 2008 12:24 PM | Feedback (1)
A bold red is not the typically color people would choose when they selecting their doors. But look at how great these two kitchen look.
A bold red like that used to be restricted to high-end Italian and German kitchens. Ikea made the high-gloss red kitchen accessible.
People often ignore vibrant colors when it comes to big items because they are afraid to get bored with a few years. In reality, whatever the color, you will get bored at some point. Playing safe has its merits but it can also lacks personality.
My Own Experience Living with Red
We renovated our current home in 1995. Our house was built around 1860.
I believe that there must be a connection between the interior and the exterior of a building. Since I leaned towards a modern look, we opted for shaker-style door in natural maple. But I added a twist. I alternated the color of the inside panels between the natural maple and bright red panel tint. I selected a sort of crimson red almost fire engine red. Some days, I regret not having more red panels.
Categories:
HOME decor
TRENDS
posted @ Friday, May 09, 2008 5:20 PM | Feedback (2)
I visited the Poggenpohl showroom in Boston this winter. For a modernist like me, seeing the MODERN PURISM collection was a real treat. I would like someday to own one of those kitchens.
Design for the Way You Live
Poggenpohl makes amazing storage system. Everything has its place with cute containers and spacers. I was going to talk about their cool storage system for the kitchen. As I assembled my montage, a trend emerged. Therefore, I will talk about kitchen layouts.
If you planning a new kitchen, the first thing you should consider is how you like to live and entertain. By answering these questions, you will make the space fits your lifestyle. Then, you can start to look at finishes and nifty storage gadgets.
I must stress out that you must design for the way you live, not the way you dream of living. So be true to who you and your family are.
Categories:
HOME decor
TRENDS
posted @ Tuesday, April 29, 2008 5:35 PM | Feedback (0)
When selecting a cake topper it is important that the bride and groom select one that represents well their couple. I am showing three that thinks outside the box.
Anime and Video Game Figurines
A cake topper is basically a cake doll. There is no reason why you should restrict your choose to a character wearing a wedding dress. With the profusion of adorable and well executed figurines from anime, video games and TV series, the universe of potential cake toppers is expanding fast.
Russ and Lisa selected Toshiro Hitsugaya and Momo Hinamori from the anime series Bleach as their wedding cake topper. The figurines carry a mystical, refined mood. I love it! Thanks to ToastyKen for posting his pictures of Russ and Lisa’s wedding on Flickr.
Categories:
PARTY supplies
BIG events
CAKES
posted @ Saturday, April 05, 2008 4:28 PM | Feedback (2)
When I realized yesterday night that this would be the 500th post of At Home with Kim Vallée, I started a search for the perfect cake to represent what my brand stands for: stylish, unique, modern, lively and entertaining. I found my match at I Dream of Cake in San Francisco.
Cake Gallery
When you walk into this appointment-only shop you are surrounded by the cream of the cream in cake decorations.
People did not nickname I Dream of Cake the Cake Gallery for nothing. The retail space is designed as a gallery. Naturally, every cake is made to order. With an art degree, the cake designer Shinmin Li refers to her cake creations as commissioning a piece of edible art. When I look at her cake creations, I must agree with Shinmin.
It took me a while to create my board due to abundance of fabulous cake designs on her Web site. Her Wedding cakes are incredible and so the rest of I Dream of Cake creations. People commission cakes for all occasions from kid birthday cakes to sweet 16, bar mitzvahs, christenings up to anniversaries.
Categories:
KIDS party
BIG events
CAKES
posted @ Wednesday, April 02, 2008 12:39 PM | Feedback (4)
This is not an April’s fool: Be on the first 100 citizens to book a room at the first citizenM hotel and enjoy one night of casual chic luxury, nice towels, huge king size bed and friendly smile for free.
CitizenM (M for mobile) is a new affordable luxury hotel option for travelers to Europe. The first hotel is located at Schiphol International Airport, an amazing international airport that acts as a gateway.
Like in a boutique hotel, the concept behind CitizenM is hip with a fresh attention to details.
Excellent Services
The new hotel chain concept caters to a new type of travelers. CitizenM targets people who value personal choice, modern design, friendly technology and the proximity to a city at an accessible price. Every room has a wall-mounted LCD television with free movie access and provides a free Wi-Fi internet connection.
Categories:
TRAVEL
TRENDS
posted @ Tuesday, April 01, 2008 12:45 PM | Feedback (0)
I am always watching for stylishly decorated cupcakes. Fondant decorated cakes are my favorites. So imagine how glad I was yesterday when I came across the most stunning cupcakes I ever saw.
The power of social networks
My journey started by looking at the Facebook profile of new friends I made last Wednesday at the Montreal Girl Geek Dinner. I spotted a comment about a cupcake montage for the m0851 Fashion Show and Press conference. This event occurred this week as part of the current Montreal Fashion Week. This is how I discovered Michelle, the talented girl behind Clever Cupcakes.
Categories:
PARTY ideas
KIDS party
CAKES
posted @ Saturday, March 29, 2008 1:35 PM | Feedback (3)
I really like the effects that are now possible with 3D wallpapers. After seeing the beautiful tiles designed exclusively by Barber Osgerby for Stella McCartney's retail shops, I decided to show you more accessible options.
In fact, the Embossed Wall Flats by Inhabit are a far better solution. Far better since this is an eco-friendly product made from bamboo pulp. The peel-and-stick adhesive tabs can expand in any direction to create a fun, modern pattern.
I would like to create a feature wall on my home office but the difficulty remains which of the 5 patterns to select. The ten 18 by 18 inches panels per package cover 22.5 square feet. Resellers of Inhabit include Velocity and All Modern Furniture.
Categories:
HOME decor
posted @ Tuesday, March 25, 2008 12:19 AM | Feedback (4)
When we are taking about Scandinavian, we talked mostly about products from Finland and Sweden. In fact, I think I spoke more often about Danish products than Norwegian creations.
The government of Norway with the industry has launched an offensive a few years ago to raise awareness about what they produce. They identify UK as an important platform for their marketing campaign.
Again this year, the visitors of UK's leading contemporary interiors event will be able to see and touch the best of Norwegian design. The trade show 100% Design is scheduled for September 18 to 21, 2008 at Earls Court in London.
100% Norway viewed over the years
It was announced that 100% Norway 2008 will be once again curated by Henrietta Thompson. The upcoming stand has tripled over the size of last year. In 2006, 100% Norway stand was colossal. The 2006 stand exhibited cutting edge Norwegian architecture including a view at fashion, furniture and city bikes. From macro, the stand went micro as 100% Norway 2007 zoomed in to the creativity found in glass, porcelain and textile design. The theme for 2008 is not yet public. I will keep you posted.
Categories:
HOME decor
TRENDS
posted @ Friday, March 21, 2008 1:12 PM | Feedback (0)
Today I presented an unusual source for party inspirations. An office.
Advertising companies and cool IT companies often provide fun working environment. They devise whimsical meeting rooms to stimulate the creativity of their team. It is also a place where the employees can relax between tasks.
The Google Office in Zurich looks pretty amazing. The cocoon forest is so cool. It is a child theme executed in a refined manner. Therefore, the room design is suitable for grown ups and kids.
A pattern is often enough to transform an object. For a more feminine design, the exterior of that cocoon exhibits a baroque floral motif in another space. A pinky red and black chandelier hangs over it. Lovely! Check out the Picasa Web album to see it.
When I saw the penguins, the igloos and the old ski gondolas, I immediately imagined an end of winter party at the cottage. Then, start building several canoe sofas for the barbecue party season. The canoe sofa should be a hit so everybody will want to be invited at your parties.
Categories:
PARTY ideas
KIDS party
posted @ Thursday, March 13, 2008 12:33 PM | Feedback (0)
As I was assembling my photo board of my Valentine’s Day private event, it became clear that this board illustrates a fundamental design principle.
My regular readers probably know by now that I strive for mixing and matching. I prefer subtle themes.
One of the easiest tricks to achieve cohesion is to repeat the same elements applied on a different way. The repeating elements should be naturally integrated into your design to be successful. In short, it should not be obvious.
I will move back and forth between how I celebrated Valentine’s Day and my design lesson.
The Story behind My Bouquet
I have to thank my caring husband for giving me this modish bouquet. I am sure that the bouquet had my name written all over me because it is so much my style. My husband had several meetings yesterday so he stopped by my favorite florist at the end of the day.
Categories:
TABLESCAPE
PARTY ideas
posted @ Friday, February 15, 2008 2:30 PM | Feedback (0)
I was at a wedding not too long ago where the centerpieces were at the wrong height. After 30 minutes, one guest sitting at our table had enough to not see everyone sitting at the table that he removed the centerpiece from our table. This may be an extreme behavior (that I do not endorse btw) but this action clearly demonstrates that the comfort of your guests must be a top priority.
Before you decide on the kind of flowers, the colors or a specific arrangement for your centerpieces, consider the human scale factors and analyze carefully the room where the event will take place.
In my mind, the elements that you must consider first refer to:
Room Ornamentation
If you host your party in a castle style room with moldings and ornamentation, the room already makes a statement. You should not try to compete with the room. In a room like, minimalist elegance typically work best.
Categories:
TABLESCAPE
PARTY supplies
posted @ Thursday, February 14, 2008 2:19 AM | Feedback (2)
As I was watching the finale of Design Interns on HGTV Canada, I felt the need to review some basic design principles with you. Design is a balancing act between form and function. Whether you are designing a home or planning an event, the same basic rules apply.
If you missed the second season of Design Interns, reruns will start February 12, 2008. I encourage you to listen to it because Cecconi Simone is a solid design firm from Toronto.
The winner becomes an intern at Cecconi Simone, so their design philosophy is highlighted through the challenges. What I like about the show is that it emphasis the need for functionality, using lasting materials and going through a thorough thinking process.
So my three design principles are:
Categories:
EVERYDAY
HOME decor
posted @ Friday, February 08, 2008 1:08 PM | Feedback (1)
An old saying teaches us that Travel broadens the mind. I would add that traveling makes you a better host.
We are so accustomed to how we live at home that we do not notice the small details anymore. But staying at hotels uncovers the fine points that make your stay comfortable or not. Hotel design and functionality have improved greatly over the years. But they are still room for improvements on the comfortable level as I experienced it.
Why this is relevant to entertaining at home? Simply because it can make you better host when you are having guests staying over at your home.
My wish list
More and more hotels got it while other hotel chains are still clueless. I compiled my list of essentials for make your stay over guests absolutely divine.
Makeup station outside the bathroom
If you are sharing the room, you must apply your makeup in the room on the morning while your roommate is taking a shower. You want to save time after all. But low lighting is the norm inside the room, especially near the mirror. This is my biggest complaint about hotel design. I still do not understand because no hotels got it.
Available electric plugs
Categories:
EVERYDAY
TRAVEL
posted @ Tuesday, January 22, 2008 10:19 PM | Feedback (4)
Maybe being interviewed by a journalist about party ideas for the upcoming Holidays put me into the Lucite and glass mode, but these pictures inspired me. Plexiglas and glass containers are hot to serve food in the catering industry.
My mood board reads like a chronicle: the wedding party, the after party treats and the new house kitchen. Exceptionally, it showcased 4 bloggers instead of 3.
1 | Hostess for the Mostess for Inspiration Tuesday: Think Bold
A favorite of Hostess by the Mostess, Simple Stunning Weddings is a gorgeous book from wedding planner Karen Bussen. These monochromatic photos and modern minimalist Lucite servers & glass arrangements create an impressive drink display. This
I dug a source for Lucite buffet risers. They do not look as sharp as those. I suspect the drink displays used in the book were custom made. If you know where we can buy something similar, do not be shy to share the information.
Categories:
HOME decor
GIFT ideas
BIG events
CAKES
posted @ Monday, October 01, 2007 11:30 AM | Feedback (0)
If you are a fan of Martha Stewart, you are probably familiar with the cake creations of Wendy Kromer. Reproducing her look at home is possible if you buy online her fabulous decorative kits.
I guess that anyone who masters more than the basics of cake decoration can get a pleasing result. These handmade decorative items are carefully crafted. I have to warm you; these are fairly expensive cake decorations. But if you wish to impress your guests with a homemade cake, that is certainly the way to go.
You need to know that some pieces are just decorative. Due to the wires, none of the Marzipan Cherry pieces or the shown Hellebore leaves and flowers are meant be eaten. The Hellebore wired leaves and flowers appear tricky to do.
If you wish to eat them, order instead the box of 16 Marzipan Fall Leaves. Easier to use, these almond paste treats nicely decorate cakes or embellish your dessert trays.
Categories:
PARTY supplies
BIG events
CAKES
posted @ Monday, September 03, 2007 1:20 AM | Feedback (1)
Cakes are an important part of any celebrations. This is one custom that I hope with never go out of fashion. Even if decorated cakes are widely available, the best hostesses like to make a bold statement with her cakes.
Bakery Bar specializes in custom designs specifically tailored to your individual style. Their creations are stunning. They are cute, fun, fresh and stylish. In short, they exhibit my favorite qualities.
Gracious whimsical and organic themes
Many of their cake designs are inspired by nature. The bakers at Bakery Bar cleverly and realistically shape fruits, vegetables, plants and much more. Nothing looks tacky here. I would take pleasure in getting that kind of cakes for my upcoming wedding anniversary.
The whimsical Pirate cake for a kid birthday has the usual elements done in an appealing way. The houses / neighborhoods cakes talk to me; you feel a part of the community just by looking at it. If you belong to the welcoming committee of a club or if you are hosting a housewarming party, this rendering cannot be more apropos.
Categories:
KIDS party
BIG events
CAKES
posted @ Tuesday, August 07, 2007 10:34 PM | Feedback (1)
I want to share a smile or two with you. This is not really about at home entertaining but we are around the wedding season. I came by these comical cake toppers by Weddingstar today.
Whether you are a fan or not of bride and groom cake toppers, you have to admit that these ones are funny. I will never go for a comical formula myself but everyone has their own idea about what is the perfect wedding.
My wedding was about the Duchess-Empress Sissi (you know the one played by Romy Schneider) spirit: classical music, princess dress, a five-star dinner setting and a choreographed Viennese waltz for the first dance. My wedding cake was a sophisticated three-tiered ivory cake decorated with trios of creamy white roses sculpted in fondant. Frankly Considering the choices available at the time, my cake design was better off without a bride and groom cake topper.
If you want a bride and groom cake topper, take a look at Weddingstar's collection. The Reaching Bride and Helpful Groom cake topper and the Sitting Bride and Groom are sweet. The Golf Fanatic Groom and Exasperated Bride cake topper is hilarious. The Couple with The Groom "Taking a plunge" can be an inside joke.
Most of the Weddingstar’s selection is available in ethnic and multiracial models. Yes, you can mix and match the bride and groom. Beside the comical ones, other varieties are traditional, unique look and based on a theme. The Beach bride and groom cake topper wears a little bit less formal clothes and naturally, they are barefoot.
Categories:
PARTY ideas
BIG events
CAKES
posted @ Thursday, May 24, 2007 8:27 PM | Feedback (2)
As a Canadian blogger, I like to point out great Web sites from my country. This morning I discovered Brides in the City, a fascinating blog published by two Torontians. I lived in TO for five years a decade ago. Gal pals Diana and Holly both works on the bridal industry.
Diana Stepanovic is the owner and pastry chef of Pavillon Cakes. Diana makes traditional, contemporary and super chic cakes. Holly Hatam operates an invitation and greeting card company called TearDrop Weddings. So if you are getting married soon and live near Toronto, their blog provides good sourcing information.
Recently, these gals started doing something out of the ordinary for weddings. They use the same design for the cake and the invite. Great idea! As an event designer, I usually try not repeating the same exact pattern too many times. I approve of this application because it is a nice way to link together your design elements. Invitations should introduce the key design elements of your event. It fits the bill here.
Categories:
FOOD + drinks
PAPER goods
BIG events
CAKES
posted @ Wednesday, April 18, 2007 1:13 AM | Feedback (3)