So Canadian, eh? : Cobi Ladner

This week's 

has been a favourite of mine for quite some time. My admiration of her goes far, not only is she a working mother of two, the creator behind her newest business design venture but she held the coveted position of editor at Canadian House and Home for 15 years!

Please give a warm welcome to......

The fabulous Cobi Ladner!

She helped bring Canadian House and Home to where it is today, a magazine that can be found on every design aficionado's  coffee table.


One of my favourite renovation projects that was featured in Canadian House and Home was her fabulous kitchen. I love how she hung a chandelier in the skylight  - a brave and bold move that really helped add that extra sparkle to the room.

Cobi hung up her editor's hat in 2008, started a blog, features fabulous house tours on Steven and Chris {a Canadian TV show hosted by the fab design duo} and is spearheading a design campaign to bring more colour into Canadian households by creating cobistyle, a fabulous juicy new line of furniture, accessories, drapery and fabric exploding with colour and pattern.

Photos courtesy of Cobi Ladner

1.     Tell us a bit about your background? Your education? Has design always been in your blood?

I studied RTA (radio and television arts) at Ryerson and planned to become a tv producer like Mary Tyler Moore.  Landing my first job at Chatelaine as the jr. decorating editor, I found out very quickly that I loved magazines and I loved decorating.  I actually loved decorating at a very early age (hence, the insistence of  wallpaper on 4 of my walls as a girl rather than the usual 1 ‘feature wall’ - my poor parents).

2.     You were the former editor for one of my favourite Canadian publications, Canadian House & Home, how long did you have that position and what made you decide to switch gears? How has that job helped shape where you are today?

I was editor of H&H for 15 years (18 years with the company).  I worked there all through my 30’s and really ‘grew up’ with the magazine.  It didn’t only help shape what I am today - it reflected all of the steps along the way to where I am today.  I loved working on the magazine and was very fortunate to hold that position which gave me access to so much.  When I hit my mid 40’s however, I realized that you can have too much of a good thing and that if I didn’t strike out on my own then, I never would.  It was just time.   And so after a ton of soul searching and about 2 years of contemplation,  I jumped!

3.     Now you are the creator and driving force behind, cobistyle, a fantastically fresh line of furnishings, fabrics and accessories. What was the motivation and inspiration behind your new venture?

It was the combination of two things really.  1.  It didn’t take a rocket scientist  to figure out that people were being beiged-to-death.  The world has been bombarded with neutrals for the past decade (at least) and homeowners were crying out for change.  2.  People would ask me where I found things for my own home and I didn’t have good answers for them.  My best stuff, I found at flea markets; antique shops; chinatown; out of the way places that weren’t generally accessible.  I want to create products that are easily accessible to all and still have tons of character and personality in them.  It’s a lofty goal but I think we’re on the right track with the launch of cobistyle!

4.     Even though most of us would feel that your job would be our dream job, what goals or aspirations do you have for yourself and for cobistyle?

To have some help would be a good start!  Kidding, but I do look forward to building a team of like minded people though.  That’s what I miss most about the magazine.  The synergy of a creative team with a common goal is wonderful.  I just want to turn this whole crazy scheme into an actual business with a positive balance sheet and a roof (beyond my house) and maybe a pretty teapot in a staff kitchen.  That would be fabulous.  If it had a retail store with the whole story collection out in front, that would be even better!    I would also love to make an impact with the line -  south of the border.  A girl can dream, can’t she?  I’ve been asked to speak at High Point, NC - the big furniture mart in the US in October -  and I’m excited to introduce the line down there and see what our southern cousins think.  The fun part is that they don’t know me down there and so the line will have to speak for itself.   A good challenge that I’m totally up for.

5.      You still have your finger on the pulse of the design scene; tell us where do you find inspiration for your product line?

It doesn’t matter what you do - whether you work at a magazine or in a Dr. office -  if you’re interested in design, you find inspiration everywhere.  I find it shopping - high end or grungy junk shop; on the web; in magazines; books; music; nature; it doesn’t matter.  If you’re interested in something, all roads lead to Rome.

6.     What tips do you have for aspiring designers in getting their design work published or to hone their skills?

Pick up the phone!  Send an email!  There’s no special trick.  Take pictures and send them off.  So many good designers don’t self promote.  If you’re too busy - I guess that’s a good sign - but it really isn’t hard.  There’s no inside scoop.  It’s all about showing magazines what you’ve got and reminding them every so often that you’re around.  Once you’ve introduced yourself, just let them know through an email that you just finished a project and send them some snapshots.  If the timing’s right and the look fits the bill, you’ll be in.  They need to fill the pages with great stuff as much as you need the profile.

7.     What is one design faux pas that you wish could be banished?

Small pictures on big walls.

8.     As a mother to two children, you are actively involved in their daily life, how do you balance your family life and your work?

Lots of yelling ;)  No - moving my work home was a great thing.  Although I work insane hours -  I’m here.  And that’s a big difference when a kid comes in at 3:00 in the afternoon and can gab for 10 mins about their day.  But I will never be one to preach against women working outside the home.  I think good moms come in every walk of life and you just have to do what’s right for you.  Balance is a daily, possibly, hourly, goal for me.  It eludes me most days and I get very grouchy if I’m out of whack too long because I do love everything about the home - the kids, food, garden, decorating, entertaining, all that stuff - it’s cliche but I want it all and I get very peeved if I can’t have it!

9.   What do you like to do in your free time?

Clean up my house.  Reorganize.  Entertain.  Make a recipe.  Start a project.  Probably way too much.  I seldom sit and read a book (although I long to do that in another life).  I am a busy girl who always has something on the go.  I hope my daughter doesn’t emulate me too much.  I’m sure there are easier ways to get through life!

10   If you could meet anyone or do anything who or what would it be? 

Ok - I know I will lose the respect of many if I say Lady Di.  I did love her though.  Maybe I should say Kate?  Nah - boring.  A better answer is just to buy a one way ticket around the world and force myself to take only one bag.  That sounds like utter freedom to me.

1    You are surrounded by such amazing design inspiration, how do you decide what and how to decorate your own home?

I honestly don’t think about it too much.  I want it a certain way - and that’s it.  I think my bossy nature takes over and I just do it the way I think it should be done.  It’s usually only finances that stops the process.

 What are your views on the role of Canadian design on the world stage? Do you feel that Canadians have a unique sense of style, the way we design and decorate our homes? If so, what do you think sets us apart?

Yes.  I think Canadian’s have a wonderful sense of style and it’s partly due to our newness.  We aren’t mired in a specific look the way Italian design is or French.  We can try all kinds of things, from all around the world - some old, some new - and whatever works, sticks.  It’s a great way to be.  I also think that Canada is so big - with so much different geography - that even with age, we will never have a cohesive, national ‘look’.  And that’s great too!  Of course Canada has 5 looks rather than one - that’s so Canadian when you think about it!

Thanks Cobi for visiting this week. I am thrilled to have had the chance to delve into your world for a bit. I wish you the best of luck in your newest design venture, and looking forward to seeing your product line grace the homes of Canadians, because we know that with our dreary winters we could sure use an injection of colour into our homes.

xo Barbara

Dlab Quest For Deeper Meaning In The Creation Of Architecture In Singapore

 

 

 

 

Designed by Dlab Dlab is the quest for a deeper meaning to the creation of architecture in Singapore. Given the current state of globalization, the production of architecture slowly leaning towards a kind of universal, international ambivalent style fits all. This condition is exacerbated by the current economy and the brands emblematic architecture, a culture that encourages the reported consumption of images and credit galore.

In response to this phenomenon, the architects DLab established to search for the deeper meaning of the creation of architecture, which is more focused on processing a number of new and powerful experiences that relate to their place, time, situation, and not the creation product. DLab projects are interrelated and their architectural expression, but the development of a logical and natural process by which the problems and planning of multi-purpose form factors.

The Process Of The Development Process Building Reveals A New Wing, The Vertical Garden Museum In Paris

 

 

The evolutionary process A vessel according to a new wing, a vertical garden for the museum designed by architect Carl Fredrik Svenstedt is in Paris, France. architectural history of the Louvre is marked by a tradition of innovation, now manifests itself in the museum's ambitious renovation in France and abroad. The proposed extension to the Tuileries again embodies the aspirations of a cultural institution with a clear vision of its place in the future.

The new wing extends from the Tuileries gardens, vertical mixing, and the castle park. Current pedestrian bearing shall be wound along the path of rotation of the new pavilion. Open to the public, this route is available, although the galleries are closed. The pavilion offers the added space of the classical and contemporary art collections to expand the opportunities of museum exhibition. The galleries are arranged along the uphill path mirroring the vertical garden and his lookout. Visitors circle between them as a place, a meeting on the roof, with spectacular views of Paris.

Deputy Director Of DP Architects Ltd Disscuses The Concept Of Simplicity In Singapore

 

 

 

Deputy Director of DP Architects Ltd disscuses simplicity of the concept of Singapore that was designed by DP Architects, Inc. Architect Tan Chee Kiang believes that architecture is a complex art, you have to deal with all types of complex such as policy requirements, environmental conditions, contextual responses, regulations and laws. His age is complex, one of the challenges that architecture is to keep things as simple as possible.

But to achieve simplicity, it is not so simple. To simplify, it is necessary to reduce and to do so, you need to know how to reduce. You must know the heart before it can be inferred.

Solutions To Sustainable Housing In Toronto, Canada

 

 

 

Located in Toronto, Canada, sustainable housing solutions designed by Altius Architecture Inc. Cliff House, 360 Winnett and Six Mile Lake Cottage, seen here were all made in 2009. Moving forward with great experience, the company has several other projects on the boards and others are under construction. Altius is dedicated to creating innovative projects with a commitment to sustainability, design, modern, flexible and functional space, while providing the highest level of service.

Altius is a full service architectural and construction management firm at the forefront of environmental initiatives to project the power to make a great focus on sustainability in buildings. Altius proceed towards a comprehensive, exhaustive and collaboration for the construction. The company supports the initiation of the process design team with architects, engineers, consultants, contractors and customers come together to create something greater than the sum of their parts.

Styling home with picture frames!

Are you tired of your old traditional room decor? No issues, here I suggest you try out playing with different picture frames. Picture frames not only treasures your memory but also changes the entire room decor. Fun and creative picture frames surely will bring smile on your lips! Check out the below collections.

Customized Crystal Picture Frames for Fun

Crystal Baby Picture Frames Preserving Innocence

Handcrafted Jute Picture Frame

Customized Crafted Wood Picture Frame

Ceramic Baby Picture Frame

Modern Art Picture Frame

Photo Gallery Source:
Picture Frames : Unique designs with modern art 


You may also like to check more collections in
Picture Frames Manufacturers

For some valuable gifting ideas, browse through
Valentine's Gift Ideas: Picture Frames

Modern Bedroom Designs

Modern bedroom designs

Choosing Painting Of Kitchen Cabinets Design

The chances of you finding kitchen cabinets at a garage sale aren’t necessarily the greatest, but they do come Get the whole family embroiled, it can be enjoyable. If you are not altering everything in your kitchen, match swatches of different colors against what you are not changing until you find a color combination of kitchen cabinets that you like. There are scores of natural wooden colors available for beautiful kitchen cabinets, but if you are willing to paint your own cabinet doors then you can literally have whichever color you want. Maybe the first choice that you should make is, whether you want wooden kitchen cabinets doors or whether you want painted doors.

Elegant and Modern Kitchen Design Pictures

 These are the modern kitchen design pictures that can become the references in furnishing your kitchen rooms. In the pictures above, you can see the elegant kitchen design and decorating idea that is very good to be the kitchen interior decorating model for your kitchen room. The pictures below are the modern kitchen design that can become the alternatives in completing your kitchen with modern luxury appliances.

Bathroom Lighting – Light Up the Small bathroom

VIA

Although there are many options for large bathrooms, people with little wonder how they can improve. Put devices is a good way to change the look of small square better, so the experience is much better in the morning. This is where you start your day and you need to be pleasant for the rest of the waking hours. There are many designs that you can choose if you have a good budget. Also important is where the bathroom lighting will be done on the bare wall, tiled area above the shower, marble or ceramic sink. As a general guide light and neutral colors are best. dark tones take up space and give the illusion of space restriction.

A small bathroom should not be just covered by a great light. Zones can be divided to have two or three types of lighting bathroom. Where additional lighting is used, it gives a feeling of wider space. Each bathroom must also have windows for natural light to fall, keeping the bathroom open for a few hours in the day, lets keep it free from germs. Install a skylight and see the difference in space.

Since the stores bathroom kit medicines and toiletries, many people install a huge wardrobe. Is it necessary to put a ray of light? Of course, it is necessary, how do you know what you need in the dark. Besides keeping things limited in the bathroom, which require good lighting, try to put small lights or lamps that have a pure utility value. A small bathroom does not require a setting and too many firms. But it needs a stable material for the light source to provide illumination. A pendant light is hardly of any use when needed at night. Make small bathroom look spacious and well lit with lighting quality above and not on the eyes (wait in the office). Look at the different types of bathroom lighting. Check if lighting is appropriate in the bathroom. If it does not change, no dealer will mind if you come back the next day.

The controlled use of light in laundry rooms can begin their day in peace and without worries. Do makeup and shaving requires good lighting above the mirror. A combination of natural light can make the appropriate calendars bathroom right look.

Choose Cheap Bedroom Furniture

Choosing cheap bedroom furniture it’s not easy, sometimes you want something that out of your budget, that’s why we are going to give you some tips to choose cheap bedroom furniture, for you who have limited budget.
Built in furniture, you can choose built in furniture as alternative because even though they look expensive for furniture but you get multifunction bedroom furniture, which can make you save the money and even save more space for your room.

Buy 2nd bedroom furniture, you may also consider to buy 2nd furniture, even though they aren’t new sometimes you can find 2nd furniture with cheap price and still has good quality. This might be primary consideration for you who have limited budget. You can find 2nd furniture in antique shops, this shop usually sell the good quality and good price items.

Shop around; this is the main key if you want to have cheap price bedroom furniture. There are a lot of shops which offers you competitive price and also discount, but before you decide to buy cheap items, you have to make sure that the furniture isn’t cheap because it have low quality, be careful and don’t forget to check the item that you will to buy and watch the delivery system in that shops. Have a pleasant shopping!

Bathroom faucets reflect the theme of space

Bathroom faucet, this is perfect for a luxury home design. Sometimes we often assume that trivial little things, like a bathroom faucet before, if this allowed to happen then design the proper luxury bathroom will seem less luxurious or the bathroom was not nice to look at. Bathroom faucet as an example in the photo, simple and minimalist shape, according to the theme of modern minimalist space. If we choose the origin of the bathroom faucet at random, then the result will not be maximal.

Bathroom faucets there are many forms and types, depending on your taste and theme of space we want. Choose according to the theme of your bathroom space. If a satisfactory outcome bathroom design, then we will be very happy and proud to bathe or perform other activities there. If you are confused in choosing a bathroom faucet, can see examples of bathroom faucets in magazines or the internet about bathroom design and selection of bathroom faucets.

Stylish Papillon Kitchen Island

Kitchen island ideas from Papillon stunning classic style is not boring, as evidenced by the highly skilled craftsmen Bassano Del Grappa Italy that changed the atmosphere of tired of being modern with traditional style. Kitchen island ideas including washbasins, furniture built-ins with the end result is shiny and silver leaf treatments that make a kitchen island modern nuanced and sophisticated.

Children's Playroom Design Ideas

 

Children's playroom need inspiration and good ideas to create a comfortable atmosphere and wonderful for children. A company that designs BYBY children's playroom with a different theme, there is a playground, where children sleep, and storage.
Children's playroom is one factor that could make children more creative and intelligent, in the playroom that is their lot to learn because it is supported by a nice play room atmosphere.

Modular Furniture More Suitable for Kid's Room

Modular furniture can be moved, removed, also moved easily, adjust the change of activity. Even keep up with changing room. In the teen room, furniture such as this may be appropriate. Given the more dynamic teenager, so he might just have the desire to overhaul layout in his room.

However, any child behavior that would arise, funritur-furniture following should exist in the child's bedroom:

* Single bed size bed (90cmx100cm)

* Learning desk with ergonomic size for writing and working on tasks on the computer. This table to be supported by a shelf of books on it or hung on the wall.

* Seat with backrest and without hands. There are three types that can be used, namely:

* An office chair with wheels, height can be adjusted with the teenager's body size.

* Chairs and polypropelen aluminum framed on the stand and back. Easy to clean and memorable light.

* The chair with solid wood main ingredient. Cloth seat and backrest are available with various styles and colors.

* Wardrobe, to save the start of clothes, bags, to shoes. Distribution of the rack on the inside can be tailored to the needs of adolescents.

Modular Furniture More Suitable for Kid's Room

Bed Coverlets for Modern Homes

Bed coverlets play a vital role in enhancing the look of not only your bed but also the entire bedroom. As the name suggests, bed coverlet is a decorative fabric which covers the entire length of the bed, including the mattress and the bed sheet. To give a more enhanced appearance, bed coverlets also use bed skirts and shams. In modern homes, these coverlets are indeed one of the most popular ways to beautify your bed.

Coverlets are of two types : woven or quilted. The quilted coverlets are basically two layered fabrics which are stitched together to create a warmth effect besides decorating the bed. The woven ones are covers with a woven design in colored wool yarn on a background of cotton or natural linen.

These are available in a wide spectrum of styles, colors, fabrics and patterns. The various fabrics used to make such coverlets are cotton, poly cotton, cotton blends, linen, silk, satin, velvet etc. While the cotton bed coverlets are suitable for regular usage, the other fabrics like silk, satin, velvet are more suitable for any formal occasions at home so as to create a major focal point in the room.

The coverlets are seen in varied design patterns. They can be printed, embroidered with thread, zari, mirror work. There can be applique work on it. Batik prints, tye and dye prints are very popular in Indian homes. Using modern printing methods, the coverlets are designed with various prints, stripes, checks, abstract prints, geometric patterns, floral designs, cartoon characters and many more such prints. Even the solid color bed coverlets give a very elegant look to the room. Modern homes also see the use of luxury bed coverlets in the form of tapestry coverlets, chenille, damask, matelasse, crochet and jacquard coverlets. These have a very grand appearance and better to be used in special occasions. 

Bed coverlets have today become a rage. Not only in homes, these are also widely demanded in the hotel industry. They are sold or supplied as bedding sets also comprising a whole range of bed linens like bed sheets, pillow cases, bed covers, bed coverlets, quilts or duvets etc. In such a case, they are all available in a symmetrical designs so as to complement each item. You can also go for individual coverlet as well but it must carefully chosen so as to complement with the room's decor and other bed sets.

For wholesale purchase of bed coverlets or other bedding items, you can visit Textile Furnishings or Bed Linen Manufacturers.