{ Author Archive - Amy Walters }

shop Generation Art at EQ3

There’s a gift-giving trend on the rise that has folks shopping for gifts that, in addition to making loved ones smile, benefit others and support a special cause!

For the art enthusiasts in your life, shop Generation Art, a limited edition product line available exclusively from Canadian design house, EQ3 (both in-store and online at EQ3.com). The collection includes notebooks, pillows, posters and more; and it’s raising awareness about social issues through art designed by nine young Canadians between the ages of 15 and 30.

All of the proceeds from Generation Art purchases support Michaëlle Jean Foundation’s initiatives (the Arts Save Lives) to empower underprivileged youth. “EQ3 has partnered with the Michaëlle Jean Foundation because we strongly believe in the cause it serves and the ability for engagement of the entire EQ3 staff and customers across Canada. Art is a great tool which can help disenfranchised youth to find a way out of their complex social environments,” explains Peter Tielmann, President of EQ3.

I just love the stories behind these art-inspired goods and couldn’t resist pulling together a small gift guide for you with a few of my  favourites…

EQ3 Generation Art Coiled Notebooks shop Generation Art at EQ3
Market Notebook, $3.99 (top-left) | Artists: Sophie Levesque, 22, Location: NB
World Beauty Notebook, $3.99 (bottom-right) | Artist: Sam Jarmasz, 20, Location: Winnipeg, MB

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touring idswest12 in Vancouver

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of flying out west for the Canadian Design Bloggers West’s annual Blend 2012 party. The meet-up was sponsored by Ikea Canada and was attended by some of the country’s sweetest and most talented bloggers.

This already made me the luckiest Prairie gal around, but to top it off, I also had an opportunity to attend Vancouver’s interior design show, IDSwest 2012, for the very first time! I was enamoured by it all: the gorgeous exhibits, the talented designers and the celebrity speakers (I was thrilled to once again listen to my favourite Canadian design celebrity, Tommy Smythe, who I blogged about last winter here)!

Here’s a look at my favourite exhibits from this year’s show:

Gushing over the gold accents in Aya Kitchens‘ exhibit, designed by Kelly Deck Design…

IDSwest2012 AyaKitchens KellyDeckDesign01 touring idswest12 in Vancouver Read the rest of this entry »

decorate with decals from urban walls

One of my favourite things about blogging is all of the fantastic people I’ve had the opportunity to connect with over the last year and a half. I’ve been amazed at the pool of talented designers and creative folks in Canada. It’s truly inspiring!

 

Urban Walls Birds Decalw decorate with decals from urban wallsHeading South, set of 66 vinyl wall decals, from 3.5″ W x 2″ H to 8.5″ W x 7″ H, UrbanWalls | $45.00
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one-on-one with steven and chris

I had the pleasure of meeting up with one of Canada’s favourite design duos at the Winnipeg Home Expressions Show earlier this year. The pair I speak of are the oh-so fabulous Steven Sabados & Chris Hyndman - co-hosts of the popular daytime talk show CBC’s Steven & Chris and regular contributors to the Style at Home magazine.

It was with a bit of nerves and a whole lot of excitement that I sat down with the guys to talk about everything from life as a celebrity designer to where they look for design inspiration. Their close ties with the blogging community make them all the more endearing and the perfect topic for today’s post. So, without further delay, here’s a look into the lives of Steven & Chris. Enjoy!

 

Steven Chris w one on one with steven and chris

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decorating with blueprints

Blueprint drawings are a design industry standard, so it’s only appropriate that these time-honoured design drawings become designs in and of themselves. With their simple, architectural feel, blueprints are most fitting for home decor. Applied to wall art and light fixtures, the effect is everything from curated to classic and charming!

 

Anthropologie Blueprint Light Fixture decorating with blueprints

Vintage blueprints are an unexpected touch to this industrial-style pendant light. Try it in a library or den for a curated, old-world aesthetic. [Blueprint Light Fixture, steel/vintage blueprints/porcelain Leviton, Anthropologie, $2,498.00 USD].

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colourful outdoor side tables

Spring is one of my favourite times of year and I’m always grateful for the burst of colour that comes with the season. I take delight in watching the sky brighten, the grasses green and the flowers bud. All of these hint at the beauty that will take shape later in the season.

If you’re looking to give your backyard a similar lift, take cue from nature and inject colour with chic and cheerful side tables. Strong enough to resist the weather elements and small enough to move around on a whim, these little tables pack springtime punch that’s sure to satisfy your colour cravings.


Crate and Barrel Pedestal Side Table colourful outdoor side tables

Stick to a tight budget with a simple indoor/outdoor metal side table sprayed your favourite hue. Photography Credit: Crate and Barrel | Pedestal Side Table | $50.05 CDN.

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one-on-one with Tommy Smythe

Every so often, these moments come along that you just know are going to stick with you forever. My one-on-one chat with Canadian interior designer and TV personality Tommy Smythe earlier this year was certainly one of these moments. Tommy is the witty and well-loved design partner to Sarah Richardson of Sarah Richardson Design. Together they’ve starred in several hit decorating shows, including HGTV’s Sarah’s House and Sarah 101.

Last year, I was flying high from simply watching Sarah present at the 2011 Winnipeg Kitchen Bath & Renovation Show (check out the scoop on Sarah’s presentation HERE). Little did I know that I would be peppering Tommy at this year’s show (KBR12) with all of the questions that I had been dying to know since I first watched him and Sarah on Design Inc. many years ago.

To my delight, Tommy was every bit as sweet, inspiring and authentic in person as I had known him to be on TV. Read on to learn exactly what makes Tommy tick!

Tommy Smythe Photo one on one with Tommy Smythe

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prairie love from the folks at Gus*Modern

As a born and raised prairie gal, I’ve grown accustomed to being somewhat forgotten. You know, missing out on the really sweet store launches and trade shows or being skipped over by the weatherman. That sort of thing. If you can relate to – or sympathize with – any of that, you’ll understand why my heart skipped more than just a beat when I spotted the new Prairie Tables [retails for $595.00 CDN at ModernKaribou.ca] from Canadian-based furniture design company, Gus* Modern.

PrairieTables02 prairie love from the folks at Gus*Modern

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tropical inspired home accents

Ola! There’s something magical about dodging a week or two of Canadian winter to vacation in paradise. During a recent stay at a picturesque resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, I was instantly taken by the romantic appeal of the resort’s tropical decor.

Mexico 2012 10 tropical inspired home accents

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2012 Trend: Eclectic

Eclectic style has been gaining momentum in recent years; and, much to my delight, it appears to be graduating in 2012 from style statement to full-on trend.

Vintage casserole dishes02 2012 Trend: Eclectic

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