image source: aggv.ca

Today is installation day for The Gallery of Greater Victoria’s “Art In Bloom – Celebrating the art of gardening”. One part of this dynamic community event is the “floral interpretations” where artists, designers, and florists create botanical interpretations of various works in the gallery’s diverse art collection.

Detail of our Floral Interpretation

Check out our floral interpretation in the mansion section of the gallery March 28th – April 2nd. We were given Canadian artist, Sophie Pemberton’s “Spring” of 1902 to interpret – a very large traditional landscape portrait. We decided to honour this beautiful piece by creating a traditional loose arrangement in a golden urn to emulate to the gold  frame around the painting. Curly willow branches reference the trees in the landscape and a collection of blue, pink and yellow flowers including dancing lady orchids pay tribute to the florals depicted.

Our Floral Interpretation with "Spring" by Sophie Pemberton

There are many other great things going on during this event including a lecture series, workshops, silent auction, a red carpet gala and much more. With proceeds going towards exhibitions and programming at the gallery, this is a great opportunity support your local art community while celebrating the welcomed arrival of spring! Get all of the details on AGGV’s website, here.

Dr. Skud by Philippe Starck for Alessi

My co-worker recently introduced me to Dr. Skud. She is really quite amazing. I love that Philippe Starck applied his design savvy to an everyday object like a fly swatter and that Alessi made it  accessible to all at a price of $17.00 on our website. The face image that’s created by pin holes through the swatter, varies depending on lighting and what angle you view her at.

Dr. Skuds

The small, but functional, tripod stand makes it easy to display, as this is not a fly swatter that you will want to hide under the kitchen sink.

Dr. Skud feet

Totally utilitarian, with a unique twist, this is the perfect gift for the host that already has it all, or for … me!  (here’s to hoping my friends and family are fans of this blog)

Dr. Skud

Meet Dr. Skud on our website here.

 

Marcel Wanders, born in the Netherlands, has become famous for his fabulous creations in design.  One of my favourite pieces is the Skygarden Suspension Lamp.  It looks like a boring, plain, semi-spherical lamp from a distance, but if you have a chance – look up inside!

Inspired by an antique plaster ceiling in a former home, Wanders captured the essence of classical plaster design inside a modern, sleek exterior.

The Skygarden comes in two sizes; the S1 (w60cm  x h30cm), or the S2 (w90cm  x h45cm).  It is also available in 4 colours: Rust, Gold, White and Black.

Marcel designed the lamp for Flos, who still carries the lamp today.

New York designer Sandy Chilewich who began her career creating bold and fancy styles of leggings (Hue) is now combining beautiful colours and textures to accessorize the home. She combines modern design with durability and easy to clean products, used both indoor and outdoor….functionally fashionable!

Hue Hosiery

Make a statement in GOLD…

Chilewich Gold

Layer for contrast and texture…

Chilewich Layers

Define a space…

Chilewich Space

Looking for items which are stylish, solid and enduring for your every day products and accessories? One word which comes to the mind of several is stainless steel.

Stainless steel does not rust, is strong and is pleasing to the eye! Our catalog features several stainless products specifically made for outdoors, decors, kitchen, living room, wine bar, bed room, bathroom, and many more.

Some of the best selling Blomus products are stainless steel fireplace set, stainless steel tea set, and stainless steel fire pits.

Pay Gabriel Ross a visit, you might find the stainless steel products you have been looking for.

Blomus Products

Wow, now this is a hammock.  I drive by my neighbours hammock everyday, and it’s one strung between two trees.

Don’t have 2 trees in your yard?  Well here is one that does not need trees.

Royal Botania Wave Hammock

After a seemingly endless search for modern outdoor furniture, I finally found Royal Botania!!!  Not only does it look absolutely amazing, it is incredibly comfortable.  I don’t know if you have ever lounged by a pool for half a day, but I have and let me tell you it is not a terribly comfortable experience for your ass unless you have a great lounge chair.   To be totally blunt, I never even think about my ass when I am lounging on my NINIX lounger!  Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, they tell you it is ergonomic or whatever that really means, but the proof for me has been a totally fidgetless afternoon by the pool.   The Batyline or mesh loungers don’t even need cushions to make them anymore comfortable.  Besides, those cushions get wet and disgusting quickly and who needs that!  With the mesh loungers, just hose them down and wipe them off and they are good to go.  I have had the loungers for 3 years now and can’t imagine relaxing in anything else.  Give your ass a break and try The Royal Botania NINIX lounger – you too can have a fidgetless day by the pool!