BLOG: VELVET

Custom Art Work by Cici Art Factory

  

Kids have so much stuff these days, it’s often challenging (even stressful sometimes) to find them a gift that won’t end up in the bottom of a toy bin after 10 minutes of play, never to be seen again.

 

Stacey, a Modern Karibou customer, had the perfect gift idea recently.  She and her husband were about to celebrate their daughter’s first birthday and they wanted something special to commemorate the event.  She looked at different art prints but as soon as she saw it, she fell in love with Cici Art Factory’s lotsa o birdies .

 

What a stroke of genius to have an original piece made by a Canadian artist!  Not only would it be cherished for many years, she would be initiating her child to art at an early age.

 

Stacey wanted to have some of the features in the piece customized to make it more personal and Liz Clay (Cici Art Factory) accepted without hesitation, even making a few suggestions here and there.  It was the beginning of an exciting process.

 

The artist was gracious enough to send photos at every stage, in case modifications were required along the way.  Below are some images that follow this process.

 

The first step is the penwork...

 

 

followed by the colours.  Liz usually uses four different pinks in the regular lotsa o birdies series, but given the size of this piece (30'' x 30''), she decided to use 8 different colours to give it some interest, in chunky and thick paint to give the birds dimension.

  

In the original series, Liz has some off-white birdies mixed in with the pink ones, but she offered the option of doing them in a charcoal and grey instead (see sample below). 

 
Ultimately, Stacey (the customer) prefered keeping the cream birdies.  She also asked for red and green accents, in addition to the original pinks.  Liz was happy to oblige and was able to beautifully integrate these two new colours.  The red was used for additional birdies and the light green became leaves that she interspersed with the birds (which don’t appear in the original art work). 

 

A beautiful custom piece slowly emerged and the finished art work was absolutely stunning!

 

    

If you’re interested in a custom piece by Cici Art Factory, get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to discuss the options with you.

 

View the complete ‘lotsa’ collection here. 

HiLo Chair Spotted in France!

A while back, Agathe from France contacted us to order the HiLo Chair by Age Design.  Proof once again that Canadian design not only has appeal in our own backyard, but also overseas.

She sent an email aknowledging receipt of her order, and to my surprise and great delight, she had attached photos of her young daughter comfortably seated in the high chair.

Like all children, she seems to take just as much pleasure from the box as from its contents.

When I thanked Agathe for these images, she offered to send more of the HiLo Chair in her home.  As you’ll see, it looks like it naturally belongs in this warm ‘little nest’ (as the homeowner calls it), located in Northern France.  These photos are extracts from their daily life, whose authenticity makes these images all the more charming.  But ultimately, it’s the adorable little girl who draws the most ‘oooooohhhh & aaaaahhhhh’s’. 

I simply could not pick my favourites, therefore have decided to post them all.  Thank you Agathe for inviting us into your home!

Low Position

High Position 

If you want to share images of your home, don’t hesitate to send them to us and they might get posted.  We’re always on the lookout for inspiration and who knows, your ideas might just pop up somewhere at the other end of the country, or even in another home across the world!

New Baby Arrivals from Dwell Studio

In case you haven’t heard, Dwell Studio’s new baby collection has arrived!  If there is one thing they know how to design, it’s fresh motifs and adorable products for babies.  We’re in the midst of adding them to Modern Karibou and I thought they were so irresistible I couldn’t wait to talk about them. 

Among these new pieces are bundle bags for the colder weather that’s already upon us (or as some jaded people might say is still with us). 

Dwell Studio's sleep sacks are also a great alternative to quilts and blankets.  Your baby will stay warm and cozy with no risk of kicking off her covers.

Their popular crib sets have also been revisited with new patterns such as OWLS sky, SPARROW lilac, and PAPER DOLLS petal.

If you’re interested in something that is not yet featured (because I was too impatient to start showing you their new products), send us a note and we’ll be sure to add it in a jiffy.

Next, we’ll be adding their new kids’ bedding.  Stay tuned...

Oeuf - Be Good!

      

Sparrow Wardrobe, Sparrow Crib, Sparrow Dresser - Oeuf

The Oeuf Sparrow Collection is finally available in Canada!  Modern Karibou is the only authorized Canadian e-tailer to feature it on its website.

Here is their mission and one of the reasons we’re so proud to have partnered with them...

When we were kids, whenever our parents dropped us off somewhere like school, our grandparents’ house for the weekend or even summer camp, they always gave us a hug and a kiss and told us to “be good!” as they waved goodbye.

As kids we’re very literal and knew this meant…don’t cut your sister’s hair, don’t glue yourself to the wall, don’t go running off into the woods with nothing but your underwear and a toothbrush. At the time, it was mostly about good behaviour.

  

Sparrow Night Stand, Sparrow Twin Bed, Sparrow Dresser, Sparrow Wardrobe

Now as parents, we realize there is a whole other level of meaning when we kiss them goodbye and tell them to be good. We know we’re really telling them to be good people. Do the right thing. Make us proud. Be the kind of people we hope to be. As Oeuf, we have the chance to elevate this notion once again and be a good company.

   

Classic Toddler Bed - Oeuf

When we say Be Good, we mean:

Be good designers.
Simple, clean, intuitive products that are easy and safe to use; made with quality craftsmanship that will last from generation to generation; designed with a European sensibility that is fun and stylish reflecting the needs and lifestyle of today’s modern families.

Be good people.
Respect the people who work with us and treat them fairly whether employees, artisans, retailers or consumers. Provide a safe and supportive working environment that allows working families to live and thrive in the United States, Europe and abroad. Honour cultural traditions, diversity and local values. Pay people living wages that enable them to live healthy fulfilling lives and send their own children to school.

Be good to the planet.
Use natural, renewable, recyclable materials that emphasize conservation and lead to environmentally sound products. Employ eco-conscious manufacturing processes that promote low emissions and sustainability.

'Be Good' is not just something we say-- its something we mean. As parents, we want our children to inherit a world that is better than we found it. As Oeuf, we have the ability to make that happen.

Oeuf
Be Good.