Blog: Velvet

All for One - Celebrating Community Heroes!

All for One with Debbie Travis (photo via CBC)

In case you haven’t heard, Debbie Travis is coming back to the small screen! “All For One” celebrates Canada’s neighborhood heroes across the country. Armed with only her ideas, talent and supplies, volunteers from the community will need to step in, step it up and work hard. Debbie Travis, alongside the team of volunteers, will have only 5 days to pull together an entire home construction project.

The blend of celebrating local heroes and a supportive community of volunteers will help to bring a sense of collectivity to Canadians one and all, across our country. While we may be widespread from the western Rockies of British Columbia to the Plains of Abraham in Quebec, from the prairie landscapes of Manitoba to the waters and wildlife of Newfoundland-Labrador, from Lake Ontario to the red dirt of Prince-Edward-Island, we are all one helpful, giving, selfless people. It is Debbie Travis’s hope that we may be reminded of that. All together, we can watch, celebrate and beam with pride at our Canadian heroes and the generous neighborhoods that surround them.

Modern Karibou is proud to be a part of this wonderful show. Please tune in every Sunday, but October 3rd October 24th will be a special episode for us.  You can watch with us as Debbie Travis and her team of volunteers put in tireless effort, using products from Modern Karibou. Just in time for Thanksgiving, nothing could warm the heart more than giving back to those who deserve it.

All For One will air on CBC on Sunday nights at 9 pm EST/9:30 pm NFLD/10pm PST. The premiere will air this Sunday, September 26th.

Interview with Anu Raina

I recently had the pleasure of learning about Anu Raina’s textile designs thanks to a comment she left on this blog.

Diversity is what makes the fabric of our culture (if you'll excuse the pun) so rich and vibrant.  Anu is a prime example of someone who has transformed adversity in her life into something constructive and beautiful, channeling painful experiences and memories to create luxurious textiles and innovative pieces.

Different materials such as paper, puff pigment, silk chiffon, India ink, wool, magazine clippings, staples, and even poetry have been juxtaposed in Anu’s work, thus mirroring the complexity of life.

Not surprisingly, Anu has won many awards and scholarships, including an artist in residence position at the prestigious Harbourfront Centre in Toronto with a six-month scholarship.

Enjoy the Q & A!

Your work is very personal, even emotional at times.  Where do you get your inspiration?

That is true. While making work, my hands follow my heart and one can sense that connection in my work. My inspiration comes from real life experiences and a strong urge to give an expression to them.

How did you get started as a textile designer? 

With a Degree in Biology from Delhi University, I jumped into Fashion and studied Fashion Design from London College of Fashion in 1997, (London, UK).  But something was still lacking.  I needed to express myself better and show more diversity in the media I was working with.  The Textile Design program at Sheridan College (Oakville) did just that for me. It helped me re-discover myself and introduced me to the conceptual and art side of designing.  It helped me understand what I was doing and why I was doing it.  I graduated with High Honours and the top Medal awarded by the Board of Governors Sheridan College in June 2010.

How have your life in Kashmir and/or move to Canada impacted your work?

The forced exodus of the community which I come from in Kashmir in 1990 and the every single day struggle that followed in settling down again away from home, left a deep impact on me.  Canada gave me a chance to re-establish myself and gave a new life to my work and creativity.  Although I derive a lot of inspiration from the rich craft culture of Kashmir, there is definitely a dark undercurrent to my work.

Your designs are very intricate.  What techniques do you use?

I work very intuitively in layers, both visually and conceptually. I am able to connect with my designs at a very emotional level using text, mark making with simple hand stitches, free hand drawing and various printing techniques that I learnt at Sheridan. I kinda know where to stop.

Whose work do you admire?

I'm in love with the work of Canadian Fibre Artist Dorothy Caldwell, there is so much depth in her work, it leaves me completely mesmerized. I also like the way Caitlin Erskine-Smith uses text in weaving her fabrics.

What direction would you like to give your work from here?

I want to make clothing and accessories that people can cherish for a long time for their originality, flair and simplicity and that do not die an untimely death of a six-month fashion cycle. I would like to be part of  LG Fashion week in Toronto some day soon.

When asked what else she would like to add, Anu had this to say:

I am deeply thankful to this country for giving me another chance and all the beautiful people I have met here.

***

She feels she owes a lot to Canada but with contributions such as hers, we are the ones who should feel lucky and enriched by her presence here.

Here are more samples of her work.

The B2 Spirit Jacket was an impressive undertaking where over 10,000 staples were used in making it.  Anu admits she went crazy stapling and actually sprained her wrist.  Now, if that’s not dedication...

 

This cool hand bag is another variation on the staple theme.

I LIVE IN NY is fabric (as seen above) that is available by the yard and is composed of silk chiffon, puff pigment print, and bees wax resist.  This exquisite detail is what made me fall in love with it.

 
 
Despite the dark undercurrent to many of her pieces, her work can also be quite witty at times.  Love her Splattered Milk Unisex Kitchen Apron (designed for men), complete with a printed recipe for a Mushroom Hazelnut Salad and the words - "And you thought I was only good in bed" - printed in bold.

You can see more pieces from her collection on her site.  Her blog is where she shares her inspiration and is worth the read.

 

ReDesign in London, Ontario

 

Jerry Banman from ReDesign in London, Ontario, was recently in touch with us to show us photos of one of their latest interior design projects.  I love their modern aesthetic mixed with unexpected accents, such as funky wallpaper, cork flooring, and textured wall tiles.

ReDesign is on a mission to bring great design to the masses locally.  First and foremost, they want to inform people of the great benefit of pursuing a design before having a space built or renovated.  Ultimately, it saves time, energy, and costly mistakes. 

The Whitehaven projects (main floor/kitchen completed about a year ago and ensuite just recently) began with a tour of a typical builders home built in the '80s.  The clients had Lisa Banman, ReDesign’s Principal Designer, tour with them to ensure that their design preferences could be achieved in the home if they were to purchase it.  Lisa assured them that the house could be transformed to achieve the client's goals and drew some preliminary plans to demonstrate this.  The main floor received largely cosmetic attention (paint, flooring, lighting, etc.), but the kitchen was gutted and reconfigured entirely.

 
 
The ensuite redesign was the most recent project.  A bizarre, over-sized ensuite bathroom and walk-in closet were re-configured to better suit the lifestyle of the clients.  An enormous unused whirlpool tub was eliminated in lieu of a walk-in shower and extended closet space.  Below are the design details:

• Walk-in shower with trough drain, hand held wand, body sprays, and two ceiling-mounted rain heads
• Heated towel rack
• Porcelain tile floor, shower walls and ceiling, tile base
• Glass tile on shower feature wall

(I spy a couple of Blomus shower shelves.)
 
 

• In-floor LED lighting between toilet and shower for low-level lighting (perfect for nighttime visibility)
 

• Floating Zebrawood custom vanity with white quartz countertop
• Glass mosaic tile on vanity backsplash with white quartz sill
• Single vanity sink with dual wall-mount faucets

 


• Acid etched glass 'barn door' between ensuite bath and walk-in closet



• Stranded bamboo flooring in walk-in closet
• Custom shelving in walk-in closet

Here are samples of other projects to give you an idea of ReDesign's range of work, from the modern to the unique and unusual.

I like the choice of materials in this space: Zebrano flooring, minimalistic glass railing, and round window.

A play on textures with the coolness of the stainless steel cube set against the warmth of the shaggy rug.

At first glance, the backsplash looks like a simple but colourful accent.

Upon closer inspection, you can see how fun and detailed it actually is.  I love these unexpected twists.

 

Isn't this funky retro space fabulous?

 

Design credit goes to Lisa Banman (Principal Designer) and the photography was done by Erwin Loewen - www.erwinloewen.com.

Click here to see more eye candy from ReDesign and find your inspiration!
 
 

The Muskoka Collection - Just in Time for Summer!

For most people in Ontario, the name Muskoka conjures up images of lakes and summertime.  So when MANOR12 recently announced the launch of its Muskoka Collection, memories instantly popped into my mind of happy times spent in that region as a carefree teenager.

With names such as ‘Drift’, ‘Cabana’, and ‘Barnacle’, and a colour palette directly inspired by our waterways, you can’t help but wish you were floating along on a lake or river, taking in a delicious summer breeze.

Here's a taste of this evocative collection that includes pillows to lounge on, tea towels for BBQs, and napkins for al fresco meals with loved ones.

View the entire MANOR12 collection here.

 

Gus* Modern @ the Market!

 

Gus Modern is currently wrapping up at the High Point Spring Market and they’ve shared photos of their showroom.  As always, they’ve done an amazing job with the exhibit, showcasing some inexpensive and imaginative art work, including prints on plywood and a montage of bicycle handlebars painted in white.  Not to mention great new FSC certified upholstered pieces that will soon be available on Modern Karibou.  Until then, here’s a sneak peak...

 

  

Ottawa Home & Garden Show

The Ottawa Home & Garden Show celebrated its 30th Anniversay over the weekend and we were proud to have some of our favourite pieces of furniture and home accessories featured in 30 Designer Finds.

Curated by the lovely Marie-Judith Jean-Louis of M2JL STUDIO, people were able to view (and touch) some products in person. 

One piece people couldn’t seem to take their hands off of was the new UU72 Table by MuNiMulA (available in early July).  Its textured planks are intriguing and reflect light in unexpected ways. 

The RC-1 Rain Collector by Canadian designers HERO 365 was also a great hit with eco-conscious gardeners.

In addition to this exhibit, Marie created four spaces (at marathon record-breaking pace) that featured hot new dining room trends.  She showed her designer chops by proving that creativity in Ottawa need not be safe and predictable. 

Rustic and woodsy

Hot pink jewel

Fresh and zesty

If you're in search of an exciting and innovative designer with a modern aesthetic in Ottawa, be sure to check out her site and blogs: MOOT & M2JL STUDIO.

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. 

Interview with Gregory Kenny - Kilowatt Studio

 

Gregory Kenny is the founder and head designer of Vancouver-based Kilowatt Studio.  His work first came to our attention with Nest and Pod, two cat (or small dog) beds that strike an elegant balance between luxury and simplicity.  His attention to detail, respect of craft, use of indigenous North American species, rigorous process of research and design are all part of Gregory’s signature style. 

  
 
As with all interviews, the objective with this one was to get to know the designer behind the great pieces coming out of Kilowatt Studio.  What I discovered in Kenny was the quintessential Canadian: talented, modest but confident, and inspired by his surroundings.  For instance, Slope was a commissioned piece inspired by the slopes of Whistler.

The West Coast seems to have a good cache of creative people who are making an important contribution to modern design in Canada.  Although some people criticize modern design as being sterile and lacking in character, you need only see Kenny’s work to recognize that that is a very narrow-minded view of this multifaceted aesthetic.  Hand crafted from wool, organic cotton, bamboo, and many other different species of wood, his pieces are nothing if not warm and approachable.

Enjoy the Q & A!

 
  
Where do you pull inspiration from?

Without question the single most influential medium for me is architecture. I’m envious of the endless roster of materials that are available and find myself reading the resource section in the back of architectural magazines to source new products. The availability of new technology is also very inspiring, from laser cutters and CNC machining, to large format printing, which offers endless colour possibilities.

Who's work do you admire?

A young woman named Elena Manferdini just hit my radar and I think her work is beautiful. She moves between fashion, furniture, product design and architecture seamlessly. Her “Fabric Tower” submission for a competition in Guizhou Province China is stunning.

Japanese architect, Tadao Ando, is always an inspiration, not only because he is self-taught(!) but also for his work in concrete.

What would be your dream commission?

Under the category of “be careful what you wish for” I would like to design a small shop/store. An acquaintance approached me some time ago about a salon she is hoping to open and my mind hasn’t stopped spinning since.
 
How would you characterize West Coast design as opposed to Canadian design in general?  Or can a distinction be made?

That’s a good question. In Vancouver, studio furniture leans towards the “warm wood” look, with a definite penchant for local species like Douglas Fir, Cedar and Western Maple, not surprising when you look at the city’s surroundings. Outside of that one distinction I think Vancouver is a melting pot of design styles influenced by the countless cultures the city has.

You have worked on several film and television sets.  What was your favourite project?

I was lucky enough to spend six weeks in the Canadian Rockies building sets for a large feature film. Sure it was the middle of winter but with mountains surrounding you as the sun comes up, you forget about the cold, for about one minute!

What would you like to design next?

I would love to design and build a large dining room table with three very West Coast elements, concrete, glass and a huge tree stump.

***

His high standards, his passion for the environment as well as his love of animals are beautifully illustrated in his work.

 

Introducing RAJBOORI!

 
Colour with a hint of the exotic is back in a big way, and honestly what could be more uplifting when trying to fight the winter blahs.  Perfect timing to introduce you to RAJBOORI! 

A collaborative effort by American Industrial Designer Stephen Burks of Readymade Projects and Canadian home textile industry veteran, Mitun Chakrabarti, RAJBOORI (and their gorgeous MILON Coverlets!) first caught my eye on Modern Echo.  I was instantly drawn in by the deep saturated colours and silky textures.

I was intrigued, as they are truly unique and look like nothing else I’ve seen in modern bedding.  Upon further investigation, I learned why RAJBOORI’s stunning pieces have that luxe and regal quality, and why we absolutely had to feature their designs on Modern Karibou. 

 

RAJBOORI designs are made of Peace Silk and if you’re not familiar with this type of silk (I know I wasn’t), or with how silk is produced, you might be interested in what follows.  You will also get a rare glimpse into how silk is actually weaved, and by some of the best weavers in the world.

Excerpts from RAJBOORI...

RAJBOORI Artisans & Processes

Why is PEACE SILK the most ECO-FRIENDLY silk?

Peace Silk is made from the cocoons of wild or semi-wild silkworms found exclusively in India. Unlike other commercially available silks, in this case the silkworm is allowed to live out its full life cycle. Instead of stifling the pupae to obtain reeled yarn, the silk is degummed and spun like other fiber. The resulting yarn is soft, fluffy, and light with a texture similar to cotton mixed with wool. This is the best silk for warmth and therapeutic use. It is rare and not readily commercially available. The fabric is meticulously handcrafted by expert artisans into desired patterns and weaves.

The Magic of Weaving

Our debut collection uses an intricate and geometric pattern that is woven in a jacquard weave. These jacquards are woven in rare looms that have ten paddles that need to be monitored each step of the way to ensure accuracy of the pattern. There are only a few looms that can produce this particular pattern of jacquard. Only a few master weavers are privy to the intricate knowledge of weaving this jacquard pattern and this skill is handed over exclusively to members of the family. The process of weaving this pattern is time consuming; it takes about 15 days just to set up the loom for this type of weave.

Once the Peace Silk yarn is dyed in organic dyes and is ready to be woven, the master weaver sets up the loom with the accurate warp and weft setting. With constant and meticulous attention involving guiding the loom with their hands in a perfect rhythm, the fabric is woven with the pattern using the various colors that were selected for the designs.

To get the desired softness and lustre, another set of artisans beat the woven silk with hammers made out of tamarind wood.

 

The Magicians - Weavers

With our patronage and similar patronage from other socially conscious textile manufacturers, the new generation of weavers is getting more involved in the trade of their forefathers. This is gravely needed to sustain this weaver community and their trade. Mohammad Abbas Ansar is our master weaver who’s 60 yrs old and has now handed over his expertise to his son, Mohammad Sajjar, who’s only 20 but is already highly skilled and manages the family business. Their family has been practicing this ancient art for almost 200 years.

The women of the house also work on making the bobbins for the yarn that goes into making the woven jacquards. In this village, the loom is the key piece of furniture in almost every home.

 

 

Creating the Collection

Our amazing and unique collection of home textiles would not have been possible without the dedication and meticulous attention to detail from not only the weavers but also the artisans who worked on the stitching. Hussein and his team of skilled artisans worked with great enthusiasm on these highly technical and innovative designs. A minor mistake in sticthing the wrong patch would result in completely ruining the entire design. Thus, attention to detail was very critical in the whole process.

The designs being very geometric required careful calculation of the amount of fabric needed and the cutting of each triangle to size by hand. It was like watching someone put together a colourful puzzle. RAJBOORI quilts, coverlets, and pillows consist of pieces that have to be cut precisely in the right sizes and then stitched together to create the contemporary design that we now see in the final product.

More RAJBOORI products can be viewed and ordered here.
 

IDS 2010 & TDIF

We have just stumbled out of the train from Toronto.  So much to see, so much to do, and not enough time as always, but this year’s IDS 2010 and the inaugural Toronto International Design Festival (TDIF) was well worth the trip.

The Interior Design Show has a new home this year at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, and the new venue definitely gives it a much needed renewed sense of purpose.  Pairing the show with the TDIF was a genius idea and hopefully this is the beginning of a well-attended and celebrated annual event.  It’s a wonderful showcase for our tremendous Canadian talent.

I brought back some photos which can be viewed on Flickr.

Here were some of the highlights from IDS 10.

Studio North

 
Definitely one of my favourite finds this year, were these molded wall shelves by Coup Design Group.  A new design studio that is very promising if these shelves are any indication.  The bottom of this curvy shelf comes in a number of eco-friendly wood veneers, while the top is covered in your choice of custom wallpaper.

 
It was great to see MANOR12 getting much deserved attention.  Their eco-friendly cushions are available through Modern Karibou.  The light fixture will also be featured very soon.

Prototypes

 

 
We stayed at the fabulous Gladstone Hotel.  If you’re in for an alternative lodging experience, I highly recommend you try it out (and yes, you should wear the earplugs provided).  Each room has been designed by a Canadian designer and features a different theme. 

The Gladstone also hosts the Come Up To My Room exhibit every year.  Young designers are invited to create installations in rooms on the 2nd floor as well as throughout the hotel.  I was finally able to attend for the first time this year.  What a refreshing experience!  I get a lot of pleasure out of the sense of entering the minds and imagination of creative people, and this exhibit definitely delivers.

For those who don’t already know the area, Queen Street West has some awesome shops, galleries, and restaurants.  Artists and designers have taken a run-down neighbourhood and are transforming it into an exciting design destination.

I’m extremely pleased we made it to Toronto again this year.  Let’s just hope next year’s trip doesn’t include another rowdy Bachelor party aboard our train...