Welcome to the 2013 Homies

Canoe Design has been nominated again by the amazing Apartment Therapy community for their Homies Award 2013 in the category of Best Home Design & Inspiration Blog.   I am so flattered and offer everyone a huge THANK YOU!

So, if you have a moment, and are so inclined to cast your in Canoe Designs favour, please visit Apartment Therapy here to sign in and cast your vote.  Voting will end on Feb 8th (tomorrow, eek!!), and although I am happy for all the votes, I really am so happy to be considered and to be in the company of so many amazing bloggers!

The house Jens Risom built

Although prefab is at the forefront of people's minds and design ideals, it is not a new, or even revolutionary phenomenon.  In 1967, danish designer Jens Risom had an A-Frame house built on Block Island, RI completely for pre-ordered parts.  Assembled on his property, this 700 square-foot holiday home housed everything one could need, including furniture designed by Risom himself. At a time where prefab equalled boring, this little cottage proved everyone wrong using materials, forms and the elements of design seemingly lost on the other such homes of the time.  Originally showcased in Life, and recently published in Dwell, this escape  as a homage to the now 97-year-old Risom and his influence on the design world as we know it.  

Dwell Magazine - Foto + Warner Photography

Gentle Giants at Sea

Sharks have forever fascinated me. I have been a recreational diver since I was little and I remember the first time I was underwater with a shark like it was yesterday – seeing this reef shark move past us with grace and ease took my breath away.  They are truly magnificent creatures that are so misunderstood by society and anything we can do to protect them , so when the images of a recent photo shoot with whale sharks came to me I just had to share.  Environmental photographer Shawn Heinrichs has captured the incredible grace of these gentil giants posing with models in the Philipines to help bring awareness to them and their docile nature. Crossing my fingers for the day I can dive with these magnificent creatures.

Blue Sphere Media

Up and Coming Designers

Each and every month I flip through my issue of AD and hope to be inspired.  Design is not only my job but it truly is my passion, and I try and share as much of what inspires me with all of you as much as I can.  I love learning about new designers, and whose work we should keep an eye out for.  Well in a recent issue their outlined who we should watch in 2013 (see full article here) and I thought I would share my top 4 seeing as they have been added to my list of as well.  From East to West coast their aesthetics are different, however what they all have in common is that they are helping to shape the design world going forward and are producing some pretty amazing interiors if you ask me.  Happy Wednesday all!

David M Sutherland

David M Sutherland is an impressive Manhattan based designer with a strong masculine aesthetic.  He uses a bold mix of materials, highlighting their textures and natural qualities, while creating interiors formed with high craftsmanship. 

David M Sutherland Inc.

MW Works Architecture + Design

Based in Seattle MW Works have a clean, crisp West Coast modern aesthetic.  Their mix of indoor/outdoor spaces is perfectly fitting with their location, and although each detail is thought through, I don't really get the impression that things are over designed   Best to keep it simple and let the details and materials speak for themselves.

MW Works Architecture + Design

Tommy Clements

The son of renowned designer Kathleen Clements, and now a partner at her Los Angeles based firm Kathleen Clements Designs, Tommy has helped shape the interiors we see from this firm.  With celebrity homes under his belt all over the country, there is a soft accessible side to their aesthetic, however one can see little pops of a more rustic urban aesthetic working its way through. 

Kathleen Clements Designs

Ashe + Leandro

This design duo based in New York have a relatively young firm of five years, however with their experience in Architecture and set design, it is clear to see that their projects speak to their years of experience at some of the top design companies in the city.  To me Ashe + Leandro are a breath of fresh air mixing colours, patterns and textures to make livable yet stylish interiors.

Ashe + Leandro

To the Mountains I'd Go

Especially if I had a winter escape like this! Nestled in the nordic mountains in Sweden, this getaway was built in the style of a traditional log cabin, yet when you get inside it is way more stylish! With all the cold weather we have had over the past week I surely would love to have a place to spend the weekend out of the city.  I love the whitewashed timber interior walls and the wide open spaces.  The furnishings are simple and are in keeping with the Scandinavian vibe and location. Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. 

Trendland