PechaKucha

This past Thursday night, Chelsey and I checked out vol. 14 of PechaKucha Night Vancouver. It was our third time attending the event and it was awesome!

PechaKucha Night was devised in Tokyo in 2003 as an event for young designers to meet, network and show their work in public. It has turned into a massive celebration, with events happening in hundreds of cities around the world, inspiring creatives worldwide. It's name is derived from the Japanese term for "chit chat" and the presentation format is based on a simple idea: 20 images x 20 seconds. It's a format that makes presentations concise, and keeps things moving at a rapid pace.

What I love about these nights is that they are all so different. Anyone can present and any topic can be covered (trust me...there have been a few interesting ones). The key to a great presentation is to present something you love!

I advise you all to check out vol. 15 in the new year! Come out and see what your peers are up to and find out about the unique ways people are contributing to a design savvy, forward thinking, eco friendly Vancouver!

Lyrics to remember...

I'm the Berlin Wall, I'm a communist
You're a wreckin' ball in a summer dress
You're the horizon line, I'm the last sunset
I might be goin' down, but I'm not set yet

I'm as white as a ghost, diggin' foolish gold
I will man my post, but I won't do as I'm told
Got a purply heart from a bloody war
Can't take it anymore, more, more

They say that good things come to those who wait
If you snooze then you lose
So don't (h-h-h-) hesitate

Joel Plaskett ~ Through & Through & Through

Something's fishy...

I'm not a huge fish person, OK, I'm deathly afraid of fish, but if I were to act as an adoptive parent to one, I would of course want it to have a stylish home! I LOVE these mod fish bowls. The first, I'm sorry to report, is only available in the UK or Europe but it's amazing... it's a freakin' whale! The fish condo is awesome because you can buy multiples and stack them so that each fish tenant has his own unit! Being a landlord has never been easier...now all you have to do is keep your tenants alive!

It's tiki time!

It turns out that Bob Mills was dead drunk when he came across art dealer Barney Davis in Honolulu in 1953. By the end of the night, he had purchased eight black velvet paintings with exotic, erotic Polynesian themes for $275 each. When confronted by his wife the next day, Mills told her that he was going to build a Tahitian cocktail lounge in Vancouver and that these paintings were going to grace the walls. Two years later, the Tahitian cocktail lounge opened in Mills’ Waldorf Hotel in east Vancouver.

The Waldorf is a Vancouver landmark, not one that I would ever have dared to step into mind you. Nestled in a more seedy part of the city, I have never known it as the ‘it’ place to go. As of October, that has all changed. A three month renovation of the building has re-launched it as a multi venue concept hotel based on culture, music and alternative entertainment.

A few of us checked it out this past Friday and it was definitely an experience. The best part by far was Mills’ Tiki bar where we ended up for a few post dinner bevies. It has been preserved as is and with its lack of windows, glowing night sky ceiling and 50’s music bellowing from the state-of-the-art speakers Mills also bought back in the day, you are taken to a different world, and at times, completely forget that you are living in 2010. Even the staff have that cool, hipster style that fits in so well with the overall ambiance. If you want to check out something new this weekend, head over to the Waldorf…I think it’s worth a peruse! Just watch out for the needles in the parking lot.

May the Force be with you

OK, so I have been a little m.i.a lately. After coming home from LA, I started a new job and have not been so disciplined in the blog department. I have however realized how much I miss this. I feel like my life has been void of creativity as of late...and so, I am back! Here's to round two!

In last month's issue of Elle Decor, I came across an article on Ralph Lauren's Manhattan apartment. I have such a soft spot for New York (I actually think it's where I belong), and I love how Lauren's space is motivated by the "simple, almost primitive desire for clean, open space."

The coolest and most unusual piece in this home is the Star Wars figure that occupies the spacious entrance gallery. It was a Father's Day gift from Lauren's family. The one thing that is important to him is art and he loves how the piece is so stark, white and graphic. I think it looks pretty awesome paired with the gutsy motorcycle painting.

There are usually bits and pieces of different spaces that really speak to my personal style, but with this space...i love it all...even the Star Wars figure! Who doesn't want an Imperial Stormtrooper in their entrance way? If nothing else, it's definitely a conversation piece!