A GRAIN OF GOURMET SEA SALT



MADRAS SALT & PEPPER MILLS BY PEUGEOT



SALT HAS COME A LONG WAY IN NORTH AMERICA OVER THE LAST DECADE.  GOURMET SEA SALTS ARE READILY AVAILABLE TODAY AT ALMOST ANY GROCERY STORE.  I HAVE STARTED USING A SALT MILL TO GRIND FRESH COARSE SEA SALT IN MY COOKING AND IT IS FABULOUS! 

THERE ARE SO MANY GREAT MILLS AVAILABLE TODAY AND THEY REALLY CAN MAKE A STATEMENT, IN YOUR KITCHEN OR ON YOU'RE TABLE!  CHECK OUT THE MADRAS SALT AND PEPPER MILLS BY PEUGOT FROM DEAN AND DELUCA.  http://www.deandeluca.com/new-and-seasonal/world-flavors/french-collection/madras-salt-pepper-mills-by-peugeot.aspx

PEUGOT, THE FRENCH MILL MANUFACTURER IS THE BENCHMARK IN THE MILLING WORLD.  THE LION SYMBOL ON THEIR PRODUCT FIRST APPEARED IN 1850 TO REPRESENT QUALITY; STRENGTH OF THE TEETH, FLEXIBILITY OF THE BLADES AND THE CUTTING SPEED.  PEUGOT MILLS ARE THE CHOICE OF MANY TOP CHEFS AROUND THE WORLD. 

YOU'RE GOING TO NEED SOME SALT TO FILL THAT GRINDER!  YOU HAVE TO CHECK OUT THE SELECTION OF SALTS BY SALT WORKS!  http://www.saltworks.us/gourmet-sea-salt.asp  MY MOTHER WAS A FAN OF THIS COMPANY AND INTRODUCED ME TO IT.  THE SELECTION OF GOURMET AND NATURAL FINISHING SALTS THEY CARRY IS PHENOMENAL!  INCLUDING FLEUR DE SEL, HAWAIIAN SEA SALT, GREY SALT, SMOKED SALTS, FRENCH SEA SALTS AND HIMALAYAN SALT, TO NAME A FEW!
YOU HAVE TO CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITE.  THEIR BUSINESS SUCCESS STORY IS VERY INSPIRING TOO!  ENJOY!

DISHES GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE QUEEN (OF THE FOOD NETWORK THAT IS - INA GARTEN

CRATE AND BARREL, PORCELAIN ESSENTIAL DINNERWARE

LOVE THIS SET!  I HAVE NOW OWNED IT AND USED IT DAILY FOR OVER A YEAR AND IT IS AWESOME!  FIRST OF ALL, IT LOOKS GORGEOUS, WHITE PORCELAIN!  IT'S SUPER STRONG, DISHWASHER SAFE, MICROWAVE AND OVEN SAFE UP TO 300 DEGREES.

YOU CAN DRESS THIS SET RIGHT UP OR RIGHT DOWN.  WHETHER IT'S A CASUAL WEEKDAY DINNER ON THE COUCH IN FRONT OF THE TV OR AND ELEGANT HOLIDAY PARTY.  THESE ARE THE ONLY DISHES YOU WILL NEED!

I FIRST CONSIDERED CRATE AND BARREL FOR DISHES AFTER WATCHING ONE OF MY FAVOURITE CELEBRITY CHEF'S, INA GARTEN.  I AM IN LOVE WITH INA'S GARTEN'S EAST HAMPTON KITCHEN AND SO IS MOST OF NORTH AMERICA!  VOTED AS  HOUSE BEAUTIFULS' "2009 KITCHEN OF THE YEAR" AND  REPLICATED FOR PUBLIC VIEWING AT ROCKEFELLER CENTRE (NEW YORK) I'D SAY THIS IS A KITCHEN TO PULL SOME DECORATING IDEAS FROM!

THE REASON I MENTION INA GARTEN IN THIS POST IS THAT SHE USES AND RECOMMEND ON ONE OF HER SHOWS WHITE CRATE AND BARREL PORCELAIN DISHES.  IF IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR INA, IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME! 

STYLE AND FUNCTION!

GOTTA LOVE IKEA! POKAL TUMBLER

IKEA POKAL TUMBLER, WHITE IKEA CUP

I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE ARE IKEA SNOBS, SOME PEOPLE FEAR A GUEST IN THEIR HOME MIGHT RECOGNIZE SOMETHING AS "A PIECE FROM IKEA!!!"   I AM DEFINITELY NOT AN IKEA SNOB, I AM THE EXACT OPPOSITE, I'M A COMPLETE IKEA FAN!  TAKE FOR EXAMPLE THIS GORGEOUS IKEA POKAL TUMBLER!  IT LOOKS LIKE SUCH A BEAUTIFUL CUP TO DRINK A FROTHY GLASS OF VANILLA STEAMED MILK, A CREAMY LATTE, OR A FOAMY CAPPUCCINO!  MMM!  GET READY FOR A MILK MUSTACHE WITH THIS CUP!  CHECK OUT THE IKEA POKAL TUMBLER IN WHITE AT http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/10149675/  IT'S A STEAL OF A DEAL!

THE NEW BODUM YO-YO TEA STRAINER



BODUM, YO-YO TEA STRAINER

I LOVE TEA AND COFFEE!  ON A RECENT TRIP TO PICK UP SOME LOOSE LEAF TEA, I CAME ACROSS THE BEST TEA STRAINER I HAVE EVER USED!  NOT ONLY IS IT'S FUNCTION GREAT, THE FORM IS GREAT TOO!  BODUM IS BRILLIANT WITH BEAUTIFULY INCORPORATING FORM AND FUNCTION INTO WHAT COULD BE BORING EVERY DAY ITEMS.  I HAVE BEEN USING THIS STAINLESS STEEL BODUM STRAINER FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH AND I JUST WENT AND PICKED UP THREE MORE.  THIS IS GREAT WHEN YOU HAVE COMPANY AND YOU WANT TO MAKE YOUR GUESTS FEEL SPECIAL BY SERVING EACH THEIR FAVOURITE CUP OF HOT FRESH LOOSE LEAF TEA OR COFFEE.  ONE GUEST MIGHT WANT CREAMY EARL GREY AND ANOTHER CREME BRULE ROOIBOS.  THE BODUM YO-YOU GIVES YOU THAT OPTION, LOTS OF FLEXIBILITY WITHOUT COMPROMISING ON QUALITY. 

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, YOU'LL LOVE IT TOO! 

CHECK OUT THE BODUM, YO-YO TEA STRAINER AT http://www.bodum.com/ca/en-us/shop/detail/10547-16B/?showsize=false

ORANGE CRUSH!



VEUVE CLICQUOT CLICQ'UP ORIGAMI ON ICE





FRESH ORANGE TULIPS

 

ORANGE IS SUCH A CHEERY CHIC COLOUR!  IT WARMS UP ANY SPACE.

I RECENTLY HAD SOME FRIENDS OVER AND WAS REALLY INSPIRED BY A BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE I HAD PURCHASED!  I JUST LOVE THE VIBRANT YELLOW / ORANGE BOX VEUVE CLICQUOT COMES IN, I WAN'TED TO PICK UP SOME FLOWERS AND FOUND THESE GORGEOUS  VIBRANT YELLOW ORANGE TULIPS THAT MATCHED PERFECTLY AND THE POPS OF ORANGE REALLY DID CHEER UP THE SPACE.

WHETHER IT'S CHAMPAGNE IN BEAUTIFUL ORANGE PACKAGING, A GORGEOUS BOWL OF FRESH ORANGES OR A GORGEOUS BOUQUET OF FRESH ORANGE TULIPS; YOU REALLY CAN'T GO WRONG!

FRESH FLOWERS REALLY MAKE ANY SPACE!  THEY MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD TOO! 
LOOK AT ANY INTERIOR DESIGN MAGAZINE AND YOU'LL BE SURE TO SPOT FRESH FLOWERS OR A BEAUTIFUL BOWL OF FRESH FRUIT.  THE GREAT THING, IS YOU CAN PICK UP FLOWERS AND FRUIT ALMOST ANYWHERE; THE SUPERMARKET CORNER STORE OR FLORIST. 

YOU DON''T HAVE TO SPEND ALOT TO PUT TOGETHER A GORGEOUS ARRANGEMENT.  ONE VERY SIMPLE TRICK TO GET BIG IMPACT WITHOUT SPENDING A FORTUNE IS TO CHOOSE ONE TYPE OF FLOWER OR FRUIT FOR THE ENTIRE ARRANGEMENT.  TRY IT, YOU'LL LOVE IT!

THIS GORGEOUS BOWL HOLDING THE BOUQUET OF ORANGES CAN BE PURCHASED AT POTTERY BARN http://www.potterybarn.com/products/au-natural-earthenware-veggie-bowls/?pkey=e%7Cbowls%7C83%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C22&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-

CHECK OUT VEUVE CLICQUOT'S WEBSITE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE DELICIOUS CHAMPAGNE THAT COMES IN THE ICONIC ORANGE PACKAGING.  CHECK OUT THE VIDEO WITH THE AMAZING ORIGAMI ICE BUCKET, IT IS SUPER NEAT!  http://www.veuve-clicquot.com/en/news/clicqup

CRATE AND BARREL VIENNA CHAIR, MICHAEL THONET BENTWOOD

CRATE AND BARREL VIENNA SIDE CHAIR (THONET BENTWOOD) - WHITE LACQUER



I AM VERY EXCITED, I JUST ORDER FOUR OF THESE CHAIRS WHICH I WOULD CONSIDER FUNCTIONAL ART! 

THERE'S A LOT OF HISTORY BEHIND THIS WORK OF ART / CHAIR, READ ON TO LEARN MORE.

MICHAEL THONET, A GERMAN AUSTRIAN CABINET MAKER, INNOVATOR AND DESIGNER OF ICONIC CHAIRS!  (JULY 1796 - MARCH 1871).  THE BEAUTIFUL THONET CHAIRS HAVE WON NUMEROUS AWARDS INCLUDING PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS AT THE WORLD'S FAIR LONDON 1851 AND THE WORLD'S FAIR PARIS 1855. 

AFTER A RECENT TRIP TO PARIS I SEEM TO HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH THE PARISIAN CAFE BISTRO STYLE CHAIR.  ON A MORE RECENT TRIP TO THE BEAUTIFUL HISTORIC FRENCH FAIRMONT CHATEAU FRONTENAC IN QUEBEC CITY, CANADA I ONCE AGAIN FELL IN LOVE WITH THE VERY EUROPEAN STYLED CAFE CHAIR! 

A FEW GOOGLES LATER, I REALIZED THE WORK OF ART IN THAT CHAIR WAS THE BRAINCHILD OF MICHAEL THONET.  I SET OUT ON A MISSION TRYING TO FIND THESE CHAIRS TO FRESHEN UP OUR DINING ROOM TABLE, I STARTED SEARCHING KIJIJI AND CRAIGSLIST TO SEE IF I COULD FIND ANYTHING.  I HAD NO REAL LUCK AND THE FEW I DID FIND WERE REALLY EXPENSIVE, VERY WORN AND IN NEED OF REFURBISHING (I LIVE IN A TINY CONDO WITH NO TIME OR SPACE FOR THAT!) 

ON A TRIP TO CRATE AND BARREL RECENTLY, TO MY DELIGHT I SPOTTED THEM!  THE THONET BENTWOOD CHAIRS!!!  YAY!  I THOUGHT FOR SURE, THEY ARE GOING TO BE A CHEAP REPLICA OF THE GORGEOUS ORIGINAL.  I WAS VERY PLEASANTLY WRONG!  THE CRATE AND BARREL THONET CHAIRS ARE IN FACT MANUFACTURED IN ONE OF THE ORIGINAL THONET BENTWOOD FACTORIES IN POLAND.  HOW EXCITING IS THAT!  VERY EXCITING FOR ME!  THEY WERE EVEN ON SALE! 

CHECK OUT THE CRATE AND BARREL VIENNA SIDE CHAIR IN A LACQUERED FINISH OF BLACK OR WHITE.  THE CRATE AND BARREL VIENNA SIDE CHAIR, BISTRO STYLE DINING CHAIR ALSO COMES IN A VERY STYLISH BAR STOOL.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT CRATE AND BARRELS VIENNA SIDE CHAIRS AND BAR STOOLS.

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/furniture/dining-chairs/vienna-side-chair/f35141





CRATE AND BARREL VIENNA BAR STOOL (THONET BENTWOOD) - BLACK LACQUER

 

CRATE AND BARREL VIENNA SIDE CHAIR (THONET BENTWOOD) - BLACK LACQUER

 


NOW THIS IS ART!  HOW DO YOU TRANSLATE A GORGEOUS, GLAMOROUS, ICONIC VALENTINO RED SILK DRESS INTO A BOOK?  THIS IS HOW! 

A COLLECTOR'S EDITION PRESENTED IN A SILK CLAM SHELL BOX TINTED IN THE STUNNING VALENTINO RED.

THE COLLECTORS EDITION VALENTINO GARAVANI - UNA GRANDE STORIA ITALIANA IS LIMITED TO 2000 NUMBERED COPIES, EACH IS SIGNED AND NUMBERED BY VALENTINO GARAVANI.

FINISHED IN SETALUX BOOK CLOTH WITH SIX COLOUR SILKSCREEN PRINTING.

APPARENTLY POSH SPICE/VICTORIA BECKHAM HAS ONE!  I GUESS IT'S A GREAT THING TO BUY FOR SOMEONE WHO REALLY HAS EVERYTHING!

THIS BEAUTIFUL COFFEE TABLE ART CAN BE PURCHASED WHILE LIMITED SUPPLY LASTS AT http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/fashion/all/00325/facts.valentino_garavani_una_grande_storia_italiana.htm

Valentino Garavani. Una grande storia italiana, limited edition, Suzy Menkes, Matt Tyrnauer, Armando Chitolina

KATHRYN M. IRELAND, MEXICO MEETS MOROCCO, SAFI SUZANI, FIESTA

KATHRYN M. IRELAND IS A MASTER WITH TEXTILES, COLOURS AND PATTERNS, SHE HAS AN EXTRAORDINARY TALENT FOR MIXING THE MOST COLOURFUL AND INTRICATE DESIGNS. 

I AM USUALLY A FAN OF MINIMALISM BUT THERE IS SOMETHING SO UNIQUE AND INTRIGUING ABOUT KATHRYN IRELAND'S ECLECTIC BOHEMIAN CHIC DESIGN STYLE.  SHE TAKES WHAT MOST WOULD MAKE LOOK LIKE CHAOS AND MAKES IT VERY ZEN IN A STRANGE BEAUTIFUL WAY, THAT I HAVE YET TO FIGURE OUT.

ONE LOOK AT A ROOM DESIGNED BY KATHRYN IRELAND AND I WANT TO RUN OUT AND BUY PATTERNED EVERYTHING!  RUGS, CURTAINS, PILLOWS, THROWS...

CHECK OUT KATHRYN IRELANDS WEBSITE; HER PORTFOLIO IS AWESOME!  HER INDIVIDUAL DESIGNS ARE STUNNING AND THE WAY SHE PULLS A ROOM TOGETHER IS A WORK OF ART IN AND OF ITSELF.  YOU HAVE TO SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT!  CHECK OUT KATHRYN M IRELAND'S SITE http://www.kathrynireland.com/wp/fabric/mexico-meets-morocco-2/safi-suzani/

THIS IS A FABRIC PATTERN FROM KATRHRYN M. IRELAND'S "MEXICO MEETS MOROCCO" COLLECTION - SAFI SUZANI, FIESTA.  THIS WOULD BE BEAUTIFUL FRAMED, MADE INTO CURTAINS, THROW PILLOWS......  YOU WOULD NEVER GET BORED OF THIS, JUST LOOK AT ALL OF THE COLOURS YOU COULD PULL FROM.  LOVE IT!



MEXICO MEETS MOROCCO, SAFI SUZANI, FIESTA - KATHRYN M. IRELAND



CHARLEY HARPER AN ILLUSTRATED LIFE, TODD OLDHAM

LOVE IT!  NOW THIS IS A GREAT COFFEE TABLE BOOK!  ART FOR THE COFFEE TABLE.

JUST STUNNING TO SEE HOW ARTIST CHARLEY HARPER INTERPRETED NATURE, IN SUCH A WAY TO BE SO APPEALING TO BOTH ADULTS AND CHILDREN ALIKE.

WHAT A PERFECT COLLABORATION, CHARLEY HARPER + TODD OLDHAM.  A BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE TO AN INCREDIBLY TALENTED ARTIST.   

A GREAT GIFT IDEA FOR THE HOLIDAY'S! 

CHARLEY HARPER AN ILLUSTRATED LIFE - TODD OLDHAM CAN BE PURCHASED AT http://www.amazon.com/Charley-Harper-Illustrated-Life/dp/0978607651

CHARLEY HARPER AN ILLUSTRATED LIFE - TODD OLDHAM


 

MISSONI FLEURY RUG

THIS MISSONI FLEURY RUG IS A  GORGEOUS PIECE OF ART!  WOW!  I COULD STARE AT THIS ALL DAY LONG.  THE MASTERMINDS OF MISSONI SOMEHOW FIGURE OUT A WAY TO MAKE THE WILDEST COLOUR COMBINATIONS LOOK STUNNINGLY CHIC.  ALTHOUGH THIS IS A RUG, IT'S DEFINITELY ART, I JUST DON'T KNOW IF I COULD BRING MYSELF TO STEP ON SOMETHING SO PRETTY.  THIS BEAUTIFUL PIECE CAN BE PURCHASED AT http://www.allmodern.com/asp/show_detail.asp?opttext=1&specific=1&sku=MSH1289&PiID=3661092&PiID=3661090&opttext=1 .  THERE ARE A FEW STUNNERS, GOOD LUCK PICKING ONE!

MISSONI FLEURY RUG



JONATHAN ADLER GIANT DORA MAAR VASE

JONATHAN ADLER IS AN AMAZINGLY TALENTED ARTIST! 

THIS SCULPTURAL WORK OF ART IS SO CREATIVE AND  INTERESTING FROM EVERY ANGLE.  SIMPLE GENIUS. 

I WILL BE INVESTING IN THIS PIECE AS SOON AS I HAVE A SPOT WHERE IT CAN BE FULLY ENJOYED AND APPRECIATED FROM EVERY ANGLE, IN ITS FULLEST GLORY.

JONATHAN ADLER -DORA MAAR VASE



HUGO GUINNESS EGG CARTON

AN EXAMPLE OF CLASSIC CONTEMPORARY SIMPLICITY.  THIS IS A GREAT PIECE OF ART FOR A KITCHEN OF ANY STYLE TRADITIONAL OR MODERN.  THIS PRINT CAN BE PURCHASED AT http://www.johnderian.com/imports/hugo_guiness/egg_carton.html



EGG CARTON

ENZO MARI'S "LA MELA" "THE APPLE"

WHY DIDN'T I CREATE THIS?  SOMETIMES THE MOST SIMPLE ART IS THE NICEST.  RESTRAINT CAN BE HARD BUT WHEN DONE RIGHT, IT INSPIRES ME TO DEFINITELY GO WITH "LESS IS MORE".  THERE'S A ZEN LIKE QUALITY TO THIS PICTURE.

THIS IS THE CREATION OF ITALIAN ARTIST ENZO MARI AND PRINTS CAN BE PURCHASED AT NOVA68 http://www.nova68.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Enzo_Mari_LaMela&Category_Code


"LA MELLA" "THE APPLE"



MELTED CRAYON ART! AWESOME!

CHECK THIS OUT!  SOME PEOPLE ARE SO CREATIVE!  ESPECIALLY JESSIE KERBAWY!  CRAYON ART!?  WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT CRAYONS COULD MAKE SUCH A GORGEOUS STATEMENT IN AND OF THEMSELVES.  BRILLIANT!  MAKING ART OUT OF SOMETHING THAT'S MEANT TO CREATE ART.  LOVE IT! 

JESSIE KERBAWAY'S MELTED CRAYON ART CREATIONS CAN BE PURCHASED ON ETSY.COM, AND ARE PRICED VERY REASONABLY.  A GREAT GIFT FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES.  I'M 34 AND I'D LOVE ONE OF THESE.

THESE COLOURFUL CREATIONS CAN BE FOUND AT http://www.etsy.com/shop/JKCreate?ref=seller_info


SUNSET DRIP



PINK PETALS



ORANGE TREE - KIDMODERN

I just love the simple smartness of this picture!  Clean, Bright, Fresh, Whimsical, and Cute!  This beautiful illustration is the work of talented Artist; Gale Kaseguma; founder of Kidmodern.  Check out http://www.kidmodern.com/ for the complete collection of magical prints, fabrics, cards, gift bags, home decor and posters!  Love the style!

http://www.polyvore.com/kidmodern_gale_kaseguma_prints_modern/thing?id=1821224