Pages

Jan reporting from Vancouver

Vancouver has a few great areas for shopping, there's Robson Street for all the latest in fashion, South Granville for it's amazing art galleries and chain stores like Williams and Sonoma, Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware but if you're looking for unique handmade, vintage or local designs your best bet is Main Street and even Granville Island.  So I'm going to concentrate on those two areas for this World Tour.  Thank you to Irene for this opportunity, we're honoured to contribute.

MAIN STREET AREA: Vancouver Special Named after the infamous house designs of the 80's here in Vancouver, Vancouver Special is a new store that just opened this past spring.  Carrying local and international designs such as Vancouver-based, Gailan Ngan's ceramics and Boston's Tivoli Audio radios. Vancouver Special 3612 Main Street Vancouver, B.C. V5V 3N5 Canada [email protected]

The Fabulous Find The Fabulous Find is a great little store for mid-century finds where you'll almost always be guaranteed to find some Eames or Sarinen's hanging about.  Lots of teak, old typewriters and lamps.  I see now you can buy their goods online.  Click here to see more. The Fabulous Find 1853 main street vancouver, b.c. V5T 3B8 Tel: 778.836.0480

The Regional Assembly of Text The Regional Assembly of Text is full of original papergoods designed by owners Rebecca and Brandy.  All of their work has an "old school/old office" feel, with unique cards, journals, notebooks, t-shirts and office/desk/home accessories.  They also have a new online shop which is really exciting, so if you can't make it out here, one can buy many of their sweet things by just a click of a mouse.  The Regional Assembly of Text 3934 Main Street Vancouver BC V5V 3P2 [email protected]

GRANVILLE ISLAND AREA: Gallery of BC Ceramics The Potters Guild of British Columbia (Gallery of BC Ceramics) always has an amazing selection of local potter's work.  From local favorites like Cul de Sac Designs (Laura McKibbon) to Elizabeth Burritt, there's always something new to see, and always a great exhibit to see. Gallery of BC Ceramics Gallery Manager: Brenda Beaudoin 1359 Cartwright Street , Granville Island Vancouver BC V6H 3R7 phone: 604 669-3606 [email protected]

Circle Craft Co-operative The Circle Craft Co-operative is a gallery/shop in the Net Loft area of Granville Island.  They host an amazing Christmas Market every year, as well as offer student scholarships.  Their shop and gallery features the work of 200 craftspeople from across British Columbia.  The co-operative has been promoting the work of BC artists since 1972.  (Shown here:  Dresses made from camping tents by Angelica Werth (Nelson, B.C.) and Bear Encounters (Woven tapestries) by Kaija Rautiainen). Circle Craft Shop & Gallery 1 - 1666 Johnston St. Net Loft  Granville Island Vancouver, BC V6H 3S2 [email protected]

The Postcard Place

Laural and Jen reporting from Toronto

Toronto is a city of many neighbourhoods, and it is fascinating to watch them change over time. Despite being linked to the ultra-arty-trendy West Queen West strip, until recently Ossignton Avenue between Queen and Dundas was lined with booze cans and long-dead storefronts. While the area retains some of its original flavour with Vietnamese Karaoke bars and Portuguese Bakeries still intact, there are more than a few gems to be found by visitors interested in art, fashion, and vintage.

Since it is more than likely that you will be coming from a Queen Street stroll, we will start from there. On your first stop north of Queen Street pop into shop & gallery C1 art space (44 Ossington) to peruse art and craft objects handmade by local designers. Residents or longer term visitors can also pick up cool art skills here such as ceramic silkscreening. Next, cross the street for upscale vintage treats at I miss you (63 Ossington), which carries a carefully curated and impeccably restored collection of frocks and accessories.

Having your design-buds stimulated will make you hungry for more and Ministry of the Interior (80 Ossington) will deliver. A former auto body shop painted bright yellow & charcoal, this design shop and gallery stocks cutting-edge conversation pieces from around the globe. Find furniture, wallpaper & home accessories from designers such as Dwell, Marimekko, and fun NYC design collective Areaware.

For those with vintage tastes that tend towards fringed leather cowboy boots, sequins and shoulder pads, (or flannel & tees for the gents) stroll along to Badlands Vintage (104 Ossington). Then, stop to smell the roses at Jaiden's Petals (130 Ossington) and enjoy the vintage botanical books and Mason jars and recycled bottles filled with simple blooms. As you walk by, just try to resist the pull of Virginia Johnson's vibrantly simple textiles & clothing at her mothership store (132 Ossington).

You can settle down your senses next door with Cindyloowho's serene collection of flea market chic antiques and custom-made rich reclaimed-wood furniture (130 Ossington).

Get your final vintage fix at Vintage Mix 1 (186 Ossignton), stocked full with an evolving stock of vintage suitcases, shoes & accessories from the 70s & 80s, and men and women's clothes from the 60s-80s.

By now you'll be ready for a rest, and handy for you the retro-cozy & no-fuss bar Communist's Daughter is located just around the corner at 1149 Dundas Street West (no sign). Pop a loonie in the jukebox, order yourself a pint, and chow down on some gourmet pickled eggs while admiring your newly acquired goodies. (For those with a taste for the refined there are plenty of stylish bars & restaurants along this strip as well!).

* * *Laural's beautiful shop GoodEgg Industries
* * *Laural's blog Thimble
* * *Jen's blog Toronto Craft Alert

Christine reporting from Buenos Aires

I’m so excited that Irene gave me the opportunity to report about Buenos Aires, a city that has become so dear to me. I could go on for days about what a fabulous place this is but I’ll do my best to refrain and show some of the best highlights this “Paris of South America” has to offer.

The café scene is a major aspect of daily life in Buenos Aires. A typical day in BA begins with a cup of coffee and a “medialuna” or croissant at one of the thousands of cafes that cover the city.

If it happens to be a Sunday, the highlight of the day is a trip to one of the most beautiful and historically rich barrios in BA, San Telmo. Every Sunday in Plaza Dorrego is the Feria de San Telmo. Here you’ll find Spanish colonial mansions with courtyards full of antiques like metal signs, silver mate spoons, glass apothecary jars and so much more. It's truly a spectacular sight and if you're like me and adore antiques and collectibles, then San Telmo is antique heaven!

If shopping weren’t enough, the cobble stone streets are also filled with tango dancers, musicians, and a variety of other street performers. It’s my idea of the perfect Sunday in the city.

Not far from San Telmo is one of the most colorful neighborhoods in existence called La Boca. It’s a fantastic place to snap photos and pick up small local crafts and artwork at the mini “ferias” set up along El Caminito, the most famous street in La Boca.

A short subway ride across town will take you to Palermo where you’ll find the most chic and cutting edge boutiques, restaurants and cafes Buenos Aires has to offer. Palermo is divided into three neighborhoods, Palermo Viejo, Palermo Soho, and Palermo Hollywood. The scene in each neighborhood is reflective of its given name and truly a shopper’s paradise!

After grabbing a healthy snack at my favorite café, Bio, I love to visit one of my favorite shops located in Palermo Viejo called CouCou (http://www.micoucou.blogspot.com/). Filled with goods from local independent designers, CouCou is a must visit if you’re ever in Buenos Aires.

 

Another shop I highly recommend visiting is the famous Argentinean paper source Papalera Palermo (http://papelerapalermo.com/). This enormous shop is filled with gorgeous hand made papers and prints, not to mention stocked with beautiful design books not found in many other places.

Overall, what I love about Buenos Aires is the general appreciation of art and beauty in all forms, the desire to hold fast to the history while paving the way for new and exciting trends, and the sense of community from the residents of this great city working together. I mean, where else are you going to find young designers working with bar owners to create spaces that double as boutiques by day and discos by night? Only in Buenos Aires!

* * *Christine's beautiful shop Lama
* * *Christine's blog

Craft and Cookies in Kuala Lumpur

 

... and these are four of the founders and creative minds behind WonderMilk in Kuala Lumpur ... This is absolutely my favorite shop / cafe in Kuala Lumpur!!

:: WonderMilk ::
:: I love Cuppacakes ::

 

Jessica reporting from Barcelona

{Well, as you all know Bloesem is a fantastic blog, and I couldn’t be happier to take part on this world tour and show you around a small bit of Barcelona! Thank you Irene!}
When travelling to Barcelona most people think of themselves shopping at all the zaras, strolling down the Ramblas and ending up on the beachfront! As a German Brasilian who came here following her heart, these are some of the places I would definitely not leave with out seeing!

I recommend any visitor to go see the fabulous and crazy architecture of Gaudí, from the Sagrada Familia (still unfinished) to the La pedrera. My all time favourite for Gaudí tough has to be the Parc Guell. With its inspiring coloured mosaic seating area and beautiful view of the whole city! It might be quite crowded, like all the tourist sites in Barcelona, but it is still so inspiring!

If you follow on down from there you will arrive at the neighbourhood of Gracia. The small village like streets and abundance of town squares (PLAZAS) makes it a lovely place to get lost in.  For those of you with little time I will do my best to pinpoint some of the places I always enjoy.
Start off going down the Calle Verdi, as it is a pedestrian street filled with small shops and cafés – if you have time you can also enjoy the cinema Verdi with its original movies.

One plaza I always enjoy sitting in is Rius y Taulet choose any of the cafés around with a terrace and watch as life just goes by. There is also a very sweet shop there owned by an Argentinean girl who sources lovely feminine clothes and accessories called MUSHI MUSHI.

Continue down to Calle Seneca and find the cool kiddies shop NObodinoz, furniture store OX and Swedish clothes design store SNÖ.

Then there is always Flash Flash, a tortilla restaurant that hasn’t changed its design and I would dare say many of its clientele for the last 30 years! Enjoy the cool décor and have a plate of the day, a tortilla or a Cadillac hamburger (my favourite by far!)

Down from Gracia is Eixample – with Passeo de Gracia where all the big labels have their stores. Don’t miss out on Vinçon, a lifestyle store in a beautiful building. Secret tip: go to the terrace on the second floor and you can actually peak into the la Pedrera with out waiting in line ;)

A trip to Barcelona would not be complete if you didn’t come by and visited us at vonblum, you can then follow through the Arco de triunfo...

...down to the Parc Ciutadella to the famous Barcelona Zoo and of course if you still have stamina follow the sea breeze and end up at the beachfront!

What is vonblum? It is a café store that I opened 3 months ago with the concept of having a space more or less like a friends home. Where you could come in for a coffee cake and chat, enjoy a healthy lunch or sip a fresh juice. All of that surrounded by nice things to put in your house, bring as a gift or just indulge in for yourself.

Thank you Jessica!

* * * VonBlum
* * * VonBlum blog

{here you can read a very nice review about vonblum and here is another one,  vonblum must be a very nice place and i hope I can visit vonblum and Jessica sometime next year when going to my father's house in Llagostera, an hour up North from Barcelona}

... and this is me, Irene from Bloesem, I just wanted to add a little something to Jessica's guide ...

Alicia is the owner of Duduá, a shop who supports young artists and sells DIY craft products. Alicia just posted a list of her favorite spots in Barcelona, a google map and she will be adding new places in the future, so if you are visiting Barcelona, this is a very handy guide by a Barcelonian!

inspiration for the home from vintage magazines

tekstje over libelle

schrijven over planken boven deur en paraplubak

prachtig oranje krukje weet niet van wie

extreem eenvoudige keuken maar wel mooi, hoe rood achter geschildred is vind ik mooi, not mooier i een groen tint

detail in keuken, ingebouwd prikbord van kurk, en andere mogelijkheden om dingen op te hangen

altijd mooi zo'n borden kastje

simple maar mooi

niet mijn smaak maar vind wel het kaptafel hoekje grappig

vind de stoelen helemaal te gek, en vloerkleed, wie maakt er nou nog zoiets

guestroom

boysbedroom

Irene reporting from Langkawi

..so please let me start by saying that i'm a really bad photographer and that i had to use images from professionals to show you the beauty of the Langkawi island...it was the second my husband, son and I went to visit Langkawi for a couple of days and i think a couple of days is just enough to get a very good impression, be able to relax and enjoy the weather and surroundings...

Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands (an extra 5 temporary islands are revealed at low tide) it's about 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia and 50 minutes flying from Kuala Lumpur. The name Langkawi is a combination of "Lang" and "Kawi". "Lang" comes from the Malay word helang which means eagle. (eagle feeding is still a big tourrist attraction on the island) "Kawi" is Sanskrit for marble, which is found in excess in this part of Malaysia.

tekst

tekst

tekst

{Okashikunai's photostream}
I found some great photographers on FLICKR who all captured the atmosphere style in the four seasons hotel in the best way possible...these ones above are from Okashikunai and he lives in Singapore...
...or how about these gorgeous images by Sleepwalker, also taken at the Four Seasons hotel in Langkawi...they probably hire the best interior decorators in the world at the Four Seasons...it was all 'eye-candy' like walking through a museum, the color combinations with many greens, blues and oranges...and what i really admire about the  work of these interior designers is that are able to creat a style that many people feel comfortable with ...

langkawi