from www.vicentevillarin.com
Admiring Vincent Villarin’s Spring 2010 collection, White Elegance. The muted colours are like a West Coast spring day. What makes these designs even better is that they were inspired by Bisazza, the art of glass mosaic, and the roman baths. I’ve always wanted to get my hands on a tile mosaic project, especially after visiting Shangri La.
from www.bisazza.com
Categories: eye candy.
A couple of weeks ago I was basking in the sunshine on the lawn at Shangri La in Honolulu, home of Doris Duke. Built in 1937, Shangri La houses an impressive collection of Islamic art and is considered one of Hawaii’s most architecturally significant homes. Shangri La is open to the public for tours a few days a week, you need to schedule at least a week in advance. You can view the rooms (including some that are not part of the tour) and view the art collection on the website. Tours are reserved through the Honolulu Academy of Arts, worth a visit in its own right.
Unfortunately photography is not permitted inside, but I did take some photos of the grounds. It’s centered around an interior courtyard and is packed with artistic influences from around the world. Tile, wood, plaster, chenille drapery and a massive window that drops down into the floor. I think it’s safe to say that Doris Duke was eccentric, and ahead of her time. Duke was the only child of tobacco and electric energy tycoon James Buchanan Duke. Her father died in 1925 when Doris was twelve, leaving approximately half of his estate to The Duke Endowment with the remainder, estimated at $100 million, going to Doris. She married (for the first time) in 1935 and embarked on a year long honeymoon which ended in Hawaii. A 2 week stay turned into 3 months, they acquired property and built Shangri La from the ground up. Worth a visit, kudos to our guide, a wealth of information.
Categories: on the road.
Her favorite spot to collect “art supplies” is in Hawaii. Not what you might think. Longobardi, an art prof at Georgia State University trolls the world’s coastlines in search of marine debris for her art exhibits. The gallery viewer is encouraged to reconcile between the gorgeous photographs of Hawaii and web-like installations made from the refuse collected there, reminding us to consider the connection between humans, land, sea and the industrial machine.
Read her artist’s statement or visit her website.
Images: Dave Rothstein (top) www.pamlongobardi.com (bottom)
Categories: artsy.
More images from last week’s trip to Hawaii to come. Pseudo-Tsunamis, sandy beaches, clear water, Islamic art at Doris Duke’s Estate, and scads of food and design inspiration.
Honu in Hawaii
Categories: on the road.
Yesterday in Victoria was amazingly warm and sunny for this time of year. Got me inspired to spruce up my small space dining area with fresh infusions of spring.
from www.storminteriors.com
From the book Living With White
from FFFFOUND! www.fffound.com
from my old files
Categories: in the house.
Here’s a good question – should designers know how to draw?
Have you ever had a craving to see what it would feel like to be an art student? Ever wanted to try your hand at life drawing? The UVic Visual Arts department offers Life Drawing Sessions that are open to the public. Feb 13, 20, 27 10am-1pm. All skill levels welcome.
Visiting artist lectures are also open to the public. If you are interested in art and are looking to expand your point of view, these evenings are invaluable.
More info on both of the above here.
Beth Campbell 1997
Beth Campbell 1997 (the drawing, not the model)
A few shots from October. Check back for some fun free downloads with a french twist, and an on the road Parisienne style recipe!
Categories: on the road.
It’s a great time of year to catch a hotel deal in Seattle. The Canadian dollar is strong, the wine is cheap and Nordstrom, Anthroplogie and J.Crew offer refuge in inclement weather.
Kenmore Air is the way to go this time of year when the Clipper times are unhelpful and there’s no time for ferries and I-5. There is a new spiffy streetcar that takes you from Union Bay right up Westlake Ave (past Whole Foods), a $2.25 pass lasts a couple hours.
Check out the unbeatable sandwiches and apple fritters at Pike Place Market’s Three Girls Bakery, the chowder at the seafood joint across from Three Girls and the coconut buns at Mee Sum Pastries.
Chosen for it’s tasting menu, Purple Cafe and Wine Bar on 4th was a pleasant surprise. It was packed so we sat at the bar and ordered one item at a time from the tasting menu. Each small plate is offered with an optional 3oz. wine pairing. Along with a full dinner menu and massive wine list, they have the most extensive collection of champagne cocktails I’ve ever seen – 16 in total.
Hotel Max has daily deals at the sushi bar and interesting decor. The dj in the lobby at the W Hotel is an entertaining stop after an evening at Purple. Stop in at Cafe Campagne for a croque madame and glass of bordeaux.
Watson Kennedy is full of goodies for the home, many of which I’ve read about or seen online but haven’t seen in Canada. Everything is sorted by vignette, based on colour or theme. Designer-dreamy.
The topic of last week’s contest was the Downtown Public Library on 4th. Near the SAM (Seattle Art Museum) if you want to have a peek. We have Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and former Seattleite Joshua Ramus to thank as principal designers on the project. An amazing 362,987 square feet, capacity for 1.45 million books and materials and a high-tech book-handling system that you can see in operation when you walk in. There are 400 computers and lots of GREEN. Too bad.
Categories: on the road.
from onedrawingaday.com
I’ve been thinking a lot about the designer’s role in creating and maintaining a strong community; design, construction, re-building.
Finding a way to give can seem a little impersonal. Here are a few ways you can help:
For each donation of $50 or more to CARE, you will receive a hand-signed 13″ x 19″ limited edition print from one of the Studio 1482 illustrators.
Architecture for Humanity‘s site has a direct link to how you can lend a hand to those in Haiti. Their mandate: “Building a more sustainable future using the power of design. Through a global network of building professionals, Architecture for Humanity brings design, construction and development services to communities in need.”
Plan Canada is a “global movement for change, mobilizing millions of people around the world to support social justice for children in developing countries.”
CBC News Canada is organizing a relief effort.
The Etsy community has gathered together to support various charities – a full list here. How about a Valentine’s poster for your loved one from Bubbo? 100% of the proceeds are headed to Haiti. Or how about this “Keep Calm and Carry On” poster from sfgirlbybay?
Reliable organizations:
World Vision
Yelé Haiti
Canadian Red Cross
Unicef
Doctors Without Borders
There are 2 televised Haiti Benefits on tonight:
Canada for Haiti airs at 7pm on CBC, CTV, Global, MTV, MuchMusic and the National Geographic Channel, or watch the live stream. See the likes of Nelly Furtado, Simple Plan, Michael J. Fox, Celine Dion, Wayne Gretzky, The Barenaked Ladies and Victoria’s own Steve Nash. The Canadian Government will match the contributions of individual Canadians — up to a total of $50 million dollars.Donate Now!
Led by Haitain-born Wyclef Jean and George Clooney, over 130 actors, athletes, singers and television hosts will gather on pretty much every network tonight at 8pm for Hope for Haiti Now.
There are a number of upcoming fundraising events happening in Victoria. If you know of any, let me know and I’ll post them here.
Categories: newsflash.
Check it out! The Beth Campbell Creative Shop is now open, with 2 limited edition collections of greeting cards and custom greeting cards. This venture sprouted from my roots as an artist, putting pencil/paint/pen to paper. May that inspire you to skip that next email and share a hand-written note with a friend or loved one. More personal stationary items and gift tags to come!
They collected the thoughts of 30 of the world’s most inspired creative professionals. Architects, designers, authors and leaders of iconic brands.
Then they asked them two questions: “What single example of design inspires you most?” and “What problem should design solve next?”
I appreciated Edwin Chan’s response. These points struck a chord with me:
View the full conversation here.
FOLLOW Beth Campbell Creative | FACEBOOK | TWITTER
Categories: bits & bytes.
Blue probably wouldn’t be my first choice for a bedroom colour, but this is a room I could spend some time in. Warm wood + gorgeous painting + amazing colour = no more bedroom blues.
I think you could create a similar sleek look with the “Sweet Dreams” bed and nightstands from Nood. Newsflash – everything in Nood is 50% off right now. Have you noticed that happens a lot? I noticed a bus in Vancouver with an ad for 50% off so it must not be a passing thing.
Categories: in the house.
