Modern Home, Natural Christmas

Now this is my kinda home, and my kinda Christmas. Home to a family of four, it's been decked out for the holidays by interior designer, Sophie Burke. I have so much love for this home, and the pretty and low key festive decorations.

This 1920's house was was renovated by architect Elizabeth MacKenzie, and the interiors were finished by Sophie. I shot this story for the November issue of House and Home magazine. Here's a peek...

A perfectly calm and inviting bedroom. Artwork by Angela Grossmann.

I'll be keeping this bathroom in mind as inspiration for my reno. Love the pretty little wreath that Sophie created too. 

The family room is just off the kitchen. Loved everything about it. 

Speaking of the kitchen.....

....it was a pretty great one. 

Loved the mix of the comfy, classic sofa, with a Saarinen coffee table and an Eames rocker. Sprigs of fir tree, pinecones and candles are festive, without screaming Christmas. 

This really makes me want a separate dining room. Perfect backdrop for more woodsy, natural, Christmas decor. 

What do you think? Are you a nature lover when it comes to Christmas decor? Do you think you could live in a fairly minimal house? I'd love to know. 

Have a great day!

janis

Palm Springs Rancher

Hello weekend! Hope you all had a great week.

I'm about to head out on a BC road trip. Can't. Wait. Before I hit the highway, here's a look at one of my favourite home shoots ever. This perfect Palm Springs rancher is the vacation home of Sarah and Murray Bancroft and their 2 daughters, Emmanuelle and Charlotte.

Sarah, editor-in-chief of VitaminDaily.com, and Murray, a food stylist, renovated this rancher, designed by Palmer and Krisel in 1959, in just a few months. Read the entire story of their reno, and see many more photos, in the August issue of House and Home. You can also read about Sarah's favourite Palm Springs hotels here.

My favourite feature of the house was the wall of windows and sliding glass doors to the back yard. 

Do you think you could holiday at this house? I most definitely could! 

Have a great weekend! 

janis

Modern Warmth

Hello! How's your week going so far?

I wanted to share a home with you that I shot for Denise Ashmore,  a very talented interior designer. The home itself was designed by architect, Paul Phillips. It's also in the current issue of Western Living magazine.

Denise has created a beautiful mix of warm walnut, throughout the home, with mid-century furniture and pops of blues and greens.

Here's a peek...

Painting by Norah Borden.

Painting by Norah Borden.

Painting by Christine Breakell-Lee

For more images and the whole story, click here.

Are you a warm wood person, or do you prefer it a bit lighter? Would love to hear from you. 

Have a great day! 

janis

A Beautiful Blend

To start off this sunny first day of August, I thought I'd share a very pretty lane way house, that I shot for House and Home magazine. Homeowner, Jo, brought in Joanna, from The Cross, to help her out in this small space. Jo has brought back many beautiful bits from her travels, and wanted some help in mixing them with custom pieces, and mid-century furniture. I love what they came up with...

A custom settee upholstered in contrasting fabrics. Pretty perfect. 

The large lamp, with clear glass base, and acrylic coffee table are great choices for a tiny space. 

I have put in my request, to Jo, for this entire dining set should she tire of it ;) 

I want to move this kitchen right into my home. Loved the grey subway tiles, happy paper lined cupboard, and that Smeg. I'll take it all. 

Last, but not least, the bedroom. Sweet dreams. 

What do you think of Jo's home? Do you like the blend of materials, fabrics, and styles? To see more, pick up the September issue of House and Home magazine. 

Happy August 1st! 

janis

x

Small Space, Fabulous Style

I wanted to share this fantastic space with you. I shot Tamar's apartment, for Style At Home, and I have to say, it's one of my favourites. I could absolutely live here. Tamar Rosenberg, a visual artist and design consultant, has an amazing eye, and her collections and little vignettes are perfect.

Love the needlepoint portrait of Prince Charles, and her collection of red garage sale finds.

A red brick wall with 2 vintage chairs, serve as a fantastic focal point.

I think I need to go and colour code my book shelf. Great grouping of vintage glass on top too!

A very spare and tidy office space. Love that wallpaper. 

Tamar has created a bedroom that is calm and inviting, with a great mix of mid century furniture, and a happy collection of ornaments. I want that chair.

A simple, clean, and modern bathroom. 

A tiny, but well organized kitchen. I would love that portrait. Who is that man? 

I find Tamar's home so inspiring. It's amazing what she's done with just 725 sq ft. What do you like about her home? Let me know!

Back soon! Have a great day.

janis

Modernist Buildings in Vancouver

Hi everyone! I hope you're having a nice weekend, so far. 

I went to a great talk the other night, at the Museum of Vancouver called "Preserving Modernist Buildings in Vancouver". It was put on by Heritage Vancouver Society. It was pretty hideous to learn about all the beautiful modernist buildings that have disappeared over the years. I don't understand why this happens in this city. They tend to save 100 year old homes and buildings quite often, which is fantastic, but mid-century buildings do not get the same care and respect. I think it's important to preserve a city's history, as much as possible, and not just commercial buildings but some of the homes that were built by some of the best architects in Canada, like Arthur Erickson and Douglas Simpson. Thought I'd share a couple examples of this style with you. I hope to be able to document many more, of this period, over the next few months.

This is the Museum of Vancouver where the talk took place. This is not really in the modernist building group, but I adore this place and wanted to share it with you. It was designed by Gerald Hamilton and opened in 1968. Have you been to the museum? It's a pretty great place, and worth checking out. 

The Park Board Office in Stanley Park, is one of my favourite buildings in Vancouver. I'm not sure who the architect was, but it was built in 1961. I love all the windows, stone, and the huge pendant lights are beautiful. 

One of the many modernist buildings on the U.B.C. campus. Worth a walk about.

I wish Vancouver would take a close look at Palm Springs and how they protect and preserve their modernist buildings. It's a modernist building lover's paradise there. 

That's my rant for today. What's it like in your city? Are your modernist buildings protected? Do you like the modernist style? I'd love to know what you think.

Back soon!

janis

Is it too early for a little Noel?

Hope you're all having a good week so far! It's a beautiful sunny day here in Vancouver, but it all comes crashing to a rainy halt tomorrow, apparently. Oh well, it's only weather ;)

Thought I'd see if I can get you in a festive spirit, or maybe you'll just be irritated by seeing Christmas on November 10th. Hope not. Feel free to let me know.

I shot Nancy Riesco's house on a hot summer day, for this story. That's how it works sometimes - Christmas in August, "spring" vegetable garden in November. I worked with Maureen Willick (stylist), Kate Keeler (fabulous assisting) and, of course, Nancy Riesco (home owner and interior designer) on this story. You can read more in the December issue of Chatelaine, or on their website.

Pretty and sparkly pink details. 

Loved the chair with a stack of mandarin oranges.

 

 Those chairs. Adore them.

I love Nancy's mix of mid-century, new, and antique. The family dog, Ricky Bobby, is pretty great too. There are many more rooms to show you, but I'll leave that for another day....this could go on forever!

Back soon! Thanks for stopping by.
Janis