Amazeballs contemporary homes

Check out the following link, featuring the top 10 contemporary homes of the year. Amazing homes with true avant-garde design!

My fave: Chimney House by Marcio Kogan and Studio MK27 in Sao Paulo ;-)

Theo Flamenbaum
- Style + Function + Love + You -

New vintage finding

As we had this phenomenal weather this week, my friend Dan and I decided to stroll on Queen street west, and I came across a nice little place for used/found/vintage antiques knick-knacks. It's called Abraham's Trading Inc and they're at 635 Queen st, West.

I loved the outside display of these lovely vintage Coca-Cola crates:

And, because I am only human, I walked out of there with some new deer antlers for my seasonal display on my coffee table!

Overall, decent prices for great stuff. Because they buy/sell and trade, the inventory constantly changes. If you need a specific item, they will take your name down and if they come across it, they'll give you a ring.

Theo Flamenbaum

- Style + Function + Love + You - 

Colour of the year

Pantone is quite a game player in the world of design and colour.

"In 1963, Lawrence Herbert, Pantone's founder, created an innovative system of identifying, matching and communicating colors to solve the problems associated with producing accurate color matches in the graphic arts community. His insight that the spectrum is seen and interpreted differently by each individual led to the innovation of the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM®, a book of standardized color in fan format".  - From Pantone.com

2012  colour of the year is:  TANGERINE TANGO 17-1463

Below is a video explaining how and why they create new colours! It's truly fascinating! And no one other than genius Jonathan Adler says: "colour is like an over the counter anti-depressant!"

 These guys at Pantone are genius in the world of visual arts and graphics. I am very happy to see a vibrant, high energy colour as colour of the year. Yet, this colour can be paired up with a  classic neutral to and create a sophisticated yet fresh room! think Tangerine Tango on a date with with Benjamin Moore - Witching hour (2120-30)!

Here are some home accessories inspired from TANGERINE TANGO:

Finally, if you, like me, love all the colours of the spectrum, check out these BEAUTIFUL canister from Pantone's most favourite colours! You can display proudly in your office, home office, living room or anywhere really as they would become a superb accent! Check out also many other kitchen products.

Where to get it? Here in Toronto, I found them at "Neat" http://neatspace.ca

628 Queen St. West - 
Toronto Ontario
M6J 1E4 

Theo Flamenbaum 

- Style + Function + Love + You - 

Grand Entrance

The above is a lovely illustration of a successful foyer. The black penny-round ceramic tiles combined with white walls, a bold-red entrance door and reclaimed wood console table make up a pretty, uncluttered yet visually satisfying foyer-entrance in a home :-)

Theo Flamenbaum

- Style + Function + Love + You -

I want to be book matched please!

Hello dear readers,

I had a great week at my amazing new job where every day I acquire an abundance of knowledge and information.
One of the things that I am being exposed to is custom mill work. Custom mill work adds value and creates a unique setting to your place.
Thanks to Emily (Hi Emily) I was introduced to the different cuts of veneers that one can choose when selection the finish of their mill work.

At the end of the day, it all depends on the wood you are using. Each wood has a particular grain, and that's what it'll give it a certain look.
The first style is the most used one, the book matched veneers: Every other strip of veneer is turned over.This produces a grain pattern that is matched at the veneer joint, like an open book (like my life!).

Book matched veneers on a horizontal application.

The next style is slip matched. Basically they simply glue strips of veneers parallel one to another.

Slip veneers on wall panelling

The Last style in Veneer cuts is random. The most visually dynamic of the trio, it gives a more "busy" look because it comes from different random cuts of the wood. It looks better on flooring because it covers a larger surface:

And finally my currently fave look:  HORIZONTALLY BOOK MATCHED WALNUT VENEER!
Like the drawers below:

Hotness + class = these cabinetry work!

- Style + Function + Love + You -

           Theo Flamenbaum

Interior Design Show

Hello all! Hope all is well.

So last weekend we had here, in Toronto, the Annual Interior Design Show (IDS).

After attending a few in a row, it becomes a little predictable, however, as I am getting into the industry, it is always nice to see people from the trade, exhibitors and people you have only emailed or talked on the phone with.

I did a quick run through on Friday, Trade day, to avoid the general crowd and snap some shots.

If I had to mention the highlights of it, I would say that more attention to materials. Be it stone, wood, glass or metal, the finishes we now see are stunning and give a new purpose to style.

Also a return of gold, brass, and bronze. I am not saying: Chrome and Stainless steel, be gone! but I am saying: oh look, I see gold, yellow and brown hardware and fixtures now.

Trends: green design! Conscientious and responsible design! Reducing, recycling and reusing! 

And finally! SMART design: more than ever, when planning and new build, hard reno, or a makeover: save time and use the resources and knowledge of a designer! (moi!)

Below are some snapshots of pretty things I saw:

Beautiful luxurious shower hardware

sink vessel in stone

ultra modern stone sink 

12" wide plank - Moncer

Bocci pendant

NEW Bocci smoky glass chandelier-pendant 

UpCountry display - LOVE the spotlight, the chandelier and the side-table/chest

Soft brushed Gold faucets

Gun Barrel Faucet 

Kitchen storage in an armoire

Elte's street signs

Smoky crystal chandelier from Elte

New tile pattern

Outdoors Ethanol fireplace

Stunning lit patterned panelling 

- Style + Function + Love + You -

           Theo Flamenbaum

Looks who's here! CB2

Hello dear blog readers,
The waiting game is over. The very much anticipated opening of Canada's first CB2 store. Right here, downtown Toronto, YAY!!

The opening is scheduled for next Saturday, January 21 at the Southeast corner of Queen and Bathurst streets.

CB2 is the modern, contemporary budget conscious and condo friendly offspring of none other than Crate and Barrel. The first store opened its doors in 2000 in Chicago and now is present in 11 US cities making homes, condos and lofts all over North America better looking and more functional.

CB2 is known for bright and bold graphics, patterns. Crafty designs and eclectic pieces.I can assure you that you will be sure asked: Where did you get that?


Along with West Elm (LOVES), CB2 will give Canadians (Torontonians first, of course) another option to play dress up with our homes without spending a fortune.


Unique lighting fixtures, to visually stunning pillow and fun rugs, CB2 offers an array of products ranging from office to dining, make sure to dedicate a lazy afternoon or a lunch run to this great store!!




Theo's picks:
                                                                                                                      

coup chartreuse pillow

contact stool

Makoda Dining Table

Nigel Bedding set

Signal Floor Lamp

Red Utility Lamp

Swirl Sculptures

Cage Brass Pendant

Terrain Dinnerware

Tambien Smoky tumblers

Fan Coral Shower curtain

          Theo Flamenbaum
- Style + Function + Love + You -