Anthropologie Archives - Page 4 of 6

An Ode To The Summer Picnic

Remember my recent ramblings about how a sweet and simple dress fanned into flame the spark of an idea? I don’t know about you, but I don’t choose fashion for the label or the status of it. I choose fashion because it feels like a reflection of my personality, my interests, my quirks and expressive ways, my style and quite simply myself. I choose it because it fits and reflects my life.

My closet is diverse, reflecting the need to express different moods at different times, but this dress fit like a glove in every way. A vintage silhouette with a whimsical flair, tailored yet easy, lovely but not too serious. And so it is most befitting that this feminine frock also led to the creation of this video, paying homage to the last few days of summer and one of my favourite ways to spend them – picnicking with friends, surrounded by nature, savouring gourmet flavours, together.

An Ode to the Summer Picnic from The Curated House on Vimeo.

You can find recipes for the lovely food featured in the video here. The beautiful plates were provided by Anthropologie {also the source of this inspirational dress}. And the visual beauty is all thanks to the creative genius of the delightful Phil Lindsay.

Summer doesn’t officially succumb to Fall’s embrace for at least a couple of weeks yet, so I say ask her to dance. Feel the warmth of her sun on your skin, the breeze of her breath in your hair, the softness of her green blades of grassy attire beneath your bare feet as you sway to her soft rhythm. Squeeze out every last drop of goodness you can from the fruit of her season and savour each sip with the ones you love. It’s the stuff memories are made of.

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|September 7th, 2012|3 Comments

Balzac’s | The Lost Art of The Daily Ritual

Any good design excursion requires fuel. The process of gathering together fresh ideas, new materials and exciting products can spend energy faster than you realize, all swept up in the moment of inspiration. But when the realization hits, it is imperative to have a well-mapped layout of the city’s best coffee shops on hand for immediate action. There is no underestimating the urgency of this situation when it hits, and the need for REALLY good coffee at a moment like this is a serious matter. One of my favourite “suppliers,” nestled in the heart of the Distillery District, is the artisinal coffee roaster and neighbourhood café Balzac’s.

If, like me, you believe that daily rituals can be art, then Balzac’s is the place for you. With their exposed brick walls, vintage signage everywhere and industrial lighting mixed with antique chandeliers, the environment is the perfect backdrop for great conversation and great ideas. Not to mention that they present their lattés as coffee art {one of my favourite touches}.

Named after the French 19th century novelist whose prolific satirical works were said to be fuelled by endless cups of strong, black coffee, Balzac’s coffee culture is steeped in history while meeting the needs of the modern day joe-junkie.

It almost seems a shame to drink it at first! But it would be even more shameful to waste that slow-roasted goodness. And getting to the bottom of each cup {for me} is a ritual of seeing how my coffee art unravels with every sip. I try to have at least the tip of the milk-foam leaf left at the bottom of the cup as testament to where we began {just for fun, of course}. And then – fear not – I drink that, too.

An empty cup and a filled tank, ready for more adventures. Where do you get your fuel fix? Tell me about your favourite and inspired coffee shops and local eateries {and how you turn some of your daily rituals into art}. I’ll add your favourites to my ever-expanding “emergency map.”

xo
s.

All photographs by the lovely Gabriela Hansen

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|August 31st, 2012|5 Comments

Sources of Inspiration | KRAVET + ANTHROPOLOGIE

People often ask me where I start when designing a room or a home. The starting point is always as unique as the project, but in every case, it’s about inspiration. Inspiration can come from almost anything, but all good designers will have amazing trade-only resources that offer exclusive products that are simply unavailable to the general public. One of my favourites is Kravet, a fourth generation, family-owned, high-end fabric company that also offering trimmings, wall coverings, rugs, home furnishings and accessories. They sell to the design trade only and are always my first destination when searching for fabrics and wall coverings that will bring a space to life. Here are a few shots of a recent trip to their Toronto showroom.

SOUTHBOUND PLUME EARRINGS – Anthropologie

LACED DELPHINIUM BLAZER in navy + SUNBLAZE LACE SKIRT paired with the UNDERGROWTH TANK in navy – all Anthropologie.

Summer’s trend toward lace is still holding strong for the Fall. I just couldn’t get enough of it with this outfit and decided to go for broke with lace-on-lace. I love the feminine edge it gives to this professional look. Navy is also still going strong both in fashion and interior design this season. The combination is on-trend without feeling too much somehow. Bold yet sophisticated. Totally Anthro.

One of the reasons I adore the team at Kravet is that they always go above and beyond to make me feel at home. Val was a most gracious hostess to us as we drank in the creativity of the new collections in their beautiful Toronto showroom.

I fell in love with these beautiful durrie rug samples.

Goldenrod Leather Laser Cut-Out Handbag – Anthropologie

I love popping into the city for the inspiration and adventure that await. There is a hum, a buzz to life in Toronto that is contagious. I always leaving dreaming a bit bigger and swimming with ideas. This trip was no different.

I hope today’s taste of fashion and design left you inspired to travel into the big city in search of new looks for both closet and home. Would love to know what you find!

xo
s.

All photographs by Gabriela Hansen

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|August 30th, 2012|0 Comments