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The Art of Discovery: Anthropologie

I have a confession to make: I am an Anthro addict. This company seriously has my number. I discovered them years ago now on a trip to visit a friend in Seattle. We were wandering a lovely outdoor shopping mall and – like a moth to the flame – I found myself inexplicably drawn into the space. Once inside it was game over. The details, the artistry and the discovery of the experience had me lost in wonder. An hour flew by like it was 15 minutes. Since then I’ve always made it a point to find the closest Anthropologie store on any trip to the US, knowing that – even if my budget did not allow much take-home shopping – the experience and the eye candy would always be inspiring.

Oakville recently joined the ranks of a small but growing number of Canadian stores opened by Anthropologie. Part of the brilliance of the brand is found in the uniqueness of each of their locations, as there is always something new to discover with each store you visit. This is driven in large part by the artists-in-residence who work with tireless creativity to create a sensory experience that is filled with the joy of discovery at every turn. All of the displays you see are uniquely hand-crafted by these in-house artisans, and I think their work is nothing short of inspiring.

Remember last week’s post about the colour Tangerine Tango? These sail garlands – hand crafted out of reclaimed paper from old books and magazines – were painted in this succulent blood orange colour and then strung from the ceiling to create beautiful light-play with the sunlight pouring in from the massive windows. Wouldn’t this make a delightful installation behind a headboard in a bedroom? I’d forever be dreaming of sailing into the sunset…

One of my favourite displays can be seen right as you walk into the store. Hand-died cotton has been cut into wave patterns and then stitched into this engaging, textured backdrop to showcase the apparel and home furnishings at the front of the store. I feel as if I’m adrift on an azure sea just looking at it!

Wouldn’t this make a beautiful canvas somewhere in your home? I think we’ll have to attempt something like this for an upcoming Make Something Monday.

I just love how this art installation leads the eye to the texture study of this geometric-cut-fabric-backed settee at the front of the store.

This stunning, wood and tiled staircase leads upstairs, drawing you further into the curated bazaar of beautiful things awaiting your discovery.

Tomorrow I will share with you some of the delightfully unexpected furniture pieces I found there on a recent visit. Anthropologie really is a treasure-trove of opportunity and inspiration. Can’t wait to share more tomorrow!

xo
s.

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|June 25th, 2012|0 Comments

Lofty Inspiration – The Art of The Mix

I don’t know about you, but there is a version of me that could totally do big city loft living. In my mind, the building is an über chic, converted warehouse oozing with massive-windows-and-exposed-brick-and-wooden-beam charm.

Photo courtesy of www.thestwrd.com

My neighbours are of course artists and architects and musicians and innovators, and we all take turns hosting wine tastings and cooking parties where we talk about art and inspiration and our favourite recipes (and never discuss politics). The kitchen would no doubt look like this:

image found on Pinterest

My husband and I spent several glorious years living in the charmingly European neighborhood of Bloor West Village in Toronto. Though not a loft neighborhood, the 18″ gumwood baseboards and beefy (nearly edible) matching wood door casings were delightful. It had some of that ruddy charm that I love about a good loft, too. Something of a sense of history that made you feel very much at home and somehow connected with a meaningful story right there in your own neighbourhood.

We live in Oakville now, and it has many benefits including mature trees and bigger back yards. With that also comes normal ceiling heights, no 18 foot high walls of architectural windows, no real exposed brick or beefy gumwood baseboards…so we need to think of other ways to bring that vintage warmth and nostalgia into our spaces. For me, it’s about the art of the mix. It is about a home that is carefully curated over time – perfectly imperfect and reflective of a journey.

I recently trotted off to the local Christie Antique Show in search of just this kind of nostalgic inspiration. Here are a few of the treasures I found:

As it turns out, I went on this little adventure with something very specific in mind. I was searching for an antique, square, pressed-glass, footed cake stand. I knew exactly what I wanted (a dangerous place to start, I find) and had stuffed two $20’s in my pocket in the hopes I would find it. After spending $10 on parking, I had a generous $30 budget left and a pocket full of dreams. I had nearly gotten through the entire show and was feeling rather deflated when – like a mirage in the distance – there it was. A perfect, square, pressed-glass footed cake stand (skirted, even!) that was exactly as I had imagined it.

My elation quickly turned to deflation once again as I learned that my intended treasure – a Fostoria American collectible cake stand, patented in 1915 – was in fact $275. The fact that they took Visa did not help in this case (a budget is a budget), though the dealer was really hopeful when he saw how excited I had been to discover it.

So instead of going home with my intended treasure, I came home with an education on what I’m looking for, a little less naivete over the price of things and a few images to share with you! Hope to see you at the September edition of the Christie Antique Show!

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|June 20th, 2012|0 Comments

STITCHING TOGETHER HOPE

I love me a good redemptive story – the kind where someone is written off and then comes through as the hero at the end of it all, or where someone overcomes all the odds to find beauty and meaning in the midst of what everyone else just thought was hopeless. Those are the kinds of movies that leave me a weepy, happy mess. So when I heard about this amazing company and their beautiful products, I just knew I had to share them with you.

Sari Bari is a business that operates out of India, upcycling old saris in the most amazing and inspiring way. (Remember those incredible upcycled sari rugs I showed you last week? Sensing a theme?) The mission of Sari Bari is to offer freedom to women who are vulnerable to trafficking and trapped in the sex trade. They provide these women with employment in a safe, loving, restorative environment. They are then trained and treated as artisans, creating beautiful, truly one-of-a-kind, sustainable handmade products which are a profound metaphor for their own lives. Once discarded and treated as worthless, they are also being transformed back into something of great beauty and worth. Each piece is as unique as the amazing woman creating it.

Their technique comes from an ancient Bengali art form known as Kantha, meaning “old cloth.” In the traditional kantha style, five layers of used saris are sewn together with a single running stitch to make a quilted blanket. In Bengali tradition, such blankets are passed on as heirlooms to future generations.

Each woman has her own unique style and stitch, making each piece an original work of art. Of course – given the natural properties of silk – the blankets are also delightfully light, remarkably warm and incredibly soft. What a great way to infuse some inspiration into your home through the spectacular colours and patterns used! Once each blanket is finished, the women “sign” their pieces with their name, a mark of pride and identity. Now show me a product that is beautiful, functional and filled with a story of inspiration and hope and I’m IN! Hope you find yourselves inspired as well.

xo
s.

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|June 20th, 2012|1 Comment