quiet on the blogging front - this is what i've been doing

So sometimes life and work get in the way of blogging.  Blogging for me has always been a creative outlet, but with everything I have going on at work and the various projects I have ongoing - my creativity has had many many outlets.  But, since one of the projects that I built with Eurodale Developments has recently been completed, I figured I'd share with you the awesomeness of the final product.  You can follow Eurodale's blog for more on the projects we've been building.

In 10 months we went from this....

to this...

The exterior is a modern blend of rough-sawn Indiana Limetone, Boston brick, James Hardie siding and cedar shakes and canopies. The showpiece of the home is the double height dining room that highlights the open stairwell and bridge at the second floor. The stairs are open riser white oak, with heavy white oak curbs and handrail with glass and steel railings. The hardwood floors throughout are 5" white oak that have only been clear coated to highlight the beautiful graining.

A double sided fireplace clad in metallic tile separates the dining room and kitchen. The kitchen is a story in grey and white and the gleaming appliances pick up on the fireplace tile.

The multi-purpose room on the second floor really does serve multiple purposes. It is an office, sitting room, exercise room and laundry room - a full laundry suite is housed behind the bifold doors. This room also boasts a generous walk-out balcony with some great views of the city.

The guest bathroom at the front of the home is cool and comtemporary and with the corner wrapped windows has one of the best views in the house.

The stairwell to the third floor is illuminated by the double skylights that also act as a passive chimney - exhausting the warm air from the house.

And the ensuite bath is carrera marble and glass mosaics - with custom glass door to the water closet - is a private sanctuary on the third floor.

adding to the litter | oscar

Several months ago I wrote a post about the latest Hans Bolling wooden toy, Oscar [here].  Well lo' and behold, my clients John & Leanne read that post and surprised me with an Oscar all my own.  I was extremely touched by the thoughtful gift and every morning I rearrange Oscar in a new pose, give him a tap on the head, a tap to Lucy, and my day begins just a little brighter.  Thank you John & Leanne, you have been wonderful clients and an extreme pleasure to work with!

YBILD launch!

Very excited that our company will be part of YBILD, the Young BILDer's committee that is part of Toronto's local Home Building and Renovation Association.  YBILD will be launched at an opening night event November 29th, 2011.  To read more, visit Eurodale's blog for all of the registration information.

iron chef | fisher & paykel style

Last week I was invited by Goemans Appliance to participate in an Iron Chef Challenge in the beautiful working showroom of Fisher & Paykel.  12 designers were split into 2 teams to whip up an appetizer, main dish and dessert using a list of ingredients and the secret ingredient, curry, which had to be in every dish.  Supervised by a professional chef, we set out the menus ourselves and chops, seared, sauteed and plated some pretty creative dishes, meanwhile getting to test drive some pretty phenominal appliances.  Fisher & Paykel, from New Zealand, manufactures an extensive range of high end kitchen appliances, which in my opinion not only function extremely well, they seem to blend an industrial/commercial look with sleek finishes - their oven & range doors are amazing!  I have installed their fridges in clients homes in the past, but became the biggest marketer of their dishwasher drawers, after experiencing the absolute quiet blish of 6 operating at one time.  And not only was the event fun and informative, my team won!  My sister and I whipped up a fabulous app of scallops with a pineapple/pepper/cilantro/lime/curry salsa which blew the judges away, and my friend Anna represented her firm by whipping up a chocolate chili curry mousse that had everyone swooning.    Yum!  Thanks for a great evening.

the life of a designer/project manager

Is not always glamourous.

The headwear is neither flattering nor my colour....

and the footwear leaves little to be desired.

But on the plus side, you get to spend some time outside

and progress really makes your day.

Another project by Eurodale.